[AmmiUK]

We are a group of individuals who weigh or have weighed 300+, or near there. This group was formed to provide a place for others like us to find support and hope. We are aware of the distinct problems that come with weighing over 300 lbs.

We want to invite everyone (roosters as well as chicks!) to join us in our journey. We share laughter and tears, heartaches and fears ... joys and celebrations. We also share what works for us and what doesn't.

We know the thread can move very quickly, and that people often make "personal" remarks and keep a number of conversations going. Please feel free to contribute even if you can't make personal comments all the time.

Finally, we also have several extra threads going on simutaneously such as Monthly Challenges, Weekly Weigh-ins, Recipes, Bios, Photos, Exercise, Info for Getting Started and more. Many of these threads are stickied at the top of the page. Please feel free to check them all out.

We have found this thread to be more than just a support group... we have found it to become a home. We invite you to join us.



I know you'll all agree that we are really thankful for the free services here at 3FC. The sisters offer all of this support and information with no charges to us. There are a couple of ways though that we can help out.

If you are thinking about buying anything at Amazon, why not help out 3FC at the same time? You can do this by clicking on the button for the Amazon "store" in the upper right hand corner of the screen on the PURPLE tool bar. A portion of your purchase price will be given to 3FC by Amazon. It doesn't increase your price at all, but it does help out 3FC. You can use any of the Amazon.com links that you see on the site in order to help contribute to the site.

Also, BTW, in case you didn't know it, you can view the message boards "ad free" for a minimal charge. I think it's $15 for 6 months. A very small investment to be rid of the annoying ads and make your pages load quicker.

There have been some concerns expressed by the powers that be about copyright infringement. So please, if you are directly quoting someone else or printing an article in whole or in part, please give credit where credit is due!!!!

[voodoo1]

Emilmay, great on the weightloss! I wouldn't have chosen English lit but the creative writing degree was full. I would have loved to do a science degree BUT as I'm rather lazy & never revise I failed my '0' level Physics & Chemistry, lol! & nursing, well I feel sick seeing my own blood, good for you being so brave AND determined! And yes it is Lghter Life, I go Tuesday evening for a demo & if I decide to go ahead I go Friday evening & start Saturday, so I'll have my 'last meal' lol then!!!xxxxxx
Annie, I hope you are feeling better now, those scales *%$&&&& well there's next week, YOU HAVE TO BE LOSING FAT!!!!! All that exercise & being OP HAS to pay off!! I hope my pressie has arrived, I hope customs haven't delayed it!xxxxxxx
Ammi, I hope weigh-in went well & love your bracelet, it's really pretty & delicate. I hate those big, heavy ones you can get, though they are expensive they look 'cheap', your looks very classy!.xxxxxx
TOM has arrived AGAIN! just a week after the last one finished, I feel so washed out and low, though I know it's hormones it doesn't stop me from feeling grumpy! I go to see the specialist nurse ( female 'problems' & contraception) at my Dr's & hope she can offer up some advice as well as sign the consent form for the diet, which I HAVE to have before I'm allowed to start it. I hope everyone else is well, happy & OP.xxxx
xxxsharon

[AmmiUK]

Hi All,

My apologies for being absent the last few days. No particular reason why, just enjoying some computer free time. Do you ever get days where you just don’t want to be sat in front of your PC

I had my WI this morning and am happy to report that whatever damage I did before the WI I should have had last Monday has all gone now. I am at 226 lbs still, and am ready to keep on losing now. I had my break, it made me feel far more enthusiastic towards facing the rest of this journey and I want to see those numbers on the scales keep going down

Em - that’s great news that you lost 3 lbs Seems to me like that gym work is really paying off!! So not only do you love working out there you are seeing great results, you must be one happy lady right now

on passing your assignment too

Brenda - that’s wonderful news that you lost 4 lbs. I know how you feel about being the lightest weight you have been in 15 years; it’s been 16 years nearly since I weighed what I do now. It’s an awesome feeling isn’t it. Yay us

Sorry that you were feeling unwell the other day, head colds are the pits aren’t they. I hope you are feeling 100% now.

Lilion - the gym we go to only really gets busy around lunch times and when people finish work. So Daren and I reckon if we go at 9 am like we did for our induction we should be fine, no queuing for machines. I must admit the thought of having to queue, or worse still somebody waiting for the machine I am using does put me off. I really hope I never find myself in that position.

