Hi all!

I need some advice. I am going to be taking 2 trips during the month of December. the first one is for 3 days and the second is for a whole week over the Christmas holiday.

I will be visiting my mom and grandparents and staying with them. They are not very supportive of the Atkins Diet, partially not understanding it and also my mom has had people get really sick because of it. She keeps claiming that by the time I come in I should just take a break from the diet. Thing is I don't want to, just for the reason that when ever I cheat I get very sick for about 24 hours and I don't want that while I'm on vacation. Plus the fact that I just have so much more energy when I stay around 20 grams of carbs a day.

Any suggestions on how to handle my family and any suggestions on LC'ing while on Vacation?

Thanks,
Christina

My suggestion would be to tell them exactly what you just wrote-that it makes you sick and that you feel much better when LCing. I know, easier said than done. Explain that while you appreciate their concern, and love them for caring so much about you, you have done your research. I told my family that my body could no longer take all the refined junk and sugar I was putting into it. And the strongest "diet" critic I have (my mother in law) has been extremely supportive. I don't believe that this WOL is necessary for everyone, but I think the majority of people would greatly benefit. Take some books to them and let them read them and encourage them to read them. I hope this helps-good luck!
Chele

I'm really curious... what do you mean when you say that your Mom has had people really sick because of the Atkins diet? Is she a health care professional?

I too am puzzled at this statement from your Mom. How does one get sick while eating good foods?

(You may want to question her on this)

According to my mom several of the Women at work were doing the Atkins diet. One of them ended up in the hospital from (according to the doctor) doing the Atkins diet. I'm not sure what the exact problem was but it centered around her bowel functions from what I understand.

Also my mom has tried LC and she has gotten sick from it as well. Plus and here is the clincher....she doesn't like to cook because she doesn't like to mess up her perfect kitchen. Most of what she eats is either microwavable or baked. Very little on the top of the stove. Heaven forbid there be grease in her kitchen

Anyway, I think a lot of it stems from a lack of knowledge, and like many stubborn people. She thinks only her view is the correct view.

To be honest with you the only meal that is really going to be a problem for me should be breakfast as this is usually the only one that we eat at home, and as I said stove top cooking is pretty much out of the question. So, my typical eggs and sausage are kind of out of the question.

I hope this answers you questions about my mom.

Christina

Christina,
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this! But maybe there's a way around the stove...you can nuke your eggs in one of those EggWave things I always see on TV...I don't think they cost too much, and I am pretty sure I have seen them in stores as well. You could also microwave the sausage etc., this way you don't need to hear about the stove. Or, you could offer to clean it for her? Just some ideas! Best of luck.
Susan

My mom gives me a bit of a hard time about LC too. I know nothing I say will sway her, so I just smile, agree, and eat how I want anyway. Without saying as much, we agree to disagree. She probably sees this as my last rebellion.

I think she's a little envious. She says she'd like to lose weight too, but this kind of diet would "hurt" her (too much fat, can't live without bread, etc., etc.). Behind all that is probably the fact that she doesn't really want to change. I don't argue -- that only makes it worse -- you know how hard people will fight change. Besides, the subject of weight and how we eat is a pretty sore subject at our house -- there's so much other emotional baggage tied in with it. I change the subject as soon as I can.

What speaks louder than words is the way I look and act (because I feel better).

Good luck with your mom. Maybe you could take some of your own food so she won't feel responsible for feeding you. That seems to help at my house.