[rixatrix]

I just want to publicly say that I love these forums and all the women and men who contribute.

Just a moment ago, I was taking a tour of Spark People, and I found all the stuff I hate:
*Coddling people instead of inspiring them to make big differences in their lives
*Telling me I should eat between 1200-1500 calories a day (NEVER AGAIN! I AM HUNGRY GIRL! GROWWWR!)
*Encouraging me to take a TEN MINUTE walk around the neighborhood
*Users who have drastically cut calories, whose weight loss has stalled, who are doing NO exercise or endless cardio, and never thinking to research why this may not be working.

I don't know about you guys, but I've "struggled" with my weight my whole adult life. And I've been passionately searching at least that long for the TRUTH - what process is going to help me reach my goals in the sanest possible way?

On the Today Show this morning, there was a woman doing a segment on "speeding up your metabolism." She recommended different foods to eat, doing resistance work and intervals, and eating more often.

"But," she said, "Working 5 times a day may not work for everybody. They eat too much or they're busy, so do what works for you."

Yes, by all means, don't take your health seriously. I don't think everyone needs to eat 5-6 times a day, but I can pretty much make the time to eat an apple and two string cheese anywhere, anytime. And that keeps me from getting ravenous and eating a Big Mac.

Ugh. I don't know why I'm so frustrated. Maybe because I don't have anyone to talk to about this stuff in real life. I need to find more friends who aren't afraid of being strong, healthy, and eating like life is worth living.

I don't think Spark People and I are right for each other. If I'm going to go outside for a brisk anything, it's going to be hill sprints for 10 minutes until I want to cough up a lung.

I exercise like I live my life - with passion, determination, and big goals.
How could you not?