http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifest...12782811c.html


PLEASE EMAIL THE JOURNALIST AND GIVE YOUR SUCCESS STORY!!!!!

We need to let them know that by no means is low carb dead!!!!!!!!!

WEBMASTER

This is most of what I wrote Ms Hubert;

Dear Ms Hubert

You seem to want to write a negative article about The Atkins diet so I'm not one from whom you're looking to hear. Sorry to disappoint you but I've had tremendous success with the Atkins diet. Starting at a weight of 310 pounds on 2/14/03 I am down to 202 pounds today. That's 108 pounds and I'm 22 pounds from my goal and I did that eating an average of over 2200 calories a day. When I lost weight on a low fat diet I had to keep my calories below 1700 in order to achieve similar results. On Atkins I am rarely hungry but when I am hungry I EAT! on low fat I was hungry an hour after a meal and that meant in order to lose weigh I spent most of my day hungry. Not a pleasant situation, is it?

I think that those people started the Atkins diet as a quick fix and intended to go right back to their old eating habits were doomed to failure in the long run. You'll probably hear from many of them that the Atkins diet didn't work for them. I'm proof that it does work in the short term as well as the long term. You just need to do it right. You need to eat lots and lots of fresh vegetables. I may eat 2 or 3 cups of broccoli at dinner and the same for cauliflower or green beans. A day never goes by without at least one salad. I eat strawberries and blueberries and raspberries as well as the occasional apple or melon. My fiber has averaged 23 grams per day for the past 22 1/2 months. The American average fiber intake is between 10 and 15 grams. This is a very healthy way of eating if you do it right.

I hope you hear from many more long term Low Carb proponents than naysayers but even if I'm the only positive response I trust you'll at least incorporate a fair review of low carb diets into your article.

__________________

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*standing O* bravo rob! BRAVO! guess you told HER!

while i DIDNT speak of my success..(trying to come up with the words ) i DID fire THIS email off to her..:

CYNTHIA..
I find it quite TELLING that you ONLY asked for emails from people who "jumped OFF the low carb wagon"
I am not sure you can get a FAIR and BALANCED viewpoint from which to make an informed article by taking ONLY comments from those who quit
Care to respond?

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As a journalist myself, I feel I should defend the Sacramento Bee reporter.
Many, many, many times reporters write stories they don't agree with. It's part of the job. If your editor has read over and over that low carb is dead--which is what we are hearing, right? then your editor may want you to go out and talk to people who gave it up and find out why.

I wouldn't be surprised if this same reporter, at the height of Atkins sales, didn't write an Atkins story...and probably got blasted for doing that as well.

The beginning of the new year, every paper is going to focus on diet resolutions. My guess is that the SacBee editor probably demanded something different. On a regular basis, I get nasty emails from people who are mad because I...

mentioned that guy who returned $1,200 cash to its owner was a Jehovah Witness, did a positive story about organ donation, because I did a fun story on a new beer remake called Nude Beer with a peelable label that reveals a topless woman. When I get ranting, nasty email blaming me--the messenger--I send a "Thank you for your email" delete it and I don't give it a second thought. After all, they are just ranters.

Several times I've read posts that hint that journalists are out to get lowcarb eaters. Well, if you worked at my newspaper, and saw the weight lost by low carbers, you'd find out that is not the case. I suppose Weight Watcher folks would have the same sort of argument about LowCarb Living Magazine...but then, we don't take them seriously, do we?

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Melissa

hmmmmm point taken...

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Dear Melissa:

ah, but I meant no disrespect the journalist. My own personal response to her was just very matter of fact: "here's my short story, here's my number, call me if you want".

what I was after was that she NOT be innundated with ONLY negative stories about low carb.

What she does after that is her own business.

i do understand the need to do balanced stories.

What I STRENUOUSLY object to, is the deluge of stories in the media about how "the low carb craze is dead," and people are abandoning low carb with the feeling that they were somehow "let down".

Why?

