What do you do when you get zero family support?

[Carne!]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

I cook for me and my hubby and there are no problems with it. He usually eats somewhat low carb, but if he wants a starch, i make a starch. Then i don't eat the starch. He's crazy about the Atkins friendly casseroles I make. Mock mash, not so much (better for me!).

What turned it around for my husband was watching fathead (and watching me eat double what I used to and stay the same/lose weight). I hope your wife will come around. Is she overweight? Maybe she's just jealous that you have made this decision and are going to be looking hot soon. Many women worry as they age that they will look worse than their husbands.

[Carne!]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

What exactly is she opposed to?

I would think eating more vegetables and cutting out processed foods would be celebrated.

I really don't think it's about maintaining his health. Sounds like a control/self esteem issue.

[Happy2BThin4Me]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

Gosh this is like the exact same thing in my household. Well except it's my husband that's vehemently against it. He says I am going to have a heart attack and die and all my hair will start to fall out. He says he knows all about it because his ex-girlfriends mom used to teach classes on Atkins and he learned about it that way and saw that it wasn't healthy, etc. etc. I am thinking okay, did you ever read the book??? Nope. He won't read my books on it either though I haven't gotten daring enough to ask him to. However most of the time I cook our meals or we eat out. So, what I did was make a main dish that was Atkins-friendly (protein based) and added my stuff to that while I would put his over rice or pasta, or whatever starch he wanted with it. I just have mine over cauliflower and whatnot. However, I have gotten him to eat some of my meals too (he liked the deep dish pizza from Linda's recipe website) and he couldn't tell it was Atkins-friendly. However I think my weight loss will speak for itself. I am getting more toned and defined from the same workouts I used to do on carbs and that got me fatter before because of the carb cravings from intense workouts. I don't have that backlash or "carblust" anymore after a hard workout so I don't gain the weight from them like I used to.

As for my husband, we agreed to disagree. He thought it would be more expensive at first but after I have planned out all our menus for a week and he realized we spent about $200 less a week on food, he changed his mind and decided to let me keep doing the planning lol. He also liked that he was eating a cheeseburger and tater tots for lunches and tuna sandwiches with chips instead of eating at mcdonald's everyday. This way I can make him turkey burgers if he wants and making things healthier for how he eats (since he eats carbs) and I can tailor my eating to how I eat (more fat/protein/veggies). I still try to get him to eat more veggies but sometimes I think he thinks I am off plan because he thinks I am not supposed to eat vegetables! I eat a lot of them and he says I am eating so healthily now (I still think he thinks I am off Atkins!). I just keep my mouth shut and do what I need to do...and invite him to walk with me sometimes. Sometimes he goes, sometimes he doesn't but at least I offer! He's also very proud of the fact that I am finally doing and sticking to a weight training plan. I was beaming about how much stronger I am getting from week to week and he was very impressed though I think officially he would run down Atkins if I gushed about how great I feel because of not eating as much junky carbs as I used to...that I can have more indurance, more strength...and that I look better (which he has complimented me on btw). He's just funny. I told him what I was doing, he gave me his opinion and I stuck to my guns. That's just what I had to do and its going okay so far. He still thinks I am nuts but oh well. I also think he gets a little jealous sometimes and thinks if I look too good I will drop him - even though we've been married over 6 years! I just reassure him and keep offering to spend time with him being active.

-Michelle

[JaxMama]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

My DH was against Atkins at first, but in a passive way. But he sees how many veggies I eat and lean meats so he is ok with it. I think he is getting used to the weight loss and the hot body coming back.

Now I wish DH would take care of himself!

[ziggy]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

show your wife this story about William!

