A lot of forums run out of puff because everything that needed to be said has been said. This one is no exception – if you dig around long enough you will find all the questions already asked and answered, all the problems discussed and solved.

BUT lots of people are still arriving at this forum for the first time and they come for encouragement and a sense of shared experience. You might find a thread that is full of gram measuring calorie counting geeks, I’d be happy to see a ‘like’ button on posts.

Hi Precious BooBoo,
Yeah, I didn’t think enough when I referenced the like/dislike flag – although my main intention was to use it as an example of the sort of thing that could be done. I agree that we should not judge posts. However, it would be nice to know that your post has been read. Also agree that we don’t want a competition, so maybe just a read/unread flag, like emails? Or maybe the number of views is something that could only be seen by the author??
I think that contributors to this forum do make the effort to respond to new contributors and new comments; this is important because self-esteem can often also be an issue for those trying to lose weight, and some of us may feel a bit ‘rejected’ if our contribution is not acknowledged. I know we shouldn’t be reliant on others for how we feel about ourselves, but it can be hard to not take things to heart if you are feeling fragile (or hungry!!).
Sorry for getting a bit heavy there 🙂

Can a grumpy old man contribute to this debate?. Actually I believe the posts should stay as they are. If you think about it posters are now around the world. We have ordinary people from different continents talking to each other, offering advice, support and help to each other on a subject matter that is vitally important to their health. Dieting and improving ones health is a very individual and personal goal and can be lonely and difficult. We are all offering each other information about how we as individuals are trying to achieve our goals. This forum is akin to our own living rooms. We invite people who are like minded into our homes and lives. We need the support, the friendliness, the chat, the laughs, groans and head shaking of some of the posts. So what if some of us flog a dead horse? talk a load of old tripe? (me usually) or lose the plot?.
We are all doing something fairly new based on centuries old fasting. The comments we make are a researchers dream if needed. We should all feel a degree of satisfaction that we are willing participants in a world wide experiment that is improving our own health and may well set the standard for health services around the world in tackling obesity and its related illness.
Good luck to you all.

Couscous,

u r a great writer

Totally agree with Couscous’ comments about the benefits of the forum. Not sure if this addresses the original question about knowing your post has been read tho. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to deal with the feeling of being ignored that arises when a post about one’s own story is not replied to, especially when you see that so many others are? Sorry for sounding so petulant!! Don’t get me wrong, I certainly get a lot out of the discussions that occur between others, which is why I didn’t feel the need to contribute for quite a while after finding the forum, but once I did start, I haven’t found the experience to be as rewarding as I had hoped. I do generally give a lot of thought to how I word my posts, but maybe I need to give it more thought? Your (positive!!) suggestions are most welcome 🙂

Hi Sassy and thank you for your post. I think I know how you feel about replies to posts and yes I agree one can feel a little downhearted when a post is not replied to. I read many posts, some I miss and pick up long after I may have wanted to comment on them. I read as many as I can,some actually do not invite a reply from me such as those under a particular heading but I do read them. In my case I enjoy just browsing many comments and am amazed at the experiences individuals have, it certainly does not mean I am dismissive or feel some do not warrant a reply from me. So, when one feels ignored, less important or whose post does not get a reply please remember that thousands of people around the world have quietly noted your comments, feel your support for them and are thankful that you have joined in this journey of ours.
I look forward to many more posts from yourself and others.
Good Luck.

Hi lullabella, late or early we are all the same, keep persevering. I look forward to your posts.

@roba
“But no one should ever take a post, or the lack of one, too seriously.”

You’re reconciling with everyone.

Had a good night’s rest ?

➰

When I started the 5:2 in January, there were far fewer posts. Before this way of life went global it was possible to keep up with comments after work and join in and ask questions and be heard.

Over the summer it became clear to me from the number of new folk that were posting very similar questions, that it was going to become impossible to work, have a family life and keep up with the fast activity on here often through numerous time zones.

I enjoy reading the comments from around the world ,but know that I miss loads in the most recent section especially.The forum is a victim of the success of the 5:2. I don’t have any suggestions on how to make it better, but I have found everyone very supportive. This is a marathon and not a sprint after all.

G’day Quick. My problem with using recent posts to start my site check is that often the first half dozen come from one person – because people like me jump online at 4am and post six replies to their favourite threads. It can look like one person is hogging the space when in fact they are just firing off their responses in a batch. My life is complicated – I might go a week without visiting here, and then be posting furiously for a few days.

I use favourites – and I feel I form little friendships on the half dozen threads I follow.

hi quick

i’m a

http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/users/wiltldnrusa/

Lulabelle and Sassy,
I’ve been watching for 6 weeks. I have read your posts, as well as a lot of
other people’s. Just really signed in to let you know that many others are paying attention and appreciate the honesty and work that you all have put in to this forum.

Thanks USA, yes, have seen that site. That is where you warn us that it may take a while to get a reply to a post!
I think I have managed to read a lot of the posts in most of the topics – probably am spending too much time doing this… Younger son thinks I am being a bit obsessive about it!!

Hi again USA
Glad to hear that the forum is a help to you, as you give so much to it 🙂
What you infer is right, the posts do help me get thru the fast days.
I am struggling a bit at the moment with not over-eating on non-fast days. I am recovering from a knee op and don’t have much mobility, which means a low tdee (1400) AND a limited range of activities I can do to keep myself occupied, so food is more on my mind. Also, eating less than I am normally able to on non-fast days seems to make fast days harder (I feel hungrier earlier than I normally would). And didn’t lose any body fat last week, as a result of not keeping to the 1400/day on non-fast days, I assume. Bit depressing to feel hungry all week and not lose weight!! Also, I am away from home this week, which makes sticking to the 5:2 eating regime difficult.
But enough of my moans, I will try to focus on the good results so far and keep reading the posts!
Cheers! 😀

Sassy

i don’t know everything

i’m experimenting

i’ve done the 1410 & plateaued

so went back 2 2000 & plateaued

now back 2 the tdee but 1 day @ least feast whatever i want 4 a type2diab

of course this is mixing up mediterranean low carb high fat wheat belly vegetarian days nonvegetarian days 800 cal days adf 5/2 4/3 ????

i think each body is different u might be
eat what u want & fast 2 days/3

& lose who knows try it out

however,

this does have 2 make u feel good & enjoyable

also u r recovering u should not be dieting on nonfastdays or even fastdays

but if u want 2 just relax on nonfastdays ur body needs nutrition

keep us posted

hope knee is better 🙂

give me ur background 2

Sassy

u may always vent all u want

we all have 2 have a sounding board

unconditionally 😀

yay 4 sizes smaller wow wooo hooo congrats!!!!!!!!

will read ur may 2 december when i have more time jusy won’t delete ur email

i delete the one i responded 2 but keep the one’s i’m still working on 😀

yes we have the one

4 the r o o l

wol???

Sassy

it is meant 2 say
yes we have the one (this lifestyle finally 🙂 )
4 the r o o l (rest of our lives)

i was joking it took me awhile 2 understand it 2 😀

Hi fastdiet
Thanks for the reminder re unanswered posts!
Cheers 🙂