I’ve been debating about whether to blog about this. However, I know I’m not the only one out there, and I’d love to know everyone’s opinion whether or not agree with me.
I went to the doctor today for my checkup with my bronchitis. I know I feel better so I wasn’t real sure why I had to go back to have him tell me that. But whatever. I went. He listened to my lungs and said what I knew. I’m getting better. However, he then went on to say that I gained 3 lbs from last week. I was like “really? wow.” Now, this is where the conversation takes a turn. He then goes on to tell me to join Jenny Craig. Or Weight Watchers. And that I eat too much packaged foods (except he never asked me what we eat at the house). He also is sending me for a ton of bloodwork.
Here’s where I have an issue. I know I’m fat. I’ll admit that. However, his recommendation wasn’t to cut calories or exercise. It was to join Jenny Craig. Something I definitely can’t afford. Now, if Jenny Craig wants to try out their program, I’ll do it. Otherwise, I can’t afford it. (Let’s see — Madison’s tuition for school is cheaper a month than what Jenny Craig is going to cost. Plus, I’d have to still cook for everyone else here). Weight Watchers would be great if Bill actually worked 9 to 5 and I could actually attend meetings. Which again costs money that I don’t have. When Bill went to him in the summer, he told him to join a gym. I don’t get it — people don’t have money for this kind of stuff, and that’s his advice.
My next issue is that he wants me to get a ton of bloodwork done. Since we have a $1000 deductible, this all would have to be paid out of pocket. Half of the bloodwork was done in June before I had my surgery by my gyne, and I told him that.
As for the 3 lbs. Let’s see — last week I was wearing a T-shirt and a yoga pants. This week — a winter sweater and jeans. Think it could be my clothes? Or as my husband suggested — I’ve been sick with bronchitis. I’ve been laying on the coach for over a week cuz I feel like shit. Could that be it? Oh yeah, I’ve been sick for a month and since I’m the only one who cooks here, yeah we’ve had our fair share of order pizza and hamburger helper. Cuz I was sick (and still am for that matter. The Cipro he’s got me on makes me want to go to bed 15 minutes after I take it and I take it twice a day. I literally spend my days trying to stay awake).
I’m just irritated. I’m probably overreacting, but why are my only suggestions from my doctor ones that cost us money? Most people I’ve talked to said to get a new doctor. What do you think? Any weight loss suggestions? (Remember I live in IL and it’s snowed every single day this week. Going outside to exercise is not an option. Neither is walking in the mall with 2 kids who run in 2 different directions. And we can’t afford a gym).
I don't think you're overreacting at all. I think it was an unprofessional comment that had absolutely nothing to do with your current medical treatment.
Unfortunately, I've had a similar experience.
http://corrinrenee.com/would-you-be-interested-in…
Thanks! I knew you'd understand! I was sure after Jenny Craig he was going to recommend surgery. But as Bill said to me, he probably doesn't make money off that.
Your doctor is seriously weird. I've never been in either program, but from what I've seen the problem with both is that they're short-term solutions. Jenny Craig more so than Weight Watchers, which at least teaches people to deal with normal foods and not just their product lines. And I'm stunned that he'd recommend commercial program$ rather than things a patient could do for free!
As far as tips, have you tried dancing? It feels a bit silly at first, but kids tend to like it, too. I boogied off most of my baby pounds. Of course, Big Guy had horrid colic so it wasn't so much exercise as desperation. Dancing with him was the only thing that kept him quiet for a while.
That's what I thought about his suggestions. It's was like, huh? Then I got mad. I thought sleeping on it would make me feel better — instead I feel worse about the whole situation today.
The hubby and I are going to go look at treadmills tonight.
I think that was totally unprofessional of that doctor to recommend those things without at least talking to you first about a healthy diet and exercise program. I'm fat too and my doctor and I talk about things and she offers me suggestions on ways to help stay on track, etc., but never once has she "TOLD ME" to join any of those programs. As far as blood tests go, make sure your doctor knows your financial situation and explain that if he really feels these tests are important, let's just pick the high priority things. If he is just doing them as a matter of routine then tell him they will have to wait.
I'm thinking it might be time for you to look around for another doctor though too.
I agree. I was like no healthy diet? No exercise? I'll be the first to tell you I don't exercise enough (more like never).
I'm going to do what my mom recommended to me last night. If I truly did gain 3 lbs in a week, that's an issue. So I weighed myself this morning. I am going to weigh myself next Thursday and if I've gained another 3 lbs., then there is something definitely wrong.
