Comments on: Life is like Chutes and Ladders

By: TRACI

TRACI — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:16:29 +0000

well this comment may make you mad but what i just read made me mad so we are even…i read your book and loved it, i started reading this and you are so inspiring and real but then i came across the weight watchers post! i know it is an old post but to me ,and im sure others like me, it is new since i just started reading all of this… i was disappointed that you would say such things about another diet plan when you havent tried it and believe me weight watchers works! its the same struggles you have faced yourself on south beach that makes a person gain weight back, or not lose. you yourself have gained weight back or “fallen off the wagon”, and to put it bluntly you are still not at “goal” weight so it seems to me south beach may not be the perfect plan either

By: origamifreak

origamifreak — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:33:10 +0000

P.S. I grew up in the US calling that game “Snakes and Ladders.”

By: origamifreak

origamifreak — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:24:42 +0000

@Kate & @Lee:

I agree that it’s possible over 30. I’m 43 and have lost over 150 lbs (from 335.6 down to 183.4) I’m on my way to 150 total or 25% body fat, whichever comes first.

In fact, I think it’s been EASIER to lose 100+ pounds this time around (I did it once in my 20s), because with age I’ve gained maturity and DISCIPLINE. (I’ve always lacked somewhat in the discipline department, LOL – and yes that is directly related to how I GOT to 335.6 in the first place!)

About keeping it off, the NWCR has published a nice lay-person level paper on the statistically significant factors involved in weight management after loss, which is helpful. In other papers they say that if you can keep the weight off for 5 years, your chances of keeping it off forever are greatly increased. Links and a summary, here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2280263

So once I hit goal I’m starting a 60-month countdown, and will celebrate each month that I maintain. Because I am NOT doing this again. N O T.

Jeannette, what is your ID on Spark People? I’d love to follow your progress on there!

By: Sarah M

Sarah M — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:08:03 +0000

Okay, I’m sorry. I was being awful, perfectly.

Actually, I think this is a pretty cool website. if I’d read all the comments, I’d realize that I was behaving awfully.

I’m just jealous. I’m over 300 lbs (5’11″), and having the devil of a time with it. I’m always in pain from my back, miserable about the way I look. I do work out every other day, it seems to worsen the pain. I don’t eat alot; my metabolism is just very slow, I suppose. I’l continue to read this blog; I like the writer’s wit and self-deprecating sense of humor. I guess I need to try it myself.

Again, sorry, folks.

By: Ang

Ang — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:02:44 +0000

I am glad I can follow your blog on your journey. I had lost about 85 lbs a couple of years ago and have slowly regained about 50. I was diagnosed with a very early stage of uterine cancer with is possibly made worse by the extra poundage. So, I signed up to run the Disneyland half marathon with an old roommate September 2010 and I plan to lose 50 lbs by then.

I feel like such a fake these days. I know deep down I am a healthy person. I love eating healthfully (really, I do, but something draws me back to the crap that doesn’t make me feel better and adds empty calories). And, I do love running (while hating it at the same time.) Time to be the real me. Hope you don’t mind serving as an inspiration!!

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:44:34 +0000

@Lee – I agree. I am over fifty and have been able to keep my weight in a normal range without starving myself for the past several years. I think age brings with it the wisdom to look at food more in a health/nutrition way and as long as you keep moving, like PQ, things are manageable.

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:30:38 +0000

Way to go, PQ!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:33:30 +0000

Was excited to see your picture in Runner’s World. I’ve done the up and down battle as well, I let myself get complacent after doing a couple of triathlons–I was entitled to eat more. After an injury and continued entitlement I am up 30 lbs and running is a real hassle. Working on week 3 of an attitude adjustment!

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:11:19 +0000

@Sarah M – harsh much? Isn’t what you’re doing ‘talking to hear your own voice’? You’re right, someone needs to grow up, but it certainly isn’t PQ. Gah. Trolls like you irritate the bejeezus out of me. Would you say that to someone’s face? No? Then don’t say it on the internet. Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?

By: Clare

Clare — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:54:41 +0000

I also live with chronic pain. While my story is not the same as yours, I watched my weight steadily increase for several years as I used food for my endorphin rush–takes a little of the edge off the pain, I’m guessing. Losing that weight was the best thing I did–I’ll always live with pain and I can’t control that … but I COULD take control of my weight, and that, in the end, was empowering! I’ll keep you in my thoughts.