Thank you all for posting! I just want to say that those of you that feel that they haven't connected with the group....well, that part surprises me because I post all the time and I don't feel that I'm really connected anymore than anyone else. Meaning, I feel comfortable posting just about anywhere...it's IRL that I have more of an issue with those types of feelings.

Again, I appreciate your feedback because I had a feeling there are many lurkers who would have a lot to contribute.

If I don't post, it's usually if something has already been said, if I'm not knowledgeable or if my hands are busy but my eyes are available.

I post occasionally but most of the time I lurk. I usually don't have much to add because there are people here that are much better at giving advice than me. Also, there is so much about dieting I don't know so I learn a lot by lurking.

I read these was about to leave the thread and realized if I do and don't post then I was just lurking..

Thank you! I have found this site to be incredibly informative and with such amazing advice. It was through this site that I discovered calorie counting. While it seems such a simple concept, I was unable to FULLY instill it in my lifestyle until I found this site. I still have about 15 pounds to lose, but I have managed to maintain what I did lose. I truly believe "dieting" is a lifestyle change, and now I know that I am healthier now for my beautiful children!

Yes, it really is a lifestyle change. I've yo-yo dieted so often and I am so ready to get off that roller coaster. I started a little higher in weight than you and I'm a little taller, but my goal is also to go to 145, so seeing you lose the weight that you have so far and knowing you've been able to maintain it is fantastic!

For me its because I don't have anything to say and even if I did have something to say no one would be interested in what I have to say anyway - sadly for me this isn't just on forums/internet, it goes for in life too, I feel no really listens to me or cares what I think or say, but thats life eh.

But I do think to myself I really should post more on here because so far you have all been really nice to me (thank you).

I don't post a lot, but I do jump in if I have something to say. Sometimes I feel like I'm that annoying girl that runs up to a gathered group and just bursts in on the conversation! I definitely don't feel like I'm part of the "popular crowd" like some of the very frequent posters. Some of the activity I see seems like people are growing really close through their interaction. I don't really feel that, but I tell myself that it's online -- it's not like I'm being purposefully snubbed.

I've been surprised by some of the snark here, too. I stay out of those. Really, I liken it to overhearing an uncomfortable conversation out in public. It's just kind of hard to ignore, but I don't want to participate.

True story: Today while I was out shopping a girl was having an argument with her boss on her cell phone and got fired! I couldn't believe that I was party to that conversation, and then the subsequent conversation she had with her boyfriend over what transpired... drama

So -- to anyone out there. Post. Put in your two cents. You might not get any feedback, but your opinion is as valid as anyone else's here.

I flit back and forth between being a regular poster and a lurker. Usually, my posting frequency changes with my commitment to healthy eating (sadly) or as a result of time constraints.

I haven't posted before because I have been reading everything in sight! I find everyone's posts extremely helpful. I have learned a lot since I started in May of this year. I will start posting now. Thanks for the nudge! Since May I have lost 30 lbs and when I feel the urge to go off plan....I just continue reading everyone,s responses.
Thank you all who do respond because this is what keeps me going!

I normally don't post because I don't think my advice is any good because I am and have been overweight forever so what input can I be.

I guess I'm technically considered a lurker since I only average about 43 posts per year.I enjoy reading the boards, but I rarely post for many of the same reasons listed above. I often have nothing useful to add or my opinion has already been shared by Others.
I'm also an extreme introvert both in real life an online, so I don't feel comfortable creating my own threads. I know that's weird.

I lurk on these boards as I don't feel I can add anything or that my advice would be helpful lol
It's comforting to read the boards and not feel alone, and know that other people are feeling the same things I have.
If I feel I could contribute something I'd chip in tho

Besides many of the same reasons already posted, I'm a generally quiet person. It's the basic rule of "it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Plus, a lot of people are just too argumentative. It can be exhausting to make a post and then have to defend it by posting several studies and make sure your wording can't be construed several different ways. Then, someone with a higher post count comes along and says, "That's not what I've heard" or "You're dead wrong" without anything to back it up and suddenly, all of your "defending" posts are null and void. I've been in those kinds of discussions in the past and I find it's just easier to lurk. Some people tend to not let evidence get in the way of a good "they say" theory.

I'm more likely to contribute in a thread about favorite movies, favorite songs, or favorite movie songs than a thread about "low carb vs low fat".

Finally, JohnP and I seem to have very similar beliefs and he writes a lot better than I do. I would just end up quoting his post and typing "+1". Not much a contribution.

I don't post very often because usually I don't have anything positive to report (like over the summer I gained 3.7 pounds, wa-a-a) and I'm so on the fence about dieting in general. Yes, I want to lose some weight; but can't commit to one type of plan, and the whole restricting of food and what I want to eat is just so hard! One morning I wake up and think yes, I can do this; but then by dinnertime I've blown it. The next morning I wake up and say screw this dieting nonsense, I'm not doing it! I'm like some sort of split personality weirdo when it comes to food and dieting.

But, I like coming here and reading other people's posts. I always like a good success story!

I guess I better go and change my stats....boo, hoo!

I go through spells of being more active to complete lurkerdom. Sometimes I'll find a random topic, like this, that peaks my interest and is quick to reply to. The rest of the time, however, I enjoy scrolling through and reading what everyone has to say. I can get a lot more of that done than replying, and there's a wealth of knowledge around here. If I do tend to post, however, it will be in response to a personal confession, something random and chatty, or something controversial socially that I can put my two cents in. There's more than enough wealth of diet information to go around here, so I don't even try, unless to just share my personal approach.

I've also, on multiple occasions, written a whole response to a thread just to not post it. It's like I get close to the end of it, and I say, "Ah, that's not worth finishing." It's so bizarre.