- Kindly sign your e-mails. Unless you sign your name, I won't know what to call you. I even sign e-
mails I send to my mother, as it's just the civilized thing to do in even the most casual of
correspondence. Since I would prefer not to address those who write to me as "Dear ?" and lack
both the time and inclination to go digging in old e-mail archives in hopes of possibly finding a
previous name reference, having signed your name in an e-mail sent last week/month/year doesn't
suffice. So, please: just sign it.
No Sign-Off? Are You Terse or Rude? E-mail Greetings Matter
What's Up With No Greetings?
- Know your boundaries. Given a thankfully minute number of e-mails I have received through the
years assuming a bit more familiarity than is appropriate, I feel I must point out that SFS.com is not a
blog or "personal page" to discuss my friends & family, finances, background, marriage, etc. Thus
this site, as well as the e-mails I reply to, will remain strictly relative to the information provided &
covered herein. That said, no personal questions, please - which include but are not limited to
gauche queries about money (we all know what a question like "How do you get to travel?" is really
asking), questions regarding my marriage or family, invasive medical questions, & other matters
unrelated to this website. Please do not let my impersonal fitness stats directly pertaining to Atkins
and/or the photos taken in public places throughout SugarFreeSheila.com fool you into thinking
we're old girlfriends by your first e-mail - you'll find nothing about my personal life on this site. This is
actually more about rudimentary etiquette & decorum on your part than it is about privacy on mine.
Even if intrusiveness is encapsulated in flattery or sandwiched craftily in Atkins-related questions, I
still won't miss it. So, blessings upon you for knowing your boundaries. DON'T TRY TO PROBE.
- "What designer is that????" While I relish and am a champ at helping my site visitors find the
perfect ensemble for an upcoming event via general Internet search (all you must do is let me know
the function, your dress size, & price range), there is no bigger eyeroll than receiving an e-mail from
someone wanting no more than to take a peek at my tag. That also goes for probing questions
about my travel accommodations or anything else related to money. This isn't the red carpet where
I'm sent everything for free; therefore, I feel no obligation to advertise on anyone's behalf as a thank-
you. A general rule of thumb with asking people who don't know you "price check"-type questions?
If someone wants to spill, they will.
- Be civil. Cryptic e-mails (usually without a greeting, or signing/closing) in text-speak or in
indecipherable, half-sentence fragments are confusing to follow. (For example, a half-line e-mail
that reads: "Okay, so should I try that then?" Well, probably - but try what?) Since I'm unable to recall
all details of the many e-mails written to me, please be clear with your questions. Following basic e-
mail etiquette makes everything quicker, more efficient, and pleasant for all. More: How To Not Be
Viewed as Rude in an E-mail
- Before contacting me ... Since it is already covered in my Atkins Success Story page & more
thoroughly throughout my Atkins FAQ, I will not rehash my success story or FAQ via e-mail, IM, text,
Twitter, or Facebook. Kindly read these pages as well as Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, prior to
contacting me with questions. If a fundamental question has been covered in the book or in the FAQ,
my reply will refer you to one or the other. If it's worth it to you to read the Atkins book and my FAQ
prior to asking questions, it's worth it to me to spend my time helping you.
- Since it's after all the name of this website, not to mention the very address you are e-mailing: if you
can manage to avoid spelling my name "Shelia," I'll be your best friend. It isn't even pronounced that
way. That goes double for "adkins."
- Facebook. Add requests are not accepted from those without a profile self pic, and inactive
members are deleted on a daily basis. Exceptions? Family & friends close enough to me to call me
at 3 A.M. Why? Well, imagine someone you don't know coming into your house during a get-
together of new friends, skipping right over any hello or introduction, and declining to take off their
trenchcoat & ski mask. In fact, they insist on sitting alone quietly in the corner of the house watching
all the activity happen to boot - barely in view with sound-amplifying earbuds in tow. Meet the Quiet
Watcher - and I allow this to go on for a certain amount of time before throwing the person out.
Amazingly, the Quiet Watchers who insist they're "way too busy for Facebook" usually notice they've
been deleted within hours ... or minutes. If you're truly too busy or private for Facebook, then Twitter
will be your best option. Additionally, since my ready help & accessibility are now free only on
Facebook, anyone who shows themselves not to have already read the book (e.g., "Is heavy cream
allowed?") & my full FAQ ("Hey, how long did it take you to lose the weight?") prior to sending their
add request is likewise deleted. All of the above is stated upfront 10% down my front homepage,
again in My Atkins Success Story Page, as well as in my Atkins FAQ, & here. There is no "fine print"
with me, ever - and since kindness ≠ weakness, anyone attempting to take advantage is thrown out.
