Weigh in Wednesday

Weigh in Wednesday

The other day I got a frantic call from my step sister.

“My doctor told me I’d never be thinner than I was when I first got out of college,” she cried, thoroughly depressed. (She’s struggled with her weight for a long time, but she does so well with eating healthy.)

After immediately yelling explicits about where that doctor could shove it, I asked why the doctor said such a thing.

The response?

“Your body sets a baseline at that age & it’s impossible to get below that point because your metabolism is set there.” Seriously doc? Isn’t it your job to help people & not kick them when they’re down?!

In the ‘nutrition world’ we talk about something called “set point theory”, which is simply saying that your body is probably built with a genetic “happy weight”.

This can explain why someone can seem to eat whatever they want and weigh 160 pounds, but struggles endlessly to stay at 155. It does not mean it’s impossible to change your weight.

I’m ok with this theory. Everybody has a happy weight.

I’m not ok with saying that “set point” kicks in after college. ?!?!

How many people do you know that are at a healthier weight now than when they were in college?! That’s just ridiculous.

What really pissed me off is that the doctor didn’t do anything to help her with her weight. Basically she just said you’re screwed. What happened to advocating for your patients & helping them be as healthy as they can be?!

(Plus, I still maintain it’s not all about weight.)

What do you think?! Do we have a “set point”? If so, when do we get it?!