Should I have to

[Chickie 15]

Take my start and finish weights out of my sig, as well as my photos and not mention what size I am for fear of making someone feel "less successful"?

[blahblahblah 4]

OMGoodness no!!!

You (and others like you) are the inspiration that helped me get the band and the inspiration that helps me push myself everyday to eat within the diet and exercise.

I truly hope this has not be suggested.

Rain

[Chris61 0]

Everyone in the group is successful. We just loose at differant levels and some are quicker than others. I think a lot of people think it will happen faster than it does and that is why they feel they are not making it.

Chris

[Chickie 15]

It has in a very round about way. I was told that by mentioning my weight and clothing size, that I make others feel "less successful". And honesty, I really don't want anyone to think that because they are not a certain weight or size that they are not successful. And if taking pics and info out of my signature line helps to prevent that, I will do it.

[faithmd 14]

Absolutely NO!!!

Those who have made goal or close to it (and even half way there) are such inspirations to me. And as a person who started at not too far from 400lbs, I am somehow even more inspired by those who started near or above 300lbs. That you and Julie and now Losing are RUNNERS is soooooooo fantastic. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not take your stats nor your pics down. I smile everytime I see your sig line.

[wrk-n-prgrss 0]

Never be worried about how your success will be perceived by others. That would be their issue not yours. Most are going to find it a very powerful band testimonial...I know I do. For you...:first:

[METALBAND 0]

Please do not......you are such an inspiration!

We all have our head issues that helped us gain the weight, if someone feels bad about themselves because of your success, then they still have head work to do. I know what its like to feel bad about myself when comparing myself to someone else's achievements but that is my issue!

I would love to get down to your weight because that is where I was when I got married but I also did not have to work at it then. Now it would take more work than I am willing to give, so I will be happy just to be at a normal BMI. Christ I am happy to be in the 180's.......

Please continue to inspire us!

Maureen

[*JASMINE* 1]

Never dull your shine for someone else (heard that last night on AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL when the other girls were being envious of one of the girls who were more successful).

[Carolk1 0]

I've been lurking on these boards for weeks while I decide what to do. I have followed various individuals and their achievements. The most inspirational and educational part of my lurking comes from seeing success stories like yours. Please do not remove anything from your sig line....It's so important to the the folks who are trying to educate themselves and make a life decision. My decision has been made, I'm done with all my pre-op work and just waiting for the call to tell me my surgery date. Thanks for sharing.....and keeping us all motivated.

[anonemouse 1]

HELL NO! Like wrk-n-prgrss said, the way other people feel is their problem, not yours. You cannot control the way other people feel about or react to certain things. There are always going to be people that get jealous of other people. Their jealousy isn't the fault of the person that they are jealous of. And anyone who says otherwise is an idiot. Like I've told the people here that have said that they think I should keep quiet about my academic achievements, it isn't my fault that other people may not have done as well. I'm not responsible for them feeling like failures when faced with other people's achievements. If they aren't proud of what they've achieved, that's their fault, not mine. In the end, we only own what we do. We aren't responsible for other people, whether it's their successes or their failures. Chickie, you are one of the MAJOR success stories here. NEVER let anyone tell you don't inspire the other members here. I know you inspire me. Even if I never reach your level of success, I still know it's possible.

[She Smiles 2]

Absolutely with out a doubt not. I look at your pics/stats and they are my motivation to keep my butt moving. I admire your efforts and dedication and appreciate the advice and support you have given me through out my banding journey. Don't give them the satisfaction they are looking for. You should be proud of what you have achieved, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You rock!

[Wheetsin 714]

I say no and I'm a moderator so there. :heh:

On another thread, I posted "naked" pictures of myself. I'm naked in them, but you only see from the small of my back on up. Nothing lower, nothing from the front, not even anything from the side (other than the backs of my side boobs).

I posted them to show how much more visible progress is when you're naked and can see the folds, bumps, etc. -- than when you're wearing clothes and really only see a change in how the clothes hang. One of the pics was pre-op, one was just the oher night. I got a few messages over that one... how inappropriate it was, how no one wants to see that, how this is a site with children, etc. It makes me think people saw "naked pictures" but didn't actually look at what I had posted. I dunno.

[Jachut 487]

Never!

You're such an inspiration.

Although I know what you mean. IRL I'm getting a bit tired of my weight being discussed, becuase everyone wants to live vicariously and discuss it and it makes me highly uncomfortable, as if i"m bragging.

Girls night every month, people want to talk about it. You look fantastic etc etc. And there sits my poor 150kg girlfriend who goes all quiet, it obviously upsets her. I dont want to talk about it. Same with my sister, she's struggling a bit with her weight at the moment and I know sometimes she doesnt even want to see me. So when we do get together and then my mum starts talking about it again, I want to tell her to shut up.

But on a weight loss forum, its NOT bragging, its NOT inappropriate, its very inspirational and I think its REALLY important for longer term, successful bandsters to hang around and try to provide support and sensible advice.

[CrochetGranny 0]

If you and others here DIDN'T have their pictures and weight loss stories, sizes, etc, people like me would never have decided to have the band.

What you choose to weigh, or what your body decides you should weigh, is up to you. Why should anybody feel intimidated? I will be satisfied if I get to 150; but I would be ecstatic if I got down to 120 or so. But if I get to 150, I definitely won't feel like a failure.

I know that what I get out of this will be in direct proportion to what I put INTO it!

[Chickie 15]

Thanks everyone, the sig stays. I think Jacqui hit the nail on the head. I am being made to feel as though I am bragging in my sig line. I'm not. And if the majority had voted I take my info out, I would have happily. Why? Because while I am proud of myself, I would never want to make anyone else feel bad. I am proud of all my fellow losers because I know how flipping hard it all is.

Wheetsin, I posted nude before and afters to my blog, and photobucket took down the before but not the after (the nipples and, uhm, bushy bits had been blacked out on both pics). I really don't know what to make of that. Like somehow my "before" is more offensive than the after.