Interesting article just appeared on CNN's website. Check it out:

Dieters flock online to take weight off

I have found the support of this forum, particularly the TDC, to provide the most accountability that I have ever had from any diet group. After all, how could I possibly let my friends down or desert them, especially when I know that they, too, might be struggling.

I agree with Louise, there may be days when I do not so well but failing has not been an option since I joined the TDC. I do not want to fail myself the group or the Atkins WOE. I find this has been the only time I was ever so focused on getting to my goal. That does not mean just getting thinner it means living thinner. I did Weight Watchers and when I got tired of not getting anywhere I just upped and stopped going. Here it is such a part of my day I can't just quit.

I think that there might be some advantages to the "real time" support groups but there are definite advantages to this forum. For one thing, support is available 24/7 and you cannot get that anywhere else! I don't understand the accountability factor either. If you drop out of the WW support groups or something, they don't come to your house to chase you down. Accountability is what we make of it after all. I feel very accountable to this group. I work at 100% honestly because that is the only thing that can work for me.

Orchid

I wouldn't be able to make a live group consistently. I'd never be able to sort through some of the things I've written in my journal to live people, and that's been the biggest help of all. I've actually used it as a way to work on myself, a kind of self-therapy that has been really good for me. It's stuff I couldn't tell people face to face.

Honestly, sounds like hype created by some dieticians who were worried because they are losing income because there is better information and support available on the internet than is available with them!

I don't know about you guys, but going to a WW meeting or even a check in with Jenny Craig never kept me on the straight & narrow. I actually remember lying to a counsellor at a Weight Loss Clinic (anyone remember those places) once when I was in high school about how much I ate because I was embarrassed at overeating. Shortly thereafter, I quit.

Here, I can be honest, it's not a scary atmosphere and no authority figure is going to give me hell if I make a mistake or don't do things her way. So it's easier to stay honest here than with a in person support person.

Valerie

Valerie,
I so agree!
And I can remember leaving the WW meeting and going out for ice cream!! (After gaining weight, too...)

I love the fact that I can participate whenever I have a moment - like right now, as I'm taking a break at work - without having to have a whole hour free for a meeting.

Of course we must remember that dieting is a multi billion dollar industry....

Miriam

I've gone to weekly WW meetings, OA, weighed in weekly with a diet doctor. Obviously none of that worked. Neither did my parents' promises of a new wardrobe if I got thin or my husband's worries about my weight. The night of my WW meeting was cheat night for me. I would starve myself before getting on their scale, or the doctor's and pig out later.
Bottom line---this forum works because I have to be accountable to ME, not a lecturer, not a doctor, not my family and friends.