300+ And Ready To Try Again...#747
 

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 and hope. We are aware of the distinct problems that come with weighing over 300 lbs.

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We often use a "Topic of the Day" for discussion.

Motivational Monday
Tuesday Tips
Wednesday Wish List .. and What you are doing to obtain it.
Thankful Thursday
FUN Friday ... don't wait until you lose your weight.
Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Share your Success Sunday

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We often find them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears ... joys and celebrations.

We have several extra threads going on simutaneously such as Monthly Challenges, Weekly Weigh-ins, Recipes, Bios, and more. 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.

WELCOME!

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I'm slightly confused but here. Are we on the right track now? Cindi

You're in the right place Cindi. Welcome Aboard!!!

Happy Friday everyone!

I FINALLY have a chance to sit down and catch up! It has been a very busy week for me; orientation starts for the new incoming graduate students on Monday and there are always problems that crop up, especially with students coming from abroad!

Hope everyone is doing well. I did VERY well this week without the hubby around. I changed my food plan a couple of times but it still worked out ok.

New discoveries this week:
* hummus on baby carrots is a yummy snack.
* Reduced Sugar Cocoa Puffs really hits the spot when I need a chocolate fix
(2 points for a cup/4 total if I have it with milk).
* my George Forman grill makes good hamburgers.
* a liter bottle of water tastes "fresher" with a few drops of vanilla extract.

I am looking forward to my two-week weigh in on Monday; I feel lighter and my clothes and shoes are fitting better.

As always, welcome to all the new people here; this is a great place to get support and ideas to get you through!

Have a good weekend everyone! Onward and downward!

Ooh, hummus on baby carrots sounds really good! I need to get more good snacks around the house.

I did a whole hour of cardio yesterday- half on the treadmill and half on the recumbent bike. I'm starting to get over my self-consciousness at my gym. That's what I get for going to that gym in Hollywood, though- it's all actors and trophy wives. The guy who played Xander on Buffy was behind me yesterday while I was on the treadmill! It's really cool but makes me nervous about my jiggles.

The hardest part for me is not getting discouraged when all the weight doesn't magically drop off immediately. I've been fat since I was 7, so it all seems so fictional to think I may actually get to be "normal sized" if I just do this long enough.

Does anyone know of any ways to sate a spaghetti craving without all the pasta? I can't just eat a little but.. spaghetti is my kryptonite.

Hello everyone. I just wanted to drop in and say Hi!

Shellsbells I love your name! Maybe you could try spaghetti squash? The sauce is the best part of pasta anyway, and with Sp. Squash it would be virtually fat free.

netekay: You have a wonderful attitude. Hope your WI is great.

Later ladies. :D

shellsbells - I'm not sure if I could have concentrated on the work out if he was behind me either. :) *so lucky*

Can anyone suggest a filling yet healthy snack? I have stopped snacking but if I have to go out before dinner I get kind of dizzy because I don't have enough energy.

When I am in the mood for pasta, I use rice noodles. I get them at the oriental market. You can eat more for the same number of calories. I like to get the broad noodle, throw in a onion, can of mushrooms, some lemon pepper, a cut up boca veggie burger, and can of low fat cream of mushroom soup. It is a very filling stroganoff. Subsitute the macaroni shaped ones and a can of tomatoes instead of the soup plus some chilli powder, and you've got chilli mac.

Those are some great ideas for spaghetti-alternatives. I *love* spaghetti squash, but it's been so long since I've had it, I think I forgot it existed. I will definitely be picking some up.

KittieCat: I always keep some of the Zone bars around, because half of one is really good about an hour before I go out to eat- it keeps me filled up and i don't get the shakes. Also, a half-cup of unsweetened applesauce and a little stick of low-fat cheese will do wonders for me.

I love Coke Zero, but I'm starting to believe that the sugary taste really does make me crave more and more soda. Water's so much better, I know, and I drink it, but I get sooooo bored of the taste. Sigh.. I need to get over my dislike of lemon-y water.

Shellsbells: My neighbor was just telling me that her zucchini has come in and she sliced it thin, lengthwise and use it instead of lasagna noodles in a pan of lasagna the other night and her husband commented that he liked that better than the "real" stuff. :T

What a great idea for all of those tons of zuchinni that come in all at once. Thanks I think I will try it. Cindi

Shells...welcome fellow LA chickie. I'm out in the SFV...melting away.

