Obese Co-Workers

** This post originated in alt.support.diet.low-carb -- it's appearance
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In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

What do others do about this if anything. I have tended to mind my own
business, although one of my colleagues told me in confidence that he'd
been diagnosed with T2 diabetes and I felt compelled to share some of my
knowledge. I don't think he took much notice of it, preferring to follow
the low-fat advice of his doctor. He *is* losing weight slowly and he
still does dig into the abundant cakes and biscuits presented for
morning teas while I sit in quiet reflection and wonder.

The general consensus is pretty much to MYOB unless asked or the subject
somehow comes up in conversation. I'll TELL people about my own
experience on occasion, but I resist the urge to try to recruit anyone
to the low-carb side of the force because you just don't know what kind
of reaction you'll get. They could be receptive or could be cold or
even hostile.

--
Saffire
205/135/125
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

** This post originated in alt.support.diet.low-carb -- it's appearance
in any other forum is deceptive and unauthorized. ***

Pete said:

What do others do about this if anything. I have tended to mind my own
business, although one of my colleagues told me in confidence that he'd
been diagnosed with T2 diabetes and I felt compelled to share some of my
knowledge. I don't think he took much notice of it, preferring to follow
the low-fat advice of his doctor. He *is* losing weight slowly and he
still does dig into the abundant cakes and biscuits presented for
morning teas while I sit in quiet reflection and wonder.

It's frustrating. I have a friend who is in a similar situation
although she just talks about eating "better" and losing weight. She
wants a magic pill to control the diabetes. It hurts, in a way, because
she is a friend and I really do care about her but there is really only
so much you can say. It's a personal journey, as we all know. :-/

--
jmk in NC

In article <[email hidden]>,

Saffire said:

** This post originated in alt.support.diet.low-carb -- it's appearance
in any other forum is deceptive and unauthorized. ***

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

What do others do about this if anything. I have tended to mind my own
business, although one of my colleagues told me in confidence that he'd
been diagnosed with T2 diabetes and I felt compelled to share some of my
knowledge. I don't think he took much notice of it, preferring to follow
the low-fat advice of his doctor. He *is* losing weight slowly and he
still does dig into the abundant cakes and biscuits presented for
morning teas while I sit in quiet reflection and wonder.

The general consensus is pretty much to MYOB unless asked or the subject
somehow comes up in conversation. I'll TELL people about my own
experience on occasion, but I resist the urge to try to recruit anyone
to the low-carb side of the force because you just don't know what kind
of reaction you'll get. They could be receptive or could be cold or
even hostile.

My co-workers note and comment on my weight loss (especially since with
45 lbs. gone things are a bit baggy and I've been too cheap to shell out
$100.00 for new uniforms) so it gives me an opportunity to preach the
low carb lifestyle.

One hefty co-worker just felt she could not handle it since she prefers
starches to meat so just as a joke, I tossed the "cabbage soup" diet her
way.

She did a web search for it, found LOTS of info. on it.....

and plans to try it.

<lol>

Cheers!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

In article <[email hidden]>, jmk <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Pete said:

What do others do about this if anything. I have tended to mind my own
business, although one of my colleagues told me in confidence that he'd
been diagnosed with T2 diabetes and I felt compelled to share some of my
knowledge. I don't think he took much notice of it, preferring to follow
the low-fat advice of his doctor. He *is* losing weight slowly and he
still does dig into the abundant cakes and biscuits presented for
morning teas while I sit in quiet reflection and wonder.

It's frustrating. I have a friend who is in a similar situation
although she just talks about eating "better" and losing weight. She
wants a magic pill to control the diabetes. It hurts, in a way, because
she is a friend and I really do care about her but there is really only
so much you can say. It's a personal journey, as we all know. :-/

Well said!!!!!
--
Om.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-[censored]." -Jack Nicholson

My colleague with T2 diabetes insisted that this condition was
inevitable with age (he is 20+ years older than I am). I disagreed and
tried to tell him a little of what I had learned. I copied some articles
that I had found helpful and discretely gave them to him. His
explanatory framework informed more about his sense of responsibility
and motivation for change than anything else. And it was more than a
little surprising coming from a medical doctor.

