Afraid of Fat...

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Ok - so I'm BRAND spankin' new to Atkins and I need help getting over my fear of fat.

I've done low-fat low calorie eating for sooo long I can't even remember. And honestly - every time I look at an atkins recipe that calls for - say full fat creamer - and I see the nutritional facts has over 30 grams of fat in it - I want to run away!!!! It scares me because I can't get my head around how - how does FAT help weight loss when we've been told for god knows how long that fat is bad?...

I'd really like everyone's input on how they got over their "fear of fat" - because I know it's NOT going to be easy for me and I'm going to always want to be as lower-fat as possible...

I know Atkins isn't a full-fledged FAT diet by any means - and I understand it's HEALTHY fats that it promotes - but even so...please help me get my head around the idea. Thanks!

[Brook]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

Let me ask you this....

How has the low-fat thing worked for you up 'till now?

Have you read DANDR? If you haven't, you desperately need to. If you have, REread it and then read it again.

So if what you've been doing doesn't work, why would you stick with it and why would you want to??

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

well that's just the thing - the low fat thing HAS worked for me - I did weight watchers and lost very well on it a few years ago - but my problem IS sugar/carbs (i've developed insulin resistance)....i totally understand where you're coming from though - as far as well, "if i've always done low fat and it's not working then i should try the opposite!" right? Believe me - I sincerely understand the principal of that (do the opposite of what's not working) - it's just that it HAS worked in the past - but I know - in my case of being insulin resistant that carbs are the enemy...which is why in my head that I can't get around fat being "good" for you.

I know - in all honestly - while things have worked for me in the past - they just AREN'T working for me now as my body has changed...and I KNOW that i NEED to change my way of thinking - and the biggest hurdle WILL be getting over the fact that when I see a lot of fat in one item of food that it's "bad" for me...

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

and, no - i haven't gotten the book yet. I'm going after work tonight to pick it up and read it over the weekend. I only just decided a few days ago to finally listen to my doc (finally after a year, hah!) and do Atkins.

Believe me - I want to educate myself on all of this as much as possible - which again is why I'd really like to know how other's got over their fear of fat.

[Brook]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

I'm not saying do the opposite of what you're doing...well, not really.

If your body liked low-fat/high carb, you wouldn't have developed insulin resistance.

You didn't answer though...have you read the book? Do you truly understand the science and principals behind the WOE and why high fat/low-carb is a healthy way to eat?

It's a tough switch, for sure, but it's a logical one once you've done the research. Sugar and chemicals scare me now 3x more than fat ever did!

It'll get easier when you feel the differences and see your body responding.


ETA: I see you just said you were going to go pick up the book. It's the best thing you're going to do for yourself so far as this goes! Once you understand the whys and hows, the rest will come

[Chef Kevin]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

See, you are brainwashed by the masses. The evil "THEY" have made us afraid of fat all this time when really the carbs messed with the our insulin is handled in our bodies and made us fat.

Think of it this way....
What do they feed cattle to fatten them for slaughter?
Do they feed them protein and fat?
Nooooooo!
CARBS CARBS and more CARBS!!!

Our bodies are made to eat animal proteins and natural foods like berries, nuts, seeds, stuff we found along the way as hunter/gatherers. Agriculture came along later, then we learned to refine the nutrients out of it. And then came refined sugar.

So, really, everything since agriculture came along is unnatural for us to eat. Protein and fat is our primary fuel. So, fat is your friend. Keeps you feeling full, your brain and heart like ketones better than carbs. Plus splitting fat into ketones is inefficient, so you get fewer usable calories out of a gram of fat thru ketones than if you burn it outright. That is the metabolic advantage. (about 5 usable calories instead of 9)

So, as you see, fat is your diet buddy.

[Bluebelt2007]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

Let me ask you this....

How has the low-fat thing worked for you up 'till now?

Have you read DANDR? If you haven't, you desperately need to. If you have, REread it and then read it again.

