venting: People who are trying to be 'helpful'

Atkins is good for rapid short term weight loss, bad for life.
Eating a balanced calorie-controllled diet, combined with regular exercise, (and the occasional dessert/beer/<insert weakness here>) is the only way to lose weight sustainably.
People can be annoying, the important thing is not to kill them, prison food is probably not very balanced.

HAHAHHAHAH

Wow she's being beyond ridiculous. I would also feel like exploding. However, just to try to add some idea as to why she may be acting this way, shes on the Atkins diet. Your nervous system including you brain is fueled more by carbs than by protien. So if she's gone over board like many do her nerves are actually cranky because they arnt getting their favorite food.
It is perfectly fine to have a naughty day every so often. We are learning how to be healthy again so occasionally you have to reward yourself with a delicious desert. Especially if it's your first real reward since January. You like those because your brain releases endorphins saying yes.... Good.
Personally my rule is I eat what I want as long as I'm willing to do the extra cardio. It's a really good deterrent! I even refuse to call what I'm doing a diet. It has ba connotaions in my mind. I call it making better food choices.
Good luck dealing with your friend. Remind her nobody likes a militant dieter. Also good luck reaching your goals.

First of all, since smacking isn't a good option, you did the good thing by coming here to vent. That's what we're here for! I agree that you should just tell her in no uncertain terms to back off. It may cause stress to your relationship, but if that stress causes it to fall apart, you probably are better off without that negative influence anyway. I wish more people would use common sense in how they approach "helping" people. And only give unsolicited advice in EXTREME circumstances. I don't care what your standards are, one piece of cake a month is not intervention worthy...not compared to what most of us used to eat. I'm sorry this happened to you. She. Is. Wrong.

Secondly, may I be a little defensive? I'm currently doing Atkins. And it's pretty insulting when people demean my efforts to get healthier by calling it "just a fad" or "a diet, not a lifestyle change". I know there are studies and whatnot that people can quote at me, and frankly, I won't read them. Atkins makes sense for me. It targets my weight loss issues and helps me work through them to get to a healthy "SUSTAINABLE" lifestyle. In case you haven't actually been to the Atkins site or read the books, the third phase of the diet is called the "maintenance" phase, and it is indefinite and allows you to add back in whole grains, potatoes, etc. I also take offense to the idea that my lunch of 6 oz of white chicken breast, 1/2 an avocado, and a scoop of sour cream on a giant bed of greens is going to cause me to have a heart attack. I'll eat like this until I feel that my body wants me to add in fruits, nuts, and legumes. And I'll eat like that until I'm ready to responsibly eat whole grains, pasta, and potatoes.

I'm not calling anyone out specifically. And I'm sure no one meant to offend. But please think before posting comments like that. I don't have my diary public because I don't want to be judged for how I'm choosing to get healthy. And I think that's sad in such a supportive place as this.

</soapbox> :blushing:

People find somethign that works for them and they get so excited they want everyone to have that kind of success. It is understandable. But we are not cookie cutter people and what works for one does not work for another. It is when we can cherish and applaud our differences that we have really grown.
I'd like to recommend that you get the book "Eat what you love, love what you eat" for your friend.....it is great alone or to help with any plan and really helps explain how success is found in listening to our own bodies and how everyone is different.
Good luck on your journey and try not to let others influence what you know is right for you.

I'm actually on the Atkins "diet" right now and I think a lot of people have misconceptions about it. You eat a lot of vegetables, some fruits, get quite a bit of fiber and eat mostly whole foods. The processed foods have too much salt and are all carbs, anyway! It's not a bunch of people eating bacon, red meat and cheddar cheese. I just watch the carbs I eat, they mostly come from nuts, flax meal and the fruits and veggies, and I completely avoid the empty ones (white flour, white rice, etc.)

I've found that I can't eat less and lose weight and I don't have enough time to put in the amount of exercise I would need to right now to lose it that way. I'm working on it, though!

All of that said, your "friend" is WAY out of line. Atkins is a lifestyle choice for her but it's not her place to push it on anyone else. I'd reconsider your friendship, because what she's doing doesn't sound like the things a friend would do. She sounds more like she wants to be your "mom" and control your life. You might try distancing yourself from her a little and definitely don't tell her what you're eating. I'd avoid the subject completely and if she brings it up you might tell her "that subject is a sore point between us, I'd rather not discuss it".

Secondly, may I be a little defensive? I'm currently doing Atkins. And it's pretty insulting when people demean my efforts to get healthier by calling it "just a fad" or "a diet, not a lifestyle change". I know there are studies and whatnot that people can quote at me, and frankly, I won't read them. Atkins makes sense for me. It targets my weight loss issues and helps me work through them to get to a healthy "SUSTAINABLE" lifestyle. In case you haven't actually been to the Atkins site or read the books, the third phase of the diet is called the "maintenance" phase, and it is indefinite and allows you to add back in whole grains, potatoes, etc. I also take offense to the idea that my lunch of 6 oz of white chicken breast, 1/2 an avocado, and a scoop of sour cream on a giant bed of greens is going to cause me to have a heart attack. I'll eat like this until I feel that my body wants me to add in fruits, nuts, and legumes. And I'll eat like that until I'm ready to responsibly eat whole grains, pasta, and potatoes.

I'm not calling anyone out specifically. And I'm sure no one meant to offend. But please think before posting comments like that. I don't have my diary public because I don't want to be judged for how I'm choosing to get healthy. And I think that's sad in such a supportive place as this.

</soapbox> :blushing:

Amen, Sista!

Today's lunch is one egg made into egg salad, lots of greens with cabbage, radishes and carrots, some green beans and a little left over corned beef from last night's dinner (which was yum!) Heart attack? I think not!

You had mint Oreos in your desk for a month and gave them away? GOOD FOR YOU! (and how did you do that?)

You know what's right for your body and your lifestyle, and you're changing it. This includes treating yourself once in a while without beating yourself up about it.

You didn't fall off the wagon -- you treated yourself. And you're back on track!

Good for you for not listening to your friend!

Regards,
Another "helpful" person

You could have just smiled, said "I'm really glad you've found something that worked for you. . . . . "