[NorthstarMom]

That’s similar to what the book presents. The head of the Eating Lab at the U of M, Dr. Traci Mann, began her career in psychology. There are many physiological and psychological factors involved.

When I struggled with weight (high school and college years) I was trying so hard to be thinner, but dieting backfires. Not just for me but for almost everyone. I wasn’t super obese, just heavier than I should have been. Diet companies count on repeat customers to make a profit. My mental health was probably a wreck as well.

My take away from the book was veggies first, move more and not everyone’s natural size is skinny. I have to be careful with my child who struggles. A part of my problem was my dad constantly hinting that I needed to lose weight. I would eat more just to spite him (hindsight reveals much).

[Cronos]

Very valuable points -- especially about the veggies first! I do indulge myself with sweets occasionally but my rules are:

• Lots of green leafy vegetables (salads made from spinach -- no salad dressing!), carrots, capsicum, brussels sprouts etc
• pulses, eggs (in moderation meaning up to 5 a week - but I don't keep count)
• limiting the butter and bread - in fact for bread I have only the rye breads (very easy if you live in Central europe, very hard in the West!)
• Meat occassionally - and red meat too, but also occassionally
• Eliminate as far as possible added sugar, so that means looking at labels
• Eliminate glucose-fructose
• Avoid processed food - its overloaded with salt, sugar, glucose-fructose etc.
• Sweets are processed, but a home-made cake is far better
• Oh and I cut out driving as much as possible - cycle or walk or rollerblade
• Oh and getting a dog was a great decision!