Joined the Weight Watchers message board.

[xmas74]

I don't see myself going back. I've been flamed there worse than I've ever been flamed on any political board.
The women posting on there are rude and nasty to anyone who posts that is not well-established. In a couple of days time I've noticed a number of women post simple messages about being new to the boards and just wanting to know what to expect while on the program. I've watched them flame away at them and watched the "yes girls" behind them post crap like "giggle". It's worse than our popcorn here!

Nasty little b*tches. I wouldn't associate w/ them in RL if I met them on the street.

[Cassandra]

1. What are they upset about?

And how would anyone get well-established if you can't post as a newbie?

[xmas74]

4. They just flame about everything.

From what I've noticed, it's a handful of people who have turned the boards into their own personal playground.
On DU we have cliques but we do allow others to post. On there, if you are not in their clique they will personally do their best to make you quit posting.

[lavenderdiva]

2. gee, that's discouraging!

I'm so sorry that happened to you. Come over here and post away! We love the interaction, and promise we won't flame you!!!!

[xmas74]

5. I know you won't here.

I love nearly everyone on DU. I wouldn't donate to the boards if I didn't.

[Debau2005]

3. THANK YOU!

I had the same experience. I thought I had found a nice liberal posting group, but all they wanted to do was flame the conservative posters, and vice versa. I pay for the e-tools, I love being able to track online, but I will not revisit the forums.

I wanted a group to help with my weight loss, not a high school flame fest!

[xmas74]

6. It is a high school flamefest.

I was posting on a board over there. I have been flamed for spelling(which I later on looked up and did spell the word properly), sentence structure, etc. I was flamed for an answer on a subject that I did know and the others did not know(otherwise they would not have asked the question). I was informed that (per one poster on the board) "I would rather poke my eye out w/ my pen than read your post.".

I have had comments like giggle, gag, and questions about my parentage. I won't be a member of a forum that does that to people who are asking valid questions.

I sent them an email about it and asked that all of my posts be deleted. I am also planning on speaking w/ my group leader tomorrow about the problem since she is the one who recommended the boards.

[Debau2005]

7. Good idea

I had not thought of asking my leader, or asking others in my class. I weigh on Fridays, so I'll ask mine as well.

I just gave up on them. I would rather spend my time here! I was hoping for some weight loss support over there, but found little if any...

[xmas74]

8. I have found no support over there.

I was angry when it was just me. Then I read another post from a newbie. She is trying to lose a total of 175 lbs. Instead of being supportive they flamed her in an especially nasty fashion. I noticed she hasn't posted since.

I also notice they make fun of silly things, like people's names. It's a third grade mentality over there. No wonder why I only saw newbies w/ one or two posts!

[crispini]

9. Get out, that's so sad!

Although I have to admit that now, upon reading this thread, I have the strange desire to go over there and be bitchy to people just because. :evilgrin:

Yes, DU is a very nice place, I think that 8 or 9 out of 10 people want to be friendly and welcoming. Even though it is so big now and it might take people a while to find a spot, there usually IS a spot for you here somewhere! :D

[xmas74]

11. I so wanted to be bitchy over there.

I just held my tongue instead and quit posting.
I've been here over a year and have been a member of online message boards for a number of years now. DU is, by far, the friendliest I've ever encounterd.

[auntAgonist]

10. I'm surprised that an organization like WW would

condone or allow that sort of a board to exist. I'm sorry you had that experience. I've only ever had GOOD and POSITIVE vibes and messages from the folks on this particular group. This group actually started because of the attitudes of some people on another group. We're here to encourage, uplift and support one another. There is no room for snarkiness and sniping. We are all in the same boat on route to better health and wellbeing.

xmas74 it's good to have you here, I look forward to sharing in your successes and encouraging you when you need it!

:hug:

aA

[xmas74]

12. I was surprised that it was allowed over there too.

My leader stated at our meeting that the message boards were there for encouragement and the passing of ideas. She said that we should use them whenever we like.
I plan on bringing up the attitude on the boards at my meeting tonight. There wasn't a whole lot I could do but maybe bringing up concerns to my leader will get the word out about the behavior over there.

As to the attitudes of another group-I think I remember some of that but tried to stay out of the whole bit. And you are quite right-there is no room for snarkiness and sniping when someone is trying to do something positive to change their life. We should encourage each other and give our support since most of us have been in the same boat.

And thank you for the welcome! I'm a bit nervous-I have to weigh in at 4 pm my time.

[Longhorn]

13. Unlike what you experienced at WW

the attitudes at the other DU group were not rude or antagonistic at all. It's just that it was not diet-focused so many of us don't share the same goals and have different philosophies about how to be healthy. There's room for both groups here. :)

I've participated on the WW board from time to time and never experienced what you have. I've seen a few people get snippy when asked the same question many times but invariably, someone would come forward and defend the newcomer's question. I don't know if this is a new phenomenon or I've just been going to different boards. But I don't blame you for not wasting your time on idiots like that!

[xmas74]

14. I noticed it on the 30's board

(for members in their thirties). Posts as simple as "I'm new here. I just joined WW and want to lose xxx amount" and the flames began.

I prefer it here. I love my DU brothers and sisters!

