I wonder about that sometimes, too. I don't know if (almost) everyone has the situation under control and doesn't need to post or if more of them are out of control and don't want to admit/discuss it or if there just isn't that much interest in the topic for most. Maybe a combo of all that.

It would be good to see more members posting, whether questions, thoughts, personal experiences with weight/diets or interesting stories/articles/studies on anything related to weight management or even just fun, diet related stuff. More activity would in turn promote more activity, which would benefit this group and hopefully many of it's members.

I don't know about other members messaging each other, I don't hear from any although there are a couple I would message with it the conversation called for more privacy. It seems counterproductive to take too much discussion to messaging, if someone is unwilling to share anything on the open forum, what purpose is served by being a member? Sharing on the board can not only provide a personal outlet for one's own struggles but also give encouragement, support and ideas to other members who are still reluctant to share.

Good to see you! Some days I feel like I'm talking to myself but I guess that is OK, I'm about as interesting as the next person. Good to hear you're progressing in your health pursuit/weight loss. That reduced BP and foot pain is a great thing and given how you describe that pain, it is lucky you found something to help it. That kind of chronic pain can eventually become more than a person can deal with and lead to multiple bad "fixes".

I can't bring myself to go to the vegan side, although I don't eat a large amount of meat, milk or eggs. However, I do enjoy "greens", particularly kale, spinach and romaine lettuce. They are definitely a positive in the diet. My kale plants that overwintered, are already providing enough leaves for a small harvest every few days. I need to try chard as I'd like more greens that I am able to grow. Have not mastered growing spinach or lettuce. Mustard greens are a possibility, too.

@DotLewis I got a basil plant, and it adds a nice taste to salads. I need to root a few cuttings and increase the size of my harvest. IMO there are two things about meat that are bad, one caused by factory farming is meat is loaded with harmones, pesticides and other chemicals, some of which cause cancer. In addition, the fat can be a problem, but can be mediated with omega-3 fatty acids.

If you eat mostly vegetables and maintain an Omega-3 to other fat ration of 1:4 or better (e.g., 1:3) your likelihood of a long lifespan is pretty good. The vegetables keep your immune system strong, and will kill all kinds of toxic cells, including cancer cells.

For weight management, one must eat fewer calories. For many, including me, it is a battle to stop using food for pleasure. A good calorie goal is half of the FDA recommended amount.

I think you are doing great overall. Keep up the good work, you are a role model for our members.

Hiding because one is ashamed of being fat is counter productive, it enables being fat. Be brave, and lose weight. Tell us about yourselves, folks.

Good for you. I was hungry after I got in bed last night. I sometimes wish I could fall asleep whenever I went to bed. Actually, of o went between 6-8pm, it would be no problem, then "second wind" hits me and I won't fall asleep again until after midnight. I resist the temptation to nap in that early evening slump, it only makes things worse.

The good news is, if I need to be up and going bright and early, I rarely have a problem with it. I spent 30+ years running on short sleep, rarely asleep before midnight and up to be at work by 8:30. Retirement has been heavenly, just being able to get around 8 hours of sleep most nights. Did have to implement the mandatory bedtime though as I was pushing ot later and later and staying in bed until noon was just not feasible. Hope to push bedtime to 1am by fall, maybe with the help of DST switch.