I tell people I am not on a diet, but I've changed my eating habits, reducing and/or eliminating sugar and carbs. I've read the atkins books, read the low carb books, read the south beach plan and I'm a anti-carb convert. Down 20 pounds since June 3rd.

Now the question, I have a lot of Friends in the medical profession and they continue to criticize my success because it is not their way. Their way being eat low fat and exercise. They berate and scoff and give me: "look at your Cholesterol!", or "look at your blood Pressure" or "your kidneys are going to shut down"

Load me up with some words to dispel these medical miscreants and help me show them the light.

215/195/180

Funny, I got the same response from my GP. My response: I have lost 40 pounds since I saw you last, my blolod pressure is down, and according to your tests, my cholestrol is outrageously good, my liver and kidney functions are fabulous and I am healthy as a horse. Why should I change what I am doing? (it also helps that my father is a physician, and he has been lowcarbing for years - in his words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it).

Jen
175/131/120

Here's a few articles that may help...

http://atkins.com/Archive/2002/8/9-726792.html


http://atkins.com/helpatkins/faqs/fa...yourheart.html

April
352 / 205 / 180
5'10", large frame, size 13 shoe
www.geocities.com/aprilreinhardt

I'm 41, have lost 89lbs, my blood pressure is 120/80 and my last bloodwork was perfect - just had new blood drawn last week, so I'm waiting for that.

You DO need to exercise - we all do!

But as for low carb hurting you, I just don't see it. Certainly, there have been a few isolated cases of people getting ill, and the case of the teen who died and was "supposedly" following the Atkins Diet (there doesn't seem to be any way to know for sure...) and I'm not insensitive to this. God knows, if that were my daughter, I'd be looking for the answer!

But right now, stats say that there are over 20 million people on low carb diets in America, and I would have to guess that the majority of them are doing atkins.

So where are all these reports of failed kidneys and all that????????????????????

In all the clinical trials done, where are the reports of severe metabolic imbalances???????

Where are the high cholesterol numbers????

I'm not saying it "couldn't" happen. But you know, it's time we started looking at the "fruit on the tree".

Looks to me like there's some good fruit on the Low Carb Tree. It's not the ONLY good fruit. But it ain't rotten apples either.

You think maybe this is a case of "sour grapes".....???????

Some folks just can't accept it when long taught principles that were nearly sacred are found flawed. Give them time by providing them proof.

OH...and for those new to LC eating, you need to give yourself the same time too. It takes time to find your way around a new concept. You WILL have ups and downs. That is OK. Learn from the experiences and you can find just the right mix to make your life that much better.

HANG IN THERE!!!

Don

Trekr,
jestey says it in a pretty positive way. She's not the only one to have this kind of response. Have some blood work done to assure yourself that you are not doing yourself harm, and then use the information for ammunition. One caution -- some people need about six months on this program for the bloods to show positive results. I was one of those people. Several years ago, I started Atkins and had a checkup within the first couple of weeks. My cholesterol was HIGH! I moved to the doctor's recommended low cholesterol program, lost some weight and had my triglycerides (which had been low) skyrocket. Eventually the dr. determined that I could not sustain the diet at a level that would balance both. He perscribed Lipitor. I have been back on Atkins for about 10 months and last week had bloods done again for the first time since beginning this WOE. Everything was excellent. I'm pleased, the doctor is pleased, and I will continue the WOE for life.

Judy

180/145.5/138
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill

Excellent points from Andrea

In the end, I think the best argument is going to be your success over the course of a few years. After that, what can they really say?

As it stands now, you could probably talk to them until you're blue in the face and it won't make a difference. Just hang in there and do what you know is right.

In 3-4 years you can throw a low carb dinner party, invite all your friends, and then say "I TOLD YOU SO!"


LCE Member since 2001
http://www.ilovelowcarb.com
Low Carb & Loving it!

Well, I have to agree with others that there is *nothing* you can say that will convince opponents of this woe (way of eating), but your success should eventually shut them up.

I have a cute story:
My dh is a physician and when I first started this woe, he decided to join me to be supportive. The other doctors he works with scoffed and scolded and turned up their noses.
That was almost 2 years ago.
Not too long ago at a staff lunch, my husband noticed that many of his coworkers were avoiding the bread and rice that was being passed around. He questioned them and got them to admit: Out of 9 doctors, 7 of them had turned to low-carb lifestyles!
He had the last laugh!

For me, I can point to:
**50 pounds lost
**lowered blood pressure
**SIGNIFICANTLY lowered cholesterol
**REVERSED type II diabetes
**and elimination of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)

If this woe is so *unhealthy* then WHY does my body respond to it in such a *HEALTHY* way???

Anyway, that's my take on it.
Keep up the good work!
Summer
www.herstorygirl.com

Don't just tell them - show 'em how you eat!

Some of my low fat friends have been surprised by how many vegetables I go through when we go to lunch. I usually order fish or chicken (just as before), but now I ask for extra veggies instead of potatoes or pasta.

By just about anyone's standards, there is something very healthy looking about a plate of grilled fish and veggies. Yet my friends are surprised when I tell them it's a perfect Atkins meal, LOL! And, I'm drinking water rather than wine or beer. It's hard for any of of my companions to feel like their meal of pasta, bread, and wine is the healthier choice.

They've also been surprised to find out my spinach "bread" canapes are the tastiest ~and~ healthiest snack on the table at a potluck.

And, my strawberries dipped in sour cream and chopped nuts or shaved bittersweet chocolate are always a "wow!" contribution to the dessert table.

There's a myth out there that Akins means eating pounds of cheese and bacon and beef. But, for most LC people, that isn't the reality!

~~~Teelbee

"remember, amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic."

174 (Mar. 2002 highest weight)
164 (Jan. 2003, begin LC)
164/135.5/137-134

[This message was edited by Teelbee on 09-02-03 at 08:14 AM.]

If you want serious research to back up your WOE, check out Low Carb Research



Always eat your veggies first!

It's a shame God didn't give us earlids in addition to eyelids. Then we could shut out the naysayers so easily.
Rob