Great, now my friends think I have anorexia... page 8

[carlh]

And then, another friend who has a masters in psychology stepped in

Yeah, titles are kind of meaningless when you have no idea about what you're talking.

[Penady]

[PissedTheHellOffRant]
And then, another friend who has a masters in psychology stepped in, "The ONLY time a fast is called for is if you do not have access to food when you need it. Eating every four hours is not only good for the body, but good for your mind as well. Fasting leads to eating disorders if voluntarily undertaken and you should stop immediately. In fact, I have the number of a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders you should probably give a call."

{Sigh} Now I have to step in here, because I also have a master's degree in psychology. There are a few things wrong with this statement:
1. Fasting does not lead to eating disorders. It might be one of the behaviors associated with eating disorders, but it does not LEAD to cause anorexia. ED's are extremely complex psychological processes, and most often have more to do with control than anything else (also distorted thinking/body image issues).
2. Having a master's in psychology doesn't actually make you knowledgeable about nutrition in any way, because it's diet/exercise/nutrition is not a part of the curriculum. It might be noted in a coping skills discussion, but there is no amount of formalized training.
3. What would your friend say about fasting for religious or medical purposes? There are several very legitimate reasons to fast that have nothing to do with actually having access to food. What about a 12-hour fast to have your fasting A1c checked? Doctors that I've known often write orders for fasting blood work.
4. Eating every four hours is not good for the mind. It creates obsessive thinking patterns. You'd constantly be thinking about food...what to eat, how to balance calories, macronutrients, etc, which actually can lead to disordered eating.
5. If you don't meet criteria for an eating disorder, a referral to an ED specialist is not only premature, it's also just completely obnoxious. Criteria for Anorexia include refusal to maintain a minimal amount of body fat (normally 85% of lower end of ideal body fat %), body dysmorphia, intense fear of gaining weight, restricting food intake, or serious over-exercising.

Some tips:
Stop trying to explain Primal to people, most either won't really get it or might think you're doing some extreme fad diet. Just tell people you're into "clean eating," meaning you cut out the majority of processed food and sugar. You eat whole foods and try to get a reasonable amount of exercise. Most people will understand that without thinking you're crazy.

[c_bolton12]

Don't get discouraged guys!! There are people out there who are receptive and while fighting with people who choose to remain ignorant sucks, seeing someone you care about thrive is amazing... Here are some success stories:

My dad: My dad was pretty easy to get on board. He was an ice hockey player through college and has been frustrated for years over gaining weight and knee/neck pain. One weekend right after I picked up the diet, we read Robb Wolf's book together and he was on board. He is now off all his blood pressure/cholesterol medication and is down to 178lbs from 220. My mom says he is thinner and looks better than when she met him He also hasn't had a single one of his debilitating migraines since he started.

My god father: My god father has always been a big guy. He was my dad's best friend in college and was always active, just thought he had a big frame. Except now, at 46, he could barely make it up the stairs holding his 3 year old. We got he and his wife on board (she is an angel, cooks every one of his meals pure paleo, even packing his lunch every day) and he is now down 46 pounds and called me a few weeks ago to tell me he was able to run half a mile for the first time in years. Still has weight to lose, but is doing awesome!

Friend's dad: My parents went to dinner about a month ago with one of my childhood friend's parents. Art, the father, is 59 and told my dad he almost cancelled dinner because just getting out of his chair is so hard these days. He is stiff and sore all the time and has tried everything with no success. Of course, Dad launches into the Paleo diet and how much better he feels on it. Art started the next day and he and his wife both read Primal Blueprint that week. He called my dad almost in tears this weekend saying he is almost afraid to tell anyone how good he feels because it might go away. He couldn't stop thanking my dad for introducing him to the diet and says he'll do it forever if he feels this good.

So yeah, there are a ton of nay-sayers out there. But we all know we are healthier for the diet, and if you can get a few people to be healthier too, isn't it worth talking about it?

