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!

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 Amazon on any page in the forum, or by clicking on the button on the main 3FC page at www.3fatchicks.com . 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 like $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!!!!

Nancy - the bone weight thing is actually at a center for surgical treatment for obesity. we are using some of the basic exam rooms for the movie im working on. it was just like getting on a normal scale. i guess its something that they bill 350.00 for. and dumb me lost the printouts... lol

i was not a good little eater today. altho i am still within my points for today, i ate sporatically and stuff i should really stay away from. when im finished with the things im doing (or not doing) right now im going to go make a salad so i at least get some veggies in for the day...

Hi there, I lost another 3lbs, thats 12lbs altogether in TWO weeks!!!!I also lost an inch each from my hips, bust and waist, not bad as TOM is due any day now. Hubby noticed that 'there was less of me' during an 'intimate' moment.
I hope you are all well.
Butterflyns congrats on your loss.
Kayley glad you got some sleep, all that studying needs a healthy brain and body!!!!!
Ammi hope you are feeling better today.
bye for now,
sharon

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to a productive week.

My weight still hasn't been decreasing that rapidly lately. Mind you, this is my pre-TOM week, so that is to be expected. I know it's coming, but I still don't have to like it! Do you ever get used to it? I know I'm going to get all depressed about it even though I tell myself that there is nothing I can do, I just have to work through these weeks. "Myself" doesn't listen too well.

Sharon - Congratulations on your angelic eating week and on the loss!! How do you manage to lose weight at this time of the month? I've only had two cycles since coming off the contraceptive needle and I've gained weight both times, whereas I had been losing a steady 1kg (2.2lbs) a week for the past year. I am NOT impressed! I'd love any hints and tips.

Luan - You mentioned you were going off to make a salad. I've taken a shortcut with that process. DH and I make LARGE salad each time and that lasts for a few days. You wouldn't think that it would stay fresh, but it does. I do make sure that I wash and dry (between two towels) the lettuce and then just tear it up into the salad, not cut. It seems to work really well. I use cos lettuce, which seems to have longer staying power than icebergs, which I used to use. We also grate up carrot and shred cabbage and slice celery. That is the base salad, then I just have to put some into a bowl and add some sliced capsicum (red pepper) and whatever other stuff I have on hand. Lately it has been snow peas or sugar snap peas, and some cauliflower and broccoli. We cut up all the cauliflower and broccoli and keep it in water in the fridge, so once again it is easy to add it to salads. This is just what I have found works really well for me, as I'm often too tired to prepare a salad for every meal and I have salad to start all my lunches and dinners. I'd be making salads all day if I didn't do it this way.

Ammi - I hope you are feeling heaps better soon. You sound as though you are just SO exhausted. I'm glad that the junk food is not around to tempt you any more. That was the first thing I had to do - get rid of all temptation in the house. I don't have a lot of willpower as far as that is concerned.

Kayley - I am SO glad that you managed to get a nap in. I'm not sure I could function much at all with that little sleep. Did you end up going out, or going to bed. I know you probably would have enjoyed going out, but bed sounds like the better thing for you.

Butterfly - Great job on the weight loss! Sorry to hear about the hands. I hope that things can be sorted out soon. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was some way to do that without surgery. Fingers crossed.

Tracey - As I mentioned earlier, my scales seem to be just sitting there, but I think I may be toning up. So you could be right - after all, muscle weighs more than fat. Hope both our scales start moving down soon.

Nancy - I'm glad you decided to take Sunday off from work. I'm sure you needed the rest. Good luck at the doctors. I hope you remember to take something to eat after the appointment. Your body will thank you after fasting for that long. I am so hopeless that I have to get into an appointment VERY early if I have fast. I'm sure it is simply mind over matter, but I also usually have to go in for 2 hour glucose tolerance tests, so that means an extra two hours till I can eat. Not fun.

I think I must be doing something right lately, because clothes I had tried on a few weeks ago, which didn't fit then, are now fitting. I could be just toning up, but I wish the scales would show a little more improvement. I know... I should be really happy with any loss, but it is really sporadic and I am used to it being SO consistent. My dietitian friend gave me a HUGE pile of clothes, about 6 months back, from one of her patients who is now at target. It has been wonderful to try them on now and then to see what fits now. Saves me a little money too. A couple of the latest outfits are a little tight, but they do up now, whereas they wouldn't do that before. I am fine standing in them, but the buttons 'gape' a little when I sit. One of the dresses though is now hanging in the wardrobe ready to wear.

