From time to time the philosophy of this forum gets a revisiting that banters about and even beats up the benefits of the kind of support which is available on this forum and what each member and poster hopes to get from the format.
Support. That is what we are all about and why we find ourselves here. Some new-comers want information only. Some need on going heavy duty support. Some want a lot of support initially and then take off running, others are more about sharing their journey, and are excited to find a community where that can happen. All great reasons to participate, and after almost 18 months on here I feel I know a lot of really wonderful, smart, strong, insightful and dedicated people. Some long-haulers like myself, feel the need to offer help because that is who they are...others feel the obligation to "pay it forward" or there is the need now to connect regularly with the friends made along one's own journey.
But the big deal and what makes a unique place here on 3FCs is we are not so much about what happens when one gives into cravings and crashes....then has to restart.
For sure there are reboot and the 90% threads where most of those convos are directed. Any other diet forum entertains those goings-on intermixed with every other topic and convo. Keeping that separate on the IP forum has allowed us to create striving for the 100% culture that is needed and not available ANYWHERE else. All other diets allow for cheats...they can be adjusted and hijacked to fix a stray quickly. Those diets did not work for a large number of people on IP. The forums where support is given for needing to allow for weekend transgressions, planned weekends, holidays birthdays or anniversaries are in abundance...they are the norm. Regularly people fall off the wagon and it's acceptable to do it, talk openly about it, and get back on. Cravings are part of any diet. IP for the most part reduces the physical craving but the psychological/emotional and social pieces of eating are still battles that need to be conquered. With the physical piece being addressed nicely for most after a few days/weeks...the opportunity to get the other pieces together for a successful maintenance and life ever after are the bonus for those who recognize and are looking for the tools to get prepared for that golden part of happily ever after. Over and over we see reference to " My Last Diet".
For this reason, it is important to keep most of the threads on the IP forum clean. There is the reboot where we can talk about the difficulties in staying in line and not drifting far from goal and what our own maintenance SHOULD look like. Which unlike P1-2, maintenance is not going to be the same for everyone. There is the 90% place where those who are OK with going a little slower or feel the need to confess how they are doing this with less than staying on plan. They might help someone who wants to know how many days and how much off plan before there is a noticeable shift in gain or ability to get back on track. This is real support need as well, but honestly...these needs can be addressed on any diet forum. That piece is part of any other diet and therefore is openly expected, addressed and a guilt free gimme zone.
From time to time with new participants this difference comes up, and the creation of places for these other postings questions and support is available. Perhaps we need to incorporate why this philosophy needs to be respected somewhere in the stickies. It is not the intent of anyone here to judge or ban anyone else. However; the need for the clean support on IP is critical. It is not something that can be found anywhere else on 3 FCs or the internet. It is worth preserving. We have people who have lost a significant amount of weight AND maintained the loss and there is one common denominator in the ones who can claim both of these accomplishments. That is lifestyle changes made easier by taking advantage of the emotional support that can drive a new life because the physical element of IP (ketogenesis) allows the reshaping of the mindset for that" happily ever-after" we all say we want.
Kudos to those who recognize and strive to preserve this. It is very special.
kathie