Kacey, I’m not Noel, but allow me to welcome you to the forum. We’ve all been afraid of this, after all, who wants to GAIN weight?  It is downright depressing to gain weight.  But it will probably be necessary for you to do so in order for you to achieve your goal of being naturally thin while never having to go hungry or feel deprived again.  You’ll have a wonderful feeling of taking care of yourself by giving your body what it needs.  It will take a lot of guts and perseverance, and the successful people are the ones who do not give up and return to the dieting lifestyle.  There are people here in various stages to support you on your journey!

Hi Kacey, yes, I lived 5 years in Vancouver WA from 1988 - 1993 and Noel is my real name. Where did we know each other from? A group or school or Diet Center or OPTION CARE? Let’s keep in touch here. Be fearless! You can do this, too! Now I wonder who you are and how we crossed paths. If you follow the guidelines in that first book, read and re-read it, you can do this.

As I think about this, I realize that simply by my telling you about the book, all those years ago, you remembered and the knowledge came back to you when you were finally “ready.” That goes to the saying “though the message was not heard, it was still worth sending.” You never know! I sincerely believe that once people have this knowledge, they will eventually realize the truth of it.

I believe you are meant to be Naturally Thin or you would not have come here. Welcome and let us know how we can help. I am coming up on 21 years since I read and believed Jean’s book.

Noel—You knew me as Sandy and we worked at Option Care together.  I moved back to Kansas City in 1993 and met my current husband, Al, in 2003 and remarried in 2004.  We retired last summer (mostly because I was downsized from my job of 10 years), bought a motorhome and traveled.  We settled for a few months in central CA (where Al’s family lives).  Decided that we were not cut out to be full-time RVers, sold the motorhome and now live on Grand Lake of the Cherokees in Grove, OK.

I’m so happy that our paths have crossed again and appreciate all the support that I know I will receive from you and the group.

I just got home from the grocery store with a lot of real food and plan to start my new adventure tomorrow.  I know that it will be a challenge because of all the programming we have received our entire lives re counting calories, portion control, losing weight quickly, etc., etc.  But I know that I am ready now.

This is so cool!  I love when this sort of thing happens!

This IS cool.  Welcome Kacey.  I am in month 3 (and a half!) of doing NT, even though I heard about it and read the book in 1997.  I wasn’t ready then, but I am now.  And yup, I have gained weight.  It’s no fun, but I can tell that my appetites are already changing.  I think being prepared for the weight gain is helpful, and knowing that we all have gone before you may be as well…

For me, what encourages me is to think “This is what my body needs in order to feel safe, and safe is what will make her let go of the extra weight.”  Oh, and get clothes that fit when you need a bigger size (if you do…some people don’t gain out of their current size).  That is really helpful.

I personally have found posting on the forum to be really helpful…and when I’m starting to freak out, the good people here can always talk me down again.

Kacey!! Sandy!! OMG!! There you are!! I’m so happy to find you after all these years. I never knew you were even paying attention when I talked about naturally thin. I’m so glad you are here on the forum. I can only say this is going to be so exciting for you and I am 100% positive you will be successful. You helped me so much when I was getting started and now I can help you.

I’d love to know what else you are doing these days, write to me. 

Love,
Noel from Midway UT

Sandy, you’re not going to get any of the instant gratification of dieting, so don’t even go there. Remember the time you told me about the person who said to you “you’re so intelligent it scares me?” That makes me laugh even today! Well, just to think that all this time you never tossed out your book, you ARE super smart. I’m happy for you, even in a week or two from now you will feel so free and good to be eating well and being good to yourself.

There’s so much to tell you about this process, we’ll just take it as the questions come up. We’re here for you, there is much wisdom on this forum. Meanwhile, when you get up tomorrow, have a good big breakfast as much as you want. Don’t under eat. If you get hungry again in a couple hours, eat again and eat big if you need to. I usually eat three good meals by 1 pm

Love,
Noel

Reunions like this are just about the niftiest things ever!  Love it!

Day 1—Happy to be getting started.  Not very hungry this morning as I’m not used to eating breakfast first thing.  But I ate an egg and piece of toast.  We’re headed out to the farmers market and I will take a PB&J sandwich with me in case I get hungry while we’re out.

Noel—This is TOO exciting!!!  Hard to believe that we have found each other again.  I cannot remember your last name, but I have updated my Facebook account and listed Option Care as a former employer.  If you are on Facebook, I think you can find me that way.  We MUST catch up!  I can’t believe how quickly the years fly by.

Did you put real butter on your toast?!

Yes. Real butter, but tried not to use too much.  Glad I took the sandwich.  I was just starting to get hungry as we started back home.  Found some beautiful Arkansas peaches, tomatoes and homemade apple butter.

Jean says words like “trying not to eat too much” is dieting behavior.  If it’s real food, Just eat what you think your body wants and see if you can get away from overthinking the mission! deprogramming is harder than you think.

Kacey and I were friends for 2 years in 1991 to 1993. She was my supervisor when I had a part-time job while in school, going back to “get a life” on Jean’s advice. We have connected on email and I am so delighted that, because of Jean’s book, I found a lost friend! I have advised her to keep posting here, there are so many of you going through what she will be as a newcomer. You will really like her! I warn you, she is very smart and we’ll all have to be on our toes! lol

Sandy, you’ll want to follow annual’s posts, she’s really “got it” lately and I’m very excited for her. And Swan, who has the results to prove it, and the others who are a few months “ahead” of you. If you stay with us, we’ll never let you give up! Beth, Swan, Matty… yes, this is AWESOME good fortune. Definitely “serendipity.”

This is such a trip!  I love that you two have reunited!  What a gas!!

I love hearing the comments from the beginners…and then the advice the advanced beginners give the beginners…you can see everyone stepping up to each level of understanding and we all say the same things as we get farther along and that’s how you can tell we’re making progress.

I can second Noel’s comment about “not too much.”  Jean admonished me about that, too.  I was trying to be a good girl with “just a little bit of this” and “a small amount of that” and she said she thought I might be holding back and I needed to let go and let my body do what it needs.

Appreciating you all so much, new friends and old!!

Thanks so much to everyone for the encouragement and advice.  I did well on my first day.  It seemed like I was eating constantly, but I guess that’s normal.  I have a lot of work to do to change my mindset about eating.  I will look to you all for support and inspiration.

Thanks a million!  Already I feel like I am getting to know you.

Kacey, I want to tell you what I was doing wrong in the beginning to (hopefully) spare you from making the same mistakes.

I would eat pretty much every time I was hungry, but I was really only eating enough to not be hungry anymore.  About a year in, Jean reminded me that I should eat A MEAL when I get hungry.  And eat until I am SATISFIED.  It took me a while to discern the difference between “no longer hungry” and “satisfied.”  But after she said that, I started eating more serious food each time I ate and that made me last longer until I was hungry again.  I was eating every 60-90 minutes; now I go 2-3 hours before being hungry again, depending on what I ate and how busy and active I’ve been.  (If I eat avocado I’m not hungry for 3-4 hours!)

I also was still eating what I thought I “should” instead of what I really wanted.  I’ve learned to be more tuned into what I’m really hungry for.  This means there’s a whole lot of broccoli in my freezer that just isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.  : )

Prepare for ups and downs, success and struggles.  Even though the weight gain is a pain, the freedom is really wonderful.  We’re here for you!