On a serious note, gang, I just came across this blog called First Do No Harm, Real Stories of Fat Prejudice in Health Care.
Read it and weep. Consider your heavy congregants who made need some advocacy in this area. Consider yourselves, if you’re people of size (I heard that once and thought it was both funny and cool).
PeaceBang’s favorite response to doctors who chirpily or somberly her to lose weight is to respond, “But how, doctor?”
They always bite.
And when they describe the magical combination of exercise and calorie reduction I say in wondering tones, “You know, I’ve been fat since I was 19 years old and I had NO IDEA how that worked. None at all.” When they chuckle uncomfortably and say, “Now, Victoria…” I tell them quite earnestly that in my experience, no one in America knows more about diet, exercise and nutrition than the average overweight woman. They’ve mostly been good at listening, since no fat people have ever spoken up before and informed them of this. I like to say that in between boxes of chocolates and fried chicken wings, I actually do a considerable amount of reading on health and nutrition. I could have a degree by now, no kiddin’. Me and my Mom. Dual honorary doctorates in diet and nutrition. Pass the budda.
But I love my current doctor’s office. No officious, scrawny intern half my age ordering me to “step on the scale” when I come in to get a prescription filled for malaria medicine (my response? “No, thanks, I gave at the office” as I breeze on down the hall). My nurse practitioner is the first medical professional who understands the truly confounding nature of compulsive overeating and doesn’t look at fatness as the chief indicator of health and well-being. She’s the first medical care-giver I’ve ever had who doesn’t treat me with barely hidden contempt. “Heredity may be destiny here,” she says when we discuss weight control. “You’re healthy, just keep moving. Keep moving and keep eating well.” IMAGINE a doctor who believes you when you assure them that you do actually eat well! Imagine a doctor who says, “You don’t smoke, you don’t drink, you don’t do drugs, you have good sleep habits, you eat nutritiously, you manage your stress with exercise, you have good community, you’ve never been hospitalized or had a surgery, your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure are normal — you’re healthy.”
This is what we call a keeper, my friends. It’s the kind of affirmation of holistic existence that makes me actually go buy collard greens at the grocers and not doctor them up with hamhocks. And for a few days at least, I can ignore the screaming, hysterical headlines about the OBESITY EPIDEMIC and just live in my body without shame or worry. What a gift.
I know I’ve talked about this book before, but I just think it’s important to talk about it again.
If you haven’t read it yet, read “Big Fat Lies” by Glenn A. Gaesser. It goes to great lengths to show how modern medical practice and the weight-loss industry are in bed together.
I’ve been a big girl all my life and I come from a line of big women on my father’s side. The last thing I need is for some condescending little twerp to tell me to lose weight. I think the same could be said by a lot of plus-sized women. [Re: “condescending little twerps:” When I described the officious intern as “scrawny,” I really meant it. It looked like he hadn’t had a solid meal in months. He had dark, sunken hollows under his eyes and horrible skin. And I should put my health in his hands? – PB]
On a related note, I also get absolutely great holistic caring medical care from a nurse-practitioner in a doctor’s office. I think they are such a great option for medical care.
“You don’t smoke, you don’t drink, you don’t do drugs, you have good sleep habits, you eat nutritiously, you manage your stress with exercise, you have good community, you’ve never been hospitalized or had a surgery, your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure are normal — you’re healthy.â€
Hot diggety damn, sign me up for that doc!
I tend to base my level of health based on my level of fitness. What can I do? What are my limitations? How do I feel? If I can run a mile or leap up a few flights of stairs without feeling like I’m going to collapse, then I’m generally satisfied. I’d like to get to the point where I could actually physically defend myself against an attacker.
If she didn’t mention your bowel movements, she’s not doing her job!
Just in case you’re interested…. There’s a wonderful organization called Overeater’s Anonymous. Based on the same principles as Alcoholics Anonymous. Provides support/love without shame/pressure. It works. It’s free. It’s everywhere. Addresses the spiritual/physical/mental aspect of overeating and of recovery. Check Google or yellow pages for meetings/info.