Poll: MFP Friends Do They Matter or Do Raspberry Ketones?

Poll: MFP Friends Do They Matter or Do Raspberry Ketones?

I have been back into MFP seriously since early March and I am seeing modest results that I am happy with.
I am an IFFYM kind of guy, eating between by BMR and TDEE, working out a lot, and enjoying the lifestyle. I am a 5'7" middle-aged guy. I started at 203 lbs and look to get around 155-165 depending on my bodyfat and how I look and feel.

I actually feel like I am already "maintaining" - I just tweak my calories so that I have a deficit. No big deal.. but I am heading in the right direction:

March 1st - 200.2
April 1st - 196.2
May 1st - 196.4
June 1st - 192.6
July 1st - 191.4
August 15th - 190.4

Waist: 41.25" to 39.5"

I realized that I probably would not have made the progress I have if I did not have friends here and participate in Challenges.

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Quick Poll:

1. Do Friends Make a difference? - None, Very Little, Some, Often, Definitely - Couldn't have done it without friends
2. PEER pressure - Have you stopped yourself from going into the "RED" because you knew you would have to report it? Y/N - Anecdote
3. How many challenges/groups have you been involved in: # and details if you want
4. What Lessons have you learned here?
5. Do you like the general forums and what is your impression of them?

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OK.. I'll Start

1. Definitely - Couldn't have done it without friends -
My MFP friends are "golden" and they have really been a "lifeline" for me because I can't talk about all this health and fitness to the real world - (frankly I would drive them crazy). Plus we support each other emotionally!

2. PEER Pressure - For sure! The only thing that stopped me sometimes was PEER pressure (positive by the way)

3. Challenges/groups - I have been in many challenges and I am active in 4-5 right now: MYAC, Keeping it Green, Three Things, Push Ups, and Core. I thank everyone who runs/maintains these challenges. This is the best place to find really good MFP friends.

4. What Lessons Have I learned Here?

1. Get a digital scale and learn to weigh and measure carefully.
2. Don't over estimate calorie burns
3. Buy and learn to use a good HRM - I learned not to "average" HR on non steady-state cardio.
4. The Fitbit is a great tool
5. Before writing something "snarky" to a "derp ridden" post, try to put yourself in the OP's shoes. (not always successful)
6. There all sorts of people here... celebrate the differences. Don't get too emotional
7. Try different workouts.. variety is everything.
8. Lifting is good!

5. Do you like the general forums and what is your impression of them?

I like the general forums. I sometimes go for positive reinforcement and read success stories. Sometimes I am drawn to the the train wrecks that happen here (I am not proud, but it is like reality TV), I learn about real people and real struggles. Plus, there are some wicked funny, profane, and off the wall people who make me howl. And I really love kitten gifs too!

There has been a lot of controversy about the "meanness" of the forums. I think it is a glass half empty / glass half full outlook. If you go looking for the bad and the negative, you will find it. However, I find many more examples of people trying to sincerely help other people out.. even when they ask Raspberry Ketone questions.

And yes... I actually took Raspberry Ketones for a while in 2013 .... I think I am a "bit" smarter now!

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Weigh in!