Almost became a Spark Dropout yesterday!

I'm sure everyone has one of those days where they think people don't even SEE them! Yesterday was one of those days for me.

My first post was to a board that I've belonged to since I joined SP. This is a large board and it appears that some of the members spend the day "chatting" back and forth so it is hard to keep up. I noticed a "newbie" had posted a question shortly after I posted the day before and no one acknowledged or answered her. I welcomed her and answered her query, but it bothered me. She was as invisible as I have always been on that board.

Next I went to a board where I am co-leader. During the holidays, I stuck with the few posters and welcomed all the newbies who were joining. The first post I read yesterday was from one of the original members who was just returning, thanking the co-leaders for all their hard work. My name wasn't mentioned! Once again - invisible!

I joined a group from the same team on an 2008 exercise Challenge. I should have known better, but thought my exercise program might help Newbies realize that not all Sparkers are Super Man/Woman. Some of us just do the best we can to lead a healthy lifestyle and will never be atheletes. I had posted that I walked 1 mile in below freezing weather and that that wasn't bad for an old broad. Did I get an atta girl for at least trying? NOPE! I got an "LOL Granny." I went in last night to post my cardio after working with DH taking trim off the walls and windows, removing paneling and hauling it to the basement and looked at the other posts! I didn't post my tiny accomplishments. This old lady was in the wrong place This group leaps over tall buildings, climbs the highest mountains, breaks speed records running to the swamp to wrestle live alligators all day on the job. That's the warm up - then they get into the serious exercising.

Went to welcome a newbie on my team, and the first post I read was from a lady who had just turned 50 and said, "but my body feels like it is ready for Medicare!" Hmmm! What does it feel like when your body is ready for Medicare? Medicare comes when you turn 65 and has nothing to do with the shape your body is in! My body is old enough for it - hasn't used it except when I fell - running - and broke my arm!

By that time, I was asking myself, "WHY are you here? Just drop the teams, plug in your nutrition, track your exercise and get the Spark Experience by yourself! I stopped even trying to post until DH and I took our first break - I was just getting depressed. When I had a minute, I would run into the computer room and read Sparks emails. Those are supportive and informative and I love them.

Finally, it was evening and I decided to give the boards one more try. Ignored the posts on the ones that had upset me and went to some of the smaller boards where I usually have fun. They they were! The wonderful, supportive, funny Spark People who are JUST LIKE ME! They all WOOHOO and celebrate if someone walks a couple of blocks! They realize the importance of someone making those first baby steps towards a healthier lifestyle and cheer them on! Some of the boards I enjoy are my age group others are a combination of people. We have bonded as if we were next door neighbors in a small town, yet we are all ages, all sizes, all nationalities.

This morning when I opened my mail, I just deleted the emails from the boards where I didn't feel comfortable. Such a simple little thing to do and I feel so much more in control today! I don't know why I was so silly to go where I didn't feel welcome when there are so many places here where I do!

Sorry for the negative blog today! Just had to get it out of my system and here was the blog - ready and waiting! I promise to be in a better frame of mind next week when I blog again!