1. Most of these stories are based on ONE report from ONE statistics company.
2. There is little hard data to compare this december to last december in terms of number of dieters following low carb. Trust me. I've been asking around for it.
3. There is little to no data that compares the rate of attrition for low carb to other diets. And for data in studies like the Duke study done by Dr. Yancy, does that data take into account the fact that many people don't try low carb until they have tried everything else? or that many who try low carb have a history of problems with eating? That is certainly a confounding factor, if there ever was one.
4. Almost none of these "low carb is dead" stories talks about the fact that while the "hype" might be over, low carb CONTINUES to be proven to be an effective and safe weight loss method scientifically, at least in the short term.

I saw an article about Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers saying "we're glad it's over". Well, WHY are they glad???

because it's helped so many people??? because it's a great tool in the weight loss tool box????

aaaaaaaaah, no, it's because it cut into their profits, and because they were too close minded and FEARFUL to change their own programs allow SOME people to use low carb as an OPTION. So, if they couldn't change, they had to hope for/work for the atmosphere to change.

I got a real kick out of a quote from the spokes person for spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association recently:

(link to article: http://www.gwinnettdailyonline.com/G...1F22FB8F28.asp )

She's glad to see it go??????????????

She's glad that a weight-loss method that has been so successful in the CLINICAL SETTING, that produced favorable blood lipid results for the majority of subjects in the CLINICAL SETTING , she's glad that a method that normalizes blood glucose levels for diabetics in the CLINICAL SETTING is on the way out>???

one has to ask WHY?????????

I mean, do any of YOU GUYS think you can eat all you want as long as you keep your carbs low? I doubt it. Sensible people know that the words "until until you are satisfied but not stuffed" don't mean "eat everything in sight".

BUT
haveany of YOU GUYS found that you can definitely eat MORE on low carb than you could on low fat and still lose or maintain?
I bet many of you have.

That's what the very well-done controlled study by Penelope Green at Harvard showed - low carb dieters could eat about 300 more calories than low fat dieters and STILL LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT!!!

and yes, I do intend to ask her for clarificaiton of that remark. I'll let you know what she says.

Thanks for the reminder Melissa...

__________________
Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have said anything. I've not commented on previous posts because I truly believe the people on this forum are kind, generous and good-hearted. Today, for some reason, I responded. I'm tired and cranky for one. Also, it home in a two-fold sort of way.

1) I've taken a lot of abuse for the stories I write. Narrow-minded, but well-meaning Christians have blasted me for "promoting" other religions. (ie: a Jehovah Witness who doesn't celebrate Christmas but came off like Santa Claus when he returned $1,278 cash to a woman who lost the money in a fast-food restaurant; a Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) church that held an exhibit with about 500 nativity sets.) I once received nasty comments because I wrote a story about a group that was showing anti-war, anti-Republican videos around the county.

Guess what? I'm a right-wing Bible-believing Christian!

I'm just doing the best I can to keep food on the table and a roof over my head while doing my job. My job is not to support or debunk...it is to put the information out there and let the reader make an informed choice.

2) I fear becoming a low-carb cultist. Again, through my years as a Christian, I've seen well-meaning people turn others completely off religion by trying to "save" them. Maybe they are well-meaning Bible thumpers. Or maybe they are weak people who are big at talking the talk but aren't good at walking the walk. (We all have our down moments at times...and someone always seems to watching when we slip.)

So what if people think the low-carb craze is dead? I'll be glad when people stop looking at low-carb eating as a fad. If that means no more Atkins pasta or Atkins syrup, then OK. They were nasty foods to begin with. They could be the very reason people gave up Atkins. The best way to get the word out is by example...good example. That goes for anything that we feel strongly about: religion, low-carb vs. low-fat, film vs. digital capture photo. When we start to argue, get loud or get into people faces, they stop listening.

Hmmm....which brings to mind the idea that nobody is "listening" to this post right now. If you are, then bless you because you must be the most patient person around!

__________________
Melissa

i'm not patient ... but i was LISTENING...

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Melissa:

First of all, you have nothing to apologize for. I think your side of the story is very important and has much merit. If you saw the HATE MAIL I get on a regular basis, you'd know how much I sympathize with you. I'm too Christian for the pagans, too pagan for the Christians, too low-carb extreme for the low-fatters, too moderate for the low-carb extremists. And know what? I don't give a fig. I'm just going to say what I think I need to, in the way I think it needs to be said.