Water issues...
Propel fitness water is my favorite stuff to drink. The flavors are good and it's 0 points. I personally like the black cherry. I don't always want lemony flavored water either. I am also a Crystal Light junkie. Now that it has become so popular, especially the individual packets that go in a 16 oz. bottle of water, Wal Mart and Target have come out with their own brands and flavors...and Lipton has come out with sugar-free green tea mix-ins. The Mango-Mandarin is yummy.

Healthy snacks...
I am super stingy on points when it comes to snacking. My personal faves...

*Frozen grapes
*Edamame
*Bananas (they take me a while to eat..no idea why)
*Sugar snap peas
*Rice cakes
*1 point tortilla (La Tortilla Factory) toasted and sprayed with I Cant Believe...spray, or spread with a wedge of laughing Cow Light Cheese (also 1 point)
*Bags of mini carrots
*Cherries

I found crepe shells at the grocery store that are only 30 calories each and very low in fat. Tonight for dessert I am making some SF/FF Jello pudding (cheesecake flavor)...2 Tbsp per crepe and some blueberries...delicious 2 point dessert!

Spaghetti...rice noodles are great, and whole wheat pasta never mades me want to binge..you just have to watch your portion size. There are also some high protein/low gluten pastas out there. I recently found Shiratake noodles made from tofu and yam flour. The whole bag is 40 calories. I make a fake Fettucine Alfredo with them by adding 1 Tbsp FF sour cream and mixing in a wedge of Laughing Cow light cheese and some sprinkle cheese. Very filling...they don't taste a thing like real pasta, but if you like the texture of al dente noodles..they work well!

I'm off to cook dinner for the boy...happy weekend to all...

Oh Shells...next time you see Nicholas Brendan in the gym..give him my number :)

Hi again everyone!

Shells: the spaghetti squash is a great idea. It doesn't take too long to cook and when it has some spaghetti sauce on it, it tastes just like real pasta. Ragu used to make a boxed product where you cooked the noodles in the microwave and then put the sauce over it. I can't remember the name but they were good for a quick fix and only 4 points each.

I also like the rice noodle idea. I will try that soon! Thanks for suggesting it Julee!

Kittie: I have discovered that I need to snack so I don't binge and it has to have variety. Here is a list of my favorite healthy, keep away the hungries snacks:

* Wheat Thins Multi-Grain Crisps and Light Babybel cheese (Laughing Cow works too)
* Pria bar (the 110 calorie ones)
* 100 calorie packs by Nabisco
* hummus and baby carrots
* a Fudgcicle (Popcicle brand) or any of the Sweet Rewards by Blue Bunny (if they are available in your area)
* cut up cucumbers, grape tomatoes, cauliflower and broccoli with any of the Paul Newman Light salad dressings (I like the Honey Mustard and the new Sesame one)
* spinach salad with two sliced strawberries and a tablespoon of Paul Newman's Light Balsamic Vinaigrette
* a small can of tuna (2.5 oz) mixed with fat free mayo, a little dijon mustard and dill relish
* a glass of skim fat free chocolate milk
* cut up apple slices with a little sugar free Jello powder sprinkled on them (I like raspberry or lemon). This is an old Girl Scout favorite done sugar free.
* frozen grapes are GREAT!
* a bowl of Reduced Sugar Cocoa Puffs (with our without milk)
* Pita Chips. They come in all sorts of different flavors; I like Jalapeno and Cheddar the best.

That is all I can think of right now. Hope that helps you come up with some good eats!

Onward and downward!

you gals have such great snack ideas. i think i'll steal them :lol: umm I mean use them haha. thanks for sharing!

~Rosie~

Julee – OOOH Yes! Thank goodness for the Crystal Light to-go packs! I’m addicted to the lemonade. I like the pink Lemonade but I haven’t seen a to-go pack for that yet. I should check out the ones you mentioned at Walmart…

Not sure who Nicholas Brendan is, but if you ever see Brendan Fraser *grins* jump him and send him fed ex my way ;)

It’s been a busy Friday! I’ve been up since 7 am and got home around 5 after doing a days worth of errands and I still didn’t get everything done. I’ve gotta take my car in to the dealership because my “service engine soon” light came on. I’m glad it’s still under warranty. Oy… I’m going to get up early again tomorrow and hopefully can get the side yard somewhat cleared up so I can start getting the shed going. Won’t do to much because we’re going to and Angels game with a few friends. I just wish they were playing the Braves… but all their games were away …. Next year hopefully! So I can be the only NON-ANGELS fan sitting in the stadium :lol: and then get my rear jumped in the parking lot WOOHOO! NOT!

Anyways… I got an upset stomach so I’m gonna head to bed.

