Group participation

BBee5064
BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
edited February 2017 in Social Groups
Hi all. Do we feel it's time to up our group participation? Any suggestions on new topics etc.
Let's try & liven things up a bit :)

Replies

  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    OK. What do you wanna talk about? I guess we can talk about politics and American governance. If we're over 50 we ought to have learned that Mr. Trump's campaign music, 'You can't always get what you want', is more truth than hope. Come to think of it, when have we ever gotten what we want from government?
  • UncleMac
    UncleMac Posts: 13,685 Member
    The only downside to talking about politics is how some people are very entrenched in their opinions. Likewise with religion and possibly philosophy. Keeping an open mind isn't as easy as some believe...

    Although we are a tacitly mature group, I'm willing to bet if people start talking about either of these subjects, there'll be some who will leave rather than open their minds.
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    This is a my fitness pal community I think we should stick to the topic & leave the heavy stuff to another site.
    All those in agreement say Aye
  • Montepulciano
    Montepulciano Posts: 845 Member
    Aye!
  • Farback
    Farback Posts: 1,088 Member
    My experience from scuba and lifting forums is that it can be very polarizing. I avoid it, particularly USA politics, where, as a Canuck, I feel I should keep my opinion to myself. We have our own issues up here, but since there's only a couple hundred of us, we work it out at the big meeting. I've said too much.
  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    I prefer to keep things fitness and nutrition related as well as some of those personal demons we all fight regarding both of those. Grandkids are kind of fun to talk about too and sometimes personal issues that we might need encouragement or advice on enter the discussion. Controversial subjects should really just be off limits in my opinion.
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Totally agree Lulu
  • UncleMac
    UncleMac Posts: 13,685 Member
    There are a few other non-controversial subjects that might be of interest since we're trying to get some of those 600 "lurkers" to chime in rather than sitting back passively...

    The two latest friend neighbourhood group leaders (Farback and myself) are both motorcycle fans. Perhaps there are others in the group who share that interest?

    I'm interested in sustainable technologies, small living and "off the grid" stuff... electric cars & motorcycles... By no means an expert but the concepts fascinate me. Perhaps I'm not alone?
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Some good discussion material UncleMac
  • chamblisk
    chamblisk Posts: 296 Member
    Farback wrote: »
    My experience from scuba and lifting forums is that it can be very polarizing. I avoid it, particularly USA politics, where, as a Canuck, I feel I should keep my opinion to myself. We have our own issues up here, but since there's only a couple hundred of us, we work it out at the big meeting. I've said too much.

    THANK YOU Farback...I just got my first belly laugh in a long time!

    UncleMac...our local college has programing for agricultural sustainability. Some interesting stuff coming out.
  • chamblisk
    chamblisk Posts: 296 Member
    I love you guys!! I am actually looking into getting my duel citizenship....it has nothing to do with the elections!!!!!! I have cousins who have gone through the process and we are all about the same age. Something about the "Rock" calling you home in retirement!
  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    I used to be quite active but have had a whole lot of stuff going on and faced the unhappy consequences of regaining almost every pound. I would not mind seeing some advice on relapsing and restarting as I am having an awful time of it.
  • UncleMac
    UncleMac Posts: 13,685 Member
    @nikkib0103, relapsing and restarting is almost as common as breathing... almost... If there is a solution, I'm not quite sure what it looks like...

    My dietitian says the trick is to fundamentally change your relationship with food... and that ain't easy... He suggested maintaining a food diary is one of the most effective tools, hence my time at MFP.

    While the comparison to an addiction might not be perfect, it might be useful. Smokers struggle to quit smoking; tobacco is not essential for life. Alcoholics and drug addicts struggle to end their dependence; alcohol and recreational drugs (legal or otherwise) are not essential for life.

    We don't have a choice; we have to eat. Unlike any other pernicious habits/behaviours, you cannot quit eating... cold turkey or otherwise... feel free to insert your favourite Thanksgiving joke.

    My dietitian's recommendation for me was to start having healthy snacks and to never allow myself to get hungry and certainly not ravenous. Three squares a day doesn't work for me. My habit was to skip meals. I usually (but not always) ate breakfast but I often skipped lunch and then I would have a large supper... and a snack before bed.

    I still struggle to snack but I keep trying. I am slowly modifying the content of my meals. More veg, less pasta. More qualify protein, less sugar. Small portions, more homemade meals. Meanwhile, I do yoga twice per week and I workout twice per week.

    This kind of incremental changes might not work for you but it's worth a try, right?
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Nikki, I completely agree with UncleMac. Such sound advise. I'm also going to implement some of these suggestions. Baby steps.
    Let us know how u get on
  • Farback
    Farback Posts: 1,088 Member
    I agree with Mac Nikki. It's a fundamental change in how we see food that is the only path to anything but temporary changes. Of course what you eat is as important as how much. Whole foods, quality protein, limited whole grains, and on and on. We all know this, but it's easy to back-slide.

    It seems to happen with us all, me included. I don't beat myself up, I take a zen approach, the past and future are constructs, live in the now. What will I do TODAY to improve my health.
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,525 Member
    Nikki - I'm right there with you, again. Just know you are not alone
  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    UncleMac wrote: »
    @nikkib0103, relapsing and restarting is almost as common as breathing... almost... If there is a solution, I'm not quite sure what it looks like...

    This kind of incremental changes might not work for you but it's worth a try, right?

    Yes, Uncle Mac, thank you. It is worth a try. I know it's supposed to work but, really, does it have to be so g-d hard? So hard to lose, so easy to regain. But I know you are right and will adopt your advice and hope for the best. I was, of course, secretly hoping for something easy. Some day...
  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    Beebee, Farback and MadDog, thanks also for your input. It's good to not be alone in this.
  • marshal616
    marshal616 Posts: 62 Member
    Such insight...really impressive. None of us are really alone as long as we stay in touch.
  • UncleMac
    UncleMac Posts: 13,685 Member
    nikkib0103 wrote: »
    UncleMac wrote: »
    @nikkib0103, relapsing and restarting is almost as common as breathing... almost... If there is a solution, I'm not quite sure what it looks like...

    This kind of incremental changes might not work for you but it's worth a try, right?

    Yes, Uncle Mac, thank you. It is worth a try. I know it's supposed to work but, really, does it have to be so g-d hard? So hard to lose, so easy to regain. But I know you are right and will adopt your advice and hope for the best. I was, of course, secretly hoping for something easy. Some day...

    I wish there was a magic elixir to give us the willpower. Imagine what the world would look like if we were all actualized in that manner!!
  • BBee5064
    BBee5064 Posts: 1,020 Member
    Nikki .. we are more than happy to support you. We are a team after all.
    Have a great day :)