William and his wife are good examples of those who religiously followed the low-fat diet as outlined by the American Heart Association and the USDA Food Guide Pyramid. William would have loved eating eggs for breakfast and a big, fatty, medium-rare beef steak for dinner, but his wife would not let him. Yes, he was henpecked, and she was domineering to the max. She insisted they both eat the low-fat diet with whole grain cereals for breakfast, whole grain bread, whole grain pasta with soy protein, salads, soy veggie burgers, and lots of fruit. She said, "Her diet was the best in the world." She claimed the smell of cooking meat made her sick, and she could not swallow the smallest piece of fat without gagging. She was a "health nut" who insisted her diet was the best in the world, but her low-fat diet made them them both fat just like the obesity epidemic plaguing all English-speaking countries. Their daughter became obese and was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. His doctor put him on a cholesterol-lowering drug because his LDL was "a little high." The doctor did not measure his glucose or insulin levels. William had a heart attack followed by a quadruple artery bypass operation after being on the cholesterol-lowering drugs for five years. The cholesterol drugs did not prevent his heart disease because heart disease is not caused by cholesterol. William had two strokes after the bypass surgery, suffered terribly, and died several months later. He was diagnosed with diabetes during his first treatment in the hospital for his heart attack This was a total surprise to the family. His doctor never tested him for blood glucose irregularities. His doctor agreed with his low-fat diet but totally misunderstood the disastrous health effects of the low-fat diet. Sixty-five percent of diabetics die from heart disease because insulin causes heart disease, not cholesterol or saturated fats. William's wife hasn't faired too well on her low-fat diet either. She has also been diagnosed with diabetes that has progressed to the point were drugs are not sufficient. She will soon be taking insulin shots. She has also had surgery for cancer twice, had her gallbladder and appendix removed, and suffers from inflammatory bowel disease and degenerative spine disease. Wow, best diet in the world?

Just Kidding do not show her that she will freak out xD

you can show her this though

Top Ten Nutritional Myths, Distortions, and Lies That Will Destroy Your Health.

it explains the top 10 myths but a personal note on myth no.5 where it talks about organic its true most organic items these days are not organic at all even though they say they are organic so in short true organic is very good but fake organic can be even worse for you than normal foods

the best way to figure out if its healthy is to actually go to the farm yourself and see for yourself that it is good cause the health benefits for true organic food is awesome

and alot of true organic food is not even certified organic by the goverment

[JaxMama]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

Ziggy I have not had a chance to read the whole artical but when I read "Universities are centers of higherbrainwashing" I have to agree. Most people in the medical profession and have been to school at any University will tell me Atkins is bad for me!

[Farley]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

I have to pipe in (again). My wife is THRILLED to the gills that I am eating the KINDS of foods I am eating. Especially the fact that I have completely cut out "high-fructose corn syrup" (aka Glucose Fructose). Her main beef is that I eat too much fats, and not enough grains. She would like to see me eating at least 150g of grain based carbs per day.

A person who eats approximately 2,000 calories per day should take in about about 250 grams of carbohydrates.

However, according to the Institute of Medicine, the brain needs at least 130 grams of carbohydrates per day in order to function properly. Most low-carb diets require fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates daily, especially during an "induction phase" when it is common for dieters to only consume 20 grams of carbs. Although until recently there has been little research regarding the effects of a low-carb diet on brain functioning, the latest research finds that eating a diet low in carbohydrates does have a negative impact on brain functioning.

This apparently means that we're all stupid.

[MarlaSinger]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

Hopefully if you keep plugging away, she'll at least come around to reading the book. I would offer to read whatever information she's got. I would probably make mention of your good side effects - feeling great, not having cravings, more energy.

Have you had your physical, talked to your doctor? It sounds as though she may not be convinced until there's some clinical proof in front of her. I am sure she is just worried about you.

[poobears1972]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

I agree with the ones that said it sounds like there is more going on here. I have not always agreed with what my husband did but I have always supported his decision. He's a grown man and doesn't need me to act like his Mommy telling him what he can and can't do. He shows me the same respect. That doesn't mean we don't express our concerns to each other, we do, but in the end it's the other persons choice.

As far as meals I assume she's ok with eating salads so make up salads or veggie dishes that both of you can enjoy then add your meat to yours and she can add whatever she eats to hers. No reason to make completely seperate meals since salads and veggies are pretty much basic to all healthy eating plans.

I would try to find out what the real problem is and go from there. If you can't then you just have to set your foot down and let her know you love her and you respect her opinion but you are a grown man and you can decide what is and isn't best for your own health.

