I love this group and I would hate to see it taken apart. There is a lot to be said about people who come from all different aspects of life and the weight loss journey and support one another. I think a group for "last 10 lbs" would lead to all sorts of "fad" and dangerous dieting practices. I can see how a diabetic group and a group for 100+ might be helpful though. This group has been really great about working toward weight loss by taking a healthy lifestyle approach and I would hate to have that changed.

Maybe there can be a "general" weight loss community so this one can stay put, and they add the others you are thinking about? I think it would be good, sometimes I have read where things get taken out of context here, or feelings hurt due to a different mind set on weight loss. It is hard sometimes for someone who has 100 lbs to loss to understand someone who only has 10 lbs to loss. I do not think it would hurt at all to add different communities for any reason, the more support the better!

i'm a big fan of this group as is. maybe you can just set up an area designated for healthy recipe exchanges, as that's the only thing i'd really like. but personally, i like having a bunch of different people all around on the same space. if you splinter us all off, we might lose some of our biggest motivators. sometimes it takes a person with a different perspective to give you the kickstart you need. that's what i like about this group.

hey folks...just letting you know that we're reading all of these. we hope to make some decisions later in the week, and, as always, we'll proceed with caution. i agree with many of you that we don't want to spoil the magic of what we've built, but we also want to get you as quickly as possible to the information and people that can help you most.

anyway, thanks for all the feedback...keep it coming and i'll be back...

doug

hi this is a great general group :)... but i would like to see a group with a specific weight loss e.g. weight loss 50lbs+, weight loss : 30-somethings...

Hi I think it would be great to have specific weight loss groups depending on how much we have to lose!!!

Doesn't WW have it's own website? And I think maybe you can start a WW in "treatments"?

Is there anyway to see comments from newest to oldest in all areas? I'd appreciate any help on that.

The only thing I think we need a different group for is for people who face challenges that cause them to be either unable to exercise, or unable lose weight the way a person without those challenges would be able to lose weight.

As for seperating a group because a person needing to lose 100 pounds acnt understand a person who needs to lose 10 pounds, I honestly think that is ridiculous.

I want to lose a total of 100 pounds, and I have no problem working with people who only want to lose 10, or 20. I think that the overweight people tend to resent those who want to get healthier, or look a little better for themselves, but I don't think that's fair.

We have the same goal. WEIGHT LOSS. So, why does it matter if someone only wants to lose 10 pounds as opposed to 100? We who have to lose a lot have to do the exact same things as someone who doesn't have to lose a lot. We have to get up, move our butts, and watch what we eat.

Everyone here is supportive, and no one is judgmental if you weigh 200, 300, 400 pounds, but people are judgmental if you weigh any less than 180.

Maybe its for comfort that they want to separate the group, because they feel that they will be more understood by other people in the same weight range. But coming from someone who needs to lose 100 pounds, what is there to understand?

I think if you are truly serious about weight loss you will do it and take the support no matter who it comes from. The only thing with being around a bunch of other fat people is that you don't feel as bad when you mess up, or slack. Just because youre bigger doesnt mean you cant workout like youre supposed to and eat like youre supposed to.

NO ONE needs 3500 cals a day. EVERYONE can survive on 1200-2000 cals, no matter how big you are. 1200-2000 is the healthy calorie range for weight loss.

This is frustrating to me. I'm sorry. Like I said, the only way I think you should divide this group is if there is a group made for people who face challenges that prohibit them from being able to workout, or lose weight effectively.

You know, you make a lot of assumptions about "fat people". I am insulted by your assumptions. I don't whine about being fat, and I accept FULL responsibility for it.

I honestly don't know if you are trying to stir up controversy or if you are actually serious! I cannot help but feel that you are trying to make yourself feel superior with such ridiculous statements.

In the first place, I don't need to lose 100 pounds, I need to lose 200 lbs. I'm not even a LITTLE embarrassed about my weight. I'm trying to lose weight FOR MY HEALTH. If someone else doesn't like my weight then that is THEIR problem, and THEIR lack of maturity, not mine.

