[betsy2013]

Laughing at myself -- a more common occurrence the older I get. When I first joined 3FC, I saw the 300+ but thought I saw something about it being for people who lived in some area code????? Who knows. Anyway, glad to finally get it straightened out in my mind. I'm in my 60s, and one of the many positive things with aging is that you can get away with thinking/doing a lot of dumb things and people will just pat your arm and say there there. Off to the gym!

[Radiojane]

Thanks everybody. Like I said, I wore a sweater over it. I'm way to shy to leave the house like that

I dropped the water weight from going out this weekend and am down .9 from my previous low. I got a lot of exercise yesterday digging out from the blizzard we had.
dgrammie Glad the shower went well. Yay for climbing back on the wagon after the spaghetti too.
Betsy I'm 30 years younger than you and my brain works like that sometimes too!

[bbmains]

So I was wondering...Does this forum help people with their weightloss goals? I love the inspirational stories and people pumping each other up, but I can't help but notice a lot people being on here for almost 10 years and have not lost much weight at all or are not even close to their goal. I understand this is a life changing deal and everyone is different, but heck I certainly don't want to diet for 10 years if I am only losing like 20 pounds.

Radiojane: You're amazing. Very inspirational. Keep it up!!!

[mnemosyne]

bbmains - I joined 3fc years ago, the first time I lost weight. I went from about 400 lbs to 280ish, then stopped coming here and steadily gained back the weight. I was inactive for years on the forum and came back here last summer. At that time I was about 310 lbs, down from a (more recent) high of 370 lbs.

Since then I have lost more than 60 pounds, and if I lose another 12 I will have lost 100 lbs in the past year.

And yes, everyone is different. It is VERY hard for some people to lose weight and for them 20 lbs is a genuine victory. Longitudinally, losing and keeping off 10% of your body weight has long term health benefits but losing and keeping off weight is HARD.

Perhaps you did not mean your comment to come across as it did, but I found it rather judgmental. I genuinely do not care if someone has gained and lost the same 20 lbs 50 times. I have done that myself, but THIS time I have lost more weight than a Hollywood starlet, skin and bones and muscle and false eyelashes, and everyone, absolutely everyone, can have a THIS time.

Does the forum help me? Yes. It gives me an outlet and a support system for all the myriad things I cannot share about this journey with flesh-and-blood people in my flesh-and-blood life.

[bbmains]

Hey mnemosyne, I am judging the validity of this forum since I am new. I certainly do not what to offend anyone. I've had that done to me all my life. I've been getting lots of great info, however it's somewhat confusing when someone is telling me what I should do diet wise and they have been on here since 2007 at 390 pounds and today they weigh 385. Its like taking medical advise from a plumber.

[mnemosyne]

You can pick and choose what diet advice you want to take based on your own circumstances and your respect for the other poster. That does NOT mean it is reasonable to say things like:

however it's somewhat confusing when someone is telling me what I should do diet wise and they have been on here since 2007 at 390 pounds and today they weigh 385. Its like taking medical advise from a plumber.

Which are judgmental and could be very hurtful to someone reading, someone else in similar circumstances to your own who does not need to wonder if you are talking about them. If you don't want to take medical advice from someone else, don't take it! Ignore them. If you disagree with someone, you can disagree based on objective facts rather than by judging their weight loss journey when you have genuinely no idea who they are or how they got there.

Me, I have lost one hundred twenty-eight pounds over the past couple of years, but even if that loss dated back to my join date of 2005 that would STILL be an amazing accomplishment of which I would be bloody proud.

[JessicaSki]

You never know which people are still active or may have not updated their tickers either... Also, I feel like if I'm starting over at trying to lose, I start from that new weight- not my highest ever.

[elvislover324]

Originally Posted by bbmains

So I was wondering...Does this forum help people with their weightloss goals? I love the inspirational stories and people pumping each other up, but I can't help but notice a lot people being on here for almost 10 years and have not lost much weight at all or are not even close to their goal. I understand this is a life changing deal and everyone is different, but heck I certainly don't want to diet for 10 years if I am only losing like 20 pounds.

If I didn't have these forums to help me lose weight, I'd still be at my beginning weight or more. These people have changed my life, whether it was through the inspirational stories or a thread about exercise or even a struggling thread. I read many posts even though I probably only reply on 30% if I can share my experience or an encouraging word.

