I'm basically vegan - I've lost over 190 pounds in less than two years - I've just had my first reconstructive surgery (lower body lift and arm lift). My diet allows me to eat animal products if I want on just a few "feast" days a year - however I don't miss meat. Funny thing is I found this diet after reading "The China Study" by Dr. Campbell - it was on the NYTime best seller list - he is an NIH funded nutritionist - from him I found Dr. John McDougall and OMG this diet has been a lifesaver. I won't ever change eating this way - I've even gotten rid of diseases I had no idea could be eliminated by diet including allergies and asthma I've had since childhood when I was not obese and arthritis that I've had since I was a teenage.

My diet consists of only whole foods - no junk, no processed foods. BTW, I lost approximately 3 pounds a week for a long time and the weight loss only slowed down as I got near to normal BMI. I eat until I'm satisfied - and I never let myself get hungry.

I've been able to take many of my old favorite recipes and McDougall them - sometimes it means replacing meat with spices. I've found replacing hamburger with black beans works well with a lot of Tex mex dishes or things like Sloppy Joes. I've also worked hard at changing my taste buds so I don't crave unhealthy food. My favorite products are Eden brand canned beans because I'm too lazy to cook them myself and canned are always ready to go as well as Pomi brand chopped tomatoes which are the closed thing to fresh.

Hi everyone, so I've been trying to lose weight forever and back in April I decided to start my own blog to document my journey.  It's really well written but I have no idea how to get followers so I thought I'd post a link up here to see if anyone felt like seeing what a 25 year old female's perspective on weight loss is like.  click here please.

 I was scheduled to have an RNY next week, but have been following the new WW plan and have been doing quite well with it, don't know what has changed except my attitude.  I really owe it to myself to work this program to the death.  Then and only then can I look to WLS as an option.  I really think I can lose this weight on my own, well with the help of WW that is.

Very content with my decision.

Cindy

Well I haven't been around in a couple of years. I never went through with the RNY due to my medical coverage change so here I am again but this time I plan on shedding the pounds the natural way. I hope to get to know all of you and get some tips and tricks along the way to losing weight.

 I can offer you encouragement to follow your diet.  I know it is hard to do, but if you decide to do it, you can do it.  Most of the time we just have to decide to stay on what we have to follow.  

You went through a major surgery many years ago.  Have you been able to see a therapist to help with what might be preventing you from keeping you to your plan?  I'm not trying to beat you up, just trying to help.  You have to love yourself enough to want to save your life.  I don't know what you have to deal with, but life can be hard and if we're here we still have to  move on.  For some reason you are here and you need to fight for yourself.

I know you can do this, so don't give up and do what you have to do for yourself.  Take care.