Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

[Kamikins]

OMG!! This is only my 2nd day on this diet and on induction and almost everyone around me keeps telling me negative things about it! My friend's mom is a nutritionist and kept going on about how mainly it's horrible because it's a LIFE LONG type thing, that I'll be dieting for the rest of my life, because if I go off it, even for a little bit I can rebound nearly all of what I've lost. A few people said they went on it and lost a lot of weight like 60-80lbs but have gained it all back because the diet is just impossible to stick too because you can only eat the same types of things for so long before it just drives you nuts! PLEASE SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT! Pounds lost, anything! I was sooo excited 2 days ago and looking forward to a new and rewarding result if I worked hard, and now I'm starting to question! I don't want to doubt, but it's hard with almost everyone but my fiance backing me up! I only think he sticks behind me with positive comments because he wants to encourage me, but everyone else is just dumping on how unhealthy this diet is, and how it's impossible to stick to it long term. Please help!

[Scribbler]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Hey! Thing is that most people are uneducated when it comes to this diet. It might be around for some time, but people most of the times hear rumours..
Listen to me.. I am a biologist by profession, and first of all, I would not do something I was not convinced that its "theoritical" mechanism works.. When I went through my books etc.. and was able to see the rational behind the diet, I just slammed my head, and went something like, ok this means business.
As long as you stick to what the book says, then you are fine.. Problems arise when people start to create their own varieties.. and end up doing something like "I-Think-it-is-Atkins"..,and of course when people who are already warned in the book that this is not good for them, just get on with it.
Stick to it. It works.. in 19 days I dropped a size.. I won't step on the scale for another month or so, but I know it works.. hung in there.. read the book, go by its writings and you will see...
Oh, and close these voices that talk to you otherwise out!!

[canway66]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Sadly there will always be someone who thinks they know everything and will try to discourage you. Any one who tries to discourage you from this type of behavior modification (i dont call it a diet) is not a a good friend. I basically just keep my wieght loss to myself and only the people who are supportive are allowed to discuss my weight issues with me. Wether or not you gain back the wieght is entirely up to you. When people see your results they will back off. Or at least they should. Nay sayers are not allowed to stand in your way of progress unless you let them!!

You can so totally do this. Millions of people cant be wrong.

[kiwimel]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Oh my goodness - dont listen to them! I know what you mean because everyone says the same thing to me and my partner - really negative stuff like "thats really bad for you". So now (we are only on induction day 5) we just havent said anything about it. When people ask, we'll tell them but try your hardest not to become obsessed about the matter. And if you dont worry about it, no one else will.

I also always remind myself and others that the really really hard stuff is only for a short time i.e. 14 day induction and then I can start slowly reintroducing things. And taht the way we are eating now is how our ancestors did - a load simpiler and without all the chemical crap.

Lastly, if all those fail, I sometimes say it is my way of breaking addictions and habits by doing this becuase it gets rid of all the man made carbohydrates and sugars from my system. Most people end up impressed with me will power and determination at the end of my rant-back!

Best of luck chicken - and do what feels right for you to do.

[Kamikins]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Thanks so much Scribbler. That really helps me. Biology was my first major out of high school and now I'm doing Occupational Therapy. However, when I read the concept behind it, it didn't seem totally unrealistic. It made sense to me. People are just saying it's unhealthy because it's like a reverse food pyramid. Like we don't take in fruits or grains or bread. I'm just trying to stay on the bright side! I'm beating myself up at the moment, because I think I might have gone a carb or two over last night! Thank you for the words of encouragement though, it REALLY helps my outlook on this!

[Brook]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

OMG!! This is only my 2nd day on this diet and on induction and almost everyone around me keeps telling me negative things about it! My friend's mom is a nutritionist and kept going on about how mainly it's horrible because it's a LIFE LONG type thing, that I'll be dieting for the rest of my life, because if I go off it, even for a little bit I can rebound nearly all of what I've lost.

This is where you look at her and go Umm, obviously. If I go back to eating the way that got me fat in the first place, I'm going to get fat again! Obviously!! Shouldn't eating whole, natural, healthy foods be a lifelong thing? I'm confused as to what your point is? - And then pointedly stare.

A few people said they went on it and lost a lot of weight like 60-80lbs but have gained it all back because the diet is just impossible to stick too because you can only eat the same types of things for so long before it just drives you nuts!

Well those people would be just like everyone else that has weight to lose, loses it and regains it. It's not the plan that doesn't work- it's that people stop working the plan (refer back to the whole if you go back to eating the way that got you fat in the first place you're going to get fat again thing. LOL) - Add to that that weight loss is an endeavor with a 95% failure rate in 5 years. It's a sucky statistic, but it's true - and it just further proves that a LIFESTYLE change is a MUST. As for eating the same foods? That's when I just chuckle at people and say one of two things depending on how they approach me.

