Dear Judy Ludy: 

My doctor says I’m too overweight which makes me crazy!  I’m 40 years old, 6’ tall and weight 163 pounds.  He says “You’re grossly overweight and obese.”  How much do you think I should weigh?  I’ve always had a poochy stomach, but the rest of me has always been slender.  Yes, I do have a slight heart problem which doesn’t allow me to do sit-up, crunches, etc.

Do I tell my doctor to take a hike and stay happy with my weight (although I was down to 152 pounds last fall and looked like Skeletor)?  Or do I starve myself and become rail thin?
Signed,
What Do I Do?    

Dear What Do I Do:
 

I would never tell you to do anything other than what your doctor has suggested, especially since you say you have a heart condition.   However, I think you should ask yourself these questions before you tell him to hit the road.   

Do you feel healthy at this weight?  Are you full of energy or tired all day?  Is your current weight keeping you from doing the things you want to do (and I doubt it is).  Is he causing you to obsess about your weight?   It’s my opinion that doctors often err on the side of caution, and perhaps he’s considering your heart condition. 

Ask him if your cholesterol and arteries are okay, and if this is a contributing factor for his concern.  If you check out okay, then you have to make a decision.  Do you trust him enough to take his advice and loose the weight, or do you continue on your path as is.   That’s a decision only you can make, based on how healthy you feel at this point.   I can’t make that decision for you, nor can anyone else.  I can offer this opinion…”grossly overweight” seems a bit excessive when you seem to be right in the middle of what an average man your height is.  Check out this website that offers the definition of obesity and how you can calculate your own.  http://www.obesity.org/education/what.shtml  However again, I defer to your doctor’s advice, and not the advice of a website (mine or anyone else’s).     I’m simply offering research tools for you to look at, and make your own decision.   

Weight is one of the worst (and in my opinion, one of the most stressful) things we have to deal with!  I hate it!  For me, it’s a constant battle everyday, and I have to remind myself it’s not the most important thing in my life, I’ll never be stick thin like Nicole Richie or Paris Hilton, and I’ll always  want to stuff my face with lobster and champagne!   This doesn’t make me a bad person; it makes me full of life, healthy and adventurous!     

Which, in my opinion, is one of the best ways to be.