Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

[hopejoy]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

It actually maked me feel sad to see an overweight and unhappy person eating things that I know are making them sick and miserable, when they're under the impression it will make them feel better and feel happy. It grieves me. I especially think of my dear little ole grandma with diabetes having her foot stepped on at church by a high heel and then her LOSING her leg! She was a servant to everyone but herself. I'm sure she wanted to eat right, but her pictures I've seen, she looks a little lost and sad to me. poor dear. It's not all about being thin, it's about having good circulation, healthy hearts, and clear peaceful minds. In her gereration there was no such thing as taking care of myself first. ever. It just wasn't done. Plus Atkins hadn't come on the scene yet so they were all wondering around in the dark about how to manage diabetes effectively.

On my grandfathers side, my great grandfather came to California to try and get rid of his diabetes. He's heard about the weather curing it. He ate molases every morning as a remedy. Isn't that just the saddest thing ever? He died when my grandpa was 11 so he had to quit school to support the family. We should be so thankful for this knowlege!
liz
liz

[keriann_forgoodthistime]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

well, this question hasn't been posted to in a while - but I feel the need to post because - unfortunately yes, I do know exactly what you're talking about.

I know - for me - I hate going grocery shopping and seeing all these people with JUNK in their carts - and I just KNOW they're shopping "fat free" and part of me (while believe me, I NEVER in a million years would) - but part of me imagines going up to them and saying "seriously? you have to be kidding me. you know that if you got rid of all that junk and ate THIS way (atkins/low-carb) you'd be much healthier!!!"

I know it's not right - and I know that for SOME people out there - low fat does work...but I understand where you are coming from...it's like "hey - i know what i'm doing - you look like you don't - i must be better than you". it's not right by any means to think like that - but i know i have thought it in my head before...

now, when people I know ASK me about it - then yes, I will spout off til they shut me up! lol - but it also really saddens me too to see all those people out there who more than likely just aren't educated or honestly don't care.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

No, I don't feel superior. I just feel incredibly grateful that, somehow, I finally latched onto the motivation to do something about it.

For years, I just felt so helpless. I hated being fat, and I hated getting fatter. I would resolve to diet... and most of the time I couldn't even make it though one day without hitting the carbs.

So I know what it is like to desperately want to lose the weight, but not be able to generate the willpower to do anything about it. I just felt like a hopeless slave to food, and figured I would end up dying fat some day.

It took seeing my awful before picture to jolt me into the desperation required to do something about it.

So yes, I am really irritated by seeing people shove truckloads of carb poison into their bodies, but I also have deep compassion for the mental and emotional traps that keep them there.

[iamran]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

I feel superior because:
1) I don't get tired after lunch.
2) I don't get irritable about everything.
3) I have more energy than you! (Not actually you guys here on this board but your average Joe or Jill, yes!)
4) I don't eat carby crap.
5) I am in control.

[Katie_1985]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

I don't think I feel superior more than really happy I conquered what was holding my old self back from achieving any goal that I want!

[stephbob]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

I feel good about myself, knowing that I'm doing something positive for myself.

I feel sad for other people who are trying so hard, but in the wrong ways, to lose weight and failing.

But I hate it when people who are doing low fat/low calorie diets/anything other than Atkins sit there and try and act all smug because they feel that they are superior to me. I've had a couple of people munching on their rabbit food, ask me why I'm eating what I'm eating, only to turn around and tell me how WW or whatever is what I should be doing.

Yet months on, I'm losing weight, feeling good, and they are in exactly the same place they were when they told me that I should follow THEIR example. Therefore, I don't try to convert anyone. I try not to tell people I'm doing Atkins.

