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Interpreting Tickers

jiddu17
jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I am curious about something... When I first joined MFP, I decided to not overwhelm myself by my Ticker, and I only set my goal weight at what will be my first BIG victory. My Ticker shows that my goal is to lose 53 pounds. I'm not sure at what weight I will feel is sufficient to switch to maintenance, but I know it's at LEAST 100 lbs from now. As I navigate through this site, I find people that I think might be in the same boat as myself, as far as current weight and lifestyle. When I click on their profile, if there is no description, I look at their Ticker goal. I am finding myself believing that if their goal is less than around 50 lbs, we aren't like-minded. I do believe there is a benefit to as much support as one can get, but I also don't think that someone who is 15 years younger than me, with 25 lbs to lose is going to be as beneficial to me as someone "similar" to me.

Point is: I am judging people's goals by their Ticker, yet, I myself, only have a 53lb goal showing. I'm considering changing it, because I want to encourage people. I'm having moderate success. I need support all of the time. I don't want to miss an opportunity to form a mutually beneficial connection.

Problem is: I'm afraid to change it. I'm afraid it will become overwhelming. I don't even know what I would change it to.

Question is: Do you do the same thing? Do you ever base your "compatibility" on Ticker goals when no other information is available?

Replies

  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    I think you're over thinking it. That said, I have friends of all ages and sizes. This isn't a temporary means to an end. My friends in maintenance are just as inspiring as my friends who are similar to me.
  • jedibunny
    jedibunny Posts: 321
    I think you're over thinking it. That said, I have friends of all ages and sizes. This isn't a temporary means to an end. My friends in maintenance are just as inspiring as my friends who are similar to me.

    <3<3

    I have friends with all different goals, at maintenance or miles away, and they're all fantastic. It's not how MUCH you have to lose, it's how WELL your friends support you while you do it (and you them)! I can understand wanting to select friends based on similar goals, and some of mine are. Check in with them often. But some of the most inspiring people I know on here have started from very different places from me, and they're my rocks.
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member
    I think you're over thinking it. That said, I have friends of all ages and sizes. This isn't a temporary means to an end. My friends in maintenance are just as inspiring as my friends who are similar to me.

    I'm an analyst of sorts as a profession. I overthink everything. Most of the time, getting paid for it. I appreciate your perspective, but, alas, it's not me. I wouldn't abandon my Pals because they are no longer my size and I certainly wouldn't turn down a friend request from someone that thinks I might inspire them. But if their current weight is the amount of weight I need to lose to be as healthy as I can be, I (like many others) would have a hard time relating. This is why (in my opinion) the groups for 100+ or 200+ exist. The battles are, at the core, the same. But relatability is key to the people in those groups, for the most part. I do belong to the 100+ group, but I'm lways looking for support. My question was if anyone else does the same thing in an effort to determine whether I am shortchanging myself with my current Ticker Goal.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    I think you're over thinking it. That said, I have friends of all ages and sizes. This isn't a temporary means to an end. My friends in maintenance are just as inspiring as my friends who are similar to me.

    I'm an analyst of sorts as a profession. I overthink everything. Most of the time, getting paid for it. I appreciate your perspective, but, alas, it's not me. I wouldn't abandon my Pals because they are no longer my size and I certainly wouldn't turn down a friend request from someone that thinks I might inspire them. But if their current weight is the amount of weight I need to lose to be as healthy as I can be, I (like many others) would have a hard time relating. This is why (in my opinion) the groups for 100+ or 200+ exist. The battles are, at the core, the same. But relatability is key to the people in those groups, for the most part. I do belong to the 100+ group, but I'm lways looking for support. My question was if anyone else does the same thing in an effort to determine whether I am shortchanging myself with my current Ticker Goal.

    I personally find compatibility on a personality level much more valuable here than similar weight goals, but of course everyone has their own method. If you want to focus on finding friends with similar weight goals, then yes, I would suggest changing your ticker.
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    I started out by sending friend requests to people who were "in the same boat" as me... middle-aged folks with approx 100lbs to lose. I'll tell you what came of that. 95% of them dropped off the radar.

    Who stuck around? The friends who became real friends and who have as much social investment in mfp as weight loss investment. Pinup is right on the money: tickers mean nothing, personal compatibility holds so much more value.
  • jiddu17
    jiddu17 Posts: 187 Member

    Question is: Do you do the same thing? Do you ever base your "compatibility" on Ticker goals when no other information is available?

    I do appreciate the experiences that have already been had. However, your perspectives appear to be in hindsight. I've been here for only a few months. I will eventually learn that some people will drop off. As of now, none of mine have. I will eventually gauge how each persons presence and support has affected me, up to that particular point. Mine is a going forward question. It was a question about human nature/the nature of people who are already here.
  • likeschocolate
    likeschocolate Posts: 368 Member
    I've found supportive friends from those who are already at their goal, and those just starting out. From men and women. From people who are 25 and those who are 65.

    Often it's the nature/personality of the person that's compatible and supportive. I usually add people based on their writings--what they post on forums, friends pages, or their profile. If they are friendly, funny & supportive--I think that's awesome :-)

    So far -- have not used the 'ticker method'.

    Do what works for you. You can try a strategy, and if it is not working -- you are in full control and can change it. :-)

    All the best on your journey onwards towards a healthy you!
  • ZombieChaser
    ZombieChaser Posts: 1,555 Member
    I'll just echo what the others have said already :) Coincidentally they're all on my FL :) I'm a lucky gal to have such amazing friends from all corners of the world with different goals :)
  • tageekly
    tageekly Posts: 3,755 Member
    I have never used the ticker to determine my connections here. Many of my first MFPals came from joining challenges - then I knew we were likeminded because we were working towards the same team goal. As I've spent more time here, my connections came from seeing posts people made on the forums or on other friends' updates. If I felt they could offer me something or we'd get along, I would request them.

    The more time you spend here, the more I think you'll find you connect really closely with only a few people and the rest are great support, and there are so many that struggle with losing 25 the way you struggle with losing over 100 - it's just different numbers.
  • TheDreadPirateRoberts
    TheDreadPirateRoberts Posts: 225 Member
    Well I'm here to get fit(ter), gain a little weight / maintain and certanily not to lose 50lbs or more (I'd be dead if I did). However, I am happy supporting people who are maintaining, trying to gain, trying to lose or just who have a great sense of humour and help keep me motivated.

    I've never asked to add anyone but people have added me because they either love the Princess Bride or they think the crap that I spout is humerous or the (overly honest) advice I give is what they want to hear. I also dont say "wtg", "awesome", "You got this" and other equivalents of +1. I make sure I keep my friends list slim to make sure of this... quality over quantity.

    So, set your ticker to whatever works best for you and choose the friends that support you best,,, not by their ticker. I'm a much better supporter for a lot of my larger friends than their fellows are, despite never having to lose weight in my life. I take the time to look at their diaries and comment and encourage and joke... and slap them down when they get lazy and make excuses. Thats my job :)

    Hope you lose the weight you want to. Stick with it and you will.
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