What to tell all them "smart fat people"?????

AshleyPaleo

I have started getting my first couple of "Wow you lost a little weight, what are you doing?" comments at work and around family and friends. I also am wearing my "this girl is paleo shirt" (text with two thumbs up under it :happy:) So I am happy to tell them I now eat :

-Meats, lean and FATTY actually I tend to eat more fatty meat cause I avoided it my entire life and now I find out it tastes good!
Nuts, lots of veggies, fruits and healthy oils, and occasionally full fat organic butter and cheese. I eat about 5 eggs a day cause I am able to go to my parents house down the street and pick 'em out of the coop.

All of my family - obese !! and when I tell them what I am eating they start going on and on and on about how eggs are bad, fat is bad blah blah blah, cause you know obviously the years of weight watchers and fat free sugar filled yogurt is working for them, cause they are all OBESE. I have a customer at my work unbutton his shirt to show me his scar from his open heart bypass when I told him, (he was buying two cokes, and couldn't even wait to pay for them before opening it up and downing one.)

My question is, what smart *kitten* thing can I say to these people who are all giving me heat on what I am eating? I so want to say :"Ohh please tell me what YOU are doing to stay so fat" or "oh you know, just some crack!!!)

bethanylaugh

lol wellll I'm already getting the same flack from my boss... he's downing a soybean oil filled fast food burrito and diet pepsi while telling me that there's nothing wrong with gluten!

I think lookin' fine and being happy and energetic will be smart@$$ enough to get under their skin... I'm finding that it's more aggravating to people for me to say "I understand there's different sets of beliefs out there but this works for me and lots of other people" instead of engaging them in a conversation about what they're doing wrong (so they can argue back about what i'm doing wrong). What can they say?!? There's no better feeling than leaving someone without a chance to make a stupid argument

MikeFlyMike

Wait, your family owns chickens and eggs are bad
I ask people what their cholesterol numbers are. I now pull up my latest test ony phone and show them. As I was losing fantastic weight and they would comment negatively, I said, "how about we don't criticize me for my weight loss unless you think we should comment about you also."

bethanylaugh

...admittedly, though, I haven't told my (also entirely obese) family yet. I want to reach a specific goal so I have evidence and not just theory before I proclaim my new lifestyle to them. Because I knooooooooow they're going to give me a hard time if I don't (and they looooove sugar and vegetable oils).

So who am I to talk!?!

bethanylaugh

Wait, your family owns chickens and eggs are bad

This did crack me up! I wish my town would let me have chickens!

AshleyPaleo

Wait, your family owns chickens and eggs are bad
I ask people what their cholesterol numbers are. I now pull up my latest test ony phone and show them. As I was losing fantastic weight and they would comment negatively, I said, "how about we don't criticize me for my weight loss unless you think we should comment about you also."

Well, they just throw out the "bad part" THE OH SO GOOD YOLK!

zellagrrl

How about just not talk to them about it and ignore them? I don't bother explaining what I'm doing or why, I just pick out what I can/want to eat when I'm visiting, and ignore them the rest of the time.

efirkey

Seems like you are looking for attention to me wearing a Paleo tee shirt. Why should a total stranger have any clue to my eating habits? and as far as family and friends are concerned just tell them you are eating for your health. They don't necessarily need to know that my diet is Paleo, Primal, Atkins, Weight Watchers, etc. either unless they are genuinely interested or want to learn about it.

PrimalPixie

Seems like you are looking for attention to me wearing a Paleo tee shirt. Why should a total stranger have any clue to my eating habits?

Well, this may be the case...or it may be that the OP is proud to be paleo? I didn't particularly like the reference to "smart fat people." There's plenty of "smart thin people" as well. I get all kinds of crap from both, so I just don't go into detail about my lifestyle anymore. I've been paleo for two years now, but recently put on weight, due to thyroid issues and portion control. I chose paleo for health reasons initially (have two autoimmune diseases, including MS).

Akimajuktuq

Just smile and nod and walk away. And as you get healthy and they stay sick, they might, or might not, get curious enough to ask and REALLY LISTEN. That's almost where some of my family are; they are curious but still not at a point where they quite believe that diet can cure illness. They still have faith in the food pyramid and pharmaceuticals. Hopefully, they will wake up eventually, but malnutrition does negatively impact brain function.

And there's lots of skinny people that go out of their way to trash lifestyle too. Skinny, but not healthy either.

"I'm proud of my keto primal lifestyle because it's saved my life; excuse the hell out of me for being passionate about it and wanting to help other people get healthy without struggling with hunger and chronic cardio." lol

strychnine7

Just do what I do: Turn introverted, become overly reclusive and brood alone in a dark room, about how much the world sucks.