[kibskix]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

I don't think its superior so much as proud of myself. Then annoyed because every time i've voiced my pride about what i've done so far, certain (overweight, sugar-obsessed, bitter) friends are less than supportive and try to bring me back down to where they are. As I mentioned in another post today, I was confiding in my mom this morning because i'd gone up 3lbs without any cheats, and she said "well maybe is time to start cheating". What the %$$@#$! is that supposed to do? help me?
Once you see how relatively easy it is to do this, its very frustrating to see people you care about not even trying, then whining about it. My best friend complains about being fat (she probably could lose 100+lbs) then eats chocolate cake for breakfast. It just blows my mind, and makes me angry and sad. She's known i've done atkins before to lose weight and had good results yeaars ago, and she still won't do it, or anything for that matter.

[stephbob]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

My friend is the same way, kibstix - she has been very much overweight the whole time I've known her, but she refuses to try to lose weight, and just knocks my weight loss because it's against her medical beliefs (she's a nurse) She's never, ever commented positively on my weight loss, not even when I hit 134 before. I'm sure it was just jealousy, but she simply focused on the negativity of what I was doing.

[Peej]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

I don't know if I feel better than anyone but I do feel worse for people who still believe that Atkins is unhealthy and for people who feel like they just can't give up the massive amounts of carbs they eat. I want to be an example for them to show that it would work for them too. Its tough. As a society we consume so much in the way of processed foods, especially starch and sugar. Lots of people have been eating that way for so many years that it is so horrible to think of life any differently.

I do try to get other people to hop on the wagon especially when I see symptoms of carbohydrate addiction. I tell them to just try to go one week of strict by the book induction. The first few days it seems so hard but it gets so much easier! Very few can see past the addiction and I feel awful that they can't enjoy this control that I feel over what I am consuming. It horrifies me to think that there was a time that I had very little control over what I put into my body, but that time is over.

[kibskix]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

i dont even use the A word. i havent even said it around my boyfriend, i just told him i've cut out all refined sugar and starches etc etc.

[Kathi22]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

Just a few weeks ago me, you, and many others were that "missy" in other peoples minds as we eat our bad habits and sit on our enlarged behinds. Many people can't control the emotional eating and they really really want to stop, but they don't know how to get the courage or strength; nor do they realize the first piece of cake gave them cravings for more and more. I am proud that I did this for myself, without surgery and without gimmicks - but in no way do I feel better or superior to the person across from me still battling; I was that girl for 20 years.

[ikilledrafe]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

well, only when they try to get me to cheat, or tell me atkins is unhealthy. Because everything else aside, with the prospect of diabetes hanging over my head, as well as a lot of genetic heart problems and respiratory problems, It will be healthier to be a healthy weight, and the amount of sugar in a bowl of cereal IS NOT healthy.

(spent a year eating healthy choice meals, and didn't lose one pound.)

[chinadoll]

Re: Do you ever feel "better" than other people?

It's interesting because there have been times in the past when I have had that feeling of self inflation at doing what "I knew" was right when everyone else was blowing it around me. But I have blown it often enough myself that I don't feel that way any more. This weekend I was at an event that served ONLY junk food and it was a captive venue--nowhere to go from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. So I drank water and a couple of diet sodas and ate a hotdog or burger off the bun and a chicken leg both days (And ate veggies for dinner thank goodness). I felt differently this time. I was just focusing on doing what I needed to do. A couple of my friends congratulated me on being so good. Another friend (a WW follower) actually was giving me the "surely you could have a bite" routine. I basically told her that I know my intense drive to do the plan right always runs itself out after several months so I am going to be as good as I can for as long as I can this time. No planned cheats, no giving in for a bite as long as I have it in me to say no. I think she resented my willpower. She has voiced her opinion in the past about how unhealthy she feels Atkins is. She actually kept watching to see if I would cheat. I know in the past I would have been drawn into a little drama with her but not this time. I just quietly did my thing. Like Stephbob I have found I am better off not mentioning what I am doing. As much as I would like to promote Dr A, I feel the best promotion is my example. I have as much as I can handle keeping myself true to the plan without having to argue with idiots over whether or not what I am doing is right. I just quietly take care of me and try not to get caught up with what is going on with the other guy.