Hi there, I’ve been around this group for nearly 2 months. Have noticed at times it can be a bit confusing with contradictory advice and the “tension” between LCHF, calorie counters, and all the evangelists of different weight loss methods.
My question is simply, what do you love about this community? Why are you part of it? What keeps you coming back?
For me, it’s the unconditional acceptance I see every day here. Whether someone is brand new, or an old pro. Whether they’re trying to loose 2kg or 10st, everyone is accepted and treated well here. I like that. What about you?
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UnitedRed
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I see a fairly unconditional willingness to help and support.
I'm not sure I'd go as far as 'tension' between the differing approaches. There will inevitably be differing views as the science of weight-loss develops.
Oh there’s been quite a bit of snappiness thrown in my direction 🤣🤣🤣
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Why?
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I am not sure. You would have to ask the snappers. I think, but do not know, it’s because like many others here I challenge orthodoxy of the Eatwell plate, and the fact that I can understand and explain the biochemistry is very threatening to some people. It’s easier to tell me that I need to see a mental health professional because I don’t eat potatoes, than to rebut my argument about the behaviour of leptin and insulin... I expect also that lots of people want to be told ‘there there it’s not your fault, the weight is sure to go one day’, than hear that bananas are not the healthy snack they thought. Lastly, I expect the fact that I am now slim is quite irritating... Subtle_badger anything add?
the problem with not being able to gauge voice intonation and facial expressions, the bane of social media and non face to face contact. 😉
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So you know things that others don't know and you think it irritates them that you are slim etc, I don't see why that would bother anyone but I suppose there are all sorts on here so you could be right.
😀
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Well it’s a stressful time for most people, and unhappy with your weight is even more stressful. It’s all very understandable. But I do feel a lot less inclined to contribute than I did. Even people who understand a little bit of biochemistry have feelings...
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Yes it's stressful for a lot of people now, which is understandable and hard.
I think this place is great for people to keep in touch and learn etc.
I don't contribute much but I do read a lot and help if I can.
I'm sure a lot of people appreciate your knowledge, you should keep sharing it.
you have to continue to contribute, reliable information that can be researched and challenged is needed so that the myths can be busted. If people disagree with what you say, that's their perogative but the research is there and will continue to be 😊
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I have to say that as a regular user of this site, I have never seen anyone be snippy or snappy towards you or anyone else, SfG. (I have never seen anyone stand up for the “Eatwell plate” either, come to that).
And thankfully, I have never seen anyone begrudge you or anyone else for being slim 😁After all, isn’t that why we are all here, because we want to get slim?
I appreciate this sounds like I am being hyper sensitive- as soon as I get my head blown off, I delete my comments so they would not be apparent to others. I expect I had a really bad weekend when several people - who no longer seem to be around btw -blew my head off for challenging the NHS (how dare I) & told me to seek ‘professional help’. It’s all fine. I’m just cautious now
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🤗🤗🤗
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In a rather boring, labouring the point way, in this day and age, I should say that just because we have not seen something unkind happen, it does not mean it hasn’t taken place. If a child reported bullying to their school, a teacher not having seen it, would not mean it was in the child’s imagination... I know we all want this forum to be a lovely supportive place, but sometimes it just isn’t!
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I used this forum years ago under a different name, I remember asking a particular question on it and it was like dropping a bomb in the place..
I decided not to ask to many questions after that.
I think of people don't like something that isn't against forum rules they should try to ignore it.
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I’m sorry you had that experience and I am glad you are back. xxx
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Thank you, glad I came back, it's good to meet interesting and nice people such as yourself.
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That’s why I sent you the hugs 🤗
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And they are greatly appreciated. Really. And I need to take responsibility and not immediately delete anything that connects me to venom - because then it can’t be dealt with appropriately. Whining here 2 months later is no good! . But on the whole everyone is very lovely here & supportive.
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Leave your comments there, SfG, for everyone to see and trust them to make up their own minds and you can trust our lovely Admin people to sort out anything which doesn’t have any place here. 😊
The world would be a very dull place if there is no room left for debate, each to their own, i may not agree with everything you say, but i 100% respect your right to say it.😊
Aww that’s just lovely UnitedRed 😊. Weight loss is a bit of a confusing subject with everyone eager to share their own success story, but I hope everyone feels welcomed and supported
Hi , like you I have also been on this site for a couple of months. I have found the people on here to be friendly, informative and accepting. This is the first time I have contributed on a social media site. I did join Facebook around the same time but got board very quickly. I find this forum to be far more stimulating, shall we say. I am also still a member of the ‘dreaded’ SlimmingWorld but I don’t think I will be going back when my current membership is up. To be honest, I only really stayed with SW because of the really nice people I met at the group and the mutual support.I had been doing my own thing and calorie counting rather than following ‘the plan’ itself. I enjoy the healthy debate here and the exchange of information.
