Why is it that when people have been successful at something ie: losing weight with the band, they become the judge and jury of any person who is now coming up behind them. They seem to self proclaim themselves as 'better' than the 'others', in an elite group and in some instances more virtuous than the rest of us. What makes succeeding in weight loss the holy grail, and thus the people who achieve it more perfect, more intelligent and more entitled to an opinion? In my opinion it appears to have made people more obnoxious and self rightious,not to mention condescending.

But as I have not yet attained the 'holy-weight-loss-I-am-without-fault-and-know-everything' badge my opinion probably doesn't count.:faint:

or the 'experienced' bandster who hasnt really lost squat who says its ok if you cheated, you and your band will be fine.

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! um, you dont know that!

Yep, I know exactly who you are talking about.

I have to agree with everyone. I guess a year and a half out makes me an oldie, maybe not. But I don't mind encouraging others and givng my experiences, but I won't validate someone making bad descisions and teliing them it is ok to do so. And I will only say so if they put the question out their. I will encourage them to get back on track. Hell, I need that myself sometimes.

So, I have lurked here over a month, commented sparingly - but have read with great interest & for informative purposes.

As an educated individual able to retire at 37, I've met personal / financial objectives - yet struggled with keeping fit in my adulthood. That is my only goal now - I'm in this, did "this" for me and only me. Rather taking care of the "world", I now take care of ME - something strange...but something altogether rewarding, a new concept for me.

Ladies, let's not pretend there are many of you old timers (lapband preface only- who have been on this board / are buds - yet can provide some spectacular advise, though be annoyed at times. I log on with my coffee in the AM - before my walk, and check to see "your" last log on & advise...or Rant. I think you do a disservice, not to rise above the "newbie talk" - you have a lot to offer...Maybe co-write a book, webcasts, etc.....

We're all "Virgins" at one point in this process - A giggle here & a lift up there does WONDERS for the ego & your personal well being.

Enjoy the rants - I may participate in the future...Be kind:)

Lu

I hand out the SAME information now as I did before I hit goal. Same wording, same attitude, same everything. But now that I am at goal I have actually been told that I just don't understand. I don't understand??? I live it DAILY. Or I don't remember what it's like. How the heck could I forget? I've been at goal for a month.

It will only get worse as time goes on. I have been at goal for well over a year, yet get talked to like I have had my head stuck firmly up my ass and know nothing about banded life.

What it comes down to, is some people only want to hear what they want to hear, the truth be dammed. And if they want to hear that the band will do all the work, no will power or work required, that PB'ing daily is no big deal, that 2 teaspoons of food at a sitting is "proper restriction", and that exercise really isn't necessary to lose weight, nothing anyone can say will change that mind set.

I have given up trying.

I hang out at LBT to encourage, and be encouraged by the guys and gals who I see working their asses off in an attempt to build a better life for themselves, and their families.

I see working their asses off in an attempt to build a better life for themselves, and their families.

work their asses off? WTF? i thought i could sit on the couch and pop bon bons and the weight would just fall off of me ...

work their asses off? WTF? i thought i could sit on the couch and pop bon bons and the weight would just fall off of me ...

Bon bons (((Drools onto boobs)))

It will only get worse as time goes on. I have been at goal for well over a year, yet get talked to like I have had my head stuck firmly up my ass and know nothing about banded life.

What it comes down to, is some people only want to hear what they want to hear, the truth be dammed. And if they want to hear that the band will do all the work, no will power or work required, that PB'ing daily is no big deal, that 2 teaspoons of food at a sitting is "proper restriction", and that exercise really isn't necessary to lose weight, nothing anyone can say will change that mind set.

I have given up trying.

I hang out at LBT to encourage, and be encouraged by the guys and gals who I see working their asses off in an attempt to build a better life for themselves, and their families.

I used to wonder why oldtimers don't hang around much after reaching goal. I'm beginning to understand. I used to think it was because they were off living their new life as a thinner healthier person. The difference in posts today vs. 1 month ago are amazing.

You know, I have said since day #1 that writing is not my forte. I can't get what is in my head on a computer monitor with the same tone and intent. It's me, it's my writing style. I take full responsibility for it. It may not be who I am but it is how I write.

With that said, nothing has changed about information, links, thoughts, or suggestions but after reaching goal things have changed drastically in many ways. I used to read, "Thanks, I needed to read that." Now I get, "Well YOU just don't understand."

