I was afraid of getting negative feedback but most people have been supportive. I think they are suprised (as am I sometimes) that I am able to keep with this diet. I too try to explain to people what it is that I am doing and if I get that look of negativity I also mention that I am under a doctor and that does end the conversation. I feel lucky to have to support of friends and family.
My immediate family and in-laws know what I am doing because I eat with them a lot and they see what I am eating. So far, they have all been very supportive. Co-workers are another issue altogether. There is one woman at my office who is the nosiest busy-body in the world. She has a significant weight problem, is always complaining about her weight, and is always asking me what I am eating/not eating and why. This is nothing new for her. When she has asked me lately what I am eating and why, I just tell her its ultra low carb with lots of green vegetables. Until today, she usually scoffed at that, saying things like, "That's not healthy!" Today she was asking me if I was going to eat the employee appreciation breakfast stuff this morning and I said, "No, none of this is on my plan". Then she says, "Not even turkey bacon?" I then said, "No, I'm just eating lean protein and green vegetables and in the past 11 days, this plan has allowed me to lose 9.2 lbs of fat and gain 2.4 lbs of muscle." Boy, that shut her up for once! (lol)
When people ask me what I am doing as they can tell I have lost weight - I am very proud to tell them about IP. They always say I look great and they see me eating healthy - salads, IP omelette with stir fry veggies, and drinking alot of water. The only strange look I get is "What are you drinking?' I guess the lime green top on my shaker is really obvious and with the metal ball clanging around as I shake it vigorously. lol
Also I have lost 12 lbs in 4 weeks so my weight loss hasnt been too drastic which I find helps. Most people see how my body size has decreased rather than focus on the actual weigh I have lost.
Basically it is due to cutting out the crap and learning a new way of eating for a healthier and happier lifestyle. I love the recipes shared on this forum as I have found recipes that make me feel like I'm not compromising my appreciation for good food.
It depends on the person--if it's someone I'm close to, I'll tell them about it until they tell me to shut up. If it's just someone I see in passing, I usually say something like low carb. I'm to the point where there is a HUGE difference in how I look today and how I looked a couple of months ago, so I'm expecting for more people to ask me what I'm doing. I'll likely stick with the low carb thing. If people come off as obstinate about it, I just ignore them. They don't know nearly as much about it as I do, so I don't put much stock in their opinion. This is the ONLY plan that has worked for my body, so I'm 100% certain that I'm not in any sort of poor health situation.
My husband is really good about it and i tell some of my friends, but for everyone else its none of their business, but i have also been on if for such a short time that haven't really been judged!!!
My boyfriend knows exactly what I am on, and has been really supportive. He even apologizes when he eats a food he knows I particularly miss (ice cream), which is cute.
My mom and my older sister know I am on something "similar to Atkins." They are also supportive.
Coworkers know I am dieting and can't join them for cake, cupcakes, donuts, Thai food etc, but they don't really know the details. They don't really get it and try to encourage cheating "just once."
I have a friend who I actually showed the information sheet too (he cooks for a group of us every Friday so it was just easier to send everything to him so he could figure out how to make something I could have). He doesn't really get it at all. He has this whole argument about "I don't understand why carbs aren't allowed at all even healthy ones." I gave up trying to explain the biochemistry behind ketosis and how later in the plan healthy carbs are reintroduced. Oh well.
I have not lost enough to notice but I am hesitant to tell my family how much I pay to be on the program. That is wher a lot of the negativity comes from. I am also the only other woman in the building and men are scared to ask!!
I tell everyone about the program, and this is the first time I have ever shared information about a diet. From the start there were some nay-sayers (myself included!!) but now after seeing the results the tables have turned and people are starting to ask me for information on where they can get the products and how much it costs. I wish everyone could try this (or the Alternative Program) just because it works!
I tell people that I am on the IP diet — an anti-inflammation diet from Canada with a healthy side-effect of fat loss.
I tell them that I'm happy and that I wish more people knew about IP because it feels wonderful to be eating well instead of using sugar and starch to sedate myself. They are always impressed by how much muscle I have now.
I tell them that if they ever get really tired of the dieting circus and the mental anguish of food addiction that they should explore IP.
I have told my parents, sister and brother my husband obviously knew since he's the one that told me about IP and I told my BFF but otherwise I don't really tell people. I really feel like it's my business and no one else's. My husband however has told his parents and all the guys on his old shift at the fire department knew I'm on it. He changed shifts this week so I doubt he told these guys.
Mostly I'm just waiting until pictures in 6 weeks to debut the awesome new me to everyone I know. Although I will be seeing my husband's family next week and I'm actually a little excited to show off! It helps we're far away from everyone I really know and have known for a long time.
I haven't gotten too many questions, but when I do, I just say that my doctor put me on a strict eating plan that includes lots of good veggies and healthy meats, with extra protein supplements, lots of great vitamins and a ton of water. How can anyone say that is bad?? Then, when they try to offer me fruit or nuts, I just say that I can't have those yet - too much sugar and fat, respectively. Or I tell them I just can't help myself from eating too much, so I just avoid those things. Seems to not result in too many more questions.
Everybody that I really talk to, other than family, already knows about it. I told DH about it and since my "second mom", who is a cardiologist, and another friend of mine were both on it and had great success with it he was all for it. I did a ton of diets, wasted a lot of money. This has been more successful this week than any of the others put together. My mom is also a huge supporter, she's thinking of going on it herself. I've had nothing but support from everyone I've talked to about it with. Not very many people, but people who mean a lot to me.
I told my friend at work that is also doing IP and one of my daughters. She is happy for me but so far I am telling no one else. Just do not want people to watch every morsel I put in my mouth. Will let things speak for themselves. Only day 8. Lost 8 pounds in week one so I have started!
I usually tell people that I am eating low carb if they ask. It is hard when people stare at you at social food gatherings when you only eat vegetables and protein...or in a restaurant when you order 2 poached eggs and that is all you eat for breakfast. I have lost 60 pounds and found that by now I am feistier and don't let the pressures bother me.
I don't mention IP unless someone specifically asks me. I also do not mention the cost. This program is wonderful and has lowered my blood sugar!!
