Just a little thing to try and bolster folk fretting about all the less than ideal things (and the hard to compete with success stories) they read here, especially those who haven’t spent time on lots of similar forums.

Research online has been a chunky part of my day job, so although I’m not immune to the negative bias and hype I can pause and process that out.

If you only have time to dip your toes in, use your own past experience as benchmark. How often do you post when all is just jogging along nicely and you don’t need advice or support?

If you have more time, try ignoring the 4 worst experiences and the 2 best ones in every 10 posts and use a search engine to look for medical advice and evidence for things that mess with your head.

Context is king. Everyone starts at a different weight and with a different set of head, body and life complications.

So impressed by those who spare time to support all the concerned folk here and share the well deserved celebrations, but for those hovering and worried, this isn’t, in sum total, a real slice of life [emoji4]
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On 4/4/2019 at 6:18 AM, GradyCat said:

I try not to get caught up in the comparison game of people who had surgery the same day I did but have lost more weight than I have so far. I just have to worry about me and my own journey and I enjoy learning things here on this Forum that makes me understand my own journey better.

I think this is a good motto for life in general!

Edited May 27, 20197 yr by delfie

On 4/4/2019 at 12:48 AM, BrighterSide said:

If you only have time to dip your toes in, use your own past experience as benchmark. How often do you post when all is just jogging along nicely and you don’t need advice or support?

If you have more time, try ignoring the 4 worst experiences and the 2 best ones in every 10 posts and use a search engine to look for medical advice and evidence for things that mess with your head.

For a number of years I dealt with infertility and was active in several online support communities, and I can affirm this whole-heartedly.

The competitive nature of similar medically-focussed online communities can lead to the 'pain Olympics' (you couldn't possibly have it as bad as me). It's human nature. Not saying that it's as common here, but we do tend to hear more on these boards about the negative and not as much about the positive. Everyone's experience is just that, their own. My tolerance for pain may not be the same as someone else's, and their food aversions may be far less than those of someone else. Everyone's experience on this journey is valid and everyone needs support at some level or another from folks who understand.

1 hour ago, MrsGamgee said:

For a number of years I dealt with infertility and was active in several online support communities, and I can affirm this whole-heartedly.

The competitive nature of similar medically-focussed online communities can lead to the 'pain Olympics' (you couldn't possibly have it as bad as me). It's human nature. Not saying that it's as common here, but we do tend to hear more on these boards about the negative and not as much about the positive. Everyone's experience is just that, their own. My tolerance for pain may not be the same as someone else's, and their food aversions may be far less than those of someone else. Everyone's experience on this journey is valid and everyone needs support at some level or another from folks who understand.

I have an autistic child.. the “so called “ support chats can be brutal.. the supposed experts and one uppers!!! I do see people here who are hard core with their programs and I commend anyone so dug in... I relate more to those who struggle and need support ... in giving support I feel less alone but, I do tend to report my success to encourage people.. trust and BELIEVE if this girl can change her life.. anyone can!!!

Edited May 27, 20197 yr by Carrot64