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.
Iliket3, it sounded like you were writing my story. God bless you, fight ONE battle at a time. Start just trying to eat healthier, don't worry about weight right now. When life settles down a bit THEN try and get serious about it...the stress will eat you alive!
Skipping this one, i see this turning into the other thread very easily.
I'm not trying to be rude or call you out, but if you are going to skip a post, why not just skip it, instead of posting that you are going to skip it?
If I posted that on every post I skipped, I wouldn't have time to read and post on the ones that I am interested in!
I have lost 47 lbs by eating no sugar and low carbing, I have 30 lbs to go.
I have severe hypothyroidism. My thyroid failed when I was 7 years old. The condition was undiagnosed and untreated by doctors who told my mom "just don't let her eat candy" and other useless statements, instead of diagnosing and treating me.
When I was 13 and sleeping 15 hrs a day and passing out for no apparent reason, my mom took me to an edrocrinologist who found a SIX YEAR OLD LAB report in my chart that showed my TSH level to be 57. Apparently, no one had ever looked at the lab.
I was finally diagnosed and treated, but too late to get back the height I'd lost or all the extra fat and fat cells I'd gained.
At work, I watch the skinny minnies munch-out on donuts, tacos, pizza, etc. daily. They've stopped asking me to join them because they know I NEVER eat those kinds of foods.
Not everyone who is fat has a food addiction problem, emotional issues, or does not "practice what they preach."
And even if they do, so what.
Fat people are here, just like diabetics, cancer survivors, alcoholics, vegetarians and all the other people it takes to make a world.
Let's accept each other, and let's practice AND preach TOLERANCE.
iliket3, thanks for sharing what it's like to be you. Takes guts.
I've always been thin. Haven't always been healthy. Don't know what it's like to be overweight, other than five or so pounds. Because of that I'm not going to say much here (because I know I'll be flamed right on out of this thread).
But I do know what it's like to have low self-esteem. I do that that anytime I've tried to make positive changes in my life my self-esteem sabatoged the efforts. Making changes involves so much more than just going on a diet and I know that's not easy.
You made a heart-felt post and I sincerely wish you nothing but the best, because you deserve it.
Thank you all for the words of encouragement. In all honesty, I believe the original thread was started with good intentions.
My first day at clinicals and writing a care plan for an overweight pt. I felt like - oh my God, how can I look the person in the face and tell them they should adopt a healthier lifestyle via eating, exercise, etc. All I could think about was that they were going to tell me to do the same thing. I felt like the biggest hypocrit in the world!!! It bothered me so badly, I went home and cried. I don't practice what I preach so how in the world can I tell someone else to. But I know, it's my future job to do the right thing. And I will.
I have been looking into low carbing and deleting sugar from my diet. That looks like a sound way to go for me.
One thing that amazes me though. The difference in how you get treated when you're overweight. When I was thin, people were always willing to talk to me, sit by me, include me in their group. It seems to be different being overweight. I know my own level of self-confidence has something to do with this too. But there is still definitely a difference. I think thats really sad.
I lost the weight by taking Phentermine (not recommended if you take Synthroid) which helped me diet & exercise. Understand - it wasn't the pill - it was the stuff I did while taking it. I only took it a short time to get me started. Even though I've gained some weight lately, I still don't have the same eating habits as before. My problem is no exercise. Bleh... I'm lazy - what can I say? Just please don't give up. I tried Atkins, lost 10lbs in 2wks and never lost another pound and was on it for months. The key is to get moving... as bad as I hate to admit it :) No matter what I eat (or don't eat) this ghetto booty isn't going anywhere til I get off of it and start moving it to places other than the 'fridge:D
I wish I could get that motivation back I had 2yrs ago when I was buff, tough & DYN-O-MITE
that original thread (practice what you preach) is getting a little long. i always find it amusing how nurses get arrogant about how healthy they are and cannot understand why everyone else is not the same. well you know what, there is not anyone in this world who is 100% healthy. even more amusing are those who write "i am a vegetarian". just because you are a vegetarian and exercise does not make you healthy. everyone and i mean everyone has a vice. everyone has something that is not "healthy" whether it be physically or psychologically. health is a state of mind. i have seen people that are overweight and very happy. they accept themselves for their positives and their negatives. to me we should strive to be happy for who we are and what we are. so nurses (not all of you) need to get off your high horse, get your nose out of the air and get back down to earth.
