[sfem]

Second level effects like improved state of mind cascading to a more positive outlook and reinforcement of will are probably the biggest effect of NBE with respect to weight loss. Weight gain on the other hand is a different animal. My personal experience which others have reported as well is that some herbs seem to cause weight gain. I suppose the theory is that the growth process is what we are trying to invoke and the normal growth process includes significant food intake and processing (ever tried to feed or keep up physically with a teenager?). Since the rest of our system isn't as able to process the intake (lower physical activity levels), if we increase our intake we just store it as fat. I have seen it posted that breast and hip growth due to this is considered good, although I'm not as sure about that idea. Anyway, my point is that I do believe that some herbs (FG and SP were bad ones for me) do increase the likelihood of gaining weight if you don't have some awareness of and reaction to this subtle effect. I got into the habit several months ago of weighing myself every day, even if I knew what the scale would likely say. Seeing it on the scale really does help me avoid the self-deceit that is so easy. Having said that, I still am higher in weight than I should be, but I am not disturbed by it. I'll slowly reduce it.