Weight Loss Warnings from My Cardiologist

Last week I visited my cardiologist for a 6-month check-up – just an office visit.

(I found out I had a heart murmur when I was 21 years old so I have a cardiologist watch me and my heart.)

The cardiologist is a good friend and knows my family well. He didn’t know about my sister dying from anorexia, however. (I never really announced it.) When he found out I was losing weight he gave me a warning – twice. He wanted to be sure I understood the limit to my weight loss.

First he told me he didn’t think I had to lose weight. That’s when I explained the Mayo Clinic’s homework assignment for me: lose 10 pounds (I gained 10 in the last 6 years) to get my blood pressure down and my sugar down and maybe even my cholesterol levels down.

Then he wanted to know my weight when I got married – and what my weight was during my twenties. Interestingly, I was just about 10 pounds lighter only now I’m about a half inch shorter!

I received his approval to lose the few more pounds. As it happens, even with these few pounds my blood pressure was much improved and that was good. However, he still showed some concern.

I’ve read the research that shows anorexia may be genetic. Believe me; I think about that a lot especially while losing the first 4 pounds and then 3 more. I myself had moments of fear – I don’t want to become my sister.

My body image… fairly realistic, I think. I’ll still have that little round belly – it’s probably posture. What I did notice is that even with the few pounds I’ve lost, my arms and legs appear a little more aged. They were never rounded out with much fat but now there’s even less. It’s not pretty but that’s who I am.

I’ll try working out more with weights.

The good news is that I’ve lost the rolls around my middle and that’s where the cardiovascular risk lies – around the waist line (which will never return to the 25 inches it once was). I also feel better. It’s just amazing what 7 pounds can do.

Then I thought – so what do I do to stop losing the weight should the weight loss continue? This is a question I have to be careful about not asking too many friends. Most of the world would love a problem like that. Even so, it’s now a question I’m going to ask some of my friends who do manage to stay trim – what do they do when they’ve reached their bottom goal.

I have my answer! I bet all it takes is to consume the wonderful cheeses, some of which are still in my frig, that I gave up so I could lose weight. Something to look forward to. Deserts aren’t seductive for me. Cheese is!

If you’ve been anorexic how do you cope with the slippery slope of falling backwards? My perspective has to be so different from yours. And then, maybe not so different. Scroll down to Comments and share your thoughts by writing them in the blank window. When you’re finished, click on Submit.

For those who celebrate Easter, the best of holidays.

Cheers, Ruthan

Comments

[Jamie]

I try to remember what it was like in the very ugly place and what my eating disorder took from me. There are still times I look in the mirror and think I need to loose 5-7lbs. But if I start to do that then for now my eating disorder wins. I am a very competive person I will continue to compete until my eating disorder looses! Jamie

[Ruthan Brodsky]

Good for you Jamie. You are your own best coach. A great role model for people around you and for your family. Keeping the dimon down must be a struggle.
Ruthan