Top 10 Low-Carb Movers & Shakers Of 2007

It has been an ongoing "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog tradition since I started blogging in 2005 for me to share with my readers the ten most influential members of the low-carb community over the past twelve months. This list is totally subjective and is based on my own personal opinion about the people who have made a difference for the sake of the low-carb lifestyle.

You can see the honorees from both 2005 and 2006 to get a small taste of this rather distinguished group of leaders on behalf of livin' la vida low-carb. It's never easy coming up with a list like this because you don't want to leave anyone off who is worthy of being listed. But you'll have your chance at the end of this post to share other noteworthy names for this list if you feel I have omitted any.

We owe a great deal of gratitude and respect for these people who are sincerely making a real difference both behind-the-scenes and working directly with those who need to hear the positive and uplifting message of the amazingly healthy low-carb lifestyle. These are the real heroes in the realm of low-carb in my book and I am ecstatic to share them with you today.

So, without further delay, here are my top ten low-carb movers & shakers of 2007:

1. GARY TAUBES



What can you say about a journalist who decided to take the health establishment head-on by challenging their premise that it is fat that makes you fat? When Gary Taubes wrote his now infamous "What if It's All Been a Big Fat Lie?" column back in 2002, I don't even think HE knew the kind of impact it would have on our culture at the time. So, naturally, when he released his long-awaited book Good Calories, Bad Calories in September 2007 continuing this same topic of conversation, it should be no surprise that the public interest in low-carb has once again spiked. And the ripple effects from this book alone will be felt for many years, maybe even decades, to come.

2. DR. JEFF VOLEK



I've met Dr. Jeff Volek in person twice and he wouldn't necessarily stand out in a crowd by his physical stature. But the low-carb researcher from The University of Connecticut more than makes up for it with his high-quality studies on the impact of a high-fat, low-carb diet on fitness and health. He's mentoring the low-carb researchers of tomorrow like the great Cassandra Forsythe while working on some excellent studies on the positive role of saturated fat in the diet. He recently co-wrote the book Men's Health TNT Diet and is actively involved in educating the public about exercise and the health benefits of low-carb living.

3. ADAM CAMPBELL



Speaking of the Men's Health TNT Diet, the other co-writer Adam Campbell is the outstanding Features editor for the #1 men's health magazine in America and what an incredible writer he is. He made national waves last November when he wrote a column taking the American Diabetes Association to task for promoting a diet for diabetics that is making them sicker. His solution? Livin' la vida low-carb! Adam also has an excellent blog called "The Fitness Insider" with regular low-carb friendly news and information that you won't want to miss.

4. DR. LARRY MCCLEARY



Earlier this year, I had never heard of Dr. Larry McCleary until he and I were introduced by our mutual friend Dr. Mike Eades. But from the first time I began corresponding with this man who is one of America's leading neurosurgeons, I knew he was someone very special. He released a book about how low-carb diets can improve brain health called The Brain Trust Program (which he was kind enough to ask me to write a blurb for the back of his book) and has been actively promoting livin' la vida low-carb for treating all sorts of brain ailments, including Alzheimer's, migraine headaches, and even brain cancer. Find out more about what Dr. Larry McCleary is up to at DrMcCleary.com.

5. DRS. MICHAEL & MARY DAN EADES



What more can you say about the king and queen of livin' la vida low-carb since the untimely death of the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins. Even as all the other so-called leaders of low-carb living went into hiding, Drs. Mike & Mary Dan Eades who wrote the Protein Power books kept right on plugging away and have been for the past several years. That's one reason they are the ONLY three-time honoree on my annual movers & shakers list because they just keep the spirit of the low-carb lifestyle alive with all they do. Be sure to keep up with both Dr. Mike's always witty and sometimes eye-opening comments about the state of nutrition in modern times at his blog as well as the scrumptious recipes and food information with a creative flair Dr. Mary Dan give you at her blog. And don't miss checking out ProteinPower.com for even more about the work of this low-carb royalty.

6. DR. JONNY BOWDEN



How can anyone not like Dr. Jonny Bowden? The man exudes enthusiasm, excitement, and energy and he takes all of that, packs healthy nutritional messages it into a nice, neat package for people to understand, and then delivers a wallop of a punch right between the eyeballs for those who need to learn more about diet and health. Every low-carber should own a copy of his classic book Living The Low-Carb Life as well as his latest release 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth. Jonny has taken a more stealth approach to promoting livin' la vida low-carb and I can respect that because I know he still believes in this lifestyle at his very core. You can still hear those principles being taught in his motivating audio series. Get caught up on the latest from Dr. Jonny Bowden at JonnyBowden.com.

