The Model Defiant Patient

I had a follow-up with my Cardiologist this week. I really like this guy, but I seem to challenge almost everything he says, not verbally, but by my defiance between visits.

He tells me to eat skinless chicken breast, and I respond by eating steak? He tells me to saute in cannola oil and I tell him I cook everything in butter? He says avoid fat and I eat bacon and a whole avocados? He says watch your cholesterol and I challenge him by eating six eggs for breakfast?

So what happens when you defy your doctor’s nutritional advise and do your own research? Well this is what happened. Over the past year I lost 30 pounds and kept it off. I’ve lost almost four inches in my waist size. My blood pressure has dropped from being at rates of Hypertension, to Pre-Hypertension, even after cutting my beta blocker dosage by 2/3rds.

When the discussion shifts to exercise, he asks, “Are you still doing that CrossFit stuff? Isn’t that for young athletes” I replied, “Yes, these guys motivate me. I don’t expect to beat them, I just strive to finish. Do you want to know what I did at 6:30 this morning?” He nods his head in an affirmative gesture.

I enjoyed watching his face as I rattled off this morning’s WOD: “Well this morning I rowed 400 meters, did 40 Sit Ups, rowed another 400 meters, did 60 Single unders with a jump rope, rowed another 400 Meters, did 20 Push ups, another 400 Meter row, 10 pull ups followed by the last 400 Meter Row.”

His jaw dropped. “You did all that!? How long that take?”  I told him that I was the last guy to finish, it took me 16 minutes 10 seconds. He thought this would take over a half hour.

I explained that during this entire WOD my heart rate never exceeded 118. The meeting went very well. He was as amazed as my GP was three weeks ago. He was pleased that I had “taken his advise about getting exercise”. He didn’t comment any further on my total rebellion of his dietary recommendations. As he reviewed my risks for heart disease, he realized that I had addressed all of them but one. “You know Chuck, your age is a risk for heart issues.”

“Well Doc, there’s not a lot I can do about that one now, is there?” Get Defiant! Get Well!

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