weight loss and putting others first

This week I had a several new patients who entered our program and a common lament was that work related obligations completely consummed them to the point where there was absoultely no focus on their own health. The eating patterns were sporadic, no thought involved at all, and these patients entered the program over 100 pounds their ideal body weight. The work was so important to them, that they let their own health suffer and put them in grave health risk.

Last night we were out to dinner with dear friends, and one of them is an internal medicine physician in Massachusetts. We did our residencies together in Portsmouth Naval Hospital and we have remained close friends for 28 years. He is truly the "town doctor" where he practices. I visited him once there and wherever we went, people said "hi Doctor____" to him, and I could tell he is held in the upmost reverance in that community. Why? By knowing his work ethic and caring, empathetic nature, he clearly has touched the live of thousands and I am certain has saved the lives of countless.

He is now very overweight and has a strong family of heart disease. On a daily basis he sees and helps so many people but his devotion to his work has put him in grave health risk as well.

The point here is that I implore you to follow the airlines' advice (no, not to read the safety card for the upteenth time) to "in the event the cabin loses pressure and the oxygen masks fall, place it on you before your children". Why? if you stay healthy you are much better positioned to help the important people in your lives. If you were to become very ill, you are not in any position to help others. So, it is not at all "selfish" to focus on your own health...your own weight issues, and then turn around to help others. So if your boss makes you feel that the work he/she is throwing at you is more important than your impending heart attack, then time to have a sitdown with the boss. It is not worth it to succumb to a serious medical problem because work or other peoples issues became a higher priority.