Warning: Editorial - "Put Yourself First"

[JoanOH]

Over the past few months I've read numerous posts all along the same vein. It's such-and-such special occassion/visit/vacation/banquet/snacks by co-workers and I will have to go off Atkins because I don't want to hurt so-and-so's feelings, who cooked cake/dessert/potatoes/macaroni salad/pizza/high carb foods.

My advice: It's OK to put yourself and your health first!!

One of the drawbacks of being obese is that we may not feel we deserve good things in our lives. We're not worthy. The other person is more important. It's important not to hurt other people's feelings -- no matter that they are hurting ours/have hurt ours in the past/just don't care about our feelings or our health.

Trust me, people will not stop loving you/liking you/talking with you/being related to you/working with you because you say NO THANK YOU, I CAN'T EAT THAT.

If your cousin/mother-in-law/co-worker/president of the PTO was a vegetarian and came to your house for dinner, would you INSIST they eat steak and stop talking to them if they didn't? Of course not. If you father/son/daughter's best friend/neighbor was a reformed alcoholic and came to your house, would you INSIST they have mixed drinks before dinner?? Would you never see them again because they refrained from drinking alcohol? Of course not!!

So why why why are YOU not worthy of the same consideration?!? You are simply putting your health first by not eating non-induction or high carb foods. Do you not deserve better health?!? Is your health less important than anyone else with dietary restrictions??

Try the "No thank you, I can't eat that" tactic and see what happens.

First, you are going to feel better about yourself for having the strength to stick to your WOE. And this self-discipline muscle is just like the rest of our muscles -- the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets!!

Second, you're going to discover that no one thinks less of you because you don't eat their food!!! (And if they do? Then they don't care about your health and they don't care about your personal well-being...and they don't really care about you.) They might actually admire your strength (aka will power), admire the fact you are taking care of yourself, and admire the fact that you are serious about losing weight.

And one last helpful hint. You do NOT have to tell people you're on the Atkins diet if you don't want to listen to millions of myths and misconceptions -- You'll die. Your cholesterol will go sky high. You're only losing water. Blah Blah Blah. When people ask you how you're losing weight, simply say, "I've cut out sugar, flour and trans fats... and I'm eating simple whole foods, especially those high in fiber." They'll say "Oooooh, that sounds so healthy!!!"

And it is. And you deserve to be healthy. So stick up for yourself and learn to say those magic words -- "No thank you, I can't eat that." It's not being selfish -- it's being self-caring!

Joan J

[SkinnySoon]

Good Post.

[Cadillac Lady]

Amen, sista!!

I do that all the time and it works really well. Most of my family now knows what I can and cannot eat after a year of me saying that.

[Chris]

What a great "editorial." That's one to keep!

[Bren]

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping ......


EXCELLENT POST JOAN!!!!!!!!!

With your permission I would like to move this (in a few days) to the most memorable posts forum. This one is a keeper!!!!

[calyn320]

Joan as always, you are looking out for us. :hug Thank you for all your support!!! Our newbies will be better for it!!! :clapping :clapping :clapping

[Binsk]

Well written Joan. That one is certainly a keeper.

[attek]

Totally great, Joan! And so true, too! Since I started four and a half months ago, I've been to weddings, graduations, birthday parties, family reunions, potluck dinners, a camping trip, a 5-day church conference away from home, business trips out of town, family picnics, and out to dinner for special occasions. No cheating or excuses, just some thoughtful planning ahead of time.

I refuse to get tripped up by eating at other people's houses either. I don't wait until I get there and then realize they don't have any food for me. I have had no trouble whatsoever calling up the hostess ahead of time and telling her I am on Atkins, have lost X amount of pounds, remained faithful to it since I started, and (now) am getting so close to my goal that I can't possibly go off. I just say I need to eat plain meat and a salad. I usually volunteer to bring the salad just to be cooperative, and I always take my own dressing. It doesn't hurt their feelings!!!! My family and friends are so supportive...just like I would be if one of them told me of a dietary need they had before coming over to my place to eat. After all, the point of eating together is enjoying the company of friends, and you can have that regardless of what food everyone is eating.

Thanks for posting Joan!

Attek

[JoanOH]

I didn't expect to get such kind words in response to a RANT! LOL! Thank you all so much. (Bren: I'd be flattered -- thank you). You'all made my day.

Joan J

[indydog]

Great advice for all of us. Thanks for taking the time.

Indy