Jennette of Half of Me asks if her readers consult a doctor for diet advice.
Nope. I only volunteer my diet details if she asks, and she normally only asks if my CBC or lipid panel has something out of range. (Last year, she was worried I was eating too much protein or doing extreme low-carb due to weight loss with higher cholesterol and elevated liver enzymes. I suggested my fatty liver was reacting to my weight loss and releasing fat into my bloodstream. My next exam had weight maintenance and my cholesterol had come down to near normal.)
The one time I did ask her advice YEARS ago, she handed me a photocopied list with a meal plan and said, "Avoid high fat meats and sugar." The meal plan didn't do anything for my appetite. I ditched it and went to Weight Watchers, lost 35 lbs, gained it back when I stopped doing the program. (Duh, that's what happens when you stop being disciplined, vigilant, and on plan.)
I read diet news daily. I've read books on nutrition, taken a college course on nutrition, gotten advice from various dietitians in private practice over the last two decades--long enough to watch the high-carb/low-fat mania overloaded with pasta transform into the low-glycemic/high-fiber groove touting quality protein and veggies and whole grains to the Clean Eating/organic phase which I've semi-slid into now--and my library is stocked with a hundred plus books on the subject of eating, cooking, human nutrition, insulin resistance, diabetes, liver health, Metabolic Syndrome, cholesterol, high blood pressure, and women's health.
I probably know a lot more than my doc about THIS subject of weight loss.
The problem is never knowledge.
The problem is application with consistency.
I don't need a doc for weight loss. I may need a couple of other types of professionals (cognitive therapist, personal trainer (which I have), cooking instructor, life coach, etc). I need the behavior, not the knowledge.
So, er, no. The doc doesn't usually ask and I don't generally tell.
~~~
5 comments:
That's what my husband said yesterday! The problem with a lot of people is not that they don't know, they just don't apply that knowledge ;)
Yeah, it's so funny when people try to "teach" you how to lose weight, and you're like...Honey, I'm an expert on how to lose weight, I know how to do it, I just DON'T do it. Persistence is key! Thanks for the reminder that no matter how much we learn, we won't see results unless we get up and do it!
I wouldn't ask the doctor for dieting advice. But, don't you think it's a good idea to at least get a physical before starting a diet program? Like check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc..
I have a great doc! She always gives hi-5's if the scale is coming down. I usually ask her for help and she would suggest WW and lowering my calories, which of course, I know, but just didn't do. I guess I was hoping for a "magic" solution. I even went to the extent of inquiring about perscription diet pills. She was very reluctant because she knew I could do it on my own. She told me to wait on that, get bloodwork and the whole 9 done first, then we would 'discuss' is further. Luckily, i came to the conclusion, that I COULD do it on my own. I was glad she didn't perscribe them to me right away. (at the time I wasn't so happy, but now, I really am!)
Medifast, I see my doc every 3 months for my asthma, hypothyroid, and allergy scripts and have my cholesterol and blood sugar checked regularly (due to Metabolic Syndrome). I was able to get my sugar down 30 points just changing the way I eat, no medications, even before I lost weight--I just read about sugar-controlling foods and meal plans. :)
I also see an endocrinologist 1 to 2 times a year as needed to assess my thyroid status and Metabolic issues.
So, really, I see a doctor far more often than most people and have for years and years due to my chronic (and some lifelogn) conditions. Plus I have a blood pressure machine at home. I'm covered. :D
The Princess
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