I don't post that much, but I lurk a lot, and your posts have been wonderfully helpful for me. You've helped me to stop villianizing myself when I fail, and instead analyze what went wrong and how to fix it. You've helped me to learn that it's ok, even expected, that I won't be perfect, This is HUGE!
I wish you well and really hope that you come back to 3fc sooner than later.
Hey Kaplods. I read this thread yesterday and didn't comment. I thought about it a few times and I started to worry a little. You see, over the last couple years I have read several posts from various members very similar to this. Right off the top of my head I can think of 3 "big losers" who popped in briefly after a "break" only to report a gain of 30 to 100 pounds. In all three of the girls I'm thinking of, they tried to pick up from where they left off, only to go missing again.
My point is, please don't go missing only to lose your focus. You've come too far to throw in the towel.
You know, if I would have left 3fc the first time I offended someone here, I wouldn't have made it a month... That was the first time we "met" here!
I have not posted in some time; I have been off the eating and drinking wagon. But, I do lurk, and always look forward to anything written by you, Kaplods. I wish you well, and hope you are back sharing your wisdom and insight soon. Best of luck.
Lori - I know what you mean about not giving up the first time you get into a spat with someone, but Kaplods invests a huge amount of time and emotional energy into this board. I think taking a break is a perfectly reasonable response to the sort of forum overload which can happen to anyone. I'm sure she'll keep going to her TOPS group and her weight loss journey will continue nicely.
And I feel a bit odd talking about her in the third person like this (I've already dropped her an email), so that will probably be it.
You will be missed, I've loved your posts this last year. Please come back when you feel ready to! Thank you for all the advice and support you have shared!
I've received so many concerned emails from friends here, that I had to come back and explain my decision to take a sabbatical.
No one is chasing me away, and this isn't about any single incident here or in my daily life. Rather this is a decision that has been a long time coming. I've become very attached to 3FC, so attached that I've not always used my best judgement when it comes to the time and energies I invest here.
I've realized that there are a lot of areas in my life (3FC is only one of them) in which I've been spinning my wheels. Putting way too much energy into strategies that aren't working, and not enough energy into those that are.
I am not giving up on weight loss, far from it. I'm just re-evaluating my strategies and rechanneling my energies into getting the best return on my time investment.
My break from 3FC is not a break from my food plan, my exercise plan, or my TOPS (taking off pounds sensibly) weight loss group. Quite the contrary.
I've been taking on a much more active role in my TOPS chapter (running some of the programs and monthly contests, for example), and my husband and I have joined another acheivement program at our YMCA and we've begun having a daily "staff meeting" every morning to discuss our short-term and long-range goals, so they don't get lost "in the shuffle."
I'm more committed to my goals than ever, I've just come to a tipping point, where my efforts have to be more action-based. I have more strength and stamina to get more done physically - but doing it hasn't become habit yet.
When I started, I didn't have the physical or mental strength to do much more than spend my time here (and it was a great use of my time). However, I've gotten so used to spending so much of my day here, that what was a good habit, has become a less good one. I'm allowing myself to be pulled into 3FC discussions and debates, not as a benefit to me, or even to others, but as a distraction or a way to avoid less pleasant but more necessary goals (like getting to the gym, whether or not it's cold outside and whether or not I'd rather be here chatting).
Kaplods, your regular presence and posts here will be missed by many, myself included. I am glad to read though that you are taking the break to do what is good for YOU. I wish you all the best, and hope we'll see you around again from time to time.
Hugs Colleen! Even a hug for your evil twin, Evil Colleen! I really understand your need to explore other outside, more productive, activities. Please know that we look forward to your posts when you return.
