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.
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Well....I have a lot of catching up to do. I'm lagging behind on reading posts and things...I have been "within myself."

Nutshell, I'm struggling with depression. My only joy is going out of the house on Fridays to go to pottery lessons. Just unhappy and dealing with a lot, as we all are I'm sure. *hugs to everyone*

My weight is up, then down, then UP, then down...haha. Whatever, I've stopped weighing myself until the end of the month. I am just going to focus on exercise and food intake. *sipping a green smoothie at the moment*

Pottery is fun and very therapeutic for me. I have signed up for more lessons. I make small pots at the moment, but I am learning.

I hope everyone is well, I will take the time later on this week to totally catch up. I miss you all and have been thinking of all of you. I hope everyone is well. *hugs*

Hiya Jacquie!

Sorry you are having such a rough time. When I was at my lowest last year, my weekly guitar lessons were the bright spot in my life. Keep up the great work on your little pots!

I went to see the surgeon today. He called me a "very exceptional patient"! Yay! That was said in a good way, btw.. hehe. I've added refried beans to my foods. With a dollop of sour cream and guacamole, it is a tasty meal. Surgeon says I am healing well. I periodically have a bout of nausea, but no real pain.

Not much else going on. Hoping the next storm on its way will not drop any significant snow.

Hugs to all,
Ratkity

Jacquie: Glad to see you back posting..I know it is hard..HUGS!

Rat: Wonderful news from the doc!

Annie: With sons ex being underage him staying out of jail is first and foremost important. We are going to see a lawyer friday and see what they say.

As for me: TOM came early..I hope this doesnt mean he is back to messing up! I have been so good for so many months. Maybe its just stress. I gotta go log my walking minutes.

Thanks Annie & Ratkitty, I'm still not well. Hot, irritated, sweaty, tired, runny nose, headaches...it's been TWO WEEKS & no sign of it going GRRR We are supposed to be visiting my parents today, stayin til Sunday but I don't think I'm up to it. Lost 3lbs yesterday so that's 17lbs in five weeks, sure the coughing & nose blowing burnt off calories, lol.
Jacquie, sorry things are bad but keep up with the pottery, my counsellor said to do things which give you pleasure to help depression, even small things like hot, scented baths.xxxxxxx
Ratkitty, so pleased you are doing so well, do you miss chewing yet? I love refried beans too, discovered them on 3fc; in the Uk they are still a novelty & the word 'refried' scared me into thinking 'fat central', lol.xxxxxxx
xxxxxxxx sharon
xxxxx

Well it's time for me to jump in and get serious about this weight loss -- I've been lurking for a while, reading many threads, thinking about eating healthy, and making small changes but nothing drastic. The scale isn't moving. Surprise. I'm going on a trip in December and am terrified that I won't fit in the seat and will be asked to leave the plane --thereby leaving my young children devastated about missing our once a in a lifetime trip to Disney. So - I choose today to do something about it. I am so thankful I found this group.

Welcome Smitten and Mike!!

I look forward to hearing more about you.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Jacquie: Hugs

Rat:

Cyn: Oh, I didn't realize there were other circumstances about the custody.

Sharon: Feel better soon hon.

Big Mike and Smitten: Huge welcome to you both. Glad to have you here.

Okay, I'm sure this may make a few or more people mad but I have to say that from the person who isn't bigger's point of view having bought an airline ticket then having someone sitting on your lap pretty much (seriously) is just as much of an invasion of privacy as not being allowed to have enough room if you are bigger on an airline. I realize that having to buy 2 tickets is completly unfair and they should come up with "plus size seating" or something like that but having to have a larger person sitting on your seat with you is very uncomfortable too and is also not fair. Remember, this is coming from someone who flew when she was 510 pounds and was sitting on other people's laps. Luckily for me those other people were my two sisters. Last time I flew with my niece, a larger person sat with us and he was absolutely on my lap. I didn't say anything about it cause I remember being there but, it was not a comfortable flight I have to tell you. You have no personal space and by the time we landed, I had cramping in my leg where he was on me.

Just thought I would share with you from both perspectives. No harm intended just wanted you to see the other side.

I had the ultrasound test yesterday and of coarse the tech can't tell me anything but I didn't know exactly where my gall bladder was located and before I went into the exam room I was having such pain in my side and then she was doing the scan and telling me, ...here is your liver, spleen, etc. when she got to the gallbladder and pushed on it I about came off the table. That was where my pain has been most of the time. So, the case for a messed up gall bladder got a lot better. My next test is Thursday at 6:45 a.m. in the hospital where they shoot dye into my body and watch how/if my gall bladder is working or not. Can't wait to get this over with.

