In my family there are people of all shapes and sizes. People are who they are, and no one has the right to dictate what they should look like. The media today is focused ad nauseam on thinness and diet. I believe that if you are comfortable with your body type and weight, then you are a happier person for it. If you are not comfortable, then it's your choice to do something about it. I am in no way advocating that every one should be "ripped" or thin. We are all different — that's what makes the world interesting.

For me, the key is finding what foods I can tolerate and how much food my body machine can burn. I believe that metabolic rates vary greatly from person to person. In my experience, people usually eat more food than their bodies can burn. I know I want a lot more food than I need. Again in my experience, sugar is the substance that causes me to gain extra weight faster than anything else. That includes empty carbohydrates that turn to sugar in my blood stream. So, what I do is try to eat low to moderate fats, low to moderate carbs and higher protein.

To get "ripped" or "shredded," as they call it in the body building world, I have to be very strict in my eating habits and workout routines for a period of four to five weeks. It takes a lot of discipline, but it works for me. I hope you find what works for you.

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