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iVillage Community Leaders tell their personal success stories There's nothing like another's success to help trigger determination to set out on your own particular journey - or another's support. We don't want to blow our own trumpet, but we know that iVillage has helped so many people accomplish all kinds of mini and major goals. We asked our community board hosts to tell us how the experience of working with others within our iVillage community has helped them grow as people. Below are some of their comments. Remember, if our message boards can achieve such amazing personal results for our CLs, they can do the same for you too. Good luck! 'iVillage has changed my life, my self-esteem and my health for the better.'
CL Kimberley Hughes (Duran): You Can Do It Diet Support & Shape Up Challenge
'I'm from the United States and over the course of two years saw my weight skyrocket from about 11 stone to 13 stone.
In the mid-west United States, obesity is so prevalent, it's easy to justify your own weight problems by finding others heavier than you. When I moved to the UK in August 2001, newly married, all I could notice was how slim the woman were.
I stumbled upon the You Can Do It Diet Support Board and started posting on 3rd January 2002. I had never ever had such an amazing network of support in my life and hearing everyone's successes and failures meant I knew I was no longer alone. I found myself keeping a food diary, drinking more water, enjoying vegetables, joining a gym and loving it, for goodness' sake!
I am now 10 stone 8 lbs (and still losing!). Shopping has become a pleasure again. I bought my first pair of size 12 jeans a month ago.
So when reading if iVillage has changed my life, I can readily agree that it has changed my life, my self-esteem and my health for the better.'
'iVillage has given me a sense of self-worth.'
CL Tracy Blinkhorn: You Can Do It Diet Support
'iVillage has given me so much confidence. It has provided me with new friends that I can reach out to and get help from, and has given me a sense of self-worth. Above all it has made me realise that I can achieve whatever I want to achieve, with help, support and determination.
'Recently my husband was taken into hospital with a heart complaint, and I spent a very scared weekend wondering what was going to happen. My family, for reasons of their own, left me to it, and I felt very lonely. But I knew that I could call on the girls I have come to know through iVillage, and in fact they were the ones who got me through it.'
'Some good has come from my losses.'
CL Natalie Cox: Mums of Babies Due July - Sept 2002 & Jan - March 2003
'I found iVillage UK at a time in my life when I had suffered immense upset. I had experienced a miscarriage followed by an ectopic pregnancy, resulting in major abdominal surgery, in the space of four months. Three months later, in July 2001, when I started spotting in another pregnancy (which again ended in miscarriage), my husband located iVillage UK through a search engine and introduced me to the boards.
They provided me with incredible support and comfort and I learned that I was not alone. To be able to use iVillage as a member and a Community Leader has helped me immensely and highlighted and enhanced my own personality. My work as a CL has made me feel so very appreciated as I get many thank you responses and such lovely posts from other ladies in recognition of the replies I give to their posts.
Overall I am a much happier person thanks to iVillage. Also, I feel that some good has come from my losses, as I have been there and able to support other ladies (and sometimes their partners too). I'm delighted to say I did have a successful pregnancy in 1998 so I can also share pregnancy symptoms with members and pass on advice as well.'
'I am far more fluent using my computer.'
CL Ingrid Khan: Let's Talk About Pets & 50 And Up
'Having retired from my business in the fashion world, my life now revolves around my horses, dogs, cats, houses and, of course, my dear husband.
'When I began CL-ing Let's Talk About Pets I felt obliged to be able to answer all the queries the members came up onto the board. Not always knowing the answers offhand I started pulling out various books and started surfing the net. I am far more 'fluent' with the usage of my PC than I would have ever been, had I not been presented with these challenges through joining iVillage.'
'I have better relationships with people on- and off-line.'
Emily Ross Brown, Community Moderator
'Since becoming a CL for iVillage - and eventually a moderator - I feel a tremendous amount of personal pride and growth.
'I have better relationships with people on- and off-line now as I can see that we are all trying to do the right thing. I am better at listening to other points of view, and would like to think that I don't jump to the first conclusion that pops into my head. Reading each post allows me to gather myself and focus on what's really important and to hopefully bring the sense of community and love from my boards to my off-board community!'
'I can express my own opinions with a non-judgmental attitude.'
CL Gemma Pavey: Single Parent Support & Teenage Mums
'Since becoming a Community Leader I can honestly say that iVillage has helped me change my life. I have learnt many new skills and I have also had help sorting out my own personal problems. It has made me more aware of my good and bad points, which I have set about improving. I feel much more confidant and feel like a better person.
'I now find it easier talking to other people, especially those who have been through a difficult period in their lives. Before working for iVillage, I found it hard communicating in those situations. I just didn't know what to say. I can also express more openly my own opinions with a non-judgmental attitude. I'm more knowledgeable, so I can give better, stronger, positive answers, help, support and advice.
'I gain confidence watching others take and use my advice, which makes me feel admired and appreciated.'
'I've had a great response from prospective employers thanks to my involvement with iVillage.'
CL Helen Gibbs: Splitting Up, Separation & Divorce
'I started coming to iVillage, to the Let's Talk About Relationships message board during the breakdown of my marriage. It was great to have a forum to report what was happening as my marriage collapsed and to get support and encouragement as I made the changes I needed to in my life.
'When there was a request for a CL on a new Separation and Divorce Board I leapt at the chance. This board has given me a safe space to explore my own feelings about divorce and has helped me feel less isolated. It has also been great watching other people come through and become strong and able to help others, often when they are still needing lots of support themselves.
'Another bonus has been the response of several prospective employers to my involvement with iVillage. Being a CL lets them see I am very comfortable with computer technology, which is so valuable in the workforce today.'
'It has given me back my faith in people.'
CL Gaynor Turley: Families Torn Apart & Fantastic 40s
'I think that iVillage changed my life for the better in lots of ways. I have grown so much in confidence, mainly because I now know that my thoughts, feelings and ideas are listened to and heard, and more importantly cared about. I also feel so much more positive about my life than I did before, and that's all down to iVillage. It has given me back my faith in people, so I would like to take this opportunity to say a great big thank you to iVillage, and keep up the good work.'
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