would this be a ridiculous request and a waste of their time?

[Greensleeves]

I have started a diet/exercise/weight loss programme, but my home scales are not working properly so I'm waiting for new ones to be delivered. This means I don't have a "base line" (I started the regime two weeks ago)

I had a medical check-up a couple of months ago and was weighed then - would it be a ridiculous waste of the GP receptionist's time to ring up and ask them to look up what my weight was? And would they tell me over the phone anyway?

I think it would be fine! Just ring at a time that shouldn't be too busy, maybe in about an hour?

I doubt the receptionist would be able to access the information themselves, they'd have to ask the go - which seems a waste of their time. Could you not use scales at a local sports centre, large chemist or shopping centre? Most shopping centres and boots stores have machines available

You could ring but there is no guarantee that the scales are accurate. Have you thought of weighing yourself at Boots until you get your own?

I could go to Boots, but that would only tell me y weight now, it wouldn't give me an idea of how much I've lost since I started working at it two weeks ago. That's why I want the measurement from the check-up.

I'd probably jog to the local boots and jump on the scales
Not sure our 'friendly' docs receptionist would appreciate me calling for that.

Sorry just seen pp's

Receptionists have full access to notes. It would take two seconds to find that information.

I would suggest going to your local supermarket or boots store and seeing if they have one of the weighing machines. Our Tesco has one near the toilets. It would give you a clear baseline starting from today rather than a figure from a check up months ago.

My GP receptionist doesn't like me ringing when im dying, so good luck with that!

My GP receptionist doesn't like me ringing when im dying, so good luck with that!

I think we must share the same GP receptionist.

I'd just weigh myself at boots and take that as the baseline. Yes, it won't be completely accurate if you made changes two weeks ago but it gives you a point to go forwards from.

Your weight a few months ago is no better a base line than your weight now. You don't know what you gained or lost between then and two weeks ago.

I think we must share the same GP receptionist.

Hopefully, I'd hate to think there are two of her out there shudders

Ours thinks anyone calling without a limb hanging off is being VVVU!

When you started, Did you weigh on your dodgy scales and take a note of what it said? If so, go to boots/Tesco etc and weigh. Then go home and weigh again, note the difference and then adjust the incorrect start weight accordingly.

I worked in a drs surgery for years and would have had no problem with this. My current gp surgery would also have no issue with this 🤷🏽‍♀️ I think I live in a bubble of nice gp receptionists

I missed the first six weeks of my weight loss programme because I didn't do a baseline until I started with my PT.

I just round my start weight up be 6lbs.

Btw, whatever you do, DON'T put a start weight you aren't sure of into My Fitness Pal. It seems to really stick on it, even if you then delete and correct it later.

I'm a GP Receptionist and would gladly give you your previous weight. It's an easy thing to look up. In fact I'd try to help you with any query you have. I'm not one of those GP Receptionists everyone on MN has.

I'd even ask you if you'd like to book in with the Practice Nurse for a weight check if you want.

No point weighing yourself on scales at your GP if you'll be using different ones at home. They might nit be set up the same ; you should always use the same ones if you step looking at your weight that regularly.

Fwiw the receptionist might not tell you anyway. Data protection and all that. You could be anyone phoning up.

Did you also take your measurements? Because that will also give you a good idea of how you are doing. Weight fluctuates so much it doesn't give the full picture. I can fluctuate anything up to 5-7 pounds in a day! Measurements, however, are nowhere near as confusing!

Just use what you weight today as your baseline. At the end of the day does it really matter if your baseline is 2 weeks in, the baseline doesnt really tell you anything because you will still reach a goal weight.

Your GP scales from months ago is a much worse baseline, you would have been fully clothed with shoes on. They are probably not accurate. That's gonna add some a good few pounds variation anyway let alone taking into account you probably didn't weigh that 2 weeks ago. You can't really take that weight to the nearest pound/kg

I can’t see the harm in asking. My GP’s receptionists have been super helpful with that sort of thing in the past.

You can register with your gp to have access to your online medical record. It's not the full record but it does include the results of all tests done including weight.

Body composition is much more important than weight. When I shape up I tend to also get heavier from squats etc.