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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect some help from my GP in losing weight?

543 replies

Chubbychubchub · 27/02/2018 13:23

I am a fatty. Properly overweight. About 8 stone over normal weight range (about 19st, I should be 11st at most according to BMI).

Last year I had some health issues. My GP said I'd benefit from losing weight. Just eat less and move more were her words.

I have tried. However I struggle to control what I eat, and have zero willpower.

I did go to a well known slimming group previously. It made me ill, though I did get down to 13st. But it wasn't sustainable.

I asked my GP for help. I was told 'all they could do was refer me to the nurse, but she would tell me the same. That was all they could do and there was no other help available.

I have heard of people locally being referred to a dietician, or sent to slimming group for free etc. Aibu to expect something similar, or certainly some kind of help beyond trite advice?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chubbychubchub · 27/02/2018 17:35

Nicky, I ate what was available today. Before this thread.

I know that what i ate wasn't ideal. Had i planned I would have had something better. I was asked what I can do for the rest of today. I cant time travel. I can eat a better dinner and not snack.

What more can I say? How can I eat better today specifically? I can do differently tomorrow but what else do you expect me to do today?

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 27/02/2018 17:35

Oh yes, and if you haven't already, ask for thyroid tests. Lots of overweight people are also deficient in vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D and magnesium are common culprits.

kubex · 27/02/2018 17:36

The only person coming across as a dick @Chubbychubchub is you!

You are rude, have a disgustingly bad attitude and are in massive denial

In 10 years when you are even fatter and suffering from morbid obesity related illnesses, you will wish that you had swallowed your pride and listened to the helpful advice given to you.

stevie69 · 27/02/2018 17:38

A healthy weight is not just down to will power though. Many factors are involved as discussed above. Some people are slim without even using any will power. While you can't do anything about some factors, I think that a lot more could be done to help those who struggle with their weight.

Well, of course they are. When I talk about willpower, I'm referring to those who have a weight problem. Slim people, who stay slim easily, are not the focus of this discussion.

You could say that about anything though but the fact is that if money isn't spent on reducing levels of obesity ultimately even more NHS will be spent treating diseases such as diabetes in the future. Not spending on obesity because the NHS is deemed to be "overstretched" would be a false economy.

Cool but .... you didn't answer the question. Where's the money coming from?

In some respects I agree with you -it does seem a bit much for OP or anyone else to complain that the NHS isn't helping them to eat less/exercise more. However, objectively I would prefer it if money wast spent preventing obesity now rather than spend vastly more on the many diseases caused by obesity in the future.

I agree with you here: obesity is a huge issue for society today Sad However, the OP really doesn't seem to be going out of her way to help herself—sorry to be a little blunt Blush—and I would find it quite hard to support diverting much needed funds from other parts of the NHS.

It's hard. I struggle daily with it. Seriously Sad

Nicknacky · 27/02/2018 17:38

But straight way your first instinct was to say how little you ate and thatnyounwould have no snacks and a smaller plate. Your instinctive reaction to all the points made, is STILL to eat less. Snacks are not the enemy. It's making the change to healthy snacks.

Keeping your self hungry is a hiding to nothing.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 27/02/2018 17:39

What do you want them to Do? They can't stop you eating or make umyou excercise

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 27/02/2018 17:40

From the way you've reacted to the useful advice given to you on this thread, op, it's laughable to assume your GP would fare any better. Even if he/she were actually obligated to hold your hand through a process that you alone have full responsibility for...
After everything that's been posted; you throw insults at people and then announce that all you've eaten today is toast and pizza!

Steamcloud · 27/02/2018 17:40

Op a bit late but I would suggest asking hq to move this thread to weight loss sectione. AIBU is too harsh and won't help your mindset.

Original poster
Chubbychubchub · 27/02/2018 17:41

Beryl, thanks. Thyroid and all bloods fine apparently. Even whichever one checks markers for gallstones (I had to insist on the scan which confirmed it).

Talkin, phones which are not android or iPhone don't have access to many apps. Although can still access the internet.

Id love a dog. Sadly long working hours are incompatible with dog ownership.

OP posts:
Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 27/02/2018 17:41

All she'll get there is useful advice. Which you'd imagine she'd welcome, but it seems not...

stevie69 · 27/02/2018 17:43

Usually thin people don’t understand usually fat people

We do if we've been both Blush

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 27/02/2018 17:46

It doesn't even make particular sense. Usually thin people know they don't remain so by massively over eating, don't they?