Since we both need to lose weight (Bill and me) and we live in IL where it won't stop snowing, We are going to go look at treadmills tonight. It can't hurt as long as we actually use it (which is the part I worry about).
Oh my – I would definitely get a new doctor. I don't have a problem with a doctor telling me to diet, etc. but when you've been sick and he doesn't even ask what you eat at home? No thanks! I hope you feel better 🙂
Thanks!
Ok I don't think you're overreacting at all either. I would be so angry if a doctor were to tell me that without even asking anything about my current habits, lifestyle, etc. And we have the same issues you do with being in a cold climate and having no extra money for gyms or weight loss programs. I'm fat too – I hate how I look. I've actually been trying to walk more lately – either with the girls now that they're older and stay with me more, or during the few hours a week that Becca's in preschool. It's so hard though to find the time, the energy and the motivation when there are a thousand other things I need to be doing too.
I agree with Robyn about the tests and finding another doctor. Good luck!
While I agree that WW is a good, healthy way to lose weight, we're not doing it right now, either, because we can't afford it. In addition to this we also saw our doc a few weeks ago, just for an updated med. check (to renew any mail-order prescriptions we had), and he suggested being more active before we start trying to medicate for anything. His request? Walk briskly 10-15 minutes/day to start. "Walk 5 minutes away from your home, turn around and come back. Increase as your stamina builds and as you want." We'll re-evaluate over time, but for now, he just wants to start out small.
Also, I don't know if you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, as I only recently found your blog, but if you do, we've found a great app (FREE!) for logging your food and exercise. Seems to be helping us so far, and we've only been doing it since the beginning of February. =) It's called Lose It! It also has a website: http://www.loseit.com.
As for your doctor, I don't think you're over-reacting, as those should have been possible suggestions to accomplish what you want, not the only things mentioned! "I want you to eat healthier and exercise more. A couple things I've found that help some are Jenny Craig and WW." That might have been a better approach. *sigh*
Good luck! I look forward to reading what you decide to do!
I have followed a book/weight loss program from Prevention.com called the Two Week Total Body Turnaround. I lost 12 pounds in two weeks and I didn't even do the walking work-out since the weather here is awful. I also have started the 30 Day Shred, but I don't like it as well. I did buy an eliptical (great deal from a cousin) and started the couch to 5K podcasts about 3 weeks ago. I have lost over 20 pounds since January first by basically doing some strength training and really watching portions and carbohydrates.
I would seriously be considering another doctor. While those programs are great, I don't see how they help in the long run. For me, I needed to take the responsibility of making the right foods for myself and controlling my portions. Hopefully, I've made a lifelong change. Good luck in your endeavor.
This Doctor sounds like he is bitter or angry about something. It's a doctor's job to be realistic with patients, and not sugarcoat the things that may be unpleasant to hear, but with that comes the responsibility of making appropriate suggestions to the person and working WITH them to find a solution or a few steps in the right direction that work best for them! Plans like Jenny Craig are proven to generally be effective for the time you are on them, but if you ever go off, you're out a TON of money and the weight comes back in full force. Something my mother and I did was Weight Watchers at home diet. They have a book with meals, and snack suggestions that you can use on your own. They also have their online program which costs a lot less. Basically we all know what we're supposed to be doing and eating to be healthy, but sometimes life gets in the way of that. had a similar experience when I joined a gym in January. I was feeling so proud of myself for joining a gym (which was VERY expensive, I still cringe when I see the bill) so on my first time there they said they had to do a body analysis. So I stand there while some boy with too much hair gel and a bad fake tan measures my body fat. He gave me a disapproving glare and told me I am 20 lbs overweight for my height. I've never considered myself overweight, I've been about the same size + or – 10 lbs for the last 10 years. He circles a number on the page in front of me (the weight he thinks I should weigh) and asks "When was the last time you saw THAT number on the scale?" He asked how many times I planned on coming in every week and I said 2. He then tells me that I'm clearly not taking this weight loss seriously enough and that maybe I should come back when I actually want to save my life. I've never been so embarrassed or insulted in my entire life. Here I thought I was being so proactive by going to the gym and I left feeling like I should lock myself up in my house and never leave. Ugh! If you want to lose weight, do it for yourself, and no one else and if you are ok with where you are right now, then good. Your Doctor trying to scare you into it, or making you feel like crap shouldn't get you down 🙂
Hi,
I just found your blog. I'm not really sure why the doctor made the suggestions he made. Could be anything from wanting to make more money to genuinely being concerned and trying to provide a way for weight loss that is currently very popular. Who knows really, except the doctor.
