I've been mulling around the words of those who have posted about eating less (posts from Trapper, etc.).

I noticed that as I eat better-quality food, I just eat less. I have people tell me "I can't afford to eat like you," but I seriously doubt that. Not even counting the costs of the drugs and stuff that you won't have to buy if you are eating well - I find myself just needing less food. I find this every time I visit with other people, eat meals with them, stay at their houses.

I also have pressure around me to eat more. My husband totally understands and eats less than he used to, and he wouldn't ever force me to eat when I wasn't hungry. However, I noticed that whole cultural push to eat more. I am at a good weight, but some view me as skinny. I look thin in many places, but around the middle (not tummy, just hips/butt/thighs), you can see where the weight is stored. I am not at all concerned about how much I weigh. But there are people who tell me to eat more. I am finding myself more and more conscious of this, and more conscious of my desire not to eat more.

I love our massage therapist. She's great for me in many ways. However, she is all screwed up about food. When she gives us food, it's stuff that sits in my gut for the rest of the day. I stopped eating whatever she is offering. she also tells me I have an "absorption problem" and thinks I am underweight. I don't think I am underweight.

Why do so many people feel the need to have an opinion on your weight nowadays, and share it with you?

I don't know how many times I have to say "no thanks" to food, REPEATEDLY. Why isn't the first "no" good enough? Why do people feel the need to ask "are you sure?" Of course I'm sure! This isn't rocket science. It doesn't take 5 minutes to calculate.

I truly get the impression that people are looking at me, puzzled, as the years go by. They think I am getting better and better looking with time, while most people are getting much worse looking. One woman just told me she expected me to have gained some weight since my wedding (2005), but I haven't.

It seems like most times I have constipation issues (vacations, etc.) are times when I'm chowing down more than I need. I get to talking, I get a huge plate of food in front of me, and I don't stop when I need to. I am battling this urge to "not waste," when it is a total waste to shovel in stuff that my body can't handle.

Well, I'm taking more and more control of this, and feeling better and better. Eat better, eat less.