Emaciated?

[BigRunner]

Took my wife to our family doctor (we really like him, delivered both of our children, etc..) for a back problem. While she was seeing him, he looked at me with a bewildered look and said:

Doc: Have you lost weight?
Me: Yup.
Doc: On purpose?
Me: Yes, probably 40 pounds since I last saw you.

At this point I expected "How'd you do it?" or "You look very healthy" or "Keep up the good work". Instead I got.

"Don't lose anymore. You look emaciated."

I wasn't sure what it meant at the time, but I knew it wasn't complimentary.

Looked it up. Synonyms are: gaunt, haggard cadaverous, bony, and skeletal. Definitiion is extremely thin, especially from starvation, disease or cold.

Huh? He didn't even ask what I weighed. 175 for a 5'10" male is technically still overweight. I am at 15.4% body fat. My goal is around 160. Still have a roll around the belly to get rid of so I can actually see my abs some day.

Do I look gaunt? I've lost 15 pounds since the picture, but I don't see 15 pounds worth of change in the mirror.

Not being conceited here, but I think for the first time in my adult life, that I look pretty good.

Sometimes I think people are so used to seeing everyone overweight or obese that anyone at a "healthy" weight appears to be "too thin" or in some way sick.

Sorry for the rant. I have worked real hard to become healthy, a marathoner, and the only comment I get from my doctor is that I look sick.

How deflating (no pun intended).

Rich

[freckles]

Well, you've lost more since your pic, but you don't look emaciated in that pic at all! I'd say you look muscular and athletic, but not emaciated!!!

Maybe the doc is jealous of your success!

[ladyinred]

You look good to me. In your picture it doesn't look like you need to lose anymore, but I wouldn't say you are scrawny or emaciated. A while back some people were saying that Betty (ttdriver) was too skinny too. I think that runners are naturally more lean looking than other people and as you say, the majority of the population is overweight these days so anyone who's not looks underweight. I think you look great!

[citsim]

Originally Posted by BigRunner

Sometimes I think people are so used to seeing everyone overweight or obese that anyone at a "healthy" weight appears to be "too thin" or in some way sick.

I think you are pretty much right on the money with that statement. I wouldn't let what he said bother me, go by how you feel. But that is just my opinion.

[rox4jc]

By any chance does the good doctor need to lose a few? People are so insecure, they can't help it. You look awesome- keep up the good work!

[disciplined1]

I usually get responses like that from people who are overweight to begin with or if they sense some competition. Focus on your goal and stick to it. You will probably get an equal number of good and negative responses. Be happy with yourself

[sallyseachange]

You look great to me. Not emaciated at all. I think maybe the doc was just taken by surprise by your loss and used to seeing you more...erm... upholstered!

[not2late]

I think we addressed this in the OWL forum that your % body fat is within normal limits for a man. Also weight (poundage) is moot if you are actively building muscle mass. 1 pound of muscle is the same weight as 1 pound of fat.

As for how we perceive ourselves....yes many people (me included) look in the mirror and see the same fat person we were when we began our weight loss journey. I'm half the person I was when I began but I still see myself as that larger person. So we need to work on getting our heads straight while we are losing weight.

[rox4jc]

LOL! Upholstered! I LOVE IT! HA-HA-HA!

[SugarFreeSheila]

Rich, from your photo, clearly yours is a physique most men aspire to. Keep that in mind in the future when hit with backhanded compliments - or in this case, outright insults.