When I had my heart attack the first cardiologist that spoke with me after the heart cath was super negative and he just spoke a list of things I can't do anymore in my life. One of them was raking the yard. Well, I decided as long as I do it slowly and pay attention to my body that I can rake the yard little bit at a time, we have a huge back yard so it will take a while. I did it though. I am so happy and proud of myself. There were still some leaves from fall, I had my heart attck on 10-8 and I am the main yard worker. lol. So one corner is super clean and I am planning on moving my way across the yard little by little maybe a small amount each day and then by the weekend it will be all done and Joel will be so excited to see it nice and clean. It is very interesting raking the yard with a 28 pound puppy trying to attack the rake. I have put a picture of my little Moose for you all to see. Actually he is Joel's dog. He loves JOel. I am his "chew toy". lol.

Blessings,
Annie

Hiya Annie!

Kudos on the yard raking! My yard is under 30 inches of snow (at least 12 inches have melted). It's going to be a mud pit for the puppies (my 6 and 7 yr old, 85 lbs puppies)!

OMG, Moose is gorgeous!!! Too funny he attacks the rake.

I'm working at home today and doing pretty well.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Hi Rat,

Nice, working from home. I remember the last couple of years we had so much snow just like you guys and this year seriously we have had nothing but rain. Darn global warming. lol.

Thanks for the comments on Moose. He is so sweet.....when he is asleep. lol. My hands, boobs, underarms, legs, well you get the picture alllllll chewed up. I am on so much blood thinning medication that I bleed so bad when he bites. lol.

well, I will chat with you later. Have a great day sweetie.

Blessings,
Annie

LOL poor Annie. You are probably full of bruises from Moose! When I rescued Charley, he was very mouthy too. At 2.5 yrs old, it wasn't cute anymore. Everytime he opened his mouth to play, I stuck a fuzzy in it. Now when he gets over-stimulated, he grabs the nearest fuzzy and wants to play.

Hugs to you!
Ratkity

I like the symbolism of Fat Tuesday. Basically a pantry cleaning.

Annie-In Canada, Airlines have to give you a free second seat so long as you have a note from your doctor that you are overweight and in need of one. There was a lawsuit based on disability a year or so ago. I hate to inconvenience anyone. Just another reason I hate flying.

Annie,

I sure hope you get some answers soon! I know how frustrating it can be. I am having thyroid issues and am about ready to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. I feel like my concerns and complaints of symptoms are being poo-poo-ed. She is treating my numbers and not my symptoms. I think there is more going on and she is not willing to explore the possibilities. Oh well, I am my only advocate...so advocate I will! I need to feel normal again....and I am not feeling that way at this point. Something is "off" and I know it is my thyroid.

Cute puppy! Looks like a Lab to me. Is he? How old is he? I have a new baby too. I thought I would post a "before" pic of me and one of my dogs about a month into my new woe...Dec. 2008 and then one taken this past Friday with my new baby.

Wow Torti!!

You look fabbo! Your babies are gorgeous, both the big one and little one. I agree with Annie; they are cutest asleep. My Buffy is one annoying little girl. Soooooo jealous of everyone and everything. Charley is a sweetheart, but thinks he's a lap dog. He's the sock stealer. Buffy is the food stealer. Charley hates being cold and hogs the fireplace. Buffy will lap at water bowl and get her spit all in it and not really drink it just to be in the kitchen while I'm in there, hoping for food drops. They all have unique personalities, that's for sure!

Hugs,
Ratkity

Rat: I was laughing at your putting a fluffy in his mouth. I do that constantly along with a wet washcloth that I have in the freezer handy for him to chew in case he is acting like his teeth are really painful. lol. They sure are something. I just get such a kick out of his antics.

Catherine: That is a neat idea that Canada has on the airplane seats.

Peggy: Oh my goodness. YOu look fantastic! Amazing! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love your furbabies too. They are just as pretty as their mama! Moose is a labradoodle. He sheds way less than our other labs did/do. Well, so far. lol. He looks almost completely lab. You can bearly tell he is 1/2 poodle except down his spine he has some curly hair. Super cute. I threaten my hubby that I will put gel in it and make a mohawk on his back for fun. We are having lots of fun when he is really a holy terror to call him a poodle. I tell him no lab ever acts like that it must be the poodle in him. lol.

Well, I slept for about 10 minutes today while cuddling up on the sofa. It was a nice quick nap but I'm still tired. I then went outside and raked the yard in another spot. It is starting to look great. I can't wait until tomorrow's spot is finished and see what it looks like then. My nephew, Christopher who is staying with us right now won't let me stay out there too long. He is afraid I will kick the bucket. lol.

blessings all,
Annie