Yes, ME TOO. That's the whole point. But honestly, I think it will be many years before they do, and that's what has me so very very angry.

Why? Because DESPITE the FACTS, people continue to call it a "fad", and "unhealthy"!!!!!!!!! Nutritionists, dieticians, practitioners, even researchers whose own data says it works! They've seen that the world is NOT flat, yet still can't bring themselves to say it's round!

And again, I've never said this is for 'everyone'. But I object to the constant terms used to describe it: "unhealthy" , "unbalanced", "fad" , "craze", etc.

Because when people in and out of the media use those terms, the are de facto making a judgement call about the diet. And if they are going to have a quote from someone who says "it's a fad we're glad it's dead," they should also balance that with the facts: that low carb continues to be shown to be a healthy effective way to lose weight, normalize blood sugar and blood lipids, "fad" or not.

Yes, I'm angry, Melissa. Angry because now that we finally have some good clinical data, the people opposing low carb have shifted the focus off that and onto spin. And yes, I KNOW for a fact that there is a concerted effort to discredit low carb. Wheat growers, potato growers, corn processors, orange juice producers, weight watchers, jenny craig - the list goes on and on. And it angers me because the focus is NOT on what will help people lose weight and get healthier. It's on what will keep those folks in business.


And NO I don't consider myself a low-carb cultist. A cultist thinks theirs is the ONLY true way, whether or not the "facts" support it. I think controlled -carb nutrition is ONE good way, BECAUSE both my personal experience bears it out, and because science says so (so far).

So, yes, I agree that people should NOT email journalists and be rude. I never asked anyone to do that, and I have never encouraged that. But it's to the point that if we don't stand up for low carb, it's going to be killed by the weight of all this spin. And for those individuals who it could really benefit, that would be a dang shame, don't you think?

The one ray of hope is that despite all this, I hear from all around the world that doctors are increasingly recommending a lower-carb regimen to their patients. WHY? because they have had so many patients for whom it has worked so very well!

Anyway, I appreciate your input on this forum, and hope you continue to feel welcome here.

Best wishes,
Andrea

I emailed her, too. I think it's important for people to understand that the "fad" may be dying, but the movement is alive and well.

Dear Ms. Chubert,
I would like to reply to your request for material for your article. I think that it would be beneficial to your readers to hear both sides of the story.
I have been living the low carb life for over two years. I have lost nearly 90 pounds and have improved my health in several ways. My acid reflux is gone, my fibromyalgia is now under control, I no longer suffer from insomnia, and my energy level has increased. My skin is healthier, my hair and nails are in great shape, and I feel 10 years younger than I did before low carbing (I'm 53). It has been the answer, for me, to a better life and better health.
So why am I writing to you? Because I believe it's important to point out that there are those of us who found low carb before it was a fad, and will stay with it even after the "craze" has died. For us, it was never a matter of what the latest hot trend may be, but a program that worked, based on scientific studies and research. There are those who will jump at the latest thing, and abandon it when something newer and trendier comes along. We are not those people. If you really want your readers to "Get the whole story every day" then perhaps including the stories of people like me will accomplish that.

Sincerely,
Trina Nelson

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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BTW, I also want to make it very clear that I know many people who have done well on Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. I have nothing against their plans! If they work for you, FANTASTIC! Use them!

We have members here who are also weight watchers members, and I say, good for them!

My objection is with the fact that these companies feel the need to to BASH LOW CARB. For gosh sakes, just promote your own plan, and show people how successful your participants have been on YOUR PLAN, without bashing what others are doing SUCCESSFULLY.

Why does it HAVE to be one way or the other??? Why can't we admit that there are MANY ways that we can diet healthfully?

That's what sticks in my craw.

Thanks for the heads up, Andrea, and here is the note I dropped to Cynthia this morning. Hope it doesn't offend anyone:

Hi Cynthia!

Just wanted to drop you a line to tell you that the Low Carb lifestyle is alive and well. Myself and many others have found success with this way of eating, and have no intention of giving it up. I have lost 41 lbs on the Atkins plan so far and have about 60 more to go. I have no doubt that I will acheive my goal. After a lifetime of weight struggles, I have finally found a way of eating that works for me. Not only have I lost weight, I sleep better, my mood swings are gone, I have tons of energy, my afternoon sleepiness is gone, acid reflux/heartburn has disappeared...I could go on and on. Most importantly for my success, I stay satisfied on this way of eating and have never been hungry since beginning it.

