Friday, August 26, 2011

Which "Obesity Stage" Are You Living In? I like being a ZERO!

BMI isn't so useful a tool. I use it as a milestone marker. But I know it's got serious limitations and problems.

Some docs want better ways to gauge obesity and its effect. So, I was reading the stages in the Edmonton Obesity Staging System:

STAGE 0: Patient has no apparent obesity-related risk factors (e.g., blood pressure, serum lipids, fasting glucose, etc. within normal range), no physical symptoms, no psychopathology, no functional limitations and/or impairment of well being.
STAGE 1: Patient has obesity-related subclinical risk factor(s) (e.g., borderline hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, elevated liver enzymes, etc.), mild physical symptoms (e.g., dyspnea on moderate exertion, occasional aches and pains, fatigue, etc.), mild psychopathology, mild functional limitations and/or mild impairment of well being.
STAGE 2: Patient has established obesity-related chronic disease(s) (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, reflux disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, anxiety disorder, etc.), moderate limitations in activities of daily living and/or well being.
STAGE 3: Patient has established end-organ damage such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, diabetic complications, incapacitating osteoarthritis, significant psychopathology, significant functional limitation(s) and/or impairment of well being.
STAGE 4: Patient has severe (potentially end-stage) disability/ies from obesity-related chronic diseases, severe disabling psychopathology, severe functional limitation(s) and/or severe impairment of well being.

And I realized this:

At my very highest at just about 300 lbs, I would have to self-categorize myself as having dipped into Stage 3 for a spell. Not cause of organ damage (though I was damaging my liver, had elevated enzymes, Ultrasound showed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), but cause my activities were severely impacted. Movement...breathing...sleeping...and depression was rampant. "Impairment" of well-being, oh, yeah.

I spent most of my morbid obesity in Stage 2. No question about it.

I look over the criteria, and realize I'm a ZERO, just from how I feel and what doc says: Prediabetes resolved. No hypertension drug now. HDL and triglycerides, amazing. LDL higher, but good LDL particle size. Apnea pretty much gone, no waking up choking... though I'm asleep, so can't really tell for sure, hah. Reflux gone.  Liver hasn't been rechecked via ultrasound, but I'm  guessing way, way less fatty. Easier to move (exercise!). Energy high. Depression not in sight. Joy of life, even with its sad moments--considerable.

I do have damage--to skin, to joints, to liver, I'm sure--from having been obese for more than 2 decades. No joke. You pay a price! I suspect the longer one is obese, the more price to be paid. Some things are irrevocable. Lifespan may be impacted for sure. We can't know for certain. But I do suspect the longer you wait to fix the problem (don't be an ass like me), the less you get to live and the more you suffer down the line.

BUT....for today...for now...being a zero is nice.

I want to stay a big zero when it comes to this.

I can cross my legs. I can touch my head to my knees. I can go up a flight of stairs without being winded. I can walk and feel strong and buoyant, simultaneously. I take such joy in doing these things I could not do before.

And I"m still fat. Overweight.

Just not obese. :)

What stage are you in? Don't you wanna be a ZERO?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really want to be a ZERO!

Rachel Schofield - Virtual Interior Decorator & Home Stager said...

Yep, that's the kind of zero I want to be! (Though I've had stage 1 and 2 problems at 140lbs. Hopefully not this time around...)

Anonymous said...

I definately like being a zero! Thanks for the info.

Tammy said...

I'm Stage 2 currently, but would love to be a zero one day (if possible). Congratulations on your weight loss, you've made positive changes that will affect the rest of your life. I too have been obese for a couple of decades and sometimes wonder if even if I do become a normal weight, have I shortened my life span. Whether or not I have, I still want to become the best health-wise that I can.

Julie said...

Being a zero is awesome. Today went to the doc for DOT physical. He saw me just two months ago for a regular full physical. He hugged me and said just in two more months of my life style change I'm looking more awesome and everything was tip top wonderful. LOVING IT!!! Did gain back 3 lbs but it was 3:00 in the afternoon and I did have to hold going potty until after he was done for the pee test but all in all everything is great. Love not being afraid of going to the doctor. Don't have to worry about being stearnly talked to about my weight.
Keep up the great posts and reads Mir. Have a great weekend. Off camping for us. Blessings my friend.

Food Freak said...

That's terrific news. I never read those stages of obesity before. I'm glad they don't put everyone in the same bucket, but rather recognize that each one of us is different, with different bodies, minds, and outlooks on life.

You have such a short way to go. This is exciting!

Jo said...

Congrats on being zero after being on up there. I am probably a 1 due to a little blood pressure and cholesterol problem, but feeling good all the same!

Green Mountain Realty said...

Congrats on being so successful, I'm so proud of you

Angela Pea said...

Whoot!! I'm so glad you're a zero now!!

MB said...

Congrats on your zero status. I never thought I would say I'm happy to be a zero too! ;)