Good evening ladies....I am an ED nurse and you are right. Most nurses and doctors, unless they have looked into weight loss strategies...are usually clueless as compared to us here at this site. About 10 years ago, my MD at the time tried me on diet pills to lose weight...At the time, I didn't have my RN but no matter, I was clueless. I have been a nurse for almost 9 years and overweight all those years. I heard about WW from a few coworkers, secretaries, techs, nurses, one doc. I invested some time, talking to people who have tried WW, researched stuff on the net, then took the plunge.....I've learned 1, portion control. 2. Eat healthy -- protein, fruit, vegetables, whole wheat, low fat or no fat... and 3. I will always have a food problem, therefore for me it is not a diet until .....so and so day, it is a lifetime commitment to myself, to take care of myself. I have learned that lesson here also, I am the most important person to myself. I'm not saying I know everything about weight loss, but I know what works for me, and that is a major point, I must do what works for me.....you must do what works for you....for a lifetime...not just until so and so time.
T2L - THANK YOU . You're opening a realm of possibilities for other people - and maybe that dense nurse just might offer one more old-fashioned option to the next sad and unhappy person who comes in the door looking for help.
Yes, World. It is possible to lose weight without surgery or diet pills.
I love it!!
One of my aunts is spreading the rumor that I've had WL surgery. If I did I'd scream it to the world if it I was this far down because of it...buuut I didn't. Blah to her trying to rain on my parade
One of my aunts is spreading the rumor that I've had WL surgery. If I did I'd scream it to the world if it I was this far down because of it...buuut I didn't. Blah to her trying to rain on my parade
Oh my goodness. I've said almost the same exact words so many times. "If I'd had WLS and these were my results, I'd be screaming it from the roof tops." Really.
That cracked me up!! Good for you!! hehe Amazing how they have so little faith in people... then again.... maybe they're kinda right. Most people these days don't want to do it the good ole fashioned way... i.e. the HARD WAY. Everyone looks to quick answers and pills for everything from sex to weight loss to happiness..... *shrug* What do you expect?
The only person who has asked me if I have surgery was a salesgirl at Lane Bryant, in the spring. She had made some snippy comment about how many things I was trying on and said I don't even look big enough to shop there (HA -- I'll take that kind of snark any day!) I explained why I didn't know what size I was, how much I'd lost by then and she asked if I had WLS. I said no and then she told me how she lost a lot as well. Here is when I noticed that she wasn't exactly obese either. Anyway, she warmed up and told me that I'm the only other person she's met who has lost significant weight without surgery. Though that was interesting. I haven't exactly 'met' a lot of people who've lost, so I don't have a frame of reference. You guys on this board :-)
The nurse who weighed me at my last drs appointment was impressed -- didn't bring up WLS at all but asked me questions about how hard it was, what I ate. At first I thought she was asking for purposes related to the visit, or that she was concerned somehow -- I had anorexia/bulimia as a teen, so maybe I am sensitive. But she kept getting more specific and writing down my answers in this little personal-looking notebook she had in her purse. Then she started pulling out snacks from her desk drawer and asking me what I thought of these bars, etc. Kind of funny now that I think about it. She wanted to lose about 40 lbs.
I haven't exactly 'met' a lot of people who've lost, so I don't have a frame of reference. You guys on this board :-)
I think this is really interesting, and very revealing. It's true that it's hard to meet people who have lost a significant amount of weight through dieting.
Every once in a while you meet someone who is losing significant amounts of weight, and it's so unexpected that it's almost startling.
But I think this is one of the big obstacles. If the entire health care profession and most people believe it's impossible, then how likely is it that you are going to succeed? Because, for years, I know that when I looked at that slice of chocolate cake and tried to decide whether or not I should eat it, a part of me said "why not, because being fat is a permanent condition."
The belief that you can succeed, and that others have done it is key to the ability to succeed.
ubergirl originally posted The belief that you can succeed, and that others have done it is key to the ability to succeed.
Exactly, you do have to believe and it is very helpful to see examples. In my humble opinion, one reason 3 Fat Chicks is so helpful is because the maintainers stick around and show us that it is possible. I plan to stick around to show that even at 50+ years it is possible.
I also think that the Joy Fit club on the Today show helps with this. I love seeing the new members and hearing their stories.
In real life, I know a few success stories. A friend from church lost 100 pounds on WW and has kept it off for over a year. I don't know what her weight is now but she is not a size 8. However, I know that she is bound to feel better than she did 100 pounds ago.
I have several coworkers that had WLS when our insurance covered it. They only covered it for a couple of years, 2003 and 2004, I think. It was before I started here but have heard their stories. All lost weight and all but 2 have put a good deal of weight back on. They are smaller than when they started but I think it shows that WLS is not always the answer.
I'm thankful that my physician views surgery and pills as a last resort for everything. Not that she's afraid to prescribe them when needed (she gave me some bomb-a** antibiotics when I went to her with a fever of 104 last year), but she doesn't just throw pills at you like so many doctors out there. If it can be fixed with physical therapy, homeopathic remedies, or healthy lifestyle changes, then that's what she has you try first. Needless to say, she's thrilled that I decided to go with Weight Watchers.
Exactly, you do have to believe and it is very helpful to see examples. In my humble opinion, one reason 3 Fat Chicks is so helpful is because the maintainers stick around and show us that it is possible. I plan to stick around to show that even at 50+ years it is possible.
I agree that the presence of the maintainers is a vital part of the success of those of us who are in earlier stages of the journey. Honestly, before I came to 3FC, I don't think I 'knew' anyone who had lost significant weight and kept it off. Maybe one or two people. Everyone else was like me; they'd lose 30 or 40 pounds, keep it off for a year or so and then it would slowly creep back on. Knowing that there are people who have not only lost significant amounts of weight but are happily maintaining that loss--well, that's invaluable to me.
I agree with others who say that many times, doctors are probably incredulous at the idea of losing through diet and exercise for the same reason that we were when we first started out--because they don't know anyone in real life who is willing to put forth that kind of committment.
I am thankful every day that I found this place. Every single day.
I agree that the presence of the maintainers is a vital part of the success of those of us who are in earlier stages of the journey. Honestly, before I came to 3FC, I don't think I 'knew' anyone who had lost significant weight and kept it off. Maybe one or two people. Everyone else was like me; they'd lose 30 or 40 pounds, keep it off for a year or so and then it would slowly creep back on. Knowing that there are people who have not only lost significant amounts of weight but are happily maintaining that loss--well, that's invaluable to me.
I agree with others who say that many times, doctors are probably incredulous at the idea of losing through diet and exercise for the same reason that we were when we first started out--because they don't know anyone in real life who is willing to put forth that kind of committment.
I am thankful every day that I found this place. Every single day.
You are definitely an inspiration to all - and obviously you can teach your doctor a few things about weight loss!
