How to Talk to Your Doctor About Weight Issues: Tips for Baby Boomers and Seniors

Are you too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your weight? Perhaps talking to your doctor about weight issues seems far too personal. You would probably rather talk to him or her about anything else and yet, it is one of the most important things that you can do for your health. Talking to your doctor about weight issues may be something you realize you need to do, particularly if you have been struggling with your weight unsuccessfully.

Have you succeeded in losing some weight or why are you not succeeding? You need to talk to someone.

One of the reasons that weight issues are difficult to talk about, even with a family doctor, usually involves personal self-consciousness and feelings of guilt. You know that you bear at least some of the responsibility when you are overweight. You may also be dealing with an unsuspected disease process or have genetic factors to consider.

Will your doctor put you on a guilt trip?

It is important to look beyond any feelings of guilt that you may have and open up to your doctor about your weight issues and concerns for the future. Be honest with your doctor about your fears and let him or her know that you have guilt feelings, too.

Be aware that your doctor and other, medical professionals are health-oriented and will acknowledge the reality that you are trying to improve your health status by losing weight. They will help you to learn to manage your weight more effectively. They will also commend you for your efforts and may be able to offer sound medical advice that will prove to be beneficial to you.

Approach your doctor with sincerity. In other words, let him or her know that you are serious about wanting to improve your health status by taking control of your weight. Ask him or her for help in this regard.

Begin to record your weight on a regular basis and make a note of when your weight tends to fluctuate. Document measures you are currently taking with respect to weight loss and ongoing, weight management.

For example, are you exercising on a daily basis? Are you eliminating certain foods from your diet? Are you over-indulging on other foods? Are you drinking too much water?

Your doctor will suggest that you undergo a physical examination to be certain that you are in good health and do not have an underlying, disease process that is affecting your weight and general health status.

He or she will offer to counsel you with respect to your weight on a regular basis, in order to learn what is happening with your weight. 

He or she can assist you to calculate your body mass index (bmi)to determine your appropriate weight.

“A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9,” according to an article entitled “Body Mass Index (BMA) Calculator”. This will become your goal to strive for in terms of your personal weight management.

Remember that each patient and doctor is different. If you do not feel comfortable with your current family doctor, do not hesitate to ask for a referral to someone else who you can relate to more effectively with respect to your weight.

Perhaps a weight loss and management program is the right solution for you. Maybe a specific exercise program is a better idea. You might also consider a referral to a dietitian for dietary management. Online research about weight management may prove helpful.

Remember that you do own some of the responsibility for your weight issues and that you can find help, if you choose to do so. Become proactive in this respect. Act on the advice of your doctor and you will succeed.