I'm here!

A few days ago, I lost patience and deactivated! Then I got an e mail from oh member who knows my e mail address. And i changed my mind. So I asked oh if they would reactivate me and they said yes, but just once - not to ask again!

Thanks for being interested enough to miss me those of you that did. It was not a goodbye cruel forum post, that's not my style. Just an I - can't-be-bothered sort of leaving!

I'll try to explain. There were two factors.

One was, of course, drama - but that seems a bit better recently. It used to annoy me, now it bores me!

The other was simply overload. Please do not misunderstand me. It is essential that people ask for support and help. That is what this board is for. But the thing is I have been on here for over 5 years. The first year I was asking for help, the last 4 I have been offering it. I have been assiduous in this, answering ****il a couple of months ago) posts almost every day.

But vets can only do this so long. Inevitably and naturally, the same questions are asked again and again. There are only so many times it is possible to type " it is not surprising that you have only lost x pounds in the first week...." and similar responses. I did start cutting and pasting replies but that is so impersonal.

And a new generation of vets comes along. They can answer just as well as I can and haven't been doing it as long. Sometimes I even recognise in their replies some of my own words!

I reactivated mainly because I realised that if I didn't I couldn't access the Grads board. But I will keep an eye on here and, a always, will support anyone who contacts me by PM. And I will probably join in threads every now and then.

Kate

Hi Kate,

Thanks for checking in with us.  I'm so glad you're back.  Just to know you (along with the other vets) are available to help out when a question comes up is so reassuring.

Hugs,
Barbara 

Welcome back

Kate, I don't know you from Adam. But, I wanted to saynthis. I was a regular back here in 2002 And one of the "it" "in" crowd and the queen of the board. People pissed me off every day, the drama was relentless. I've often said fat people are the mean girls and I still believe it to be true, in 2004/2005 I left the boards too for good for many reasons, I never decativated but left bc well I had a life again. Just remember that you can only do so much and that you have to pay it forward. I am back now bc I need a revision and had a band over bypass last week. Yeah now what? Within a week of being back here I was disgusted that the site had nit changed and there were still badgers, drama and the DS ushers galore running rampant. I almost walked away. But, instead, people who I gave advice to back in the day and who I helped, started coming out of the woodwork to help me. I used to be everyone's support and now they are mine and helping me thru this revision. So, I guess what I am saying in a. Very long winded way is to not make this board your life, which so many do, but instead give it and others the respect they deserve and the drama, well, screw it. Those who you've helped will be forever grateful and they may just one day be giving it back to you. All my best.

Kate,

I'm sooooo glad you're back! And I totally understand why you deactivated.

Jean

Hi, i too don't know you, but I am sure you have answered a few of my questions "way back when"..lol I love this board very much, I has and still does help when I am in trouble or just need an answer.. I don't get into the "drama" on here..I let that to the pros..lol. you know who you are... I take everything i read (not the pros or "vets") with a grain of salt.. Like it has been said, there are some who like to start trouble on here or just use this board for bashing.. I love the choice I made.. If I fall off the wagon I will pick myself off and get back on..Hard or not, everyone is different..  I know who I can trust on here.. Others I just read and laugh.. I hope all you "Vets" stay in touch..I love and need your support always...You are never to old to learn something new...Take care ...Hugs "Lucky"

Kate,
I am glad you decided not to leave. We need you:) If you need time away to rest or just to be away from the drama please take it so it doesn't get to you. When the drama starts I try not to read it. Sometimes I get sucked in and throw my 2 cents in. But then I walk away. I can't thank you enough for staying around. We newbies need people like you to pop in and help us out.

Hi Kati, I have been around since 09/09, but as an observer because I didn't have the confidence in myself to write a post much less answer one.  Your patience in answering questions that you had already answered help me a great deal.  Without you and other veterans doing this I would not be down 125 pounds.  So just know that your absence was noticed and that we need you.  Thanl you for coming back.

 Nice to see you again, Kate. And I still love that avi!!

So glad you are back Kate