I'm seeing a lot of comments in TDC journals and elsewhere to the effect of " "I've lost x number of pounds (at much as 100!) and I'm depressed because I'm still fat, far from my goal."

On the other hand, it's possible to find people saying (sometimes the same people, in a better mood): I'm so happy I've lost x pounds, I will never gain that weight back and I'm doing great things for my health.

As I implied, it's very possible for the same person to think both of these things, at different times. But it surprises me a little that the distance from goal is so depressing at times. After all, once you reach a goal weight, you have to work just as hard to stay there as you did to get there. It's not like the work will be over and you can eat very differently.

I wonder if younger people are more impatient to reach goal (I'm 49) because it seems like new life possibilities will open up when they get there. I pretty much expect to have the same life, with better clothes .