This place is a Ghost town!
 

Hey guys I joined back in 2012 and made it to my goal....

Since then I have been back and forth a few times as I never seem to be able to maintain my weight. But part of the reason for me not staying is that I have noticed that this place has been a ghost town! I don't know if there's less people or they just started using other apps, but I always liked having a community to go to for support and to give support........

Anybody else notice the tumbleweeds?

Yes! What happened?
 

Yes, I joined 3FC many years ago. I lurked more than I posted but I really loved the advice, the support and the camaraderie that I found on this site. I stayed away for a couple of years (just life/work stuff) and when I came back about 6 months ago I noticed a big change. None of the regular posters that I enjoyed reading are around and I see a lot of 'one and done' posts. Where is everyone? I am guessing they moved on to other sites, I wish I knew where! It's too bad, I really enjoyed this site years ago. It has a different feel to it now.

True

I have been posting here on and off since waaaay back in the beginning (under another user name, the email attached to it has long since been forgotten) and I've noticed a steep decline. I'm not sure when it happened but this used to be a really REALLY busy forum. But then, all the forums I used to visit regularly are all but dead.

Have people just moved to social media?

I've noticed this also. The "general chatter" section used to be SO active. Now I pretty much just check the site once a day for new posts across the board. I don't know where everyone went. I joined SparkPeople but I don't like the format as much. There's some good stuff on social media but it's still not the same as a forum. Maybe I'm just old fashioned with liking forums?

It has to be social media based on I guess the growth of apps and what not. I do prefer the old fashioned forums though too. I guess I am not one to go on Facebook for example and post my workouts or ups and downs..personally that annoys me when other people do it constantly. Or perhaps I just don't want my old friends to know I have a deep personal struggle with my weight. As for apps I have a few, but nothing community wise. I did seek out other forums a few years ago but noticed they were pretty inactive too. I feel that the more people post here the more I come back and then in turn helps a bit with my accountability. But ultimately I think everyone probably comes and goes from here due to not dieting or done dieting or redieting (like me) and so forth. Hopefully the more we post the more it will encourage others to engage!

*Nod* I use social media to rant about politics and post about critters (cute cats, etc). That's about it. I don't actually put much personal info out there. I think I've posted about my weight loss and fitness struggles exactly twice on social media. I feel safer here, because we're all in this together. :)

I'm not one for social media, I don't even have a Facebook account. :lol: And, yes, I like coming here because everyone is going through or has gone through the struggle of losing weight and everything that goes along with it.

Another on-and-off old-timer here (and also had a different account before that).

I also noticed that the traffic is reduced. I've speculated that it might be due to "polarization" where folks get drawn to other sites that are devoted to their specific approach for weight loss. As with other forms of social polarization, I think this is a loss because I believe the cross-fertilization of ideas is a good thing and exposure to other points of view helps keep people open-minded. Additionally, I think the single-focus sites end up strengthening the belief of the adherents, with cherry-picked information and mutual reinforcement.

I like the 3FC model, with different subforums for different approaches, but everyone can easily get to any forum and there are common areas. My own personal WOE incorporates aspects of several different approaches that I've been exposed to over time. And I keep tweaking.

I'm guilty of leaving when things in the weight loss window diminished over the winter months for me.

I know from other forum experience, that they dwindle when people choose to form a "secret" Facebook section and hope others will follow suite. I too am not on fB - due to others wanting to know my business when I don't want them to and here I have found a like minded and kind group. I have done some other sites for this same topic but found them to not be as polite to the ones here or at least willing to give good input not just an overall rant that you are here because you are fat and they'll remind you you are fat and just shut up and diet (yes, I removed myself from that site, who needs to be chastised). No thank you, I came here to find help in the struggle to take this off with likeminded people who too are looking for a cheering section because sometimes it can be a darn hard journey and maybe they have learned something that you haven't tried yet.

So thank you for keeping active w/posting - you encourage me to keep trying!

I also joined in 2012 and have found my old account..
It's sad that this place is pretty much abandoned.

I'm brand new here. It sounds like things used to be EXTREMELY active here before, because so far things are a bit more active on this forum than I expected when I first joined yesterday or so lol

There did used to be more threads per day. I don't know where some of the people went but the other places I've found for people trying to lose weight seem even less busy so I'm not sure. This is still my favorite website for getting good weight loss info and sharing stories, asking advice, etc.

