Kind words from my doctor

Here is a message from my doctor that I got today that gave me a great boost!  It is especially great because he is a wiry, healthy weight, middle-aged man--someone who appears to have never had a weight problem in his life (although it is impossible to tell, I hope some day to be mistaken for "naturally thin").

Good job-your rate of weight loss is excellent. Not too fast and not too slow. Keep emphasizing yourself mentally how you feel different, better, more energy, and visualize your knees and joints having less weight on them. Keep up the good work

This is especially helpful to me because I had a doctor when I was a teen (back in the 70's) put me on an 800 calorie a day diet (I was only slightly chubby, in the healthy BMI range) that almost killed me.  When I told him how sick it was making me, he told me that I just lacked will-power.  Ever since, I have been leery of seeking medical help with my weight management issues.

So, here is an enlightened doctor who supports all the great advice here at CC.  Woo-hoo!  I'll have to stop cringing when I hear people advise others to seek a doctor's opinion.

I'm glad you were smart enough to realize 800 cals/day wasn't healthy esp for a teen and esp since you weren't overweight.

It sounds like you have a doctor who thinks about what he says and is knowledgeable.  That's awesome!

Keep up the good work!

I go to the doctor more often than most for my diabetes and also have a really hard time with doctors. It's awesome you found a doctor who truly pays attention and gives helpful feedback! Stick with him and keep up the good work. :)

That is really awesome! I just recently had a negative experience with my doc and I know how important it is to have the validation and support from your medical provider.

I recently had a foot injury from running and went to my doc to get it checked out. I informed her of my exercise routine (strength training, variable cardio activities) and she told me that if I wanted to lose weight I needed to only do cardio and when I hit my goal weight I should add in strength training. I countered that strength training helps burn fat and increases metabolism.

Although I am bordering between the healthy and overweight BMI, I carry a lot of muscle from strength training so the BMI isn't necessarily exact for my body makeup. As well, I showed her my blood pressure, which was really good (like 106/60) and informed her that I have lost almost 20 pounds and a lot of inches. 

Its really a shame because she should be encouraging me to continue what I do instead of telling me what I am doing is wrong. And to realize that she shouldn't be assuming that my goal is weight loss (it's actually fitness, but I'm 10 pounds from my goal weight). 

Doctors really could help motivate people by having personal relationships and offering actual reliable feedback. Great for you for having a good doc!!!