My mom started Atkins a couple weeks ago and is getting bummed because she's only lost 4 pounds, not any inches and her scale isn't going down. I keep telling her it's because she's drinking diet pepsi (and I don't believe any water. If she's drinking water it's not much). Am I right or is there something else she needs to be doing? She bought an exercise bike last weekend and is going to be using that so that should help I would think. But wouldn't the Diet Pepsi be a good start to her losing weight? I feel bad because she started this WOE because of me...but I don't know what to tell her to help her. I guess that shouldn't really be my problem right? After all I did tell her some people can't drink caffeine or have aspartame because it prohibits weight loss. At least I thought that's what it said in Dr. Atkins book. She's refusing to give up the Dt Pepsi. So a little advice would be helpful--not that she'll listen, but I'd like to know for sure that I told her the right thing?

Brenda - Yes, I think you told her the right thing. The important thing to remember is that most people will give you a big huge 'yes' if you ask them if they want to lose weight. But most people are not willing to do what it takes.

My own mother constantly says that she wants to lose weight so badly, but when I tell her to just try cutting sugar out of her diet, she freaks out and says she can't give up her M&M's. Your mom may be in that kind of a boat.

Good Afternoon
You gave your mother the right advise. Diet soda can be a killer. If she wants soda tell (and if she's like my Mom ...don't bother) any of the caffine free would be better. Water is really important. 6 - 8 glasses a day it will prevent the bad breath that sometimes comes with low carbing.
On the bright side 4 pounds is better than no pounds. I've been doing lower carbing for a while and 1 pound makes me dance for joy
You seem to be doing great 12 pounds in such a short amount of time I hope you're very proud of yourself I've lost 22 but it's taken me forever ... but then I have no will power
Keep up the good work.

Nope--my mom's not going to listen to me. I've told her from the start she shouldn't drink the dt pepsi. But she keeps saying "well Pam does and she's losing weight" (Pam is a lady at work). Whereas I come back with "well you're not Pam. I'm not Pam and we're not each other and people react differently". To deaf ears. And yes, she keeps saying she's disgusted w/her weight yet doesn't want to even TRY going w/out it (I told her to try w/out for 2 weeks and see what happens).

and yes, I'm very happy the 12 pounds are gone. It's a great start for my new WOE. The chocolate thing may be my undoing but maybe if I stick to a spoonful on my NEED it days I'll be ok. LOL...I also dance when 1-2 pounds disappear--it means I'm that much closer to my goal weight.

I keep thinking of that saying "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink"

Maybe we should change it to "You can lead your mom to weight loss, but you can't make her do it"

We are all the masters (or mistresses) of our own fate. I've been told countless times by lots of people including doctors and just ordinary folks that EXERCISE (UGH!!) would be the best thing I could do for my metabolism. I have a very sluggish metabolism and lose weight incredibly slowly, even when doing everything else by the book. Like your Mom, I will listen but I won't act. Sometimes I do exercise, such as my deep water jogging three times a week (but sometimes I'd rather sleep in). I also do Body Flex when I can talk myself into it, but I just can't force myself to get on the stationary bike. How hard is it to just sit there and peddle while watching tv? It shouldn't be hard at all but I'd almost rather stick needles in my eyes. No wonder the pounds aren't melting off me like they did when I was in my 30s and on Atkins for the first time. It's nobody's fault but my own and you aren't responsible for your mother either. Just keep doing what you're doing for yourself and perhaps, when she sees the success you're enjoying, she'll be inspired to make the changes you suggest...but don't hold your breath.

My mom likes to copy me. It's really weird. I'm just waiting to see how she handles it if I reach my goal weight and she gives up. I don't know why she'd think I'd say anything if she quit doing Atkins. I said from the start this is the way I want to eat. This is for ME to be happy. And that it wasn't for everyone. Oh well, I need to learn to just keep my nose to myself and not worry about others. *sigh*

You're lucky in the sense your mom "sees" that it's your way of eating. My mother gives me the guilt trip ....and you'd think since I'm 53 that she wouldn't be able to do it to me. " I made this special just for you" "I don't know what to cook any more you don't eat anything" "I made chocolate pudding for you" ......I'm going crazy and I only see her every other week. My birthday is coming up and a friend is making me a low carb cheese cake ...boy the lecture I got on that ...."it's your birthday, you can have regular cake just eat a smaller peice" ..... Maybe I shouldn't visit her until I'm down to 140 ?
The only bright side of the whole thing is I told my daughter ...some day I get to do this to her < hee hee>

lol. I'm hoping my kids don't EVER have weight problems like I do. If they're lucky they'll keep their slim, trim (of course, pre-teen) bodies. lol. The first week I was on this my mom wasn't too supportive. She's like "I've made this and you can't eat it"? And last week she celebrated my sisters birthday with a strawberry shortcake (and home made bread) and kept saying "well, a little piece wouldn't hurt you if you wanted it". HUH?? She tried to sabotage me! lol Maybe that's what started the chocolate craving!

Linda---I was thinking the same thing you said---maybe I shouldn't visit until I get to my goal weight. Or maybe not as often. lol. That would sure help me not be tempted.

Over the holidays, my family kept doing the "Can't you eat this?" thing. I finally told them that I can eat anything I want. I'm perfectly capable of chewing and swallowing and that I'm choosing not to eat the particular item in question. Now everytime I see one of my younger brothers, he asks "Are you going to CHOOSE to eat this?" and starts cracking up. Talk about annoying!

Wow, I thought my daughters were the only ones that said the "can you eat this"!! I had to tell the oldest today that it was my choice and my way of eating from now on. She understands (I think). The youngest 'felt sorry' for me this weekend and wanted to eat something that I could eat w/them. So I made them a pan of meatloaf and myself a baby pan of meatloaf theirs had eggs & bread in it and mine had onions and a sprinkle of worceshire sauce. YUMMY!!!

My daughter is 25 and bless her heart she does understand and is no problem. Her idea of low carb and mine are about 30 grams apart but she tries. She didn't have a weight problem until Jacob was born, she started losing and then along came Ian ......now she's fighting the pounds again ....it's those darn fat genes that show up after 20 (in my case after age 5 )
My mom on the other hand is 70 going on 625 and I think she'll always drive me crazy but you know ....I'll live with it I kind of like her (even on the days I want to strangle her)

I was skinny for like 4-5 years. Then I got married. That's when I started to gain weight. This past year (last year it started) the pounds really started to pack on. If it wasn't for my sister I really wouldn't have tried Atkins. But after hearing good reviews on how her FIL was doing I had to try!!! And I'm actually (well, most of the time. lol) enjoying this! It's great to see the scale go down (even a little) for a change. As for my family? Love them to death but they'll always drive me crazy. Wonder if ANYONE has a family that doesn't?

Hello
I think Family is latin for "pain in the neck" Our secetery at work lives at home with her parents because they need someone there. We trade pain in butt stories daily You should of heard her when she started Weight Watchers. I think her mother cooked every triple point recipe she could find and then complain because she didn't eat it .
And the woman two desk down from me is always yelling at someone on the phone between her father, mother and brother. So I guess it's safe to say .......families are all alike.