Hope you enjoyed you and dh enjoyed having your house to yourselves when ds stayed at a friends house

Torister - I must admit that I wouldn’t have even dreamt of going to the gym when I was at my heaviest weight. Not just because of being embarrassed but because I doubt I would have coped with the work out. Why pay that kind of money to flake out on a machine after 15 seconds I do love going now though, and I bet you will too when you feel ready and able to try it out. It’s a good incentive to keep on track isn’t it

Did you get the stationery bike you wanted? Have you tried it out yet?

Nancy - how are things now at home. Do you feel better now that you have finally broken up with your BF? I am sorry it was such an emotional time at the counsellor’s but it was to be expected, it’s a huge scary step you have taken. But I am sure you will be fine

Catherine - I hope you managed to sing without crying at that dear girl’s funeral. Even if I had a good voice I don’t think I could sing at a funeral, I’d just be a blubbering mess, especially at a baby’s funeral. I hope you were ok

I am SO sorry that your MIL is trying to stir up trouble with immigration. What an evil witch! I can’t believe all the rigmarole you would have to go through if they do question you, having to leave the country again etc. Is Canada so great that they have these very strict rules? I just hope you don’t have to go through all that you mentioned

Annie - you know how I feel about your WI, so just want to send you some

Michelle - seems like a blessing that you have had such trouble with your ears….at least from going to the ER about them you ended up finding out about your BP. I am sorry that it’s so high and that you are having to take medication. Possibly in time as you keep on losing the weight you will be able to come off the meds and your BP will be fine on it’s own.

Apart from health issues, how are you enjoying your new home?

Jill - wow I like the sound of all that lovely food and not ending up gaining a lb. Mind you I bet you would have preferred less stress even if it did help with the WI

Sandy - I have to ask, how do you get that font on your posts? It’s not on my selection in the drop down menu, and if I do a post in Word as I am now, using that font and I copy and paste it, it still goes back to the normal font on 3FC? What’s your secret?

How are things at home now, did your SD go to the dance in the end? It is such a shame that she wants to go to her mom but that her mom just can’t handle her. How old is her sister, do you think she will let her move in there? It would be such a relief to you I am sure, so I will keep my

Kymberly - I am the same as you, I avoid the scales until I HAVE to get on them. Seeing any fluctuations would be a killer for me especially if on days before my official WI I might see a loss but then on the proper day I see no loss or worse still a gain!! So yep, definitely got to keep away from those scales.

Sorry that you are feeling so overworked, can you think of any ways that you could lessen your work load?

Sharon - I see it’s official, Friday you are starting LL. I am sure you will do amazingly on it and those lbs will shift faster than you can say Scale Monster When we chat next you will have to tell me all about what you get to eat/drink etc. It’s all fascinating to me. I hope you get the consent to start it.

Sorry TOM has started again so soon after the last one. I know how frustrating that is. I had my Implanon changed and I have still ended up having a 10 day period And the thing hurts in my arm, I don't know if I will end up needing to have it removed

Patti - How are you enjoying your veggie soup? I made a nice big pot of it for myself yesterday and it’s coming in handy as the weather has turned cold. Nothing like a nice bowl of soup/stew to warm you up

How is your leg today?

Xena - have you been to the Rod Stewart concert yet? It was you that was going wasn’t it? I bought a greatest hits CD of his on Friday, I especially love his song Ooh La La

Are you enjoying AI? Did the right 4 get voted off? I agree with the girls, and one of the guys, but not the other guy that went. I won’t mention names in case somebody has recorded the show and is yet to watch it.

Well time for me to get some emails written. So take care all and bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

[Luminous]

Rofl, you JUST caught me, I was getting up to speed with the last page of the previous thread and see the "GO TO NEW THREAD!" post thinking, weird, it wasn't there five minutes ago!

I haven't been posting and I'm trying to decide if it's natural or worrisome. So far I'm clinging to natural. I'm plugging along with these new habits, no choice but to move forward, developing a comfortable rut, in the good way. And just kind of not feeling obsessy at this moment, though I'm trying to remember giving support is even more important than admitting you need it.

There's a little anxiety—today I'm beginning a set of illustrations that need to be done by March 16. That's probably not so bad. I say probably because I don't know how many there are yet! That's where the anxiety sets in. I've become comfortable planning things. 30 illustrations in 2 weeks? Okay, that means if I work 5 days a week, I should finish 3 per day. However, the person I'm working with is my former boss, my friend, my mentor. We always make such a good team. She figures out what needs to be illustrated, gets me all the information and scans and sources I could possibly need, and is just always so understanding. Stressed, but never angry or taking it out negatively on others. A wonderful person and a joy to work with. <-- this is what helps me to not stress too much over not knowing exactly how many pieces will be coming.

