I have a ton of empathy with our doctors. Many must be banging their heads against the wall. Just a cursory glance around the waiting room and you can see their predicament.
I’m pretty certain they see the same people for the same conditions again, and again, and again... [...cue predictable rant about how to save the NHS money...]
Now, before I get on my soap box, I need to qualify this piece by saying if you are in any doubt about anything you should seek the advice of a qualified health practitioner, but what I’m about to tell you might be disturbing. Or quite the contrary, it might be enabling.
I’d also like to qualify this further and say the people who need to understand this the most will never read a health and fitness article like this. So I guess I’m pissing in the wind a bit...
BUT... after seeing another of my clients husbands go to the doctor and receive the same bad advice I thought I’d pen some thoughts...
I’m sure you know the sort. It’s fairly typical in this part of the world. Between the age of 40-50. Working his ass off to provide for his family. Normally leaves for work before 7am in the morning. Rarely gets in before 7pm. Likes a glass of wine or a beer in the evening to relax (not necessarily a bad thing). Wakes in the night thinking about work, but thinks that’s normal. Fat. Tired. Maybe a little depressed. Feels a little under the weather... Feels a little bit more under the weather... Feels REALLY under the weather... Goes to hospital. Blood pressure through the roof, etc, etc. After keeping him overnight to monitor they send him back to his GP.
WHAT WAS THE DOCTORS ADVICE? Take this medication, eat a little better & do some exercise. After a minimum six years in med school that’s pretty insightful, right???
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| FACEPALM |
I appreciate the practitioners hands are bound by the amount of time they have to see each patient, and like I’ve already said they are MASSIVELY limited by the patients desire to change, because believe it or not despite feeling awful and having a string of undiagnosable conditions some patients are just unwilling to change, but did his advice help any way shape or form? I’m thinking not.
Contrary to popular belief I’m not against medication. Despite my holier than thou natural health stance, I think it’s necessary in some cases. I also think the advice given was accurate in it’s most basic form - eating a little better and moving a little more (or exercising) will most likely serve this guy better. But, it’s one thing knowing something, it’s quite another doing it...
You might have guessed from this brief foray I’m struggling to stay on topic here. I’m trying not to delve into the science of behavior change, the fundamentals of nutrition, what can be consider the most effective and meaningful form of exercise, how to manage stress, how to actually improve sleep, and other important aspects to consider about lifestyle creation.
But really it comes down to who do you trust to look after your health.
What sparked my interest on this subject was when I started reading an article on Monsanto. Whilst I’m sure those we democratically elected (you did vote, right?) have our best intentions at heart when it comes to nutrition they often in the hands of big business. The country needs to balance the books and I’m sure the revenue from taxing big businesses effects the recommendations on nutrition. Therefore the government guidelines are not to be trusted.
I then found this research paper in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition called What Do Resident Physicians Know About Nutrition? An Evaluation of Attitudes, Self-Perceived Proficiency and Knowledge, (...pretty self explanatory, right?) The research was carried out in the states, but I’m certain we’d find similar findings here. To cut to the chase, most medical practitioners ‘consider nutrition counseling a priority, but lack the confidence and knowledge to effectively provide adequate nutrition education.’
Ok, it was a fairly small sample size, but my clients husband was told to reduce fat. We know conclusively this is poor outdated bad science. Consuming fat isn’t the problem here. In fact, not consuming fat could actually be part of the problem. Therefore your doctors advice could be found wanting.
What about the food industry? Did you hear about the horse meat scandal? If they’re putting horse meat in our food what other stuff is in there? That’s the tip of the iceberg. I guess this rules out the food industry.
Nutritionists? Personal trainers? Herbalife distributors? Health bloggers? Maybe not. These guys are less qualified than your super intelligent doctor. Furthermore, being badly regulated, they will most likely prescribe recommendations based on their own bias or even worse what’s trending at the moment.
Then who do you trust?!
In my years coaching people I have come across many poorly informed and quite frankly ludicrous understandings (or misunderstandings) about health, fitness and nutrition. Honestly, it ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous!
However, when you forget what you ‘know’ and apply a little bit of common sense most people know what to do. Sometimes people need a little guidance, but by applying a little logic everything falls into place.
Not to say you cannot or use a little coaching, support and motivation to speed this up. But by taking RESPONSIBILITY you can quickly bring about fast and lasting changes in health and fitness.
Quite enabling, isn’t it?
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