Long time user here for the same reasons stated.

Hi,

I'm new here (just a couple of days). I got into this forum because based on Google search, this was the largest weight loss forum. I've been reading the discussions, and noticed how warm and helpful the people are. It must have been pretty awesome before, huh. Wish I'd gotten here then!


______________

Lose the Excuses, Lose the Weight
womens-weight-loss.com

I think one big thing that will help is- welcome the newbies. I try to scroll through all the new posts and I look specifically for threads that have 0-5 responses. Then I see if there is anything I can contribute to the thread, or especially if it's an introduction I welcome the new person. I think a lot of people check out this website and then when they get no responses to their first post they never come back. I think we can revive 3FC! :)

I'm new here, so hopefully it's not as dead as you say!!

________
Wendi
https://www.findingthecalminchaos.wordpress.com

I'm a bit sad that forums are on the decline. I've never been comfortable with social media.

I agree with a lot of the reasons mentioned in previous posts, as to why forums seem to be dwindling in population. Interesting to read about people being drawn away to forums that just focus on their way eating/exercising. I also think the cross-pollination of ideas (love that phrase) is important and helpful.

Anyway, I'm new, but I hope I can be a part of keeping things going.

Funny that forums are now seen as "old fashioned", we felt so young and cutting edge just a few years ago. Or it only seems like it was a few years ago.

Ironically I began here in Nov 2012 myself!
Back to RE*Lose some gained back #s.
I agree it does seem quiet here. Idk
if most the members were UK or Usa.
I'm USA and cost of food is way too much.
Maybe there are less tryingto lose? I'm
clueless.

I think Facebook would take most people off
the bbs. I've seen people even say they
prefer one login for everything. I don't use
FB. For many reasons it never appealed 4me.
My soc media is fairly limited. I do use you tube.
Otherwise I love these old fashioned BBs.

It would be nice if people returned to these.
Maybe they will. Anything is possible.

I haven't been on a forum in over 10 years. I remember really liking it and it was busy. I haven't used it in years since it was part of a game site. So, I actually really like the 3 fat chicks format. I'm not really a fan of Facebook groups, some of it seems oversharing (I am private and share when I want and I think using a Facebook account feels a bit exposing) and really miss forums so I hope this place revives!

I was wondering if everyone had moved to a facebook format or something, but I checked the 3fc facebook page and it's even quieter. No question, it's so much quieter here...I'm making an effort to participate where I can, hopefully things will pick up. If I remember correctly there is always a January rush, lol.

If I remember correctly there is always a January rush, lol.

I had to laugh, my own start date was January 2004. I guess there is something to that :lol::lol:

Wisertime, that is incredible. 3FC must be pretty awesome if you still visit here. It's my second tome returning. The 1st was a continuation of my
massive first loss. I am here wit the dreaded rebound wt this time but I think might need to keep 3FC as a staple in my life no matter what my weight issues may be. Fighting it for me is gonna be a lifetime battle.

I certainly hope it will become a thriving forum with this new and returning crowd coming for the holiday and NYears seasons. I
am happy that we, even handful of people, are here though. :)

Desire2b - for me too

I'm new and here to hopefully keep up the conversations!:carrot:

Desire2b - for me too
__________________


Angie: It would be nice if science would help us turn our
dna on to metabolize better. Effeciently but I guess that
would be too easy. :dizzy:

It gets discouraging to post and no one responds...and that is the reason why people go away.

Does this happen often?

Uh oh Star Anise, it just happened to you!! :devil: Hope you're still around!

I agree that it's probably due to the popularity explosion of FB and other social media. At one point I did post my daily workouts on FB but frankly it just took too much time to "Like" comments and I felt duty-bound to comment. And yeah, when you put your stuff out for the public, you are open to scrutiny.

I still love 3FC! LONG time member and I don't stray for more than a few weeks. Have made some great friends here. And obviously I need the support still :devil:

I agree that Facebook Groups have taken away some of the previous posters. I think some people prefer a closed group, where they know that not everyone can read what they post. I prefer forums such as this one. I haven't been here as long as some, but I remember when it was a lot more active and I would like to see it become more active again. I just don't know how to attract new posters and entice them to stay.

Any suggestions?