3FC was a blessing in my life and I am so thankful it has helped me. I hope you are able to experience the same.

[Radiojane]

Thank you for the compliment bbmains. Keep in mind though that while I haven't been on the forum very long, I too, have tried and failed numerous times. This happens to be my most successful venture. I may still fail again. And I myself would rather learn about dieting from women who have tried and failed a few times than a coach, nutritionist, doctor, whatever that's never been overweight and has no idea the unique struggles we face.

It's been my experience that no one can "help" another person lose weight in any other way except to offer support, encouragement, and share their stories. A million different things work for a million different people. Everyone's circumstances are different. So while this forum may not be a "step by step" guide, you will find many helpful hints and plenty of support and inspiration. There's lots of advice too, and while some of it applies to me, some of it I know doesn't. But it may work for others. Some things I try and they fail or succeed. I come back and share my experiences. That way, everyone learns something.

[elvislover324]

OMG well said, Jane!! Every single point you made I agree with. And this is why you are one of the people that inspire me every-single-day!!

[Cuter w Curves]

*Disclaimer... I typically do not post when I have a heavy dose of PMS because I lose all semblance of the kind and gentle soul most seem to think I am. Welcome to my inner WITCH...*

Originally Posted by bbmains

So I was wondering...Does this forum help people with their weightloss goals? I love the inspirational stories and people pumping each other up, but I can't help but notice a lot people being on here for almost 10 years and have not lost much weight at all or are not even close to their goal. I understand this is a life changing deal and everyone is different, but heck I certainly don't want to diet for 10 years if I am only losing like 20 pounds.

Well if we are counting ACTUAL pounds lost... I would like to take the time to inform you that I have lost the following(and HOW I lost it):


So let's do this (* is stopping point apparently but should be current on new one):

1st: S/*/G: 334/280/200 - 2007-2008 - hauling arse at the gym & no carbs/protein thing - 54lbs lost and I couldn't hold onto it because of life.

Because I STOPPED checking in at 3FC? I got too big for my britches? Or I succumbed to a very serious illness and spent 22 1/2 months in intensive therapy and treatment.

Go with Option C. It would be your "safe" bet. I'm so sorry that I hit my next HIGH weight in the middle of treatment. Walking (when I could) with a cane, being unable to speak... That **** takes a toll on you.

2nd: S/*/G: 369/291.2/200 - 2009-2010 - 35 my way - 43 with optifast. 78lbs lost to be able to have a hysterectomy and I couldn't hold onto it... 49lb regain. UGH!

Because I STOPPED checking in at 3FC? I got too big for my britches? Because 1 7 day round of prednisone at 400mg + in a week is enough to paste 15-21lbs on my fat ***?

Go with Option C. It would be your "safe" bet... AGAIN. My lungs failed. It was breath as a fat chick or DIE. You make a choice. After 3 rounds of that nasty medication in a year... And having my hormone receptors break and send the signals to "grow" my one breast, 6 months of **** finding out what this mysterious condition was that mimicked a rare form of breast cancer, etc. AND the weight of my one breast being so much it caused Lymphedema in my arm, and a Reduced Functional Reserve Capacity in my lungs...

I entertained surgical intervention. Not because I cannot lose... Because I can "lose" better than most as the 132 lbs I had previously lost indicates.

3rd: S/*/G: 339.95/278/190 - 10 lbs on my own by making lifestyle changes like the ones I did to lose the weight my way previously... 14.61 lbs in the 3 weeks pre-op by doing something called a Protein Modified Fast. 37.34 lbs since surgery... In 8 weeks. It is faster than quite a few RNY patients... And faster then most Vertical Sleeve patients.

So that brings me to a whopping total of 193.95 lbs lost as of last Wednesday...

But what the EFFITY CRAPPITY SMACK WOULD I KNOW ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT!

Originally Posted by bbmains

Hey mnemosyne, I am judging the validity of this forum since I am new. I certainly do not what to offend anyone. I've had that done to me all my life. I've been getting lots of great info, however it's somewhat confusing when someone is telling me what I should do diet wise and they have been on here since 2007 at 390 pounds and today they weigh 385. Its like taking medical advise from a plumber.

Take your ball and GO THE EFFITY CRAPPITY SMACK HOME IF YOU ARE HERE TO JUDGE ANYONE!

