Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

[dreamof145]

If a big-named magazine approached you and asked if they could do an article on your weight-loss, what would the pros and cons be that you would consider before giving your answer??

[cleochatra]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

Cons? You'd lose privacy.

Pros-- who cares? It'd be fun!

[Laurenfra]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

There is so much out there about Atkins that is negative, It would be a great plug for the WOL.
Dont know if this would be a pro or a con, people would look at your weight all the time. If you fell off Atkins many people would use it to bash the diet and be critical.
Might keep you more accountable.

Is there something you need to tell us???

[dreamof145]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

Yeah, I've been approached. I just don't know if I want the W-O-R-L-D to know how fat I was and my inner secret thoughts. I've only been totally honest with you guys and a few friends...just don't know..... will have to give it a lot of thought.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

yep what they said about loss of privacy

also any one ever reading it and seeing you will be checking to see if in their opinion you are still following the plan and if you still have the weight off. it could be a big help to your support network for maintaning your program.

Pro you would be a positive Atkins role model for more then the 19,000 that see ADBB

You'd make money!

[Momtofour]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

How cool! I would consider how the story would be presented. I remember someone on these boards did a tv interview in the spring and it didn't go well. The reporter twisted what he said, and basically had some negatives to say about the diet after his clip. I would want a final check of the info. to make sure it is correct before it goes to print. On the other hand it is just one more person out there saying that the Atkins plan is not gone, we are here and holding our own. Good luck with your decision.

[Katlam]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

Becky if YOU get to write the article, YOU get paid and YOU get to decide how much you want to share and what the slant of the article is and how it's presented.

Kathy

[dreamof145]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

Well, I've given it a lot of thought and decided not to do the article. There are many things I've had to consider.

#1..My FAT PHOTOS still cause me a lot of pain. I am very emotional when it comes to way I had let myself go and although I have shared them with the ADBB family, except for a very few close friends, I don't show them to others.

#2..I have kept a journal and want to write it myself. I feel that my journey (not over yet) is not just a matter of buying a book and eating differently. I had 'personal obstacles' in my life that I had to understand and change in order to get the courage and strength to keep going day after day. I don't want people to read a short magazine article and think that it is EASY to do. It isn't. It takes a lot of soul searching and committment.

For me it was dissolving or coming to terms with issues in my life that I've suppressed or denied existed. A question I asked is...do I want the world to know about these issues? Many of these issues involved people in my family...do I want to hurt their feelings by mentioning the things that were said or happened that caused me to eat for comfort? If I didn't mention these things, then I would be lying to the readers and they would have a false perception of my journey and the ways I learned to deal with my problems and overcome my indulgence in foods.

OK, sorry so long...just want you to know, I'm not doing the article. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS...

[fr1endly2]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

WELL BECKY ...i saw your thread late but i would have problems with the before photos and the world really knowing how OBESETE i really was......I mean sure i can talk here about it but not for the entire world to view...this is shared with other peers going thru what we doo.....

I think your makeing a good decision!!! ITS a tough one i know, we all want to show how good atkins is when done 100 percent right! HARD

ALL the best
lisa

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

I think you made the right decision for the right reasons.

I also dont' have alot of trust in the media nowadays. Look how they distort the truth on low carb diets? Did you read what they did to Sugarfree Shiela with Shape magazine? They changed the story after she was interviewed to take out the low carb details that were the key to her success. I wouldn't trust any magazine to get it right. They serve other goals other than reporting the truth and it's likely you wouldn't have control over what they actually write. I don't know how celebrities put up with these type of things, other than having good agents to control it.

That being said, I'm really glad you are here sharing your story and journey. I've felt the same way about posting my pictures and personal information, but having a close group of people for support and sharing your success is helpful and better.

And I agree, a short magazine article can't even begin to cover the journey that significant weight loss entails.

Good for you!

[Brook]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

Well I haven't done a magazine article, but I have done a TV interview and I was *not* happy with the end result. I think your reasons for choosing not to do the article are solid and totally fair, and I'm with you on it 100%.

When I did the interview, they came at me with how they wanted a success story and blah blah blah. The interview itself was fantastic, easy going and comfortable. We got to hit all the points that were really important to me.

When they pieced it together for TV, that's exactly what they did. They pieced it together. They left out ALL of the important stuff - including how long I'd been doing Atkins- but had no trouble putting "experts" on who went on and on about how doing Atkins wasn't sustainable for any period of time. (They cited 6 months - I'd been on Atkins for almost 2 years at that point.) The whole thing left a really bad taste in my mouth and I'm still torqued about it.

If you change your mind and are going to do the interview, I'd strongly suggest you take a look at this writer's past writings on the general subject to get a sense of what direction s/he is going to come at you at and what their general opinion seems to be. Find out what angle they're going for and what direction they want to take the interview in. Are they going to consult with "experts" as well, and if they are, who and why?

I happen to think you're an amazing success story! I just wish it wasn't such a big wishy washy risk thing to put yourself out there.

~Brook

[maribelle]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

I've read some success stories in Woman's World and a few other magazines that actually never said a critical word about Atkins. I really appreciated that. Also, I watch a show almost daily called " I Lost It" on Discovery Health Channel. They have shown a few on Atkins successes. All I can say is it has been a major reason for my success. It reenforces on a daily basis all the reasons I got started on this journey in the first place.

I'm not trying to talk you into it, Dream. I'm happy you found the decision that is best for you...Totally understand about the emotional pain that goes into this. It is a daily battle, and not one that people have the right to comment on, and in no means TWIST! On the flip side, I too wish there were more published success stories with Atkins... there are so many many success stories right here on this bulletin board, yet people just keep disregarding this WOL with the ignorant opinions published by the media.

You are a role model for us, Dream! And we'll never tell you you made a bad decision!

[cleochatra]

Re: Pros and Cons for doing Magazine article:

Sugar Free Sheila has been published extensively. I would ask her about her experiences as well! They looked to be semi-positive experiences from what I've read. I really believe having some control over the situation is important, and I believe in one of her articles, it was a pretty big spread.

Here's one of her articles