Eating has been pretty good lately. I do love summer as I am really happy to eat mostly salads and fresh fruit. I find it hard to look for varieties of hot meals in winter. I really don't like cooking. I think I may have to keep looking for some great, simple (no more than 5 ingredients), tasty and healthy recipes that I can alternate through the winter months.

I'm getting my hair coloured tomorrow. I want something different, with extra highlights, but don't know what to get yet. I think last time it was a little dark for me. I may post a pic if it looks OK. If you don't see a pic, then you know that I'm hiding somewhere under a paper bag.

Well, I'm off to add my total to the exercise thread.

Take care all,

Zelma

Well, spent the weekend in Va Beach to calm down my sister, who is FREAKING out about her wedding in April (although she has everything planned, so I don't know why she's freaking). My dress came in--I tried it on, and it zipped up all the way without any "supportive undergarments" I was SO worried it wouldn't fit, so what a relief!

We went out to lunch AND dinner on Saturday plus had lunch in the car on our way home yesterday, so lots of eating out. However, I made some good choices--Saturday's lunch was teriyaki grilled tuna, black beans, corn, and lettuce on a pita with parmesan sauce, and dinner was ginger chicken and broccoli with brown rice (and I actually ATE the broccoli!). The fast-food stop in the car yesterday was another story--I had a cheeseburger, milkshake, and mozzarella sticks from Sonic, but when I got on the scale this morning, I was only up .5 from Friday morning, so that will likely go away with water. I'm typically up about 2-3 pounds on Monday morning from Friday morning, so I was happy

Jill - Well done with the mostly healthy eating choices when you went out to eat. That is something I have to work on. We basically rarely eat out and I'm still learning what the healthier choices are. I think I'm getting there. I have learnt to ask for salads without dressing, which is sometimes hard as they are 'dressed' already.

You might have to have them take the dress in if the wedding isn't until April. Well done on it fitting now! That must have felt SO good.

Have a great week!

Zelma

Zelma, I normally gain or stay the same at TOM but as I only started this eating method-food combining Gillian MacKeith's way-I think that's what's done it. No white bread, pasta, potatoes, but lots of raw, or lightly cooked veg, chicken, tuna and other fish, NOTHING REFINED at all, oh and lots of freshly done juices, at least once a day. I have never lost so much weight so quickly or easily, apart from straight after giving birth!!!! I am FULL of energy , two weeks ago I felt suicidal, bad spots, migraines, IBS. I feel so good, its hard to believe that these changes could happen so quickly. Sorry if I seem preachy , YOU are the real inspiration, losing so much weight.
JillyB congrats on the fitting, I bet you are so pleased that zip slipped up so easily!!! What the **** if you had a few 'naughty-ish' things later, we all need a break sometimes.

best wishes,
sharon
ps. ammi, hope you are ok, I will look for you on msn.

Wow, I had a lot of catching up to do since I was offline practically all weekend. Congrats to all that have lost this week and if anyone gained anything, remember tomorrow is another day and the whole plan isn't shot in the head. Honest.

I went to a party yesterday and my eating was tossed to the wind, but the good thing was when I re-weighed myself today out of curiousity that there wasn't much damage done--I only gained two pounds, which will probably be back off tomorrow or the following day, since I got right back into a workout this morning and am having grilled chicken salad for dinner.

A good alternative to those 'diet' shakes when one cannot get a meal in: Carnation Instant Breakfast with 8 oz of skim or 1% lowfat milk. This is not only on a menu my nutritionist gave me for when I get my banding done, it's also a great source of protein and calcium, when I tend to have a hard time getting in.

Tonight I got my Walk Aerobics group, a great alternative I discovered for bad knees like mine--not to mention a great boost for the psyche!

Teahoney - I hope it was muscle, but if not, it's alright! You are still doing GREAT!

Luan - At least you are able to keep track of your points! I don't know if I could do that...

Sharon - Woo hoo!!! Way to go! That's what Andrew said to me the other night...in the same situation. That made me feel spectacular! Keep it up!!!

Zelma - I ended up going over to Andrew's house, and we watched Comedy Central for a few hours, and went to bed. It's really convenient, since he lives only about 5 minutes from my college! You are doing so fantastic, and I know it can bum you out, not seeing the NUMBERS change, when you know your body is changing. Keep it up, you're almost there!

