I joined yesterday. One person welcomed me. Others joined yesterday and got replies. Is there something I did wrong? AM I not welcome because I do not have a lot of weight to lose? Would you prefer that I went elsewhere?

TRUDY . . . of course you are welcome . . . but, but, but . . . you have to realize that most people around here are trying to lose considerably more than that.

Even in the Featherweights Forum (that I see you have found) it isn't the fact that you only want to lose 15 pounds that makes them shy away from saying HI to you, but maybe the fact that they just might feel that you are aiming a little low. For a height of 5'3", your current weight of 115 is considered very, very good. At 100 pounds, you would be considered underweight.

It's certainly not that we prefer you go elsewhere, Chickie. Here at 3FC we love to have any one join us who is trying to reach a healthy weight and do it through healthy lifestyle changes.

Don't get discouraged by that. Sometimes we post and don't get many replies. You just need to post and maybe join a particular group. I have been missing in action for a few years until recently so I have just started to post and haven't really joined any groups. Not sure where I fit in just now.

At 5'3" you are definitely a nice weight. That is the lowest weight that I have ever been (10 years ago, LOL). But I do understand your desire to lose 15 more. I felt lumpy even at that low of a weight

Cheer up! We are all here to support you in your goal. Make some posts and open up a bit about yourself. You can and will succeed......and welcome!!!!

I agree with Meowee....I have to lose more weight than you currently weigh. But if you feel you need to lose 15lbs, then good luck with your goal and I sincerely wish you the best!

I'll tell you how I browse messages.
First of all I look at the home page, which shows the names of brand new thread titles. I generally click on all of them, because I'm nosy lol! BUT at peak times, lots of new threads are started, so titles can slip off quickly.
Next I look at the two areas most relevant to me and where I post the most: the 100lbs club and calorie counters.
Next I look at the whole forum, where it lists all the areas and the most recent post in any particular thread. I look at a lot of them but not all, unless it's a title that grabs me for some reason. I don't look in maintenance very often, for example, because I'm nowhere near.
The boards are so active, that it's very easy to miss posts.

I don't very often look in introductions, because I haven't been here (this time) very long myself, and I feel a bit impertinent at welcoming people to such a long established group, when I'm only a newbie.

And finally, yes I did see your post yesterday, and yes I did notice that you haven't a lot to lose. I Didn't, however, think you didn't deserve to be here but I Did think, What can a great lump like me (by the time I'm finished, I hope to have lost your Entire current bodyweight) what can a great lump like me possibly have to contribute to your journey?

So can I ask a question? Have you always been 115 ish, now trying to lose 15, or have you lost weight to get to the 115 and have a last bit to lose?
Have you tried to lose weight before? Have you a plan how you're going to do it now?

You're right, compared to many of us you haven't a lot to lose but a weight that's a problem to you is deserving of as much attention and interest, be it 15 or 500.

As has been mentioned already though, are you Sure you want to go that low? The body mass index I use gives the following for adult women:

anorexia: less than 17.5
underweight: 17.5 - 19.1
in normal range: 19.1-25.8

100lbs at your height makes you 17.7, which is very close to the bottom range of Underweight.
Your current weight makes you 20.4
To be at the very bottom of normal, 19.1 would be 108lbs.

Good luck and stay healthy.

Another thought is that it's the weekend. The boards are far less busy then.

I see that you've posted in a few places but wonder if you've been here
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=64
You'll find folks who are empathetic with your eating disorder history. They're a wonderfully supportive group and you might feel right at home.

If you're looking to become a tiny fit person try here
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=80
Resistance and weight training.

Thank you all. I feel much better. I have been anorexic for many years, bulimic, but I feel better when I am skinny.

I appreciate the responses.

I'll browse around and find my niche.
I admire ALL of you and feel humbled by your dedication and your accomplishments.

TN

oh girl, I really understand your desire you want to loose a little more weight, but given your history with anorexia I would HIGHLY recommend before you start your weight loss journey to speak with a doctor and nutritionist and consult with them if it is even healthy for you to loose any more. At your height 115 is a VERY healthy weight! you are right where you should be.. I understand being skinnier is what pleases you but could it trigger old habits?

another option you may want to consider would be toning, or sculpting your body.. keeping your weight.. but maybe working on some muscle areas you'd like defined more or sculpted more?

no one wants to discourage you from doing what makes you happy.. however if you've gotten a doctors or nutritionists ok to embark on a weight loss journey then we are all here for you! and wish you all the best in your endeavors for self acceptance and happiness!

I think if your goal is to be healthy, then you are at the right place!!

You don't need to lose weight. You should know since you have been anorexic. Do you have a therapist? You are welcome here, but we don't encourage people to be underweight.

Hi mycousin! I agree that you need to consider health over weight. The BMI calculator that I use (there's a link in my signature) is from the Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health, and this is the scale they use for their BMI categories:

* Underweight = <18.5
* Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
* Overweight = 25-29.9
* Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Using that scale, you should weigh no less than 105, which would be an 18.6 on the scale. You think you feel better thinner, but are you making that judgment based on what you feel emotionally or what your body needs physically? If you've been anorexic, then you know you've made poor choices for your body physically, so please make a concerted effort to do what's right for your body and your health this time around. Good luck!