[Longhorn]

15. Well, there you go!

They were much nicer on the 50s board! ;)

[xmas74]

16. They probably would be.

Most of the nicer members at meetings tend to be older.
I noticed the thirties board was rather snippy and enjoyed belittling new posters for no reason.

[auntAgonist]

17. I need to clarify ...

There WERE some rude and atagonistic remarks made, especially when WLS was posted about. I should have clarified that in the beginning. You're right, the 'other' group isn't diet focused and, if I might add they (some members) thought that their way was the only way. But enough of that. WE all make choices for ourselves and are ultimately responsible for those choices. I like it here, there are lots of encouraging posts and some very wonderful people!


onward :)

[Cathyclysmic]

18. Same experience here

I joined last week. Thought it would be a little pep rally. What nasty little people. They hate newbies and they claim to have trouble with trolls...What the hell is there to be trolly about? Stealing someone's low-point brownie recipe?

[Longhorn]

19. I was wondering the same thing.

Is a troll on a diet board someone who wants people to stay fat? :shrug:

[crispini]

20. Bwahahahahaha!

Would they post things like: "Go ahead... eat the brownie! why not, you only live once, hey?"

and lots of pictures of fattening foods and so on. :P

[xmas74]

22. From what I've read of their posts,

they like to flame anyone who breaks their diet. I read a post about a woman going to a party and breaking the bank on her points. She said that she felt bad about it and just wanted to vent. They flamed her left and right until the thread was locked.

You can tell the posters are very insecure w/ themselves and want to take it out on the world.

[xmas74]

21. Which board was it?

Mine was the thirties board.

If you really need the support just pm me anytime. I'm a newbie to WW and I'm a DU. We can give each other all the support we need.

You know-I hate being run off of a board that my dues helps support. I so wanted to go back and flame the shit out of them all but I refuse to sink to their level.

I prefer it right here. We all try to be very supportive of each other.

[Debau2005]

23. I am on board with

xmas74. I am a Lifetime WW, and I love DU. If you need support, give me a shout. I think we have done an excellent job in the last few days of greeting a supportive and caring environment right here. I have not been back to the WW boards in weeks.

I do track online, and love it! But I don't need other people's snide comments of my weight loss journey, I don't even click on the board links anymore.

[xmas74]

25. I quit clicking on the boards too.

A few people here seem to have problems over there.

[WolverineDG]

31. Were they doing this on the Newbie board?

It's been over a year since I cancelled WW Online (I'd gotten everything I could out of it & couldn't justify the expense anymore), but when I was posting over there, the Newbie board was the place to be. The other forums were :scared:

dg

[Longhorn]

24. I decided to check out the 30s board today and here's what I found:

"Some 30 year olds are often mistaken for trolls. This group is not for the faint of heart. You must be thick-skinned and have a sarcastic sense of humor. If you are easily offended, please don’t report; just know it’s not for you and go on your merry way. Many days they are referred to as the Haters. You may want to stay away from the Sunshiners or the Night Owls depending on their moods… " http://www.weightwatchers.com/community/mbd/post.aspx?page_size=25&rownum=19&threadpage_no=1&sincedate=2%2f20%2f2006+12%3a00%3a00+AM&thread_id=75080520&board_id=7&forum_id=1&thread_name=Newbies...STOP+HERE.++Please!!&mod_no=&daterange=2days&viewchange=OPENDATEDESC

It's in a thread from some self-appointed diva laying out the rules to newbies. I really think WW should get a handle on this kind of thing. She starts off going over the list of abbreviations used on the board -- making it clear that it's one of those, "We're internet-cool chicks" kind of boards. (It's funny but more and more of the boards I've joined, from cycling to television, don't ALLOW "internet-speak.")

In further posts, she implies that there are certain ongoing threads that one should avoid but it sounds like this attitude is throughout the 30s board and probably spills into other boards. I must say, however, that I never encountered anything like it on the boards I went to. I quit going mainly because I don't like the format but I did learn a few things about WW in the beginning.

It's too bad that WW allows this to continue. And I thought DUers (outside of our group, of course!) could be snarky! :)

[xmas74]

26. Pathetic attitude, isnt't it?

And a board I moderate (about television shows) does not allow internet speak. If I find a message that is filled w/ it I have to copy and send it back to the poster w/ the order to clean it up so that everyone of all ages can read it. If they don't then I am ordered (per the admin) to delete the post.

My brother is a paid moderator for a movie board. His board does not allow it either.

[fortyfeetunder]

27. Thank you for saving $$$

I was considering doing the online version of WW but now that I've read that, said hooey to that.
I'll find help elsewhere. like here on DU.

[xmas74]

28. We really do try to help out.

And, from years of back and forth weightloss, if you are looking for a program to join, the best is in-person. I've always lost more w/ a group than I could have w/ a diet plan on paper.

[Debau2005]

29. Agreed

I do pay for the e-tools online because I like the ease of tracking my points that way. Much better then the paper log for me!

However, I do LOVE my meetings, and I would not be as successful without them. I got into my skinnier jeans today, so I am preaching the praises of WW. They have helped me tremendously.

[xmas74]

30. I like the support from everyone at the meetings.

You look around the room and see that many others are just like yourself.

And some come up w/ some great ideas that they will share at the meetings!