Pre-Enrolment
What is the issue?
When you decide to lose weight, you might think it's just about eating less and moving more, but there's so much more to the story. Your body is a complex system, and understanding its current state is crucial for effective, safe weight loss. Without this knowledge, you might be flying blind, potentially missing important health issues or risking inappropriate interventions.
What do you think? What do you already know?
Before we dive in, take a moment to reflect on your own weight loss journey:
What health metrics are you currently aware of? (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol levels)
Have you ever felt that your doctor missed something important about your health?
How comfortable do you feel advocating for your health needs with medical professionals?
These reflections will help you connect with the program on a more personal level as we move forward.
What else would be good to know?
In The Shift, we believe in a comprehensive approach to health assessment. This isn't just about weight – it's about understanding your overall health status and identifying any underlying issues that could affect your weight loss journey.
It's important to note that in The Shift, weight and health are not the same thing. While you'll notice changes in your weight, to truly understand the difference between weight and health, you need to be able to see yourself and your physiology clearly. The more comfortable you become with checking in on yourself physiologically, the easier it will be to make The Shift.
Let's break down the key components of a thorough health assessment:
Laboratory Tests
We categorize lab tests into three groups:
Basic Non-Negotiable Labs: These are the essentials. They provide a foundational understanding of your health.
More Detailed Nice-to-Have Labs: These offer a deeper dive into specific areas of health.
Advanced Optional Labs: These are for those who want the most comprehensive picture possible.
The specific tests vary slightly between biological males and females due to differences in physiology. Specific tests are listed in the exercise section.
Imaging and Diagnostic Studies
Imaging can reveal important information about your internal health:
Abdominal ultrasound: Screens for fatty liver disease (MASLD)
Pelvic ultrasound: For females suspected of having polycystic ovarian syndrome
Others based on individual needs: CT coronary angiography, echocardiogram, bone mineral density testing
Body composition testing
Additional Testing
Sleep studies: If sleep apnea is suspected
Cancer screening: Based on age, sex, and risk factors (e.g., mammograms, colonoscopies)
Mental Health Screening
While we'll dive deeper into this in Phase 3, it's important to note that mental health is a crucial component of overall health and can significantly impact weight management.
Remember, the goal here isn't to overwhelm you with tests. It's to empower you with knowledge about your body. This information helps you tailor your approach to The Shift program to your specific needs and ensures you're addressing any underlying health issues that could affect your weight loss journey.
In Phase 3, you will delve deeper into what these tests mean and how they may be affecting your weight and health. For now, focus on gathering this information to create a clear picture of your current health status.
How do I apply this right now? How do I explore this more?
Now that you understand the importance of comprehensive health assessment, let's look at how you can take action.
You may stop reading the lesson and do these activities now or wait until the end of the lesson to do the activities in sequence.
Once you complete this lesson, the activities will appear on their own pages so you can find them and repeat them anytime.
Activity 1:
How to Gather Your Personal Health Data
This activity provides you with comprehensive trackers to record and monitor your health data over time.
The purpose is to create a clear picture of your current health status, track changes over time, and facilitate informed discussions with your healthcare provider. This activity lays the foundation for personalizing your weight loss journey and ensures you're addressing all aspects of your health.
Activity 2:
How To Ask Your Doctor For These Tests
This activity will help you develop effective strategies for discussing comprehensive health testing with your healthcare provider. By identifying your communication style and your relationship with your provider, we'll provide tailored suggestions for initiating these important conversations. The communication options here are suggestions, and you should always feel comfortable adjusting your approach based on their unique relationship with your healthcare provider.
How do I bring it all together?
Understanding your current health status is a crucial first step in your weight loss journey. By gathering comprehensive data about your body, you're not just preparing for weight loss – you're taking charge of your overall health.
Remember, this process isn't about finding problems. It's about getting a clear, honest picture of your health so you can create the most effective, personalized plan for yourself in collaboration with your healthcare providers. Some of these tests might reveal areas for improvement, and that's okay. Knowledge is power, and identifying these areas now means you can address them head-on.
If you feel overwhelmed by the amount of information or unsure about how to proceed, don't worry. That's completely normal. We'll guide you through this process step by step. And remember, you don't need to get all of these tests done at once. Start with the basics and work your way up as you become more comfortable advocating for your health needs.
As you gather your health data, you might start noticing:
Increased awareness: You'll likely become more attuned to various aspects of your health.
Empowerment: Knowledge about your body can help you feel more in control of your health.
Better conversations with healthcare providers: You'll be equipped to ask more informed questions.
Personalized approach: As you get your test results, you'll be able to tailor your approach to The Shift program more specifically to your needs.
Early intervention: If any health issues are identified, you'll be able to address them promptly.
Remember, getting these numbers is just the start. The real change comes from what you do with this information.
How will I know if this is making a difference? How do I start noticing the changes?
What is next?
In this lesson, we've explored the importance of comprehensive health assessment and how to gather your personal health data. We've also discussed strategies for effectively communicating with your healthcare provider about testing.
In our next lesson, "Can You Even Sail to Edmonton? A Staging System," we'll introduce you to a tool that helps us understand the impact of weight on your overall health. This will help you set realistic, health-focused goals for your weight loss journey.
Before our next lesson, try to gather as much of your health data as you can. If you have a physical exam coming up, use the communication strategies we've discussed to ask about any missing tests. Remember, you're not just losing weight – you're designing a big, beautiful life.