P.S. Art is a contractor and is working on an orthopedic surgeon's home right now. Art brought the diet up to him and the guy says "I haven't a piece of bread or grains in 4 years, you're on the right track." -So, some enlightened doctors in the world too

[magnolia1973]

People LOVE the whole "we must eat every 3-4 hours" thing. That alone probably makes us a nation of fat asses because exactly 2 people probably eat veggies and a small handful of nuts... everyone else has a snickers, some chips or something else craptastic.

It's funny that as soon as you "stop eating crap" you are anorexic. Or that people are alarmed by paleo or primal. It's as if "Grains" are like water. Seriously, anorexics don't plow into steak and kale cooked in coconut milk. Or eat 3 eggs and a side of bacon.

But people are stupid. I keep it to "I gave up sugar and flour" when asked "where do you get your carbs" I respond with from fruit and sweet potatoes. One woman gives me the stink eye, but then she talks about her digestive issues, pains, allergies and 101 other problems she has. She is thin, eats well, but thinks grains are essential..... the sad irony is that they probably play a roll in how ill she is.

I mean, if this were bad for us, we would not look younger, with clearer skin, leaner bodies and more energy. And yes, someone put my age at 28 this weekend and when I told him how old I was, he said I looked better than most women that age. But yeah, we are all suffering eating disorders and becoming malnourished.

[Scott F]

Someone gave me a hard time about being on a fad diet..... I have an iphone with access to youtube....I then searched: UCTV The Skinny on Obesity, clicked on the link I want and told him, "If you think I'm on some BS fad diet then tell me what's wrong with this University of California's endocrinologist's arguments. And if you tell me you don't have time for those 8 minutes then I'll have to take it you are too intellectually lazy to have your opinion challenged."

[Saoirse]

People LOVE the whole "we must eat every 3-4 hours" thing. That alone probably makes us a nation of fat asses because exactly 2 people probably eat veggies and a small handful of nuts... everyone else has a snickers, some chips or something else craptastic.

it certainly doesn't help when you have dieticians recommending that you eat a doughnut rather than skip breakfast.

[Gary Conway]

People love dishing out advice because they're too lazy or scared to question their own actions. People like Mark Sisson do a great job of setting people on the right path. While your on it a little common sense and honesty helps you decide for yourself what's healthy and what isn't. Ignore haterzz, life's too short

[FlyingPig]

Don't get discouraged guys!! There are people out there who are receptive and while fighting with people who choose to remain ignorant sucks, seeing someone you care about thrive is amazing... Here are some success stories:

...

Of course, Dad launches into the Paleo diet and how much better he feels on it. ...

This is very inspirational and I had to laugh when you described your dad convincing other people.
I really think this way of life is going to break through into the mainstream sooner rather than later. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool and once you have a critical mass and some momentum, things can change quickly. In Sweden this is already the case (high fat, low carb, not paleo per se), and I heard there's even a butter shortage because so many former diabetics and overweight people can see how it transforms their lives for the better.

[Paleobird]

I really think this way of life is going to break through into the mainstream sooner rather than later. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool and once you have a critical mass and some momentum, things can change quickly. In Sweden this is already the case (high fat, low carb, not paleo per se), and I heard there's even a butter shortage because so many former diabetics and overweight people can see how it transforms their lives for the better.

I know we all like to grouse around here about stupid entrenched CW but I have to agree with the Flying Pig here. I see the sea change coming sooner too. I have a group of friends who meet monthly for Game Night. The munchies always used to be about the cakes and cookies. These days it's all about the meatballs, veggie trays, nuts, cheese, etc. People have seen the changes in me. One other friend has gone completely paleo and has completely cured the allergies that used to plague her and just looks like a new person with no puffy eyes. Another extremely heavy friend has gone generic "low carb" and has lost 50 pounds and still going strong. Another friend who is athletic in the skinny fat cyclist way, has finally dropped all the sugary gatorade stuff and, poof, the belly pudge went away. People are getting the word. Our job as the vanguard is to be there with encouragement and information as they start to come around.

[sbhikes]

Nobody has noticed the change in me but my mom. Well my boyfriend, too, but he's been here the whole time so he doesn't as much difference.