I feel rather selfish and not sure what to do

That's a flaw with my fitness pal, not you. Don't let something like that de-rail your confidence when it isn't even your fault. All of those people just want to see you get healthy and be happy! They'll be fine without a response to their message as long as you're ok

That's a flaw with my fitness pal, not you. Don't let something like that de-rail your confidence when it isn't even your fault. All of those people just want to see you get healthy and be happy! They'll be fine without a response to their message as long as you're ok

This

Michael, I don't expect anything from you. I just hope by reading my daily news feed, seeing the upa and downs and my diary if you wish that I can somehow help and motivate you.

And you better believe if at any time you post your exercise burns or questions or forums I will be here to try and support you the best I can. Someday when I see your before and after pictures and hear about all of the wonderful things you are doing with your daughter is all I need.

It's all good ; } As long as you stick with it we will be happy. I know it is sometimes had to reply back or to help motivate someone else when you are trying to stay motivated yourself. I hope all is well with you and that you are finding each day the slightest bit easier. It WILL get easier I promise. I find it had to give advice most of the time because I feel like I am still trying to figure all this out, but when I see/hear people like you trying to get it done I know I can. I have been doing this for a few months now and it has gotten a little easier for me. Friend support you whether or not you can reply back. We think about you and how you are doing and only hope for the best for you. Just work on yourself, and when you get the time and/or the confidence to get out here and cheer others on you will know you are well on your way. Just post us a know once in a while to let us know you are still with us and that's all anyone can really ask of you right now. Good luck buddy...You got this ; }

i got a lot of awesome friends....too many in fact. I can't keep up with all of them.

But I try. And I do my best.

I hope that they realize I'm always there should they need me, and that I will always listen. And I think, for the most part they do.

If i'm not providing enough support, and they need to drop me, i have no hard feelings. not for them dropping me. I may feel sad that they needed more from me than I could give. but as I said. I do my best.

don't beat yourself up, just do the best you can. everything else balances out.

There are lots of really awesome people on this site. You just can't be friends with them all. No need to feel guilty about that.

Don't be so hard on yourself! I never respond to notes sent with friend requests! Most of the time it's just people letting you know why they sent it to you and even if it includes a nice compliment, I figure my acceptance of their request is the same as saying "that was nice, thanks".

While I enjoy the message board, the whole FB-like set up of the home page doesn't appeal to me a whole lot. I try to keep up but usually only spend a few minutes of my day doing so, IF I feel like it. And I have friends who NEVER comment on my posts but it doesn't hurt my feelings at all. They do what they need to do and I'll do what I need to do.

If you're overwhelmed, maybe stop accepting friend requests so you can keep your list manageable.

I have been given over wehlming support in the asking to be friends, and little notes in ym in box. But now I have so many I want to give back to, it seems like the original nites that are sent with friend request are deleted as soon as you accept. I feel like I am letting folks slip through the cracks, after they were so nice to me. Maybe it is sjut another reason I need to hate myself. Not that I nee dmany..I jsut feel like a selfish twit

No no no!!! Never hate yourself! It is impossible to do what we feel we NEED to do to thank people or acknowledge their support all the time.... Trust me, we are all here for the same reason and we are not looking for gratitude or acknowledgement We see each others posts and keep each other motivated and that is what is important! Seeing you succeed and feel better about yourself is what makes all this worth it!!! Keep your head up and keep moving on toward your goals! Your friends are here to stay and to lift you up when you need it! :flowerforyou:

I friend requested you because even though it won't be quick or easy, I believe you are a stronger and braver man than you realize. You'll get thru the ups and downs. The only thing I expect in return is for you to check in here and don't give up.

When I was in my early 30's I decided I needed an excuse to get out of the house and do something. I spent most evenings in front of the TV eating pizza and was essentially vegetating. I was overweight, couldn't keep up with the kids and generally fed up. So I got off my butt and joined the local Aikido club. It was hard - I had trouble moving enough, I was inflexible and I was trying to use muscles that hadn't seen any action for literally years. I only trained once a week, but every week I was stiff and sore from the exercise. I also wasn't prepared for the mental demands that Aikido made of me, but I loved it! It was such a contrast from my work and anything else that I had done, it was invigorating! I was like a sponge, soaking up all the knowledge that my instructors could throw at me.

Over time, slowly but surely, I improved. I gradually worked through the belts. New students joined, and I was able to help them with what I had learnt and I was still entirely reliant on my instructors.

I never set out to get the belts, so 10 years later when I was taking my black belt I couldn't believe it. What surprised me even more was that I got it. Then I was invited to join another club in the fraternity and help out, demonstrate techniques, instruct the students. Now I have my second black belt and am taking the class when my senior instructor cannot - this weekend is a case in point.

And here is my point.... All I did for 12 years was to take from the club and it's instructors. If I had known just how difficult and technical Aikido was at the outset, I would never have started but I used the club for what I needed. It is only now that I am able to put something back, and that is so rewarding for me.

To reach your goals, I would encourage you to use MFP for everything that you can get out of it. It is a great community where there is always someone to help you when you are stuck, pick you up when you are down and cheer you on when you succeed. Don't be ashamed or embarrased by this - when you have succeed you will be able to return the gesture to those that need it.

Just don't ever, ever give up.

Hey its not like that sometimes receiving is what you need and not always do you have to respond. we are here if you need us

I can't speak for everyone but I'm so happy every time I see you log in! I don't need any type of "give back", just knowing that you're part of this community and that you're getting something out of being here! Keep up the great work!