hi friends,
whenever i tell people how this web site has helped me to get to goal weight, they seem to be confused at how this can possibly be true.
i am wondering what it is about online support that makes diettalk such an important part of your journey to health and happiness?
when i first started i think it was the fact that i didnt actually have to face people in person when talking about my weight problems. i knew that people wouldnt be judging me on my appearance alone.
but now that i have been coming here for years i realise that the wonderful friendships i have made here is why this place is so important to me. knowing that i am not alone in this struggle makes all the difference.
hugs belinda :D

Sometimes when newbies come into Diettalk they ask how long some of us have been chatting there..and some of us lucky one's can say we've been chatting there for a couple of years. Then they ask if it's helped us..and I'm so glad that I can honestly say YES! It hasn't always helped me lose those pounds..but it's been a place of acceptance and support and encouragement. I dont know how many of you can be 100% honest with your family members about where you are at in your weight loss stuggle. Diettalk is the only place where I feel like I can be totally honest about how much I weigh, how I feel about it..and what I'm doing about it. Well, that and my Weight Watcher meetings..but I've been doing DT longer! I'm very thankful for DT and the fun and friendship I find there! Thanks much John!
XOXOXO Peach

This is the only place I can tell anyone what my weight is. Friends of mine in DT and the lady that weighs me at WW are the only ones that know...lol...I would NEVER tell anyone else. How silly is that? Other than I know that everyone in that room and here in these forums are going through the same exact thing I am, I dont care if you have 5 pounds or 200 pounds to lose, you know what the hell I am talking about and going through!

heather ww

------------------
Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!

The most important influence in helping to change one's behavior is a support network. I don't like to talk about my problems with my weight with family or friends- I know it doesn't make any sense, but for some reason I feel as if I bring up me wanting to lose weight or dieting, they'll be like, "Gosh, now that you bring it up, you ARE fat." Like they won't realize that I am overweight if I don't bring up the subject. (I know this makes no sense, but your mind can do weird things to you sometimes.) Friends and family will talk about dieting or wanting to lose weight, but none of them have struggled with as much weight as I have or have been overweight for most of their lives like I have. They would mean well, but they don't understand as well as others who are going through it. This website is a lifesaver for me and reading others' struggles and encouragement helps my own journey.

------------------
Isabella :)

Hi Bell,
For me, I needed a place where I found others who could understand what I was going through yet not feel that awful fear if someone approched me. You know, a face to face confrontation (lol). I also needed to feel I was not being judged visually. At the last WW meeting I attended, someone decided we had a lot in common (without knowing me at all) and attached themselves to me. It was very uncomfortable for me and I couldn't deal with it at the time. Not as heavy as I was then, with such a small amount of self esteem and since I had managed to climb deep into a shell. I never went back. Here, I had a chance to blossom as I started my weight loss journey without worrying about being judged on my size or my hair color or whatever.
Thankfully, I've grown (inside) a lot since then and that panic isn't so strong anymore. But I don't think I would have come this far had it not been for this site.
Thank you to everyone who has been a support to me here and to John for keeping this place going.
Kerri

It's been so important to have a place to talk about my eating and weight and all the stuff that goes with those issues without feeling like I'm boring people. I guess it's a safe place becouse if these weren't subjects that concerned or interested others, they wouldn't be here reading the posts.
Ya know?
And to read the posts of others, and see their successes and falls. Both are encouraging in their own way, as strange as that sounds.When someone is doing well it's proof that it is acheivable, and when people fall it reminds me that falling is part of the plan, and if they can get up and get moving again, then dammit so can I.
And of course it's wonderful to know you all, and to be known.
(NORM!)
It's the perfect balance, recognition and accountability without pressure or judgement.
If it were possible, I'd get a cot and move into the Conference Room.

For me it is being able to get on and post whenever I have the time, even if it is at midnight and knowing that even though I am only typing the words on a computer, someone will read them and care. It is also being able to sit and read others posts and be able to relate where they are comming from. People not really knowing me physically helps also I have a hard time feeling like I am always being judged and I don't measure up but being able to post here where no one really knows me I can be more open and honest about my feelings and such.

------------------
Pulling Weeds!
Sisnelly

I am a computer freak! I spend most of my day online, therefore I do most of my socialising on the net. I have lots of friends in ICQ and Napster, however I could not tell them about my weight problems! Diettalk is great for that because we all have so much in common, that is what makes it so succesful, being able to post any time and reply to other posts is also great! You make wonderful friendships and people don't judge you! If I tell my ICQ friends about my problem they will be there for me too but I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me, besides they can't relate to what I am talking about if they are not experiencing it themselves. The other thing about online support is that even though you make friends here, you don't interact with them in person, it is soooooooo different once you meet people and start seeing their other qualities and mistakes. LOL... The internet rocks! I love it... :D



------------------
~Here is to eating right and living longer!~
Massielita

others seem so confused that I can get support for stranger but you are all real people with the same struggles I have I you haven't been fighting weight loss or have the motivation to lose they cant truly understand the pain and joy we feel when we lose or gain. I love dt it has help be keep on track I have lost 16 lbs in 4 weeks and Im still motivatied . good luck all angelmom

------------------
We are human:) All we can do is take one day at a time! One meal at a time! Today I can do this. ;)

I love this site..no one judges me based on my appearance..and everyone is honest, i love it..we all joke around and support eachother it truly is like a family..i am glad to have people to talk to about the ups and downs and i am uplifted by all of your opinions and stories of your own falls and success..thanks all..your wonderful..Online support is wonderful for the heart and soul..

Nikita

------------------
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Hi all

I also love this site it is just great and John if you are reading this ty much much much for this wonderful site... This site has given me so much in the couple months i've been here i love it. You get praise for losing you get help if your down no one judges you as a failure if you gain. I'm sure you can even see the tears in my eyes as i'm doing wrong. You can smell and taste the cookie i'm eating when talking to me. You don't slap me on the hand you just say give me a bite and that's all right. The bite i just gave you is one less for me. I love to share wish i could share these extra lbs. with you. Oh darn forgot you don't want them neither. hey this is fun and i could go on and on. But i won't i'll sell you one of my books LOL.

See you all lighter

Linda

My journey into Diettalk began when a co-worker sent me a link to a page. It was a request to click on a pink ribbon to help get donations for breast cancer research. Also on that page was a link to Diettalk.com. This was only day two of my newfound determination to conquer the beast within :) and I took it as a sign.

I agree that a support network is among the most important things in changing any lifestyle habit, and this has thus far been a wonderful resource for me.

Roxie

Well,

Diettalk has SO helped me in the past over 3 years. There have been so many people here I consider friends. Nowhere else on the net makes me feel quite at home as DT! I have confessed some dark demons to kind and understanding ears (eyes?). After I gave birth, I could NOT stand my body and all the stretch marks I have now. I literally cried when I told the folks in chat about them and learned that most had them too! Also, there quite a few people here for me when my mother died and that meant ALOT to me. I had Hope 2 years ago and everyone was excited for me. We all got excited again this year when Jessie was due. We are an incredible bunch of people! :)

Yes we have a problem here and there but you know what? What family doesn't?!

Corinna

------------------
"Every decision you make indicates what you believe you are worth."