Tired of people's comments about LC

[carterbv]

When I tell someone i'm doing LC i am tired of hearing their comments, oh, don't do that, that's a horrible way to eat...you can get sick or die and it's not good for you etc etc...i'm so tired of it, I guess maybe i should keep it to myself what i'm doing, but i tell them, i love it and i've been off and on for years and i feel great on it. It works for me! It was so funny because after a person was trying to lecture me about it yesterday a man sitting behind me said that he's doing LC too and that he likes it as well. Unless people really know what they are talking about they should really keep their mouths shut! How many comments do you all get about it?

[hippiegirl]

I hardly ever use the words "low carb" or "Atkins" when talking to someone. I simply say "I'm not eating sugar or starchy foods, like bread". Who could possibly argue with that?

[SoHappy]

Originally Posted by hippiegirl

I hardly ever use the words "low carb" or "Atkins" when talking to someone. I simply say "I'm not eating sugar or starchy foods, like bread". Who could possibly argue with that?

This is what I finally started doing a few years ago. Since Atkins and the general low carb way of eating was seemingly universally thought of incorrectly, people were always concerned that a person was going to be doing some harm to their bodies. I think they had the idea that people just GORGED on meat and fat pretty exclusively.

[stardustshadow]

People I have told either don't understand what a carb is (some people insist that carby foods do not have carbs because they don't have refined sugar or flour)...and this takes some explaining...and still they don't always 'get' the concept...

OR, they have been interested and wanted to hear about my WOE because it is unusual (and you can see the results-I dropped weight so quickly that people wanted to know what I was doing!)

I have one friend who refuses to jump on the LC bandwagon, despite hearing all about it...she is doing a crash diet instead. She admitted to me that I 'must be right' because she noticed bread making her hungry! We'll see how much time it takes before she asks to read my Atkins book! Starving herself with meal replacement shakes has lost her a few pounds, but as most of us know from experience, that can make things worse in the end!

[jezzie]

Unless people really know what they are talking about they should really
keep their mouths shut! How many comments do you all get about it?

I didn't get comments. And I rarely discuss eating styles with anyone.

If I had they wouldn't have bothered me. Opinions I listen to. Rude I ignore.
People are people and no one way of eating has a monopoly on rudeness.

There are people who are evangelistic about how they eat ..... and they
often disparage other ways of eating. ... None are in my real life though.

.

[atcgirl42]

Originally Posted by jezzie

I didn't get comments. And I rarely discuss eating styles with anyone.

I never get comments. And no one ever asks.

[SugarFreeSheila]

"Thanks for the unsolicited layperson medical advice!" This one is good if you want to keep the mood light & avoid awkwardness for yourself.

After cutting the person off mid-sentence with a flat-toned "I didn't ask" a time or two (no smile), the comments will cease to be fun for them & they'll stop. This one is a good direct hit between the eyes if the person has really been out of line.

Remember: the longer the retort, the lamer it comes across. Keep it brief & unapologetic.

[lowcarbgrl4life]

I just started again recently and my DH is the only person who knows and he has no issues w/ it. But when I have done it in the past, only a few people really gave me grief for it. Luckily, quite a few of my family and friends have been on Atkins/ Low Carb themselves. I just ignore the naysayers!

[notmissingwhitebread]

When Someone says something like "Isn't it bad for you you?", I just say "I don't know is losing around a hundred pounds good for you? That really put them in their place.

[CurlsNCuffs]

The way I eat is not up for discussion. Neither is the balance in my checking account. I just eat the way I do. I don't try to stand out. I just do it. If someone asks I may make a comment or two and go on. If they comment negatively - I may say "How's them O's doing"? "How's your job?" How's your mom?

Unless you are the type that wants to go around and around. Don't. Actions speak louder than words.

My 28 yr old daughter has been doing Atkins since April 1st, 2010 - and has already lost more than 60 lbs. Actions speak louder than words. (She ain't ready to drop over dead either.)