Huge, happy SV today: met my first 10% goal. Also completed 3rd ten pounds mini goal and moving into 4th 10 pounds. Not working out lately. That hasn't changed my weight loss at all. I think it's because I allow myself a wide latitude in calories; probably when I work out I eat a few hundred more than when I don't. However, I do remember the movement is so pleasant for the mind and so warming on these chilly days.

May everyone be healthy and happy this week!

[mechell81]

Hey everyone-

Well we bought a blood pressure monitor yesterday and my blood pressure was 130/86. So that is a lot better than 171/95! He said most of the home monitors are just fine as long as its not the type that you put on your finger. I am not sure if the medicine has kicked in already or not. I do feel more tired but she said that was a side effect for the first week. So, I am feeling better and glad that I am at least aware that I need to watch it. Also the last couple of days I have been really watching sodium. I really still can't get over how easy it is to go way over 2400mg on healthy food! Some of the foods that have low fat/calories have really high amounts of sodium. I did look at a meal I had at Wendy's (bad day) and the meal I had contained a total of 2800mg of sodium! I really think when I don't care about what I eat I am consuming 6000mg plus of sodium! Makes me think twice about wanting that fast food...

EMILY~You must be so happy! That is awesome you lost 3 pounds! You have been doing so good!

ANNIE~I am sorry you didn't see a loss hun.

AMMI~It really was a blessing. And it was sort of strange because these past few weeks I had been telling DH that I really thought my blood pressure was high. I just had that nagging feeling. I will get my ear figured out though soon . I just need to see a specialist. I am enjoying my new home a lot! We have been having a lot of snow but at least its not -50 and snowing! I am glad you didn't have a gain from the damage. And that is great you feel more enthusiastic about losing again. You can do it!

LUMINOUS~Good luck with your illustrations. Hope having to do so many doesn't cause to much stress. And WTG on meeting your 10% goal! That is great!


Ok well everyone else I hope you all have a good Monday and stay OP!

[AmmiUK]

Amy - on the great WI, already on your way to that 4th 10 lbs loss

I hear you on the movement keeping you warm especially on chilly days, today the only time I have been warm was when I did my work out. I hate sweating but it is great to warm up instead of being a goose pimply mess despite having the heating on

Good luck with getting the illustrations done without too much stress, can I ask what you are illustrating for?

Michelle - oh yes I forgot to mention that I hope that you get your appt and get your ear pain sorted out ASAP too. Your BP got my attention. Glad to hear that the home monitor shows that it's not so high now.

Glad to hear you are enjoying your new home too. I bet when you hear people moan about the snow you are like, HA this is nothing So you planning on going on holiday to Alaska any time soon

Hugs,

Ammi

[NotTheCheat]

Catherine – I am so sorry to hear that your MIL is behaving so irrationally. What does she think – that she is somehow trying to save her son from you? You are two adults who love each other and seem really good for each other. I really hope her efforts are fruitless. You definitely don’t need any more stress than you have!

Annie – Congratulations on being so strong your first day of work! It is so hard to pass those things by when they are right there in front of you. It sounds like the job is going well. Any big change like that can tire anyone out, so don’t be too hard on yourself. It can be very tiring to take in a bunch of new information. Sorry to hear you had a bad weigh in. Changes in your routine can really be difficult to adjust too, so please don’t be too hard on yourself.

Sharon – The program you mention sounds really interesting. I know that for me the emotional aspects are so key.

Michelle – I am glad you finally went to the doctor. That is rough about your blood pressure, but it is better that you found out then to not know. Mine used to be borderline high before I started exercising regularly and now it is basically normal.

Jill – Sounds like you have been super busy! Congrats on not gaining during such a stressful time. Hopefully things will slow down soon and you will have more time for yourself again.

Sandy – I don’t have any words of wisdom, but here is a Sorry to hear you have been feeling so down.

Brenda – Painting can be such a good workout! That soup you made sounded great.

EmilyMay – Congratulations on being down 3 – that is fantastic!!

Ammi – That is great that your little vacation damage is gone. I think we all need to relax a bit every once and awhile – this is a very long journey we are on! Things at home are a bit odd, because we need to redefine our relationship with each other and that is tough without our living arrangements changing. I will start the conversation tonight about setting a date for our move. I am really hoping it will be able to be sooner rather than later.

Amy – Way to go on meeting your first 10% goal! You should be thrilled! I understand your stress over the illustrations. It is hard when you don’t know the full expectations, but I am sure you will do just fine.


I had a really nice weekend at my parents, although I ate way too much. My family is really into food and it is hard to not eat when I am there. Besides the fact that there is much available and it is good, there are also a lot of old triggers there. It is something I need to work on, but will probably take some time. I also spent the afternoon on Saturday with my best friend from high school. We reconnected recently, and it’s like our relationship picked up right where it left off. It was so great to see her and talk for hours – it felt like old times. It also felt good to go out and do something on my own to start and break the bond.

