http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4087384a7773.html

Big Bob's diet could put him out of business
Friday, 08 Jun 2007
By RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post

Bob Walker of Big Bob's Diner could be doing himself out of business if any more customers order a copy of his new diet.

Mr Walker, 62, who earns his crust serving up mountains of chips, mashed potato, pies, cakes and filled rolls every day at his Seaview truckstop cafe, has shed nearly 30kg in 13 weeks - simply by cutting out the carbohydrates.

At 170kg, he was too heavy for his doctor's scales.

"I had to go to the scrap-metal yard next door to get weighed," he admits.

"I knew I was overweight but I got a shock when I saw it was that much."

Formerly a keen sportsman, who played rugby and cricket and belonged to the Wellington Marathon Clinic, Mr Walker started beefing up when he quit sport and began working in hospitality, which brought long hours and constant access to food.

Having tried "hundreds" of weight-loss programmes over the years, only to pile the weight back on again, he was sceptical when he read about the Atkins diet.

"But this diet is so simple to follow and I don't feel I'm missing out" - even though he cheerily serves up temptation to nearly every customer.

At 143kg, he says he still has "a bit to lose", but his dramatically dwindling girth has set customers guessing.

"This truckie came in the other day for the first time in a while and he said he was too frightened to ask what had happened - he thought I might have cancer or something.

"When he heard it was this diet, he wanted a copy too."

Mr Walker's doctor warned that the diet had "serious side effects".

"But when I had my blood pressure tested eight weeks ago, it was the lowest it had been since 2000.

"I asked the doctor what he thought had made the difference and he said the medication. Well, that's the same medication I've been on for 10 years, it's got nothing to do with it."

Mr Walker says he is not worried by studies showing a higher risk from cardiovascular and cancers associated with the diet long-term.

A study of 23,000 Greek men and women, published in last month's European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found those with a higher intake of carbohydrates had longer, healthier lives.

So how does he withstand temptation, surrounded by cakes, pies and rolls all day?

"I just don't crave them any more. Protein fills you up, so you eat less."

You mean the study where they made up the conclusions and has been roundly debunked? I guess it is now fact. That was quick.

i'm confused as to why they'd include that in the article... i can't figure out whether they're praising atkins or trying to smear it.

Why do physicians feel that only drugs can improve health?

SLIMMER MODEL: Bob Walker serves up carbohydrate-laden food at his truckstop cafe, but no longer craves it for himself. He has lost nearly 30kg in 13 weeks and customers have been asking for a copy of his diet.



WEIGHING IN: When Mr Walker weighed 170kg he was too heavy for his doctor's scales and had to be weighed at a scrap-metal yard next door.

When the only solution you have is a hammer, every problem becomes a nail.

That is priceless eryale, I got to remember that one



I'd also add that since everyone knows the only healthy diet is a low-fat diet, and we all know how effective that is, then I can see why some doctors would believe only meds can reduce blood pressure effectively.