I think what you will see now is that the "faddish" part of low carb is going to go away. All these products made to satisy the populatriy of the low carb diet will probably go away, though, and here's why:

The Atkins plan (I refer to it becauase this is one I know) requires this:

Protein (usually in the form of chicken, fish, eggs, etc.)
Fat (in the form of cream, butter, cheese)
veggies (contrary to popular belief, you need a LOT of veggies if you are doing the plan correctly)
No sugar, no refined carbs
Lots of water
some kind of exercise

That's it. Those who are having long term success are following this plan, and you can see that it does not require low carb bars, shakes, breads, pastas, or any of the other gimmicky things being touted as "low carb." As this flash of "faddishness" wears off, what will be left is the basic, simple plan itself and the people who are having success with it.

You will notice that I have not used the word "diet" at all in my letter; this is definitely a way of life. When I have reached my goal I may have a little more latitude in what I eat, but I will still not be eating refined sugar, baked goods, and so on because I have chosen this as my way of eating. I have chosen health, vitality and energy over the sluggishness of the typical high carb American diet. If you do your homework, you will find that I am not alone in this; there are thousands and thousands of people who feel this way.

Low Carb is not dead--the gimmicks and fads surrounding it may be dying, but that is not a bad thing.

Thanks for the opportunity to speak up, and Happy New Year!

__________________
Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
41 lbs off
60 lbs to goal



Race to 199 Challenge
Labor Day Challenge: Focusing on the Journey
Personal Goal: 199 by 12/31/05

Melissa,
Your input is well warranted and welcome. Don't think otherwise...this of all places is a place where everyone has something valuable to say!

__________________
Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

My reply:

"Dear Ms. Hubert:

Part one of your solicitation is specifically geared to garner responses from those who have decided that following a low carb regimen is not suitable for their needs. Yet, part two asks for replies from persons who have reduced their carbohydrate intake, outlining their own experience, and any advice they might proffer. Therefore, I am compelled to respond.

My personal experience with reducing my carbohydrate intake these past six years has been, in one word, life-saving. Aside from the fact that I have lost in excess of 150 pounds during the first 24 month, it is a fact that I have maintained that weight loss -- and continued to lose more -- these past six years. My blood work is envied by 20-year-olds. I am 43. I am no longer a borderline diabetic, I can walk father than I ever have and average three miles per day, I have greater stamina, I think clearly, my skin looks great, and I like what I see in the mirror each morning. I feel good about me. My self-esteem is very high.

Answering your question about the food -- it is satisfying and nourishing. I eat more vegetables now each day than ever in my life. I eat vegetables first at each meal and then, if I'm still hungry, I eat protein. I usually eat the lesser amount of protein, and I usually consume fowl, fish, or beef, in that order. The fat content in the cheese and meat satiates to the point that I don't feel the need to eat sugar or starch. I eat fruit such as apples, oranges, and berries. I drink about 100 ounces of water each day. I believe that my diet is well balanced, and my doctor is more than satisfied with how well I care for my body.

Advice I have given to others as a Moderator at www.lowcarbeating.com is just this:

1. Write down the carb content of everything you put into your mouth.
2. Don't eat low carb bars or anything else with hidden carbs in them.
3. Stay off the scale.
4. Eat natural foods.
5. Walk.
6. Take your measurements.
7. Take your supplements.
8. DRINK WATER.
9. Stay away from sweets -- artificial or otherwise.
10. Get support.
11. Persevere. If you give up, you'll look back two months from now and say: "Hmm. If I'd have kept on going, I might have been twenty pounds lighter now." As with anything in life, if you persevere, you will attain.

I am not trying to sway opinion. I have just given you my experience and advice, per your request. You may find out more about my low carb journey here: www.geocities.com/aprilreinhardt2

Regards,

April Reinhardt
(937)743-4600, ext. 0 - day time phone at work
april@ohkysteel.com
aprilreinhardt2@yahoo.com"

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April

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