[Dark Gypsy]

I must admit I get a little snarky sometimes. The comment is usually made by someone who obviously has no clue. I love the suggestions here-I will remember just to point out being 50 pounds heavier would make me much healthier and attractive! Some health issues (in my case having IBS symptoms when I eat carbs) are invisible. So when someone with either no clue or no idea that carbs do have a detrimental effect on some people make comments, it's hard not to point out that they lack any medical degree!

Other times though i do get curious questions when I'm buying meats and cheeses and the tell tale Atkins Bars (which have saved me from a sugar binge on many occassions even if they do tend to affect my tummy!), or when I order a 1/2 lb of brisket and a diet coke for dinner. Some people ask if Ive lost a lot of weight or how I like Atkins or how long I have been on it. That is inspiring when other people ask legit questions--its kind of like other people are looking for an answer to their own weight and health struggles. It confirms for me that this knowledge wasn't and isn't readily available, in fact the opposite is true and it has hurt ME and it is hurting a lot of people right NOW.

Even though I have never been majorly overweight, I did not look good before LC. "Average" in size but kinda out of shape, soft, a noticeable muffin top, jiggly and mostly just feeling bloated and sluggish ALL the time. Now I look better, though not "perfect" like we all want. I lost about 20-25 lbs initially which was a bit too much-and now am at a good weight and size 4. Mostly I feel better, my tummy is about 95% better on LC. Of course if you feel good, you can do more and want to do more. Success breeds more success. I can wear shorts, sleevelss tops and even bikinis and not be embarassed. I can go anywhere and not stress about what I look like or if I can "make it"--whether that is being out of range of a bathroom or whether I even have the energy to go out to dinner with friends.

Now Im going to go eat some cheese and pork rinds because it's delicious and good for me!

[Lisa46]

carterbv...I say preach it! Nothing wrong with educating people, as long as we LC'ers remember that what works for us may not work for someone else. I ALWAYS keep that in the back of my mind--we are all different but LC/VLC works for ME and I will defend that to the death. (well not really but it sounds good).

[fawn]

They are just uneducated. The more you are able to regurgitate the more confident you become using one liners like

"Insulin is your fat storage hormone"
"I eat 3+ cups of veggies a day how many do you eat?"
"Grains have anti-nutrients that impede mineral absorption"

These one liners make people think and generally, they're not educated enough to come back with anything so they walk away scratching their heads questioning their own dietary choices.

You get the drift.......people are just so wrapped up in the low fat anti-animal protein dogma.

[teri f]

I don't really get into discussions about how I eat unless someone is genuinely interested in improving their health. I've lived in the low carb virtual world for so long I'm really out of touch with real life main stream opinion on diet. If you want an eye-opener, read the story about Drew Carey and his "no carb" diet---then read the comments. OMG! I forget how uneducated the majority of the real world is when it comes to nutrition. No wonder we have a diabetes and obesity crisis.

[Inglorious]

Originally Posted by carterbv

When I tell someone i'm doing LC i am tired of hearing their comments, oh, don't do that, that's a horrible way to eat...you can get sick or die and it's not good for you etc etc...

I generally respond with something like "I suppose it might be better to eat whatever I want, you know, garbage in garbage out" while I look them up and down.

[AngieCakes]

The only comments i've got were from one particular person who is doing WW. We always talk about food choices and share how much we've lost, our progress, etc. But if she's around and someone says something positive about my loss, she always comes back with "I just can't do it, I gotta have my bread, I don't see how she does it!" LOL I laugh it off now because she and I have already had the different-plans-work-for-different-people discussion.

I mostly just keep to myself (except for my family who is very supportive) about my way of eating around places like the office, etc. If someone offers me something I can't have, I just say no thank you and keep it moving.

[Missouri_Librarian]

Originally Posted by Lisa46

carterbv...I say preach it! Nothing wrong with educating people, as long as we LC'ers remember that what works for us may not work for someone else. I ALWAYS keep that in the back of my mind--we are all different but LC/VLC works for ME and I will defend that to the death. (well not really but it sounds good).

