...have had three fills -- but my eating and hunger patterns are pretty erratic. Lost about 1/3 of my needed pounds since 4/23 (28 lbs).

am 69 yrs old. Felt like it took me several wks to feel

"back to normal" -- but sure notice an uptick in my energy level -- which I really enjoy. Heartburn is history.........blood pressure down........problems w/diarrhea also pretty much gone (unless I indulge in sweets).........

everybody talks about reaching the "sweet spot" for controlled eating -- but have no idea what that is supposed to feel like?????:wink2:

IMHO, the 'sweet spot' is not limited to only "controlled eating"...it includes something even BETTER: "controlled HUNGER".....

and rather than starting the day like a shark constantly swimming forward to oxygenate its gills, preOp I would constantly ooze forward like Jabba the Hut over whatever foodstuff was along my route.

I would awake with sharp 'HUNGER NOW' drive in full throttle....and regardless of what/when/how much I ate....my immediate thoughts were 'what next'...etc. perhaps that was just the final phase, as times in my life were not like that. During my 28 day total fast, for instance.

So 'sweet spot' for me, is to NOT be hungry all the time; to NOT be focused on food all the time; NOT be overly concerned about my next eating adventure; NOT be in a hurry to stuff every crumb and dribble down and tamp it in with an eating shovel....

"Sweet spot" means I can eat a normo sized meal on a normo schedule. Or I can be preoccupied with non-eating activities and enjoy them, and even enjoy the gradual onset of my appetite slowly building, like the sky at dawn gradually lighting the world.

"Sweet spot" means that a taste, or a bite, or a spoon ful, is often enough to take the sharp edge off the hunger, and be satiated for a while. Or to eat a normo amount without wanting for more. Or having a simple cup of Soup and be satisfied. Not having to enter the Zombie Preditors from Hell seeking every last morsel on the planet.

Being extremely satisfied with one, or maybe 1 1/2, slices of pizza, instead of the whole thing.

Or actually choosing a salad instead of the old favorite Pasta something.

Or finding that 1400 calorie intake actually is plenty satisfying.

"Sweet spot" means I eat for the nuances of satiety, NOT the erroneous-always-used-to-do-it "full" sensation.

"Eat to live" not 'live to eat' is the Sweet Spot.

Taking a doggie bag home on your small fish-and-chip order, and having it for THREE meals is pretty sweet.

Having a decent 'appetizer' actual satisfy my hunger, is a sweet spot.

Hope this helps. YMMV.

thanks for the great reply...............but my biggest problem is being hungry at nite............

thanks for the great reply...............but my biggest problem is being hungry at nite............

Think of being hungry at night as a good thing. I heard Bob Green on Oprah say it means your losing weight. Stop eating at a certain time each day.