A Little Rant

[Frogbreath]

This is a really long haul (in reference to that thread) and I feel I'm just at the beginning. In fact I've been hard at it for 8 or 9 months and to a large extent, forever. I'm trying to permanently change many of my attitudes and habits. It's not so much researching in the books anymore as it is finding out what works and doesn't work for me. I am finally acknowledging that my situation is unique and my plan can't be made to fit someone else's dogma or theory. Someone may be absolutely certain that Theory #512 must work for everyone because it's RIGHT, damn it. Chances are good that Theory #512 isn't going to work for everyone and may screw someone up, yet there will be a few devotees who will declare otherwise. Their view seems to be "if it isn't working for you, you must be doing it wrong."

I feel as though I've spent my entire adult life trying to find and figure out the ONE great truth (no, it's not #42) but somehow it continues to elude me. If only I could read the right book, follow the right guru, pray the right prayer or cross my eyes just right, surely my weight would become normal and my bipolar disorder would disappear. I'm still doing that to an extent although I try to smack myself when I catch it. I come here and pick up the next new thing that holds the promise of making it work better. And maybe some ideas will pan out…and maybe not.

I'm trying to get past the feeling that "I failed" and see it more like "it just didn't work for me." As I have seen others write here: I am my own experiment. Some things I've already proven to be true for me long ago: for instance, potatoes, pasta, bread, sweets, most fruit, etc. will make me sicker. Because I have a BG meter I can check the effect of any food I eat. I can see the effect of exercise (not always good for me). I can see how depression affects my health.

I'm pretty tolerant when it comes to ideas and any position someone wants to espouse – just as long as they don't get dogmatic about it. If I get dogmatic, just slap me. This is a great place to exchange ideas and experiences, but we're not going to agree with each other always. The bickering that goes on here is not overpowering, but I don't believe any of it does good. Instead it offends and wounds. I suppose it is human nature to desire a feeling of superiority. Feeling that someone else is flat wrong and maybe a little intellectually challenged serves to prop up damaged egos. (That's my theory, anyway.) Some of us insinuate that an opinion other than our own is ridiculous and unworthy of consideration. Yet, everyone here is unique and there are different reasons for our extreme sizes. No one, especially someone else in the same position, should assume anything here.

So that's my rant and take it or leave it! Now where's my snake oil?

[Laydebleu]

Hehhe... and I really thought it was #42!

I just want to wish you continued success with your "experiment". It does take learning what works for oneself and sometimes even adjusting that.

Have a wonderful day!

[ButterflyA]

I think a lot of it is just overexuberance- people get excited that THEIR way is working for them and they want to come preach the joys of XYZ plan and don’t realize how much it comes across as “You must not be doing it right if you’re not doing my plan”. I just choose to believe people aren’t intentionally mean, just misguided.
And as far as the loan haul, I hear ya. I’ve been doing this round of low-carb 9 months as of yesterday, and I’m down 55 pounds, only halfway to goal (hey I’m not complaining, mind you, but sometimes it seems like it has been FOREVER). Before I got “serious” this time, I’d done low carb for 2.5 years off and on, so I’m pushing over 3 years of doing it, and it just gets to be grinding, I will admit…

[Frogbreath]

I can understand excitement and enthusiasm but to say or imply that someone with an opposing viewpoint is ignorant is another matter. This happened recently and I could hardly believe what I was reading. The poor soul who got stomped may never return.

[mweldin]

Amen to your first posting, FrogBreath. I've been low-carbing for over 2-1/2 years now. I started out at 266 - and I'm serious when I say that until I read Dr. Atkins book and saw myself described in it, I truly didn't understand why my weight just continued to climb. For me this journey sounds very similar to yours - I am determined to find out what works with my body and what doesn't. I have a great chiropractor who does some homeopathic metabolism tests and mine came out with a glucogenic imbalance. Translation: sugar and simple carbs are what my body craves and are exactly what it can't handle. I have ACCEPTED that if there were a Sugarholics Anonymous, I would need to be a charter member and attend weekly meetings. So I have now been off of sugar for 2 years and do not plan to get back on the sugar wagon.

The great thing in this adventure (?) is that I AM learning what works best for my body and I rarely give it any junk fuel anymore. So may God bless you as you seek to find out what works best for you and then may He give you the grace to walk it out. Marilyn

[LC_Dave]

Frog,

I can understand your frustration, this forum is now quite large.

Some threads get hi-jacked a lot (I see this).

I've left other boards because there has been a dogmatic clicky-club that can all post the same opinion.

I've left this board once because of some pretty rude things said to me. But now I have slowly returned and noticed those certain login names are no longer around.

I know I started a thread called "Where is the TDC going" and in my first post I simply asked 'should the M&E thread be in here'. Then the thread went off and a lot of people debated. All the M&E were peeved. What upset me was that all I was doing was asking a question, but I bet that teh M&E people despise me. They shouldn't, because all I asked was a question.

Forum boards are wierd aren't they!

[mweldin]

Sorry to be dumb LC Dave, but what does "M&E people" stand for?

[Donna I.]