I have tried all kinds of things and the forums on other slimming sites are pants compared to this one. It’s informative and supportive and there are some really lovely people on it. Will be soldiering on!
Tbh, I've never tried any other forums, I've always been wary of Anti Social Media ! lol But I'm on here every day, even Christmas Day if I remember rightly, it's addictive and great for housework avoidance! x
Tried the Fast 800 diet during lockdown. Although the recipes are totally delicious (except I hate kale) I missed the support I get here. Lost nothing and really struggled. Still struggling but determined to succeed!
Basically it's just skipping breakfast and not snacking on an evening, my kitchen closed sign goes up atat 6pm
It makes it easier if you have some nice healthy fats in your meals to keep you going till the next one, I like my veggies cooked in butter and avocado, olives, nuts and cheese on my salads, not forgetting full fat mayo of course, hope you'll be entering something in the mayo off! x
P.S. Good Luck for Wobblers tomorrow! x
Hello UnitedRed . I’ve been here for over three years. I love the people here and consider many of them my friends, (even though I wouldn’t know them if I bumped into them on the street!) This forum helped me succeed in losing weight with the support of great people, and has helped me keep it off (well most of it!) for longer than ever before. There are some people here who are very knowledgeable, and some who are as you say, evangelistic, (but aren’t we all when we find something which works for us), and there are so many who whatever their method, are always ready to support, commiserate and celebrate with us, whatever the occasion.
This is the first time that I've actively considered losing weight and since joining about 9wks or so ago, I find the site great for food ideas...my menu has changed immensely since I joined and also for support and a bit of banter.
I don't think I would have lost as much weight as I have if I wasn't active on this group. I mainly use the DD and the weigh-in and just thinking about my menu beforehand has meant I'm preparing food in advance so that I'm not rushing to cook something unhealthy.
I also didn't know half of the different weight loss plans out there, so I'm learning about that too. ☺ 👍🏾
I don't mind if someone gives me advice, the rule is that you take it or leave it.
For the moment at least, I'm pleased I discovered this site when I stepped on the scales and balked! 😲
Evening UnitedRed and anyone else on this lovely community
I never thought I'd join a virtual community like this focused on weight loss.. I thought it would be boring and I didn't want to discuss my weight with strangers...
I've been on here for around 6 weeks.
I really like:
🔹It's challenged my ideas - it's not boring and I've been fine to share..
🔹The focus is on healthy eating and sustainable changes
🔹The different focus you can join in with - I've done daily diaries, weekly weigh in's, drinkless, read the educational posts, and there's loads more
🔹I've learnt from others about different approaches which have worked for them - which makes me read up on LCHF and IF
🔹I know what IF and LCHF stands for and more about different food content too
🔹The support is working - I doubt I would have achieved what I have so far without it..
😊Most importantly for me (otherwise I'd leave) there are loads of supportive people on here. It feels like being cheered on. That gives a lovely glow and makes me want to cheer others on.. 😀
Thanks for posting UnitedRed - it's good to remind ourselves of the benefits
I discovered this forum 7/8weeks ago and it has been a game changer😊
Supportive, Informative (there are approaches ive never heard of, but have started to research) the banter is great and the food choices and menus widen my repertoire😊
Hi there! I've been a lifelong yo-yo dieter. I've never had more than 2st to lose and I usually only yo-yo up and down within 1. But here no-one seems to mind if you've got tons to lose or a little, so that's a real plus. This year I think I really might have cracked it, I've stayed in Maintenance since the beginning of the year when I got back there (again!). I think the site works because of the accountability - the Daily Diary and the weigh in threads encourage everyone to respond to as many contributions as possible and if someone responds, it means they've seen what I've pledged to do - and that makes me feel like I have to stick at it.
I can't get in much at the moment as my working-from-home-because-covid life just involves too much screen work for me to add to it with online forums. But I still host the DD every fortnight and that really helps me keep on the straight and narrow - I feel that I can't say 'right everyone, post your healthy menus - oh btw, I've stuffed myself with cake this week!'.
When hosting I try to make it really clear that people can take or leave advice - because I just looooooove to give advice! My current obsession is that we don't 'need' sugary snacks even if they fit into a calorie allowance, they just set up more sugar cravings - so I'm always inclined to say 'great menu but try replacing that so-called healthy 'breakfast bar'', or whatever. I don't think anyone's taken offense so far! If their reason for living is breakfast bars, they can just ignore me (they're so wrong though...no, stop!).
I also think the Admins (all volunteers!) make the site feel friendly and safe.
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