anyone else being bashed?

[Pam_C]

Thanks everyone. I realize people are just not educated about atkins. I also realized that some of those people are jealous. I checked out a fitness site that had live chats with a "famous" fitness expert(If you have seen the makeover shows where they compete in a pageant you have seen her) she told me how bad it was I was on atkins. I told her I was more healthy than ever. This was coming from a woman who admitted she drank alcohol and her heaviest weight was 133 pounds at 5'7". I don't care anymore I look good and I know that I worked hard for it!

[tickletussler]

I get the same response as you Pam - first thing people say is "isn't Atkins bad for you? All meat, no veg can't be good for you". I even had one who told me not eating potatoes can't be healthy, and when I asked them further what more nutrients potatoes had compared to some other vegetables, they couldn't answer me.

I too was told that 2 of my colleagues friends were taken to hospital because of Atkins. When I quizzed them, it was because they had not drunk enough water and were dehydrated!

When people notice that I really have lost inches as well as eat butter instead of margarine, my chicken skins, avocado with my salad etc, and they realise it is because of Atkins, they take more interest...

... so much so that 2 of my colleagues have started Atkins and possibly a third one on the way!

I have also learnt to tell people that Atkins isn't just a diet, it is a nutritional approach that teaches people to eat nutrient-dense food rather than poisoning ourselves with processed and refined foods.

[Buddrfly]

This Problem!

When someone attempts to bashe me for this WOE, I explain to the how the diet works and why--to educate them and rid them of their stupidity. Then I tell them "If your information source had researched the total diet and not just the Induction Phase (which is normally the case when someone is bashed) they would know that the only thing this diet cut out forever is unecessary sugars-sweetner is allowed just a certain kind. Eventually everything you cut out is re-introduced in moderation.

THAT NORMALLY SHUTS THEM UP, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLAIN AND NO ONE EVER BOTHERED TO GO AS FAR AS LETTING THEM KNOW THAT MOST OF THE FOODS THAT ARE CUT IN THE BEGINNING ARE RE-INTRODUCED IN THE LATER ON DOWN THE LINE.

Most people would say they don't have to explain themselves...this would be my mentality also, If so many people didn't want to try this WOE after all of this is explained!!

THIS IS HOW I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE ATKINS WOE-----I AM A FORMER BASHER :yikes :yikes

[Pam_C]

I now tell people I am on Atkins and before they get a chance I give them this website address. Now they just look at me funny and I walk off.

[CarbCop35]

Re: This Problem!

When someone attempts to bashe me for this WOE, I explain to the how the diet works and why--to educate them and rid them of their stupidity. Then I tell them "If your information source had researched the total diet and not just the Induction Phase (which is normally the case when someone is bashed) they would know that the only thing this diet cut out forever is unecessary sugars-sweetner is allowed just a certain kind. Eventually everything you cut out is re-introduced in moderation.

THAT NORMALLY SHUTS THEM UP, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO EXPLAIN AND NO ONE EVER BOTHERED TO GO AS FAR AS LETTING THEM KNOW THAT MOST OF THE FOODS THAT ARE CUT IN THE BEGINNING ARE RE-INTRODUCED IN THE LATER ON DOWN THE LINE.

Most people would say they don't have to explain themselves...this would be my mentality also, If so many people didn't want to try this WOE after all of this is explained!!

THIS IS HOW I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE ATKINS WOE-----I AM A FORMER BASHER :yikes :yikes

I shamefully admit that so am I.

[k5commando]

My favorite line I get from people is "I've heard that as soon as you go off the diet and start eating a lot of carbs again you gain it all back". WELL DUH!!!! I tell them "that's like any diet you go on, if your on a low fat diet and lose a bunch of weight and then start eating chicken fried steaks and doughnuts every day you'll gain it all back too".

I usually tell them I'm on a "controlled carb and excersise" diet and they listen with open ears about how healthy it is and about all the good food I'm eating and how well I've done. Then I drop the "A" bomb and their dumbfounded.

