“Aunt Cheryl, would you take us to Sea World? Please, please, please, please, please?!” Cheryl was babysitting her eight and 10 year old nieces while their parents were away for the weekend celebrating their wedding anniversary. She stalled for time while trying to come up with an alternative. The kids were bouncing off the walls with energy. Cheryl had enjoyed Sea World 10 years ago, but also remembered the size of the park and how much walking was involved between Shamu and the seal show, and all the exhibits in between. She was 80 pounds heavier now and knew she couldn’t hack it. She fantasized about the kids bolting ahead of her and getting lost in the crowd. What would she tell her brother? “Your daughters were kidnapped because I’m so fat. Sorry.” Mustering all her enthusiasm, she told the children, “Hey! I’ve got a better idea. Let’s go to Chuckie Cheese’s instead!” She could safely turn the girls loose there, while she sat in a booth reading, eating pizza, and drinking a diet Coke. The girls acquiesced, and off they went. Cheryl wondered if they remembered her huffing, puffing, and sweating her way around the city zoo two years ago. Shopping at the mall was Cheryl’s favorite form of exercise. Uncommonly generous, Cheryl was famous among her friends and relatives for surprising them with unexpected thoughtful tchotchkes and lagniappes as well as more substantial gifts. Walking in from the mall parking lot plus two hours strolling about was a decent workout. But she did it only every couple weeks. For three hours a week, she volunteered to deliver Meals-On-Wheels, carrying meals into houses and apartments.
She spent much more time driving than walking. Of course, she wasn’t doing it for the exercise. Her only other regular physical activities were housework and walking to and from the parking lot at her job as a librarian. She had hated PE class in school. She never understood why someone would want to exercise when they could spend that time reading, playing cards, relaxing with TV, or playing piano. By the time she finished gaining those 80 excess pounds of fat between the ages of 20 and 30, she was feeling tired all the time. Her stamina was kaput. She knew 60-year-olds who had more energy than she did. Her knees were aching after the mall trips. She was too young to feel this way! Was there something going on physically other than being overweight? Perhaps diabetes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or a hidden can-cer? Most of her relatives were heavy and few of them lived beyond age 65, succumbing to strokes or various cancers. Several relatives had diabetes. Cheryl’s favorite aunt died of cancer at the age of 56. Cheryl, in her early 30s, came to see me six weeks after the funeral. “Doctor Parker, why do I feel so old and tired?” A thorough physical exam and diagnostic lab work revealed only early knee arthritis, mildly elevated blood pressure, and obesity (220 pounds). I knew that an increase in physical activity would help her immensely. I knew also that convincing her, much less altering her behavior, would be an uphill battle. But I was prepared to help her win it. [Contined....]
All matters regarding your health require supervision by a personal physician or other appropriate health professional familiar with your current health status. Always consult your personal physician before making any dietary or exercise changes.