Too negative? Yeah... I people keep telling me that. I'd probably consider their opinion if they didn't suck.

Seriously though, just say that you'll, "take their advice under consideration over a pound of bacon and four or five eggs. And, oh yeah, I'll get on the scale next week and have lost a pound or two."

primal7

I posted this earlier
Hope it helps or at least gives you a laugh!
http://whatshouldwecallpaleolife.tumblr.com/

jenfitz

I think its hardest in the beginning when we don't have a lot of results yet to show for eating this way (although 50lbs down is pretty freakin awesome!-yay you!). I get a lot of simpering side looks (especially from my step mother who is so fat-o-phobic she would rather eat "lite" mayonnaise with corn syrup than eat a whole food with naturally occurring fat!) I really have no response- YET! It's true that I have struggled with weight loss and have tried some stupid diets to get there. I gotta own that. I can't wait for the day when I get to say "Told ya so!"
But for now, just smile and say I'm trying something I've been reading about- and if you're interested, I'll be happy toy pass you the information.

MikeFlyMike

"have tried some stupid diets to get there. I gotta own that."
Love this.
On THREE separate occasions we purchased nutrisystems for both of us on AUTOSHIP. 90% of the product was thrown away. I always wanted to "believe" it would work if I JUST WOULD EAT IT AND STOP BEING SO HUNGRY.
Weight watchers was a joke - talk about a RESTRICTIVE DIET.
I laugh when people tell me paleo is so restrictive....

I have 5 times in that past 10 years been able to restrict my calories to 1500 after exercise and drop 1.5 lbs a week.... until I couldn't do it. I have always been able to lose weight - I NEVER have been able to keep it off.

With paleo, that has never been a concern. I don't ever stress about food. I love it, eat it and look forward to each and every meal. I never leave a meal hungry. I smile every time I talk, eat, think about food.

ukgirly01

Could be worse my sister is a VEGETARIAN!!!! Haha, but seriously just keep doing what you're doing they'll eventually get curious, and if they don't - well at least you're healthy.

AshleyPaleo

Seems like you are looking for attention to me wearing a Paleo tee shirt. Why should a total stranger have any clue to my eating habits? and as far as family and friends are concerned just tell them you are eating for your health. They don't necessarily need to know that my diet is Paleo, Primal, Atkins, Weight Watchers, etc. either unless they are genuinely interested or want to learn about it.

AshleyPaleo

Seems like you are looking for attention to me wearing a Paleo tee shirt. Why should a total stranger have any clue to my eating habits? and as far as family and friends are concerned just tell them you are eating for your health. They don't necessarily need to know that my diet is Paleo, Primal, Atkins, Weight Watchers, etc. either unless they are genuinely interested or want to learn about it.

Well I got it as a gift so I thought I would flaunt that $H!T, and I only wore it once.

each_day_stronger

Just putting it out there that I WAS one of those people! Keep in mind there's a whole industry of folks telling us repeatedly that lowfat, high carb is awesome, and if it doesn't work for you well dang it you're just lazy and not trying hard enough.
I think rather than smart *kitten* comments just come to people with compassion. The healthier and happier you are, the more it will puzzle them. The more likely they will be to finally pick up a book about paleo foods and why it actually works!

If they say "OH BUT THE YOKE IT KILLZ!" you can just say, "ya know that's what I thought too, but I feel amazing, and we're finding more and more that cholesterol is way more complicated than just eat it and it gives you a heart attack. I know it sounds crazy but it's worked wonders for me, if you're interested in learning more I serious recommend XYZ website/book/whatever. It's changed my life!"

If they still give you ****, then just remember it will take multiple times to get through. In the end you can always say "well what can I say this works for me, if your diet works for you then best of luck with you!"

JohnNull

Just putting it out there that I WAS one of those people! Keep in mind there's a whole industry of folks telling us repeatedly that lowfat, high carb is awesome, and if it doesn't work for you well dang it you're just lazy and not trying hard enough.
I think rather than smart *kitten* comments just come to people with compassion. The healthier and happier you are, the more it will puzzle them. The more likely they will be to finally pick up a book about paleo foods and why it actually works!

If they say "OH BUT THE YOKE IT KILLZ!" you can just say, "ya know that's what I thought too, but I feel amazing, and we're finding more and more that cholesterol is way more complicated than just eat it and it gives you a heart attack. I know it sounds crazy but it's worked wonders for me, if you're interested in learning more I serious recommend XYZ website/book/whatever. It's changed my life!"

