Because I'm fat. See, I belong to one of those group-practice insurance plans through my employer, and the orthopedic surgeons feel that my pain would subside if I lost some weight. They have a point. I am fat. But I'm not usually sitting around and doing nothing. I have one of those body types, thanks to my Italian ancestry, that should be hauling goats up and down a hillside. I'm built low to the ground, and my body holds onto food in case of deprivation. How do I combat that?
My frustration is with doctors who think fat is the only reason for a medical condition. My fat didn't cause my cartilage to wear out. My fat didn't cause my high blood pressure condition. Being fat is a health issue, I fully believe this. But I exercise 5-6 days a week. I drink water. I've eliminated gluten and dairy from my diet. I don't eat dessert every night.
Apparently though, I do the wrong exercise. I need to drink more water. Honestly, I should just eliminate food. Without food, I should be able to lose weight, right?
I've been working on the same 20 pounds for 20 years. They don't melt away. I've spent thousands at Weight Watchers. I spent thousands with a nutritionist. I refuse fad diets and processed foods. I have weighed and measured my food. I've tried different plate sizes. I've slowed my eating down. I've tried eliminating calories and nearly starving myself.
And so, I'm fat. But my fat should not get in the way of proper medical care. I have a right to be well-cared for, just like skinny people. Frankly, I'm tired of doctors looking at me and seeing only the number on a scale. I am so much more than that.