I agree 10000% with you...The sad thing is what I am finding more and more often is that even though others know we are all different and what works for some wont work for others...If they dont agree with your woe or how you have achieved success they make sure they ridicule you and your woe on the boards and behind your back...frankly reminds me of high school and mean girls......pretty immature if you ask me, as we are here for the same ultimate goals...I just found out AGAIN today that someone seeking my advice on my success was told in pm not to seek it as my vlc/low cal was not healthy...which i would dare to say is doctor supervised and I am saddended that the jealous haters would have to do such stuff behind my back when others were seeking advice.....

I agree with the rest of you, until you know everyone's situation etc....it is best just to hush and mind your own business unless asked...

Pretty sad that it not only happens in society but happens here where you would think of as a "safe" place

wow, this thread came at a great time, thanks...

[dollkey]

I don't bother with people who ask me how I'm losing all the weight and after I say it's Atkins and give them the allowed food list they go :I can't live without *insert high carb food item here* I just shrug my shoulders and say okay then this isn't for you.

I had someone comment about a food picture I posted something about "So your diet is high fat?" with a smiley at the end and I said yup. And it works for me.

The bad LC hype is going to be there but these people don't know what they're saying anyway so I just let them be.

[pablorivera]

SugarFreeSheila: "Thanks for the unsolicited layperson medical advice!" This one is good if you want to keep the mood light & avoid awkwardness for yourself. After cutting the person off mid-sentence with a flat-toned "I didn't ask" a time or two (no smile), the comments will cease to be fun for them & they'll stop. This one is a good direct hit between the eyes if the person has really been out of line. Remember: the longer the retort, the lamer it comes across. Keep it brief & unapologetic.

TBH, this is the only approach that ever worked for me...

[beeb]

Now I just smile and say:

Thanks for you concern, I feel so loved right now! AND change the subject, pronto!!!

[stardustshadow]

The last time I heard 'Well, my dietician says....' (followed by the 'advice' that I should eat x amount of rice and bread everyday) I said 'well, I don't care what your dietician says! I have lost 26 pounds. How much have you lost?' (the answer was NOTHING so that shut her up!)

Also, I said 'I just read several 500 plus page books that support and back up my way of eating. What research did you do?'

That shut her up too

[AntonioWright]

Originally Posted by stardustshadow

The last time I heard 'Well, my dietician says....' (followed by the 'advice' that I should eat x amount of rice and bread everyday) I said 'well, I don't care what your dietician says! I have lost 26 pounds. How much have you lost?' (the answer was NOTHING so that shut her up!)

Also, I said 'I just read several 500 plus page books that support and back up my way of eating. What research did you do?'

That shut her up too

"Research" has proven to be wrong. Just saying. I am firm believer in the low carb approach. However, it's not for everyone and it should not be preached as such. One is not better than the other. They are just different tools in the tool box.

[cleochatra]

I once had a cashier tell me her friend was on dialysis because of Atkins.

[nobody is my name]

I give them the straight dope, Atkins and i don,t care what they think, they can do whatever they want to take care of themselves.

[cleochatra]

I tell people I meet or surpass the food pyramid for everything but sugar and wheat and they are like woohoo!

I mean, come on. That's Atkins...in even induction!

[fire_dancr]

This is what I posted last night I lowcarb.ca.

Apparently you need grains or your brain won't work. Apparently my kidney's are going to shut down and that I have high cholesterol on this diet. People at work keep putting me down and I try to explain to them I researched and researched and this diet is obviously healthy because I lost 54 lbs since january and my blood pressure is finally normal. They said that I was on a "crash diet" and it's better to just eat what you want in moderation. They are also trying to get me to eat a damn cookie. I DON'T WANT YOUR STUPID COOKIES!!!!!!!!

I tried to explain to them about ketones and they way your body works. NO NO NO I'm all wrong. How can this be healthy when all I eat is "bad food". I need to try eating yogurt and more fruit and I must have grains or else my brain won't work. I told them, "Well I haven't had a grain in 7 months and I'm still alive" one girls response: "Well some people are like 100 lbs overweight and they're still alive too"
Then they started throwing the food pyramid at me! I said the food pyramid is wrong....they didn't like that one I said yes it is. that's why some people are overweight. They said, NO people are overweight because they eat too much. I was like...are you insinuating that I'm fat because I ate to much...that I went home and stuffed my face with pizza ho hos and ice cream? Because your wrong. I ate "healthy" food and still got fat! I had lean cuisines, Healthy choice. Tuna and crackers for months! Sandwiches with no mayo! REALLY!

