I saw a 30 year old female in follow up at my office the other day. She has been suffering from asthma, polycystic ovarian syndrome, anxiety, obesity, and uncontrolled hypertension. She was taking multiple antihypertensive medications, using multiple inhalers, and taking multiple medications for her mental health. At this particular follow up visit, I noticed that she had experienced about a 40 lb. weight loss in around 2 months. Previously, her blood pressure readings were often greater than 160 systolic, but during this visit, her blood pressure was 112 systolic. She was even experiencing a little dizziness with standing at times. She informed me that she was no longer taking any of her psychiatric medications. She was rarely using her albuterol rescue inhaler and felt that her breathing was fine.
I commended her on the weight loss achievement. The removal of medications from her regimen was not a small feat. I emphasized the benefit of her new situation. In fact, I decreased her antihypertensive medication dose during this visit.
How did she accomplish this transformation? She finally decided to adopt lifestyle change. She has a fitness trainer that is helping guide her through a significant exercise program, 5+ days/week. She is starting to eat better and cutting out some of the foods that were holding her back. Be advised that medication prescribed for weight loss was NOT a part of this plan.
Previously, she was experiencing the downward spiral of her lifestyle. Follow the sequence from here: not eating well, poor energy, lack of motivation and drive, limited activity, poor body self-image, anxiety or depression (or both), development of a new symptom or health condition which in turn causes new anxiety or depression. Anxiety or depression can trigger poor eating. Poor eating causes increased fatigue. You can quickly see the negative spiral.
Thankfully, you can choose to prevent or interrupt the downward spiral. The positive spin: eating healthy, exercising, prioritizing sleep, limiting stressful experiences. Hunger hormones often get turned down with low carbohydrate eating and you experience weight loss. After weight loss, pain improves. Energy improves. Confidence improves. Appropriate sex hormone levels often improve. Now, you have more energy to move. You exercise more often and more intensely. Your body shape improves, furthering your confidence and motivating you to move more. This is the path forward. This is true transformation!! This is accessible to ALL who are willing to unlock their potential.
I will be excited to see her in the office again! I am hopeful that she can stay focused on her new lifestyle changes and continue moving in a positive direction!