Living The Lifestle Wednesday 7/25/19

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for July are:

Monday - whathapnd (Emmie)
Tuesday - 88olds (George)
Wednesday -Imastar2 (Derrick)
Thursday - savignr (Bob)
Friday -Al_Howard

Today's Topic: So Im reading the body of this thread above for the umpteenth time and knowing it's a wonderful thread, very beneficial to many of us, but I got to wondering on a weekly basis there are on an average 8, 10, 12 participants that post on this thread. Today's discussion is not about the validity of this thread but rather a question to those who participate in this thread on a regular basis.

Question: What If anything makes us different as a person to keep coming back day after day to participate in this thread? Some for years and years. I'm asking what's in your DNA or personality that intrigues you/us to show up and post on this thread which is really about 5% of the GOAD membership on MFP

podkey

I suppose I am older (over 70y/o) and like the idea of a message board. I am not really a face book guy so much. I type much much faster than text too. Honestly I like the folks here.

imastar2

I pose this question and think about it often. Not that I dwell on it but rather curious why the same folks post on this thread. Anyway on to why I come hear everyday. I do love the content and I do learn. I'm of course still in the loss mode so any encouragement I can muster is a help.

On the other hand I'm not a person that gives up on something easily. I believe I show up daily because I do want to participate and contribute to the discussion. Sometimes I do just lurk and not participate and sometimes my thoughts take me to a place where I don't have the time to write what I want to say.

I do feel an obligation to help keep the thread alive but it takes more than one or two persons. It take at least 5 of us posting once a day on a subject. So for me I feel it's in my DNA to want to post and to be a contributor or help with a subject that would benefit all who read it. I believe I'm like many here who want to do the same thing contribute and learn.


SW 400.8
CW 345.4
Next GW 300.0
Final GW 185.0

55.4 lbs Total lost

88olds

My DNA? My grandfathers were coal miners. I mean down in the ground pick and shovel starting as soon as they were old enough which I think was around 12-14 years old. I think the youngsters started doing some kind of above ground labor.

An aside- my mother’s dad grew to be 6’+ Big for a guy born in 1900. Growing while working in a mine full time, his issue regarding calories was the exact opposite of mine. Always wondered why first step in making a sandwich at GFs house was butter both slices of bread.

But back to DNA- my capacity to keep showing up day after day, even in the face of adversity, is substantial. Baked in the cake so to speak.

And I attended WW meetings for 10 yrs until we moved away. I would have blown it if I hadn’t. I remain cautious against gaining back any significant amount. Not sure I could mount any kind of long term WL campaign.

gadgetgirlIL

I'm a creature of habit. I also have the need to remain connected to others who are on a similar journey as mine. Previous weight maintenance efforts failed because I didn't have any connection with others. Coming here nearly every day helps to keep my head in the game.

myallforjcbill

I almost always read it. About half the time I think I may have something to add that hasn't already been said and stop to think about it. Half the time I remember to come back and post it. I am trying to improve on that process lately. Why do it? Partially it is a bit of the old GoaD that I remember. All we need to do is twist the thread in a few irrelevant directions during the day and we are there. But, I digress. When I am actively working on being healthy it is a time to stop and join the group in thinking about a common question or issue that otherwise I might not have taken time to think about. It is an opportunity to possibly enrich the health journey of others as well as mine.

Jerdtrmndone

I have been a Goad member since it switched over from WW, I read the posts every day because there are many that help my journey, I am a life-time member but regaining half the weight lost. I am not a quitter in any way but I do have my struggles and being connected here keeps me hopeful. I don't comment a lot because I just don't know how to put my thoughts in words to make sense. I have gotten a lot of support here in more ways than just weight related ways and that keeps me to be positive in life.

misterhub

I have always been a pragmatist, and I liked to see how techniques actually are used by real people - not what marketeers tell us.

Al_Howard

Although I do add in, I really like the oomph I get from reading others takes on problems. Helps with focus and problem solving.

Jimb376mfp

I was on GoaD when WW Community boards 2013 when I enjoyed the group. It was an activity that kept me involved in WW beyond just the weekly meeting.

After I lost 100# 2015 I was determined to NOT gain back the weight like I did every other time from age 30-50.

When GoaD moved from WW to MFP (2015?) stayed and began to Log In Daily as my own reminder that LTL will help me remember that not LTL will mean that I will gain.

LTL gives me an opportunity to ask others, explain problems exchange ideas and have some fun.

It’s a group of virtual friends that get along, no drama. no mean comments and a low key approach.

Do I wish there was more participation? Yes, but it is what it has become. We all know changes happened and the Old GoaD is different but I do feel comfortable here,

(I guess like being married with my DW after 49 years, we do just keep going.)

imastar2

Great comments from everyone. It is very encouraging to know there are so many encourages who faithfully post day in and day out plus those who come up with the topics everyday. Thanks! to all.

cakeman21k

I have been a member of WW and GOAD since 2006, (funny what motivation a small heart attack provides) I do more lurking than posting which I know is not all that helpful to everyone else on MFP, It just seems like by the time I think of something to add someone else has said it much better than I ever could! That being said I come back here most days because it has become a part of my life that I am reluctant to let go of.

goldenfrisbee

I used to participate but then fell of the wagon. I lurk here, but mainly just say "here" in the Roll Call thread. I keep telling myself that I am going to get back to living the lifestyle and then do nothing. I also keep telling myself that if I stop responding to the Roll Call then I have completely given up.

Earlier this week I decided to "heed the call" from Kim @minimyzeme and volunteer to take a day next month. As soon as I made that decision, I started back living the lifestyle. This is my 4th go round at weight loss since hitting my 50's and I'm knocking on the door to 60 and can't physically handle all this excess weight anymore. Is there a correlation between volunteering and jumping back on the bandwagon? I don't know, but I appreciate all of you here and your efforts to engage in meaningful conversation.

minimyzeme

Late to this party and lately I've been hit-and-miss here. I've been busy moving and it's become challenging at times to participate. Honestly though, the lack of participation has frustrated me here and thus GOAD and LTL have not risen to the same priority for me when other things are pressing.

That said (as I've often said), GOAD and especially LTL were critical to whatever success I've had so far. Most of you folks have been here since I started and helped inform me about the realities I embarked on joining WW and managing my weight, literally from Day 1. On that day, I found GOAD, and dug into the archives. I found straight talk about expectations, "technique" and short- and long-term realities of weight loss / management. Most of it was counter to what I had imagined: losing the weight (however many pounds it was for me--I really didn't know when I started), then going back to my previous lifestyle. Slowly I allowed reality to come into focus and when it fully settled in, I realized how valuable GOAD and LTL were for me to reset realistic expectations. I might have gotten to the same place without them, but I think it would have been much more challenging. I learned so much from the folks here--and I still do.

With the exception of the last month, I've made a point to come here most every day since I started WW in 2014. In large part, it's because of how crucial I saw the community to helping me work toward and ultimately achieve my goal. It also serves as somewhat of a ritual and compass for me: a way to remind myself on a daily basis that weight management is important and the choices I make every day (every meal) matter. GOAD and LTL have been important to my journey and despite my recent absences, I will always appreciate the role they fill for me on this path.