Walking and Wondering

[dreamof145]

On my walk today, I was thinking about the things here in the ADBB that have inspired me and kept me motivated over the past 19 months. I know that we are all different and what might have encouraged me might not have been what made it all come together for someone else.

FOR ME:

(1) I'm not doing it alone! Until I joined the ADBB, I didn't have outside support. I didn't believe in myself. It was encouraging to have people "pm" me and give me compliments and ask how I was doing. Belonging to a fighting team made me want to succeed and not let the others down.

(2) Zap Negative Emotions. Even when I have a 'bad day' I know I can always go to the ADBB and receive a <positive charge> that makes me feel like I am worth the effort to keep going. Seeing others lose the weight and post about their success gives me the determination to also make it happen for me.

(3) Encouragement to step out of my comfort zone. If I hadn't read posts from others who are doing things for the first time and succeeding (running marathons) (joining gyms) (new occupations) (being accountable and taking charge of their lives), then I don't know that I would have had the courage to make major changes in my own life. Once I started feeling more in control of my life, I made plans to improve, not just my health, but in other areas as well.

There are other things that inspired me at the ADBB, but these were the three major points that I reflect on that really kept me charged up and determined.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Walking and Wondering

I think the biggest thing about ADBB is that we are one big family....but even better than a regular family...we all know and understand this WOL and the struggles to lose weight. Sure there are little pockets of people who tend to stick together because of common personalities or interests, but there is still an overall interest and concern for EVERYONE. For example, dreamof45...we don't talk a lot but I still care about you and how you're doing and rejoice in your accomplishements. I come here to ADBB and I feel like I'm amongst family. It is truly a great place and a hugh help. I have never stayed with a WOE (to lose weight) for this long and I KNOW it's because of ADBB.

Thank you everyone.

[dreamof145]

Re: Walking and Wondering

I agree wannabethintoo. I get as much pleasure out of reading about you and all our friends here in the ADBB's success as I do for myself. Belonging and sharing with such a wonderful group of people gives us more incentive to keep going and succeed.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Walking and Wondering

the thing I like about ADBB is we can argue hotly andpassionately in one topic and be buddy buddy in another. we respect each others differences and discuss them in say a hot topic like do your finger nails have carbs and do nail biters have to count them and are they acceptable in induction ( just an example I made up) and don't carry a grudge from one topic to another all over the board.

[wannabethintoo]

Re: Walking and Wondering

You're too funny 2big.

AND....I can run amuk in here and nobody says anything....well, to my face.

[Mary-chan]

Re: Walking and Wondering

Excellent post, dreamof145! I don't think I would have come this far without the Century Club. I don't know that many people in my daily life that has any inkling of what being this size is like and how hard it is to lose a large amount of weight. This place is totally my safety zone and source of encouragement! Here I can share all those little successes that noone else could ever really understand - like riding on roller coasters without worrying or like in Esther's post, going from obese to just fat on the health chart.. or even getting into Onederland..

Even though I will be THRILLED when i get into onederland, noone off of this board will ever understand what I am so happy about.. Being able to celebrate these victories is a major source of inspiration and encouragement to me

[Momtofour]

Re: Walking and Wondering

I think the thing that first got me inspired on this board was seeing the before/after pictures. Then came all the wonderful support from everyone. Mary Chan is right that this is the only place that you can come and be totally honest about our challenges, accomplishments, and goals.

[cleochatra]

Re: Walking and Wondering

This thread is SO sweet. I love it! (You guys rock) {{{dream}}}

ADBB is, without a doubt, the most absofabulouslywonderiffic board for support I've ever had the pleasure of belonging to.

No matter how bad my problems are, I can come here and there are always people who make me smile, think, or laugh. The knowledge here is immense, and the support and caring about others, and putting others first is such a breath of fresh air.

You know, in society it's so all about the mememe. At ADBB, it's so about the "what can I do to make you smile/help you/keepyougoing/give you support."

It's what makes ADBB so special!