How can you work with your doctor to set achievable health goals?

It's important not to come see your doctor with an attitude of "I've done my research and I know what's wrong with me." There is no bigger turn-off, as it closes off the doctor's ability to ask questions and explore possibilities. It's fine to be prepared, but you need to explain things like symptoms, things you may have read and considered, past labs, with an open mind. Informing the doctor of facts and being open to his/her diagnosis, thought process, and feedback.

Losing weight is a vague term that needs to be scrapped. Weight consists of all things in the body, so to simply lose weight could be losing anything from water to muscle. Focus on what you truly want to lose (fat), and target that. Choose a provider who is well versed in nutrition and pair that advice with your fitness goals.

This is a great time to reflect on WHY you want to be healthy AND what good health means to you. Some questions you might ask include: - Reflect on your current health and lifestyle. How do they align with or differ from your ideal state of health and well-being? - Who in your life is directly impacted by your health and well-being? - What are some aspirational goals you have, such as a dream trip or adventure, that require good health to achieve? - How does maintaining or improving your health support the vision you have for your future? Really understanding this is an important step. It's the fuel that keeps you going when you don't feel like doing the new thing or want to do the old thing. Write it down and put it somewhere you can see

May i advise to begin by openly discussing your concerns, priorities, and lifestyle. Together, identify specific, realistic objectives that align with your overall well-being. Establish a timeline for progress and regularly reassess your goals. Ensure clear communication, allowing your doctor to provide guidance and support. Tailor goals to your unique circumstances, considering factors like diet, exercise, and stress management. Regular check-ins foster accountability and adjustments as needed. Empower yourself by actively participating in decisions, and celebrate small victories along the way. This partnership enhances your chances of sustaining positive health outcomes.

It is always important to approach this conversation honestly. Think to yourself, and make notes, about what your goals are at that time, what you are willing to do to reach these goals, and any thing that you would not be ok with doing. Then have that honest conversation with your physician. Also, understand that not every patient and doctor will work well with each other. It's ok to search around for a physician that meets your needs in a manner that you are comfortable with if your current one does not seem work well with you. It truly needs to be a partnership if you want to reach optimal health.

How to control your control blood glucose levels and how to bring down HBa1C level less than 7 , what will be a good option for making it as a good sucess goal in Diabetic treatments .

In my opinion being prepared for your visit with questions and changes that you want to consider is a great way we can be helpful in securing a better health journey with our doctor. one thing I found when I visited with my doctor was that when I begin o ask questions they had to reconsider their thought pattern which allowed us to now have a two way conversation about my health and just a prescription and handshake

Most physicians have not been trained in behavior change or the specifics of various lifestyle choices (like diet or exercise). As such, and given their time constraints in the modern medical environment, they are likely to default to a pill form of medication. If you are interested in lifestyle change first, as you should be, ask for a referral to whatever services they might have access to. Insurance is already paying for health and wellness coaching, so if your physician can refer you to one, you should try to get a coach. They are better suited to help you make behavior change. Physicians who practice lifestyle medicine (and may have certification from the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine) are also great options.

Setting smart goals is important. However in my opinion what is more critical to achieving goals is the daily reminder of these goals. We are naturally forgetful and life provides ample distraction.

It helps to find tools that are easy and even fun to use, so you are more likely to come back again and again to track your progress and be consistent. A lot of apps use gamification techniques to make it really engaging to use and that typically means you come back more often and get better information.

Celebrating our wins is key, and you can do it in the moment. Stanford researcher BJ Fogg calls it "showing yourself shine." After you make a choice that is in alignment with your values, you do recognize it, in the moment. It could be anything like giving yourself a pat on the back or saying something like, "You go, girl!" I like to give myself a fist bump (with the explosion and sound effects included, depending on who is around me). Think about how you might show yourself shine and try it out next time you make a positive choice. It feels good!

The physician-patient relationship is characterized by continuity. In my experience, discussions with my patients often revolve around behavior changes related to diet, exercise, mental health, or other aspects of well-being. However, after such goal setting, there is often a gap until their next visit. Without regular check-ins to monitor progress and address potential obstacles, the connection and coaching established during our initial conversation can be lost. I strongly encourage individuals to schedule ongoing appointments with their healthcare providers for consistent check-ins and coaching. In today's age, it's not necessary to physically visit your doctor; virtual visits can be scheduled from the convenience of wherever you are.

Setting and following through on Your health goals starts with primary care. The primary care framework MUST support a strong doctor-patient relationship. The current US insurance-based, corporate model devalues & reduces the doctor-patient relationship to hurried 15 minute appointments. Barely enough time to do anything meaningful. A follow up appointment can takes months to get. Today, the best way to support your goals is to invest in the doctor-patient relationship. I believe Direct Primary Care (DPC) is the most effective way to do this. In DPC, you pay a membership fee to join an office. In exchange, you get high-quality care with longer, un-rushed appointments and the ability to easily follow up - often by email or text! DPC Wins!