do you ever get frustrated with public perception with your diet?

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Replies

  • StarshipFighter23
    StarshipFighter23 Posts: 73 Member
    I do get some side eyes and sceptically raised eyebrows, but among people who know me, a 2.5 stone weight loss over the last 4 months is fairly stark evidence that, whatever I'm doing, it's working!
  • KarlaYP
    KarlaYP Posts: 4,439 Member
    When I first began, two years ago, I received a lot of hostility from my family (sisters, nieces mostly). They've shut up about it now because of the results they SEE! I wonder if they now wish they would have jumped with me?!
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    The worst are the people that tell you they "tried it" (admit they didn't read about it), and say how sick it made them and then accuse you of advocating it when you're just discussing it with others that also eat that way, and say you're going to make people sick in the process. Which I guess is why they butted into a conversation others were having in the first place since it was of no interest to them.
    All while completely ignoring that you've already stated how much healthier it has made you...
    and continue to say that you basically aren't listening to THEM.... LOL
    yep. That's frustrating.

    Yeah, I amend my previous comment that no one says squat. At least people IRL don't, because they mostly really don't care, just as I don't care what anyone else eats. People on the internet apparently care. A lot. About THEIR opinions. :neutral:
  • kimberwolf71
    kimberwolf71 Posts: 470 Member
    Besides some good friends, I am surrounded by "fat will make you fat and give you a heart attack" people. Even my T2D mom is in that camp. I don't talk about it. Meals with them, I limit my carbs as much as possible, the "avoiding gluten" story keeps the questions to a minimum.
  • nomorepuke
    nomorepuke Posts: 320 Member
    The worst are the people that tell you they "tried it" (admit they didn't read about it), and say how sick it made them and then accuse you of advocating it when you're just discussing it with others that also eat that way, and say you're going to make people sick in the process. Which I guess is why they butted into a conversation others were having in the first place since it was of no interest to them.
    All while completely ignoring that you've already stated how much healthier it has made you...
    and continue to say that you basically aren't listening to THEM.... LOL
    yep. That's frustrating.

    So True!!!
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    Not much. If they do I'll tell them about the positive effects I've experienced in addition to weight loss, and about Dr. Wahls and her protocol for MS, and/or mention that my primary care dr, cardiologist and MS specialist are all supportive, my blood work is great, etc. I don't really talk much about not really eating fruit or more starch vegetables because then they'd probably give me a harder time ...
  • jenngerpeacox
    jenngerpeacox Posts: 205 Member
    I have decided not to even talk to my own mother about my weight loss journey/WOE anymore (it will be interesting when she comes to visit for a week next month). She has been very critical any time she happens to call when I'm eating (asks what I'm eating) and then gives me a hard time. Or she will call when I'm exercising and tells me I'm overdoing it. Or she says I'm losing too much weight (that was the latest discussion this morning after I sent some pics of me and the kids). I've tried to encourage her, not to join me but to just cut out some carbs and sugar. She is obese, diabetic(but not on meds yet), and she goes to a nutritionist every week who she doesn't even listen to (but wants to bring up my WOE). Sorry for the rant!! Besides her I have the occasional acquaintance who gives me the look when I have a pile of meat and cheese on my plate, but I also have some very supportive friends. My husband teases me but he can see the difference in me, energy, less pain and weight loss and he's supportive too.
  • LowCarbInScotland
    LowCarbInScotland Posts: 1,027 Member
    I have no frustrations about the "public perception" of the way I eat. I've never experienced any negative feedback from friends, family, medical professionals or restaurant staff. Though to be honest, I couldn't care less about what people think and I have zero interest in explaining myself to anyone. I don't spend time on social media outside of our private little room here and I'm sure people say stupid opinionated things, but I'm not interested in anyone's opinion of my health or the efforts I'm taking to improve my health, so any type of negative commentary out there on the www would have zero impact on me.
  • Kirstie155
    Kirstie155 Posts: 1,001 Member
    edited January 2017
    I have been eating carnivote for 23days now, and the only person in my real life who knows is my husband because I don't want to hear anyone else's opinion about it! So far I haven't had any issues at the few restaurants I've gone to, and even navigated a Wendy's with 4 patties ala cart, in a bowl with an add on of cheese and bacon. Though the lady who helped me was a bit confused, we navagated it. :)
    macchiatto wrote: »
    Not much. If they do I'll tell them about the positive effects I've experienced in addition to weight loss, and about Dr. Wahls and her protocol for MS, and/or mention that my primary care dr, cardiologist and MS specialist are all supportive, my blood work is great, etc. I don't really talk much about not really eating fruit or more starch vegetables because then they'd probably give me a harder time ...

    You have MS? Could I ask you about your symptoms and what relief you might have found? My sister has MS at 35 years old ... :frowning: sorry to thread jack!
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    The worst are the people that tell you they "tried it" (admit they didn't read about it), and say how sick it made them and then accuse you of advocating it when you're just discussing it with others that also eat that way, and say you're going to make people sick in the process. Which I guess is why they butted into a conversation others were having in the first place since it was of no interest to them.
    All while completely ignoring that you've already stated how much healthier it has made you...
    and continue to say that you basically aren't listening to THEM.... LOL
    yep. That's frustrating.

    I'm with you there.

    I find it saddest when biting my tongue around friends I suspect might enjoy an improvement in their quality of life but just aren't interested (particularly a pre-diabetic friend with Stage 4 liver cancer who goes through 5 bottles of Ensure a day at her family doctor's recommendation).
  • Misskim121211
    Misskim121211 Posts: 28 Member
    It's funny, I haven't told anyone about my WOE because I don't want to have to explain myself..lol. My daughter has celiac disease so it is really easy to avoid a lot of carbs. I also have a lot of tummy issues so if anyone does ask any questions I just say my dr wants me to eat this. This works for me so I don't care what anyone has to say..lol
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    @Sunny_Bunny_,

    It really IS odd - I think many of us are more careful with diet talk than religion, politics, and everything else combined.

    I had a similar experience with my dad, who had liver and stomach cancer. In addition to starting Ensure :s, he also took up smoking again, which may have done him less harm.
  • RalfLott
    RalfLott Posts: 5,036 Member
    edited January 2017
    anglyn1 wrote: »
    I have another friend who is a nurse and goes on about low carb being bad for your kidneys. Then I have a relative who is a pediatric nurse who thinks ketosis and ketoacidosis are the same thing. She tried to tell me I was going to die on this diet. I asked her to explain from her medical perspective how if they are the same then I've lived over a year with a deadly condition? Also I'm not diabetic so I can't get ketoacidosis. Meanwhile she is overweight with a strong family history of diabetes and eats allllllll the carbs.

    Eegads :o some of the health care folks are the least open-minded of all!

    When I fantasize of carrying around a satchel of articles, "Keto does not cause *kitten* kidney disease" is in the top 10.

    On a brighter note, my 20s nurse stepdaughter asked me the other day, "WTF is with our food?" She gets a daily dose about the SAD from her contemporaries in the hospital where she works. B)