I have got some catching up to do on this thread. I am 32 and recently finished Family Medicine residency and currently practice hospital medicine. I am glad to see some dialogue about making good decisions. Most of what I deal with in patients is self-inflicted on some level. Sure, there is a genetic component to many issues, but on some level you can beat genetics or at least delay their effects with good choices. As for me, I try to eat balanced as much as possible, drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fiber (filling and low calories) and practice intuitive eating. With intuitive eating I choose where and how I spend my calories. If I really want some ice cream at the end of the day, I will cut out calories on the front end throughout the day and allow for a small portion of ice cream. With intuitive eating, you have to really ask yourself do I want it bad enough to make some sacrifices and justify it to yourself, but if you find that you really do want something, it is probably better to allow for a small portion and satisfy the craving. If the craving passes, then you probably didn't really want it anyway. If it hangs around, you may splurge and go overboard in a moment of weakness.

I am working on trying to figure out a good exercise regimen with my bizarre schedule. That is the next step for me.

I completely agree Stephen, just because your parents are overweight or have a bad attitude that doesn't mean you have to suffer the same fate. It's really just a lame excuse and the easy way out. Kelli is a prime example. Her Mom was overweight her whole life and had gastric bypass surgery a few years ago. Sure there are some genetics that make it difficult, but it's her habits and lifestyle that led her down that road. No excercise and poor nutrition will lead most down the same road. Kelli has a different philosophy on life.

I tipped the scales at 174 this morning and I've decided to call it a day. I'm going to work on maintaining my weight by adding calories back into my diet responsibly. The 175 mark seems to be my sweet spot. I was 175 at 22 years old. :D

I think this thread will add some accountability into the equation too. I know somebody mentioned the "my fitness pal" app and I think that is a nice tool too.

You should ONLY get your fiber from fruits and veggies... NOT from whole grain - trust me on this.

I was eating shredded wheat every morning for almost a year and the fiber was literally shredding my insides... After some research you find that fiber from grains isn't that healthy at all.

It's just another myth that is spread by the food processing establishment. Grains, sugars, breads all should be at the TOP of the food pyramid, not the bottom, like we are taught in school.

Another fact: Margarine is essentially industrial plastic. The final product is grey until coloring is added to make it look like butter.

LOL - and the only reason it is around was because of WWII.

ps - Nutri-Sweet is also some scary sh!t

Hey, maybe we are being too hard on margarine... I have some dry end-links that could use some greasing... Hmmm :unibrow:

Yep, they like to try and rebrand it every now and then... It's called Splenda now? It's all artificial Aspartame which is the fecal matter of e-coli. Sounds yummy huh?! lol

splenda is reverse engineered sugar i believe. still tastes like a*&

in all things apart from horsepower moderation is the key. I agree with the above, but it's not license to chug butter :D

I do think that people 50 years ago probably ate better than we do now.

There wasn't any choice in the matter. The covnenience of processed and junk foods just didn't exist. Then you factor in computers and the efficiency that's needed in most lines of work to be successful, and the weight gain makes sense as well. Along with the additives that are toxic.

Yes back then real food was still being produced. Go even further back and they were eating very clean.

We are taught from a young age, butter bad! fat bad! cholesterol bad! The truth is if our body doesn't have enough cholesterol our liver will produce it.

No one should chug butter but no one should hold back either.. the idea is to get real butter made from grass fed cows. Your body needs it and its a crucial element for the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Certain animal fats are excellent for you too

I'm currently on the hunt for raw milk from grass fed cows. Here in MO it's illegal for a supermarket to sell that but it is legal for me to buy direct from a dairy farmer. Raw milk from grass fed cows tastes amazing... after trying some of friends supply, I never want to drink dead sugarized milk again.

We also started going to the local farmers market for our fruit and veggies. I picked up some local honey made just across the river from us and so far no allergies this fall! The local organic produce is great too. Our neighbor sells eggs from grass fed chickens too.. you can tell by the difference in the yolks.. a dark orange is good...supermarket eggs from 'happy farms' will be a pale yellow.

Anyway I'm rambling now... my point is don't believe all this nonsense we are taught.. special interests are influencing based on their profit motive.