A Letter to the Middle School Health Teacher who doesn't read.

BrookJay · 05-19-2009, 01:51 PM

Hello.

I have some concerns and feel it’s important to bring them up. My daughter is in your health class and she came home today somewhat upset after a discussion on nutrition in your class.

Please don’t misunderstand my intentions, as I’m not interested in a debate about approaches or what works best for who. What I am interested in is factual information being given in the classroom, and that was sorely missed today from what I understand.

Some facts:

1. Dr. Atkins did not “die from his own diet”. He was a 73 year old cardiologist who walked to and from work every day. On April 4th or 5th, 2003, Dr. Atkins slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk on his way to work. He died from a coma caused by blunt force trauma to the head on April 17, 2003. He did, however, suffer from cardiomyopathy – which is an incurable heart condition caused by viral illness.
2. The Atkins Diet, South Beach, Lean for Life, The Zone, Neanderthin, Schwarzbien Principal, and Protein Power are all *controlled carbohydrate* approaches. They are *not* “no carb” approaches, and they also do *not* disallow fruits. This is a common, and frustrating, myth. The fact is that all of the low-carb approaches *require* the USRA minimum of vegetables a day (3 cups = 5 or more servings) in their most restrictive phases. Atkins, the most restrictive of the above listed, allowing low glycemic fruits back in on week 5.
3. Low-carb and controlled carb diets are required for diabetics and often children with ADHD/Autism and several other ailments/issues to stabilize blood sugar and bring things back to the basics.
4. *Stillmans* was a no-carb diet and there is a world of difference in Stillman’s vs all the plans listed above.
5. Weight removal is an endeavor with astounding failure rates regardless of which plan is followed. The failure rate, the last time I looked, was somewhere around 90-ish% in a 5 year period. Low carb, low fat, or some combination of the two not withstanding. Only 5-10 people who remove weight will keep it off for 5 years or longer.
6. Random thoughts. and WOOHOOO, I'm melllllllltinggggg.

My point here is that there was a lot of erroneous and frightening information passed off today as fact in your class. I find it frustrating that my child was sent home questioning my health and my choices. If you’re going to take the time to teach about the various nutritional approaches, please at least invest the time to learn the truth about the various programs (read the books!) before perpetuating misinformation and saying things like my daughter brought home to me today. The things you say have an impact.

I appreciate your time and attention.
Thank you.

Brook

*************

*snarl* How and why do people , let alone teachers, do this?!!

sugarless4life · 05-19-2009, 01:57 PM

As usual, Brook babe, an outstanding post!

Betty

zerotolow · 05-19-2009, 01:58 PM

It's also important to mail this letter to the district as well as the principle if you want the teacher to make a change in her language regarding dietary issues. It's a pretty good letter and if you just send it to her it won't go anywhere. If it goes above her she'll be told to change her rhetoric.

BrookJay · 05-19-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerotolow

It's also important to mail this letter to the district as well as the principle if you want the teacher to make a change in her language regarding dietary issues. It's a pretty good letter and if you just send it to her it won't go anywhere. If it goes above her she'll be told to change her rhetoric.

I did.

tamari · 05-19-2009, 02:02 PM

bravo!

Kissa · 05-19-2009, 02:04 PM

Well done.

daisyHair · 05-19-2009, 02:04 PM

Very well said

JoSkids · 05-19-2009, 02:08 PM

[COLOR="DarkOliveGreen"]excellent[/COLOR]

24Fan · 05-19-2009, 02:08 PM

VERY well done, Brook.

You done good.

fawn · 05-19-2009, 02:09 PM

don't mess wit da mama

Great job Brook.

SmileySue · 05-19-2009, 02:14 PM

Brook, you ROCK!!!!

DorianH · 05-19-2009, 02:16 PM

Nice!

mom2twoboys · 05-19-2009, 02:19 PM

You are a great mom!

Karen74 · 05-19-2009, 02:21 PM

Synesthetic · 05-19-2009, 02:22 PM

NICE.

go, you!

