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

We want to invite everyone (roosters as well as chicks!) to join us in our journey. We share laughter and tears, heartaches and fears ... joys and celebrations. We also share what works for us and what doesn't.

We know the thread can move very quickly, and that people often make "personal" remarks and keep a number of conversations going. Please feel free to contribute even if you can't make personal comments all the time.

Finally, we also have several extra threads going on simutaneously such as Monthly Challenges, Weekly Weigh-ins, Recipes, Bios, Photos, Exercise, Info for Getting Started and more. Many of these threads are stickied at the top of the page. 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.

ooh good morning everyone. I'm having a seriously "BLAH" day. Yesterday my allergies went completely out of control (it's been so cool that we had the house opened up and Saturday night I was out in the cool breeze for a couple of hours listening to a band play at the marina) and this morning I woke up feeling totally OFF. I made myself go to the gym, even though my heart wasn't in it. I survived the upper body weight routine - but when I got on the treadmill, it was all I could do to walk my 30 minutes instead of my c25k training. I barely broke a sweat and my heart rate didn't go over about 121, but at least I showed up I guess. Anyway, I am dragging big time today and I can tell that being this tired, I'm gonna want to eat badly today. Hopefully I can keep it in check. I brought my breakfast, lunch and snack to work, so if I just eat what I brought and nothing else, I'll be fine.

Ugh -Well I hope everyone else is doing better than I am!

Hi Everyone,

I am still having a good time playing around with my armband thingie that measures my calories burned. I was blue yesterday and slept most of the day. The little machine said I did burn fewer calories as a result compared to the other days I moved more. So maybe it does work. I was rather skeptical at first that it would little more than a pricey pedometer. Speaking of which, it is sad how few steps I get in each day. I ride an exercise bike instead of walking for my activity. I guess I need to throw in more walks.

Take care everyone and have a good week.
Pennie

Good evening all..today was a pretty good day i got up this morning and exercised i worked out for an hour i did a 30 min walk and i danced around the living room for 30 mins and then tonight my hubby took me to texas roadhouse for a belated anniversary dinner plus he bought me a much needed pair of new tennis shoes and a jillian michaels workout dvd that i wanted! which i am really excited about trying out to tomorrow its not the 30 day shred its one that says something about burning fat and upping your metabolism it says that it can help you lose 5 lbs a week so we will see how much i can get thru tomorrow cause its an hour long.

Well, hope everyone is having a great night and i will check back in later
Heather

A NSV for me today; Andrew surprised me, and we had a date night. We went to our favorite Mexican Restaurant, where it would be VERY easy to eat 2,000-3,000 calories in one meal ALONE. It was quite the temptation, but I got a salad with grilled chicken, and had a nice big glass of water with it. Although it didn’t help that Andrew ordered a Strawberry Daiquiri (my favorite!) I had one small sip, and left it at that. I did have more chips & salsa than I should have (about 500 cals worth! Eeps). But overall, I did well, I think. And I’m still under my calories for the day.

Got some gym time in today. Did half an hour on the elliptical and another half hour of strength training. After we got home from our dinner, I did 30 mins Walk away the Pounds (the 2 mile walk). I have my weigh in tomorrow morning, since I wasn’t home this morning. Hopefully, no water weight from today!


Susannah – How are you liking the C25K program? I think once I lose 100 pounds, I’m going to try and start it. I’ve always wanted to be a runner, and I’ve heard good things about C25K for beginner runners. Hope you are feeling better by the time you read this!

Heather hb – Good luck with the DVD. Let us know how it goes.

Evening ladies...

Kayley: MExican food!! UGH!!! That would be hard to resist..but sounds like you made good choices.

Susanna: I have allergies too! It really sucks when ya wanna enjoy the cool air and it messes with the NOSE!

Pennie: What brand is your armband thingy?

Heatherb: I LoVe Jillian Michaels. Let us know how the DVD goes.

