Ok, let's be honest with each other.
How many times have you started a new diet and never said a word to your family doctor? Yeah, I thought so.
And "all the time" is pretty much the answer almost all people will answer for this question.
Why? To start dieting or to go on a specific diet with exercise is a very important decision.
It affects your body, your mental health, and in fact, your whole attitude towards life and you don't mention it to the one person who has all of your medical records? The one person who knows what's happening inside your body? Why? Is it because it's embarrassing? I mean, none of us like to admit that we may have a problem with our weight or body image, but your doctor has all of your medical history on hand in a file available for research of what's going on within your body at any given time.
Don't you think with all of the people he sees everyday that he may be able to give you some really good tips and suggestions, some really good advice? Don't you think that maybe he can point you in a direction that someone who doesn't have his background wouldn't know about? Maybe there's something in your medical file that you need to be careful of - maybe he's in a perfect position to keep track of all of your medical stats so that the numbers make sense when you come in for your checkups.
Talk to your doctor! Whether you are starting a diet for health or cosmetic reasons, it doesn't matter, talk to him (or her).
Starting an exercise program? Talk to them! They really do know what they are doing.
Here's a suggestion though -- mention your plans of going on a diet and/or exercise program at the beginning of your appointment, not at the end.
If you try to introduce this topic towards the end of your appointment, he or she may not be able to give you the time you need before they get called away to the next patient.
If there isn't enough time for all of your concerns, ask if you can make another appointment to address all of your questions.
If you are like me, you have the whole list of questions in your head while you are in the waiting room, but the second the doctor walks in, all of those questions you wanted to ask slip from your mind! Write your questions down! Treat it like your grocery list; write the item down on your list as soon as you see you'll be running out of it.
Same thing with a list of questions for the doctor, as soon as you think of your diet or exercise question, write it down and keep adding to it so by the time you visit your doctor, your list of questions are all there and you don't have to worry about forgetting to ask them something you'd like to know.
A few questions you might want to ask are: * How high is your cholesterol * How much weight would be healthy to lose * For your age and height, what would be an ideal weight * Does he have exercises he can recommend for your particular body (do you have back problems? Knee problems? Any and all of these "problematic" areas will affect which exercise program you need to be in) Your medical files will be more complete and you'll have a record on hand down the road in case any questions come up.
And you'll have peace of mind knowing that your doctor is involved in this very important decision.
So, good luck on that diet and or exercise program and don't forget to talk to your doctor!
How many times have you started a new diet and never said a word to your family doctor? Yeah, I thought so.
And "all the time" is pretty much the answer almost all people will answer for this question.
Why? To start dieting or to go on a specific diet with exercise is a very important decision.
It affects your body, your mental health, and in fact, your whole attitude towards life and you don't mention it to the one person who has all of your medical records? The one person who knows what's happening inside your body? Why? Is it because it's embarrassing? I mean, none of us like to admit that we may have a problem with our weight or body image, but your doctor has all of your medical history on hand in a file available for research of what's going on within your body at any given time.
Don't you think with all of the people he sees everyday that he may be able to give you some really good tips and suggestions, some really good advice? Don't you think that maybe he can point you in a direction that someone who doesn't have his background wouldn't know about? Maybe there's something in your medical file that you need to be careful of - maybe he's in a perfect position to keep track of all of your medical stats so that the numbers make sense when you come in for your checkups.
Talk to your doctor! Whether you are starting a diet for health or cosmetic reasons, it doesn't matter, talk to him (or her).
Starting an exercise program? Talk to them! They really do know what they are doing.
Here's a suggestion though -- mention your plans of going on a diet and/or exercise program at the beginning of your appointment, not at the end.
If you try to introduce this topic towards the end of your appointment, he or she may not be able to give you the time you need before they get called away to the next patient.
If there isn't enough time for all of your concerns, ask if you can make another appointment to address all of your questions.
If you are like me, you have the whole list of questions in your head while you are in the waiting room, but the second the doctor walks in, all of those questions you wanted to ask slip from your mind! Write your questions down! Treat it like your grocery list; write the item down on your list as soon as you see you'll be running out of it.
Same thing with a list of questions for the doctor, as soon as you think of your diet or exercise question, write it down and keep adding to it so by the time you visit your doctor, your list of questions are all there and you don't have to worry about forgetting to ask them something you'd like to know.
A few questions you might want to ask are: * How high is your cholesterol * How much weight would be healthy to lose * For your age and height, what would be an ideal weight * Does he have exercises he can recommend for your particular body (do you have back problems? Knee problems? Any and all of these "problematic" areas will affect which exercise program you need to be in) Your medical files will be more complete and you'll have a record on hand down the road in case any questions come up.
And you'll have peace of mind knowing that your doctor is involved in this very important decision.
So, good luck on that diet and or exercise program and don't forget to talk to your doctor!
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