I also shared my learnings with my brother-in-law and an auntie. Both
persons expressed interest in the approach. My brother-in-law seemed to
um and ah until I posted him one of the Atkins books. Eventually he
tried it out and lost some 20 kg. He is doing well. My auntie, on the
other hand, tried it for a week or two and reportedly (she lives a great
distance from me) couldn't hack the breakfast menu and gave up. I spoke
to my mother about a week ago (she lives in the same city as my auntie)
who is really worried about her because she has put on more weight and
seems quite depressed.

There are other stories as you could imagine but I won't bore you with
them. But it seems that some people have to have an inner drive in order
for change to be ignited and maintained. It may be triggered by someone
or something, as in the case of my brother-in-law, but the motivation
has to be internalised to achieve any longstanding benefit.

BTW: I'm new to this group; is this post off-topic?

--
All the best,
Pete

------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://users.bigpond.com/lansma
Location: 42°53'S; 147°19'E

jmk said:

Pete said:

What do others do about this if anything. I have tended to mind my
own business, although one of my colleagues told me in confidence
that he'd been diagnosed with T2 diabetes and I felt compelled to
share some of my knowledge. I don't think he took much notice of it,
preferring to follow the low-fat advice of his doctor. He *is*
losing weight slowly and he still does dig into the abundant cakes
and biscuits presented for morning teas while I sit in quiet
reflection and wonder.

It's frustrating. I have a friend who is in a similar situation
although she just talks about eating "better" and losing weight. She
wants a magic pill to control the diabetes. It hurts, in a way,
because she is a friend and I really do care about her but there is
really only so much you can say. It's a personal journey, as we all
know. :-/

Pete wrote:

::
:: BTW: I'm new to this group; is this post off-topic?

Not in my opinion.

"jmk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

It's frustrating. I have a friend who is in a similar situation
although she just talks about eating "better" and losing weight. She
wants a magic pill to control the diabetes. It hurts, in a way, because
she is a friend and I really do care about her but there is really only
so much you can say. It's a personal journey, as we all know. :-/

Print this out and give it to her, my A1c started out at 12.3 and was 5.2
the last time I checked.
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/Newly%20Diagnosed.htm

--
No Husband Has Ever Been Shot While Doing The Dishes

Sadly, I think you have to MYOB unless asked.

I remember that before I became serious about dealing with my weight that I
really resented any helpful advice people gave me. The fact is, losing
weight was something *I* had to want more than I wanted my Pepsi and
chocolate. Until I made that decision, hearing anything about weight loss
only provoked me, no matter how delicately the person phrased it or how
well-intentioned the person was. I usually ended up calming myself with
*more* chocolate.

The funny thing is, I *knew* for years that I was not eating right. I mean,
no one in their right mind could believe that my diet was healthy - I ate
and drank lots of junk, especially sweets. Vegetables rarely graced my
plate, and fruits were usually part of some dessert. I knew it was my fault
I was gaining weight, but I wasn't ready to accept the consequences of that
knowledge yet.

I even *said* that when my mother would nag me about my weight. "Mom, I know
what I have to do to lose weight. I'm just not willing to do it."

It was an irrational way to live, I know. But people often have a hard time
being rational when they have to confront their own weaknesses.

Once I decided I couldn't stand being fat any longer, I started to open my
mind and my ears, and eventually found LC. I am far from a shining perfect
example of the LC WOL, but I am getting better (more consistent and
disciplined) as time goes on. The reason it is working is that it's
important to *me* that it work, and I'm doing it for myself - no one else.

Just continue to be a good example, and be ready to be encouraging and
supportive to anyone who seems ready to really commit to weight loss and a
healthier lifestyle.

Laura

"Pete" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What do others do about this if anything. I have tended to mind my own
business, although one of my colleagues told me in confidence that he'd
been diagnosed with T2 diabetes and I felt compelled to share some of my
knowledge. I don't think he took much notice of it, preferring to follow
the low-fat advice of his doctor. He *is* losing weight slowly and he
still does dig into the abundant cakes and biscuits presented for
morning teas while I sit in quiet reflection and wonder.
--
All the best,
Pete

------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://users.bigpond.com/lansma
Location: 42°53'S; 147°19'E