7. MICHAEL K.



Unless you live the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, you may not know who Michael K. is. But for the customers at the Low-Carb Central store there in Hales Corner, Michael was a very special man who helped positively impact the lives of the literally thousands of people who walked inside his store. I was even privileged to conduct a speaking appearance and book signing at Michael's store last year when I got to know this incredible man. It is with great sadness that this honor for Michael is happening posthumously because he went home to be with the Lord a couple of weeks ago. On behalf of all those people who were positively touched by the low-carb ministry of Michael K., I'd like to express sincere sympathy for his wife Marilyn during this difficult time. We are praying for you and love you very much. It was a blessing to have known Michael and shared even a few moments with him on this Earth.

8. JUDY BARNES BAKER



What a delightful woman Judy Barnes Baker is! When she decided to release a low-carb cookbook called CARB WARS earlier this year, I don't think even she realized it would become one of the bestselling low-carb cookbooks of the year. But that's exactly what has happened and I'm so proud of Judy. She too asked me to write a quote for the back of her book and I was happy to oblige. Don't miss her companion web site for her book for more recipes, low-carb information, and background on this super lady. Visit CarbWarsCookbook.com to catch up with all that's happening with this rising superstar in the wonderful world of low-carb.

9. DR. MARY C. VERNON



If ever there was the perfect illustration for passionate in the dictionary, then it would have to be Dr. Mary C. Vernon. As the current president of The American Society of Bariatric Physicians and on the front lines for the controlled-carbohydrate cause, Dr. Vernon has been a leader for those suffering from obesity and diabetes by helping them overcome their physical ailments. That's one of the reasons I nominated her for "Diabetes Educator of the Year" earlier this month because she has proven herself quite worthy. Being around Dr. Vernon is infectious and you can't help but get all excited about livin' la vida low-carb when she speaks about this incredible way of eating. Go to her "Ask Dr. Vernon" blog to find out why this back-to-back mover & shaker deserves this distinction.

10. LOW-CARB FRIENDS/ANTI-KIMKINS BLOGGERS



Finally, I couldn't let this list of the year's most influential movers & shakers go by without recognizing and honoring the impact of a collective group of people who helped bring awareness and concern about one of the biggest scams to ever hit the low-carb community. Yes, even I was pulled in by it and later apologized to my readers for not knowing better sooner. But the members of the online forum called Low-Carb Friends did. The "Why the Fascination with Kimmer?" thread is chock full of the day-to-day soap opera that has surrounded what has been known as the Kimkins diet since early in the year. The egregiousness of this starvation/anorexic diet that has since caused some major health problems for the most ardent supporter spawned a whole boatload of anti-Kimkins blogs. The most famous one of them all is Kimkins Exposed by someone or a group of people calling themselves Just Ducky. The duck avatar soon became synonymous with those who didn't want to see the good name of the low-carb lifestyle being drug down with this dangerous diet scheme from a woman named Heidi Kimberly Diaz, a weight loss fraud who never lost a pound and a well-known scam artist. The low-carb community owes Low-Carb Friends and the anti-Kimkins bloggers an appreciative THANKS for all the work they did to expose this before more people got hurt.

So that's my list of the Top 10 Low-Carb Movers & Shakers of 2007. What do you think? Are there any glaring exceptions I left off of my list who should have warranted further consideration for their contribution to the low-carb cause? Feel free to share your comments below and make the case for other honorees.

My Public Apology To The Low-Carb Friends

This is probably the hardest blog post I've ever written in the 2+ years I have been blogging, but it has been on my heart to write about this week. Now is the time.

What I am about to share with you I will admit up front is going to be very difficult for me to do. But, after much thought and prayer, it is the right and honorable thing in light of all the circumstances that have unfolded recently.

When I first started blogging back in April 2005, I really had no idea how many people would actually come here and start reading what I have to say about my low-carb weight loss experiences at the time. But I stand here before you today blessed beyond what I deserve and consider it a real privilege to share my life with you through my blog. In fact, I'm on my way to yet another record-breaking month for traffic!

One thing I learned quickly about blogging is the fact that you are always being watched by someone and it is inevitable you are going to tick some people off as much as you get them excited about what you write about. I suppose that's just the nature of this beast.

With that said, I'm the first to admit I'm not at all perfect. Not even close! Never have been, never claimed to be, and never will be. There has only been one Man who was without blemish and He sits at the right hand of God today--my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Although I cannot achieve perfection here on Earth, I do strive to live my life in such a way that is held to a higher standard because that's what I expect of myself. I fall miserably short of that mark most of the time, but it is my goal in all that I do.

There has been some bad blood out in the various low-carb forums over the past couple of months because of my support for and affiliate relationship with the Kimkins diet. Yes, that banner ad you see at the top of my blog is one of several revenue streams I have to support my family financially. I'm not getting rich by any means, mind you, but every little bit helps.

I didn't think it was some big secret that I got paid when you click on one of my ads since I just assume any banner on a web site I visit makes the person who owns that site some money. If I like the content I read on a web site, then I make an effort to click on the ads that interest me and make a purchase. That person deserves it for providing useful information to me.

