RSS
 

My Options

16 Dec

In my last post,  I was in the doctor’s office, wearing a paper gown, arguing with my doctor about what my “ideal” weight should be for Weight Watchers purposes.

Here’s the deal: with Weight Watchers, you pay to attend meetings until you reach a weight-loss goal.  That goal can be anything in the normal category for BMI or a goal agreed to by your dr.  Your dr needs to write a letter saying that is your goal weight, and you can go on what’s called Lifetime or Maintenance at WW.

After losing 110 lbs, I am still not at what the BMI designates as “normal” for my height; I’m about 15 lbs above that.  But I’m happy where I’m at.  I have achieved all of the goals I set for myself in joining Weight Watchers.  I have alleviated the pain in my joints; I am very active; I have inspired my husband to take better care of himself; I am setting a better example for my kids.

I might decide that I’d like to lose more weight in the future to meet some new goals.  But for now, I’m happy.  I’m getting used to this new body, which still surprises me.  I’m happy with the changes I’ve made, and don’t see making more at this time.

So I tried to tell my doctor this.  But again, it’s hard to disagree with someone when he’s clothed and you’re wearing a paper gown.  He argued that even though I’m happy, even though I’m healthy, the research shows better health when you are at the normal BMI for your height.  Even if everything else is good, every extra pound increases your risk of injury from a fall, making you more top heavy.

I pointed out that I am shaped like a Weebil, which, if you’ll recall, wobble but won’t fall down.  He dismissed this argument, saying the extra weight isn’t in my feet.  Um, ok.  I can pinch an inch (hey, we’re on a roll with old tv ads!), but it’s all loose skin.

In the end, he said he’d write me a letter BUT… he really won’t.  So here are my choices:

  1. Try to lose 15 lbs so I meet the BMI requirement and can go to Weight Watchers as lifetime.
  2. Don’t try to lose 15, continue going to Weight Watchers as a normal paying member at $40/month
  3. Stop going to Weight Watchers
  4. Find another doctor

Next Post: My conversation with my Weight Watchers leader, and my decision.

 
2 Comments

Posted in goals

 
 
 

  1. Pat Barone, CPCC, PCC

    December 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    IMO, the decision-maker is you, not your doctor and not weight watchers. As a long-term (permanent) weight loss veteran, you might need time to get used to the body you’ve now got. Your body might need to settle in before it releases more weight. See my post on working with your body at http://www.stoprentingweightloss.com.

    Also, BMI is not the best indicator, it’s just what doctors are using now. There will be something different tomorrow. Many very healthy athletes and people who carry a lot of muscle are “unhealthy” according to BMI. You can have a perfect BMI and be very unhealthy.

    This is a great post – I think I’ll write about MY health indicators in my next blog post!

    Congrats on 100 lbs. Don’t let anyone or anything take it away from you! I have maintained 70+ weight loss for 10 years in March 2010! There’s nothing like real change.

     

  2. Wendy

    December 16, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    Thanks, Pat! I think I’d like to focus on keeping the health I have now instead of reaching for a goal that isn’t really mine.