Take care everyone!
Sue…

Hello everyone, hope we're all enjoying the weekend. I am pushing myself more at the gym now, I've decided if the thinnys what to stare then let them! I am not bothered anymore, I am actually enjoying wobbling around the swimming pool! lol

Just checking in for the weekend. Well, I had my wakeup call this morning. I have gained again and hit 300 for the first time in my life. :( I have to stop treating my body this way....starting TODAY!!! My challenge for today will be that I am going to a baseball game today. Our company got a box suite for the Rangers game today so it will be loaded with food and drink. On a positive note, at least we will be in the A/C! ;) I am not sure what food will be there so I can't plan ahead what I will eat, but I am committing right now to not drinking my calories (no beer, margaritas, etc).

Actually I am dreading going to the game because I look so horrible at this weight and am just plain physically uncomfortable. This has to change.


Welcome, Cindi!

netekay - congratulations on your clothes feeling looser. That is always a good feeling!

shellsbells - I can see how working out amidst actors would be intimidating. I would be so star struck if I ran into some of my favorites. There's no way I'd want to be all sweaty and yucky when I met Vince Vaughn. ;)

JuleeCeeS - your dessert idea sounds yummy. Let me ask a dumb question....what exactly is a crepe. I mean, I have heard of them, but I've never been exactly sure what they are. :?:

SueMarie - have fun at the Angels game. Hope you stomach is feeling better soon!

Mazarin - great attitude about the gym. Now if some of it would just rub off on me! :lol:


Have a good Saturday everyone.

Greetings fellow battling babes :jig: ! Hope everyone is making the most of the weekend. :spin: I'm plugging alone. Nothing too fantastic except, :angel: hubby is coming home today after being gone for 3 weeks working. I'm am more releaved :cp: the over excited. I've missed him very much and really need the normal buzz of a busy house :dance: . He seems to keep things humming much better than I do ;) .

Netekay: :D Thanks for the great goodie ideas including the vanilla water. Sounds like I could use some of those new combos :dizzy: . The hummus and carrots might take some getting use to, :^: but I'm excited to try it. I want to congradulate you on stretching your wings :angel: while hubby was away. Stay stong lady :strong: .

Kittycat and Shellsbells :wave: : Having salad fixings ready (precut) is always a helpful filler. For me it has to be easy and quick when I need it. If I don't have the salad stuff ready to eat I'll tend to grab any other quick food, normaly crap :m: :cookie: . I have a big yummy salad before I got to BBQs or picnics or a planned meal out :chef: . Then I get to enjoy the event because my fat brain is not stuck on the food :chin: instead of the company. I tend to order smaller lighter meals or just pick at the yummiest looking dishes at the party :tape: . When I leave I feel more satisfied with myself and secretly I know others noticed that I had a great time with the people instead of the food :goodvibes . I also always take my own water so I'm not tempted to drink up the calories as an excuse to no water available. Good luck :wl: . I'd like to hear if this works for you too.

Mazarin: I totally agree with you about the staring thinnies :snooty: at the gym. :soap: Try this thinking on for size. :wizard: ....we can be looked at as oddities in a thin enviornment at first. But keep on doing what you go there to do, :tread: make you better. After awhile of being constantly visible with our hard work :ebike: , the staring tends to change to a strange admiration :halffull: . Those thinnies are there to feel better about themselves too :ink: . We may even feel the :eek: negitive thoughts change to positive ;) . Most people judge at first sight :s: , but when we start seeing common goals with others we may lighten up :^: and actually say Hi and smile a bit. :^: Then we know we got outside of our own battle and actually touch some one in even a small way :hat: . We give to others when we give with our selves :gift: . And keep in mind those who don't give up the negative stuff, are the loneliest in the room. :dancer: Battle on sisters.


Thinthinker: Hey that zuccini lasagna sounds awesome. I'm goin to try it this week :chef: . Thanks for sharing. Keep up the hard work girl :goodvibes . Make yourself smile today!!

I'm so happy to see all the new chicks in here :woo: . I am so long winded when I get started that I don't always get to comment on every post that touches me :faint: . Please don't feel left out. I'm reading every one. Somethimes I just get more emotional and start :blah: blabbing on all my great thought (tee hee) :rofl: and before I know it I've taken up 1/2 the thread :lol3: . Please let me know if I don't do my part.

Love to all and the best of strength to all. Dogpal.. :flow1: I miss you. :joker: Give a smile away.

Hello all, I'm back.

Yesterday was a bad day, and I guess that's what prompted my return.

