Hey are guys allowed in here?

http://drhowardshapiro.com/

sounds kind of interesting amongst the barrage of fad diets, this makes sense and is being featured on "The View" on ABC television now. They have sample diets on the view's website.

http://abc.abcnews.go.com/theview/episodes/today.html

Fat is many times more "fluffier" (ie less dense) than muscle so you can weigh more but still look a lot thinner if you develop more muscle and less fat than you had before.

We are way too conscious about body image. I often tell my wife that she needs to put on a little more weight (size 1 or 3) and she thinks she is a little overweight (yeah right). She is pretty much the same weight as when we were married 32 years ago. I've packed on another 10 pounds but then I was always the boy with the skinny arms.

The focus should be on our health. You seem to be on the right track. Exercise is great--make sure it is something you like or get some variety so it is not something you dread or it won't continue to happen. Consciousness about carbs is also good--we all eat way too much of them because they are convenient and delicious. Alcohol is another sleeper that can really pack on the pounds. I try to confine my abuse to FT events and even then I think I only imbibe moderately (right svpii?).

Anyways sorry if I am intruding here. It is an interesting topic. My brother has had a lifelong battle with this one. He swims a mile every day and plays tennis but loves the bread and taters and ice cream. He came up with a novel approach and lost about 20 pounds -- he found a girlfriend!