Dear So and So

[malkin]

I think your expert doctor guy is really concerned with getting statistically significant results for his studies. He's given up something for it though, something like kindness, humanity, bedside manner and all the other stuff he probably wrote on his med school application essay.

Be kind to yourself and take care of yourself.

[channlluv]

Thanks. I'm actually doing better today. I've resumed logging my food and exercise in Lose It! Getting in the pool felt really good today. I may go for a ride tomorrow. Depends on how I feel when I get up.

I can only do what I can do. Not to resign myself to being happy at 230, but I can work harder at losing the 50 pounds he said I could lose.

We'll see.

Roxy

[jelee1311]

Channlluv, I'm sorry that whole sitution just sounds crappy.Kudos to you for not giving up its too bad your doctor doesn't seem to feel that way. Keep riding, swimming, or whatever works for you. Realize and tell yourself you are beautiful no matter what the scale says .

[lph]

Beth - aww, poor Herald. Don't you wish they could talk sometimes and tell you what's up?

channlluv - what a childish and snotty thing to write on a blog! And untrue, obviously, she does not speak for many people. It may not help, but I realized at some point that unless you're completely invisible in society, somebody somewhere is always going to dislike you, whether it's for your opinions or for your looks or your behaviour or, more often than not, for belonging in some way to a group they desperately want to distance themselves from.

I also really think you need a second opinion from a doctor with experience from athletes, not just weight loss as such. I don't distrust doctors in general, but I know that there are plenty of people here on TE who can verify how you can be heavy and fit at the same time, and how it's more important to focus on what you can do - like a century - than the number you weigh. It just doesn't jive to me that drastic surgery is the best option for someone who wants to be active.

[Becky]

(((((Roxy))))

Doctors really do stink sometimes...especially the ones at the top.

Does your doc have a nurse practitioner or two in his practice? They're my secret weapon! IME, they have more time and patience than most docs, and generally more compassion too. I only see my endocrinologist if I absolutely must- the rest of the time, I schedule with a NP.

Don't let him defeat you.

[bmccasland]

If Herald could talk, he'd probably say: "Baby, I don't feel good, and I don't know why. I just don't feel right."

Channlluv - living in the "itty bitty town" of San Diego, there has to be another doctor you could go to for a second opinion. Surgery is drastic. There has to be a doc out there, more into fitness than knives that could help you. Piffle on mean spirited people and their blogs - according to them, probably most of us are "fat" too - as in we aren't anorexic thin, we're fit (some more than others ), we're curvy, and we'll walk them to the ground. Let's challenge her to a 5 mile bike ride!

[Trek420]

((((Channlluv))))))

I'm sorry the Dr's are being such Richard Heads but that is what surgeons generally do, they cut, recommend cutting. You've done all the research, there's nothing wrong, now you're good to go.

Do you do intervals. hill repeats, weights? Have a coach? You're healthy, fit and strong. I'd ditch the scale. If you want to measure something measure the town line sprint, or speed up that "nemesis" hill, or a lap in the pool.

Get stronger and faster. The inches might fall off, you may still be the same weight but who cares. Being fast and strong is fun and looks great at any weight. Then if a Dr wants surgery you say:

"you, me, any day, any bike, any hill, let's go. If you can beat me you can do the surgery".

http://www.biggirlbiking.com/2010/07/i-dont/

[lph]

"Richard Heads"??

My turn:

dear middle boss,

most of the time I like you. You're funny, outgoing, friendly and refreshingly straightforward. But sometimes your "aw shucks, can't we just keep this simple" tone can be a bit grating. Like when you're axing half the work I did last week. I spent three days writing that letter. I ran it by my so-called superior (who isn't because he doesn't do his job, but that's another matter) - he wanted a lot more wordy fluff and everything repeated three times, in illogical order. I carefully sifted through his additions, kept the essentials, re-ordered it and ditched the fluff. I ran it by the legal people. They tweaked a bit. I ran it by my closest boss. He thought it was great.

So when you suddenly turn up and cut half of what I've written it is a bit annoying. It's fine that you want to cut it down, but grant me a little respect. You don't have to go on and on in an exasperated "I am the voice of reason" tone implying how pointlessly detailed and unnecessary it all is. And when you in addition look to my so-called superior for agreement - who is suddenly weathervaning and agreeing all over the place with you that this should be as short as possible - I start seething inside. I'm one of the best writers you have, and I don't deserve that tone.

Yeah, I know you noticed me seething. Good.

[hebe]

I hope the karma fairy will be along for certain bosses, bloggers and surgeons soon. I hope Herald feels better soon.

Dear woman who telephoned while I was fixing my toddler's tea. No, you cannot have my dh's mobile number if you won't tell me who you are or even what organisation you work for. Telling me that you need to speak to him urgently about his credit card is not good enough, as I happen to know that he has two cards, and one of the providers always identifies themselves when leaving a message. So that would make you either Amex, in which case please use the contact details that he provided on the corporate application form, or some random stranger in which case go away.

[Zen]

Dear Karma,
Why do you hate me?
I don't kill bugs, I rescue turtles, I do the best I can. Give me a gdbreak, will ya?

[crazycanuck]

Dear Karma,

Leave zen alone ok please. She's coolo you know.

[channlluv]

Thanks, jelee, Beth, Becky, lph, and Trek, and everyone else who's offered up supportive comments. Each and every one of you make great points.

I do need to go find a sports-focused nutritionist. I will not succumb to the surgical solution unless I've really, really tried everything else, and yes, I need to do more in the way of intervals and sprints.

I do them now, but not with any kind of intention. More like, ooo, a straightaway. I can go fast. Yay! That lasts for about 20 seconds before my legs remind my gumption that it's actually kind of challenging to push 230 pounds around on a bike and can we please go back to that manageable 14mph?

But yes, Trek, I get your point.

If anything, this experience with Dr. Honcho has gotten me focused back on my training, because I've been really slacking off since I injured my knee doing that 5k-a-Day thing in August. It's mostly healed. Still a little twingy, but not bad. Time to get back on track.

Thank you, friends!

Roxy

[Catrin]

I am glad you are feeling better Channelluv! I was shocked that his first choice for you was the knife, I have noticed from the comments of others I know that surgery appears to be the first choice more often than not these days.

Good for you to not allow his comments to get you down, and I think a sports-nutritionist is an excellent choice. Also glad to hear you knee is feeling better

[redrhodie]

Dear National Grid,

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! You are so frustrating! Just send the repairman already!

[Trek420]

I do them now, but not with any kind of intention. More like, ooo, a straightaway. I can go fast. Yay! That lasts for about 20 seconds before my legs remind my gumption that it's actually kind of challenging to push 230 pounds around on a bike and can we please go back to that manageable 14mph?

But yes, Trek, I get your point.

Exactamundo! That's your interval. 20 seconds is fine, then go back to the manageable yet admirable and respectable 14 mph for 30 seconds to a minute, then when safe to do so sprint again till the legs yell, rest, repeat.

Ask your trainer how many and how often to start with and then build to.

But I just took my measurements and yikes my weight and pants size was holding so I did not notice that my waist is bigger. That won't do, the apple shape is not so healthy for me so if you don't mind being my inspiration I'll be doing the stairs or a hill near work at lunch twice a week, say Monday Wednesday.

I have to bump it up a notch and add that to my workout.