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The Time My Doctor Told Me To Lose Weight

  • Julia B
  • Jul 15, 2017
  • 2 min read

As a human, and especially as a woman recovered from a past of obsessing over the scale, getting weighed is NEVER fun. Well, I had to go to get a physical for my job and there it was-that cold and unforgiving measurement that had defined my worth for years on end. I stared it down-ready to conquer it-and stepped on. Seeing my weight there in front of me after avoiding the scale in fear of reintroducing my obsession was a shock. I did it. I weighed myself and I'm not freaking out or judging myself. 19 pounds. I had gained 19 pounds in the last year and a half and my body weight was finally at a healthy place for my height. I had avoided this healthy weight for so long, stepped on the scale every morning to make sure I hadn't gained weight.

I thought my doctor would be proud of the strides I had taken toward physical and mental health. Instead, she told me I could quickly lose the weight if I wanted to if I just reduced my calories a little each day. She suggested getting a calorie counting app and making sure I was never going over 1600 calories because "no woman needs more than 1600 calories even if they are working out." The tears started flowing. I was so upset. I had just decided to start eating intuitively. She suggested that I was binge eating, asked me why I was crying. I felt defeated. All of my hard work and this was the response my doctor gave me. When she asked me to look her in the eyes and tell her things were OK between us and apologized, I said I wasn't ready to do that right now. I told her she had triggered me and reminded me of my past, made me think I was doing everything wrong. I told her I was done with the appointment and wanted her to leave and have the nurse come back to finish my appointment.

I left in tears, calling and texting my family, boyfriend, and friends. They were all outraged to say the least and acted as an amazing support system. I shared this event immediately after it happened on my Instagram and received the kindest, most support and validating comments.

I am lucky I have my support system. I am lucky I am strong and far in my journey to not believe her words. Coming from a medical professional, someone you want to trust with the hardest parts of your life, ignoring her words was not and is still not easy. I would be lying if I said I haven't been more sensitive the last few days and wanted to track calories, analyze photos to see if I look fat, or have low calorie meals when I'm hungry. But I AM STRONG. I will not let her get me down. I am more than her words. I am a woman, empowered to make my life the best it can be with the support of the positive people around me.

Sending positivity your way,

Jules


 
 
 

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