Confession -

Hey, duffman. Glad you're finding what's working best for YOU and re-focusing.

If/when you're in the mood, I'd love to hear about some things you thought were going to work for you, but later proved not to work out so well.

FYI, I'm just your boring MFP planning/tracking, weigh every morning, take my supplements, exercise 5-6 days a week kinda girl. It's just what I do now.

So boring! ;)

Yet so effective and happy-making. :)

Ann

Yes, very effective and is what works for me as well!

I could say "I knew you would come around, but I knew you were smarter, than you were acting"...but that would make me less than the fabulous person I strive to be :)

Mike, thank you for being here and being honest.

Thanks Kelly - I wear my heart on my sleeve. Will always be honest with what/how I feel. Can be detrimental at times...LOL

Glad you are back!

One thing we have to remember in an email-type forum, is that people can't see our faces and/or hear the tone in our voices. This sometimes makes things harder to accept, because we think someone was "mean" when they weren't trying to be mean.

Sometimes the advice is hard to take, because the group is not agreeing with something that you are trying to condone.

It's tough, but welcome back!

I agree - why I came back and I am not too proud to eat a little crow as they say! I think in the end I was more angry with myself.......

Welcome Back! I am still friends after 14 years with some of the members back then I tangled with Stick with the basics and so glad you are here!

Much respect Mike for your very thoughtful open and honest post, I think that took a lot of guts, so bravo to you.

I too in my regular day to day life prefer to not be "told" and figure things out on my own, that has definitely came back to bite me in the ass many times but its how I am wired.

I totally get how many here who post or are just readers would see some posters or Vets as giving the "tough love" approach is off putting. Lots of people are governed by their emotions, lots of people are the opposite and are quite analytical and tell it like it is. I am a "live by my emotions type" and my husband is a "analytical tell it like it is type." And yup WE CLASH, doesn't mean he is right or wrong or visa versa its just how we see and interpret things.

If I may hijack your post and give my two cents for all those who are reading this my take away is this: OH is a community of many different people with their own set of beliefs and interpretations of life but if there is one thing that we all SHARE its we have had WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY (or will have surgery if you are pre op). I personally WANT to be told by a Vet that "yes Daisy you are doing it right, or no Daisy that won't work, try it this way." Why do I listen to these people well because they have walked this earth as a post op for a hell of a lot longer than me and if it works for them why wouldn't it work for me?

Like you Mike I like to work out and keep fit. One of my favorite things is running. If I have a running question who am I going to seek advice out from? An actual person who is the average Joe but has successfully run a dozen or so marathons or am I going to talk to a "Certified Personal Trainer" who has never ran a mile in his/her life? I am going with the person who has literally run miles because he/she "gets it," not the person who has a pretty diploma/certificate but does not run.

Advice here whether its given in the "tough love" approach or the "kinder & gentle" approach the bottom line is advice has been given to help and to see you succeed. People don't just take the time out of their busy days with work & family just to be mean, they truly want to help and see you be the best you can be.

I am glad you are back.

I am thrilled you are doing the "Golden 3" as I like to call it 1. Weighing/measuring, 2. Using MFP, 3. Participating on OH

Welcome back, and don't disappear again!

Daisy - I appreciate this more than I can express to you! I have thought about this for some time, I made mistakes and at this point in my life I can admit when I was wrong. I really need OH, I need the support from you and others that I admire on OH. I need the accountability. I need the kick in the ass when I become ****y and feel that I no longer need to follow my plan. When I stepped away I did alot of reading, I was floored to learn that some of the people I felt were the tough lovers had struggled at some point, I really felt like it was folks that had zero issues that were rubbing it in to those that were struggling. I could not have been more wrong! I understand that respect is not given, it is earned and one day I will earn that. I really appreciate what you and those before you have done with this board and the daily menu thread, and I am going to continue to be here and will continue to add content as I am able. I will not go away, if I get quiet, know that I might be struggling...if you dont see me....it means I am not holding myself accountable. I am in a good place right now with 9.7 down since 01/02 and am hoping to hit the 190's this weekend at weigh in.

Thanks again Daisy -