I would support a men's thread, but in general, I'm a guy btw, but I guess my biggest question overall is: why is overweight/obesity a "woman's issue" in the first place? I mean WTF? I have been overweight and obese since I was 7, basically my entire life, and yet whenever I hear about overweight, it's considered a "female issue", and yes I have been discriminated against just like everyone else, and I certainly didn't have it any easier, was always told I need to be thin to deserve to feel loved or find someone to love, and in fact, it's going against that nonsense that's probably one of my bigger hurdles in this effort to transform my body, and that includes faux cat calls and whistles walking on the street, because when i was at my heaviest, people assumed me to be female (!). I just don't get it, because offline, I see just as many fat men as fat women, yet you'd think they were a minuscule aberration in the online world.
But anyway, yes I would support a men's thread, but I don't think it will see a lot of traffic, but it would be nice for men to have a place of their own with their issues. That having been said, in an ideal world, I'd like for an issue that I have dealt with intimately not to be a *gender* related issue in the first place, as that makes me and my situation feel rather invisible, and having been overweight/obese my entire life, I know all too well how that is.
Having said that, in actual practice, this forum has been nothing but welcoming to me as a male, and I am grateful for that, and honestly there's very little difference in the weight loss process. Fat and what it takes to lose it do not discriminate based upon biological sex, lol.
The board is called "3 Fat Chicks" because it was started, literally, by three sisters. They started it small and it grew, and the name stuck...they were three fat chicks, so they called it three fat chicks. It wasn't meant to exclude men or indicate that obesity was a women's issue. There are certainly more of three of us, we're not all women, etc.
Prostrate Cancer is certainly a guy thing. Don't remember where, but I recently read that all guys who live long enough, will die with prostrate cancer - die of something else, but the prostrate will be slowly growing cancer.
If you are a lucky guy who doesn't NEED such a book just yet, you're the very person who should read it.
Naturally, I've dithered rather than order it immediately for myself since I fit the description that I think I don't need it, but am male, of age, and got one.
Any of the guys here recommend this book or are inclined to preemptively read it?
The board is called "3 Fat Chicks" because it was started, literally, by three sisters. They started it small and it grew, and the name stuck...they were three fat chicks, so they called it three fat chicks. It wasn't meant to exclude men or indicate that obesity was a women's issue. There are certainly more of three of us, we're not all women, etc.
Okie dokie, I assumed that was the case. I was also just speaking in general. We need to do more to get the other guys to speak up, lol. I have found the forums here to be very welcoming and supportive.
For what it's worth, curiosity about the Made-My-Goal subforums is what got me to register. Lurkers cannot view pics, and you just have to "see to believe" sometimes.
The people that have dropped a hundred plus in their quest, have written some inspiring examples. Who am I to complain about 50 pounds or so? I don't have nearly as much work to face. Since I had to register, I figured I may as well post and get a ticker signature too, and be accountable.
Time to stop saying "someday I'll lose this weight" ... and make it really happen. I want to finally step into that "someday".
I'm glad you are here Darway! I've been seeing your posts around the forum in various places and its nice to have an additional guy around here. I think there is only 4 or 5 guys that are regular posters and I'm sure there are several times more than that just lurking. The more guys that post actively the more the "lurkers" will feel comfortable contributing.
I apologize to you in advance if I am being offensive.
You know, one of the MAIN things that drew me into this site is that it was called "Three Fat CHICKS." Aren't there men's forums on the internet? There are issues that are quite specific to women and our issues with our bodies, weight and mentality--sensitive issues that many of us feel most comfortable discussing with other ladies. I must say I do not support a Men's Forum here at 3FC.
I apologize to you in advance if I am being offensive.
You know, one of the MAIN things that drew me into this site is that it was called "Three Fat CHICKS." Aren't there men's forums on the internet? There are issues that are quite specific to women and our issues with our bodies, weight and mentality--sensitive issues that many of us feel most comfortable discussing with other ladies. I must say I do not support a Men's Forum here at 3FC.
Not offended at all.
As was pointed out earlier, the name of the site is a reflection of how the site was started. It was started by 3 sisters who called themselves the 3 fat chicks, it wasn't started to be a "women only" forum.
I respect your opinion. There are various "rooms" here for all kinds of people and situations. When I first joined here (going on 10 years now!) there was a place here for men. That goes to show you that even early on this was an open space to everyone.
I would just say that I believe a space here devoted for men and men's issues regarding weight loss would in no way be detrimental to the issues that particularly impact women.
I can understand your point of view Thighs Be Gone. My story has been told many times how I ended up here...w/o going through all the details again it was through a recipe search which then lead me to Christian Encouragers.
That was almost 11 years and 19,000+ posts ago...I actually did not have a weight issue then...maybe 3Fat Chicks makes you fat ...jk of course!
I try very hard to be respectful to the women here. My threads and posts are not usually in places where they can be considered "women's territory".
From what I have seen that seems to be the norm for most men that have visited here.
I can honestly say that there have been plenty of times where someone has put up a "Don't look here Gary or TMI for you EZ"and I have never ventured in....
as a long time member here I have seen the struggles women go through on weight issues and I would never intentionally disrespect this site.
In my own humble opinion I think over all I have been more of an asset here than a deterrent.....I feel I have encouraged people and provided laughs and interests in my threads and comments.
I respect the women here...but, as with any site....there are lurkers out there and anything that is public is subject to situations that may be uncomfortable for all of us.
I lurked for a while but signed up to view some progress pics, for what it's worth it does feel kind of awkward, almost like a womens only club but i have always been more emotional and on some level i relate well to a lot of how women feel IMO of course, anyways thought this was as good a time as any to say hello and thankyou to those who have shared their struggles.
Of course i'm over weight although i have made great progress these last 8 or so months, started out at nearly 400 pounds give or take a pound, currently as of today i weigh 287, i'm not sure what finally gave me the courage to start but i'm on a mission now, no retreat no surrender so to speak.
I think a separate men's forum would be wonderful. The type of support for a weight board such as this one VS other typical "man" boards are very different. Men need weight loss support just as badly as women do
Although I believe most people on here welcome men, men are definitely the minority. An outward show of hospitality could go a long way of encouraging more men who are trying to lose weight and would not disrupt the support and needs of women. I'm sure lots of men join and then promptly leave because they feel a little weird...my husband is one of them. If a men's section were created, I'm quite sure he would post. A single stickied post is not the same as having a whole section either, but it's better than nothing
Last edited by pinkflower; 01-01-2011 at 11:28 PM.
lol JAY....there is no explaining BILL!
I was also just speaking in general. We need to do more to get the other guys to speak up, lol. I have found the forums here to be very welcoming and supportive.