- E-mails are welcome from those 18 and older. Those under the age of 18 are referred to their
parents and/or pediatrician.
- If you have written to me, please check your spam folder for my replies - I'd hate for you to miss them.
- While I am always available to help those already on Atkins, I am not an "Atkins Recruiter." From
time to time, I receive e-mails from non-low carbers who wish for me to sell them on the program, or
to explain via e-mail the fundamentals of Atkins explained and detailed throughout SFS.com in order
to encourage them to consider it. These people are respectfully referred to the most exhaustive
resource available for Atkins: the Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution book, followed by the information
provided throughout SugarFreeSheila.com, to enable them to make their decision. I can assure you,
both are entirely worth the read!
- If you come across a random article discussing how Atkins is "harmful"/"doesn't work," etc., there is
no need to contact me for my comment, because I will have none to make. The 9 years of consistent
photos of me at an ideal-weight goal provided throughout the pages of this website are proof enough
that it has worked for me. Additionally, I am not here argue Atkins' merits, or to talk anyone into
believing Atkins is the way to go - that is 100% up to you. Again, I only make myself available in
helping others who have already sold themselves on the program.
- Atkins is the only program to have ever worked for me, and is thus the only program of which I
am a proponent. Therefore, I do not have any criticims or arguments to make about other
programs.
- No medical questions, please! I am not a physician, nutritionist, dietitian, or trainer. When asked an
Atkins question, my response is always taken directly from the Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution text.
- If you are wondering whether I have any new photos on my website, there is no need to e-mail me
with this question when this may be determined by browsing the site itself. New photos, which are
captioned with dates, are always distributed throughout these pages - and not necessarily in the
most obvious places!
- Due to the potential risk for viruses, I do not accept file attachments. Also, photos inserted into e-
mails are likewise not downloaded. However, don't take this to mean that I do not want to see your
photos! Please feel free to send them via TinyPic.com if you wish to share them.
- One e-mail at a time, please. While I type at a net speed of 95-100 words per minute and check e-
mail frequently, it might take me some time to get back with you due to the very large volume of e-
mail I receive. If you have not yet received a response, please be patient. I love hearing from you and
promise that you will hear back from me. P.S: See banner at bottom of page to test your own speed!
- I do not write out or report menus. However, if you are stumped for entrée, appetizer, and snack
ideas appropriate for all phases of Atkins, recipes I still enjoy to this day, please see my Original
Low-Carb Recipes Page for many sample recipes from my two cookbooks if you have a snack attack
as I do sometimes!
- From time to time, I receive an e-mail asking that I not only write out my typical menu but to also
measure/weigh this food and report it to this person as well. Here is a humorous illustration of this
request.
- If I mention a generic product such as Vitamin E oil or flax seed meal without a brand name attached
to it, this means I do not recommend any specific brands. Specific brands are mentioned if, and
only if, I deem them extraordinary and heads above the rest. Additionally, I recommend no sellers or
vendors for my personal product purchases. If a link is provided to show a picture of a particular
product, this does not mean I recommend the seller; it is only to demonstrate a visual for said
product. On that note, please remember that this is a non-commercial and 100% ad-free and popup-
free website. I continue to have no endorsements, and am not paid to mention any product,
website, or organization.
- My thoughts on Splenda are mentioned in the bottom portion of my Atkins FAQ. Any discussion
regarding "danger" theories with respect to Splenda should be directed to the company itself. I am
not a spokesperson for Splenda - and am certainly not on their payroll - so I have no arguments to
make for this company. Here is a link to contact Splenda directly.
- My provided e-mail address is a SugarFreeSheila.com.com address, so I graciously request that it
not be included in any unsolicited mass mailing lists, forwards, contests, or website invites.
- To photographers, agents, scouts, directors/producers, PR practitioners, marketing enthusiasts,
publicists/press agents, venture capitalists, or any individual or business looking for an "affiliate" for
their website: thanks, but no thanks! My website always has & will continue to "get to the next level"
through engine searches & word-of-mouth alone. Nothing more has ever proven necessary.
- While I appreciate your thinking of me, I am not at all interested in buying or selling beauty products
to earn a new car, or involvement in anything having to do with Multilevel Marketing (MLM).
- From time to time, I hear from representatives of "non-profit organizations" requesting free items. I
welcome these e-mails, provided your group is legitimate and therefore recognized by your state's
Department of Justice. Otherwise, this website might be of interest.
- A Kind Reminder For My Gentlemen Site Visitors: If it's appropriate enough to say to your underage
niece, it is therefore appropriate enough to say to me.
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