[dogpal]

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 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 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!!!!

[dogpal]

Good Evening Ladies.

Patti: I would love for you to come and play in the snow with me. It is fun and very Christmasy feeling.

Brenda: Hugs sweetie. It seems you are down. I wish I could lift you up. Hang in there.

Ammi: Yes, all my throwing a fit didn't work on Joel. I really want straight teeth but I had no idea I would feel so claustraphobic. lol I'm sure in time it will get better. Pt Said I can ride 3 or 4 times a day on the bike. It's a start. I'm so happy that you are living life now and it isn't such a chore for you to go out of your house and shop like it used to be..... like it still is for me. lol. Someday I look forward to living life again.

Sandy: You look so lovely in your avitar photo.

Shadie: I'm sorry that you have had such a plate full this past year. Hang in there and take one day at a time and one pound at a time. I know you can do it sweetie. I fell away for a bit with a back injury that I am slowly getting better from and also just some normal life wear and tear type things. lol. I feel happy to be back here and especially right when you come back. Go figure! I think the Lord has a plan.

Jen: Hang tough. You can do it.

All MIA chickies, hugs to you and hope you are all wonderful and blessed.
Annie/dogpal

[Lilion]

Greetings all! It's late and I probably should be in bed. I'm not. Doesn't really matter though, as I'm rather certain I'm calling in tomorrow. Nice thing about working for the state is they have an inclement weather policy, and what we have outside right now is definately inclement! We have several inches of SLEET, not fluffy snow, but nasty little ice crystals from somewhere usually much warmer! They are calling for more than 16 inches of snow too!

I feel like I was a bit whiney earlier. Ammi, I'm not happy with how I look now really, I think I'm just used to it you know, I've just never been much smaller than this. What I'm definately lacking is motivation. I just can't seem to make myself get back on track. I talked with DH when I got home and he's really having the same problem. We both seem to just keep bouncing around in the 230's without really trying really hard to make any progress. He has a better excuse than I do, with his new, weird work hours, but really they've affected me too. I never seem to cook anymore, not vegetables or anything, because it's just fussy kid and me. We may begin going to Weight Watchers and see if attending meetings will get us jump-started again.

On the up side, I was OP today, even had 6 pts left after dinner and had a nice snack later. Still didn't exercise, but I did do some housework and such so I didn't just sit on my butt. That's something. Thanks for listening everyone!

[voodoo1]

Nothing much to say really, I'm struggling this week, what with keep going into the city for eye check-ups & being hungry ALL THE TIME! I have GAINED 2lbs, though I've been OP up to today, when I had two slices of white toast with butter AND marmalade!!! It must be the time of year or something, almost everyone seems to be struggling. I suppose we just have to buckle down & get on with it!!! Wait for the results, which are slower than a sugar rush BUT feel MUCH BETTER!!!! Do we want to drop a dress size for Christmas or GAIN one??? That's what I'm asking myself!! We are in it for the long haul, none of us woke up one day at 300lbs and none of us will wake up at 160 EITHER!!!! One day & one pound at a time!!!! (I hope this helps anyone else struggling)xxxxxx
Valerie, glad things are better at home & work is good.xxxxx
Shadie, good luck with the custody hearing, you house must ne like the WALTONS, lol!!G'nights going on for ten minutesxxxxxxx
Annie, hope that back continues to heal, WTG on getting on your bike!xxxxx
I can't remember what else, those d*mn goggles I HAVE to wear for a week are stopping me getting proper sleep so forgive any'misses' I do read posts & think of you all.xxxx
xxxsharon

[toofatforu]

good morning everyone.. nomore weight loss this week to report! oh well i mustnt be greedy!Annie i love snow! we have no snow but it sure is cold and windy today!

[mechell81]

Hey everyone-

I am still really sick with this cold! Its driving me nuts! But overall my DH and I both are getting better. I just hate these types of full blown colds. I thought we were getting the flu but I am sure its not. So I have literally been sleeping most days. I have not even thought about being OP. Well wait...I guess I have some because I have been trying not to eat bad stuff. I can't wait to get well and get back on track!

