Bootcamp Buddies (referred to as BCBs) follow the Weight Watchers program and Weight Watchers ONLY. They don't combine Weight Watchers with any other programs or "diet", unless instructed to modify it by a medical professional.

A BCB realizes that this is a journey for LIFE..not a diet. As such, we follow the program as it has been written and plan on following it for the rest of our lives. But committing to this, we will make our weight loss for life a REALITY!

A BCB handles their weight loss journey one minute, one hour, one day at a time (OMOHOD) and this is our basic philosophy.

A BCB knows that THEY are in complete control of what goes into THEIR mouths. Happiness, sadness, stress, anger and other emotions do NOT control us. We take charge of ourselves, and are responsible for ourselves. We make a commitment to ourselves to journal each day, and WRITE EVERY BITE.

A BCB does not ever DELIBERATELY go off program for ANY REASON. There are NO EXCUSES for ever going off program. We will face challenges each day of our life, and have to learn that stress or social situations are not reason to go off program. We as a BCB must always PLAN, PLAN, PLAN!

If a BCB should "slip," they shall immediately take steps to understand what caused the slip and to rectify the situation. We shall use these "slips" as a learning process so that we may learn not to slip again. A BCB does not ever whine, cry, or complain about being off program, but jumps right back but on track! (not tomorrow, or later -but RIGHT AWAY).

A member in good standing of the BCBs will ALWAYS treat others in the same manner they would like to be treated. If correcting an unhealthy behavior, such correction shall be done with compassion and respect. We are here to make our weight loss a REALITY and to help each other reach our goals with kind support, and sometime a little nudge with love & care.

We look forward to seeing YOU make your weight loss a REALITY!

One of our members posted a resignation to BCB. She felt she couldn't stay OP the way the others were. Many posted to her, trying to encourage her to stay... but one post stood out from all the rest. It was a post by KimR (kwannabee) and this is what she said:

"Hi Jenny! I've been where you are, and know how you feel, and admire you caring enough about yourself and your health to seem so upset and worried about your progress. Can I tell you a little story, about a goose? I have about 23 amazing women I met over the net, we've never seen each other or heard each others voices, but almost 3 years later we are the best of friends, and all of us are on this same journey. Our mascot, or hero is the Goose. Why?? Because geese all travel the same distance, make the same journey, go the same direction to achieve the same goal, but sometimes one falls out of formation cuz she is just 'too tired to fly any longer'. She knows where she is supposed to go, the rest of the flock are well on their way, but she just can't keep up. The joy of being in such a strong formation though is that when all seems hopeless she is carried forward by the strength of those flying around her, she is lifted and kept in the air by the sheer wind of wings flying beside her. When she regains her strength, she is still in formation, and on her way again, with the never-ending support of her flock. And when it is her turn to keep another in the air, she will remember.

On NSD or any number of other weight loss boards, if you ever saw a post that had 'honk honk honk in it, it was one of us Geese calling to each other. This story is for you, but i think we can all benefit from the gift of group support, and to YKminor...wherever you are on BCB...HONK HONK HONK!! BCB is about staying OP, but no matter what, never give up your place in the flock!

Good luck, keep us posted!

KimR

Ps...a special thank you to my friend 'GooseySuzy' for sharing this story with me and all my email buddies, 'the International Weigh-To-Go-Girls...HONK!!!!

'Goosefeathers stick togetherzzzzz'

Honk Honk!

**Thank you KimR & the International Weigh-To-Go-Girls for sharing this story with us and letting us share it with other BCB members. HONK, HONK!

DB................Dear or Darling Boyfriend

DD................Dear or Darling Daughter

DF.................Dear or Darling Fiancé

DH................Dear or Darling Husband

DW...............Dear Wife

IMO...............In My Opinion

IMHO.............In My Humble Opinion

IMNSHO.........In My Not So Humble Opinion

JK..................Just Kidding

LOL...............Laughing Out Loud

ROTFL...........Rolling On The Floor Laughing

NM................No More

OP................On Program

TIA...............Thanks In Advance

TOM..............Time Of Month

WOE.............Way Of Eating

WOL.............Way Of Life

W/W or WW...Weight Watchers

Back in October 1999 on another support board, a member, posted a message asking if anyone was really serious about losing weight and taking full control of it. A group of us responded YES! Another member thought of calling us 'Bootcamp Buddies' and so from that day forward, we became "Bootcamp Buddies". I would say that there were probably 15 of us at the time.

In November of 1999, Denise (mudpies) created the original website 'Bootcamp Buddies'. We had lots of new member joining and then mostly leaving because they didn't like our tough love, no nonsense approach. It was VERY "hardcore" and if you slipped- you received no mercy. Most who "fell", just left with bitter thoughts about BCBers. In fact, most people at the old support board HATED the BCB group.

In January, after the new year, Bootcamp was flooded with new members - probably about 50 new ones. Denise (mudpies) then created a private group, where most of the original BCBers went. Some of the original BCB were left behind due to personality conflicts - or they didn't 'meet' the requirements. This private group gathered for months - in private. Meanwhile, Denise (mudpies) saw the enthusiasm of the newbies wanting to stay on program and do what it takes to make weight loss a reality. It was then that this site became public, for all to enjoy.

Well that is how we got started and each day we continue to grow. Some of the members on the 'private' site didn't like the number of newbies and our softer approach. We STILL have the same BCB philosophy, we just don't beat you up, and try to help you get up instead... that is way we say we are the 'New & Improved BCB'