Why the hostility?

[Sage]

So, friends and low-carbers, riddle me this, if you will:

I believe there is, among many, many people, a hostility toward the low-carb WOE. Do you agree? Assuming you do, why do you think that is?

My theories:

(1) They don't understand it. (And don't care to learn.)

(2) The people following it seem so content, it seems to them like they're "cheating" somehow and still losing weight. (And some think fat people should suffer for their "sins"!)

(3) They can't believe that a diet "with all that red meat" could possibly be healthy. (And then they tell you about their sister-in-law's cousin who developed kidney stones "because of" her low-carb diet.)

I could drone on and on, but want to know what y'all think.

I refuse to explain myself to people who seem to think what I put in my mouth has anything at all to do with them. In the end, so many people don't really want to listen anyway, right? They just want to hear themselves talk and think about how they know best and how clever they are. I used to tell them my doctor thought it was a fabulous idea but then stopped that when someone suggested I needed a new doctor.

O, and another question: What do you tell these clever people who want to run your life (or at least your menu)?

Tell me what's on your mind!

[kar_kar]

well I know that when I first heard about Atkins about 10 years ago, I was so brainwashed by the "low fat" dogma that I just couldn't believe that people would do that to their bodies. I think that a lot of people trust the mainstream thinking (and their Doctors!) and don't understand how it works. I know I didn't!

[kar_kar]

Oh, and I think

Originally Posted by Sage

I refuse to explain myself to people who seem to think what I put in my mouth has anything at all to do with them.

is a perfect answer to

What do you tell these clever people who want to run your life (or at least your menu)?

[ItsToni]

I find that it's usually because of lack of education on the subject. Also, they have a bad perception that all atkin's folk eat is bacon, eggs and butter. If you are successful with it, along comes the bit of jealousy as well. People will argue with you about anything really (especially if it's something they aren't willing (but should) try themselves. You can tell them you are on an all candy diet, and they'll tell you it's terrible - as they turn around and stuff a ho ho in their mouths. LOL

I've tried so many "diets" in the past, that I'm proud to tell people I've lost weight on low carb! It ACTUALLY works!!

[flourchild]

Besides the mindless regurgitating of low-fat sound bites? Or the extreme eating plans some people slap with an "Atkins" or "LC" label?

I really think many people want us to suffer. Suffering is entertainment for some (just think about the endless coverage of D-list celebrity troubles). And people with the disposition to enjoy another's distress - so they can feel better about themselves, I suppose - are going to be rather ticked off at people losing weight by enjoying delicious food without starvation. They may not even realize their schadenfreude for what it is, but that's my theory. Sux to be them I guess.

[Sage]

O, the jealous ones! I forgot about them!

How 'bout the thin folks (or at least less "fluffy" folks) who aren't threatened by you UNTIL you drop some weight? Know anyone?

Or the friends whose friendship has the implicit condition that "you can't get thinner than I am"?

Three groups of people I'd forgotten about!

[Debralynn]

I learned a long time ago, that when someone who doesn't know me that well asks how I lost weight, I simply tell them that:

1. I cut out sugar and refined foods.
2. I started excercising.

These are both true, and usually end the conversation right there, without awful confrontation.

I HATE having to tell people that I don't eat steak, wrapped in bacon, shoved inside of a standing rib roast three times a day . I don't want to have to justify to them that I eat more chicken and fresh veggies than anything else.

[quirkyrabbit]

Sometimes, it's just better not to tell people anything! Even telling them you're dieting can be an invitation to "advice" and to show that they know what's best for you and talk about themselves. So, I think your original premise is correct.

Why? People are self-involved! (unlike us )

So, if you MUST tell them about your WOE (new abbreviation for me) tell them you aren't eating sugar any more and you're exercising, just as Debralynn so wisely suggested.

Keep up the good work!

[sugarless4life]

Originally Posted by Sage

O, the jealous ones! I forgot about them!

How 'bout the thin folks (or at least less "fluffy" folks) who aren't threatened by you UNTIL you drop some weight? Know anyone?

Or the friends whose friendship has the implicit condition that "you can't get thinner than I am"?

Three groups of people I'd forgotten about!

EXACTLY. When people are jealous of me, I usually respond with:

"Don't envy my success until you're willing to put forth the same effort."


Betty

[Susie Q]

Sage,,interesting you should bring this up today! I have a co-worker that is extremely difficult, and she teased me the whole time I lost weight last year. She's very critical,very tiny, the whole deal...I got a fork today and did my usual one bite off a cake and tossed the fork. She said to a person nearby, oh she wont eat any...she never does. I laughed and said to the third person, " She's writing a book on how I eat..." and winked. Good one huh? She's a real jerk and makes you sorry you met her. lol

[jezzie]

I didn't face hostility.
My four grown children did not approve, said so, and then didn't mention it again.

No hostility, no nagging.

Until my fourth attempt at starting over. Then my daughter said if you can't stick to it
it isn't working for you. She was absolutely right. It wasn't working for me.

But I still believe it's an effective way to lose weight. Just not the best way for me.

