True - I've never really noticed an abundance of either ads or solicitations. In fact, you have all the different forums to visit if you're interested (recipes, exercises, etc). This forum is fabulous for 'meeting' folks that have the same issues, have faced the same problems and setbacks, and who have overcome them time and time again. Weight loss is never easy, but here you can at least do it among friends and those that understand what you're saying, and where you're coming from. We understand the setbacks, the triumphs, the picking-yourself-up-and-trying-again mentality. Because this WOE works - it's our heads that usually screw it up! LOL. But it works, we KNOW it works, and we're here each day, MAKING it work! Best of luck - I hope you do fantastic!!!