u/Easy-Specialist4953

For context I have started portioning for a month now with varying success, im 256 lbs, 20, male. I work a full time job and am always moving and lifting, but when im not working I go to a local game store and hang out with the rest of the regulars. Naturally with that I get whatever is nearby to eat. Recently ive cut down portion and dont just want to stop eating out more than ive already cut out, because its far too convenient. For about 8 months now I will drop 5 pounds every week but over the weekend gain 5 back. One day off work and it screws me completely. From what ive noticed is that i have a big appetite and I want to know how to shrink that greatly, I feel I could definitely drop the weight if my appetite wasn't bigger than the empire state building. Im debating talking with my doctor of there's any medications that help with appetite or even metabolism.

Ive been dming for about 6 months now for my buddies game store and after the first campaign im struggling with scailing encounters.

For context my freind owns a game store and I hang out there often. I am one of the regular dnd guys and have played for a couple years now. For a while we only had one dm, and then another regular had his dad come in and start old school dnd night. But the first guy had to stop for a couple months for personal issues so I stepped up to the plate. Now mind that the first guys campaign at the the most I ever personally saw was four averaged two to three people. The second dm has about average of six when it started. When I started I had averaged 10-12 the highest it ever got was 14 people in one session. This continued through my campaign which I thought better to skip major beats so I could finish it and help other dms because they were all looking for players. Currently the dm #1 has returned with a new campaign with a 4-5 player count, dm#2 is still running there old school campaign but is averaged 2-3 players, dm #3 another buddy and or regular has started a 18+ campaign and has kept 7-8 people, and now once more myself with the newbie campaign.

The main problem, During my first campaign my player would breeze through encounters and boss fights because of either sheer numbers or because I threw a group of creature that I thought would surely be a small struggle. This is not how it panned out. Ive talked with another freind who dms and there helped me through the first set of encounters for my next session #1. Which yes I could keep brainstorming with him but I would like to have some independence and craft encounters on my own. A note is that my new campaign is for the new players and capped at 8 people, starting at level 2. Playing mostly from 5ed and little bits of 5.5.

So the big question im ask you the people of the dnd reddit page is how do you scail your encounter properly according to party level and party size? How do I scail down incase two people cant make it? Suggestions are very needed as I start session #1 next Wednesday.