If they still give you ****, then just remember it will take multiple times to get through. In the end you can always say "well what can I say this works for me, if your diet works for you then best of luck with you!"

Bravo, very well said!

dwest1976

I usually tell people I am avoiding all processed foods and watching my carbs. Its kind of hard for anyone to argue with that. If you call it Paleo or Primal you are more likely to get into a "discussion". If people are genuinely interested then you can go into more detail.

AllanMisner

I've explained it to a few people and when the start to object, I agree with them (What I'm doing is crazy considering that most people wouldn't be able to maintain it in our fast food, corn syrup, sugar and starch flooded world). Then I move on. I've lost 13 lbs in the past two months. Crazy.

Frankenbarbie01

I tell them "Well....I've lost almost 30 lbs, with virtually limited effort by managing my blood sugar levels which in turn keeps my insulin in check. I eat what I want (paleo/primal) when I want...even before going to SLEEP!! I have more energy, sleep better and have never felt better in my life...hows the coke and chips make you feel?" Then I tell them to read It starts with food by the Hartwigs, and when they protest about reading the book I say you only have to read the first couple of chapters or so....

THEN I begin another conversation about when did it become socially acceptable to openly discuss someone elses body? I mean I would NEVER comment on another persons grey hair, or birthmarks, or other feature about their bodies without being complimentary....normally shuts em down LOL

domez

I posted this earlier
Hope it helps or at least gives you a laugh!
http://whatshouldwecallpaleolife.tumblr.com/

Thanks, loved it. Great laugh.

highervibes

I would go with "What's your secret to staying thin?" or "I prefer to treat my body like a temple not a dumpster"

It's amazing how many people know so much about how to lose weight but they're all still maintaining or gaining. Snork.

rmk20togo

Just putting it out there that I WAS one of those people! Keep in mind there's a whole industry of folks telling us repeatedly that lowfat, high carb is awesome, and if it doesn't work for you well dang it you're just lazy and not trying hard enough.
I think rather than smart *kitten* comments just come to people with compassion. The healthier and happier you are, the more it will puzzle them. The more likely they will be to finally pick up a book about paleo foods and why it actually works!

If they say "OH BUT THE YOKE IT KILLZ!" you can just say, "ya know that's what I thought too, but I feel amazing, and we're finding more and more that cholesterol is way more complicated than just eat it and it gives you a heart attack. I know it sounds crazy but it's worked wonders for me, if you're interested in learning more I serious recommend XYZ website/book/whatever. It's changed my life!"

If they still give you ****, then just remember it will take multiple times to get through. In the end you can always say "well what can I say this works for me, if your diet works for you then best of luck with you!"

Nicely put! Sometimes humility is the best path. You can't force people into understanding. They have to find it on their own.

Brieshon

Just putting it out there that I WAS one of those people! Keep in mind there's a whole industry of folks telling us repeatedly that lowfat, high carb is awesome, and if it doesn't work for you well dang it you're just lazy and not trying hard enough.
I think rather than smart *kitten* comments just come to people with compassion. The healthier and happier you are, the more it will puzzle them. The more likely they will be to finally pick up a book about paleo foods and why it actually works!

If they say "OH BUT THE YOKE IT KILLZ!" you can just say, "ya know that's what I thought too, but I feel amazing, and we're finding more and more that cholesterol is way more complicated than just eat it and it gives you a heart attack. I know it sounds crazy but it's worked wonders for me, if you're interested in learning more I serious recommend XYZ website/book/whatever. It's changed my life!"

If they still give you ****, then just remember it will take multiple times to get through. In the end you can always say "well what can I say this works for me, if your diet works for you then best of luck with you!"

Perfectly said! The diet industry has rammed "fat = bad" into our brains for decades. Hell, I used to buy red vines because the package said "fat free!"

I just say something like "I'm sticking with what makes me feel good: veggies, fruit, and meats! Not only do I feel physically better and have dripped a few lbs, but cutting out that processed crap has lowered my anxiety and depression. My doc and I are keeping an eye in my cholesterol and blood pressure, which aren't a concern for me, but I know several people who have balanced their high/low density cholesterol and lowered their blood pressure eating this way."

GingerbreadArtist

I posted this earlier
Hope it helps or at least gives you a laugh!
http://whatshouldwecallpaleolife.tumblr.com/

Thanks, loved it. Great laugh.

So funny! Thanks for the laugh!

TS65

I just tell people I'm eating real food and have stopped eating processed cr*p. It's really hard for people to argue with that! (I don't mention sugar or bread, because then I get the - it's bad to eliminate a whole food group. Since when is sugar and bread a food group?!?)