Sun_Luvin · 05-19-2009, 02:24 PM

I'm once again in awe of your amazingness

Good job again!!

zerotolow · 05-19-2009, 02:24 PM

I have a friend that's a teacher and she kind of messed up one time with the way she was explaining some theories to her students. She was pretty upset when a parent called her on it and she wound up getting reprimanded by her principal. Ultimately she didn't get in any real trouble but she had to change the offensive behavior. I'm on her side in life, but she was wrong in this case and I'm glad she was shown the light albeit reluctantly. The main thing is that it is really difficult to always say the right thing as a teacher. They do mess up and even though you may not consider school a consumer situation you can get results by treating it as such. You are really advocating for the level of education by complaining. I hope they listen to you. Let us know if there's any follow up.

Maryposa · 05-19-2009, 02:28 PM

Bravo!

peanutte · 05-19-2009, 02:54 PM

Well done, Brook! I like the way you stuck to the facts, and didn't make it personal or emotional.

mamagiff · 05-19-2009, 03:01 PM

Synesthetic · 05-19-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanutte

Well done, Brook! I like the way you stuck to the facts, and didn't make it personal or emotional.

Definitely. I think that it carries a lot more weight (hah) when you just calmly state facts.

Ilpirata · 05-19-2009, 03:21 PM

O Fo SHO!
Keep us posted on the results.

Thinagain65 · 05-19-2009, 03:26 PM

Have you gotten to the Costitution and the Enumerated Powers of Congress yet? I want to see that letter when you write it. I wonder which Enumerated Power the teacher will say grants Congress the power to prescribe a National Diet?

Tori43 · 05-19-2009, 03:43 PM

Talen · 05-19-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinagain65

I wonder which Enumerated Power the teacher will say grants Congress the power to prescribe a National Diet?

Commerce Clause.

Yeah, I used to always have to clear Dr. Atkins' name when I would tell people that I'm eating low carb and they would respond, "I heard he died overweight." I would have to pull up Snopes or Wikipedia to prove that I wasn't making things up and to make them feel stupid for listening to (and repeating) a rumor.

People will just repeat what sounds good to them. Sometimes I feel like low carbers are fighting a no-win battle in terms of total public acceptance, but that's okay. You convert people one at a time. I was converted when I saw a friend of mine drop 75lbs in a semester. My family stopped bugging me about eating eggs every day when i dropped 25lbs in 3 months a few years ago. I'm going to see who I can convert this time around.

Rick-g · 05-19-2009, 05:56 PM

DO NOT get between a mama bear and her cubs!
Very good defense, your kids(and us) are proud of you!

PMoon · 05-19-2009, 06:05 PM

GREAT JOB!

I have an aunt who mentioned to me one time soon after Atkins died that she heard he'd died of a heart condition and very overweight.

I just told her, "He was working with patients right up until his accident. He wasn't hiding out anywhere. If he was grossly overweight, I would have heard about it way before he died." She just said, "Ok, then." LOL She was very, very concerned!

P. Moon

Rena_G · 05-19-2009, 07:00 PM

You go girl!!

Please keep us posted on the response.

Tuscanytrace · 05-19-2009, 07:06 PM

Wow, what a well-worded response! You did really, really well.

Houston Heather · 05-19-2009, 07:32 PM

Fortunately everyone I talk to saw me fat, now that I'm thin they want to know my secret. I think if I told them to eat raw fish they'd do it.

Instead, I hand out DANDR's as I find them.

05-19-2009, 01:51 PM	#1
BrookJay Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota USA Posts: 6,558 Gallery: BrookJay Stats: Which time?! High of 243. Low of 142. WOE: Atkins Start Date: May 4, 2002	A Letter to the Middle School Health Teacher who doesn't read. Hello. I have some concerns and feel it’s important to bring them up. My daughter is in your health class and she came home today somewhat upset after a discussion on nutrition in your class. Please don’t misunderstand my intentions, as I’m not interested in a debate about approaches or what works best for who. What I am interested in is factual information being given in the classroom, and that was sorely missed today from what I understand. Some facts: 1. Dr. Atkins did not “die from his own diet”. He was a 73 year old cardiologist who walked to and from work every day. On April 4th or 5th, 2003, Dr. Atkins slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk on his way to work. He died from a coma caused by blunt force trauma to the head on April 17, 2003. He did, however, suffer from cardiomyopathy – which is an incurable heart condition caused by viral illness. 2. The Atkins Diet, South Beach, Lean for Life, The Zone, Neanderthin, Schwarzbien Principal, and Protein Power are all controlled carbohydrate approaches. They are not “no carb” approaches, and they also do not disallow fruits. This is a common, and frustrating, myth. The fact is that all of the low-carb approaches require the USRA minimum of vegetables a day (3 cups = 5 or more servings) in their most restrictive phases. Atkins, the most restrictive of the above listed, allowing low glycemic fruits back in on week 5. 3. Low-carb and controlled carb diets are required for diabetics and often children with ADHD/Autism and several other ailments/issues to stabilize blood sugar and bring things back to the basics. 4. Stillmans was a no-carb diet and there is a world of difference in Stillman’s vs all the plans listed above. 5. Weight removal is an endeavor with astounding failure rates regardless of which plan is followed. The failure rate, the last time I looked, was somewhere around 90-ish% in a 5 year period. Low carb, low fat, or some combination of the two not withstanding. Only 5-10 people who remove weight will keep it off for 5 years or longer. 6. Random thoughts. and WOOHOOO, I'm melllllllltinggggg. My point here is that there was a lot of erroneous and frightening information passed off today as fact in your class. I find it frustrating that my child was sent home questioning my health and my choices. If you’re going to take the time to teach about the various nutritional approaches, please at least invest the time to learn the truth about the various programs (read the books!) before perpetuating misinformation and saying things like my daughter brought home to me today. The things you say have an impact. I appreciate your time and attention. Thank you. Brook ************* snarl How and why do people , let alone teachers, do this?!! __________________ My Melting Page- A Picture Diary & Other Stuff Top Weight: 243. Original Start Stats: 229/GOAL(149) July 2004 Regained! Ugh! 168.8/165.4/149 - I'm here to kick butt & chew bubblegum, and I'm alllll outta bubblegum!

05-19-2009, 02:24 PM	#17
zerotolow Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia and New Jersey Posts: 524 Gallery: zerotolow Stats: 276/215/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: First Start 2001, New Start 1-08-08	I have a friend that's a teacher and she kind of messed up one time with the way she was explaining some theories to her students. She was pretty upset when a parent called her on it and she wound up getting reprimanded by her principal. Ultimately she didn't get in any real trouble but she had to change the offensive behavior. I'm on her side in life, but she was wrong in this case and I'm glad she was shown the light albeit reluctantly. The main thing is that it is really difficult to always say the right thing as a teacher. They do mess up and even though you may not consider school a consumer situation you can get results by treating it as such. You are really advocating for the level of education by complaining. I hope they listen to you. Let us know if there's any follow up. __________________ My Before and Half Way photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/38144998@N04/show/

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05-19-2009, 01:57 PM	#2
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 14,200 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: 5'3 / 100 pounds / 56 yo /maintaining for 9 years WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 -10 1/2 YEARS ON ATKINS	As usual, Brook babe, an outstanding post! Betty

05-19-2009, 01:58 PM	#3
zerotolow Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philadelphia and New Jersey Posts: 524 Gallery: zerotolow Stats: 276/215/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: First Start 2001, New Start 1-08-08	It's also important to mail this letter to the district as well as the principle if you want the teacher to make a change in her language regarding dietary issues. It's a pretty good letter and if you just send it to her it won't go anywhere. If it goes above her she'll be told to change her rhetoric.

05-19-2009, 02:02 PM	#5
tamari Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: West Philly Posts: 1,986 Gallery: tamari WOE: no guilt allowed	bravo!

05-19-2009, 02:04 PM	#6
Kissa Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 16,691 Gallery: Kissa Stats: 184/124/126 5'3" Age 65 WOE: JUDDD/5:2 Start Date: 2001 Atkins -50 2011 JUDDD - 10	Well done.

05-19-2009, 02:04 PM	#7
daisyHair Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Orlando Posts: 6,300 Gallery: daisyHair Stats: 257/229/134-126 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: 5' 3.5" 49 Years Old	Very well said

05-19-2009, 02:08 PM	#8
JoSkids Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 4,978 Gallery: JoSkids	[COLOR="DarkOliveGreen"]excellent[/COLOR]

05-19-2009, 02:08 PM	#9
24Fan Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 3,639 Gallery: 24Fan Stats: from 2004 to 2006 lost 118 lbs. Maintaining WOE: Atkins, low carb maintaining Start Date: 2004	VERY well done, Brook. You done good.

05-19-2009, 02:09 PM	#10
fawn Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 16,072 Gallery: fawn	don't mess wit da mama Great job Brook.