Additionally, since I started the Kimkins diet 46 days ago (and have lost 36 pounds and counting!), I have received my fair share of e-mails from people on these forums telling me how dangerous this diet I am on is and that I'm ruining all the work I have done through the Atkins diet these past few years by even associating myself with Kimmer and Kimkins. That's one of the reasons I interviewed Kimmer on my podcast show to clear up these questions.

While I respect and welcome any and all opinions on my blog (as evidenced by the wide array of comments on both sides of the debate I post), the fact is I'm doing this diet for me and me alone. Just as I have done with all my posts about being on Atkins, now I am simply sharing what I have discovered about myself on Kimkins. Nothing more, nothing less.

Nevertheless, it is obvious my actions have caused such pain to some low-carb supporters that they feel varying levels of anger and resentment towards me personally. More specifically, there is one group I would like to highlight that merits my attention--the members, admins, and owner of the Low-Carb Friends Forum.

I have many great low-carb friends (no pun intended!) who are members of that open forum about livin' la vida low-carb and many of them have shared with me how much they have enjoyed being a part of that web site for many years for the support they have received. I too am thankful for places like that where a discussion of low-carb can take place and education, encouragement, and inspiration can take place.

Sadly, though, the past couple of months on the Low-Carb Friends Forum has read more like the National Enquirer and it's partly my fault because of a blog post I wrote back in January. I realize now that perhaps I was a bit too harsh on them for banning members who were being unruly. I understand how challenging that can be.

Plus, with my enthusiasm for Kimkins for over the past year, the fact that I make money off of an affiliate relationship with it, and my subsequent weight loss success on it, I know this has all been under the microscope there. Again, I blame myself for the perception that many have of me there. I'm not proud of it, but I played a role in that characterization I have earned.

I'm not completely sure why there is such emotional angst and frustration at me over this, but I would like to sincerely publicly apologize to the Low-Carb Friends Forum for causing this backlash against me personally. I'm sure in some ways I deserve the criticism and I gladly accept it as the price of putting myself out there.

Please forgive me for anything I have written at my blog that you felt was offensive in any way to you as a low-carber or even personally. It was not my intention to ever cause harm to another low-carb advocate and I am sorry if that's what I did.

In this dog eat dog world of dietary debate, I've got plenty of enemies who are ready to rip my head off for sharing my thoughts about how unhealthy high-carb, low-fat diets are. I certainly don't need people on my side feeling like they should do the same. We can disagree about low-carb issues without being disagreeable, right?

Regardless of what has happened, what's in the past is in the past. I greatly admire and respect the work you all are doing to help others find the answers they need to start livin' la vida low-carb the right way and I applaud you for it! Keep up the great work and know that you have a friend in Jimmy Moore here anytime at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog.

I hold no hard feeling towards anyone for what has been said because I am a forgiving man. Life is too short to hold grudges or waste time and energy on unimportant things. There are millions upon millions of overweight and obese people who need our help. Let's agree to band together for the greater cause of the big picture.

THANK YOU for allowing me to share from my heart.

'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show' Episode 70: Kimmer, Kimkins Diet On Full Display In Exclusive Interview

Getting it all out in the open, Kimkins defended by founder Kimmer

Okay, it's here! Episode 70 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" brings you Part 1 of a special 5-part series featuring my exclusive interview with the much-maligned Kimkins diet founder Kimmer. I was surprised by how forthright she was in the interview with some especially difficult questions I asked her.

This is the first and only interview I have ever seen Kimmer do and I was appreciative she agreed to let me share her answers to these burning questions from friend and foe alike. If you're curious at all about the real Kimmer and this diet she calls Kimkins, then you won't want to miss this interview.

Click on the PLAY button below to LISTEN NOW:

 "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 70 [19:33m]: Play in Popup | Download

In Part 1, Kimmer discussed her philosophy on calories, which has been the subject of some controversy among low-carbers, and talks about her days as a member of the Low-Carb Friends Forum in 2001-2002. She admitted to me how difficult it was to endure the criticism of some members who didn't like her approach to low-carb living and the aftermath of getting booted from that site. She was honest in sharing how upset that made her which precipitated the formation of her own web site in 2006.

You can get podcast availability anytime by:

1. Listening at the official web site
2. Going to iTunes
3. Calling (818) 688-2763 to listen via Podlinez
4. Subscribing to the RSS feed

What do you think so far? Kimmer seems to be a very intelligent woman who has an obvious heart for helping people who desire weight loss. Do you believe her more or less now that you've heard her voice for the first time? Tell us what you thought about Kimmer and her explanations about the Kimkins diet so far.

We're just getting started with this interview, though, so be sure to listen to "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" again on Monday for Episode 71 and Part 2 of my exclusive interview with Kimmer from the Kimkins diet!

Post Removed For Not Promoting Low-Carb Community

The post that appeared here has been removed for not promoting the low-carb community in the professional manner I have come to expect from myself. THANK YOU!