[emilymay]

Annie - I cannot beleive u are having no luck with the scales, I too have many weeks like that, it is SO aggravating I know, and my heart goes out to you. I won't offer too much advice as I'm sure u know what I would say really. Only thing that crosses my mind is the thought I had the other day which was ok, even if I never lose another pound, regardless of that, the exercise u are doing is so good for your body and mind, so at least by acheiving what u have physically, u are making progress and your body is healthier. As for what makes scales move, I have no bright ideas there hun but please do hang on in there and get a result next week,

Hugs xxxx

[AmmiUK]

Nancy - yes I can imagine that trying to redifine your relationship is very difficult as you are sharing a place. I too hope that you will be able to move into a new place sooner rather than later. In the mean time perhaps a lot of activity away from the home may be a good idea? with it all

Glad you had such a nice time at your parents and that you met up with your friend and had fun. A true sign of friendship is when you can see each other after a long break and it feeling like you've never been apart

Em - perfect words for Annie

Hugs,

Ammi

[emilymay]

Nancy - I was reading the biog page the other day and have to say; i too love the Smiths, the Cure and the film Amelie is one of my favourites!!

Has anyone seen Pans Labyrinth? It is a Spanish film and is so amazing, made me cry more than once but truly loved it!

[toofatforu]

Ammi good going on the scales i hope mine do the same on friday... i am on the program again now and even did 40 minutes on my treadmill. did you watch AI and do you have a favorite yet? My leg is much better got alittle sore but not enuff to quit exercising today .. i think it is now just a getting older type ache and pain!

[NotTheCheat]

Ammi – I am going to try and plan as many things out as I can. Right now I have two dinner/coffee dates with friends lined up for next week, and I will try to get to the gym every day. I am also going back to see my parents next month. It is also a good time to start doing some shopping and deciding what I will want/need to buy for my new place.

EmilyMay –I did see Pan's Labyrinth. It was one of the few films I have gone to see in the theater recently. I did love it, but I agree it was really sad. It was also more violent then I was expecting. But the imagery and the message about fantasy bringing hope in such a dark world were both fantastic. I am glad it won a few Oscars, even if it didn’t get best foreign language film.

Patti – I would love to talk AI too, but that was good of you to remember that Ammi doesn’t get to see it at the same time as the people here in the US.


I have totally goofed off at work today. I need to focus! I got a few things done, but nowhere near what I should have. I think in part I had been hoping for a snow day so much that my brain thought it still deserved one. I have a bit of time left to finish up a few things, so I best get to it!

[Heather]

Ammi -- Thanks for starting the new thread this morning. I completely forgot!

And great news about your weigh in!

I am still stuck at my weight. I know I could be doing better, but according to my "estimates" I also know that I should be losing at least a little. My scale is one of those old analog "dial" scales -- hard to see small changes.

I'm not feeling defeated, though. I am maintaining a lower weight than ever in my adult life!! And I figure if I keep it up, maybe the scales will shift a little... even though I haven't set a new weight loss goal, I am starting to want to see the scales move down a smidge... I guess when I want that badly enough I will eat a little better....

[AmmiUK]

Patti and Nancy I get to see AI on Friday nights, or Sunday nights at the latest, so as far as I am concerned any talk after that is not going to end up spoiling anything! Yes I do have my faves, but I don't remember their names, I am going to check out the site and I'll get back to you

Patti - If you keep going as you are staying OP and exercising you will have to see a loss on the scales

Glad that your leg isn't too bad, and doing 40 minutes on the is brilliant, well done!

Nancy - glad to hear you have a lot of social activities planned. What about your ex, is he going to be turning his life around too or do you think he's going to take some time before he's ready for that?

Heather - I have one of the dial scales too, and I bought it new back in May last year. I find it far more reliable than the electronic scales even if I can't see the smaller losses.

I think you are right that the more you want to see the scales go down the more inclined you will be to set yourself a new target and get back on track. In the mean time you are maintaining brilliantly. You will always be an inspiration to me

Hugs,

Ammi

[sandybar]

Ammi~ The font is called Bradley Hand. I just love it. I don't have Word, so I use Open Office.org1.1.3 I then copy the text, got to "Go Advance"
and then paste it. I hope that helps.


Em~ Great job! I'll be you were thrilled to see the scale move!


I'm sorry I don't have time for more personals. I justed wanted to hop on and say "Hello." Today as been so-so.