Quote Originally Posted by ny biker View Post
I think almost all adults who are trying to maintain a healthy weight/lifestyle need to keep track of and limit the amount of food they eat, even if they have never gained and then lost excess weight. Some might do it more casually, rather than weighing and measuring, and they might be able to get away with treats more often, but they're still doing it. And then there are people like the always-thin guy in my office who doesn't gain weight easily, but has to watch his diet due to hereditary health issues (high blood pressure in his case).

And btw, congratulations on losing 200 lbs. That's a huge achievement.
No disrespect intended at all toward those who have not had to battle obesity. I agree that it's work (both mental and physical) for all who aspire to live a healthy lifestyle.

I think it's a different struggle to some degree, but not necessarily a more difficult struggle...just different. And of course, ask 10 people which mountain is the highest and they'll always tell you it's the one they have to climb.

I can't tell you how many people have asked me to give an example of what I eat in a day as they'd like to lose 10-30lbs. When I tell them their eyes instantly glaze over. It's such a huge departure from what is considered "normal" by American standards that it seems like too much effort to be worth it for 10-30lbs. But from where I started (nearly bedridden due to all the medical issues that were both a cause and symptom of my weight issue) it was a no brainer...eating in such an extreme way is a small price to pay for getting my life back.

I'm married to that guy who has to make an effort to eat enough or else he accidentally loses weight.

And thank you! I've really emphasized focusing on one day at a time so it's still really surreal when I allow myself to look at the big picture. In a good way though!