New/old Fad Diet Rant...

MissGeorgiaPeachy

Okay... Why is it that as soon as people find out you're dieting, whether you tell them yourself or they see the results, they feel the need to tell you what they think you should be doing?

"Cut out all carbs! Protein only!"
"Eat nothing but fish!"
"Say no to fruit!"
"Drink nothing but water!"
"Never eat anything out of a plastic container!"
"Gnaw on your hand to forget any craving you might have that would actually make you happy!"

I do realize that they're probably just trying to help, but people need to stop and think for a minute. Most of us have probably already tried each fad diet at least once and it didn't work. I try explaining to them that if I cut out the things I love to eat, or even like to eat as a substitute for the things I love, I would NEVER stay on track.

If fad diets work for you, great. I'm happy for you and I will be supportive because I want you to succeed. If it seems like something I could do and if I want to know more about it, I'll ask. Don't tell me what I should and shouldn't be doing and then judge me if I don't do what you think I should.

All the "you should" talk makes me feel bad about what "I am" doing. Don't be so judgemental, be supportive! That's more important. The only time it's ok is if I'm doing something unhealthy. In that case, yes, I would love for someone to step in and tell me I'm being unhealthy, but if I'm not, just leave it alone. (Actually, last week was terribly unhealthy and I had a hard time eating all my calories and friends stepped in and I'm greatful for that. However, they weren't rude about it at all. They actually asked questions before giving their opinions to find out what I could and couldn't do.)

I'm not talking about people who say you should eat more calories to replace exercise calorie loss or any recommendations on how to cut down on calories, etc. My main gripe is the people on fad diets that only require you to eat a certain thing and then attacking you for eating things they think are "evil", just to be clear. Don't do that! lol It's discouraging!

Jeff92se

Since most people in this country tend to have a weight problem, I wouldn't put too much "weight" into their opinions. Research on your own and do what you have to do. Screw everyone else.

_SusieQ_

:flowerforyou:

Well said, both of you.

GouchisGirl

Its human for people to want to share their "knowledge" or what they feel to be knowledge without other people wanting it. Just say thanks, it will make them feel like they imparted some sort of wisdom to you, and then go about your business and do what works best for you. It works, I do it all the time. lol

MissGeorgiaPeachy

Its human for people to want to share their "knowledge" or what they feel to be knowledge without other people wanting it. Just say thanks, it will make them feel like they imparted some sort of wisdom to you, and then go about your business and do what works best for you. It works, I do it all the time. lol

That's generally what I do. I think today it just touched a nerve for some reason. It's not that I don't appreciate the help, it's just that some people don't know how to say things delicately and I get upset sometimes.

appleseeds

I dont even tell people if Iḿ dieting anymore. Suddenly everyone pays attention to the food you eat all the time. It embarrasses me so much when customers at work or people I havent seen in a long time notice I have lost weight and ask me how I did it. Same way everyone does it...eat less food, be more active.

Last time I lost 8 kg I was doing one of the shake diets, and i had to defend myself over and over to a couple friends who wouldnt stop talking about how I was going to gain all the weight back again. Well, here I am, 6 months later and I didnt gain the weight back again. (Not to mention I was a little sour getting weight loss advice from people 30kg heavier than me, who treat 3 cheese and ham sandwiches as a snack)


Actually now that I think about it all those comments/advice you were ranting about seem like good things. I feel like when you tell people you just get critisied! I was dieting once with a friend and doing half an hour of exercise every other day and the critism was that if you arent going to do it for an hour at a time there is no point doing it at all!
*sigh*
People, right?

maidentl

My mother once told me about a pill her friend went on because it made food taste bad but it makes your hair fall out. When I said that I'd prefer to keep my hair she said, "Oh please, every medicine has side effects! Even aspirin!" :laugh: So helpful!

it_be_asin

You forgot "You can't eat/can't eat carbs after 6/7/8/whateverPM" and "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper". These are the two fave diet tips that would never work for me - I need to eat up until the second I brush my teeth just before I go to bed. Else I wake up hungry.

stephreed11

Totally read my mind! lol. It is so so annoying, esp. when the people telling me all I can eat are salads & grilled chicken are obese & care to do nothing about it. It's their life & I'm not trying to judge them for not wanting to lose, but I sure as heck don't want them telling me how to lose! Esp. when they have that "diet mentality" that anything with sugar is a sin. I've learned to just smile & move on.

Lyadeia

I was deleted by someone on this website who couldn't get over the fact that I eat carbs. He said that I was fat because I eat carbs, and that it was impossible to lose weight without restricting them to the point of ketosis...

Say that to the 50 pounds I dropped while eating pasta every other day. :flowerforyou: