drlewis

Yes–it feels SO good to eat so little, feel comfortable, and watch the pounds float away. It is much more fulfilling to eat less and know that you are getting thin than to eat more of something you’ve just put in your mouth. So get excited about crossing the finish line, and just go for it!!

I might agree with you that below 18.5 is more unhealthy–the truth is I (we) don’t know yet. I mentioned that there is evidence to suggest lower than this may be healthier, but that is just one study. I don’t know, but I can comfortably argue that shooting for a BMI of 18.5 is the healthiest target for all people.

Why do you maintain a BMI of 16?

Funny, but the only people (thus far, in my 6-year-old practice) who have had fertility problems are those who are overweight. They present first to me, I run some basic tests, and I refer them to a specialist if the tests don’t reveal the problem.

Regarding the issue of miscarriage and perinatal mortality in Africa–that is not an infertility…[Read more]

Of course. If you are devoid of fat stores you body is forced to break down protein as a carbon source to make sugar when you sleep. So there is a point at which too low is too low. But, According to Dr. Gelber et al, published in March, 2007 in the International Journal of Obesity, people that had a BMI of 18.5 and lower lived longer and…[Read more]

Fair enough. I imagine that those with a BMI of under 19 who are infertile have a chronic illness that drove them to a BMI of 19–not that they chose to be there. I would have to look at the study.

I have not heard that a BMI of 19 is associated with infertility, but WITHOUT DOUBT being over weight is.

I would think that a BMI of 16 is too thin, but I would need to know more about you. Are you maintaining that BMI for health reasons (were you diabetic, have a stroke, heart problems?) or because you think you look best at that weight. I…[Read more]

A well-known physician once gave a lecture to our medical class entitled: "To Air Is Human". It was whimsical and light in nature, but the essence of the lecture was that most people perceived their gas emissions as excessive when in fact they are quite normal. If your bowel movements are normal, then everything is working as it should, and…[Read more]

Yes, popcorn is mostly air, so 3 kernals might be less than 1 bite. BUT, again, it is OK to eat less than 5 bites for a meal, just never more than 5 bites for a meal. So give a few popcorn kernals a try.

You can try fiber (Metamucil, Fibercon, etc) or simethicone (Gas-X, etc). Be aware, though, that the gas may be coming from the chocolate in Snickers if you are displaying early symptoms of lactose intolerance. You might want to try a lactose tolerance test: Eat cheese, chocolate, dairy, etc for 1 week (but only 5 bites : )), then 1 week of a…[Read more]

The results are great. I haven’t compiled the exact data, but people do phenomenally well keeping the weight off. People who want to lose the weight and put themselves through the FBD have no problem keeping it off–after all, you are not changing what you eat, you just get to eat more of it! All I can say is this: let’s talk about this more…[Read more]

Outstanding post. We all could learn from these words. Thank you, Shanni.

I am going to comment on the potential here:

During menstruation you lose not just blood but endometrial tissue (CELLS) that your body then has to start rebuilding for the next month. Prior to your period, as the tissue is growing the most, a lot of estrogen is being produced by the ovary to STIMULATE your appetite so you have more sugar around…[Read more]

Good. Thanks.

But the results are…oh, so much fun! Just focus on the finish line, and getting there will become fun! Trust me! Good luck!

Welcome back Marina!

If losing weight were easy for everyone, I wouldn’t have this website. But that’s what we are here for. And you’ve already conquered the hardest part–committing yourself to the finish line. Let’s have fun and get it done!

I want you to inundate your thoughts with images of you as a thin, energetic person. Just image how…[Read more]

Your thread is a great one, sums up this program, and should be a motivating factor for everyone here. Thank you, Tadpole, for sharing your experience with us!

Al

Make sure they are the 2.07 oz Snickers Bar. If they are, and all you eat are 2 of them, you, at most, can only be eating 560 calories! That’s just not much for a day! Now it is possible that you have an extremely EFFICIENT metabolism, and that your body can run beautifully on not much more than 600 calories a day, but you would be extremely…[Read more]

You don’t need to add exercise, though this would be fine. You DO, however, need to take smaller bites. MUCH smaller bites. For your height and age, there is not reason why you can’t lose 15 pounds per week! No reason at all. I’ll help you get there, just keep me updated on your progress. Have you tried the Snicker Bars thing?

Super. Your on a good path.

Tadpole-

Welcome. Thanks so much for joining the club. How long did it take you to go from 136 to 95? Tell us about your experience. And since you are now done, you have a whole new perspective to share with others here. Thanks!!

Al