How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

[burtonator]

Last night I went out drinking with some new friends.

When I started drinking water they looked confused. Instead of bringing up Atkins I said "I just partied too much last night and want to take it easy today".. which killed that conversation right away and wasn't strange or anything.

Then like 5 minutes later this girl was out on her bachelorette party and she was selling candy for "1 buck for a suck".. strange but true.

How could you turn that down and not be rude?

I just told her I had Diabetes.. lol. Maybe a bit harsh but it works. (For the record I consider Diabetes to be very serious so I don't want to offend anyway.. anyway.. ).

I think this stuff is just cultural. In 10 years Atkins will be more understood and normalized so it won't be such a big deal.

Kevin

[not2late]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I was a vegetarian when vegetarianism wasn't fashionable, so I understand the pains of having to "explain" your diet.

But with Atkins, I don't find it difficult. If I know I'm amoung people who will lecture me, I tell them that I'm on a diet that doesn't allow me to have added sugars, highly refined and processed grains and grain products. They usually think that's a great diet and leave it at that. Anyhow,I have a good excuse to avoid some grain products---some wheat products cause my asthma to flair up. I'm in OWL and I found that out a few weeks ago.

As for alcohol, simply tell them: I don't drink for personal reasons (my family has its share of the drunken boozers who have actually maimed people while driving). And seriously, if you ever watch a bunch of drunken boozers, they're quite entertaining, stumbling and wobbling.

[Shrinking_Violet]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

You made me laugh with your post, I have several sceptics around me too, I avoid talking about it.

[BornToWin]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I am a recovering alcoholic. I don't run around preaching or anything like that, but I can tell you from experience. You don't have to explain why you aren't drinking as much when you are not out with people drinking.

[Moochiecat]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

You handled that really well, good for you!!
If you feel comfortable saying you are Diabetic (or borderline diabetic, or just say you have a problem with your blood sugars) then go right ahead and say that...people will respect that.
About the drinking, you could also white lie and say that alcohol gives you migranes...who's going to argue with that?
It's just better than launching into the whole Atkins spiel. I mean, there's a time and a place to educate people, but when the "Buck a Suck" girl comes around, I'm thinking that's not the ideal time to bring it up...heh heh...

[Finelly]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I just say "nope, no thanks. I'm on Atkins, so I get to be the designated driver"

[sidrah]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

Honestly, no one seems to mind if I tell them. When I think I might get that look, I just say I'm not really eating bread or sugar kind of things for a while. I don't really drink anyway and always get that question more than any other when I get a diet coke and they are slurring their thoughts. I jsut tell them I drink when I wanna, tonight's no one of the times I am in the mood.

In Vegas for 4 days, I had 1 frozen pina colado and finished half of it. I was so full from drinking so much water I didn't realize it.

When you go out you can get wings or some kind of appetizer that is okay for food stuff. So many people are into working out that it's normal for people to pick and choose what they eat/ My brothers do almost no fat and when we go out we tell the waiter they are allergic to cheese. I say I am allergic to flour. We end up getting food normally prepared and trade food from plate to plate. But, really, no one says anything to him.

What works best is "no thanks, i'm cool". Save the buck and buy some cucumbers or steak. How many sucks equal a good steak??

[2big4mysize]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

if they were your friends then you should follow Dr Atkins advice and recruit them to be part of your support network.

Being on Atkins and not drinking gives you a great reason to be the DD and make sure all your drinking pals arrive home safely too.

As to the food fundraiser you can always support a fundraiser like that by buying the food and then donating it back to the seller to sell again and make more money. The Girl Scouts love me for that so pick the ones you want to support and donate some cash without taking the product.

I really don't understand this fear of being outted as an Atkinseers so many folk post about. Sire you will need to support your posistion but if you are doing it thenyou must know and understand how it works and what it is about. It is no different then supporting a political candidate or any other life choice you make for you.

Happy low carbing.

[tickletussler]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

The funny thing is, the longer I have been on this WOE, the more likely people are to accept it.

I notice it at work... when I try to tell a new colleague why i can't attend their welcome lunch, the other colleagues who have known me for a while automatically chime in and say "she's on Atkins" and that's that.

At lunch-times they see me eat my chicken skins, butter with my microwaved-steamed veggies, my lamb chops and whatever, and they sit there agog, watching how I can manage to get away with not doing "lo-fat" and still lost that weight. And now, they don't even bother even criticising this WOE (and to my surprise, some have even switched from using margarine to butter at work)

Thing is... if I was to ever even consider switching to another WOE, I don't think anyone (not even my fiance) would let me!

[not2late]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I really don't understand this fear of being outted as an Atkinseers so many folk post about. Sire you will need to support your posistion but if you are doing it thenyou must know and understand how it works and what it is about. It is no different then supporting a political candidate or any other life choice you make for you.

It's not really a "fear", for me. It's more that I just don't want to hear the same old "Atkins will kill you blah blah blah". There's only so much of that I can take---especially while they're cramming cake and pie down their throats. lol

[america57]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I agree with Megs, I don't want to be lectured! There are certain people who know I'm on Atkins, others I just tell them I'm "watching my carbs". When I went to my sister's birthday party, she said "Chriss, I got a boston cream pie for you cause I know you like them" I just gave her a big smile and a thank you! She never noticed that I didn't eat cake. I've noticed that most people don't pay that much attention to what I'm eating, especially if it's a big group.

[ttdriver]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I just simply say: "I never make a habit of telling other folks how to eat and I appreciate the same from you."

Then I tell 'em I've maintained a 40 pound weight loss for nearly 4 years. Then they ask me to tell them more.

Success silences skeptics every time.

Betty

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I don't drink either - ever. So, I keep it no-nonsense and just say, "I don't drink."

I also just say be forthright and cite Atkins as your way of eating. Allow time for a few questions, and be prepared to very briefly dispel a few myths and misconceptions ("You only eat bacon, right?" / "How could you live a life without vegetables?"). 99% of the people I speak with for just 30-60 seconds to answer questions about Atkins, regardless of their weight believe it or not, are incredibly inquisitive and leave talking about getting the book.

There are many successful Atkins followers on this board, and I can almost guarantee that they feel especially confident about mentioning in passing that they do Atkins. Plug away at goal by doing the program as outlined in the Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution text, and you will discover that people will stop, listen, and even ultimately follow your positive example. You're doing great!

[knicknack]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

I tell people that I'm not eating processed foods/drinks at all. This cuts out things like alcohol and candy. If you explain that you're going 'all-natural' people think it's cool. If you say 'atkins' you may well end up in a heated "discussion" over your eating habits. More like a diatribe sometimes.

Maybe it's the wimpy way out, I don't know. I tell my friends that I'm "doing the low-carb thing, meat and vegetables" and they're okay with that. Strangers/acquaintances usually are not though.

Strange how people who know you the least well presume to tell you what to do with your life and pass the most judgment.

[2big4mysize]

Re: How do you explain you're on atkins? Without too much trouble.

It's not really a "fear", for me. It's more that I just don't want to hear the same old "Atkins will kill you blah blah blah". There's only so much of that I can take---especially while they're cramming cake and pie down their throats. lol

when you ask that Atkins will kill you person in a very polite voice to please share with you the medical reseach to support those staements as you'd like to view it since you did research the plan before you started and never found any to support that you will be amazed at how fast they shut up and never say another word about your Atkins going to kill you. And when folk see your weight loss success they are hanging on your every word about Atkins.