Meat & Egg. I am doing this right now (along with quite a few others) with great success, and yet I still kind of feel like I may get flamed if I bring it up. Apparently not following Atkins letter by letter is insulting to some people and they feel the need to "trash" people that alter their diets in order to help themselves.
I am all for people eating whatever the heck they feel like, exercising or not, doing whatever they think is going to help themselves. I am not for people that feel the need to tell me how wrong it is to do something that is working for me. Its bad enough having to deal with low-carb bashers in the outside world, we shouldn't have to deal with the same attitudes here. If someone tells me that drinking green tea with coconut oil, while standing on her head, every night at midnight, but never under a full moon, is helping her lose weight, we should all be happy that she found something that works for her. Try it if you want, maybe it will work for you!

Frogbreath, I agree %100 with you that %100 of "the" diet rules will not work %100 of the time for %100 of all people. I continue to be surprised at the closed minds that won't consider this.

[dianna9234]

DonnaI.. this is 'my' personal opinion... M&E is a great program... Atkins WOL is a great program.. Summersizing is a great program, and Southbeach is a great program.. not all work for all, and whatever ANYone is doing and working at it.. either flying through the weight.. or creeping along 1/2 pound for 1/2 pound.. I am all for cheering them on, and picking them up a little if needed. The M&E belongs... just not on TDC,.. does that mean that no-one with 100 pounds or more to lose , and doing the M&E is not welcome here???.. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!.. I say VERY WELCOME>> it was the whole 'fast' now called a 'program' that was open to EVERYone.. not just for TDC-ers... (and that thread should be opened to everyone.. and is) and needed to have a place of it's own.. not inside the TDC.. and i love to go in there and read it. (man!.. they post aLOT!!)..and i pipe in every once in a while.. I even pull a 3 day M&E once in a while.
I'd hate to think that ANYone on ANY plan who has triple digits to lose feels uncomfortable in ANYway.. whether discussing diets, exercise, or ANYthing that the rest of us TDC-ers would relate to.. including the path of WOE we choose. Because M&E works... for some, and I would hate to lose any more good people posting on here.

dianna

[ButterflyA]

I'd hate to think that ANYone on ANY plan who has triple digits to lose feels uncomfortable in ANYway.. whether discussing diets, exercise, or ANYthing that the rest of us TDC-ers would relate to.. including the path of WOE we choose. Because M&E works... for some, and I would hate to lose any more good people posting on here.

dianna


Exactly. I don't think it should be a "competititon" or a "my plan is better". We in the TDC have already gone through so much ridicule from the "outside", why here too? I look at this place as my "sanctuary", where everyone can relate and I think people here are very helpful (the most helpful place on this site, in my humble opinion). Even though I only had 110 pounds to lose when I started, no one here said "I have X to lose, your opinion isn't useful'. Everyone was (and is) really nice. I want to keep it that way :)

[mweldin]

Thanks for telling me what M&E is. Where can I find good information on it?

[dianna9234]

mweldin.. just click on this and it will take you to the M&E program thread.. there is alot to read on the first page.. and many (MANY!!) pages following that is a good 'read'.. also.. the ppl there who are 'regulars' are VERY good at answering questions or directing you to where you could go to look it up.

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=290113&page=6&pp=15

dianna

[messyhare]

I'm trying to permanently change many of my attitudes and habits. It's not so much researching in the books anymore as it is finding out what works and doesn't work for me. I am finally acknowledging that my situation is unique and my plan can't be made to fit someone else's dogma or theory.

I'm trying to get past the feeling that "I failed" and see it more like "it just didn't work for me." As I have seen others write here: I am my own experiment.

Yet, everyone here is unique and there are different reasons for our extreme sizes. No one, especially someone else in the same position, should assume anything here.

?

I so agree with your post - for so many reasons.

Since so many of us are in it for the "long haul" it is so important for the board to be one of acceptance and awareness that each "haul" is going to be a bit different because each of us ARE different.

I take what I feel is useful for me and leave the rest, with no ill feelings if my opinion differs from what is stated.

I LOVE that there is SO MUCH to discover here from all of you that IS useful. :agree:

[JaneDough]

Try not to let it get to ya. Some people shine bright as the sun, some flare up like sunspots - it's all part of life in a virtual universe. So long as we're focused on our heavenly bodies we should be able to weather the occasional meteor shower.
:sunny:

[Donna I.]

Actually, I felt more negativity from the regular low carb board or the Atkins board. For the most part TDC seems to be a very understanding place. That little "tiff" about the M&E thread being here was kind of odd.

[Frogbreath]

Try not to let it get to ya. Some people shine bright as the sun, some flare up like sunspots - it's all part of life in a virtual universe. So long as we're focused on our heavenly bodies we should be able to weather the occasional meteor shower.
:sunny:

Just so long as they don't wipe out all life in the known universe! :bash:

[JaneDough]

That little "tiff" about the M&E thread being here was kind of odd.
Agreed, although probably for different reasons.

[veggielove]

Frogbreath,
Your point was well made. We're all uniquely different-different genes, metabolism, body composition, etc. Surely there will be no diet that will work exactly the same for all of us. But, hopefully each of us will be able to find one that works for us. It totally is about experimentation and finding something that works for you - that fits your lifestyle and you can stick with. There's a lot of people here sharing what is working or worked for them. It doesn't necessarily mean it'll work for me but at least I know that if what I'm doing is not working there are other options.

I wish you and all of us here much success.
Karla