Chapter Text
“Peridot, I’m going to be frank with you, you have put on more than 80 pounds since you were last here 6 months ago. This kind of weight gain is extremely unhealthy, especially since it has pushed you well into the obese category of your BMI chart. You’re five feet tall, weighing 185 pounds is not something I can brush off with a good conscience. According to your records, you’ve been very healthy your entire life, Peridot. Gaining this much weight so suddenly, combined with your now higher blood pressure, is not a good sign.”
Peridot looked down at her hands resting on top of her soft gut, “That’s… a lot of weight.”
Dr. Maheshwaran sighed and set down her clipboard, “Yes. It is. I think we need to discuss a diet and exercise routine for you.”
“I don’t really have time for that in my work schedule.”
“Peridot, you’re a very smart woman, I trust that I don’t need to explain to you all of the health risks that come along with being obese?”
Peridot flinched slightly at the word, “No, ma’am. I understand. It’s just that, well, I hardly have any time to myself as it is. I really don’t think there’s anywhere I could fit in an exercise regime.”
Dr. Maheshwaran frowned, “How many hours are you working a week?”
Peridot muttered to herself for a moment, counting on her fingers, “I’m averaging around 100 hours I believe.”
Dr. Maheshwaran’s eyes widened and she shook her head, “A hundred hours? Peridot, that’s more than twice a normal work week at a full time job. No wonder your blood pressure is so high! You must be unbelievably stressed.”
She shrugged, “Well, since I got that promotion it pretty much doubled my hours, and I work weekends now too. It’s paying really well though.”
“It doesn’t matter how much it’s paying if you’re stressing yourself out to the point where it’s affecting your health like this.”
“But it’s not stressing me out! I feel fine!”
“Your body is indicating otherwise. Listen, I can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do, but, as your primary care doctor, I am strongly advising you to take some time off of work and to consider going on a serious diet.”
Peridot left the doctor’s office feeling more ashamed of her body than she had in months. She got into her car, extremely aware of the way her seatbelt was cutting into the soft fat around her middle. Maybe she should go on a diet. She sighed and shifted gears, pulling out of the parking lot and driving to the nearest fast food restaurant to distract herself from her troubles by filling her stomach to the brim.
Her stuffed belly pressed up against the steering wheel 5 burgers, 3 large fries, and 2 chocolate shakes later. She drove back home, trying her best to focus more on the aching in her gut than the words her doctor had said. She waddled into her apartment and went straight to the bedroom where she curled up in bed with Lapis and immediately burst into tears.