.

*************HUGS**************

I needed to refocus today on my goals and why I am here.  I feel centered again and willing to set up to the plate and make a change in my life that matters.  It matters to me.

Thanks so much for your thoughts.  :)  Together we can do it!

A sweet reminder of the reason so many of us hang around.

Someone's been reading my journal ;)

But I agree.

I'm not here to help those that aren't being serious and sincere. I've done that already and I feel good for the effort.

But I'm here to offer opinions for people who have intelligent questions. i'm not an expert, but together we can learn together.

Do you know when I first came here, I thought I knew everything. I knew how to diet, how to DO it, but every conversation I had with others opened my mind, little by little, to the recognition that not only did I not know everything, but what I DID know was the tip of the iceburg and that it could take a lifetime to strive to learn the ins and outs of how our bodies work and how dieting can work, not just for me, but for everyone.
And so.. my messages changed. And I started collecting information. Information from EVERYONE at the time, even those that we'd come back later to flame because of their behaviors.
And not just that.. but experience changed me. Not just mine, but yours.

So, no, I challenge every person who come on to do some research first. DOn't just come here and say "Hi, I'm new and I know nothing. Help me." Because those threads get ignored. But.. read the FAQ, read through the library and then come in and say "Hi. I've read through the FAQ and the library. But I have some questions."
Those are questions I want to answer, to the best of my ability.

When I first came here, a few months ago, I found motivation within my clique. We motivated each other. I motivated them and by dint of watching what they did when motivated, they motivated me back. Together, we reached new heights and challenged each other.

Time passes. Some people move on. Some people come in.

But if you want help, and are serious about this, than ask intelligent, well-thought out questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

Perhaps together we can all reach new heights again.

Thanks United :)  I'd offer a big squishy hug but I do have a cold today.

I'm grateful to all the helpful people who stick around. 

And if we never give up, we're bound to succeed.

.... hadn't heard about the chip... wow - brave new world  -- what are we letting them do to us???   I will stomp away to a tropical island paradise before I let them put a chip in me...  wwws?  What Would Winston (Churchill) Say?

<<<<APPLAUSE>>>>

Thank you for those words of wisdom United!

United,
Thank you so much for this positive post (except the part about the chip, eep, scary). I really like everyone's answers too. I really loved the community here when I first started and I definately think that was a big reason why I stayed. I think if I were to come into this community now, I don't know if I would stay. It's sometimes fun and interesting but so many people are unhealthy too. It is very hard to see. I hope that some people will notice that they aren't doing the right things for their health before they ruin their bodies.

To me, this way of life needs to last the rest of my life, so I need to make it manageable and I need to work hard to also fit it into my life no matter what the occasion.

Thanks again hun.