The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[CaribGirl]

I have been lurking on this forum for about 18 months. I don't post very often, have never started a journal. and am doing a bariatrics eating plan as opposed to MF. I have maintained my weight loss (not a significant loss because I didn't have much to lose) for over 18 months now with the help of this forum. I come here everyday and read the new posts if for no other reason than to stay motivated.
Robin, Biki, Lauren, and Jo are my main motivators, but I find that reading everyone's journals helps. I am curious as to what happened to several of the folks I used to look forward to reading posts from:
Ascicles
Queenie Lou
Chynna Doll ( I know whe hit maintenance, but I would still like to hear how she is)
JeepGirl
Wikdtrk
and there may be a few others that were around with this bunch that have just disappeared.
Does anyone know where these folks have gone?
And Robin, I know your life is easier when you don't post as aften but I really miss reading about your daily trials and tribulations as I am fighting that exercise/eating battle myself.
Anyway, I want to say thank you all for allowing me to lurk!
Carib Girl

[Serendipity]

Queenie Lou pops in every once in awhile. The rest haven't in months. Others come to mind:

Vicky
falisamarie
mellowmom
arklahoma
jen
jennp
karli
sidrah
darkand stormy
nova (reached goal, hasn't checked in)
donicab
supermom
joelie
loriannk
casma500
lauradr (reached goal, but came back to recommit, then left again)
victoriusNat
PJinCali
Denise
Nancy (hehe, she used to pop in much more often)

People come and go. Many were struggling and just poofed. Others just moved on.

If you see your name here or even if you don't, just check in and let us know how you are. We still think of you.

[DogMa]

I so miss some of those people. But it's just the way things are here. People fall off the wagon and are ashamed to come back, or they just sort of drift off.

When I first got here, the only maintainer around was Nancy. It made me VERY worried about long-term success.

And thanks for the kind words, Carib. I'm still around, just not as often. I think I do a lot better when I don't focus so much on my daily trials and tribulations, as you say. I don't want food to be so much a part of my life, after all this time, and it seems to become a lot less important if I just shut up about it.

[Lauren]

Hey, Caribgirl! Thanks for the mention, I am so happy if anything I do or say or don't say (but that's rare!) is a motivator!

I miss a lot of these folks as well, and would be thrilled to hear from them. I would love to assume the best, that they all reached goal, and are living glorious thin lives with no need or interest for this forum. But alas, Jo is likely right, that some can't bring themselves to return if they fell off the wagon.

The truth is, even for those of us who've achieved success with MF (yay!), I can't think of a single person on this forum right now (or in the last year or two) who hasn't already lost weight and regained it from some diet or another. We've ALL been there before. Maybe not with MF, but with some plan at some time. So there should be no shame/fear/embarrasment in returning. Failure is in giving up, not getting up and trying again.

I don't post too often, but try to come in frequently enough so you don't have the same thing that Robin mentioned, which is a fear that there are no successful maintainers (besides Nancy). I promise to keep coming, oh and I'll try to do some more pics soon, to make you all see that this keeps on working and life is still great!

Cheers!

Lauren

[CGal67]

Oh my goodness, I hope those that are here don't leave anytime soon...I need you all!!!

[Lizabette]

BOO HOO!
Even if I wasn't mentioned as a motivator, I honestly won't take it personal...
I know I have been motivated a lot more than I have motivated others!
Some of the names mentioned were really motivating to me while in the losing phase of MF, and I appreciated their support and inspiration.
I think of them ever so often, and hope they are doing good. I miss my HOLBERRY, who still checks in every once in a while.
Eventually all good things must come to an end...just part of living I suppose.
And the good thing is, there are bunches on the board and others coming along that are just as motivating and inspirational as those mentioned above...
but I'd still like to hear from them once in a while, too.

[lifelovinaries]

I know all too well the shameful feeling of falling off plan and not wanting to hold myself accountable. I too miss many of the people mentioned because they were all extremely active when i first joined. It is a horrible feeling of failure when you just aren't able to remain compliant, at least it was for me. But alas, i hope that all mentioned are doing well in their weightloss/maintenance world. I made up my mind to do it again, with full success THIS time. I am at a different place mentally. I was also at a different place mentally each time i restarted! Anyhoo, ima keep on shakin! Almost to the 20# club!

[Tawanda]

Katie, Keeli, Suzy..........and all of the above.........wish they'd all check in with us.

QueenieLou was planning on coming back but still hasn't retrieved a PM that I sent her Nov. 6th. The mom part of me is concerned about her....but I figure she is busy or her computer is on the fritz. Hopefully every one of those mentioned (and all of those who we've enjoyed but their names are stuck in the brain fog of our minds just this second) will check in soon or perhaps even when the New Year begins.

I miss reading Nancy's input, too...... Her life must be very busy right now.

All of these people missing makes me very much appreciate those who have made goal and continue to post -- their stories of their continuing journey to keep the weight off, make continued improvements in their health and also the encouragement they offer others. THANK YOU!!!

[Tawanda]

Pinkbugs, Alex, DeDe, Brian, Tony, j0j0................

There will be many more names popping into my head as I give this more thought.

(I wrote Keeli earlier, but I meant Kelee)

[Out*With*The*Old]

All of these people missing makes me very much appreciate those who have made goal and continue to post -- their stories of their continuing journey to keep the weight off, make continued improvements in their health and also the encouragement they offer others. THANK YOU!!!

Perfectly said!! Thanks to all of you who are at goal and continue to hang with us and offer support!! Your stories are SO inspiring - THANK YOU!!

And a special thanks to Jo for always keeping it real and telling us like it is and not just what we want to hear. Your journey and honesty are a blessing!

[bikipatra]

I'm just glad that I'M still here. My journey certainly hasn't been linear. T's hasn't been either. But we're still here. The little Elton John in my head is singing-"I'm still standing , yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm still standing."

[bikipatra]

BOO HOO!
Even if I wasn't mentioned as a motivator, I honestly won't take it personal...
.

You're always at the top of my list. Okay, 2nd. Joleen is first. You are in very good company.

[Lizabette]

Hey, This is a such neat thread! Thanks CARIB, and everyone for your input...I want you to know that all of you share a bit of space in my life.
Oh, DRAMA QUEEN. Where are you? You reached goal and are doing some exciting things.

[DogMa]

I miss Vicky, personally! I know she had computer issues for a long time, but that was AGES ago and I keep hoping she'll resurface at some point.

As for folks falling off the wagon, I'm always glad when they have the courage to come back. We all face those same issues, and it's inspiring and helpful to hear from folks who have gained some or all of the weight back. Not only is it inspiring to see them return to keep fighting, but learning about what made them slip can help all of us avoid those same problems. And I think seeing people return can encourage others who've slipped to return, too.

[Serendipity]

Vicky and I kept in touch via email for a long time and she was doing fine, but then she stopped responding to my emails and didn't pick up PM's when I sent them. I noticed recently that she came back and deleted all of her posts.

I hope she's ok.