I understand quite well. That's why I offered the information that I did. There are lots and lots of things in life I don't know much about. But I *do* know about the band and researching doctors. I know the medical aspect of each and I know the personal aspect of each.

People will continue looking for validation of poor behaviors and I will continue calling 'em as I see 'em as long as I so desire.

You know, I have said since day #1 that writing is not my forte. I can't get what is in my head on a computer monitor with the same tone and intent. It's me, it's my writing style. I take full responsibility for it. It may not be who I am but it is how I write.

could have fooled me ... i think you are one of the more eloquent writers on the board and you get your point across well ...

i on the other hand, stumble around and maybe, just maybe, get my point across 10 paragraphs (and 10 billion ...'s) later.

I'm the same, nowhere near as scary and opinionated in real life as I come across in writing.

I belong to an online group that I've been with for five years, we all got together through a public forum during pregnancies, and its basically become real life friends. We had our first national meet a few years ago, in Sydney and afterwards we were discussing it and people had literally been scared to meet me and were so relieved I wasnt a loud mouthed pushy bitch in real life, lol. We used to have a lot of debates over politics, welfare, childcare, all those *safe* topics. Lord knows how we survived that and got to be lifelong friends.

I used to wonder why oldtimers don't hang around much after reaching goal. I'm beginning to understand. I used to think it was because they were off living their new life as a thinner healthier person. The difference in posts today vs. 1 month ago are amazing.

Yep, that old "People at goal don't post much because they are off living their lives" chestnut is just horse shit.

We get bullied out of the way by people who don't want to face reality. And we represent reality. We did what it took to get to where they want to be.

I have to admit that until I got to know a few ladies here really well, I was about to become one of the fabled who are out living their lives. But, I am glad I stayed on, because it really is a benefit to me to see others making strides, reaching goals and becoming what they want to be. It helps to remind me just how far I have come, when I see their stories, and successes.

could have fooled me ... i think you are one of the more eloquent writers on the board and you get your point across well ...

i on the other hand, stumble around and maybe, just maybe, get my point across 10 paragraphs (and 10 billion ...'s) later.

Yup. Gotta agree with LJM. I wish I could just follow you around at times and say "yeah, that" and be done with it.

I'm the same, nowhere near as scary and opinionated in real life as I come across in writing.

....

We had our first national meet a few years ago, in Sydney and afterwards we were discussing it and people had literally been scared to meet me and were so relieved I wasnt a loud mouthed pushy bitch in real life, lol.

well damn, that's no fair. my image is totally shattered ...

I have to admit that until I got to know a few ladies here really well, I was about to become one of the fabled who are out living their lives. But, I am glad I stayed on,

me too ..!!!

but you are out living your life as well... it's a good balance. it feels like i am here lately all the time (with work being OH SO FUN - not)...

ok - is it just me or does this look a bit like the Homer Simpson 'strangle'??

Hey, Jack....

Don't you know that you ARE one of the bandster elites??? You give some of the most sound advice in the most eloquent (and sometimes DAMN funny) ways.

If someone has what you want, do what they did to get it! Duh!

me too ..!!!

but you are out living your life as well... it's a good balance. it feels like i am here lately all the time (with work being OH SO FUN - not)...

See that's the thing (I think).

I am out "Living my life" and when I do get some internet time, I don't want to be told that I couldn't possibly know what it's like to be overweight, or that it's OK for me to go out and exercise, because I am thin (how do 'ya think I got that way??)

That's why the self righteous, obnoxious, condescending "oldies" get pissed off and don't bother coming back.

See that's the thing (I think).

I am out "Living my life" and when I do get some internet time, I don't want to be told that I couldn't possibly know what it's like to be overweight, or that it's OK for me to go out and exercise, because I am thin (how do 'ya think I got that way??)

That's why the self righteous, obnoxious, condescending "oldies" get pissed off and don't bother coming back.

back to the whole sitting on couch bon bons ... some (not all) of the newbies just dont get it.

"but im too fat to work out."

HOGWASH! i was on that flipping treadmill going 2.0 MPH at 390. i lived a sedentary life. how do you think i got up to 402.5 lbs???

after i got banded, i moved my ass and i ate well for about 90% of the time. was i perfect? nope. am i perfect now, nope... am i eating wrong things now. yup. am i losing? nope... who do i have to blame for it? ME. i am not going to go around bitching that i'm not losing weight.