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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have refused weight management programme?

73 replies

29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 13:36

My G.P. asked me if I would like to be referred to a weight management programme, and I said no - largely because I didn't know what it involved, and I doubt I'd be able to stick to it.

I'm wondering if I was a bit hasty. does anyone know what it involves?

OP posts:
KinkyAfro · 13/06/2016 13:41

How over/under weight are you?

megletthesecond · 13/06/2016 13:42

They might offer you several weeks of gym sessions / classes. I know our gym has specific gentle circuit classes for cardio rehab or weight management. Something like that could kick start a long term exercise habit.

LuckySantangelo1 · 13/06/2016 13:44

A friend of mine was offered free gym sessions and also free referral to weight watchers type organisation. I know she found the diet classes helpful in teaching her about better food choices.

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 13:47

About 4 stone.

OP posts:
Zaurak · 13/06/2016 13:50

Might be worth doing - free gym pass isn't to be sniffed at.
Make sure you get a good physical workup too (full thyroid panel, blood glucose and HbA1c, iron and vitamin D.)

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 13:52

I was referred for some tests but I lost the thing! I'm actually a member of a gym, but I rarely go. I don't think it's a free gym pass anyway.

OP posts:
trevortrevorslatterfry · 13/06/2016 13:53

Yes as pp said there were people at my weightwatchers class who were having their membership paid for by the NHS via some referral from their GP.. definitely worth it if you can OP.

It's the group support that makes WW or SW or any of the diet classes work, not that they have any magic formula, so that could help you to stick with it.

Good luck with whatever you decide Flowers

Pinkheart5915 · 13/06/2016 13:53

It was a bit hasty to say no before you knew what was involved.

I think the question here is do you want to lose weight? You can't approach weight loss things with the I'd doubt I'd stick to it in your mind, you need to be open to changing the way you've always done things.

Energumene · 13/06/2016 13:53

I think you were unreasonable to refuse it without asking what it entailed. No reason why you can't ask your GP next time you see them, though, if you decide you're interested after all.

I have 4 stone to lose and would certainly look into it if it were an option.

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 13:54

I know Pink but I guess I've just tried so many things I've lost heart with anything working.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 13/06/2016 13:55

It's often free Slimming World membership for 12 weeks so you can try the programme for free and then carry on if you like it and still have weight to lose.

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 13:56

Oh, is that what it is - don't really like SW! Thanks Barbara :)

OP posts:
Pinkheart5915 · 13/06/2016 13:58

I know it's difficult when you try things and they don't work. When I was trying to lose my baby weight I tried many things and a lot didn't work but for me I found just eating healthy at meals, cutting out snacks, walking with the pram and I took up pole dancing lessons was all I needed.
I have friends that have had great success with the 5:2 diet but I would hate the fasting days and mil goes to slimming world only to maintain her weight but she says it's easy to follow.
Don't give up, something will work for you it's just about finding the right thing

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 14:04

I think I just don't trust myself to be able to stick to anything, I find it so hard.

OP posts:
LordoftheTits · 13/06/2016 14:17

My local one (Glasgow) doesn't offer SW or WW, it's a weight management class with NHS dietitians, etc. I didn't fancy it either.

ChopOrNot · 13/06/2016 14:19

Well if you are not willing to try anything because you find it so hard then you will stay 4 stone overweight. Or more - because whatever you are doing that has made you overweight will continue and more pounds will creep on.

So you have to make a choice - which is appears you did with the GP - to just stay overweight.

Or you do something about it. It is not easy. Never did anyone say "Wow, losing weight was a doodle." Never.

So your choice.

Were you BU to refused the programme - no - as NHS resources would be better spent on someone who is willing to even find out what it involves.

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 14:33

I do try, but fail

OP posts:
RedToothBrush · 13/06/2016 14:33

Surely it depends on the impact your weight is having on your health. If its the GP doing the tick box thing its different to you having a particular health problem which is actively being made worse by your weight.

I don't think there is necessarily a right or wrong answer here, but if you do have a particular problem then dismissing the idea without finding out more might have been hasty even if you have tried things before. Getting the support of the GP might make a difference.

If I might be blunt, fear of failure seems to be your biggest barrier now rather than anything else though. You have given up before you have started. Its that mentality that means you are a stuck in a cycle. Until you can break free of that, psychologically you will struggle. Look at your wording:

I don't trust myself.
I've lost heart.
I doubt I'd be able to stick to it.

Its really negative. You have to believe something might work to give it a good crack.

Maybe building your confidence in something completely unrelated and challenging yourself to do something you didn't think you could achieve might help. When was the last time you pushed yourself and exceeded your normal boundaries? Perhaps set yourself a different type of challenge in something you DO enjoy before attempting to take on this one.

Just a thought.

Pilesofironing · 13/06/2016 14:34

DH was referred to one of these last year. He has now lost 5st. It basically teaches you how to manage your calorie intake to ensure that you have a balanced diet and still lose weight at 2lb a week. At the same time there is a group discussion about such topics as motivation, or lack of it. There is a weekly weigh in which is private and you keep a food diary.
It is much less "gimmicky" than SW or WW and it is free!
He was so embarrassed at first and kept it quiet but once the results started to show he is telling everyone how fab it is.

I understand why you should be hesitant, but go for it. You won't know unless you go!!

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 14:36

You're probably right Red but it's not so much that I give up as I put it off - I can go six months (easily) "starting tomorrow"!

I know about nutrition but I binge eat, and can put away a week's worth of calories in one sitting.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 13/06/2016 14:38

Have you sought specific help for the binge eating? Until you do you won't lose weight.

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 14:39

I don't think there is any, and I probably wouldn't try to find it.

OP posts:
LazyJournalistsQuoteMN · 13/06/2016 14:40

Go and have a proper chat with your GP, I'm sure they are only trying to help you. Flowers

Original poster
29ismyluckynumber · 13/06/2016 14:42

Oh I am sure they were, but I don't think they'd be able to help.

OP posts:
Maverick66 · 13/06/2016 14:42

Go back to your GP. Explain you were acbit hasty. Ask for more information. Take it from someone, who is more overweight than you, weight gain will not stop at 4 stone .