Is it me, or have sizes become smaller?

I mean, I think I should be able to at least wear a 3X comfortably, but I guess the trend is skin-tight right now? :?: I have shirts in the same size a few years ago that were cut so much differently and still fit me just fine. The new ones just look ridiculous on me.

I felt so silly; I broke down at a store while shopping with my friend. I was already having a really bad day as it was. We both need to get some new clothes for an upcoming trip, and while she's a bigger person as well, she found plenty of outfits to choose from in the plus-size section of Deb. I didn't. We were in the clearance area, and I couldn't find a single thing that fit me. What's the point of a having a plus-size section if they don't even go up to 24? And I usually wear a 22 these days, but none of theirs would fit me.

I don't mean to whine, but I've had it. And I know we've all had our moments like that.

Well, I'll try to get back into the swing of things.

esmaraude-YES, we have all had days like that. I've had them for as long as I can remember. The one that finally did it for me long term was laying in a bed in the ER with pain in my chest. My dad had a heart attack when I was in grade school. He described it to me as feeling like the life was being crushed out of you. No matter how many people are in the room, you feel completely alone. He said the last thing you want to be thinking about as you feel your life slip away, are the things in your life that you regret doing or regret not doing. He said he wanted to be able to just think about the people in his life. Regret is a cancer on your soul. As I was laying there, all I had was regret. It turned out that I didn't have a heart attack, just high blood pressure induced angina, but at the time, I was 600 pounds, and a heart attack was not an if possibility, but a when possibility. Take whatever incentive it takes to stay on track. You can't fail unless you give up. Slips and "vacations" are normal and inevitable, just don't give up. Keeping coming back for whatever help you need that we can give.

I almost forgot. I added a half way photo to my before photo on the photo page 3. That way you guys can see that I am real, and really standing up. It was this photo that made me realize I need to stop wearing such large clothes. I am actually smaller than the picture shows because my baggie clothes are hiding me the way my fat used to.

Catherine you look Terrific! What a wonderful job your doing! One day at a time! Cindi

Thanks Catherine. Wow, you're looking great, and more importantly, you must be feeling great. I'm so happy for all the progress you've made!

I feel so stupid for complaining. In most ways, I don't have it that bad. I can still get around just fine, I don't have any serious health problems besides the occasional asthma attack and whatever else my obesity will bring on if nothing's done.

I don't know what the **** happened to me this summer, but I've made absolutely no progress with this. Luckily, I've only gained about 3 or 4 pounds, which could be a lot worse.

Like I said, I was already having a really bad day when my friend and I hit the store. I was feeling better yesterday, like I had let a lot of the bad stuff out. We both went with her sister and we all got our hair cut. Afterward we went to a restaurant that had a menu full of deep fried goodies, and I opted for the strawberry spinach salad. I suspect that it had a lot of sugar, but it was something new to try and it was so good that I plan on coming up with my own lo-cal version.

I added a new picture on the picture thread. My hair was *really* red the last time I posted, and although it's faded quite a bit it still has some hints of red that I'm happy with.

Catherine: WOW! You are doing sooooo wonderful. I keep watching your tracker go down, down, down. AWSOME!!! Love the new picture. The progress is fabulous!

Esmaurade: I hate sizes, and I hate clothes shopping. I've been in stretch jean leggings for soooo long (size 28) that when I try to find a pair of dress pants that aren't stretch, I barely fit in a 32. :( Very depressing! Don't worry about whining here. After all, if you can't whine about it here with people who know EXACTLY what you're talking about, where can you whine??? ;) Your new pic is lovely! That was such a striking pose.

Hi Everyone! :wave:

Boy can I relate to the size dilemma. I've been in a 26/28 for a LONG time and those are stretchy by the way. I haven't worn jeans in 20 years and NOTHING that is not stretchy as I just can't breathe. I just viewed the photos from my 50th birthday party bash that was a couple of weeks ago and omigosh - I didn't realize I looked like that! I look in the mirror from the neck up and ignore the rest - God help us - we CAN do this girls!!

As Catherine said, the only bad thing is if we quit - we HAVE to keep plugging away! Have a wonderful Sunday.

@ Shadiepurple, nice words that made great reading! ;)

Well I went back to the gym today for some serious swimming! I finally found out that Sundays don't have to be boring, there are places to go! :) It was good!

Hey all!

Have sizes changed? YES they have!

