But It's Not Healthy. . .

[frankenspine]

I work for a private mail-order vitamin company. The other day, I was accosted by a few women who found out I was on Atkins. While in the elevator, I was told "Atkins is the worst thing you can do to your body!".

Really? In the last five months I have dropped over sixty pounds, lowered my total cholesterol thirty-five points, and lost ten inches off my waist.

"It clogs your artieries! It impairs kiddney function! All that saturated fat leads to heart attacks!" Those were the war cries I had to listen to.

All of this coming from three women in their late forties, who collectively tipped the scale at over six hundred and fifty pounds; one of whom has had gastric bypass. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud.

My reply was simple; "You have no idea what you're talking about". They gave me blank cow-like stares for a moment. Then, I asked how in the world eating fresh vegetables, salads, nuts, cheese, chicken, fish, and fowl while avoiding sugar and over-processed foods was unhealthy. They were speachless. And I loved every second of it!

Then it hit me. They're all extremly jealous.

[Beekel]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

What a great story! You shut them up and watch them start asking you how atkins works because clearly what they're doing doesn't.

[rweeks]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

People fear what they don't understand.

[sskennedy]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

good for you!!! your right, they are jealous! keep kicking a**!!!

[Sarina D]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

Well done, great answer!!!!

People have no idea what they're talking about when it comes to eating this way. Either they've been on "Atkins"...but their version of course and it didn't work, fell of the wagon and never got back on and blamed this WOE as not working instead of themselves or they're simply ignorant regarding how it's done and have listened to others incorrect understandings.

Thank you for sharing your story with all of us....next time I'll try you're terrific explanation out instead of wanting to give them my "5 point approach" (my fist) regarding why they're out of line and haven't got a clue LOL! Just joking....I really do remain calm and myth bust their bubble of garbage thinking...(just thought I would throw in some light hearted humour regarding my 5 point approach).

All the best to you, keep up the great work...you're doing awesome!!!!

Sarina
-------------------------
Heaviest weight last year- 400 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs.
Atkins start weight – 347 (July 19, 2008 )
(100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day )
Current weight – 258 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[APanthesilia]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

Way to go! It is hard to stay confident sometimes when you're being attacked but you had a perfect response to them! And I think you are absolutely right- it is jealousy and ignorance. You are looking and feeling better while they are not and they want to find some reason why what you are doing is wrong so that they can keep on doing what they're doing. I will never understand why this way of eating bothers people so much and why so many people feel so indignant about it. If you think it is wrong then don't do it but don't get in the way of people who are changing their lives for the better! There are so many misconceptions about this woe that it makes my head spin. But you really stood up for it and yourself! Good for you!!

I have a good friend who constantly tries to tell me why this woe is wrong and unhealthy and her absolute favourite insult- not sustainable. This is usually over a dinner where we're both eating chicken and she's having chips while I have salad...hmm...unhealthy indeed...

[Chef Kevin]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

When they have their heart attacks or gastric bypass surgery complications, you could jog over to the hospital to visit them.

cow-workers (what I call fat people you work with that tell you how to lose weight) are everywhere.

[APanthesilia]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

When they have their heart attacks or gastric bypass surgery complications, you could jog over to the hospital to visit them.

cow-workers (what I call fat people you work with that tell you how to lose weight) are everywhere.

Cow Workers! How fantastic! Moo!

[MySkinnyMission]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

LOL good job on defending yourself.. i think doing atkin's we all have to get tough skin because theres going to be ignorant people saying bad things about it. i had to tell my sister the same thing last time i was on induction.

[IrishSarahHB]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

Being negative and talking out of your bootie is 'unhealty' ;-)

NOT Atkins !!

Good Job !!

[MommaRuthie]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

I have never eaten a more healthy diet for a sustained period of time since I have started atkins. I admit that at the beginning I did have a love affair with bacon. It is currently an on/off relationship as bacon can only fulfill my inner needs sporadically. There is nothing better than grilled chicken with a huge side of zucchinni/onioins sauteed in butter with liberal paprika! I really don't miss the starchy sides (most of the time) My cholesterol has dropped 28 points so far! Let's keep on showing everyone how wrong they are!

[jaybee007]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

Congratulations on your success!
Most people are uneducated about the Atkins diet and once they read up, have a different minset

I work for a private mail-order vitamin company. The other day, I was accosted by a few women who found out I was on Atkins. While in the elevator, I was told "Atkins is the worst thing you can do to your body!".

Really? In the last five months I have dropped over sixty pounds, lowered my total cholesterol thirty-five points, and lost ten inches off my waist.

"It clogs your artieries! It impairs kiddney function! All that saturated fat leads to heart attacks!" Those were the war cries I had to listen to.

All of this coming from three women in their late forties, who collectively tipped the scale at over six hundred and fifty pounds; one of whom has had gastric bypass. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing out loud.

My reply was simple; "You have no idea what you're talking about". They gave me blank cow-like stares for a moment. Then, I asked how in the world eating fresh vegetables, salads, nuts, cheese, chicken, fish, and fowl while avoiding sugar and over-processed foods was unhealthy. They were speachless. And I loved every second of it!

Then it hit me. They're all extremly jealous.

[kimbat06]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

I was told by my hairdresser that she wanted to try Atkins, but kept telling me how I should be eating less fat. I told her she should read the book but she kind of dismissed it. Oh well, she'll learn soon enough that her way is the wrong way.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

Get to goal, & you'll get nothing but crickets. Stay there, & you'll get enthusiastic questions.

In the meantime, you will find that approval from others about something as personal as how you eat is of no consequence anyway - Atkins offers some pretty intense training in that regard!

[Chanter7]

Re: But It's Not Healthy. . .

I was thinking about this very sort of thing last week. A "health" newsletter came in the mail and warned me that people on Atkins will be surprised to find that the diet can lead to constipation. Well, they won't be all that surprised if they actually read the book. And they won't be surprised at all if they follow the directions. (They're on pgs 74 & 75 of my edition.)

And a fellow band member was warning me not too long ago that not eating any carbs is very unhealthy. Where to begin? Well, of course it is. But what's that got to do with Atkins? There is no "no carb" phase of Atkins. I never ate so much salad in my life!

And that was a good response to your co-workers.

Cheers,

John