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True . . . But it also goes to show how some people are WAAAAAY too sensitive!

Either way, if you had said something at the time I could have clarified and apologized. You said nothing, so how was I to know?

I am sorry if I hurt your feelings. It was kindly meant, I assure you!

It is coming up on my One Year Anniversary for finding Dr. McDougall, this website, these forums, and the words I wrote in the post above.

I have been reflecting on this upcoming special occasion and have much I'd like to talk about! Things like where I was then versus where I am now, milestones inbetween, and how I feel about all of it.

One theme in all of it echoes my words from my very first post on this forum... about having to take steps one at a time and not feeling rushed or pushed. That is the way I've worked this program from Day 1. I'll have more to say about how successful that's worked for me in the next few days!

Many of you have been part of and shared my journey over the past year and I'd like to give you all the same opportunity to reflect on this thread now that a year has passed, and to offer your own thoughts on your feelings, then vs. now.

This is an exciting time for me!

-Norm

Congratulations Norm. I am so very pleased at your success. You're a wonderful addition to the community.

p.s. Based on your posts (as well as some others such as Ege B) I've ordered and recently received my DDP. Looking forward to trying it!

It is kind of shocking to re-read your "welcome" to the McDougall Board. Just because others have tried your way & failed does not mean you are destined for failure & you have certainly shown others the way. I think you are one of the bright spots on this board. You are not quick to judge people, you are supportive & you are inspiring so many others.

You rock, Norm.

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary & for doing it your way successfully!!!

Hi Norm:

I like to read your other posts, but I can't say that I have been paying close attention to what you're eating now. I am wondering if you follow the guidelines closely now (as opposed to saying strictly) or have your own variation on the theme?

I follow all the guidelines of MWL, because I get symptoms not just weight gain, if I don't. So that is a bit more of an incentive on top of the daily weigh in for me.

So, just wondering where you are with this adherence now - and I know you are having great successes, like with bloodwork - whatever you are doing!!

Best wishes - Michelle

Wow,
I've only been here a few weeks now but I read and read and read and this is the first time I have ever seen this kind of thing here. Had these kind of things been said to me I don't think I would have stay and I would have lost out on a lot. I'm glad you have all been good to me and others that I read about. And if you're BETTING on me I hope you will keep it to yourself.
Thanks for all your support

I would say that it is a safe bet that 95% of my calories are McDougall compliant, and I'd bet that if I carefully analyze every calorie I consumed it'd average closer to 98%, month in, month out. I know I go days, and sometimes weeks 100% compliant.
Some would call this strict. It's not. I eat what I want to, when I want to, and how much I want of it. It just so happens that I no longer want meat, dairy, processed sugars and foods, etc. But if I told myself that I couldn't have those things... I'd be setting myself up for a battle I couldn't win.
Having the head knowledge of why we should eat this way is a good thing. But for many people it's not enough. Neither is the desire and determination to be strict with this way of eating. For too many, that isn't enough either. I don't need to cite examples of this. There are plenty of examples of this right here on these forums.
I guess I do have my own "variation on the theme" going, though to be honest, I don't like looking at it that way. I pretty much eat the way this plan calls for and even with my occasional intentional strays I'm more compliant than many who strive for 100% compliance.
Head knowledge, the science behind this way of eating, the desire and determination to do it.. these things don't take into account the Human Factor. My "variation" takes this Human Factor into account. My way understands that the relationships we have with food are deeper and dearer than many realize and cannot simply be tossed aside as easy for some as it is for others. Just as ending unhealthy relationships with people usually involves a process that includes mental and emotional preparation, so does ending unhealthy relationships with food. It takes time, and there is a grieving process that happens. And these things happen quicker for some people than it does for others. For many, ignoring these facts is a recipe for failure. We see plenty of people who, in spite of their deepest desires, aren't able to transition to this way of living. I bet many of them could be helped if instead of sending them on their way as failures we showed them how to do it... The Norm Way. I don't like phrasing it that way... But I get tired of banging my head against the wall. If the powers that be refuse to accept that the path I went down to get here is as valid as any other path, then I'll go ahead and call it The Norm Way.

-Norm

Norm, the approach you describe is what Kathy Freston writes about in her book, The Lean. Also Dr. Alona Pulde, I believe, uses this approach with some patients.

So you can call it the "Pulde-Freston Way" if you prefer . Sounds like a road name, doesn't it? (A road to a better place, lol).

Congratulations on your success and I hope it continues for you.

Norm, I just want to say I am glad you are part of this web site.

I hope people can see that no matter what others respond, no matter who they are, that one can be successful in this WOE. Part of me wishes I would have never seen this thread as I am disappointed.

I learned years ago in AA not to judge if one will be successful or not. It seems the ones I thought were going to do great, struggled and the ones I thought were never going to get sober, did. Good thing I am not in charge.

Thank you John!
I assume there are parts of you that understand why I've left this thread here and not asked for it to be removed.

I do not like to look at it as I did it >MY< way. My way got me where I was, almost 500 pounds and in poor health, unable to work, unable to function. I watched the Starch Solution Video and took it to heart. Dr. McDougall said that the more starch I ate and the less meat I ate the healthier I'd be. He said it wasn't an "all or nothing" thing. I took him at his words and in a VERY SHORT PERIOD of time transitioned to 95% compliance. I ate more rice. Less meat. I ate more potatoes. Less dairy. I ate more oats, less oil. Until one day I ate no meat, dairy, or oil.

I believe I am a shining example of what The McDougall Diet can do for the super morbidly obese. I believe that I have insight into the slight tweaks to the Diet that can help people who are like I used to be. I fully intend to use my knowledge and experience to help others follow the path I have followed. I see me helping to lead others to the lifestyle I now live.
But exactly what is the lifestyle I now live? Will I steer them to the McDougall lifestyle? Or the Norm lifestyle? What's the difference? Other than the steps I took to get here being the WRONG steps according to some, I can't answer that question.

I am The Red Headed Step Child of the McDougall Program.

-Norm

I am glad the post was not removed.

The more I read directly from Dr McDougall's writtings and hear his interviews and talks, the less I rely on others to tell me about this WOE and what is the "McDougall" way.

I remember this thread...and how appalled I was at the welcome you received from our moderator.

and now I think how proud I am of you. You are a shining example of how to take your life back, and in many ways in my own process, I have learned how to do it from you.

I am super uber glad you stayed. and I think anyone on these boards who doesn't think so is insane.

so nyah.

I'm new here, and I just read this entire thread. Wow. So far, I've received only positive replies, and I am grateful. Overall, this forum seems like a good place.

Morphine