I Dont Understand

I think this is an excellent post and a great question. I have read some of the responses and my own initial response was to say "Why do people leave?  And only show up when they need some help/support?  Well... Because people suck."  But I know that I am just as bad. 

I am terrible about keeping up my post... I really am basically a very very very private person and opening up about anything is difficult for me under the best of cir****tances.  That is why I like having an anonymous avatar.  I hate having my picture taken (always have) and I cannot even begin to communicate what a big deal it is for me to have ever posted a pic on a website.  But I do like checking the threads and offering some feedback if it will be helpful or positive and asking questions (I believe that I will get an honest answer). 

Plus, I have to say, that all of the feedback that I have received here has been positive and encouraging and I really appreciate it. 

And sometimes, I could just use a good laugh and I can certainly find it here.  I find myself checking here every day just to see what is up and what folks are talking about for the day.  I don't always feel compelled to respond, but I do feel connected to a group that has been there done that and will always share that perspective of life after WLS.  Sometimes... you just need that too.  Kind of like a touchstone to keep you grounded. 

But, hey, people really do suck so you got to take the bad with the good.  Just a thought... 

IN ALL HONESTY: I have not been swamped with work, I actually work less.
I have not been busy with the kids, I dont have any kids.
I have not been away from my computer, Im on it every damn day.
I have not been stalling too much, it may be only a pound, but every bit counts right!

The truth is: I HAVE BEEN HAVING A GREAT FRICKING TIME!!!! GOING OUT, HANGING OUT! ACTING A DAMN DONKEY ON THE REGULAR! ENJOYING MY ENERGY, MY HUSBAND, MY FRIENDS, AND MY NEW FOUND WAISTLINE!!! SO MUCH SO, I HAVE ENTERED MYSELF INTO AA MEETINGS (MENTALLY) B/C IT WAS JUST OUT OF CONTROL.

And now I'm back. Im still going to the gym like crazy, at least 4 times a week for no less than 1.5 hours. But Im good. I just feel like nothing interested has happened in my wls journey anymore...the newness has worn off....idk. i'll get better! But i do post pics.

There is a time and a season for everthing....sometimes its better for people to walk away then to stay around and fester and pollute others. I personally didn't like the tone that BAF had taken with all the catty fighting with each post and backline chatter cyber life shouldn't be that drama filled.

I still update my blog and check my messages and respond to messages and come on the boards and my plan is to continue. However, after you reach goal there is less and less to blog about the face doesn't change in the mirror so the need to update pictures aren't there. But I'm still around.

Yes, I totally agree with you.  I wish I knew the answer, but I can only speculate that possibly they get busy with their day to day lives or maybe they lose their Internet service or having computer issues. I'm sure there are many reasons for it.  I made a conscious decision that if I were to join this site, that I would make every effort to stick with it throughout my entire journey. So far, so good. So, try to hang in there with those of us who are dedicated to blogging & updating there pages. 
Take care Sis,
Sharon

Hi Isa.  
Look at OH like 'therapy'..some people show up to therapy, then they are better so no longer need it!  I think there has to be a balance.  I personally update pictures, check out the message boards to see if i can offer input, and also keep my profile blog updated almost weekly.  On the flip side..I do have a life- there are some on here that are on the other side of the spectrum where they are literally on here ALL DAY EVERY DAY and posting like crazy! Lol.  Maybe thats what works for them.  For me, OH has been an outlet, and I keep it updated to help myself as well as others.  But again, I do have a life.  So look at it this way, maybe for you, its a different experience than it is for others (but thats their right).  The important thing is that we all grow from our individual experiences and maybe, just maybe, we give a little something to someone else to help ease their journey. Be blessed!

Mill

Isa, you are really a sweet person, unfortunately there are a LOT OF MEAN and selfish people are on these forums just like in REAL LIFE, some come here for the drama, some come to actually run off the newbies and some come for genuine support, some people only show up to show their weight loss results some come only for prayers and some have even come to collection donations, I have seen it ALL in my 4 years on these forums.

I have been taunted, flamed, and talked about, I even left and de-activated my account. Obesity Help HAS changed for sure since I became a member 4 years ago, it USED to be more about support and showing pictures of progress....believe it or NOT I have actually been flamed for posting my progress pictures and called an "attention *****", I thought this is what these forums are for...you have some really mean cyber bullies on here..but I bet if you met them in person they are would be scared to death.
 
But then  again, you have some people that simply have a LIFE, and just don't have the time to support to the forums, I have a VERY busy life and I really don't have time to post either, but I DO try to come and give back the support that I got, and then you have some people that are in their OWN clique of friends and don't  really welcome newbies in..and they just communicate privately...that's just life sweetie, don't let it sweat you, you have done so well and so beautiful just keep up the good work ,GOOD THINGS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE...
 

Thank you for this post.  In my naive-ness (not a word but it works for me in this instance), I never consider that folks take the b4 and after pictures from profiles that is not their own and send them out to friends and coworkers who may or may not be on this site. Back to the drawing board I go.

I sure did and still do.

Great post! I enjoyed reading this because I feel the same way but to each his own.

Hey my Philly sister....I use to be on here daily, but it can become addictive. I had to start getting some work done and could not be on as much as I would have like too. When I did lurk and post it was because I found a little time to. But, I'm in the field most of the time and can't post daily. I am only online during the day because whe I get home....that's family time, fruit bouquet time or just my time. I will try to update my profile.