Meeting everyone at the PMRI support group

Hello all.. I met a lot of you on Saturday as well. It was great to meet everyone and I did feel very good when I left. But I was just thinking of a downside... on the internet, we are anonymous.. we can say and ask whatever we want without being judged etc. Will meeting in the flesh (as someone put it) stop me from asking the really embarassing, stupid or my 'poor me' posts.?.. for fear of the hand over the mouth, snickering.. "ohhh it's HER" reaction ? .. hehehe... am I being paranoid? does anyone have the same feelings? Thanks guys, Tina

Thanks Robert, and good luck to you on the 'other side' ! I know I'm sensitive about feeling left out, and don't need anymore of that feeling in my life. I'm glad that you felt included as well. I know I just speak for myself, but men are always welcome hehe Tina

Hi Tina, I don't think you're being paranoid! It's a true and honest concern. Here's my take on it.... I would hope that no one would feel embarrassed to ask any of the questions that may arise. My hope is that because all of us, not some of us, but all of us, know what it is like to be morbidly obese and ALL of the things that go along with it...then we would be kinder and more supportive to one another. It's not like someone who has not been MO is in the group saying, I know how you feel, when realistically, how could they really know....? We really do KNOW how it feels and we care. So I say....bring on the questions of every type...we're all in this together. We can learn from one another and support one another. We are not here to judge, but to encourage each other. I'll climb down off my soapbox for now.... ((hugs)) Cj

Tina, Obviously, I can only really speak for myself, but I feel like I already know so many of you gals/guy (Rob) *wink*. And I feel like I have put myself out there and opened up. It is who I am, real deep on the inside, the Tammy that I try to hide from others all too often. But when I realized that I really needed help getting this weight off, I knew that not only did I need a surgeron, but I also needed a support system. Friends going through the same thing. I like to call you all my accountablity partners. I believe that you all will be there to support me when needed, as well as tell me I am wrong when needed. As long as I am willling to let you all in ... as long as I am willing to open myself up ... as long as I am willing to allow myself to be vunerable and ask the questions that I have on my heart or post what is going on in my head. I feel my questions and profile are just about as open as I can get. And I would hope that no one would condem me, make fun of me or my emotions or questions. But I guess that is just the chance that I take by making myself vunerable. But I believe that it is a slim chance and the rewards that I have already reaped are so wonderful and worth so much to me, that I guess I am willing to chance that someone may hurt me at some point. Like Carla & Rob said, we are in this to support one another ... we have all been through some of the same things and we all want to go in the same direction. While all our thoughts may not be the same on all things, we certainly have the same struggles with weight and the issues surrounding it. By allowing myself to be open and thus vunerable, I believe that I have been able to make some new friends, genuine friends. Some friends that truly understand my struggles with my weight and all the complex issues that surround it. I believe that I can call on these friends when I need a smile, a swift kick in the rear, a word of comfort, etc. etc ... I believe that they know they can call on me regardless of their need and know that I will do all that I can to help them. I simply can not imagine facing all this alone. I feel so very blessed to know that I don't have to. And meeting in person only helped to cement the friendships I have made online! Trust that I for one will NEVER, make fun of, ridicule, belittle, or gasp at any question, concern, emotion, etc. of any of my fellow DE board members. So Tina, feel free to ask away ... no question, concern or thought is too shocking for this board. Many, many hugs to you! Tammy ! *grin*

UGH ... it cut off what I said at the very bottom ... Well, I guess that is all ... stepping off of Carla's soapbox, making room for the next person! *grin*

Hi Tina, I think everyone feels that way at times and I'm sure we all get freaked out at times and read things into situations to magnify things. I got in trouble on the main message board today actually for stating my feelings..a woman posted a message using the angry face and a bunch of exclamation points and titled it "Mad" then proceeded to complain about how she could only eat 3-4 nachos. It just hit me wrong. I get so annoyed with that kind of thing at times, also with the I am 2 weeks out now what do I do stuff lol. I wonder where people's heads were when they were researching surgery or even IF they researched it. I dunno, maybe she just didn't phrase her post very well. Anyway I digress...I sure hope you wouldn't hesitate to ask something in person. Sometimes things like facial expression and tone of voice go a long way in getting a point across or a meaning and you can get some very valuable info getting the person's "Whole Story" not just a few lines of text. LOL we will just make it manadatory if one of us has an embarrasing question we ALL have to ask one. VERY glad to meet you, Linda

WOW.. you all are wonderful, and brought tears to my eyes. You said so many of the things I had hoped for, wow again doesn't being to express my feelings.. THANK YOU !!!!

Tina, 1st of all what did you think of Trader Joe's? Did you find it okay? Next, boy I can ditto LB, CJ & Tammy to the max. I have never really opened up to anyone. To finally meet you all made it even better. This is only a part of our new journey. Meeting and making new friends. Ups & downs. Ins & outs. Someone to be there to talk to or email whether feeling good or bad. What a deal!! To loose some weight to be healthier, stop me I'm on a roll. I did have some bad news yesterday. I was IRIF'd from my job of 23 yrs. I am one of 2500. I am sad about my circle of family at work. But I see this as a good thing too. Now I can concentrate on me. My surgery. My recovery. WHOA!!! this is a first. Usually it was kids, husband, mother or job. I am a BABY BOOMER. Never me. So I'm going to take advantage and use this time to have the WLS in January and take time for myself and recouperate and "BE A LOOSER" and get healthy. Then I'll try to figure out what I want to be when I grow up......!!! I unblocked my emails so I can accept from you now. Stay focused. We'll all be okay. EH

Hi Elissa, I know just what you mean about your job. I lost my job back in January. And it took me until about October to be at peace about not looking for a new job (so, you're way ahead of me when you are at peace with it!) At first I was worried that we wouldn't make it without my income, God provided, then I went through the guilt and depression phase. Now, I know have the same opinion that you have, get healthy first, then discover what I want to be when I grow up... I had been in banking - loan officer, credit counselor for 18 years -- and getting laid off was one of the best things that could have happened to me. Now, after I get healthy, who knows, maybe I'll go back to college? Switch careers entirely?? I am just not sure....but I do know that in whatever career path I am led in to....I will be healthier and happier. So instead of my condolances on your loss of job - I say Congratulations!! Now it's your turn to take care of YOU!! I wish you all the best!!! ((hugs)) Cj

Elissa, I'm so sorry to hear about your job. I was laid off this time last year and went through a really rough time. It sounds like you have your head on straight and have a plan so that's the hardest part. Keep on your path to do what's best for YOU. You deserve it. Take care. Tina