Some good news. My DH has a job interview for a job in Spokane,WA today. We are just happy he got an interview! If he got this job we would be moving by the end of January. And for those of you who don't know I live in the Arctic in Alaska..town of 4500...average temp in winter is -40 to -50. So yeah I want to move! We never heard anything from St. Louis, so we are assuming he didn't get that job. We are keeping our fingers crossed for Spokane!

Ok well I am in bed with my laptop and kleenex. Let me try to catch up on some personals from the last thread...

JILL~Sounds like you had a good Thanksgiving! I overate a little bit..but not nearly like I used to! I hope you were able to get your car.

SANDY~Great news about your blood thiner results! I am so jealous you have a Gazelle. I am seriously thinking about getting one. Thanks for the good wishes with the biopsy. I was so happy to hear they were negative for melanoma! I think my pink eye is pretty much gone now. ( thanks God!)
Oh and I like your new Avatar pic! Such a pretty dress you wore!

MISTI~Hope you made it through all of that snow ok! I heard on the news you guys were having major weather issues! Stay warm!

ANNIE~Glad you are back! I am so happy you are feeling better! You know I was thinking about looking into braces this coming year. I am nervous to get them!

PATTI~Hope your cold went away!

NACNY~Thanks! I am so relieved the biopsies were negative! I am sorry you are having some issues with your boss. I hope that works itself out. I am so sorry you and your BF are close to breaking up. That has got to be hard hun. I hope maybe thing will look up for you guys.

XENA~Melanoma is so scary! I am so happy that I am in the clear! Thanks for the well wishes! Sorry to hear about your gum problems. Ouch! I hope they can fix that for you! Good luck with all of that hun!

SHARON~Thanks! Yes I was so happy to hear I was ok! And you are right its a whole other problem when you have to fly 1000 miles just to see a dermatologist! Sorry you are having eye problems! But you are right at least the goggles help! I hope your eyes continue to do well!

BRENDA~Glad you are feeling better! And happy to hear you didn't get a cold! I love Nyquil!

LORI~I am jealous!!! I want a Gazelle. I will seriously consider getting one if we find out if we are moving or not. I think getting one of those will really help me with working out.

MELISSA~Sorry you had a gain. This can be so rough at time. But don't give up! You can do it hun! Hang in there!

AMMI~Thanks! I was so happy to hear about the biopsies. I will take wounds any day over skin cancer! It was funny though...I have been so sick with this cold and nursing the big wound...I actually forgot that I was waiting on results! So that made my day for sure!

XAN~ I don't think I had a chance to say that yet. Glad you joined the group!

VALERIE~I am glad you are enjoying your new job. And great news about your and your husband getting along. I hope that work out. Good for you getting back on track! I can't wait to get well and get myself back in gear!

SHADIE~Welcome back! Good for you wanting to get back on track! You can do it!

ZELMA~Hope you had fun at the Christmas assembly! That sounds so fun! Good luck with the radio show!

LILION~Sorry you are having a tough time right now. I can really relate to a lot the same struggles you have. Hang in there hun!

TONI~ Glad you joined the group!

KAYLEY~You poor thing! I so so afraid I had the flu..I think I have just had a really bad cold for a week. I hope you get well soon!

LAVANDEL~Good luck at your weigh in. I am hoping I haven't gained any weight either. Glad your Dad is back home!

POCHITA~I am glad you are back! I think this forum has been so great for me because it reminds me that I really want to lose the weight. I usually think about losing weight for a week or two then just forget about it for months at a time. All you can do is try! And good for you for trying and not giving up! Hang in there!

ANNIE~ What a cool way to look at losing weight while the braces are on! I love snow also! We have snow here pretty much Sept. to May! And I have yet to make a snow man! For sure post a pic if you make one!

BRENDA~Thanks for posting the pics. I love your tree! We have a little old plastic tree. Its really short but cute! And what a beautiful sunset!

KATT~Sorry you are having issue with TOM. Hopefully it will go back to normal soon. I have that problem sometimes. Hope work is still going good for ya!

