Quote Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas View Post
I read an article that says that in cultures where people generally are NOT fat despite rich foods (like in France) is because they are taught to stop in a different manner than we are.

In the US and many other cultures, we stop eating when we are full.
In France, they are taught to stop eating when they are no longer hungry.

It's a subtle difference, yet intriguing. I've tried to retrain my thinking in this manner. I don't want to feel full. I just want to be "no longer hungry".
Interesting difference, and it makes sense. I do not eat large portions - though I do fall into that trap when I go out to eat. I know I need to eat more vegetables and have started to incorporate more nutrient rich dark colored veggies into my usual dishes. I've pretty much ruled everything else out so there has to be something going on with my portions.

I am just frustrated with myself, in August 2010 I was 2 pounds below my target weight of 130, and now I am almost 7 pounds higher than my target weight. That might not sound like much, but with my propensity for diabetes 2, my age, and my athletic goals those 7 pounds just aren't good for me. Nor can I delude myself into thinking that I've gained 7 pounds of muscle. My body would look quite different if that were the case

I don't measure when I cook - I am one of those "bit of this and a dab of that" cooks, but I start with healthy ingredients and limit my use of oil as much as I can. I am actively drawing back from bread, though I do need whole grains so am staying with my steel-cut oats with breakfast and brown rice a couple of times a week. I think the rest of my carbs should come from veggies/fruit. It isn't like I am going out on long endurance rides this time of the year!