tired of defending myself

**Barbde** · July 25, 2006, 02:03 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

I can sympathize with you. I went through this crap on Saturday night. With someone who I don't think will be invited back to MY home. At least not any time soon!
I even heard "Yeah, so? You blood pressure is better and your cholesterol is lower, and you lost weight, BUT............... BLAH BLAH BLAH!" Not making any sense. I never even brought the subject of the way I eat UP. Boy, was I mad!

**Brook** · July 25, 2006, 02:25 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

"I'm sorry. Did I do or say something to invite comment from you about a personal health choice I've made for myself? If I did, it wasn't my intention as it's not up for discussion."

It's a nice way of saying, "BUGGER OFF."

**phlebotomist28** · July 25, 2006, 02:31 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

I try to be diplomatic and not waver in situations like that. Some people will never understand. The ones that really irritate me are the ones who have never had a weight problem. I am like, 'don't even talk to me about this!' Never let what anyone says interfere with your weightloss goals. Push ahead and know that you are doing the right thing. When you reach goal and are healthy and happy then let them eat cake!!

**Barbde** · July 25, 2006, 03:20 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

What got me was this statement

"Everybody I know on Atkins has these, like, FAT bumps, globs, under their skin all over the place from all the FAT they eat" (And as far as I know I am the ONLY one on Atkins that she knows). So, I am LMAO. Looking at my DH, looking at my body, my arms, my legs....... and say "Hmmmm.... I don't see any of that" and she replied. "OH, I don't even want to go there!" WTF????

**not2late** · July 25, 2006, 04:29 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

Tell her to read Marion Nestle's book "What to Eat". Nestle is a nutritionist and in the book she gives the reason why nutritionists are obsessed with grains. In the standard American diet, grains supply the majority of dietary fiber. Nestle doesn't say this outright, but the implication is that if you follow the Standard American Diet and cut back on grains, you will be decreasing your daily fiber intake. Because the Standard American Diet is low in veggie/fruit intake, this is a very big deal. However, on Atkins, we actually eat more veggies than the Standard American Diet and more veggies than the current Food Pyramid recommends. So the fiber issue for us is rather moot.

In terms of actual vitamins and minerals grains contain...whole grains contain them, but not in the amounts that veggies do. The more refined the grain, the less fiber, vitamins and minerals they contain because the refining method removes these things. 1 serving of bread (1 slice) has about 2 grams fibers and minimal amounts of vitamins and minerals. 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (1 serving of cooked veg) contains 4 grams of fiber and loads of vitamin C, A, etc. Per serving, the pumpkin is a more nutritious choice.

And also, you might want to inform her that a diet that stresses whole, natural, minimally processed foods is much more healthful than one that relies primarily on processed refined things like...oh say, bread.

**vJosie** · July 25, 2006, 06:40 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

I get a lot of my backup from the Drs. Eades, Protein Power Lifeplan. It explains the research behind the idea that the human body was actually never meant to eat wheat to begin with and that's why it has to go through so much processing to make it edible and so many people have trouble with it even then.

Still doesn't always help.

**Suzanne_H** · July 25, 2006, 07:05 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

I usually respond with something like, "That's interesting." or "Thanks for telling me." or "You may be right." then find something else to talk about. If they're insistent, then I'll explain that this WOE is working for me, and I don't plan to fix it. That's usually enough. Sorry that happened to you... unsolicited advice is the worst kind.

**Jack W.** · July 25, 2006, 07:24 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

The only people who truly understand Atkins are people who READ ABOUT IT with an OPEN MIND and actually realize it is about eating more nutritionally less processed foods. Most people who crticize Atkins are coming from some biased bits of information that they picked up by the news media, who have completely misrepresented what it is all about.

That being said...I know exacly where you are coming from! I was at the company cookout a few weeks ago and I put a couple of burgers on my plate without buns and you might have thought I shot the Pope or something! I grabbed my plate and headed back inside to my cubicle and cut up my 2 burgers and put them on my salad and jumped on my computer and posted my feelings immediately on this board. Bottom line is...since that day I have dropped about another 5lbs and actually hit the 25lb. loss mark today! Don't dispair...stick with us and just tell her you gotta do what you gotta do FOR YOU!!! Nothing worse that being on a low fat, high carb diet and being HUNGRY ALL THE TIME!

