Read This Before Embarking On Another Diet

For those of you who know me, know that when my interest is peaked about something, I do a lot of research to find the answer. I read from research studies and from doctors who don't have an agenda of their own. I don't just read one book and come to a conclusion. I read A LOT of books on the subject.
I have been back and forth on the weight loss bandwagon. Sometimes I'm on. Sometimes I'm off. From my research I have learned a great deal. One thing is for sure; the only way to lose weight and keep it off and stay sane is to eat healthy and excercise. So why then do we look for programs and diet food? Only 5% of the world population will have success with one of those programs and even less will be able to keep all of it off. Remember to look at the bottom of the ads and commercials to see the all famous "results not typical". All we have to do is eat good for you foods and walk or whatever.
*Your body has a setpoint weight. It will keep you from losing more weight than you should for your body. Everyone's setpoint is different. Also, the more diets you go on the higher your setpoint will be. So go on another diet and you will naturally weigh more and more without being able to lose the weight amount you desire and keep it off for good. You'll lose the weight but it will go back up to where it's setpoint is. Like it or not.
*Your body has a natural number of fat cells. The more you eat the "fatter" they get. But once you stop eating more than you should, they shrink back to normal size. Once you have gained 50 or more pounds, your fat cells start to multiply. They never go away once formed but they do shrink once a person stops eating more than they should. Therefore, if you have gained more than 50 pounds then you will have a higher natural weight than before. After all, you have more fat cells that have to be fed. So the battle is ON.
*Face the fact that you will NEVER be the size you used to be and keep it that way. Just be pleasantly surprised if you get there. The more you accept that about yourself the easier life will be. The fantasies of what life will be like when you hit that magic number will end. You can make those fantasies happen right now! Start liking what you see in the mirror. You don't have to be satisified with every part, but hey, those parts are working for you and helping you live, move and protect. Respect them!
I have put too much money and time obsessing about weight loss and how my life would be if I would just lose weight and look like I did when I was younger. Frankly I'm tired of it. Tired of obsessing over being this image I have in my head. I love my life and my body. It has done me good through the years and I'm no longer going to get depressed when I don't think I look the way I did when I was 20. It's funny when I look back. I never had a weight problem until I went on a diet to lose a few pounds. I thought I was getting pudgy when I went from 116 to 123 at 5 foot 5 inches. If I had never started this diet trend (that has gone on for 12 years) I would never be the way I am now. Messed up in the head about food and low self esteem. But no more! I love myself for who I am, not-so-perfect body and all!

Like Forrest Gump, "That's All I Got To Say About That."