05-19-2009, 02:14 PM	#11
SmileySue Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,238 Gallery: SmileySue Stats: 332/125, size 2 Maintaining since 3/08!! WOE: Low carb and clean eating/whole foods Start Date: 9/05	Brook, you ROCK!!!!

05-19-2009, 02:16 PM	#12
DorianH MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,316 Gallery: DorianH	Nice!

05-19-2009, 02:28 PM	#18
Maryposa Moderator Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 6,780 Gallery: Maryposa Stats: 355/181.0/155 169.4 VFT! WOE: Weight loss surgery (VSG) + Low Carb + Exercise Start Date: 1998; Restart May 2007 @355; WLS March 2010	Bravo!

05-19-2009, 02:19 PM	#13
mom2twoboys MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Mom to 2 boys and a girl born 5/6/05. Posts: 1,124 Gallery: mom2twoboys WOE: Atkins Start Date: 10/26/05	You are a great mom!

05-19-2009, 02:21 PM	#14
Karen74 Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 8,051 Gallery: Karen74 Stats: 330/192.2/175 WOE: -137.8 Start Date: 08/08/12

05-19-2009, 02:22 PM	#15
Synesthetic MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: the moon Posts: 1,458 Gallery: Synesthetic WOE: High Raw	NICE. go, you!

05-19-2009, 02:24 PM	#16
Sun_Luvin Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 14,943 Gallery: Sun_Luvin Stats: 187/166/145 Start Date: 12/04/10	I'm once again in awe of your amazingness Good job again!!

05-19-2009, 02:54 PM	#19
peanutte Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 10,266 Gallery: peanutte Stats: 188 then/118 now WOE: Atkins maintenance Start Date: 01/03/09	Well done, Brook! I like the way you stuck to the facts, and didn't make it personal or emotional.

05-19-2009, 03:01 PM	#20
mamagiff Bike Tart Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: right down the road from Bong Recreation Area! Posts: 56,215 Gallery: mamagiff WOE: general low carb

05-19-2009, 03:21 PM	#22
Ilpirata Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10,061 Gallery: Ilpirata	O Fo SHO! Keep us posted on the results.

05-19-2009, 03:26 PM	#23
Thinagain65 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mobile Posts: 160 Gallery: Thinagain65 Stats: 300/234/200 6'1" WOE: Low carb my way Start Date: Sept 2006	Have you gotten to the Costitution and the Enumerated Powers of Congress yet? I want to see that letter when you write it. I wonder which Enumerated Power the teacher will say grants Congress the power to prescribe a National Diet?

05-19-2009, 03:43 PM	#24
Tori43 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: AtlantaMetro Posts: 648 Gallery: Tori43 WOE: Paleo Start Date: May 4, 2009

05-19-2009, 05:56 PM	#26
Rick-g Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 523 Gallery: Rick-g Stats: 402/195, 58yrs old 6'1" WOE: low carb, TNT Start Date: June 2004	DO NOT get between a mama bear and her cubs! Very good defense, your kids(and us) are proud of you!

05-19-2009, 06:05 PM	#27
PMoon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 404 Gallery: PMoon	GREAT JOB! I have an aunt who mentioned to me one time soon after Atkins died that she heard he'd died of a heart condition and very overweight. I just told her, "He was working with patients right up until his accident. He wasn't hiding out anywhere. If he was grossly overweight, I would have heard about it way before he died." She just said, "Ok, then." LOL She was very, very concerned! P. Moon

05-19-2009, 07:00 PM	#28
Rena_G Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,145 Gallery: Rena_G Stats: 5' 0" WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 19, 2009	You go girl!! Please keep us posted on the response.

05-19-2009, 07:06 PM	#29
Tuscanytrace Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,326 Gallery: Tuscanytrace Stats: 208.8/172.6/113 5'1.5" WOE: Atkins 1972,VCO, WAPF/whole foods, Start Date: Oct 15, 06/restart 5/07/ restart 3/08	Wow, what a well-worded response! You did really, really well.

05-19-2009, 07:32 PM	#30
Houston Heather Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 9,854 Gallery: Houston Heather Stats: 228/166/160 Waist: 42/31/31 WOE: Atkins 2002 Ongoing Weight Loss/pre maintenance Start Date: Feb 26, 2008 (second and last time)	Fortunately everyone I talk to saw me fat, now that I'm thin they want to know my secret. I think if I told them to eat raw fish they'd do it. Instead, I hand out DANDR's as I find them.