What do you say to the haters?

[CareyAnne]

Hi guys

I just graduated from university with my nursing degree and was hired on the acute medical ward I preceptored on, and, as I'm sure a lot of you have already found out, many health care professionals are down on atkins. Some of the other nurses on the ward are very rude to me regarding the diet, one (WHO IS WAY BIGGER THEN I AM SINCE I'M NOT EVEN AT AN UNHEALTHY BMI AND SHE CLEARLY IS AND SHE WAS SHOVELING IN AN ENTIRE BAG OF LOW FAT CHEESIES AT THE TIME) even lectured me for 10 minutes and ended with "as an RN, you should know better." Cow.

I've tried explaining the theory behind atkins, talking about insulin resistence, showing them studies on long boring night shifts, but a few of them, that one in particular, won't lay off of me. Does anyone have a nice, snappy comeback that I can use that won't get my fired yet will make her shut up? I'm tired of being harassed. It's expecially annoying because I'm constantly having cookies and chocolates shoved in my face which I don't WANT and then being told that I'm uhealthy when I refuse them and have veggies or cheese instead. Huh?

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH! Please help me!!!

[jimmie 48]

i've said "whatever" before.

most times i just look at anyone who has said anything negative. it's not worth the battle. in just a few weeks when the naysayers see the results you are having, their words will change from the negative comments to the HOLY COW, LOOK AT YOU SHRINKING! when you numbers look fantastic and you have that increased energy, you'll be showing them instead of telling them.

[hopejoy]

I agree with Jimmie, and as a new nurse you are going to have to put up with a lot of '*itchiness'... unfortunately nurses are notorious for eating their young... whether they feel threatened or jealous... whatever... it's an experience most new nurses have to deal with. Try not to take it too personally.
Congratulations by the way on your achievements on becoming a nurse. Don't let the old bat get to you. Just do your thing and be successful let them eat their garbage! I deal with it every day too in my job... you get used to it and after awhile they quit their harping when they realize it doesn't bother you or affect you. Lots of health professionals embrace Atkins by the way...

[tyler90cali]

Hate the diet not the dieter?

[mitzimarie]

Hello

A lot of the times, it's not worth the battle, like Jimmie said. On the times that I do reply, I ask them point blank - "How many vegetables did you eat yesterday?" That usually stuns them into silence for a minute. Then, I tell them that I am living the Atkins WOE under the suggestion of my primary care physician. I am so blessed to have a doctor who is 100% pro-Atkins. I am also thinking about carrying a copy of the results of my latest complete blood count with me, so I can whip that out. I'd like to hear them argue with numbers.

By the way, have you had blood work done? I wish I would have gotten mine done pre-Atkins like Dr. A suggested so I could compare then and now. I am super pleased with my numbers now . It would be a good thing for you to do, if you haven't.

Are these people in a position over yours? Why are they so concerned with you? Can you get away with telling them to grow up... that you are a grown woman who is fully capable of making the decision to give up processed foods and sugar? Grrrr I think I would get into trouble if I was there.

[CareyAnne]

Thanks for the support guys. I know the right thing to do is just to ignore them or say "it's my body, whatever" like Jimmie suggested but it just really works me up when I'm talked down to, and when it happens 12 hours a day in an already stressful environment it just makes me want to cry.

Haha "grrr" indeed Mitzimarie it is a struggle for me not to get in trouble sometimes too, I have to check my temper all the time, but can't afford to alienate the senior nurses . I'm 21 so I have not had my bloodwork done, my doctor didn't want to bother since I'm in perfect health, it's just for vanity's sake that I want to get down to a smaller BMI, as well as to keep up all the energy that being on Atkins has given me. Carbs make me a tad bit crazy, and now I have (slightly) less crazy mood swings, which I am very pleased about.

You all look FABULOUS in your before/after pictures BTW!

[Grant]

I'm sorry you are going through this at work. Ugh, some people can just be so crappy. The annoying thing is they probably feel like they are helping you or saving you. sigh

How I deal with that really depends on what specific thing they say is bad about Atkins. My two most common respnses are to explain how much better my blood pressure, and cholesterol are, or to explain that they probably have heard that Atkins is all meat, cheese and eggs but that just not true. It may be somewhat true the first two weeks but after that you start adding foods back until soon enough you are eating everything except sugars, and "bad" carbs. Who can feel that that is unhealthy?

If they are really nasty or rude about it I sometimes start by saying "Oh, I'm guessing you are saying that because you've listened to what the media says about Atkins, not done your own research right? The fact is....(then I explain about Atkins being much more then just induction). So far this has never failed me.

[D14965]

Maybe you should just pop her bag of "non fat cheesies" in front of her and then stomp on them and say " eating that garbage will make you FAT and UNHEALTHY" ok i was just joking , but wouldnt it be fun??? My brother was put on atkins by HIS DOCTOR because he has hyperinsulinism and kept passing out ... now THAT is unhealthy. HE has lost about 20 kilos ( i have lost 16 kilos) in the past 6 months and have never felt healthier . I like to think my body wouldnt lie to me . And like mitzi said -- i am probably eating more veges etc than before and I have always liked veges! My clients are all saying WOW -- you look fantastic and have a spring in your step - what are you doing??? and are very supportive which is great( ok so i am a mens hairdresser and dont have to deal with too many JEALOUS women- maybe NURSE CHEEZIE is JEALOUS???) who like to rain on my parade . It must be really tough having to work everyday in such an environment Carey Anne .Hang in there girl and pretty soon your results and health will speak for themselves and hopefully the naysayers will BACK OFF!

[Buddrfly]

CareyAnne,

Screw them! Let them shovel the cheeze-its and the sugar and the soda and whatever else kind of junk they've been filling their bodies down their throats.....#1 she may just be jealous, that you're not as big as she is!
#2 it's not her body, so she has no say so!
#3 it's none of her business how you choose to lose weight and
stay healthy!
I say, go for it...and good luck on it! We're here for ya, even if no one else is. when I started on the WOE, I was the only one in my house that wanted to change their eating habits. At the time, my mother and ex-fiance were there too. I lost 125lbs in 6 months, by myself on this WOE and with the support of this site! Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. Even if they do, hopefully you will come here enough to know better

[ttdriver]

Originally Posted by iyshiaf

CareyAnne,

Screw them! Let them shovel the cheeze-its and the sugar and the soda and whatever else kind of junk they've been filling their bodies down their throats.....#1 she may just be jealous, that you're not as big as she is!
#2 it's not her body, so she has no say so!
#3 it's none of her business how you choose to lose weight and
stay healthy!
I say, go for it...and good luck on it! We're here for ya, even if no one else is. when I started on the WOE, I was the only one in my house that wanted to change their eating habits. At the time, my mother and ex-fiance were there too. I lost 125lbs in 6 months, by myself on this WOE and with the support of this site! Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. Even if they do, hopefully you will come here enough to know better

I totally agree!!

Your success will shut her up.

Betty