WELCOME!!

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, inspiration, 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!!!

G'morning all,

I have my new cpap machine and mask. I've already gotten a staph infection on the bridge of my nose despite the disinfectant I use, anti-bacterial wipes, soap and water. *sigh* I wore a bandaid on it last night and it is better. I can't say I feel any more rested, but I might be in a big deficit. I haven't sent the old machine in for repair yet.

I feel bloated and bleh cuz of TOM. No more insane eating, but now I'm paying for it (especially from the salty stuff).

Hugs and Luv to all!
Ratkity

Good morning All,

Im down here in Southwest Florida getting ready for Hurricane Fay. Looks like she is taking the same course Hurricane Charley took a few years back. I am doing great on my diet lost another 4 pounds this week down to 340.2 so looking forward to watch the numbers fall. I am down a total of 14 pounds since I started just over a month ago. WOO HOOO !! MY son plays football and yesterday was his Jamboree where they play a few little mini games well his team Won all three games they played so that was exciting.
Well hope everyone has a great day Im going hurricane shopping to get a few things in case power goes out !!

Anne-The muffins sound yummy! Next time you use papers, try spraying them with cooking spray first. It does help.

Ratkitten-hope you are feeling better soon!

Renee224-Yeah on the 4 lbs. That is wonderful, you are doing great! Hurricane shopping not fun! I have had power out many times but due to ice storms or tornado or someone hitting a generator. Hope you don't have any problems.

Well another new week, I am happy to say that I got my water all in yesterday so I am hoping to today. It has been several days since I have done that, but am working on it still. I have got things to get ready for school today the kids start Thursday. They are so ready. Not with supplies but their attitudes are. I think we are supply shopping in the next day or so, it kinda depends how much money I have before Friday. Well, I need to get water and get moving, but I will check back later. Penny

Re baking: I've been using the pam spray specifically for baking and it works well. There's a bit of flour in there and it does seem to help!

In addition to Anne's choc zucchini cake/muffins, this morning I tried some homemade fruit and nut bars. I used what I had in the house and ended up with a higher cal version than I intended, but I think it's going to be good, at least for a first try. They're pretty easy, too! I'm thinking variations will be coming...

Renee-I lived just north of where Charley hit in 2004. We were supposed to get a direct hit, but it jogged south at literally the last minute. Just be safe and careful. The governor said that a lot of people in Florida have hurricane amnesia because it been a quiet couple of years because of the last el Nino. The hurricanes are something I don't miss about Florida.

He's in Montreal, and I just never seem to get any work done when he is gone. I just read a book yesterday. He should be home late tonight. I'm hoping to get something done this afternoon. I think the heat is getting to me. It's in the middle 90's, which isn't that high, except that nothing has air conditioning here. It reminds me of trying to sleep as a kid when it was over 100 degrees before we got air conditioning. It's supposed to be cooler tomorrow. I hope it cools off before September 3rd when I start to school. That's a long ride on an un-air conditioned bus.

HI..
just wanted to stop in for a few min. I was sick over the weekend..started out with a headache and then yesterday about lunch stomach started in.NO fun at all!! Weight was awesome today..to bad its from no food or liquid being in my body.lol Im working on getting my water intake back to normal today..food is still not sounding to good .LOL
My baby starts college tommorow. I cant believe she is all grown up!!
hugs to all
debi

Ratkity, just grab up the dogs and crawl into bed and take care of yourself.

Renee, stay safe. You just never know which direction those things will end up going.
on the 4 lbs gone. You're doing really well!

Penny, YAY !! for the water. Keep it up!! That's pretty good to have kids htat actually WANT to go back to school. What a lucky lady!

Heather, are ya gonna tell us the recipe? Those sound good too!

Catherine, hope Himself had a great trip and gets home safely. Now get up and get movin!!!!

Debi, hope you're feeling better as the day goes on. Take care

Off to work on some clay!
toodles
Debbie

Brandnewme: I love your new avatar photo. Hugs. Congrats on being down another pound!! I'm glad that your knee and shoulder are doing a bit better. I hope you had a great time with your family. Did you guys do anything particularly fun?

Brenda: Hi girl.

Debi: I hope you feel better soon. Did you manage to go weight lift or was it after you got sick?

Bernice: Glad that your tooth is getting better. Yippee that your DS is coming home for Labor Day weekend. How did DH and DD talk go? Hugs.

Penny: I just shopped for groceries at Costco and went to Walmart to shop for groceries too. I can't stand Walmart and don't know why I bother going there to shop. lol. Dh thinks that they are cheaper but, I'm not so sure.

Carol: I envy your day in the pool. lol. Joel slept until 2 p.m. I slept until about 10:30 yesterday which was too late for church. After Joel got up we drove to get some gas in his truck for the week then came home and worked a bit in our garden. Mostly just tried to stay in doors in the cool. We did give our doggies another bath. They will most likely be sleeping up on the spare bed this week with my niece Lindsey who will be visiting from CA. They love her and she lets them up there with her. I don't mind as long as she puts a sheet down first and they are clean. She is the same niece that lived with us for the summer last year and that I went to CA to see her graduate from College. I adore her and I am looking forward to her week long visit.

