Overweight Nurse

Nurses General Nursing

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This is actually a response for the "practice what you preach" thread. I'm in an ADN program in my second year.

This really hit home and on a hurtful note. I am 100 lbs overweight and it bothers me EVERY SINGLE DAY. Especially being in this field. I don't feel I have the right to preach to others about a healthy lifestyle and than I myself can't stay on a regimen. To those of you who've never had a weight problem - good for you. Don't EVER let it become an issue. I've been able to attain every single goal in my life except that of weight loss. I'm 5'8" and was always around 150 lbs until about 6 years ago. Depression and a thyroid problem led to weight gain. Do not mistake that statement for excuses. I do not have any pretenses about my part in my weight gain.

I have struggled soooo much in the past 4 months trying to get on some kind of program and stay with it. I keep telling myself how important it is for myself, my 1 year old son, my career and my health. Even my marriage has suffered.

So for those of you who feel the need to persecute those who are overweight? Guess what? You're too late - I persecute myself everyday for being this way. It doesn't help the situation at all. So thank you to the person who originally started the thread. I already KNOW I'm overweight and everyday I make new goals to try to succeed in my weight loss. I know that when I attain my weight loss goal (and I will - I know that for a fact), I will be able to demonstrate complete empathy for those in my shoes because I have already been there.

Bottom line - obesity is an emotional and physical addiction. I never realized that until now. It is a tremendous obstacle to overcome. I just hope I can eventually do it.

Tgibson

I finally figured out that despite my weight, I have the advantage over you. You can quote facts and state your opinions until you turn blue in the face.

But the truth is is that I have empathy. Which will get you MILES further with communicating successfully with your patient. Thank you to everyone who told me that by the way - I do realize the advantage of that. I know what its like to struggle with many issues besides weight loss and it has ALWAYS helped me to understand and talk to all different kinds of persons.

You on the other hand - if you talked to me as a patient the way you are talking or "advising" me now?? I would withdraw from communication and sadly, I would request another nurse.

My final statement....

Ignorance is bliss

Okay - stop the presses.

I just looked up all the posts by this Tgibson person.

Weirdo - really everyone can take a look for yourselves. Oh brother - I was sucked in. Shame on me.

Will be ignoring all threads from this person in the future.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

iliket3 ... How did you check him out? I looked at his profile, but that doesn't tell you anything. I knew I did not value his opinion, but what do you know about him that the rest of us don't?

llg

My final post - I searched some more..............take a look

[]

"I am 28, married with two children. I have put off going to nursing school twice because of my fear of how it will affect my family.

I currently work in warehouse management and make pretty good money, but I am absolutely miserable.

I feel like being a nurse is my calling, now I just need to take the leap of faith. Hopefully I will start in the spring if I get the nerve.

Great to hear about all you guys that are married with children. It gives me motivation. "

We all assumed we were talking to a nurse or student nurse. We're not! I began to get very curious when I read further and this poster was quoting alot of material and not giving any sources. Tgibson, be VERY careful about citing material and not giving your sources.

Just thought I inform everyone

Specializes in ER.

Posters that tick people off; my advice

Don't take any of the posts personally- look at it like a free floor show, it'll be fun to watch, but, man, don't get in the middle of that and try it yourself!

seriously, IMO, I lost interest in tgibson's posts after the got milk and fasting threads. Anytime someone starts posting article after article without their own thoughts interjected, I just scroll through them without even reading.

A

Thanks Iliket3! Sad that a mom with two kids would feel necessary to hurt peoples feelings. I hope when she is a nurse, I am not her patient! I am a student, and I assure you I will respect the nurses and LISTEN to them - not insult them. I want to learn from THEM - I know they have tons of info to offer if they want.

Besides, after everything nurses has done for me through my surgery's - I would never insult them like that.

Crystal J

Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.
Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

No one slammed anyone Tweety. I have the feeling you are referring to me. I am sorry if that is how you took it. I just HATE preachy people, no matter their cause. There are ways to encourage and foster positive changes and lifestyles w/o getting so sanctimonious and pontificating the way the young man did in the other thread. I called him out for it, simply enough. And I stand by what I posted there 100%

((((((((((((((((((Ilikat))))))))))))))) one day at time, wins the battle and eventually the war. My best to you. I feel your pain.