As for ways to lose weight, a treadmill would be really good, as you mentioned you were going to look at some. A cardiologist spoke at a women't meeting I went to this month. He said that women around our age should do some kind of cardio exercise for 30 minutes 5 days a week. He said simply walking was enough. I saw that someone has suggested the podcast "couch to 5k". It is wonderful and you can do it on a treadmill in your home. The music is upbeat and the voice giving instructions is motivational and instructive.
The other thing that you COULD consider is what we are doing in our family. We have kids and they LOVE our Wii. There are several games that provide exercise. I read a report online that said doing the cardio activities on the Wii for 30 minutes was just as good as any other cardio activity. The hoola-hoop and boxing activities are our favs on our game Wii Fit. EA Active is a new game that has just come out. It has a strength training band and band to go around your leg to hold the controller. It got good reviews from the sources examining it as an exercise option.
Last, if you only want to spend around $50 buy a jump rope, a weighted medicine ball and a hula hoop. In the March 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine there is a 30 minute workout using those three items for strength training, core work and cardio activities. As a coach I know the benefits of all three activities and you can't go wrong with these three things.
Hope that you find something that will work and be fun for your family. Good luck and best wishes.
I had a doctor tell me to go to the pool for exercise after I found out I had arthritis in my knees and couldn't do alot of at home exercises! I wondered where he thought I would get the money to join the gym so I could use their pool. And then I wondered what he thought I would do with my kiddos when I was in the pool! Sometimes I think dr. think everyone else has just as much money to throw around as they do!
yeah man just do your own thing and it will work out for you
It is a strange doctor I must say. Usually doctors ask for eating and exercise habits before suggesting some other option.
I think you should get low fat, low carb, light recipes and try to eat more healthier. When times get better go for a walk or go to the play park with the kids. Besides, running after our kids is also exercise. 😉
Hello! I just found your blog because you follow me on twitter, and now I follow you on twitter too! Coincidentally I have been documenting my weight loss journey on my blog since the beginning of November. So far I have lost 25 pounds, and have another 50 to go! Also coincidentally I am sitting here recovering from bronchitis. 😉 Crazy huh! I don't have much time to go into what all I have been doing to lose the weight…right at this moment, but will definitely be checking back in and willing to help in any way. I live in IA, so I understand the snowed in issue.
I traded in an army career for a home based business a couple of years ago and the weight just seemed to pile on. The two things I would suggest to help is drink a glass of water before eating anything as this seems to help me curb my appetite. The other thing I did was switch to all diet sodas. I was drinking 5 or 6 regular sodas a day. At 150-200 calories each that can easily be half of your daily calories. Add your meals and snacking on top of that and of course you get a little extra weight. Simply by changing my the things I drink and when helped me lose about 15 pounds without any other lifestyle changes. (it did take about 2 months btw) Hope this helps.
I am totally late to this conversation since I just started following your blog. I have had a very similar situation happen to me. I left the practice bawling my eyes out and never returned. I had gone there to not only establish a dr. but to get help and advice on my weight and bam – the doctor goes off on me. I was pissed. I didn't go back to a doctor (other than my obgyn) for 4 years.
I personally love weight watchers and I have done it at home before. IT's actually pretty easy. It's been a few years, but I basically connected online with people doing it and they were more than willing to email me all the basic important info to start without paying. I lost about 10 lbs and then gave up and went into depression (not because I gave up…I had a deep depression then gave up)
My goal now is to lose weight, not only for me, but because I would have a much smoother pregnancy if I did. I have gone from drinking like 4-5 cans of regular soda a day to 2 cans of diet. I have cut my portions in half too. I don't know that I am losing weight, because I am scared to get on the scale, but I feel better.
Hang in there.
I just found your blog while on the Summer Blog Tour 2010, wanted to stop in and say hello:)
As a former fat girl I know where you are coming from and the lesson I learned on the long and sometimes painful weight loss journey is pretty straight forward:
Find what works for YOU and run with it! You know what it takes:) It will never be easy & somedays will suck but you'll get there when you are ready!
Take care,
Mary
http://www.reinventingbeautiful.com
Just found your blog I think you should get another doctor. And try following a healthy balanced eating plan with some light weight exercises you don't need a gym you can exercise in your home with some light weights, and do some cardio aswell
great post i really like it.
keep posting stuff like this