Low-carb book's defense: author Gary Taubes response in the NY Times

[fawn]

Fawn, you are an inspiration to so many people here, including me. Some of your posts were the catalyst for me to stop drinking diet sodas and using artificial sweeteners (5 weeks now!), but I have to say one thing, for me it was a lot easier socially and logistically to consistently eat low-carb, healthy foods when I lived in Sonoma County than it is living here in Tennessee. That's just my experience and may not hold true for others, but there's a reason Tennessee ranks #5 in the nation for obesity.

Although you aren't isolating yourself, you are setting yourself apart as 'different' and that's not easy for a lot of people to do, especially people who are just starting out and don't yet have all the knowledge and experience or the results to prove it. I'm not saying it's impossible or shouldn't be encouraged, I'm just acknowledging that sometimes it's hard.

You're absolutely correct about Sonoma County. Something I have learned by being on these boards is the access to whole fresh foods I have in Northern California. As well, I'm in a progressive area which means greater access to organics. Congrats on your succesful 5 weeks. I'm very proud of you.

I was not always as resolute in my ideas when I first started as I am now. Rarely did I question Dr. Atkins plan. I think like Betty, I trusted from the beginning even when family members told me I was going to die of heart disease. As I continued to do my own research and once I entered the holistic nutrition sector, as well as the many books I have read including but not limited to Sugar Blues, (not a low carb book) Atkins, Neanderthin, CAD, Schwarzbein, etc....I realized that good nutrition for me would equal low carb. All while helping a major case of ADD. I had not only succesful weight loss but a re-arranging of my mind as well. Relationships got better, I was accomplishing more and more without distraction and as I cleaned up my food intake to organics, I felt a heck of a lot better. Once I discovered all of the above, I also researched the lack of value refined foods have. Not only the stripping of the foods but the processing practices of this dirty food. Last but not least, the USDA food pyramid is bankrolled by big food corps. This information came directly from a friend of mine who is an exec at a major corporation supplying our troops. This is where my will and resolve come from.

It's not easy on Holidays...I know that. In my over 7 years of low carbing I have not always skipped the dessert or the stuffing. But what did I do to remedy my eating choices? Always, and I mean ALWAYS did I get up the following morning, get my butt on the treadmill or the asphalt and immediatly got back on plan.

Now mind you, this is the first time in my years that I have been succesful with anything really. My nutrition intake has negatively affected my life for my entire life up until Low carb. I'm very serious about this too. I am an addict always have been, always will be. food, cigarettes and alcohol.
I am the one who tried to eat Grandma's gingerbread ornaments
I stole chocolate chips from my grandmothers kitchen would go down the street and eat the whole bag
I could spot a local chocolatier box from miles away and would secretly wish I could just have the whole box to myself.
When I moved out, I would buy my own box of chocolate and eat the whole thing.
When Mom was not home I would make up to 6 pieces of cinnamon sugar toast

I am an addict and thanks to this new but really old way of eating, I am recovered.

It is about will for me and I shall never give up what I have worked so terribly hard to achieve. It's been a rocky 7 years. I have trialed and I have errored. But dammit, I have made it and I know MY body like no one else.

i'm probably over talking here but it's important for me that you all know that I, like you have struggled. So stand proud and stand strong.

[sazzie]

Amen!!

[tapper47]

Great thread!

New here but, I'm sure liking it a lot.

[living_healthy]

Thanks Fawn!