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about SmilinBlueEyes! Overweight, not overweight, smoker, drinker, etc...I, too, can not tolerate others preaching, a "holier than thou", attitude, combined with general mis-information and stereotyping (all overweight individuals must be lazy and stuffing their faces full of junk food!). As if they have no fault themselves! I'm afraid I let my "anger" get the best of me in the other thread and am not returning there and really just wanted to see what people were talking about here, saw this and had to offer my support!:)

Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.
Originally posted by angelac1978

seriously, IMO, I lost interest in tgibson's posts after the got milk and fasting threads. Anytime someone starts posting article after article without their own thoughts interjected, I just scroll through them without even reading.

A

This guy is clearly an egomaniac, I seriously think he may have some type of mental disorder. He clearly likes to stir up trouble. I'm sure, if he IS so intelligient, after reading the numerous replies in all these trouble-making threads, he would at least ATTEMPT to change his tone, explain his position a little more compassionately; however he continues to haunt these threads with his preachiness and condescending attitude. To be honest I DO NOT even believe he is in nursing school. He is whacked and I refuse to be goaded by him any longer!

Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.
Originally posted by iliket3

Okay - stop the presses.

I just looked up all the posts by this Tgibson person.

Weirdo - really everyone can take a look for yourselves. Oh brother - I was sucked in. Shame on me.

Will be ignoring all threads from this person in the future.

AMEN to that! To bad his "supporters" don't see him for what he is!

iliket3,

It took alot of character to start this thread and be so honest and open. I applaud your sincerity and honesty and can understand what you're saying.

I am currently working on losing a good 30 pounds or so. While some might think "I wish I only had 30 pounds to lose" it's alot for me, and weight is such a relative thing for people depending on their circumstances. I am watching my mom though, who has gone from being about 30 pounds over weight when I was younger to about 100 pounds overweight now and I see how depressed she is, how emotionally distraught she is, how her self-esteem has disappeared. And how physically miserable she is most of the time. I hurt to see her hurt like this.

For me (at age 32 and now about 18 pounds overweight) it may be as simple as exercising more, eating better, eating smarter. But for someone like my mom it's a whole lot more. It's dealing w/ the emotional issues (depression, anxiety, stress) that both contribute to the weight gain and are the RESULT of it. It's dealing w/ a metabolism that has learned to exist in an obese body for many, many years.

She has CAD, had an MI at 46, has HTN , hypercholesterolemia, fibromyalgia, etc. No doubt the obesity, poor diet, smoking, stress, etc. contributed to this. However, I know for her, as for many others, it is a difficult cycle to break, especially once you've "let yourself go" this far (as my mom puts it).

Your health is in the gutter, you feel like hell physically and emotionally, you're fat and you know it, and you know that everyone else knows it too. You've learned to take comfort in food (bad foods) and de-stress w/ cigarettes. You're embarassed, your ashamed, thinking about all this makes you even more embarassed, ashamed and depressed. You feel extremely overwhelmed. You know what you should be doing, but feel overwhelmed w/ even starting to get yourself back on track.

What to do?

"Take a walk around the block every day" some people would advise. Sure, I can't make it to the end of the block like this, much less AROUND the block, yo think to yourself. And as if I want people to see all 250# plus of me struggling and jiggling along?

"Make healthier diet choices" others offer. Yeah, so people can judge and smirk when they see you at the grocery store or restaurant and think "if she looks like that, what must she really be eating at home?"

I hope some of you see my point. Most people become obese after YEARS of poor lifestyle choices, stress, depression and medical conditions. It affects not only your body and your appearance, but your mind, your self-esteem, your way of thinking. And the last thing people need is some judgemental, preachy, holier-than-thou creep pointing out the painfully obvious to them.

What they do need is SUPPORT and lots of it. Be it from a fat nurse, skinny nurse, smoker, non-smoker, nutrition-nut, yoga fanatic, whomever. Positive reinforcement for even the seemingly smallest of accomplishments, like not having that second helping, or getting off the couch and doing anything physical (even the laundry), or drinking a glass of water instead of pop, or even a diet pop instead of a regular one, or hell, even a glass of LETHAL MILK instead of pop!

Kudos to all of you who trying, each in his/her own way, to make positive changes in your lives. Don't let your own weight/lifestyle issues prevent you from spreading the message of good health to your patients. Instead, let your own struggles help patients to know that obesity/poor health does not discriminate...even those of us w/ constant access to healthcare resources struggle w/ these issues and we can help eachother toward a common goal...a healthy and fulfilling life!

Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

I have noticed in my 23 year career, that the majority of dieticians I have met and worked with, are just plain fat....Not all of course, but many...I always thought that was interesting.....

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