Jill - That's FANTASTIC news about the dress! : And I agree, you'll probably have to have it taken in by April! Good choices for the most part on eating out.

I guess I'm lucky in some ways, and not in other ways. I have polycistic ovarian syndrome, and the medication that they gave me for it once, made me have it once, and then it's been gone for 5 months again. I usually get TOM maybe 3 times a year without any meds. And I no longer have insurance, so I can't get the meds. I'm happy because hey! NO TOM!! But then, I know that if I let it go for so long, I can have health issues later on. I'm so fortunate that I have no real health concerns, seeing as I'm so big. I don't need to start now! Just got done having one of my FAVORITE low carb dinners! Boneless skinless chicken breast dipped in Carbwell ranch dressing, and then rolling it in crushed up plain pork rinds. Bake it for about 30 minutes, add cheese to the top, and bake an additional 10-15 mins. It really doesn't TASTE low-carb, as it's so DELICIOUS, but it is!

Zed - Thanks for the tip. i get bags of salad or premade ones from a local whole foods store. if any of you have a trader joes arround you, thier salads are awesome. especially the reduced fat asian chicken. you cant even tell its low fat.

Kayley. its really easy once you make the commitment to do it. its very similar to what catherine does, you just have to measure everythign and make sure you write it down. seriously, its the best idea because when you write it down you can be accountable to yourself and when you dont lose, or god forbid, gain, you can look back and see why. as for the points, we get a slider that figures it out if you know the nutrition facts. if there are meetings near you, its free to register right now and 11/week for meetings. its a great way to be accountable.

so im sick. it sucks. i hate being sick more than anything.

on a happier note. i officially applied to makeup school, payed the registration fee, faxed them my diploma and loan app, now i wait. lol

whats going on with you folks?

I've heard good things about the walking away the pounds DVDs...do you like it?

I struggle most with exercise. Any suggestions for quick and easy at-home exercise would be appreciated!

Had a good day, food-wise. Ended up at about 1500, 150 less than goal. Drinking water now, so no snacking later!

Luan - With my financial situation, I can't really afford ANYTHING, unfortunately.

Felicia - How do you make the all-meat chili, and what do you use as a base? I'm always looking for recipes, because the thing about low-carb is that it can get VERY tedious!

Anne - I also don't get motivated for exercise. The dieting for me is so much easier than the exercise. It all comes with time, I suppose.

kayley - i hear ya. did you look into the discovery health challenge for a gym membership?

Felecia - thanks for the well wishes

Just a few quickies...
1) The chili recipe sounds amazing. To cut out even more calories and fat, substitute ground turkey!

2) If any of you live near a Ross (the store) they have exercise videos and DVDs super cheap. I ust bought another WATP video for $3.99 today.

3) If you join the National Body Challenge through Discovery Health you can get an 8-week pass to Bally's Total Fitness. I printed my pass tonight and want to take it over to one of the Bally's near me. They have a Hip-Hop class on Monday nights that I could go to after work. I think there is a small additonal fee for that particular class, but if the pass is free, why not, right?

I was away again with the Youth Group kids...where of course I have no say in my meals and have to do my best...which I am pleased to say that I did. I finally decided I was getting too neurotic for my own good on Sunday when the meal was Israeli-style food (falafel, pita, hummus, etc.) and I said screw it...one meal didn't make me fat and one meal won't break me. I was really good though on portions. Sadly the salad was pre-dressed. but it didn't seem too heave...so I had a bunch of salad, some Israeli salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, olive oil, herbs), a tiny bit of hummus and babaganoush (too mayonaisy...wasn't happy), 4 falafel balls, 1/2 of a piece of pita and a big cup of fruit salad. Could have been way worse. Last night we got together with some friends for a poker night. She tried to get some healthy snacks...but I just was so not in the mood for veggies. But I was good...good enough anyways. Thankfully Jason had some 95$ FF microwave popcorn in the car that we noshed on....it kept me away from the chips (from the mexican grocery store..nothing light about them). I could not resist the chocloate coverd peanut butter pretzels though..but I only had 3. Nice treat!

Today was another day...good for all meals, and I just finshed dinner which was soup, salad and some oven-baked butternut squash. I'm off to coffee in a moment..so toodles!!!