[Squiggle]

Media misrepresentation for the most part. No one can believe you can eat only bacon and cheese and lose weight. (And you can't, but that's not Atkins!)

I face hostility from people eating low-fat, pretty much barely anything...I think they're jealous I can eat so richly and lose, but they have to count every calorie. *shrug*

[jsws]

i usually just end up saying that I am cutting back... Which is true, I dont feel like explaining and getting critcized.

One time I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich while I was out with my mother. She said, good I am glad you are finally eating carbs. I said, I am not and took the chicken off the bun and ate it. She is diabetic, but wont listen to me about cutting back on carbs to lower her blood sugar...

Julie

[flourchild]

Originally Posted by Sage

Three groups of people I'd forgotten about!

If you don't run into half a dozen 'types' on this journey (the saboteur, the enabler, the spy) you probably aren't traveling right.

[lori121]

My sisters tell me all the time that there is no way they could low carb. Because they could never give up there cookies, candy, bread & on & on..

I tell them I know they could to it. They just have to stop saying they can't & at least give it a try. I know they will never give the stuff up..

[homestretch]

I am in the don't tell camp. When people ask how I lost weight, I just tell that that I walked a lot. I do not want to explain it to them. Even my kids pediatrician tells them to not eat fat. I wish the world would get with the program and realize that low fat DOES NOT WORK!

[NicinChicago]

I think it's your first theory, 95% of the time. As soon as you say "Atkins", those not in the know immediately think bacon and steak. I visited my parents after losing 42 pounds - and this is at least my 10th "try" over four years - and my dad asked me if I could really eat this way long term. As I got a yogurt out of the fridge I told him I eat chicken, turkey, eggs, veggies, berries, yogurt, etc. His response was "Well, see? Now that's healthy". Duh. If you're not actually doing the diet all you bother to learn is what you've seen in the media and we all know low carb gets a bad rap from them. And if you're not doing the diet why WOULD you spend your time learning about it? But on the other hand just don't open your big mouth to me, either, and try to tell me what you "know" about my WOE.

I'm a firm believer in standing up for yourself and what you know is right. I'm also a firm believer in not wasting my time. My answer for the "What've you been doing?" question is either I don't eat sugar or I've cut out the crap. Both true.

My mom says she can't stick to this WOE b/c it's too much thinking about what you have to eat. Another guy I know said he couldn't cut out all the snacks sweet stuff. No matter what plan you do - low fat, low sugar, WW, Atkins, whatever - don't you have to plan in order to stay on track? And don't you have to not eat junk food??? Just wondering.

[smimmons]

No matter what plan you do - low fat, low sugar, WW, Atkins, whatever - don't you have to plan in order to stay on track? And don't you have to not eat junk food??? Just wondering.
Just another in the long list of things people who are not really ready to lose will say as an excuse.
My mother is the same way....she has a lot of problems walking from knee pain and wont get off the couch to do anything about it. If she gets one more candy dish I swear I wont visit her again I think she takes her car to the mailbox! (she lives in a mobile home-the mailbox is about 15 ft away) She tried to make me eat birthday cake the other day-can't people just leave you alone once you've said no thank you??

Julie

[quirkyrabbit]

Originally Posted by lori121

I tell them I know they could to it. They just have to stop saying they can't & at least give it a try. I know they will never give the stuff up..

"
If you think you can, or if you think you can't, either way, you're right."

Henry Ford

[Bug]

I have a co-worker that rubs it in everyday about 'this WOE will kill me' that her husband was on it and you just can't go without having carbs.

I just ignore her and keep going my happy little way. Whatever works for you baby!

[steady]

Gosh! What a timely post...my vegetarian MIL that is a Dr. is staying with me and giving me the whole spehl...

I think it is hostility, denial, and jealousy.
Hostility- she is brainwashed by mainstream advice from nutritionists, Drs, and food manufacturers rather than taking the time to come to her own conclusion or atleast learn about other WOE.
Denial- she is not ready to admit her LF/HC diet isn't working for her. So as a defensive move she roots for my failure so she can feel better and say "I told you Atkins doesn't work".
Jealousy- she sees I eat delicious foods that are loaded with fat and cals and still lose weight and gain health.

I admit I am a bit hostile myself. One thing that ticks me off about Drs. (particularly MIL) is that most are as uneducationed about nutrition as the average public and prescribe a LF/HC diet blindly as standard treatment. Another thing is that I don't bash others diets so why are they bashing mine? Our bodies are all different and what diet works for one may not work for another. We LCers have found our way.

Anyway, to avoid this whole conflict, I just tell people I am trying to cut the junk out of my diet...they can interpret that how they'd like. What is junk to me may be their health food.

Rant over...

[Cablegriz]

Originally Posted by sugarless4life

EXACTLY.
"Don't envy my success until you're willing to put forth the same effort."
Betty

Whoa that was awesome I think it's going to get printed big and put on my fridge to remind me of how far I've come.......................Maybe my mirror!


I just tell people that I haven't had any sugar since March, and have been exercising.