I'm in your corner as is everyone here!
Jack W.

**dotsamantha** · July 25, 2006, 10:26 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

I thank them for their concern when they seem well intentioned. WHen they don't I ignore them, or say uh huh and then ignore them.

**beebparis** · July 25, 2006, 11:05 PM

Re: tired of defending myself

i'm right there with you.

i did atkins for a short period of time about 4 years ago and publicized it to everyone around me. i found that most of my friends were not supportive at all.

this time around, i've chosen to not tell anyone. For one, I've heard this is a common secret to diet success...although I recognize everyone has different scenarios and sometimes it's impossible to hide a life-altering diet.

I'm sure my family and friends have picked up on it considering I turn down everything with carbs, but no one's mentioned anything. I've found that--for whatever reason-- so many negative, offensive, superiority attitudes have been associated to "Atkins" discussions. So, I've tried to avoid all that, and if someone ever asks, I just say "I'm trying to watch my sugar intake." You'd be surprised...you don't get nearly as many questions, even though what you're saying is synonymous!

**lyralee** · July 26, 2006, 08:21 AM

Re: tired of defending myself

thanks everyone for your comments!

I really do try not to mention it at all. I have only told my mom who is very supportive and has done this diet in the past and my boyfriend. however, just about everyone knows I started it in the past, so once I start passing up the carbs, they start hounding. my boyfriend's family is the type to nag me no matter what I eat or don't eat. I was stuck on "vacation" with them for the 4th of July, and all I heard was "why don't you try this scallop, mussel, frog leg, etc" because they all know I'm not that fond of seafood and don't want to try those things. I've been trying to be polite with them since they will most likely be my future family, but it's hard sometimes.

thanks for all your ideas!

and barbde, that's insane what they said about fat bumps! I'm not sure I could have stayed composed after that..

**RachelnLa** · July 26, 2006, 09:37 AM

Re: tired of defending myself

I was always hungry on weight watchers. Always. I was so weak on counting calories. I was jumping all over on diet pills.

My doctor agrees that it's best for me. That's all I need

This is the first diet that I have actually lost weight. Granted, I didn't keep it off - but that is my fault, not the diet. I feel great, look great, and can do it! I had my cholesterol checked while doing it last time - my numbers were actually low! He was even talking of lowering my blood pressure medications. Then what do I do??? I go off thinking I don't need to follow any plan. Wrong!

I'm learning a lot this time around. I just had to defend that bacon and eggs are not eaten 24/7 and we do practice portion control. I cannot see how people can argue over a diet that works and pushes protiens and veggies! I have a girlfriend who never drank milk. Does not like bread. Will not eat pastas, etc. She basically is doing Atkins. Yet nobody questions her choices.

Some people just do not want to see us succeed. It breaks the normal that they are use to. Some don't do good with change.

**ladyinred** · July 26, 2006, 09:45 AM

Re: tired of defending myself

Originally posted by Barbde

What got me was this statement

"Everybody I know on Atkins has these, like, FAT bumps, globs, under their skin all over the place from all the FAT they eat" (And as far as I know I am the ONLY one on Atkins that she knows). So, I am LMAO. Looking at my DH, looking at my body, my arms, my legs....... and say "Hmmmm.... I don't see any of that" and she replied. "OH, I don't even want to go there!" WTF????

Is she referring to those "fat bumps" under your white t-shirt there Barb? Cuz, like, most women have those (if they are lucky). lol

**Jerzaka** · July 26, 2006, 10:02 AM

Re: tired of defending myself

I have a friend like that. She always says crap like, "I couldn't stand to eat how you eat. How do you do it?" Along with, "You know how I feel about your diet." Oh and, "You'll never be healthy eating like that."

Meanwhile, she's a "lollipop head", starving herself and then binging on fast food. Right now, she's recovering from Mono and sometimes "drinks" her dinner. I've tried repeatedly to explain our WOE, but she simply refuses to listen.

We're long distant friends, so it's easier to take. We speak on the phone, through email and on IM. The thing is, she's always asking me to visit and I won't. No way. I'm not going to her house, to be at her mercy when I'm hungry.

Try not and listen to your friend. There are ALWAYS be naysayers in a crowd. Always the ones that have to argue every point - be right about everything and never know when to shut-up and "make-face".

If it wasn't her, it'd be someone else, trust me. There always is.

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