[ttdriver]

Yeah, my response is, "only a fool gives up a woe that lets them eat foods that satisfy them and still keep them thin."

Betty

[Erin K]

Been there...DOne that.... I quit caring...It isn't THIER body anyway...if they don't want to understand, I don't attept to defend myself..I just tell them to drop it! :smackhead

[Moochiecat]

I've been fortunate and not really had anybody really challenge me about Atkins, but when it happens, I'm ready!!

I figure I'll just say that until they've read the whole book and understand it from beginning to end then there's no point in debating something they really don't know anything about, other than what they've heard second-hand.
In the meantime though, if they want to talk to someone who has read the book and lived the life, then I'd be happy to talk to them, but I'd urge them to be careful of what they believed about this because there are a LOT of uneducated people spouting off about th 'dangers' of Atkins.

[Nutri_Nut]

ttdriver - If I understand you correctly, you don't eat any starch or whole grains. If that is correct, your diet IS extreme.

[Kent]

Extreme only in the fact that mainstreamers don't believe it. From many of the stories written here, being mainstream with our diets got us Atkineers by and large into this position in the first part. I only hope I can maintain an "extreme" diet of no sugars, wheat gluten, or starches as long as ttdriver has.

[will7128301]

What I find amusing is people complain more to a person that is on Atkins than they do to a person that needs to do something about their health (and doesn't).

I can't get anymore people to confront me anymore. What can I say I like to argue. I ask for facts and get silence, and then I counter attack wit ha barrage of facts.

I like arguing with people about it. Make them feel dumb which inturn leads them to research which turns into converting them to atkineers!

My latest was a guy telling me his doctor can't be wrong he is one of the smartest in the world, "not some rinky dink doctor on the corner office" he also stated "he is the smartest becuase he has had fine schooling at Harvard." yadda yadda yadda if your learning to fix a car a manual on fixing planes will give you a basic idea but its wrong for the current application...

I need more people to argue with where do you find these people?!?!?!?!

[bnzstar]

I've never had people actually confront me and frankly the only people who tell me the Atkins diet is unhealthy are usually people who are atypical in regards to weight...my brother and his wife are athletes...always have been and always will be.
They are both lean and muscular and they eat all carbs...but mostly veggies, fruits and lean meats about 90 percent of the time and sugar only on occassions like parties or eating out every once in awhile. They weight train and jog 8-10 miles daily.
Because that kind of lifestyle and activity is normal and desirable for them they TRULY don't get people who are overweight for ANY REASON or why anyone is loathe to exercise.
Most people just don't get any change in execise or eating habits from the norm when they have not personally struggled with weight issues.

[Johnny B Goode]

Maybe some of the folks doing the bashing are trying to actually find out how they may be able to dispell some of the bad things that they've heard about this way of life - they may have gotten bashed themselves when they were thinking of starting this WOE and floating the thoughts up to their family and friends about it - and may be able to convince themselves through your explanation of Atkins. I think that most folks who have done this diet the correct way can certainly show positive things that have happened to them: lower weight, lost inches, reduction (or elimination) of food-related problems, better bloodwork, better blood pressure, etc. - these results will speak for themselves.

If you're just starting out on this WOE, you should be educated about it - like reading the book and reading the posts and experiences on this board.

Then again, some of the people who bash just are out to bash - then you should do like will7128301 and hit them with a barrage of facts (instead of a cast iron frying pan).

Or just be calm and keep doing what you're doing because you know you are right.

It's hard when your bashers are your family. But like Dr Atkins says, "...other people in your house may not automatically be entranced with your new diet. In the nicest possible way, tell them it's your diet, not theirs, and they don't need to be entranced. All they need to do is show respect for the decision that you've made."

[ttdriver]

Or just be calm and keep doing what you're doing because you know you are right.

Yep, that's my strategy!!

Alot of people don't want to face the fact that there is a way to become healthy and lose the weight .. its so much easier to play 'the victim' ...

Betty