What the heck have I gotten myself into? I ask myself, trying to ease my grip on the podium. It wouldn't do to leave impressions of my fingers on the warming plastic. My nervousness must be obvious, the moderators are giving me those not so subtle encouraging motions intended to get me talking. I clear my throat for the third, or is it the fifth time, as I stare out over the sea of unfamiliar faces. Will they ridicule me? Will I hear those dreaded taunts about how I'm killing myself? Will the faces suddenly shift from open and friendly, to that knowingly mocking smile I've seen so often when the dreaded word "diet" is mentioned? I slowly release the podium, one finger at a time, take a deep breath and glance once more at the encouraging smile the moderator directed at me.

Um...Hello. My name is V and...and...

I couldn't do it. I couldn't confess something that people keep telling me is normal. I just know these people, these strangers, will laugh at me. Of course, standing up in front of so many people, having them stare at me while I stand with my mouth hanging open is pretty much an invitation to laughter as it is. I steel myself against what I know will come, take a deep breath and start over.

Hello. My name is V and I'm a carboholic.

There. I said it. Whew! I wait for the laughter, the ridicule and...nothing. To my surprise, people are nodding, there are a couple of people clapping and others are smiling. Could it be that these people truly understand what it is to be addicted to carbohydrates? To tip the scales at such a number that one completely avoids the scale in hopes that it will simply disappear? Can they know what it's like to glance in a mirror and force oneself to only see if the hair is in place and the makeup doesn't look clownish?

Maybe. Can I trust this? What have I got to lose? My self-esteem? I haven't seen that since the scale slipped over 200. I've seen glances of it, a couple of times, shyly hiding in the mirror as I've lost pound after pound. A little of it must have slipped in without me noticing because I can't help continuing.

I've lost 30 lbs and I haven't had a slice of bread in 6 weeks.

Please, please, I think quietly, don't let them ask about the cheese pizza. Anything but the cheese pizza.

I've been on Atkins since September 1st. I feel great and I've lost two dress sizes. I have more energy that I ever thought I could have and I can climb stairs and still breathe normally at the top!

Suddenly, I'm surrounded by people. Smiling people who revel in my success, without reminding me of how far I have to go. People offering tips and sharing carb counts. People, like me, who found hope and light at the end of the dark tunnel of carbohydrate addiction.

I'm surprise and pleased, although I know I shouldn't be. Low Carb is not a diet, it's a way of life. A way of life that isn't some cult or phase, but a massive uprising. An eating revolution.

Hi. My name is V and I'm a low-carber.
Viva La Revolution!

Standing Ovation............and well said.

I find that I am NEVER afraid to tell people I am low-carbing. In fact, I look for every opportunity to crow about it. I've read several books, millions of articles and as always the myriad of thousands of posts here at this wonderfully supportive website. I have armed myself with knowledge. No one can debate me on the subject and win. My DH and I talk about this ad nauseum, and he always says, "I can't budge you from what you believe, you have an answer for everything." Right ON!!! He helps me with my debating skills. I just know this is right (for just about everyone) for me and it makes sense. So bring on the naysayers........they don't scare me one bit.



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/146/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

V

Congratulations on being able to talk about LC-ing. Not everyone can. I am quite vocal about it.

Keep to it!

Ilse

380/304.6(WW)/229.5(current)/154
5'7"
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"
Walt Disney