So if what you've been doing doesn't work, why would you want to stick with it and why would you want to??

Brook is right on point!!

Good look and read, read and read that darn book...

[ttdriver]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

I can tell you one thing for sure.

The fat on my plate removed the fat from my hips.

Betty

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

I know one thing that I'm really trying to do is look at everyone's successes here on the board and remind myself that this plan is how they got there. And WOW the successes on this board ARE absolutely amazing!
(Brook, btw - i went to your page, and WOW!

And what kevin said makes sense to me that "See, you are brainwashed by the masses. The evil "THEY" have made us afraid of fat all this time when really the carbs messed with the our insulin is handled in our bodies and made us fat."

I just know though - that it's NOT going to be easy for me by any means to really get over this fear as quickly as I'd like to. It's just a lot easier said than done when - for what, 20 years of my dieting life (i've been on/off since I was 10! and i'll be 30 this year) I've always heard "fat is bad". period. you know?

And again, the lowfat thing HAS worked (i lost 60 on weight watchers) - but again - now that my body is saying "nope - i'm gonna work against what you've always known" I know I have to figure out how to reverse what HAS been done...

Believe me - like i said in my other post - I want to educate myself as much as possible and be as open-minded about this plan as possible (otherwise I know it won't work) - (again, when I leave work I'm heading straight for the bookstore!).

It's just so hard to believe the exact opposite of what you've been told all your life.
I really hope I get there though.

[ttdriver]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

It's just so hard to believe the exact opposite of what you've been told all your life.

It is difficult until you see the results. Then you realize you've been lied to all along.

Never in my wildest did I expect a high fat lifestyle to work. I mean, seriously, eat fat and GET THIN? Preposterous.

Truth is, it works so well because FAT SATISFIES YOUR APPETITE and you end up eating less.

When I did lowfat/no fat, I was constantly hungry. I could NEVER get to the point where I was happily satisfied. I felt deprived and I was HUNGRY. Fat took care of all that and rewarded me with smaller clothes!

Betty

[Lilacs]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

Definitely read the book!

A few things helped me:

1. Knowing that the high fat intake occurs mainly during the induction phase, and that as you progress through the stages, you drop some of that fat intake and replace it with healthy, nutrient dense foods.

2. Knowing that it really does work. Unless you go back to eating high simple carb/low fat, like I tried to do

3. I read the book. Then re-read the book.

4. I had my cholesterol level tested after having been doing the Atkins WOE for several years, and it was well within normal parameters. My bone density actually IMPROVED.

[LeanLioness]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

Hi, I was in you shoes in 2003.............

My gynecologist told me to start the Atkins Diet and make it a lifestyle change.

My Dr. explained it to me like this........We put fuel in our vehicles to burn. Putting fat into your body is like putting fuel in your car, it takes fuel to burn fuel............therefore, it take FAT to burn FAT..........

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

well i've got the book and i plan on taking tonight to read through it and keep reading it until it really "hits" home.
part of me thought - "ok well, i'm technically not starting until monday - let's go out for one last hurrah for dinner tonight"...but i squashed that thought faster than I thought it - not after reading all these posts and really truly wanting to start a new eating plan. so I came home and my fiance had already made me a chicken dish with a big salad & vegees on the side.
my fiance rocks!

but anyways - off to read my book!

[Lisa]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

Congrats on getting the book! Best start always...and glad to hear you squashed that one last hurrah thought....your body will thank you...and starting already. You're one step ahead of yourself...enjoy!

oh, he's a keeper! No wonder you're marrying him...smart, senseable, and cooks, too.

Just remember...each day is a new journey no matter what, make this way of eating a way of eating for life, and most importantly find an exercise you love and do it.

Best wishes!

[OzLover]

Re: Afraid of Fat...

Yeah you bought & are reading the book. That in itself will give you a solid foundation! Good luck & happy reading!