https://paulnystrom.com/tags/obesity/Recent content in Obesity on Paul NystromHugoen-usSun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/dont-consult-a-physician-before-exercise/Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/dont-consult-a-physician-before-exercise/<p>The advice to ask your doctor before starting an exercise program has no basis in science, as far as I know. It’s primarily a CYA (cover your ass) disclaimer. Virtually everyone in the fitness industry has adopted it, so it’s stated almost everywhere:</p> <ul> <li>Gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs</li> <li>Fitness equipment: weight-lifting machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical machines, etc.</li> <li>Websites</li> <li>Magazines</li> <li>Fitness books</li> </ul> <p>Apparently, we assume people are too incompetent to exercise without first consulting someone else. Ironically, they’re instructed to ask a physician, a person unlikely to have expertise in exercise unless they’ve pursued it independently. As I mentioned earlier, my medical education included no lectures on exercise. I suspect that hasn’t changed much in most medical schools today.</p>https://paulnystrom.com/posts/morbid-obesity/Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://paulnystrom.com/posts/morbid-obesity/<p>I took care of a 650 pound woman once. She had renal failure and needed dialysis when I met her. We admitted her to the hospital but probably for the last time. Due to her size, she was immobile. She basically had to have six firefighters lift her every time she went anywhere. When it comes to dialysis, that’s usually a three days per week event. Patients that have transportation issues can usually be set up with services to accommodate their schedule. However, that’s usually one driver of a handicap accessible van. That’s not six firefighters lifting her onto an ambulance gurney that is almost maxed out for weight and then picking her up to take her home.</p>