Diet ? What works?

Ok.. I use the food exchange sometimes. I have a food exchange book, but didn't know there was a program around it. This does sound sensible. I'll check it out. Thanks and the best of success to you! -Bud

I am glad that was able to help  you out.  You can't beat the price.  I think it is usually older people vs the younger people that go, so I heard, but not sure.  But, it is a healthy program.  It also has a internet program. I was looking for this extact program for several years, and didn't find it util after I decided on WLS. Kim

The typical local fees are 50 cents a week. Some are lower.

It's a message board.  People share their opinions.  It's mine.  It's based on a lot of education.  I'm not going to not share it to be PC. I respect that we each make our choices.  But I don't respect a PC culture where you cannot determine your own opinions and share them.  I will not pretend to be something I am not or something I don't feel.  I think WLS is mistakenly sold to the masses.  I think too many people choose it who could have chosen a better option.  I think WLS does indeed screw up the metabolism.   Regardless, what is this world coming to when you're not allowed your opinion?  Why must we pretend to say "whatever works for you" when the truth is so many options are not the best?  Why?  Because someone chose it?  So I need to be tactful about that?  No. Believe me, IRL I know how to be tactful, but a message board to me is not the place--it's just about ideas.  I am not trying to offend someone who chose WLS or pills, etc., but I won't hide my opinion either just to make them more comfortable.

We've been through this on this board.  Some feel you have to support all options.  I just can't do that knowing what I do.  I support the person, not the options.  One of my dear friends on OH had WLS, she knows I don't agree with the surgery, but she gets that I totally support her.  She felt it was right for her.  GREAT!  And she's doing well.  GREAT!  That doesn't negate the side effects of surgery, but it also doesn't negate our friendship. When I taught college, I saw this in my students, a fear of opinions.  Opinionated is not a bad word.  It means you think for yourself.  PC is a bad word, in my vernacular ; )

There is a HUGE difference between being PC and having tact.  This may be a message board, but it's only common courtesy that you respond in a manner appropriate to the situation.  There is a certain level of tact expected in all situations, including OH.  I don't know your field of expertise, but I know you know the power of language...for example: Nobody cares that the hot-bodied, marginally professional trainer you have the hots for at wherever you go to work out, has you lapping up every word that comes out of his mouth... That may or may not be true, but IF it's my opinion, according to your own philosophy, then it's totally acceptable to share it?  No it's not...taking a berating, intolerant, know-it-all tone with a grown person that is struggling with a major problem in their personal life is not only counterproductive, but it's rude and not becoming of ANYONE.  If it worked, NONE of us (including you) would have become obese!!! My 6yr old is opinionated, as is his mother...the difference is I have learned to temper my opinions with DISCRETION.  No one has a problem with your message, it's the packaging that a bit more abrasive than I think you're willing to realize.

You of course have the right to formulate an opinion and express it.  But I will point out the errors--I don't have the hots for him (LOL, he's a sweetheart and too young for me and not my type physically); he isn't "hot bodied" just fit, he is 100% professional in ethics and education to support his professional endeavors, and I don't lap up every word that comes out of his mouth.  I hear him, compare it with what others say (many concur), compare it also with what I read and my own experience, and draw my conclusions.  The irony is, in some ways I do disagree with him, based on what I've learned and what has worked for me.  That's called thinking for yourself. Nothing is abrasive--I did say IMO in my post.  Tact is not in not saying something, tact is in how you say it.  Remember, MB's allow readers to take their own POV of the tone.  So really, it's more coming from the reader than the words themselves.   The thing about opinions is that in many cases they will be exclusionary.  ONe idea can by its merit nullify another.  That is what I think makes folks take umbrage.  You seemed to have missed: "I respect that we each make our choices.  But I don't respect a PC culture where you cannot determine your own opinions and share them." You took issue with me calling WLS and other options "fool's gold".  Those are strong words, to be sure, but they do express my belief.  I just don't think most people should do WLS or pills etc and I back it up with why--the why many ignore in search of faster results.