The answer may be here:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread144410.html

It has to do with how much insulin you produce. The more insulin the more storage of food calories as fat.

Also the type of food eaten affects some people. Carbs are just poison for some and not others. That would be a genetic issue.

Comparing oneself to others, is really just going to make you feel worse IMO.

To change the way the receptors on your cells react to insulin, can reduce insulin requirements.
Mel, you should get rid of the breakfast of carbs, and do the 30 gram protein thing.
In his book, Ferris also has metabolic data showing that all calories are not equal.

at 90% consumption in testing situations per 1000 cal:
Fats eaten in tests in the 1000cal day test diets, lead to .9 lb loss per day.
Proteins eaten in same test situation, lead to .6 lbs per day loss
carbs ... .24 lb loss

He goes on to say protein really is thermogenic and consumes calories.
So he says some scientists want to reduce carb cal from 4 to 3.2/gram.

To start your day, and set up the right hormone balance for energy and not storage... you should eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of getting up. If you don't, the carbs (your muffin), will be stored instead.

Counting carbs he claims is shown in studies to be useless...since all calories are not equal metabolically in the body.

And don't forget, Type II people eventually burn out their pancreas over time with insulin overproduction. If you lost cells, you will always need some supplemental insulin.

You can choose what you want for your 30grams of protein... tofu, eggs, various meats, etc. Even soy shakes, etc.
But say goodbye to the muffin!

I haven't finished the diet portion of the book yet. I expect some other tips will be in there. The book is 500+ pages, after all!