ALICE~Thanks! Yeah it did seem to take a while to get the results. I think the holiday threw everything off. Weekends are my downfall also sometimes. MY best advice is stay busy. Doesn't really work sometimes...but helps!

CRITTLE~Sorry things are down in the dumps right now. Christmas seems to sometimes cause a lot of stress and such. Hope things get better! Is that your son in your avatar? He is so cute!

SHARON~Sorry you had a gain. You can get those 2 pounds off! Hang in there! Sorry the goggles are keeping you from getting proper sleep! Hope you will get some sleep soon!

PATTI~Sorry you didn't have a loss this week. But you have been doing so well! Stay warm in all that wind and cold!

PHEW! I hope I got everyone in. If I missed you I am sorry! I hope you all are doing ok. Hopefully I won't get that far behind again. This whole cold has thrown everything off. I haven't even been able to send out my Christmas cards yet! I hope they get to where they need to be in time! Well I am going to go. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

[Crittle]

Good morning all. Its raining and dreary out. Its a nice day to go back to bed and not feel guilty about it. Hmmm......I think I just might do that. Has anyone tried the new weight control oatmeal?? Just wondering how it tastes before I get some or if it was a waste of money?? Hope everyone has a good day!!

[Crittle]

Michelle--yeah thats my baby. I am biased so I think he the cutest boy ever.

[toofatforu]

Mechelle hope your cold goes away soon those are such a pain !

[going to lose 200]

morning everyone.... I am having a positive day today. I am going to stay OP. At least until 9:30 tonight *L* BUt I am going to try to stay OP there too. I am going to a house party and cookie swap. The cookies have been made and frozen weeks ago and I am OK with having that stuff in the house. I have more problems with salty crunchy things I figure if I can promised myself to be good all day today ( I havent been for the past couple of weeks) then if I have one too many meatballs etc then I am OK and I won't beat myself up about it. Well, I have SO much to do today (my day off) and I have to go and get at it. I'll talk to you all later!!

Brenda

[mechell81]

CRITTLE~AW he is such a cutie!

PATTI~Thanks! Yeah its annoying!

BRENDA~Nice you are having a positive day! Have fun at the house party and cookie swap!

[wezi1126]

hello, hello! well, we really got dumped on in st. louis yesterday! i'm not sure how many inches it is, but it's mostly ice (sleet/freezing rain for a whole day!) with about 2 inches of snow on top. we can't really go anywhere, so we went out to shovel some stuff this morning. i usually like shoveling, but i worked up a sweat today! that stuff is heavy! our cars started, our driveway is clear, we're both home from work, the christmas music is playing.....i wish i could spend every friday like this!
so, since we couldn't do anything yesterday due to the weather, we put the gazelle together! i got on for just a little bit and love it already! i'm waiting to find out if i have to try to get to work today, but i'm hoping not cuz i really want to put in one of the dvd's that came with the gazelle and give it a try!
also, i had a nice nsv the other day. the mom of the boys i nanny told me that i looked like i had lost weight. i said i had lost 5 pounds but gained it back and she said that i looked good. maybe i've toned up a little! it was nice to hear! i really need to take some measurements.

melissa--i understand how frustrated you must feel. everytime i try to do this, i get to that point where i plateau and then i quit. don't give up! you can do it! maybe you're bored with what you're doing? that happens to me sometimes. i try to look for something new to try. maybe that would help?

ammi--my dad was 61. i never really knew that heart disease ran in his side of the family so much, but people were telling me that while i was home. it really motivates you when you think about it. also, i have most of my weight around my middle, like my dad, and they say that is bad for your heart health, too. even more reason to get on the gazelle! it's all put together! i'm waiting to see what happens with work today, but if i don't have to go, i'm getting on this afternoon!

shadie--sometimes i'm not motivated to do anything and don't have a great day with eating or exercising, but i come here and just read and it seems to help. we're all here for you!