One time I mentioned I was going to try IF because I read about it and it works for a lot of people. They rolled their eyes at that one and said how unhealthy that is. "I don't think starving yourself is the answer"

What to do, What to do. I don't think that I would put down the (formerly) fattest girl in the department trying to get healthy. I would be supportive.

What do you guys think?

[mamasooze]

I just tell everyone I'm gluten free and everyone oohs and ahhs and think I'm so trendy.

I'm not taking away ANYTHING from my gluten free friends (and you know who you are) but for some reason people have so much more sympathy for the GF's rather than the LC's. My "allergy/aversion" to wheat, grains, starches and sugars are just as great as theirs. They get the sympathy but we don't. I do not understand.

[CurlsNCuffs]

Originally Posted by cleochatra

I once had a cashier tell me her friend was on dialysis because of Atkins.

Just thought of something funny - IF someone ever says this to me I'm going to say - Wow - that happen to someone I know too and they got a $500,000 settlement from Atkins......man will that start the rumor mill!

[stardustshadow]

Originally Posted by AntonioWright

"Research" has proven to be wrong. Just saying. I am firm believer in the low carb approach. However, it's not for everyone and it should not be preached as such. One is not better than the other. They are just different tools in the tool box.

I just think that they shouldn't tell me how to eat if they haven't bothered looking into the facts themselves.

If they want to tell me to not eat low carb because it defies conventional wisdom, and they haven't done any reading on it, I will let them know that I have. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

I don't preach anything. I respond to people preaching to ME!

[stardustshadow]

Originally Posted by fire_dancr

This is what I posted last night I lowcarb.ca.

Apparently you need grains or your brain won't work. Apparently my kidney's are going to shut down and that I have high cholesterol on this diet. People at work keep putting me down and I try to explain to them I researched and researched and this diet is obviously healthy because I lost 54 lbs since january and my blood pressure is finally normal. They said that I was on a "crash diet" and it's better to just eat what you want in moderation. They are also trying to get me to eat a damn cookie. I DON'T WANT YOUR STUPID COOKIES!!!!!!!!

I tried to explain to them about ketones and they way your body works. NO NO NO I'm all wrong. How can this be healthy when all I eat is "bad food". I need to try eating yogurt and more fruit and I must have grains or else my brain won't work. I told them, "Well I haven't had a grain in 7 months and I'm still alive" one girls response: "Well some people are like 100 lbs overweight and they're still alive too"
Then they started throwing the food pyramid at me! I said the food pyramid is wrong....they didn't like that one I said yes it is. that's why some people are overweight. They said, NO people are overweight because they eat too much. I was like...are you insinuating that I'm fat because I ate to much...that I went home and stuffed my face with pizza ho hos and ice cream? Because your wrong. I ate "healthy" food and still got fat! I had lean cuisines, Healthy choice. Tuna and crackers for months! Sandwiches with no mayo! REALLY!

One time I mentioned I was going to try IF because I read about it and it works for a lot of people. They rolled their eyes at that one and said how unhealthy that is. "I don't think starving yourself is the answer"

What to do, What to do. I don't think that I would put down the (formerly) fattest girl in the department trying to get healthy. I would be supportive.

What do you guys think?

They are jealous. Some people don't like to see overweight people get thin, especially if it challenges their idea of why people got that way in the first place.

it makes them feel less like 'better people'. Since they assume that you and other overweight people got that way because of overeating and gorging on treats (which, I agree with you, is OFTEN not the case! I never ate that way!) it makes them feel superior to think that they had 'more willpower' or 'better habits'....etc.
They don't like to lose that feeling.

I think there is a lot of prejudice out their against the overweight and frankly I AM TIRED OF IT!