I'd like to say hi to everyone. I just registed yesterday and decided to jump right in. I lost 40 pounds locarbing in 2000.I've gained it back and beginning my journey anew. It's my belief the "Golden Chance" (or whatever it's called) is accurate: it sure is harder the second or third time around! (Or maybe it's because I am approaching 40!) I am currently at 236, down from 249 on January 1 this year. I want to lose down to 179. My goal is to drop around +/-6 pounds per month until I reach my goal. Then, the tough part begins:maintenance. I just have one concern about being a part of this support group. The ALMOST overwhelming and complete negativity toward the Dr.Phil Weight Loss Challenge. I happen to love Dr.Phil, although he and I ARE split somewhat on the whole subject of food. I am so sugar sensitive, it's not even funny. AND so lactose intolerant, it's scary. I am also, duromroll, please.......the moderator of a Weight Loss Challenge group in my city and the leader of the weekly meetings, studying the 7 Keys book at length.
I am all about being open-minded and being tolerant toward everyone:"live and let live" I say. I'm quite sure Dr.Phil has not read any of the lowcarb woe books I've read, including Dr.Atkins' book, the Carb Addict's Diet book, and Protein Power. (BTW, I have taken principles from each of these for my own way of eating.) And I am also quite sure alot of people have not read Dr.Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution book in it's entirety. I am still working my way through the book myself, but I assure everyone reading this: Dr.Phil is much more focused on what's "eating" people than what they are eating. I do think he is just covering his hiney by having other people step in on the show when it comes to showing people how/what to eat. I heard him say he is 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 210, but I may have misunderstood. I just hope we don't all dissolve into a great controversey concerning Dr.Phil's (admitted "get-real") weight they same way the media has with Dr.Atkins supposed "obese" weight at his death. I'd like to learn how to use the 7 keys in this book to help me mentally while I apply the lowcarbing skills I've learned to my everyday life. It's my opinion that it's not always ONLY what you eat, but sometimes what's "eating" you that may contribute to your weight problem. Sorry this is so long. Thanks for listening.

Welcome, Maxibee.

The Dr. Phil thing was of interest some time back here, but I haven't seen much discussion lately. I think the consensus was that many people here have liked, and still like, Dr. Phil but are put off by HIS repeated, unequivocal, condemnation of low carb lifestyles on his program. His products are also not compatible with this way of eating.

After all, we are a bunch of people who have come to the conclusion - each for our own reasons - that controlled carbohydrate eating it a more sensible and healthful way to live. That's why the site is named as it is. It's hardly surprising that folks here might be less than enchanted with someone who pronounces our choices to be uninformed. This is a particularly well informed group and tolerant of other people's choices.

I don't see much point in resurrecting the Dr. Phil thing. But, that having been said, we all wish you well on your journey. We even have a section for reduced carbohydrate eating plans that are not quite as "carb controlled" as the major low carb eating plans. That section is here.

Hope you'll make yourself at home.

Maggie
5'1" ~~ Atkins since '98 (160+)
Maintaining nicely (110 +/-)

~~Redhead until further notice! ~~

Maxibee,

One of the greatest things I've found about this site is that most everyone respects other's thoughts and opinions. So, while you may have found that a group of vocal people started a thread about Dr Phil, I'm sure you'll find that there are just as many of us that like him regardless. In fact, if you read through the threads, I think you'll find that it's not a hatred at ALL, but that most have come to this conclusion:

- liked Dr Phil a lot before the weight loss thing
- do not like Dr Phil slamming low carb diets if he hasn't "done his homework" by reading the atkins book, etc

I encourage you to give this site a chance! For me, it has been invaluable.

Warm regards,
kristen

Maxibee:

It is now and always has been my opinion that various eating styles will work for various people. And I completely agree that the emotional/spiritual aspects of being overweight must be dealth with, and if Dr. Phil helps people do that, that's fantastic.

If anyone bothers you because you like Dr. Phil, let me know.

Hi, Maxibee,

Welcome to lce, pleased to meet you.

I don't know anything about Dr. Phil (he's on tv, right?), but you sound like a person with a lot to contribute, and I look forward to learning from your posts. Congratulations on your role as moderator of the Weight Challenge group. (I'm a homeschooler, and after being active for 15 years in local hs support groups I know how valuable face-to-face groups are, and how much we learn from each other.)

I love the variety of points of view on these forums - we all learn from and support each other, even when we don't do things the exact same way.

Glad you're here,

Alice

Welcome Maxi
I'm so glad you voiced your concerns. I think I speak for everyone when I say that the last thing any of us would want to do is turn someone off because of our negativity.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I'm quite sure Dr.Phil has not read any of the lowcarb woe books I've read, including Dr.Atkins' book, the Carb Addict's Diet book, and Protein Power. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think that this is really the only issue some have with Dr. Phil; his misguided condemnation of something that for many of us has literally saved our lives.

Like Andrea already said, so much of what he has to offer as far as the emotional/mental side of eating is right on target. Unfortunately, that message gets lost when he's critizing our WOE in such a way that makes it obvious that he hasn't throughly checked it out.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I have taken principles from each of these for my own way of eating. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Many of us have done just that. "Tweaking" is all a part of making this WOE your WOL.



Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

Hi Maxibee!!! It's great to have you with us.

I am a HUGE Dr. Phil fan. I just adore the man. I watch his Weight Loss Challenge program faithfully, since the beginning. I LOVE watching all the progress his 13 challengers have made. DH and I have even been to a taping of his show in Chicago, that aired only in Chicago. (We were even in the audience shots, our 15 secs of fame, LOL )

BUT.......I do have a teeny bone to pick with him. I don't like how he slams LC programs. I don't feel he gives them a fair shot and he calls them "FAD" diets. This is not, nor will it ever be a "FAD" for me OR a diet. I am doing this the rest of my life. I wish he could be a little more open minded about it. I suspect that he doesn't "buy into" any of the programs that have come out recently or ones that have been around for a long time (Atkins) for a number of reasons. He's selling his own stuff (his bars contain sugar, ) I also think he might not endorse any of the other programs, for legal reasons. That doesn't diminsh the bone I have to pick with him. I watch him inspite of that bone, think he's doing some GREAT work. And if he can address the emotional side of eating disorders, more power to him.

Other than that little bone I have with him, I think he's a great man and helps millions!!!

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
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Atkins-3/14/03
174/144/135 5'2"
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