Tips for recruiting?

**adreliluc** · October 10, 2006, 03:05 PM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I suggest leading by example. I pesonally wouldn't bring anything up about her joining you, if and when she's ready she'll bring it up... If she starts to make mention of her weight then go for it.
I have a few friends who have followed my foot steps toward this WOE (and have since fallen off the wagon), I didn't have to ask them or bring it up because they were impressed with my success... But I think they fell because they weren't "ready"...
Plus, my Atkins food always looked (and tasted) so good compared to their low fat carb filled crap, how could they not want to join me!

However, I'm sure that if you DO decide to ask her it'll be ok... maybe just make it sound more like YOU need a partner, not that she NEEDS to lose weight...

I'm curious as to why you want her to join you in this WOE so badly? Is it for her benefit (i.e. you hate to see her big) or do you simply want a weight loss buddy? Cause you know you've got a whole board of weight loss buddies eager to smack that brownie out of your hand at any moment right?

**Mothercooter** · October 10, 2006, 03:14 PM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I guess for the same reason I always wished one of my friends would have been preggo the same time. To go through it together. Just think it would be more fun to do it together and I know she would feel so much better about herself if she lost weight. She is such a beautiful girl and I think she is great just the way she is but would love to see her getting healthy too. Just seems like it would be so perfect to do together since we are gonna be living together now. So easy to stay on track. I am gonna just wait and see if she says somethng. If not, at least I have you guys!!!

**adreliluc** · October 10, 2006, 03:41 PM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I hear ya, it's always funner to do things with someone else...
But it gets tricky with things like weight loss because if the person isn't ready to do it for themselves it could end in disapointment... but better to try than not try!!

I'm sure it won't hurt to just say "hey, lets do this together!"...

I'm doubt it'd be quiet as touchy as it may seem!

**Kent** · October 10, 2006, 05:06 PM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I always relied upon if they see the good or the change in me, they'll want what I've got theory. It's worked sometimes, and sometimes not. Her living with you gives you the absolute best time to demonstrate exactly what Atkineer looks and eats like even behind closed doors. Certain foods can certainly be conversation starters, like faux potatoes,faux fried rice, or even low carb pizza. If you should be able to bring it up in conversation about yourself, it might spur her on to ask questions about it as well.

**ValidRouge** · October 10, 2006, 05:17 PM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I'd become an Atkins Gourmet Chef

Hit Linda's LowCarb site and some of the others and make the most incredible stuff. If you've got cookbooks, leave them out, make sure to surf Linda's site when she's around. I don't think most people understand how GOOD Atkins food is. They get sooooo wrapped up in not being able to have bread potatoes and pasta, that they can't look past it to see ALL THE TERRIFIC food they can have. If you show her, she may start asking questions. Once she does, you just lay it all out there.

**ladyinred** · October 11, 2006, 05:26 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

What the others have said. Especially about the gourmet cooking. I made a completely low-carb meal for some friends this past summer. They wanted the recipes for everything. I didn't even say it was low-carb because it was just yummy. Maybe you can talk it up a bit without making her feel like your comments are aimed at her. e.g. "I am making steak, cauliflower with cheese sauce and grilled lettuce salad with blue cheese & bacon dressing for dinner. I can't believe I'm losing weight eating such yummy food." That might open the door for her to ask questions if she's so inclined.

**ValidRouge** · October 11, 2006, 05:37 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

LIR--I love it!

What I do is make out like the big joke is on everyone else (which is true, ya know!) I get all happy and say OMG can you believe all the incredibly SINFUL food I can eat??? Look at this Steak with blue cheese and bacon, this salad with REAL blue cheese dressing, vegetables with REAL butter, etc etc.

**ShannonM** · October 11, 2006, 06:06 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I think you should be concerned with being her friend first and foremost and not so much with trying to see if you can fit her into your Atkins lifestyle. People can sense when all you want is to get something from them. I understand that it can be lonely to do things by yourself, but it sounds like you don't know this woman that well. Make friends with her out of honest, sincere effort and see what flows from there. It could very well be that she'll notice your results or get curious about how you cook, and those would be great openings. But in the meantime, rely on the boards for the more immediate support you're looking for.

**G-Mom** · October 11, 2006, 06:09 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

One word of caution: Be very careful not to inundate her with "all things Atkins" in hopes she will have the epiphany to join you. My Mom lost quite a few friends by inadvertently talking about Shaklee (she has sold Shaklee for 30 years) too much and it turned them off.

I would, at first, just do what you normally do and only discuss Atkins when approached about it. Don't let the floodgates burst open, though if she asks you "whatcha cookin?" Just answer her DIRECT questions. If she is interested, she will want to know more, then you can be more informative. TRUST ME, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY. You want her closer, not farther away.

BTW, good luck having another couple live with you, that will be a challenge! It will be nice to have live in kids for your kids to play with and live in babysitters too!

**Miss Phode** · October 11, 2006, 06:20 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I think sometimes it's best not to say a word. Just show them by your success, and let them start picking your brain.

**julirama723** · October 11, 2006, 06:37 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

I agree with the others--lead by example. Just do what you've been doing--following the plan successfully, and hope she notices. Whatever you do, don't rub it in her face or ask her point blank if she'd like to join you. Maybe she feels comfortable where she's at right now? You said she's beautiful--people can have fat and still be beautiful. However, if her health is in danger, that's a different story.

Wait a while. Be really careful about promoting atkins--the reason people do something is because THEY want to do it, not because someone else wants them to.

Good luck living with a big crew like that! I hope you don't like peace and quiet...hehehe.

**Mothercooter** · October 11, 2006, 08:24 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

Thanks guys. I will definately only mention it if she asks. She knows I am on it and if she gets intrested Im sure she will let me know. However, she already volunteered to be my walking buddy and thats good enough for me.

**ValidRouge** · October 11, 2006, 09:27 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

Just having someone to exercise with would be awesome for me...even if they ate totally different than me!

**Maerow** · October 11, 2006, 10:20 AM

Re: Tips for recruiting?

Don't even bother trying to recruit, atkins is a way of life, not a diet. She has to come to the point in her life that she has had enough and is ready to commit for the rest of her life, and no one can nudge anyone into that mindset, for that serious of a decision.

Seriously, if she isn't willing to commit for the rest of her life it is better for her to stay off atkins, because yo-yo dieting is really bad for you. I personally would sit tight, and be a shining example of what is possible on atkins, and let her work that way on her own.

If you get asked, great, answer the questions... but otherwise mums the word. Thats what I did with my sister, and eventually she worked her way over. I *know* if I had bugged her about it, she would have clamed up and it would have pushed her away.

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