“I’m No Longer A Healthy Fat Person”

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When it comes to our health, Americans commonly tolerate a “less than optimal” level as long as they are able to … as long as they can get by with … often until they get a wake-up call.

We have shared this story before and will continue to do so - because we realize it’s a very common (and dangerous) way many people think.

A few years ago, we had a new weight loss client share about how her bloodwork and lab numbers had all been good for years and years - despite the fact was significantly overweight all along. She was actually considered clinically obese. Then, at her last “wellness check-up” with her primary care physician, it was reported that some of her lab numbers had gotten “out of whack”. As is so often the case, it was her cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure which all now required what she KNEW was coming: prescription medication. Lab work also determined that she was now “borderline Diabetic”.

 The sweet (and stressed) lady then made a comment that we found quite interesting. She said,

“I realized that I was no longer a healthy fat person”.

Please realize this: there is NO such thing. Obesity IS a diagnosable health condition.

All health care practitioners use a diagnosis coding system known as “ICD-10”. It stands for the INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASE. A few years ago, the 10th edition was developed. This coding is the system ALL health care practitioners (and insurance companies) use to communicate in the same language about DISEASE and health conditions.

In that coding system: E66.9 is “Obesity”. That is when your Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or above. Even being “Overweight” IS a diagnosable health condition (E66.3) when the BMI is 25.0-29.99. See the chart below in this blog.

This is what people need to know: IF something shows up in the physician’s diagnosis coding system it IS important and serious – even if it does not YET manifest in symptoms or require a medication or medical procedure.

If your BLOOD LABS or BLOOD PRESSURE numbers are not “out of whack” enough YET to require some medication or procedure, they may be on their way IF you’re overweight or obese. If you have NOT YET been diagnosed with any of the chronic conditions associated with or caused by being overweight (such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and even several kinds of cancer) please be aware:

You may very well be like a ticking time bomb.

We don’t want to sound TOO blunt or TOO alarming here, but many people need someone to tell them! To live for years and years carrying around dozens of excess pounds and believing the matter is NOT YET SERIOUS until the day a particular lab number rises above a level that now requires medication is a VERY risky mindset.

 Please begin to “Know your numbers” – specifically those that relate to your weight challenge like your Body Mass Index (BMI). Here’s a simple chart used in all health professions.

Has BMI ever been discussed with you? Each level or classification is associated with varying degrees of health risk and possibly even reduced life expectancy.

This is just ONE measure that can help you get an idea of the TRUE severity of your current condition and to differentiate between just a “weight issue” and a real HEALTH RISK … maybe before a more serious diagnosis is made.

Take your weight and your wellness serious NOW before all of that comes.

CLICK OR CALL TODAY to schedule an appointment to learn more, see if you qualify and possibly join the thousands who have successfully (healthily) lost weight using the same program we use in our clinic!

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