Hey, there have been men only threads in the past too...just because it isn't active now doesn't mean it hasn't been tried. Sometimes just a daring title is enough to get people to share positive experiences that may make their road a little less bumpy.

Freydis...Thanks for pointing out a valuable truth...you haven't been there Ali and I too hope you never are. Having 50 something pounds to lose is hard, but it's not 100+ or 200+. There are those who don't understand why those of us who share the triple digit forum need a place to unload...because we do. There are many common factors in this WOL and there are also some that you have probably not experienced even at your highest weight. This support forum is for everyone, IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING SUPPORTIVE TO SAY. If you wanna debate agressively, check out the war zone. IMHO...Otherwise, like your momma told you, if you don't have something nice to say...zip it! If your not getting what you need out of the forum, start a thread that addressess your needs, maybe you'll draw others who share your need to be competitive.

On the positive side rather than a number race, I'd like to see some common things that people have done to overcome roadblocks in their weightloss. Like Chemlady mentioning planning and finding a LC substitute for a craving. (I keep a LC emergency kit in the car.) The "just a few frenchfries" would never work for me, in fact I don't even let them in my car, I know the smell gets to me. Before LC, I was the driver shifting the fries from one order to another to even them out because the ride home left us too MANY fries missing. Find what works, toss what doesn't. We are not all carbon copies of one another with the same physical abilities and social situations. Finding progress is much better than seeking perfection or abandoning the journey altogether.

Cassie, hang in there. Work on one thing at a time. Don't beat yourself up. If you see a pattern to the behavior, see what you can do to change it. I use non food rewards to pat myself on the back, everyone I know wants & needs encouragement. If that isn't working than I have to take a look at why I'm sabatoging my own efforts...what am I afraid of?

Support not shame.

Beth