I am obese

[Bungiecat]

Hi just come back to forum after some time away I am obese have just looked at my bare body in a mirror and realised that I need to do something big seeing Gp in two weeks but need to lose at least two stone can anyone help with questions to ask my GP Gail

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer]

Great to have you back with us Bungiecat

Welcome back and enjoy the forum...

The questions to ask your GP can be dependant on your health.. if you are healthy but overweight.. it's a good place to start making changes from, but if you take any medications you may need them amended as you progress with weight loss, your GP should be able to advise you.. But do get them to give you support with weigh ins and checks as they can encourage you to stick to it...

Well done for planning and preparing to see your health professional regarding your actions to lose weight and get their support locally to compliment this wonderful forum...

I'd like to invite you to read our Newbie Post - which is what I call the sat-nav to the benefits of the forum, here's the link:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Please also read this about the importance of locking your posts:

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

We'd love to know how you found us...?

Cheering you on to reach your goals 🎉🎉🎉

[Swan_not_elephant 7lbs]

Hi Gail, Welcome! I am sure you will find plenty of help and support here . Wishing you all the best 🍓

[Bungiecat in reply to Swan_not_elephant]

Thanks I need to get advice I think from my GP and decide whether the 12 week weight loss prog is better than paying for weight watchers online Gail

[Swan_not_elephant 7lbs in reply to Bungiecat]

I found out about the NHS 12 week plan (and this forum) looking for a way i could sort of implement slimming world for free. I know what i should do and I cannot help thinking "why pay???". It seems like a great systems and I think you pay for the knowledge of that specific system and the group support. I know people who did e extremely well on it. But if I count calories rather than learning "free foods" or "points" I think I will actually learn something for life. And save the money for much smaller new clothes

Just my personal opinion of course.

[Hidden in reply to Bungiecat]

Welcome! The best thing about this forum - apart from all the fabulous admins and other members - is that it’s free AND you can take part in your pyjamas! Plus there is no ritual humiliation or insincere applause! Forum members are genuinely interested in sharing your successes and supporting you through life’s little moments and if you have a question there is bound to be someone who can answer it or point you in the right direction.

Calorie counting teaches you how to manage real life ‘diets’ rather than having

Meals prescribed by points or some other artificial label.

However, each to his own. Some slimming clubs are very well run and supportive and the weekly meetings are as much social events as weigh-ins. But we are social too - just in the virtual world! You will still make friends and watch out for their posts.

Hope to ‘see’ you around!

[Familytree67 4st 7lbs]

Hi Gail...welcome back. I went into hospital in November for a colonoscopy and read a letter from the consultant sent to my GP . The only word I saw was obese. I was shocked to see it written down and referring to me. My GP said when I felt better we needed to discuss my weight and that was enough to make me really think about losing weight. I had in the past been to weight watchers and also to slimming world. My husband suggested I try and do it myself and with his support and info from NHS website I started counting calories and now at end of August I have lost 3 stone 3 lbs. As someone else pointed out it has cost me nothing and there is no feeling useless when you haven’t had a good week. May I also add that since I started at the end of November I haven’t put any weight on which often happened with slimming clubs. We have managed to go away for two long weekends to hotels and I have still lost. My GP was really pleased with my progress and after a blood test told me my blood pressure and chloresterol have both come down. I am sure your GP will support you as will everyone on here. I have also had fun choosing new clothes going from buying size 22 to now buying size 14s ....the charity shops have also benefitted form my large clothes. So good luck and very best wishes. Sue

[Bungiecat in reply to Familytree67]

Thanks for this Sue I have a male GP and really don’t know how to bring up the subject of my weight and suggestions would be helpful Gail

[Familytree67 4st 7lbs in reply to Bungiecat]

Hi Gail. I too have a male GP who has been a GP for two years now and obviously younger than my daughter. I first told him I had started to lose some weight and he said straightaway he could tell but was waiting for me to tell him. Last month when I saw him I said I had lost almost 3 stone and had the same again at least to lose he said don’t worry about that. He is really pleased with my blood pressure and chloresterol coming down . I have other health problems but feel so much more positive now. As someone else said just say to him that you seriously want to lose weight and have been looking at the NHS diet website and can he tell you if the medication you are on is okay to continue with whilst you are dieting. You will find that this” diet” becomes a way of life. I count all my calories even down to 10 mls of lactulose is 10 calories....my GP said that was a bit OCD but I feel happier counting everything that goes in my mouth. Am sure he will support you, if not change your GP there must be another doctor at your practice you can see instead. I started off also by weighing myself on the same day of the week and also took basic body measurements to compare when each 7 lbs is lost. I have lost at the moment the most weight than I have ever done at slimming clubs as I feel this is a better way of life.

I do wish you all the very best with your GP I think that as long as you check your medication is fine then just go for it.....do it for yourself and others will eventually start to notice . Good luck Sue

[Ali_B62]

Hello, Bungiecat, sounds like you are ready to take control and make some changes. Please try not to be embarrassed about the extra weight in view of of consulting a male GP, this problem happens to a lot of people as you can see here. Jot down your questions, hold your head high as you go in, take a relaxing breath and ask your questions, then maybe take down a few notes on the answers so that you don't forget afterwards.