Good luck

[atkinsgal08]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

>> according to the Institute of Medicine, the brain needs at least 130 grams of carbohydrates per day in order to function properly. Most low-carb diets require fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates daily, especially during an "induction phase" when it is common for dieters to only consume 20 grams of carbs. Although until recently there has been little research regarding the effects of a low-carb diet on brain functioning, the latest research finds that eating a diet low in carbohydrates does have a negative impact on brain functioning.>>

This is a "specious" claim.

" The specious claim that the brain needs a minimum of 130 grams of carbs a day for normal function is at best based on research looking at carbs, fats and proteins in a high carb setting. Research focused on a controlled carb diet paints a very different picture and has long shown that every cell in the body, including the brain, is capable of using ketones as energy. In fact, in an interview Dr. Richard Veech, a
retired N.I.H. researcher and one of the world's experts on ketones, claims that the heart and the brain run 25 percent more efficiently on ketones than on blood sugar."

[soon2bslim]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

***Buy her flowers .

***Take her out to a movie.

***Go somewhere that you will both enjoy, especially your wife.

Get it?

***Focus on other wonderful things in your relationship and be super supportive of each other in other ways.
IMHO eating healthfully will make you a more energetic spouse and preparing your own meals (and doing the dishes afterwards) will make you a more sympathetic husband. Endear yourself towards her in other ways too. Look for the silver lining and build upon it, it's not easy, but essential.
Hang in there, your weight loss and health improvements will be your best advocates!

[AreYouGonnaEatThat]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

>> according to the Institute of Medicine, the brain needs at least 130 grams of carbohydrates per day in order to function properly. Most low-carb diets require fewer than 130 grams of carbohydrates daily, especially during an "induction phase" when it is common for dieters to only consume 20 grams of carbs. Although until recently there has been little research regarding the effects of a low-carb diet on brain functioning, the latest research finds that eating a diet low in carbohydrates does have a negative impact on brain functioning.>>

This is a "specious" claim.

" The specious claim that the brain needs a minimum of 130 grams of carbs a day for normal function is at best based on research looking at carbs, fats and proteins in a high carb setting. Research focused on a controlled carb diet paints a very different picture and has long shown that every cell in the body, including the brain, is capable of using ketones as energy. In fact, in an interview Dr. Richard Veech, a
retired N.I.H. researcher and one of the world's experts on ketones, claims that the heart and the brain run 25 percent more efficiently on ketones than on blood sugar."

Can you provide a link to the info above? I'm interested in reading about said research as I've had discussions with Atkins opponents who claim brain function is affected by lack of carbs.

[Mutantmom]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

I do all the cooking in our home so it really does not matter if they approve, if they are hungry they will eat.

What I don't understand is why she thinks (or if she thinks) she will have to cook an entirely different meal for you? I will make mashed potatoes for my family along with the baked chicken, broccoli and a salad, I will make a low carb cheese sauce (no flour) for the broccoli and everybody eats the same meal, the difference, there are no mashed potatoes on my plate. I'm not sure why that would be offensive to her. Is your wife overweight? I've never run into this problem, good luck.

[atkinsgal08]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

Can you provide a link to the info above? I'm interested in reading about said research as I've had discussions with Atkins opponents who claim brain function is affected by lack of carbs.

Alas, all I have is the quote I already posted.

However, this might be of help:

http://www.cardiofiles.net/gary-taubes-about-ketosis-76326.html

What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie? - NYTimes.com

Searching google for "veech n.i.h." has hits, too.

[Happy2BThin4Me]

Re: What do you do when you get zero family support?

***Buy her flowers .

***Take her out to a movie.

***Go somewhere that you will both enjoy, especially your wife.

Get it?

***Focus on other wonderful things in your relationship and be super supportive of each other in other ways.
IMHO eating healthfully will make you a more energetic spouse and preparing your own meals (and doing the dishes afterwards) will make you a more sympathetic husband. Endear yourself towards her in other ways too. Look for the silver lining and build upon it, it's not easy, but essential.
Hang in there, your weight loss and health improvements will be your best advocates!

This is like the best advice!!! I love it! So positive and relationship-building. Thanks for that - even though I am not the original poster.