toni-- i'm not really following any plan. i'm just counting calories, sort of. i try to stay around 1500 calories a day, but somedays it's more and somedays it's less. i also try to set mini goals (which i have yet to make!) and was also giving myself challenges for the weekends and weekdays (like get in x amount of minutes exercising over the weekends). it helps me to break things up into smaller pieces then to have to think about bigger numbers.

crittle--i'm not an oatmeal fan, but a friend of mine has tried that weight control oatmeal. she said it was good and has it often.

well, i guess i'd better go get ready just in case i have to try to get to work. if i don't, i'll be back with the gazelle report later! lori

[NotTheCheat]

Misti – It is so amazing that you have had all that snow, and here we are in New York today with possible 70-degree weather. This is too weird! It is supposed to get colder tomorrow, but right now it hardly feels like December.

Xena – That gum graft sounds horrible. Hopefully it won’t be too painful.

Sharon – That is so cool that the surgery went so well. I might consider that as my eyesight is poor and only getting worse. It would be so amazing to see without glasses.

Melissa – Is it possible to take the pressure off and do a maintenance break until the New Year? Sometimes when we try too hard we end up sabotaging ourselves. Either way, if it is what you really want, find a way to hold on and keep going.

Ammi – I know, going to counseling is a bit strange, but I figure a few sessions won’t hurt and maybe he can understand, with thing coming from a third party, why some of his behavior has been so unacceptable. Maybe he will “get it” if he hears it from someone else and it will sink in enough so that he doesn’t repeat the same mistakes. Same for me too. I don’t want to go into another relationship and make the same mistakes I have in this one. Right now I don’t think I will, but I figure a counselor could help with that even more. He is working from home today and said he would have time to do some research. We will see. I won’t wait too long for him to get going with this.

Valerie – I am so glad to hear that things are going so well with your new job and with your DH too.

Shadie – You have the most amazing menagerie! It must be tough keep up with so many people, but it sounds like you have a huge heart.

Zelma – Your school concert sounds like it would be loads of fun. On the holiday eating question, definitely one of the things for me is to remember that Christmas is only one day, not a whole month. Also, food is not a necessary ingredient for festivities. The important part is friends and family.

Lilion – I also had a gain over the Thanksgiving holiday. I feel like I was doing so well in the beginning of this year and then it has been unbelievably slow since around mid-year. I guess my biggest consolation is that I am still here – still working at it, even though it is going so slowly. What is the alternative? I could be back to my old ways, and then feeling horrible again. You are still here, you are still working at it. I am not sure that changing your personality is the way to go. I think that is an uphill battle that is near impossible. If you can find a way instead to work within the boundaries of your tendencies and thereby make them work for you, then it will be much easier.

Toni - Welcome! It sounds like you have one piece of the puzzle already in place. As far as the eating, well, I think the best thing is to find something that you feel you could do for the rest of your life. If it feels good and fulfilling it is much easier to stay on than if you are constantly struggling.

Kayley – This board does move awfully fast, but always feel free to drop by. Maybe the fact that you have been doing the same thing for awhile is why you are stuck. Is there anything you can do to change things up a bit? Perhaps alter your diet for awhile to something else? How about trying some new form of exercise?

Terry – Welcome back! I totally understand about the feeling of having trouble walking. It was one of the things that really spurred me on when I started. I don’t want to live life on the sidelines, and at my size I had given myself no choice! Definitely keep checking back in and don’t be a stranger!

Xan – Defintely don’t discount your starts, even if they are not where you want to end up. Sometimes we need to make changes slowly to adjust to them. Also, knowing your own weaknesses and working with them is so important.

Annie – I had braces when I was young and I know what you mean about wanting to rip them off! You will get used to them eventually and then it will feel so weird when the take them off. Did you make that snowman? I would love to see a pic if you did.

Brenda – Your tree is really pretty and that ornament is gorgeous. I hope your work Christmas party is a lot of fun and can’t wait to see pics.

Sandy – What a lovely pic of you at the wedding! Do you have any of your DD’s wedding that you would be able to share? That is also great that Abby is doing so well in school.

