Too fat for weight loss group..

[Fattygettingthin]

It's been a few months since my last post and I've moved house and into a totally new area. I've joined weight watchers and I'm recovering slowly from my operation.

Anyway! I went to the drs and asked for help with losing weight. I've lost 2 stone since May but that's without really trying as I've been getting better from my operation. He referred me to a weight loss initiative that he said he had to refer me for as I was fat too fat for my height.

My BMI was 52 and now it's 48, yes I know it's appalling but I'm doing something about it.

Cut to today I get a phone call from the organiser of the weight loss group and im too fat for it. I have to have a bmi of 35 before I'm eligible to get help from the dr referred weight loss group... wtf??! How is that a thing?

So I rang the gp back and he's referred me to a dietitian and the 'weight loss management team' to discuss bariatric surgery.

How is it possible to be too fat to go to a weight loss class? wake up call here you are!!

I am a long-time member of Weight Watchers; too ashamed to admit my starting BMI, but suffice it to say I've slowly lost 4 stone, and I've still got a long way to go! I've never had any comments of the sort you describe from a group leader; she sounds out of her depth and frankly unprofessional. I'm unfortunately in the wrong London borough, but the neighbouring one's Health Trust can actually prescribe a course at Weight Watchers for patients on a low income; they wouldn't splash out limited funds if they didn't think it was worthwhile. I find the moral support of an IRL meeting helps me, but you can do Weight Watchers online. Or start with getting the magazine.....

My BMI is 52.1 and I am officially morbidly obese.

I've lost three stone already. And I will lose more.

What I hate is the general assumptions. I walk five miles a day and swim for an hour six times a week doing 60-70 lengths in that time.

Yet the doctors and dieticians are desperate to get me to have weight loss surgery - which I DO NOT WANT. I don't want to spend the rest of my life limited in what I can eat.

I got fat because I ate too much and moved too little. I used to be a runner - ran several marathons and lifted lots of weights - which I think is why the exercise comes easily to me despite being big.

Yet, I get "experts" telling me I need to be careful at my weight. Its almost like they don't want me to follow the ELEM (East Less Exercise More) diet which is the only one I believe works long term.

I also don't understand why you have to lose weight first to get eight loss surgery - if you can lose weight without it, then you can continue to lose weight. Normally its the first 1-2 stone thats the hardest and once you start seeing results its a natural good feedback mechanism.

Well done! If you like the hairy dieters book, the Spanish chicken is nice. You have done really well to get started. X x

Can you not go to Slimming World without a Dr referral?

I do the weigh-ins at my group and 19 stone is very normal for people I weigh.

One guy joined as he was referred for bariatric surgery but needed to lose some weight first.

By the time his surgery date came she'd lost 4 stone by himself and decided he didn't want the surgery. Now lost over 7 stone and so happy to take charge of his own health and weight.

Of course you can go without a doctor's referral; I was just saying that GP's will encourage it, rather than faddy crash diets, which don't last because they're unsustainable.
The "weight loss before surgery" stipulation may have something to do with general anaesthetic safety.
The story of the member who has lost 7 stone is so inspiring!
Our group leader has also spoken of members gaining self-esteem as they go; after a couple of weeks, they come in with a new hairstyle or manicure, and a brighter, more positive attitude; they feel better already, because they have "taken charge of their own health" - you put it so well!