Pete, something that (for me) I found is having the external accountability is the "support system" that helps get me moving again in the right direction, then hold it for long enough for it to become a "habit" and then I remove them from the picture and see if it stuck. Most of the stuff does, some doesn't. I was 322, down to 235 (5ft9in). At that weigt, I think it's reasonable to say I was "Addicted" to food and poor lifestyle.<br><br>
With any addict, having external support systems improve the chances of success dramatically. Be it in the form of nutritionist, family, friends, work, logging your food (so the computer adds up the evil you threw into your gullet!) whatever. I consider myself a smart guy, but if I'm truly smart - then how did I get to 322lbs in the first place? Denial. The external support provides the "hey dummy, stop cramming X into your face NO IT IS NOT HEALTHY". It's amazing the things which have "Crept" back into my diet over time. Stuff I NOW consider unhealthy which I USED to consider my "MOST HEALTHY" food. Truly scary.<br><br>
You're right though, the stuff isn't rocket science. Ultimately it's all calories in vs calories out. Calories Out => I went from couch to Olympic distance tri (2 years) and lost 50lbs before I FINALLY admitted I had to address Calories In. So I went from fast food 6 days/wk (2x/day some days) down to 2-3, then 1-2, then 0. But it took time.<br><br>
The nutritionist helped in suggesting bridge ideas. For example... if I'm going to eat at McDonalds for breakfast (cringe) then how about you change from 2 Egg McMuffins to 1 with a side of scrambled eggs (did you know you can order just that?). Then let's drop the Egg McMuffin. Then let's drop eggs every day, how about a peanut butter bagel (from Natural Ovens - those ROCK). And so on. The transition is easier for addicts to ACCEPT and SUCCEED than cold turkey - which has a higher relapse rate.<br><br>
this doesn't even address the emotional eating issue, which is a huge issue for women but can affect men too, which is not a big issue for me. but logging your food and emotions and tracking the comparison is very helpful. And having someone else question the heck out of you and not buy any of your denials, is critical.<br><br>
So, I guess my point is that if you're not an addict - then maybe you don't need elaborate support systems and a systematic progression of working towards better choices. I think the definition of an "addict" is someone who truly WANTS something but simply cannot implement it. Call it weakness, call it disease, whatever - it is what it is. Many people are just "fat" (or fatter than they should) because they got lazy/complacent in their choices. If you're not an addict, just stopping making those bad choices isn't so hard - so think about it, stop it, and you'll succeed.<br><br>
I do get nervous when a nutritionist pushes supplements, IMHO they should be pushing you to eat the right things. Only if they cannot get you to DO that should you consider supplements (again, my opinion) and you should not be buying them FROM the nutritionist. I feel the profit motive makes them too biased and it makes me cynical. I also don't like some of the foo-foo-voodo that some of them are into... massage therapists too... man some of this new age crap is just not for me but that's for another day's rant... <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Everyone here, just remember, regardless of your choices, we're here to support you and be your biggest fans <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> We all have a common goal, so PLEASE speak up and give your thoughts. Pete may not agree with the use of nutritionists but I am GLAD Pete was comfortable speaking up and stating his mind. Many Paths... one mountain! We'll all get their but by expressing our thoughts and ideas someone else out there could learn and lose - so spread the knowledge, you may just be unlocking the secret for success that someone out there needed!