WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE?????????????????????

Hey Gary, I couldn't agree more. When I saw the original posting for this contest it made me sad. This board is a vehicle for support and encouragement not a competition, now with this it has been made competitive and that's just wrong. Some of us post our stats at the end of some of our messages, but that's not meant to be competitive. I see it as a way of letting folks keep up with your progress without posting a separate message just to state the weight loss. The contest has pretty much set the Marchers up for defeat by challenging the April board anyway. They are still in their first 60 days and most of us have slowed to a couple of pounds a weeks if that...Oh well... That's my 2 cents. Va

Gary - #1) I don't see much flaming going on in these parts. #2) I see your point and really appreciate your stance because it is borne out of concern for everyone's emotional well being. This too is why I come here moreso than other reasons. #3) I will go ahead and participate, but knowing full well that I am a stinking slow loser and there has been nothing I've been able to do to help change that. So it will be what it will be. I do want everyone to know though that I understand and support their perspective of this. I don't have an emotional reaction to it, but I really understand and appreciate the sentiment! Dina

Hi Gary: I respect your right to your opinion. I am joining as I like competition. I don't have to come in first to like competition and I will probably come in last as I am a slow loser but my ego is not so fragile that a little wl challange will disturb it. so it is nice to have the challange for those who wish to take part and for those who don't --well that's OK too. Louise -38

Hey QB - understand your point. I am participating as a way to help me. I'm by nature a very competitive person, and I hate weight loss competitions. Since this one is a group thing and not individual, I see it as a way to push myself to do more exercise - to be more aware of what's going into my mouth, and to work harder at getting my protein drinks in. Yes, I am hoping to help the group effort, however the only winner (er.. loser hopefully), by my participating, is me. To each his/her own. If we all agreed about everything, this would be an awfully boring board/world. As this is a support board, I have a real problem with anyone "flaming" another because of an opinion or a misstep. If you felt "flamed" by any of my comments, that was not my intent, and I hope you will take them the way they were intended. mgm

Gary, I value your friendship and your opinion. And I certainly understand your feelings to which you are entitled. I liked Joy's idea only because, like some of the others, I like a challenge and feel it might motivate me to do better -- which I certainly can afford to do, especially with the exercise. But the beauty of this group is that we all have opinions, and we should never be concerned about expressing them. You are such an asset to this Board. Even manservants are entitled to freedom of speech ('course, don't tell my husband I said that!). 'night. Maureen

Gary, I have to say I completely agree with you. In no means should this be a competition towards ANYONE..not even a whole group. The truth of the matter is, just like Va said, we are set up to lose because the April board is losing faster at the time. However, that isn't the point...some lose slower then others..I really feel if you have one person who has lost 50 lbs and one who has lost 20...there will be feelings of jealousy and also feelings of "what am I doing wrong?" This shouldn't be so... Although I am more then happy with my weight loss..I will not participate in this sort of thing. Right on Gary!!! Bethany

I am so glad others agree with me - thats why I did not sign up for this challenge - what if I have a slow month - if I were in a contest that would just make me feel bad about it. I want to lose as my body sees fit not try to force the issue for a contest. (I am doing it a healthy way now I dont want to say - oh no I need to lose 3 more lbs to win the contest I will cut out everything bu****er and cantaloupe for a week!) lol -Sherrie

Wow. I haven't been on any boards for a few weeks, and while I was reading thru some of the Marchers' posts, I saw this. I'll probably be flamed, but our weight loss journey isn't a competition against/versus others. I see nothing positive to this slant, and obviously won't "play". When we decided to have WLS, we made a very serious committment for the rest of our lives. Many of us have been told we'll be slow losers (I for one, although that hasn't proven true), and not to be disappointed if we don't lose as fast as others. My thought to that was that I wasn't doing this for 'others', I had serious health issues I had to fix, and this WLS did it. I've never posted my weight loss so as other lightweights/'slow losers' wouldn't start whacking themselves on the head trying to figure out why I, a "slow loser" was losing at Mach 1 speed when I wasn't supposed to be. I'll never be a 'stumbling block' for anyone in anything I do or say, and I think this is the epitome of rubbing it in. We've already read way too many posts of people who don't understand why "X" works for that person and not for themselves...where do you think THIS will go? I'm in 110% agreement with you, my Manservant. I guess I've been away a VERY long time if this is where this has turned to... Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to All Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles

Gary, I have to second what the Queen had to offer. I feel exactly the way she does. I am proud of you for putting it out there instead of keeping it to yourself. Thxs. Shannon The Irish Lassie 266/223 -43