Question for Christie re: obese friend

[Guest guest]

Hi Christie,

I'd like your opinion on something. My sister has a friend from work

who's obese. They aren't *close* friends, but they'll occasionally

get together outside of work, go to a movie, etc... I've joined them

a few times and we get along well.

My sister is healthy, fit and thin -- and eats fairly well compared

to most Americans. I'm not healthy (have CFS), thin, and eat NT

minus dairy and gluten. I'm actually about 10-15 pounds underweight

and can't gain weight unless I eat sugar which I won't do. Neither

my sister nor I have had the experience of struggling to lose

weight. However, we've both had other problems and know the

experience of having issues that aren't easy to resolve.

We both feel for her friend's obesity (which seems to keep

increasing). My sister has said, " loves food so much - I don't

know that she could diet. " loves to cook and is a good cook.

Then I read your posts about all the luscious food you eat and the

success you've had with weight loss and I ache for . I know from

my sister that believes the whole low-fat lie because she always

buys low-fat products.

I've told my sister about you and your experiences with Atkins & NT,

but she doesn't think it's her place to bring the subject up with

. And 's never brought it up with her. We had her over for

our Thanksgiving meal last year; she liked 2 of the recipes I'd made

from NT, so I told her she could borrow the book to copy the

recipes. I also said something about how the book had revolutionized

the way I looked at food. She kept it for about a week & then

returned it to my sister without comment.

I mostly agree with my sister that her weight isn't our business, but

I hate thinking that she doesn't understand you can eat good,

luscious food. Also, I know how annoying it can be for people who

don't have CFS to offer suggestions to me on what I need to do to get

better. I can't recall every getting good advice! (Well, most of

this has been from your average person who eats SAD.) So, I'd guess

that someone who's overweight wouldn't appreciate words from 2 thin

sisters!

What do you think? How would you have felt if a naturally thin

person brought up nutrition with you? Or, maybe you've had bad/good

experiences and could share what I should/shouldn't do/say. I see

maybe 2-3 times a year at most.

Even thought I haven't had a weightloss struggle, I've enjoyed and

been inspired by your story. It's a wonderful thing to affect

positive change in one's life.

tia,