I am not perfect

Thank you so much.  The support I receive here really does a world of good.

I should also add that I never thought what they were saying was meant to be mean or derogatory. But, I also know how those types of things said in passing can plant a seed in our minds. Sometimes they can make us second guess ourselves.

Don't let that happen.

I most certainly will not let it derail me.  Thanks again!

I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and participate in the discussion.  You will all never know how much the support here on OH means to me.

 

I do want to make one point crystal clear.  The person who said this to me was not coming from a place of jealousy or snarkiness.  They are someone I count as a friend and respect who is also doing an amazing job of rocking their own journey and who is in group with me 2 or 3 times a month.  The point behind the comment really was - "Wow, you really are just like me".

But it started me thinking about perceptions and pedestals.  Wondering, if as many people as I may help by sharing and participating, could I be unintentionally discouraging others or inadvertently holding myself up as some sort of weight loss hero?  I don't want to be on a pedestal - its too easy to fall off.  Plus, in falling off a pedestal you tend to get hurt the worst on the way down.  Just ask Mr. Armstrong...

Kidding aside, I really would rather be there helping than being idly praised for what I have done right.

 

And I am definitely going to take some of the suggestions I have been given here.

Damn it! Now I have to lower you from VSG God to just VSG Idol!

Here's the bottom line and this goes for Frisco and Elina_7 and everyone else on here who has made their goal and is someone we all look up to and whether we like your responses or not, we always look forward to them and agree or disagree we heed the advice usually...because its good and its proven to work. But at the end of the day, we are all human and therefore not perfect and while  some of us may look up to you and worship you and hope to be you someday soon, I don't think any of use expect you to be perfect. On the other hand it is nice to hear about when you hit rough spots and how you handle them.

Rob -- are you saying you used performance enhancing drugs?!?!?!  LOL!  Nah. Sending big hugs your way. I think you're perfectly Rob!

Awww, I agree with the previous posters.  I think its somewhat more about the other persons insecurities.  You guys are so right, this is a challenging journey and so many go into this thinking its easy and its going to come naturally.  When we start to lose faith in ourselves, its nice to come here and troll around the boards and see the inspiration that you, Frisco and Elina and all the other vets that have reached and maintained goal offer to us all.  I think sometimes its easier to find fault/blame in someone else when your stuggling with your own insecurities.  And its hard because we know you guys, but we don't really "know" you.  Does that make sense? My friend has a saying that I think kind of applies, "Why walk down the street to kick the dog when you can kick the one standing right next to you" (not that I'd ever kick a dog! :/ )  All I can say is keep your head up, be proud of all you have accomplished and how much you encourage and inspire the rest of us! Thank you, thank you, thank you. :)

Kari

Some people on this site - and I suspect at least one person in your group :) - stand out for their level of dedication and commitment, and particularly for their willingness to help and support others.  I have been stunned by the generosity many people on this site show in taking so much time to lend their experience and wisdom to those of us who are new to this journey.  I have so much admiration and appreciation for those people, yourself included, though I don't mistake that for perfection.  I do think I put people who are good and generous on a pedestal, not because they have been successful in their weight loss, but because I admire their commitment, hard work,  knowledge and generosity, and their desire to help us all learn from their struggles - past and present.  And nothing would make me happier than to lend MY support to those people that do so much for this forum - if only I knew something of value to share!  But some day I will know something of value and will follow the example so many of you have set and try to share what I have learned too, and be by the side of others helping whenever I can!  So that's a long way of saying "thank you" and "you are not a bulwark, but an inspiration"!  And I am okay with finding out you are not perfect. 

Well...let me chime in with a confirmation here. I do think you and everyone who gets to goal and maintains as well as those who are well on their way in the journey with a positive attitude, as indeed being perfect and doing it perfectly. Myself included! This in no way means that I think its easy for us all or that we do it right every minute of every day. Its not a pedestal thing at all. Not VSG God or Idol worship. Not at all a bulwark to climb over. But you ARE doing it perfectly and you should be rightfully proud of yourself. And keep leading the way for those who follow. All of that amounts to perfect in my dictionnary...even the part where you are humble and think that you are not perfect!!! There really isn't anything wrong with that!