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/02/2018 17:51

Do not try the Cambridge diet as suggested by ladystarkers. It is well known for bringing on gall stones, gallbladder attacks and in some cases, has led to people needing their gallbladder removed. My cousin had hers removed for this reason. This is a low carb diet and aims to put the body into ketosis. Not for you.

Original poster
Chubbychubchub · 27/02/2018 17:52

Seriously, fucking hell.

I was asked what I can do TODAY.
I haven't eaten much today. Yes what I have eaten hasn't been great but there's not been much of it.
Lots of posters have said I should ditch snacks. I agree. I don't need extra calories. So I say tonight instead of having dinner AND bread AND snacks, for tonight I'll try to just have my dinner. Maybe a smaller portion too. Not on a serving plate or whatever.
Then I'm jumped on that WHY am I saying that? Haven't I read the posts?
I ask what I should be doing then.
The answer is eat better in the day. I KNOW that. But it's too late to reverse that. I can make a salad for tomorrow though.
But I wasn't saying I'd eaten fine today. I was trying tp make the best out of what was left of the day. I'm really not sure what's right or wrong on this thread.

OP posts:
CupOfJoe · 27/02/2018 17:55

So where am I going to find £100s for therapy exactly? Where is that saving in my shopping budget?!

Where is the NHS going to find the money to throw at people who refuse to help themselves though?

Can you understand why people are getting frustrated?

TheSeasonOfTheWitch · 27/02/2018 17:56

Come over to the bootcamp threads in the loosing weight section on here.
It's fab. Simplistically it's v low carb, high fat, and will reduce your appetite hugely when you get used to it.
Just post on there
Thanks

2rebecca · 27/02/2018 17:56

NHS provision for obesity varies hugely by area. In my area there is no exercise on prescription or specialised counselling. The wait to see a psychologist is over 18 months and there is no special obesity psychologists. With so many people being obese the whole NHS budget could go on obesity and there would still be fat people (and lots of dead people from the other diseases that haven't been funded).
Getting thinner and healthier doesn't NEED a doctor or the health professionals, illnesses do.
It does require a complete change in the sort of food you eat, how much you eat and drink and how much you move though, and you have to believe you can lose weight.
People who believe they can't lose weight won't.
If you have no idea about food a dietitian can help but you can find out from the internet a lot of the stuff they will tell you.

Nicknacky · 27/02/2018 17:56

Op, I don't think anyone here can help you. You are rude and blinkered but I wish you luck.

CupOfJoe · 27/02/2018 17:58

I can do differently tomorrow but what else do you expect me to do today?

Adjust the attitude? Accept that you and only you are responsible for your weight and your health in general. Decide what you hate more; being fat, or living a healthier lifestyle.

stevie69 · 27/02/2018 17:59

I think mental health is at the core of every obese person

That wasn't the case with me: my portion sizes were just too big. Had bugger all to do with my mental health, which is completely robust.

CupOfJoe · 27/02/2018 18:01

I think mental health is at the core of every obese person

I think we should stop implying that people don't have control over their behaviour or actions.

StormTreader · 27/02/2018 18:01

The two things I would suggest are
Try not to eat so much bread, certainly not for every meal. Porridge in the morning instead is really good if you can have it, put a couple of teaspoons of brown sugar or some raisins in to stop it being mind-meltingly boring.
Look at the calories of what you are having as your meal deal. Some of the sandwiches are twice as many calories as the other options, the snack can have a lot of calories in depending on what youre having, and if the drink is a juice or smoothie-type one it can also have a lot of calories and sugar in. Most meal deals have drinks which are flavoured water, some of them have fizzy versions which are still only 30 calories for the bottle. Depending on what youve been getting, you could be saving yourself 400+ calories every day that you wont even miss.

ShapelyBingoWing · 27/02/2018 18:03

OP, if you're after constructive advice, it may be an idea to reply to more of the posters who have offered you some rather than focusing on replying mainly to those whose opinions you disagree with. It does get people's backs up when the balance tips into most replies being to refute people.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 27/02/2018 18:04

So where am I going to find £100s for therapy exactly? Where is that saving in my shopping budget?!

So where is the NHS going to get the money to find you some self control and willpower? Where is that saving in their annual budget?

StormTreader · 27/02/2018 18:08

People! Shaming someone who cant control their weight because of emotional issues or distress only makes it worse. If you post things like "well you should just try more, your failure of willpower costs us money!" , you are measurably increasing the chances they will put even more on.

Just something to think about while you are so worried about the NHS budget - those comments are adding to the costs of it.