Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Weight Loss
By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
Attempting to lose weight is a big step in someone’s health journey. It involves a lot of preparation and planning before even implementing changes to your diet or exercise routine.
One aspect of this preparation that’s often overlooked is a conversation with your doctor. However, it’s very important to get the perspective of your primary care provider before attempting to lose weight.
Here are some questions to consider asking your doctor.
1 – Should I lose weight, and how much should I lose?
First and foremost, ask your doctor if weight loss is a good choice for you. If you are overweight or have obesity, your doctor may give the green light for losing weight but the amount of suggested weight loss may surprise you. In fact, losing just 5 to 10% of body weight can lead to a lot of health benefits. Confirm the best range of weight loss for you with your physician.
2 – Do any of my medications have relevant interactions or side effects?
If you are taking medications, ask if they affect weight in any way. Some medications can make it harder to lose weight, while others may cause unwanted side effects if you are changing your diet or exercise regimen. Blood pressure and diabetes treatments, including insulin, are examples of medications that may be impacted by weight loss. Your health care provider will want to know if you are attempting to lose weight and adjust prescriptions accordingly.
3 – Is it safe for me to start a diet?
Many diets advertised for weight loss are strict eating plans that may even include powders and supplements instead of real food. Drastic diets can have dangerous effects, especially if you have certain medical conditions. That’s why it’s vital to speak with your doctor about the type of weight loss meal plan or diet meal delivery that’s right for you before making any changes to your diet.
Overall, the best dietary pattern for weight loss is usually one that’s adapted gradually, nutritionally balanced, provides enough (but not too many) calories, and focuses on adding healthy foods instead of restriction.
4 – Is it safe for me to exercise?
In addition to asking about the safety of dietary changes, be sure to discuss exercise. The type of exercise you choose should be one that’s appropriate for your fitness level. Your body may not be ready to jump into a high-intensity exercise that you heard is good for weight loss. Instead, you may need to gradually incorporate low-impact movement in ways that are safe for you. Ask your doctor about examples of activities that you can try and how to know when you have reached the right intensity level.
5 – Can you recommend other tips for weight loss?
Although diet and exercise play a large role in weight management, other factors also influence whether you can lose weight. Reducing stress and getting good sleep are important for improving health and weight status. If you need help in those areas, ask your doctor for the appropriate referrals.
Note from Healthy For Life Meals: Our freshly prepared, nutritionally controlled meals are a great choice for many people who are looking to lose weight. Ask your doctor if we’re the right choice for you by sharing our nutrition information with him/her. Overall nutrition information for each of our 3 calorie levels can be found at the links below.
1200 calorie traditional
2000 calorie traditional
1500 calorie vegetarian