Don't bash....

[TitianWasp]

This seems like a funny post for our particular board, but after catching up on new posts the last few days, I wanted to offer a request/suggestion.

Try to not fall into the same trap as the other diet groups/experts/scientists/authors and bash any study, evidence, method that doesn't mesh with ours. That's what everyone else does. To quote my grandmother, we should not stoop to that level.

There are lots of ways to eat healthfully and there are lots of ways to lose weight. Atkins is what works for us. Some people might do well on Mediterranean, Weight Watchers, Cabbage Soup - and that's great....for them. Just because it's not Atkins doesn't mean it's wrong or bad or suspect. It's just not Atkins.

New studies are finding new chemical/biological properties in foods - excellent. They are finding genes that affect our metabolism? Great. All new, well-researched info is fantastic. What we chose to do with it is up to us. All this should encourage us to be well-educated and open minded and that philosophy should include accepting that other people will do things differently - and sometimes succesfully, and that's ok.

My two cents.

[readytolose2008]

i agree, one of my co-workers started weight watchers the same time i started atkins and we are both down 30 pounds. a couple of years ago me and a good friend started this woe and we both didnt cheat i lost 50 pounds in a few months she lost 5 but she does great on another diet.

[ttdriver]

I totally agree! Whatever works for you and whatever YOU CAN DO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE ...

It all boils down to the fact that if you abandon the plan, you will regain the weight ...

Betty

[julirama723]

Titian, great post. I agree!

Atkins is what works for me, but I would never force it on another person. To each his own.

[MrsBrittney]

I completely agree. It's really putting the shoe on the other foot (is that the right saying? I'm falling asleep here lol) -- Just as I dislike folks giving me a hard time about Atkins, I shouldn't degrade their choices either. I myself have lost weight quite well both with Atkins and with lower-fat/calorie-counting methods. I just find that, for myself, the success is greater with Atkins and easier to follow.

[canIdoIT]

Great post! even with atkins... i've kind of made it *my own* not following it by the book, but with what works for me- and i've lost a lot of weight and have done well and altho i am not doing it *by the book* .. *the right way*... what does it matter if it works for me and i'm getting results? i really like this board and the ppl on it.. i don't feel i've been bashed- and i think ppl who disagree with what i'm doing were very tasteful and all that they said has stuck in my mind.. and when i'm done nursing, i feel i will take the advice.

and of course there are ppl like my husband- who tries desparately to GAIN weight- lol.. on his own he decided if low carbs make me lose weight then HIGH CARB will make him gain weight. He has been on a ice cream, candy bar, cinnamin roll, mountain dew diet and has LOST weight - so low carb is not for everyone (and no i do not agree with his diet, but he's stubburn and i guess needs to make himself sick to realize its not good!)

[sadie147]

and of course there are ppl like my husband- who tries desparately to GAIN weight- lol.. on his own he decided if low carbs make me lose weight then HIGH CARB will make him gain weight. He has been on a ice cream, candy bar, cinnamin roll, mountain dew diet and has LOST weight - so low carb is not for everyone (and no i do not agree with his diet, but he's stubburn and i guess needs to make himself sick to realize its not good!)

LOL he should write a diet book...now THAT diet would certainly gain a big following!!!!

Great thread, I've always been in agreement that works for one person, wont necessarily work for everyone. My mother was a very successful 'weight watcher' back in the 80's, lost 60lbs and kept it off. She was happy with the food choices she had and it was doable for her. I've also had friends who've recently been successful on South Beach and Weight Watchers and are more than happy with their food choices, and I say good for them! what matters in the end is it's a food plan/way of eating that you can live with!

[cruisergal]

I agree totally with what everyone is saying. We cannot criticize if something other than Atkins works for someone else. As long as it is consistant, and people are maintaining their weight loss, and a healthy lifestyle, that's whats important. I too have friends who have been successful on other plans, but have never criticized them as to how they lost their weight. Wish I could say the same thing about them not being critical about the way I'm losing weight on Atkins!!

[Miss Phode]

Good post. I agree. It really irritates me when people on the board talk about how "stupid" their friend, mother, brother, co-worker, etc is because they're doing WW or another diet program. *gasp* Get over it. One size does not fit all.

[DuchessOfDork]

I bash my friend whenever he tries to starve himself to lose a couple of pounds. No way in **** am I okay with him doing that to himself.