Health at Every Size, yet again
Dec. 11th, 2006 02:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarahmichiganA letter I plan to send to my doctor(s) in the next day or two:
12/11/2006
Dear Drs. X and/or Y:
I understand that you are concerned about my elevated TSH and borderline triglyceride readings from my last blood test. I plan to get the follow-up tests and have already scheduled a follow-up appointment. I wanted to give you a few pieces of information about me before my next appointment that might help you work with me to make sure I’m healthy and stay healthy.
First, it’s my understanding that stress levels can affect one’s thyroid function, and a few weeks before I got my blood tests, I was going through particularly stressful time in my life. I had just gotten in a car wreck that totaled my car and left me and my husband with bruises, aches, and pains. At the same time, our second car broke down. We had to scramble to find a new car and get the second car fixed, all during a very stressful period at work when I was trying to put in overtime while also car-shopping. Also, during that time, my husband and I were so busy and so sore from the crash that we fell out of our usual exercise routine for several weeks. I strongly suspect all these events had an impact on my blood tests and that you may very well find my readings closer to normal by the time I go back for the follow-up.
Secondly, I have some concerns about the advice I am getting about calorie and food restricting, weight loss, and exercise. As for exercise, the nurse told me that I was being advised to increase my activity level. I wanted you to know that I don’t feel I can increase my activity level greatly without also causing damage to my joints and tendons. I’m already doing 25 to 40 minutes of cardio exercise (walking, stationary bike, elliptical trainer, or cardio row machine) four or more times a week, along with weight training twice a week, as well as several sessions of yoga and/or other stretching in any given week. I had fallen out of the habit of regular exercise earlier this autumn, but in general, I am an extremely active person. I do at least a little activity, including walks or yoga sessions nearly every day and try to get in vigorous sweat-producing workouts 3-4 times a week at minimum.
The next area I want to address is the matter of food and weight loss. I have a history of dieting and then regaining the weight. I was on a variety of diets between age 11 and age 29 and always gained the weight back. It’s only been in the last 5 years or so that I have held a relatively steady, if somewhat high, body weight.
I no longer diet or restrict calories, and I cannot and will not be talked into doing something so destructive again. It’s my belief (backed by scientific studies that I would be happy to share with you) that anyone of any size can increase his or her health merely by eating healthy and exercising regularly. It’s also my belief, backed by scientific studies, that permanent weight loss of more than 10 percent of body weight is nearly impossible for most people, since most dieters regain the weight they’ve lost. Also, many studies indicate that weight cycling—losing weight and then regaining it repeatedly—is extremely bad for a person’s mental and physical health. People who are heavy but do NOT weight cycle have better blood pressure and other indications of health than yo-yo dieters. Also, several studies indicate that overweight and even obese people who are physically active have about the same health risks and mortality as thinner people.
Since my history of weight cycling already puts me at risk of heart problems later in life, I do NOT feel that calorie restrictions or deliberate weight loss are viable options for me. I would be happy to share an extensive list of resources about a movement called “Health at Every Size” if you’d like. I’d also be happy to discuss ways that I can improve my health that do NOT involve dieting, calorie restriction, or a strong focus on my weight.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sarah
12/11/2006
Dear Drs. X and/or Y:
I understand that you are concerned about my elevated TSH and borderline triglyceride readings from my last blood test. I plan to get the follow-up tests and have already scheduled a follow-up appointment. I wanted to give you a few pieces of information about me before my next appointment that might help you work with me to make sure I’m healthy and stay healthy.
First, it’s my understanding that stress levels can affect one’s thyroid function, and a few weeks before I got my blood tests, I was going through particularly stressful time in my life. I had just gotten in a car wreck that totaled my car and left me and my husband with bruises, aches, and pains. At the same time, our second car broke down. We had to scramble to find a new car and get the second car fixed, all during a very stressful period at work when I was trying to put in overtime while also car-shopping. Also, during that time, my husband and I were so busy and so sore from the crash that we fell out of our usual exercise routine for several weeks. I strongly suspect all these events had an impact on my blood tests and that you may very well find my readings closer to normal by the time I go back for the follow-up.
Secondly, I have some concerns about the advice I am getting about calorie and food restricting, weight loss, and exercise. As for exercise, the nurse told me that I was being advised to increase my activity level. I wanted you to know that I don’t feel I can increase my activity level greatly without also causing damage to my joints and tendons. I’m already doing 25 to 40 minutes of cardio exercise (walking, stationary bike, elliptical trainer, or cardio row machine) four or more times a week, along with weight training twice a week, as well as several sessions of yoga and/or other stretching in any given week. I had fallen out of the habit of regular exercise earlier this autumn, but in general, I am an extremely active person. I do at least a little activity, including walks or yoga sessions nearly every day and try to get in vigorous sweat-producing workouts 3-4 times a week at minimum.
The next area I want to address is the matter of food and weight loss. I have a history of dieting and then regaining the weight. I was on a variety of diets between age 11 and age 29 and always gained the weight back. It’s only been in the last 5 years or so that I have held a relatively steady, if somewhat high, body weight.
I no longer diet or restrict calories, and I cannot and will not be talked into doing something so destructive again. It’s my belief (backed by scientific studies that I would be happy to share with you) that anyone of any size can increase his or her health merely by eating healthy and exercising regularly. It’s also my belief, backed by scientific studies, that permanent weight loss of more than 10 percent of body weight is nearly impossible for most people, since most dieters regain the weight they’ve lost. Also, many studies indicate that weight cycling—losing weight and then regaining it repeatedly—is extremely bad for a person’s mental and physical health. People who are heavy but do NOT weight cycle have better blood pressure and other indications of health than yo-yo dieters. Also, several studies indicate that overweight and even obese people who are physically active have about the same health risks and mortality as thinner people.
Since my history of weight cycling already puts me at risk of heart problems later in life, I do NOT feel that calorie restrictions or deliberate weight loss are viable options for me. I would be happy to share an extensive list of resources about a movement called “Health at Every Size” if you’d like. I’d also be happy to discuss ways that I can improve my health that do NOT involve dieting, calorie restriction, or a strong focus on my weight.
Thank you for your consideration,
Sarah
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-12-11 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-11 07:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-11 08:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-11 09:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 05:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 09:54 am (UTC)You're very articulate about an emotional subject... emotional for me, anyway. The last time I confronted a doctor about his nasty comments about my weight, I ended up obviously stifling tears. Not smooth at all. D:
no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 11:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 04:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 05:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-12 07:30 pm (UTC)