No, I didn’t say that. But a friend of mine did, when we got together recently. We were WW buddies for a long time, many years ago and on and off. We both started together fifteen years ago, and we’ve seen each other during many ups and downs. She recently saw her doctor, who was thrilled at her low blood pressure, her stellar cholesterol and triglyceride levels and her perfectly normal blood sugar. She’s also at a weight that’s very high for her, but her doctor wasn’t concerned and said only, “Lose weight if you want to, but you’re perfectly healthy.” My friend felt really disappointed at not being admonished to lose weight, and feels like she doesn’t feel motivated the way I do, because for me, it’s much more of a health mandate.
So. Should she just relax and not worry about losing weight? But she’s not happy at her weight. Is it difficult for her to lose weight, and harder to find motivation, if it’s not about being healthy? Personally, I feel like being healthy=being fit and being able to move about easily without a thought: climbing stairs, going on hikes, taking walks wherever without a second thought, etc etc. Not to mention more challenging things like sports, boating, etc.
It also makes me really believe that getting diagnosed with diabetes was a true gift to me. Because it DID wake me up, big time, and made me motivated like nothing else has. But I’ve heard that 75% of diabetics are NOT compliant and do NOT lose weight even when it’s recommended. I guess it takes different things for different people.
At this point I feel like I would never, ever, ever go Back to where I was. Now that I am here, I realize that I am truly a happier person when I am feeling healthy and fit and not constantly wrestling with food issues. Someone commented not too long ago that everything is not solved when we lose weight, and I agree with that. BUT. I truly am overall in a much happier place than I used to be. It used to be that if I had a happy moment, it was a BIG DEAL. They might come once a week or even once a month sometimes. But now, I honestly can say that I feel happy for the large part of every day. I get totally giddy when I hear my favorite songs on the radio (current super happy song: “Strange Overtones” by David Byrne, it cracks me up NO END), I am filled with happy endorphins when I work out, I love my friends and my family. I have a great and meaningful job. It’s all very, very good.
Would I be in this place right now if I hadn’t been scared into it by diabetes? I do not know.
foodfoodbodybody 
June 25, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Interesting comments, Foodie. I can comment from the perspective of someone who once said something along the lines of, “I’ll never gain the weight back because I am so happy to be where I am right now.” I then went on to gain ~20+ pounds of the 55 I had lost. I am not saying this to scare you or because I don’t believe it when you say you would never, ever, ever go back to where you were. I believe my big mistake was in focusing on the fact that even though I’d lost 55 pounds, I hadn’t lost the additional 25 pounds that would have brought me to my goal. So while I was “happier than I’d ever been” I was also not happy, not satisfied, and there was still a lot of head work I needed to do. What you have going for you is that you’ve been doing the work all along and will continue to do the work…I stopped and so I needed to get back to it. I hope this all makes sense 🙂
June 25, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Karen it DOES make sense and you know it does scare me, too. (which is OK) I mean it makes me think. It does feel like completely new territory. I know I don’t WANT to go back to where I was, but at the same time, I am afraid that I could/might/will. I especially worry about getting sick or injured and know that that has always been a place of “downfall” for me in the past. I also worry about keeping this up for DECADES – ie how will I manage when I am 60 or 70 years old and not as energetic as I am today?
I just have to keep taking deep breaths, and take each day in the healthiest way I can.
June 25, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I am surprised at her doctors response – I am 25 pounds overweight for my height, and my doctor brings it up EVERY time I see him!
June 25, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I think you’ll be fine…even though we sometimes take a step or two back, we have awareness that we didn’t have the last time. That trust you have in yourself now that you didn’t have previously, works in all realms of the journey. As I write this I realize that I did not have that trust, even after I’d lost 55 pounds. Trust yourself…you have everything you need. 🙂
June 25, 2009 at 2:56 pm
This is one of the many reasons I have little time or respect for the medical profession. So many doctors only treat disease (once it’s already manifested) and have no clue about wellness. I was obese for 10 years before my blood pressure and cholesterol started rising. Then suddenly I was told to lose weight. Disease doesn’t happen overnight, and just because we don’t have symptoms yet, doesn’t mean that they’re not developing.
The problem with carrying extra weight is that the same lifestyle factors that contribute to the weight, contribute to all degenerative diseases in the body. This is not about weight, it’s about healthy living, which will automatically normalize our weight over time, but most importantly will protect us against disease.
I’m extremely grateful for my obesity, because it provided me with a clue that my lifestyle was out of balance. If I hadn’t been obese, I might have missed those clues and never become interested in wellness and disease prevention. I could have been one of those “lucky” thin people who can eat everything they want and not gain weight, but have no idea what damage is being wrought inside their bodies.
We can never give away our responsibility when it comes to health. Not to doctors, drug companies, friends, spouses, trainers, food companies, etc. It should always rest with us!
June 25, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Great food for thought. I don’t think it should take a Dr. to tell you to lose weight. if you are uncomfortable and at a healthy weight maybe take on getting fit. Who knows it is so different for everyone. I know someone who gained enough weight to be able to get the perscription phen phen back in the day…insane!
Being diagnosed with diabetes should scare people into better health but I know first hand it does not. My husband just thinks the pills will keep things good so why lose weight.
No mater what if your mind just does not click and get it, then it would not matter if Richard Simmons himself showed up on your door step!
XO Shannon Fab Fattie
June 25, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I know Shannon commented too, but I like to talk too and think everyone want to hear my wise words! LOL!!
My thoughts for your friend are to find the motivation to lose the weight for all the benefits it will offer her. Motivation can come in many forms, wanting to run a 5K, maintaining health, wanting to be able to tie your own show with out passing out and even just achieving goals and giving yourself a little self love. I am also motivated because I can’t see Vin Diesel dating a fat chick and I think he is still single!
Everyone takes on this journey for different reasons and in different ways. However, whatever may motivate you and inspire you may change. I am loving running up the stairs and still being able to breathe when I get to the top and the increased energy.
Maybe your friend needs a little Fab Fattie lovin boot camp?!
XO
Angie
June 25, 2009 at 5:36 pm
It would have made it easier for her to lose the weight if the doctor would have said do it now, I think. My wife always says that she is OK with the way I look now and I just want her to say, Lose the weight, please.
June 25, 2009 at 6:40 pm
It would have made it easier for her to lose the weight if the doctor would have said do it now, I think. My wife always says that she is OK with the way I look now and I just want her to say, Lose the weight, please.
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
June 26, 2009 at 2:04 am
I can’t believe that here doctor doesn’t encourage her to lose weight. In the long run her organs, joints and bones are going to take their toll with the extra pounds.
Steven T.