1. I appreciate your concern, but I'm confused as to where it was when I was putting on weight and stuffing my face with you the last time at McDonalds? Honestly, I've done my research and would appreciate your support. If that means we don't talk about it, I'm totally okay with that.

or

2. You know, when I was getting all my information from my cousin's sister's boyfriend's best friend's brother-in-law's mechanic who say a piece on Entertainment Tonight or Hard Copy I thought those things too. *Insert sweet smile*

I'll further refer you to this thread:

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/atkins-low-carb-success-stories/63803-what-your-spouses-partners-friends-saying.html#post968261

[tangotori]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

My friend's mom is a nutritionist and kept going on about how mainly it's horrible because it's a LIFE LONG type thing, that I'll be dieting for the rest of my life, because if I go off it, even for a little bit I can rebound nearly all of what I've lost.

Kami... think about this statement... if your friend's mom were YOUR nutritionist she'd put you on a plan to lose weight... if you lost weight on that plan and then started eating the way you did BEFORE you started, guess what... yep... you'd gain your weight back. And here's what I know she'd tell you = good eating is LIFE LONG.

Atkins is good eating... it is a lifestyle. You can't lose your weight on this plan or any plan and then go back to your old ways.

I've lost a lot of weight following Atkins... twice... and both times I stopped, didn't go through the rungs through to maintenance, and re-gained my weight... twice.

The key with this plan - heck, with ANY plan - is to learn how to eat for your body. If you work through the rungs of this plan and, when you reach goal weight, follow a maintenance plan, you WILL have success. That's what I didn't do and that's why I failed... twice. The people that are slamming this way of eating know people like me.

Make this plan work for you. Make positive changes in your life and eat right. Sugar and complex carbs aren't good for anyone! Learn how to eat in a way that limits these food items from your plan... and do it for LIFE!!

Good luck with the nay-sayers!!

[Scribbler]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Occupational Therapy..that is cool.. Well, we are not allowed for fruits and grains and stuff during induction... Just keep in mind that our bodies burn sugars in this order
1. Carbohydrates (carbohydrates are sugar stacked in chains, remember?)
2. Fat
3. Proteins..

So, when you elliminate source 1, then your body kicks in to point 2. So, fats are essential because we must not allow our body to kick into point 3, which is protein consumption..But! this is body protein not food protein ok?
We feed our bodies fat and protein..so it reacts and burns fat..
In a body's view, it doesn't really matter whether the energy comes from carbohydrates or fats... it is our lifestyle and eating habbits the ones to blame.. People went through ages till the 1900s without candy bars..

[Kamikins]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

This is really helping me to be more positive. With the lifestyle change, I try to not think of it as a diet. Like vegetarians (wouldn't ever do that, but as an example lol) don't eat meat, it's just thier lifestyle. I don't take it a lot of carbs. I'm going to try REALLY hard at this, try my best and expect results. My first wiegh in is next Friday. Just hoping and praying! How much excercise would ya'll suggest? Per week? Just hard to squeeze it it with full time work and school, and suggestions? And yes I thought about that too! This was mainly the diet of the first humans, sans like cheese and things like that, but they were prime for hunting and were supposed to be very strong and resilient human beings.

[Fozzy]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

I'm going through that now and have gone through it before. My wife is convinced that 45% of my diet should be carbs...

[TWS]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

.....but everyone else is just dumping on how unhealthy this diet is, and how it's impossible to stick to it long term. Please help!

Atkins was derided because he dared to take on the conventional wisdon and was certain he was right. The result was to attack the man, rather than the idea so now Atkins is equated with a fringe element. There is a body of evidence developed over the last century that validates the Atkins plan.

Go to Youtube (or related sites) and search for low carb, Paleo, Taubes, etc. My wife wasn't too interested in the science behind the Atkins Diet until she saw this 'health guru' give it the OK.

YouTube - Dr. Weil Endorses Gary Taubes' Good Calories, Bad Calories

Atkins=quack. Weil=health god. Go figure.
There is reference to Atkins about 2/3 through.

TWS

[Brook]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Impossible to stick to long term. Hmmmm....

I'll have 7 years in May that say that ain't so.

[Sherri]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

I'm right behind Brook with 5 years in this healthy lifestyle on July 07.

[Adena]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Typically what I tell people like this is that Atkins is VERY similar to South Beach (which is also very restrictive in the early phase), and actually many "diets" these days are skewing towards low carb.

Once you move back up the carbohydrate ladder (adding food back to your diet), the only things you won't be eating are white flour, corn starch, sugar.... your diet will consist of veggies, protein, dairy, nuts, legumes, fruit, and healthy whole grains. Usually when you explain it to people like that, they don't have much to say in return.

If you don't feel like having that argument all the time, usually I just tell people that I "don't eat the whites... sugar, flour, etc." Ironically, people respond to that positively -- well, that's ATKINS!

[Scribbler]

Re: Help!! Everyone's Attacking This Diet!!

Do your best Kamikins. It is your thing anyways..not theirs. Silly question but how much do you spent walking everyday? Can you squeeze in a 30 min walk? this would be a good exercise to start.