I did an experiement awhile back when they changed sizes from the 40, 42, 44 to the 20W, 22W, 24W etc. I had a pair of new, unworn jeans that were a size 40, which were supposed to correspond to the new size 20W. There was AT LEAST 2 more inches on the size 40 than there was on the size 20. So, in reality, a old size 40 is now closer to a 22W or 24W.

Shocking, eh?!!!!

Shopping for clothes is always been hard for me. Mainly because most of my weight ends up in the lower end. So I can fit in almost any stores shirts but pants are such a different story. Which ends up making finding a dress almost impossible. For my sisters wedding I didn't have time to have the dress altered *very quick wedding and no she wasn't pregnent :P* I had to wear a sweater over it to hind all the extra fabric on top. Which sucked because we ended up taking a thousand photos outside when it was about 90 degrees.

Hi gang...I've been posting pretty sporatically since I joined. I have either been out of town or had company since July 14th. Now all is quiet. And I can get back into watching my food choices better. I've done pretty well with my exercising at least 5 times a week for 30 min since 3-31-04. A diabetic diagnosis will scare you into it. Walking or gazelling. But I need a safe place to come when I am upset and when I am joyfull. You guys all sound sooooooo great. What does Dr. Phil call it "A soft place to fall" or a good place to come and get kicked in the butt alittle to re-motivate. I would like to lose 50 more pounds this school year by May..so I need to get busy. My son and I will be making a move from Nebraska to Kansas next summer and I would like to start in a new place alittle more at peace with me. Althought I am very proud to have lost the first 50 I need to get back on the losing journey. One step at a time, One meal at a time and One day at a time. Glad to be here. You are all doing soooooooooooooo well. Cindi :)

:cb: Well, I did it. I went and signed up at the gym today after work. It wasn't so bad although I was by far the biggest person I saw there. The sales person gave me a tour and it is a really great gym. It's only 2 years old and they have all the best equipment and it's so clean! She showed me the pool area and told me about the water classes. I prefer to work out early mornings before work, but they don't have water classes then. They've got some later in the morning while I am at work. But they do have a couple of 6PM classes that I will try to make it to. I just do so much better if I work out in the morning and get it overwith. Still, I can do laps in the mornings if I want. My bathing suit is on order at junonia.com so I guess once it gets here I will have to work up the courage to actually put it on in PUBLIC!!!! :yikes: Tomorrow I plan to get up early and go do the treadmill for 20 or 30 minutes, depending on how long I am able to do it.


They have one water class called Hydro cycle. They somehow have stationary bikes they do in the water. Never heard of this before. Anyone else?

Anyway, just wanted to share that I finally faced my fears and joined the gym.

Xena - that is great! First step in the door is the hardest. Once you go for awhile, you will wonder what on earth was so scary in the first place. Any movement is good. Just remember if the skinny girls look at you funny, just say to them, "you know I may be a lot bigger than you are, but I burn more calories with a good fart than you do on that peice of equipment because of my size." Remember that just because you are the biggest doesn't mean that you can't also be the best.

Hi Ladies…

I had a busy weekend!! Whew! Friday night we had league and we took all 3 games. We’re 3 out of first, but I’m not sure we’ll be able to make that up. We only have 2 weeks left before we have positions week where we play for placement. We’ll see tho, can always hope the first place teams tanks a few games :lol:

Saturday we did some yard work early in the morning to prep an area for our shed… it’s slow going! Then we took a shower and got dressed and left around 2p.m. to go out to the Angels game. They were playing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The game started at 7:05 p.m. but it’s tradition that we go to Angelos to eat and be merry cause it’s cheaper to get food there than at the game hehehe. We had some pretty good seats and the game was exciting. Not a blow away game. But nonetheless the Angel’s lost. We’re going again on September 3rd for sure. Brit wants to go for her birthday so we got tickets. It’s cute we all got shirts and hats lol. I may paint Brits face red :lol: If my friends can dig up any other tickets we may grab a game or two in between now and Sept 3rd. But it was a good game, we got home late, around 11:00 pm.

Sunday I spent all day cleaning house and then I took apart the two big rat cages I have and combined the together and put carpet on the mesh floors. It’s now 6 feet tall and my tea cup Chihuahua now has a high rise condo :rofl: I gotta go get some neat toys to hang in her cage so she has something to play with. She’s a bit confused by it all tho. She’ll go up two floors and wonder where the heck her bed is. Just another 3 floors up kiddo! :yikes:

I’m feeling under the weather today. My hand hurts from taking apart and clamping all those C rings to hold the cage, cage floors and cage ramps together. I have one heck of a migraine to. Hope everyone is doing well!

Gotta runnnnnn…..
Sue…