Why Skinny People Live Longer

This past week I had my annual exam, you know the one you dread. You might think I dread it for the awkward small talk you have with your doctor while their head is in a place you can’t see or the drawing of blood which leaves a bruise on your arm which makes the grocery clerk think your husband beats you, no. I dread the part where I have my clothes on and am sitting in my doc’s office and we have to discuss “my weight.”

I know I have a good doctor because we always discuss “my weight”, no matter how much both of us hate it. The real problem is that years ago I did get down to a really good weight so he says to me, “I know you can do it, because you did it before.”

Since my check up three different friends have confessed to me they have “middle-aged check-upitis” too, all because they do not or did not want to have the weight discussion with their doctors. One friend even said she has not had a check up in three years because she wanted to lose weight before going in to see the doctor. That plan back fired because she ran into her Doctor out socially and he told her there she had to lose weight and get in for her check up.

Now, I have never had a doctor even raise his voice to me about my weight, but that is what is happening in my own head. Every person who needs to lose weight already knows it, but it is your doctors job to say it out loud.

So here is my theory why skinny people live longer…. Without having the dread of the stepping on the scale at the doctor’s office they are more likely to get their annual exams and catch potential illnesses before they go too far.

Also, skinny people often exercise to the point that they wear their knee joints out prematurely. This often interferes with their ability to work out which they actually like to do, so they seek out more medical attention than just their yearly physical. I am amazed how many people find life threatening heart problems when they go to get their pre-op exams. If it weren’t for their crazy need to run 13 miles a day they might have died of a heart attack while waiting in line at the DMV.

I also don’t know one skinny person who attributes odd pains to gas. If something in their middle is not feeling right it certainly is not due to something they ate. That pain is worth exploring and not waiting until the Mexican food you had yesterday has had it’s way with you.

So we all know that losing weight is good for your health, but maybe pretending you are skinny, at least in your mind, and getting your annual check-up is the best way to live a longer life.