Put together a good health care team
consisting of:
--General Practitioner
--Bodywork
Nutritional Advice
--Dentist/Hygienist
If appropriate, include an:
--Endocrinologist/Internist
--Podiatrist
--Ophthalmologist
--Other specialists
Know your numbers for:
--Blood pressure
Cholesterol
--Fasting blood
glucose
--Post-prandial blood glucose
--Hemoglobin A1C
--Others as needed
Insist on respectful health care
treatment:
--Interview, evaluate, and if necessary educate each
new doctor, and accept no weight bigotry.
--Listen to nutritional advice, but don't accept
diet lectures.
--Expect to be informed and educated on your
condition, treatment, options, etc.
--Expect the same treatment a thin person would
receive for the same condition.
If you have a chronic condition such as
diabetes, manage your treatment:
--Monitor your condition (e.g. blood sugar) and
learn your own patterns.
--Adjust medications in consultation with your
doctor.
--Get to know how your body reacts to specific
foods, timing of medication, meals, exercise, etc.
Stay as healthy as possible:
--Get enough sleep, and don't let yourself get
over-tired.
--Eat when you're hungry--don't go without food for
long periods.
--Drink plenty of fluids. Coffee, milk, and alcohol
do not count as fluids.
--If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit.
--Use sunscreen and avoid long exposure to the sun.
--Avoid public places in flu season, and stay home
when you're sick.
--Sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, not into your
hand.
--Wash your hands often.
--Always wear a seat belt in the car.
--Do a safety check in your house and do what you
need to prevent falls and other accidents.
Eat well:
--Take all nutritional advice "with a grain of
salt".
--Pay attention to your body's appetites, needs,
demands, etc.
--Eat a variety of foods.
--If you tend to eat mostly
carbohydrates, eat more protein.
--Make sure you eat some fruits and vegetables.
--Aim
for 5 servings a day.
--Add more whole grains to your diet.
--Find a comfortable level of food management to fit
your needs.
--Try out different approaches, and use what works
for you.
Stay active:
--Experiment until you find a way of moving that
feels good.
--Design yourself a movement program that fits your
lifestyle.
--Find a balance between stretching, strengthening,
stamina-building, and stress-reduction.
Give yourself a break:
--Find a comfortable level of self-care somewhere
between total obsession and total denial.
--Recognize that your comfortable level may change.
--Make compromises: be scrupulous in one area so you
can avoid an area that feels too difficult.
--Let yourself have time off from taking care of
yourself if you need it.
--Avoid self-judgments-they're not good for your
health!
Medical Care for Obese Patients: Advice for Health Care
Professionals
