My doctor told me I should lose 7-8 pounds

[Anonymous]

I’m early 50’s woman, 5’4”, 135 lb. I think that is within healthy BMI, but apparently still not enough. I mean, sure, I’d love to lose a couple pounds around my middle, but I think of myself as pretty average, not overweight. To remain 135, I don’t drink much, rarely eat out, rarely eat desserts, pasta, bread, none of which are huge sacrifices for me. Getting to a lower weight would probably require being hungry. I told him that I thought it was unlikely and he said it should be easy.

[Anonymous]

OK? Why don’t you actually try it and see how it goes? Then if it doesn’t go well even though you are being reasonable and healthy, you at least can report back to your doctor that conscious and healthy habits didn’t move the needle.

I don’t understand your attitude here. If you want to disregard his advice, disregard it and move on with your day. If you want to take his advice, at least try before saying it can’t be done.

[Anonymous]

I hear you OP. I"m not sure of my weight now, but I'm probably similar to you. I have been on the smaller side my whole life, but menopause hit along with the pandemic and I put on those 7-8 pounds. The thought of what it will take to take them back off is just really depressing to me. I try on and off, but it will take a 1200 calorie a day or less diet, and I have no desire to do it. It stinks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK? Why don’t you actually try it and see how it goes? Then if it doesn’t go well even though you are being reasonable and healthy, you at least can report back to your doctor that conscious and healthy habits didn’t move the needle.

I don’t understand your attitude here. If you want to disregard his advice, disregard it and move on with your day. If you want to take his advice, at least try before saying it can’t be done.

np I disagree with you pp. The op sounds healthy to me and I think she should get a NEW doctor. Even when I was overweight and I asked her my ideal weight she was hesitant to give it because she wanted me to lose a bit and not get discouraged. How old is this doctor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK? Why don’t you actually try it and see how it goes? Then if it doesn’t go well even though you are being reasonable and healthy, you at least can report back to your doctor that conscious and healthy habits didn’t move the needle.

I don’t understand your attitude here. If you want to disregard his advice, disregard it and move on with your day. If you want to take his advice, at least try before saying it can’t be done.

I guess my attitude is that I’m already healthy and reasonable and geez, even average isn’t good enough? It feels like an impossible standard. I really feel for people who struggle with their weight (my spouse, for instance) so the casual way he was like, “No, problem, right? should be easy” was super annoying. The whole thing was annoying! I want people to be annoyed with me!

[Anonymous]

JFC I'd lose that doctor immediately. Your BMI is very healthy, unless the doctor can explain why dropping to less than 130lbs is going to manifestly improve your health, it's absurd advice.

[Anonymous]

I really don’t understand what is annoying about this. The issue may not be just the current 7-8 pounds at issue but the overall trend that your doctor is seeing in your weight. Perhaps you have been gaining a few pounds (or more?) every year, and your doctor thinks it would be a good idea to change your eating habits before it gets to the point where you have 20 pounds or more to lose. Why not give it a shot and see how you look and feel? Most people who succeed in losing weight don’t regret doing so.

[Anonymous]

Did he say why he advised this?

It sounds like you’re saying that you carry weight around your middle. Could that be why he seems overly concerned?

[Anonymous]

Your weight seems fine, but maybe your doctor is concerned that it’s concentrating in your midsection. That’s a red flag. Can you work on 10k steps/ day? You should lose a few and tone up doing that.

[Anonymous]

I’m exactly the same as you op. Same numbers. I came down to that from 147 after starting metformin for prediabetes. I’m genetically predisposed to diabetes and had gestational. I think I look great but if I can somehow lose 5-10 lbs I may get off the medication. I need to exercise and eat even less, esp sugar. And my diet is not bad. I’m vegetarian, no soda, no alcohol, no sugar in coffee or tea but I will eat pizza, pasta, an occasional bagel or croissant, Cheerios (with walnuts), etc.

[Anonymous]

I’d find a new doctor due to the lack of clear communication (you should understand his concern before the appointment ends) and his flippant attitude. Your health issues will only increase and you want a good, at least trusting, relationship with your doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m early 50’s woman, 5’4”, 135 lb. I think that is within healthy BMI, but apparently still not enough. I mean, sure, I’d love to lose a couple pounds around my middle, but I think of myself as pretty average, not overweight. To remain 135, I don’t drink much, rarely eat out, rarely eat desserts, pasta, bread, none of which are huge sacrifices for me. Getting to a lower weight would probably require being hungry. I told him that I thought it was unlikely and he said it should be easy.

What's wrong with trying? Your weight is not bad only because everyone else is so fat, not because you have nothing to lose. I'd give it a try.

[Anonymous]

I mean, it's one thing to say "Your glucose is borderline and/or you have a family history of early heart disease so having a slightly lower BMI might be beneficial to you if you can do it." But it's another thing to say "You must be a 22 BMI instead of a 23."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m early 50’s woman, 5’4”, 135 lb. I think that is within healthy BMI, but apparently still not enough. I mean, sure, I’d love to lose a couple pounds around my middle, but I think of myself as pretty average, not overweight. To remain 135, I don’t drink much, rarely eat out, rarely eat desserts, pasta, bread, none of which are huge sacrifices for me. Getting to a lower weight would probably require being hungry. I told him that I thought it was unlikely and he said it should be easy.

Did they say why? Is your A1C trending high?

[Anonymous]

Most people could! At least!