I think this post is full of just as much stereotypes as some are accussing the others of being. I've said I was a vegetarian (and my diet IS very heatlhy, full of all kinds of health veggies, balance with healthy fats and protein, whole grains, etc. But don't want to get preachy), and I might have also said I exercised and did yoga as well. (There are many vegetarians whose diets are very unhealthy, but I've been one off and on for 12 years and have read a lot about it.)
But just because I accenuate those postives about myself doesn't mean my nose is in the air.
Some people in the mainstream aren't very accepting and are judgemental of vegetarian-yoga-health nuts either.
No I'm not 100% healthy. I'm addicted to caffeine. I don't sleep well. I work nights. I'm stressed. I breath the air and eat unhealthy pesticides, blah blah blah.
But I'm proud to be a yoga-practicing-exercising-vegetarian and because I share that information to encourage others to be healthy doesn't mean my nose is in the air.
Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse Let's accept each other, and let's practice AND preach TOLERANCE" That should also include those on alternative diets and lifestyles. Don't hate me because I'm fit and fabulous.
Thank you all for the words of encouragement. In all honesty, I believe the original thread was started with good intentions.
My first day at clinicals and writing a care plan for an overweight pt. I felt like - oh my God, how can I look the person in the face and tell them they should adopt a healthier lifestyle via eating, exercise, etc. All I could think about was that they were going to tell me to do the same thing. I felt like the biggest hypocrit in the world!!! It bothered me so badly, I went home and cried. I don't practice what I preach so how in the world can I tell someone else to. But I know, it's my future job to do the right thing. And I will.
I have been looking into low carbing and deleting sugar from my diet. That looks like a sound way to go for me.
One thing that amazes me though. The difference in how you get treated when you're overweight. When I was thin, people were always willing to talk to me, sit by me, include me in their group. It seems to be different being overweight. I know my own level of self-confidence has something to do with this too. But there is still definitely a difference. I think thats really sad.
Thank you everyone
Good luck in clinicals. Discrimination is WRONG WRONG WRONG. Sorry that you're having to go through that.
Ok I gotta tell this story - break up the tension a bit!
I was in high school, and I had the biggest crush on this guy. I was in a size 16 at the time - he paid me no attention and told my friend "no way". A couple of years later I see him at a party - and at this time I was in a size 3 - of course he notices. We began talking and I said "remember me, I am Crystal your cousins friend" - he said "oh yea, I probably blocked you out of my mind if you were fat then". (because I told him I was heavier - then he remembered me) That broke my heart. So, he asked me out - of course I said yes - but at 7pm when he asked me to pick him up(his car was in the shop) - I was NOT there. His cousin called me at about 8pm and asked why I wasn't over his house. I said "well, I know things could work out now because I am skinny and all. However, it doesn't change the heart he has. No thanks!"
That night I went out with my girls and celebrated the fact that I didnt' need anyone to make me feel better, I can do that alone.
when i finished my freshman year of college (age 19)i weighed almost 300lbs....my weight problems have always plagued me and kept me from going for my physical therapy degree...I had very little self confidence and felt awkward around other people, thinking they were making fun of me....I realized that if i was going to get into any career, I had to lose the weight...so it did...now I am in nursing school...my confidence is better...I am enjoying it...My life is now nursing school and the gym....Over the past 6 years I have lost 140lbs...no one knows about my struggles with obesity...Weight loss is a process, just like gowning and trying to put on sterile gloves....it takes time...the benefits are tremendous
Perfection is not a requirement for being a good nurse. If it was, nobody would be a good nurse!
Personally, as an overweight person, I hate getting advice from skinny people who have never been overweight. The way some of them treat us "fatties" is one of the reasons I stay away from gyms. I am much more comfortable and much more receptive to the health care advice I receive from people who have a few imperfections themselves. I know I am not the only one who feels that way.
redshiloh
345 Posts
Iliket3, it sounded like you were writing my story. God bless you, fight ONE battle at a time. Start just trying to eat healthier, don't worry about weight right now. When life settles down a bit THEN try and get serious about it...the stress will eat you alive!
I'm trying to get my diet together!