Katt – I am so glad to hear that your ankle is doing so much better. Sorry to hear about the gain – I had one too. I know all about heavy periods – they can really suck! Luckily since my procedure in June mine have gotten much more reasonable, but still.

Crystal – Your son is so cute! I am sorry to hear that everyone around you isn’t starting to get into the Christmas spirit. Hopefully your troubles will get sorted out with the least amount of anguish. I haven’t tried the weight control oatmeal, but I really like the Kashi stuff, which has a good bit of protein.

Michelle – I will be crossing my fingers for you and your DH that he gets that job in Spokane. I am sorry to hear that you are still feeling sick.

Lori – That is so cool that you are loving your Gazelle too. I don’t know . . . I might just need to jump on this bandwagon. It sounds like you are having a lovely day working from home. Again, I can’t believe that everyone else is having this winter weather and here it is so warm.


Well, I am up two pounds from the holiday. I know I am retaining water because I am super puffy, but I will own it and change my ticker. Hopefully that will just mean I will lose more next time. I also think that skipping my period for the trip didn’t help at all. We have the first of our holiday parties tomorrow. I will do my best to eat well and not overindulge. I really need to move things along again. I am getting rather frustrated at myself for not making better progress. However, the fact that I am still going says a lot, and really it doesn’t matter how long the journey takes as long as we get to the destination (and hopefully mostly enjoy getting there!)

I had more talks with my BF last night, which I think made us both feel better. One of the things he was really worried about was that my family would “hate” him if we broke up, and he really likes and respects my family and was actually pretty upset when thinking about it. I told him definitely not. If we part it will be on amicable terms and I am not planning turning him into a villain. He has definitely fallen short in several areas that are very important to me, and so it may not work out between us, but that doesn’t mean I hate him or anything.

Work has been unbelievably stressful this week, to the point that I need to make some demands of my boss to change things or I will definitely have to leave. I think he will acquiesce, but at this point the level of stress is too much and without some changes it has gone into a realm of affecting my health and that I can’t tolerate. Hopefully I can finish my letter to him today and get an answer on Monday.

I guess I should get to work since I have spent most of the morning here (eek!)

Oh - one request for all you Gazelle ladies. Can someone take the measurements of it when it is folded up and let me know how big it is? I need to know that so I can determine if I can stick it somewhere in our living room or not. I wasn't sure if the dimensions listed online were for when it was folded or unfolded. Thanks!

[wezi1126]

ok...back again...just can't seem to leave today.

nancy--since mine is staring at me from the living room, i folded it up and took some quick measurements that are not entirely accurate, but should give you a good idea about how big the gazelle is folded. i have the crosstrainer pro. i don't know if all the models are close to the same size or not. anyway, when i folded it, mine was about 5 feet tall, 3 1/2 feet wide (including the cup holder sticking off the side) and about a foot deep. hope that helps!

[dogpal]

Good Morning Friends,

I have been having a slow start today. I did get some time in reading the bible and praying which was wonderful way to start the day. I haven't had a chance to make a yet. I have to wait until my DH is home to help me because of my back. He really wants to make one too. Both of us grew up in sunny CA so making a snowman is a new thing for us. I promise if I make one I will take pics of him/her. lol

Sharon: Sorry that your eyes are giving you fits. I do love your attitude about being up a dress size or down one after Christmas. I choose down one. lol.

Mechelle: Oh, I was so excited when I saw that your DH has an interveiw in Spokane WA. I live right next door in Post Falls, ID. My DH works in WA about 20 minutes from Spokane. So, we will be neighbors! I'm trying to show my excitement without you off. lol. Good luck.

Crittle: Your little boy is so darling.

Brenda: Good luck staying op with all the treats tonight.

Wezi: I'm so jealous that you are riding your Gazelle. My DH bought one at a yard sale for $30 a couple of weeks ago and I'm still to WIDE to ride it. I can't wait to be a Gazelle Girl! Wonderful NSV also.

Nancy: Thanks for the input on the braces. It's nice to know I am having a normal reaction. Big to you on all the stress and stuff you are going through. Hang in there.

to everyone and big blessings to you all,
Annie