Thank you all for sharing your thoughts, experiences and knowledge here.

I think the hormone and fat cell research is fascinating and really quite discouraging in some ways. I lost about 38 pounds starting 3 1/2 years ago, but have 5 lbs back on and am really struggling to get back to my goal again. Knowing I have to eat less or work harder than someone else who is my weight, simply because I used to be more overweight seems incredibly unfair! (I just want to kill those extra fat cells!)

I have had the yo-yo dieting experience quite a few times- but have kept much more off this time and for longer. Comments and attitudes of other people can be quite challenging. For example- after losing a significant amount but not being at goal, people often said "You don't need to lose any more weight". Or when my "best friend" got irritated about me and my food choices and finally admitted that she was jealous. At one point, only about half way to my goal she actually tried to tell me that I should stop trying to lose any more weight because I would probably gain it back anyway.

Anyway- this is a great discussion, and Goldfinch, thank you for sharing your knowledge so articulately.