I don't feel intimidated by "skinny" people, maybe cause I was one most of my life. I didn't grow up be called fat and being bullied in school, (and I didn't treat people that way either), so I don't have those issues to deal with... but a lot of people do! So why would someone says she needs to lose 100 pounds be so INSENSITIVE and JUDGEMENTAL to those people?

BUT, since I DO need to lose 200 lbs, and I am VERY heavy, it means that I have to exercise differently, eat differently, and think VERY LONG TERM. I'm not going to reach my goal weight for a couple of years, AT THE LEAST.

A lot of us, with more than 100 lbs to lose, have other struggles that are weight related. Health issues caused by our weight, so yeah, maybe that would be difficult for someone to understand who was trying to get off their baby weight.

When I do lose the weight, I am going to have other things to worry about, such as excess skin removal, which will need to be done SURGICALLY. Something that isn't going to happen to someone who has to worry about a smaller weight loss. Again, it would be nice to have a community for people who understand that concern, or who have been through it!

So, yeah, it IS nice to talk to someone who has to face the same struggles as me. And, NO, I am not belittling the struggle to lose 10 pounds, 30 pounds or even 60 pounds. I am just saying it is DIFFERENT and everyone who is struggling might like to have someone who is in the same boat with them, for SUPPORT.

I'm not jealous of someone who only has ten pounds to go, or who was never fat. Frankly, I am VERY HAPPY for them. I wouldn't wish this one ANYONE. Not even you. I hope you lose every stray ounce and feel wonderful about yourself!

You are entitled to your opinion, but why would you post something that makes BLANKET assumptions about a WHOLE GROUP of people, on a board where those people come for SUPPORT?

I am very disappointed to encounter such comments on a board that I JUST praised for support, and LACK of undermining.

Hi Cyndi, I think what iluvddc meant was that there are a few people on the Obesity forum who call themselves fat and/or obese and only have to lose a couple of pounds, if that. Plus, there are some obese people who do get resentful of slender people. They feel as if their noses are being rubbed in it all the time. I had a friend who was like that. At that stage I only had to lose 30lbs. So, try not to get too defensive about comments, please. We are adults and should be able to air our views, whether we all like them or not. But, I do like the idea of a healthy recipe site. People start threads, but they end up getting lost.

There is a difference between losing 10 pounds and losing 100 pounds. I think Cyndi hit the nail on the head on many of those differences like starting to exercise.

I'm losing for health this time around too. Other attempts were for others, I'll be very honest about it. We all want to be "socially" acceptable and if we are honest, socially acceptable is thin.

People who call themselves fat or obese who are 10 pounds overweight need to re-think in my humble opinion. There is something much more than 10 pounds going on in that person's heart and mind. I've know people who are a size 2 and screaming that they are fat. The problem was not weight, it was self esteem and self value.

But I'm older and wiser lately (smiling). Cyndi spoke my mind too on these issues. Life is too short for judgement or unkindness.

The world is better because we all think, feel, and live such diverse lives, however, the web is a very flat medium to communicate on so we must be extra kind in our words to each other.

I think the goal is to make this site better for individual needs. I wish there was a feedback forum to let us voice those types of options/features. I'm just very grateful I found this site. It has given me such motivation and focus. And that said, it is each of you that has also given me that support!

Yes, WW has their own website, but would it be so bad to have a group for Weight Watchers members? I have met quite a few on here and like to message back and forth with them.

ME, no it would not be bad to have a WW section on this site. I regret if my question hit a sour note. This thread seems to have touched some nerves, which is a little sad since I think the point was to help bring more support to each of us.

I am very new here, so please have some patience with me as I learn my way around. I usually "lurk" awhile when new to a site, but thought I'd try to jump right in this time. Words can seem so "flat" on forums and websites and so I need to take more care with how I use my words. I don't find this site the easiest to navigate, but I'm also not a totally techie/webbie kind of person. Again, I'll try a little harder.

I actually used the WW website and found it to be unfriendly. I would certainly support those who are using WW having their own topic area on DS. Even though I don't use it anymore, I know it can be hard to find great recipes sometimes that have points included! :)

Does anyone know of a site or group that shares healthy recipes that are easy to make and not real expensive. I don't have a lot of time in the evenings, and I like to try and watch my budget. What about exercise tips?