Julee: Sounds like you had a nice weekend with friends and family.

Rat: Hugs to you hun.

Renee: I don't think I have welcomed you yet so.... WELCOME! Glad that you are here. Congrats on the wonderful success you have been having with a healthier lifestyle. Hugs to you on the hurricane. I hope she fizzles out before doing any damages. Stay safe.

Catherine: Isn't it funny that our bodies get used to the weather so quickly. You coming from Florida where it is hotter and me from Sac. CA where it is hotter and now these days that are in the 90's about kill us. lol. NO AC in our house either and it was 103 yesterday!!! Try to stay cool. It is supposed to cool off here starting Wednesday. HOpefully it will blow up towards you too.

Debbie: How are the beads going hun?

I am down another pound since Friday which is wonderful. I want so much to be into the 230's before I see my Dr. on the 28th. I have 5 more pounds to go to get into the 230's. I had an interview with Goodwill industries on Friday that seemed to go pretty well. I'll see this week if it went as well as I thought it did. lol. I have another interview tomorrow with a medical supply company. My plan is to work and work as much as I can to pay off debt with DH and while I am working hopefully closer to the new year take some classes to get CPR/First Aid and Lifesaving. I also want to get a cert. in personal training with an emphasis on water training. I want all my ducks in a row for when the Salvation Army Krock Center opens in Spring 2009 to be ready to apply for a position there as water aerobics instructor and or lifeguard. I need to get some breathing room with our debt before I try to do some schooling though. I am trying to ramp up my physical activity and get my body more and more physically fit so I can do the dreams I didn't realize I had until my dear friends here helped me out with it.

Thanks you guys for always helping me see a new path that was covered up by some "bushes" in my mind. You guys are awesome.

Have a great op, water drinking and bootie moving day.
Blessings,
Annie

Debbie -- Here's the recipe I adapted.
http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/06...-and-nut-bars/

I used different dried fruit than in the recipe (cranberries, blueberries, strawberries and cherries).

I thought the end result was tasty, but a bit too sweet and sticky. Next time I'll play around with using a different binder other than just honey (a little OJ is on my radar). Some less sweet fruit might also help (like the apples called for).

Debi, My baby starts her first year of college pretty soon, the first or second of September. I think my oldest son is going to take her since I can't really help her carry and drag all her crap to the dorm. Plus they get along really well and it is sort of enforced bonding.

Debi - the kids dont start back to school until Sept 2. They are all going crazy and driving me insane!

I released again this week 3 lbs. For total 34.75 gone!
Check in with ya all later.

Julia: Wooo hoo and whoop whoop! Congrats.
Blessings,
Annie

Hiya peeps - OK once again Monday is here and I'm going to try to get some personals in this week.

Julia - WOOOOOHOOOOOOO - you are doing wonderful - keep up the great work. How was date night with the little one?

Toni - sounds like a good plan to have some forced bonding - just think - when it's time for her to head home you'll be able to help!

Rat - I hope it's a wild bandaid on the nose - I think it is appropriate for Biker Chick - haven't heard much about her lately - is she OK?

Renee - be safe - and a belated welcome to you. This is a fantastic group for all the support - I look forward to seeing you post and getting to know you.

Penny - I see what happens when no 3FC access for me to remind you - you don't get your water in - c'mon now you can do it. I used to love getting my school supplies - hope they enjoy it!

Prof Heather - when do you head back to class? I didn't know you were a baker - I'm going to take a look at the bars - sound good to me - breakfast is always a problem so I usually end up with a banana and some type of packaged bar - Kashi, Luna, etc.

Catherine - I'm the same way when DH isn't home - takes me all day to do nothing. Hope he is home safely soon.

Debi - how are you feeling? Be sure to get your strength back - take care of yourself.

Debbie - so what did you end up doing over the weekend? Hope it was fun.

Annie - I'm with you - I haven't figured out if they are cheaper either - the only upside is I can get everything in one stop - on the down side it's just too big and I can never find things. It certainly was a great day in the pool with plenty of room for you guys too! Do your pups have ear troubles? Our old lab didn't but these two have really bad ears - especially the lab. Enjoy your niece - it is a special time. Annie - I am so proud to hear of your plans for personal training - you will be awesome and appeal to so many who don't think they can exercise. The info I shared with you about my trainer is what gave me a comfort level when I first started out.

I'm feeling great with 7 OP days working the mojo - hoping the scale agrees tomorrow.

Move your bodies, drink your water (Penny) and SMILE.

Hugs to all,
Carol

You might try this recipe I've been playing with from the South Beach section of the board. It's basically milk powder, rolled oats, and banana or applesauce (I use applesauce). You add in the dried fruit and nuts that you want. I've taken it too far away from the original recipe, but it was really quite good before I played with it.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111624