Welcome, Suncity!

Personally, I read everything I can get my hands on that Jean writes, so yes, I would say it is helpful to have both books. (She has also written one specifically for kids, but you say your son is at a healthy weight.)  I’m glad you’re here, because it means ALL areas of your life can be happy now! 

Swan

I think the best way to think about whether or not to try Naturally Thin, even though the weight loss is slow, is to imagine yourself five years and even ten years down the pike.  Whether or not you get your eating straightened out and give your body a chance to shed the extra weight you’ve accumulated by dieting, you will still be five years, ten years older.  If you keep doing what you’ve been doing (and you’ve proved what those results will be) then you will be just as overweight or even fatter in five and ten years, and struggling with eating.  But, if you courageously apply these distinct and rational principles, you will gradually be able to enjoy eating, a normal relationship with food and, yes, even weight loss with all its health and psychological benefits.

“Insanity is trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”  Albert Einstein

Sincerely,
Jean

I’m 5’3” also, but have never been below 120 lbs.  I’m fairly active and pretty strong so I’m sure part of that is muscle.  I was at 196 also when I started NT. Now the part you will NOT want to hear - I’ve gained about 20 lbs. since I started NT.  That doesn’t mean you will as well.  I’m to the point where I had to go buy some new summer clothes because nothing fit.  That’s no fun, but I feel better if I wear clothes that fit rather than trying to squeeze into something that no longer fits my body.  This morning I brought a big bag of old clothes that don’t fit to the Good Will (I kept my favorites in hopes that someday they will fit again) and bought a few new things - in a size bigger.  I get teary thinking about it and hope and pray be body begins to respond soon.  I don’t have control over that, all I can do it keep eating high quality real foods on time and not let myself get hungry.  It sounds so easy…

I can relate to your fear of gaining weight.  Throw away the scale.  It does you no good at this point.  Jean says we always end in a feast so expect that you will likely gain some weight before you begin to slowly go down.  But, as Jean says, what’s the alternative - to keep dieting, knowing that does not work???

Last night I saw some neighbors whom we haven’t seen much all winter.  They’ve both lost 60+ pounds and look great.  But you know what his comment was?  “I keep waiting to not be hungry.  That’s the hardest part.”  So, how long do you think it will take for him to regain the weight - and probably more.  We all know if we are hungry it will never last. 

Yesterday a co-worker went to the doc and the doc told her she’s gained 30 lbs over the last 3 years.  She wants her to go to a nutritionist or she’ll have to put her on meds (she’s obese).  Her doc said “try eating a small bowl of oatmeal and a piece of fruit for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and a reasonable dinner.  My co-worker said “I know I will be hungry if that’s all I eat.”  I tried to tell her about NT, but she wasn’t interested.  It’s hard to tell people about NT when I’m not successful in their eyes yet…

I go to bed at night and pray for the strength to continue, to listen to my body and for my body to trust me and respond by realizing it no longer has to hold onto the fat.  That I WILL feed it on time when it tells me.

I found Jean’s NT book most helpful. In fact for the past six months I’ve re-read it 7 times, picking up little nuggets each time.

The journey continues.

Munch

Thanks very much for the honest responses - they are so true.  I’m going to move forward and apply the principles - the time will pass regardless.  I appreciate the encouragement and guidance this forum provides.  Thanks, Jean for sharing NT and making this forum available.

Suncity