In short, he's not a big fan of Atkins. He's all about reduced calorie and low-fat. He agrees with the water and the low-sugar, but that's about it. Now, I am heavier than ever and more confused.

I know if I go low calorie, low fat, I will gain it all back, as proven by my one week break from Atkins. Why isn't someone who specializes in diet and weight loss more approving of the low-carb WOE?

I'm confused.

Didn't your personal physician tell you to take a break from low carb?

Sorry to hear of your confusion.

Have you tried bringing your doctor a sample menu of what you typically eat? Maybe then he/she could point out exactly what is supposedly "wrong." Just an idea.

Hang in there, darlin'.

__________________
Staci

Yes, my shrink told me to take a break, so I did...for about a week and a half. I am now back to square one. All the weight I lost has returned. How much longer can I take a break without breaking the furniture in my house?

Doc didn't really want to listen. He just likes his way of doing things as he has seen it work. I don't doubt I will ose on his way, but I don't think I could maintain it for life.

Texas, we all know that weight management is both a physical and a psychological issue for most of us.

An article posted currently on the prevention.com website discusses a study which shows that "dieting" itself can cause stress. Your psychiatrist may be trying to help you with the stress created by repeated "diet" failure, while you address other issues. You need to work with him or her, and bring up just what you've said to us here.

What we're aiming for at LCE is not another "diet," but a transformation of our way of thinking. Over time, a new way of eating becomes a way of life, not a temporary diet. But it really does take time.

We build the determination to leave behind old thoughts about what is "good" food. It isn't about being deprived and restricted. It's about being set free. It's not about "losing weight." It's about changing our behaviors towards food and eating.

Cooperate with your shrink. Forget about "diet" for now, and concentrate on what's really making your life miserable. Maybe it's not the weight?

__________________
Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

My experience with Dr.'s, and other "dietary experts" and low carb WOE is that they are a victims of a flawed education. When coupled with an unwillingness to consider that the paradigms of their education might not be correct, they revert to advocating something that reflects their educational training with which they are familiar. When I started Atkins, my Dr. was not in favor of it. He had heard all the myths. However, he did know that I needed to lose weight and as I had not been able to keep from gaining weight on a low fat- low calorie diet, he acquiesed in my decision to try Atkins. He did however monitor my cholesterol to make sure it remained ok. After a year following Atkins, he told me that I had made a believer out of him. Dr.'s are not gods. They do make mistakes. Whatever methodology you choose to lose weight and keep it off, is one that you have to be comfortable with and it must work for you. If you find that a low (controlled) carb lifestyle is one that works for you and you want to stay with it, I suggest you talk to your Dr. and seek his support in helping you. If he is unwilling to do this, you may want to find another Dr.

it sounds like you're getting lots of confusing adivce from your professional "support team." that can happen with people on different pages with different ideas. some doctors are more "carb-positive" than others, while some remain on the low-fat bandwagon. for me, low-fat was ineffective and unpleasant, but it does work for some, i know.

while i would never presume to suggest you don't follow a medical professional's advice, i would suggest that you talk with your professional support team about the same issues you've brought up here and your confusion. perhaps your therapist could help you coordinate a meeting or some other way to work out an integrated plan that addresses both medical and psychological issues? sometimes doctors do agree to let their patients "try out" low carb for a period of time, under medical supervision, even if they aren't terribly pro-low-carb. maybe you can take some notes and make your case, and see if you can get a medical ok, since that seems to be what you want to do? it's a thought anyway.

the most important thing here, however, is that you take care of all your own medical and psychological needs as best you can, and your professional support team is there to help you do that. keep working with them and letting them know your concerns, as that is the very best way to help them help you.

__________________

EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review