Directly above the scale in my doctor’s office is a nondescript, four-word sign that reads:
Eat Less
Exercise More
Simple enough premise. And perhaps a little pretentious considering the sign never knows who’s reading it at any given time. Nowhere does it say, “If you are more than 30 lbs. overweight,” or “If you are at risk for diabetes,” or “If you get winded tying your shoes.” Instead it prescribes the same regimen to any and all who stand before it.
Eat Less
Exercise More
The nurse taking my weight doesn’t say a word. No comment on whether the number is acceptable, or what I should do before my next visit. No need to; the sign says it all. It practically looms as a wooden, wall-mounted medical expert. One can’t help but feel it’s there to cut the doctor’s work in half, dispensing advice in a sort of drive-thru manner.
“Well, your cholesterol is a little high, but your blood pressure is in check. All in all, things look pretty good. By the way, did you see the sign?” asks the doctor.
“Yes,” I might say.
“Good. Then I think we’re all done here.”
With each visit, I grow increasingly disappointed by my doctor’s decision to display such a sign. In this day and age, it’s just irresponsible. If marketing has taught us anything about health, it’s that if you’re going to “eat less,” you must focus on one item and cut it out of your diet entirely - fat, trans fat, carbs, sugar, salt, red meat, protein, etc. At some point, depending on the latest fad, all of these were acceptable subtractions. To simply “eat less,” however, is rather vague. It doesn’t even answer the question of how many shakes followed by sensible dinners to plan for.
Just as vague and equally unhelpful is the exercise part. How long should I exercise? Seven minutes a day, or eight? Should I enlist the assistance of Chuck Norris, Billy Blanks or Tony Little? How much is too much to pay for a gym membership or the advice of a personal trainer?
Given all the expert nutritional and aerobic information available, this sign has its work cut out for it without the endorsement of Muscle Magazine or the International Diet Institute of South Beach.
I’ve feared for some time now that my physician has let today’s common medical practices pass him by. He’s simply of an older generation that is not up on modern medicine. Who exercises anymore? For that matter, despite all the food fads mentioned earlier, who even diets anymore? Doesn’t weight loss come in pill form now? And eating less while exercising more will only leave me hungry and tired. According to my 18-month-old son, that is not an agreeable condition.
I understand the need for good health, but he should realize what he’s asking. Following this kind of regular routine would require a moderate amount of will power. Even though the sign doesn’t say so, we all know that “eating less” requires eating less things that taste good. No one ever says to cut back on asparagus or eggplant. It’s always cookies and pies and things that make life worth living.
Then there’s exercise, which usually consists of moving followed by sweating. And after enduring a lot of moving and a lot more sweating, I'll be expected to do it all over again a day or so later. Eventually soreness will set in, and maybe even some cramping. Then not only will exercising be painful, but so will all of my other daily activities. As a reward for undergoing all of this, I can treat myself to a nice head of lettuce. Somehow this is supposed to be beneficial?
Eat Less
Exercise More
Simple enough premise. And perhaps a little pretentious considering the sign never knows who’s reading it at any given time. Nowhere does it say, “If you are more than 30 lbs. overweight,” or “If you are at risk for diabetes,” or “If you get winded tying your shoes.” Instead it prescribes the same regimen to any and all who stand before it.
Eat Less
Exercise More
The nurse taking my weight doesn’t say a word. No comment on whether the number is acceptable, or what I should do before my next visit. No need to; the sign says it all. It practically looms as a wooden, wall-mounted medical expert. One can’t help but feel it’s there to cut the doctor’s work in half, dispensing advice in a sort of drive-thru manner.
“Well, your cholesterol is a little high, but your blood pressure is in check. All in all, things look pretty good. By the way, did you see the sign?” asks the doctor.
“Yes,” I might say.
“Good. Then I think we’re all done here.”
With each visit, I grow increasingly disappointed by my doctor’s decision to display such a sign. In this day and age, it’s just irresponsible. If marketing has taught us anything about health, it’s that if you’re going to “eat less,” you must focus on one item and cut it out of your diet entirely - fat, trans fat, carbs, sugar, salt, red meat, protein, etc. At some point, depending on the latest fad, all of these were acceptable subtractions. To simply “eat less,” however, is rather vague. It doesn’t even answer the question of how many shakes followed by sensible dinners to plan for.
Just as vague and equally unhelpful is the exercise part. How long should I exercise? Seven minutes a day, or eight? Should I enlist the assistance of Chuck Norris, Billy Blanks or Tony Little? How much is too much to pay for a gym membership or the advice of a personal trainer?
Given all the expert nutritional and aerobic information available, this sign has its work cut out for it without the endorsement of Muscle Magazine or the International Diet Institute of South Beach.
I’ve feared for some time now that my physician has let today’s common medical practices pass him by. He’s simply of an older generation that is not up on modern medicine. Who exercises anymore? For that matter, despite all the food fads mentioned earlier, who even diets anymore? Doesn’t weight loss come in pill form now? And eating less while exercising more will only leave me hungry and tired. According to my 18-month-old son, that is not an agreeable condition.
I understand the need for good health, but he should realize what he’s asking. Following this kind of regular routine would require a moderate amount of will power. Even though the sign doesn’t say so, we all know that “eating less” requires eating less things that taste good. No one ever says to cut back on asparagus or eggplant. It’s always cookies and pies and things that make life worth living.
Then there’s exercise, which usually consists of moving followed by sweating. And after enduring a lot of moving and a lot more sweating, I'll be expected to do it all over again a day or so later. Eventually soreness will set in, and maybe even some cramping. Then not only will exercising be painful, but so will all of my other daily activities. As a reward for undergoing all of this, I can treat myself to a nice head of lettuce. Somehow this is supposed to be beneficial?
Frankly, when it comes to what’s best for his patients, I think my doctor has gotten lazy. Guess I could always find a new one. Then again that sounds like a big hassle.
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