HOW DARE YOU JUDGE ME AND THOSE LIKE ME!

You don't know ANY of us... How dare you?

Want a taste of your own attitude? Why don't you take your judgmental arse to the nearest venue where you can find solace in whatever your food of choice is and take a time out. When you've had whatever bullshit, carb laden junk food it takes for you to be a civil person... Come back and spend some time READING the post history of those here.

*chokes and sputters*

"judging the validity of this forum" THE AUDACITY!

"certainly do not what to offend anyone" TOO LATE! YOU'VE HIT GOLD STAR STATUS! TRY AN APOLOGY!

"I've had that done to me all my life" AND YET YOU DID IT YOURSELF!


OH... and one final note.

You may be wondering where the other thousand or so participants who have used this forum over the years I have been here are. Some of them are out living their lives, and some gave up the fight. Those who are still here may have met goal, and others have not but who are you to judge those who choose to stick around even if they are at goal?

[pluckypear]

I will just say I can relate to those who have struggled with weight loss. I struggle. I am not here to judge others struggles. I left one thread on this site because a poster was negative. I blocked them and moved on. They still post in threads but I don't have to read their posts. I avoid the thread they frequented most.

Jane You look super hot in that dress and do not need a cover up.

Betsy Welcome!

Mnem the more I read about your journey the more inspired I become. Do you follow a specific program?

I am going to try and see a Blues band on the weekend, an afternoon show.

Going to the pool tomorrow.

[MapleLeaf]

Originally Posted by bbmains

I am judging the validity of this forum since I am new. I certainly do not what to offend anyone. I've had that done to me all my life. I've been getting lots of great info, however it's somewhat confusing when someone is telling me what I should do diet wise and they have been on here since 2007 at 390 pounds and today they weigh 385. Its like taking medical advise from a plumber.

This is a forum to both give and receive support with people who can empathize with your struggles and appreciate your victories. If you're looking at a support forum with the sole goal of using it as a weight loss tool, you'll probably be disappointed. It's not like everyone is given a diet plan when they sign up. Most of the benefit I've found is in the discussions and relationships that are here. In my opinion, you'll get more out of a support forum when you're tactful and respectful to others.

Although I am just a "plumber" in your opinion, so maybe you will just let your eyes glaze over my post and move on to advice from someone with more impressive statistics. Either way, I wish you well and hope you find what you're looking for!

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

Thank you for the compliment bbmains. Keep in mind though that while I haven't been on the forum very long, I too, have tried and failed numerous times. This happens to be my most successful venture. I may still fail again. And I myself would rather learn about dieting from women who have tried and failed a few times than a coach, nutritionist, doctor, whatever that's never been overweight and has no idea the unique struggles we face.

It's been my experience that no one can "help" another person lose weight in any other way except to offer support, encouragement, and share their stories. A million different things work for a million different people. Everyone's circumstances are different. So while this forum may not be a "step by step" guide, you will find many helpful hints and plenty of support and inspiration. There's lots of advice too, and while some of it applies to me, some of it I know doesn't. But it may work for others. Some things I try and they fail or succeed. I come back and share my experiences. That way, everyone learns something.

WOW, JANE ~ couldn't have said that better myself! I think many of us (if not most) feel the same as you; and you have expressed that so well for all of us too! So I won't add anything on that subject ...

MEM ~ We had a busy day shopping; both for clothes and groceries. We got some real bargoons too. I picked up some more underapparel; a very pretty light nightie for summer to keep cool; some socks; and two pairs of casual black pants. Wanted to get a robe and some navy pants but haven't found them yet; will try another store next time we are in the city.

We had great weather for travelling today and had a great time. Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow ...

[FerrisW]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to stop by to say that I've officially lost 25lbs, which was this magical number in my mind- because I knew when I lost that amount, there would be no turning back. I wanted to pop in here to say thank you, because I couldn't have done it without this forum. And it seems my thank you is well timed, judging by the posts above.

This forum has given me support, inspiration and belief in myself. And even if I hadn't lost a pound, it's done something amazing- made me feel like I'm not alone. Whether people on this forum have lost 1lb a hundred times, or 100lbs once, their experiences and kind words and acknowledgement of us being in the same boat, has made me a better person. And it makes me sad to think that anyone would judge the people here.