Ok I feel stupid, I was looking at the book, reading the part about setting goals. When I lost 70 or so lbs, I was carrying a card around with me that had my positive affirmations with goals. I had totally forgot about that. I'm going to do that again Does anyone else do that?

I thought it was such a good idea, I don't know why I got out of the habit.

I've gotten very sensitive to 'sweet' as well. I've never been a great one for sweet things but I just don't enjoy them at all now.

Sadly I still love cheese. I don't know what it is about me and cheese - I find it totally addictive, especially blue cheeses - even though I know it makes me fat, gives me headaches and stops me from sleeping.

Frus, doctors DO 'prescribe' nutrition plans to overweight people. I've had several of them over the years, usually based on the food pyramid. The problem is that most people given such diets without any follow-up support can't manage to follow it for more than a week or two before they drift off of it. It usually takes a major health issue for people to change the way they eat and even then, sometimes, they can't make it a permanent change.

I also think that most people know the health problems associated with eating a diet high in saturated fat, cholesterol, salt and sugar (including creme doughnuts) but they freely chose to ignore those issues believing (wrongly) that they are in some way immune to the diseases associated with a poor diet. I know I did.

Then, of course, there are the people who (like smokers) who eat and drink what they want having mad a decision that they will prefer a short but 'happy' life. Not realising that the illnesses they will suffer from poor diet, excess alcohol and cigarettes certainly won't be 'happy' - but by the time they understand that it will be too late.

The other thing I found out today is that doctors (in the UK) can prescribe exercise to their patients. The National Health Service will pay the cost for the patient to attend an induction their local gym and for free use of the gym, swimming pool and aerobics classes - except that at my local gym NOT ONE PERSON has followed through with any attendance after their induction.

It's been quite popular here and people do follow through. I think one reason might be that they find they know other people at the gymn when they go for the induction, or hear that other people they know go. It becomes a bit of a social event. The NHS also run 10 week or so programmes for people who've had a heart attack, to try to get them into the way of exercising. Once a week, exercise programme with a medic/trainer, have your BP monitored, etc. That's quite successful too. In fact, when I was out running with the Boy and his bike on the cycle path recently I met two 'heart attackers' having a lovely stroll together and looking much better than they used to.

Having said all that, I do take your point, Sarah. In general, much more support is needed to get most people into the exercise habit. I think that's why the heart attack programme is good, someone to hold your hand until you can float free.

You are right... they are GREAT that way!!! Or slice them in "rounds" and season and bake. YUM>

Kind of on the subject... but I heard on TV last night that the candy industry is growing twice as fast as the general food industry because candy companies are coming out with so many new variations. Hmmmmm... we wonder why so many of us are so fat and/or unhealthy! Doesn't it feel GREAT not to be a part of it? LOL if it wasn't for 3FC the candy industry would be growing THREE times as fast.

And Sarah Ann you are RIGHT! Doctors DO prescribe healthful living plans. Mine sure does, and does not recommend pills at all for it.

Nelie, I agree with you too... once you get the "junkie" stuff out of your system, it is not nearly so appealing. Now big ole gooey desserts have just lost their attraction for me also.

But I don't think our lifestyles are society's fault... it is personal responsibility. Most people know good and well that living on junk and plopping their butts on the couch is not good for them. They just don't want to make the effort to do anything about it or want to blame fast food industry, etc., instead of themselves.

I think that if I ever get to meet Tom Venuto in person, I'm gonna kiss his cheek!

Susan, he is a scary muscle man though... I stay away from scary muscle men... but he is a good guy though

OK Nelie, I'll close my eyes His book is brilliant and I am soooo thankful that I found it!!!

Well the reviews on the book are certainly shining!!! Interesting... from what I am reading, what he is saying is pretty much exactly what my doctor told me to do! The review I am reading now is at ediets -- guess I can't post the link.

I have a few problems with how often Venuto evokes the "S" word .... starvation mode. I wish there was some other way for him to talk about metabolic increases and decreases.
Can anybody make a wavy line? Ya know? Like when you get up in the morning and you're metabolism is slow so you eat something and it goes up a bit ... then it slows again until you eat something etc. Or when you exercise and send it up and it gradually slips again until you move some more. Maybe a visual would help folks realise that the more time we spend with our wavy line up .... the more calories we burn.

Editted to say .... and that the more muscle we have the higher our entire line is.

Since I've been 'into' Venuto ... my carb percentages are up. I guess I have to figure out how to put more mackerel on my little whole grain buns Or I'll have to go back to more protein powder.

Susan, I just realized last night that I've been shorting myself on carbs. I was eyeing about 1/2 cup of brown rice, but I was totally off, more like 1/4 cup of brown rice. Not that it was totally bad but I was just miscounting.

I also don't know what I'd do without protein powder, it is usually the first thing I eat in the morning and the last thing I drink at night. When I'm not hungry but I know I need to eat something, I turn to protein powder. (Also, I couldn't imagine the "when I'm not hungry" statement a couple months ago).

My eyeballing NEVER works that way

I'm afraid that when we go thru a 'financial thin spot' Mama's special foods are the first to get skipped. One of these days I'll have my protein powder again.

"Mama's Special Powder..." Sounds like Mother's Little Helper...

You'll be ok Susan!

At family picnics I have Aunt Susan's special juice!!

I thought I was so coverly smart! A couple of weeks ago we had a party for my niece who's getting married in July. Her sister said to me ... "Aunt Susan, I've never seen you drink beer before. You usually drink wine out of a big cup."

Busted!