As for me: I went to the GI dr. I saw the guy this time..the one I didn't care for. He was alright. He said that it is not working right...and it needs to come out. He said I should feel better after that. He is referring me to a surgeon. SO not sure when it will be removed. I am relieved that they found out what was wrong. Hoping that is all that it is. Scared to have surgury. I know its easy..but it still scares me. I had my tubes tied 15 years ago and I hate the feeling after you wake up.

HeatherHB: Best wishes on the job front hon. I love Jillian Michaels. Tell me how you like it after you do it and have fun!

Kayley: I am one pound away from reaching 300 lost and I am having a heck of a time getting there. lol. Great NSV! Thanks for starting the new thread too.

Susannah: Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for you.

Pennie: My neighbor across the street is a personal trainer and he wears his arm band thing constantly and swears by them so, I think they are pretty correct.

Cyn: At least you know what is causing all the trouble. Hugs.

I had my meeting with my bosses today and it went okay. I am back to work for 4 hours per day starting tomorrow then 6 hours per day starting next week and the following week I am supposed to be at the full 8 hours per day. They agreed to give me my own office instead of having to share a cubicle as that is one of the restrictions my Dr requested so I would have someplace to "Escape" the office politics. That will be helpful. After my meeting I came home and cleaned the whole house which I love that feeling of a clean house. Then I talked my DH Joel and his sister that lives with us into going to the river for a swim. I swam 1/2 mile plus I did another 1/2 hour of swimming around before I did the 1/2 mile. I love the water and I am so ooooo relaxed now. lol.

Blessings all,
Annie

Annie, WTG, so pleased that things are improving for you at work AND for going swimming in the river. Do you get scared of fish brushing against you or weeds or germs in the water? I'm a bit scared of swimming in ponds or rivers coz of them, chicken that I am.xxxxxxx
Valerie if you're around HI!!!!! & lol about the mix up!! Give Gabe a carrot for me.xxxxxxx
Cyn I missed what's wrong with you (I've been at my parents for 10 days) I hope you get all 'fixed up' really soon, it must be hard feeling so rubbish all the time.xxxxx
Well I got back from my parents, got on the scales...ARGHHHHH!!! How can I only lose 4lbs in 6 weeks of low carbing BUT GAIN 9lbs in a week????? Ok I was a bit of a pig but not that bad AND I did walk quite a bit. I decided to try another plan, I'm torn between SB or the slimming club I used to go to, one I feel SO well on (SB) and lose fast BUT get bored, the other I like, lots of pasta, fruit, rice etc but losses are slower AND I don't feel as 'well' as on SB......any suggestions, advice or please?
Well I must unpack & get organised.
xxxxxxsharon

Annie so glad things are going better for you hon.

Dogpal- The depression thing and Anxiety is a pain is it not Glad they are willing to work with you.

Heather HB- good luck on the job.

Susannah it will get better.

As for me I am doing alright just feeling frustrated, feel as if my life isn't going anywhere, I haven't talked to BF in a week we both have been so very busy. Funny thing is , we are talking about weddings and he even let me buy the wedding dress I wanted, but he still hasn't proposed, Friday is our six year anniversary and He will probably forget, I am sorry I wasn't around yesterday but I spent the day at work then came home and curled up in the shower in tears, I am not sure if it's the depression for the TOM hitting me. Anyway lost an inch off my bust, and am getting back to the weight I was before TOM. Dang water weight gain. Take care all and have a good day .

Hello girls :}

Just a quick post. I went back on the diet yesterday and so far, so good. It's a bit boring but the results will be worth it :}
I weighed yesterday and I'm actually two pounds less than I was when I started dieting in January. That's something, isn't it? :L

Take care everyone!
xx

Well, today was my weigh in, and I was very happy to see that I’m down 3.8 lbs! That brings me to -18 lbs since I restarted on August 5th. And I’m 12 lbs from my first goal of being at my original start weight back in 2005. I’m looking forward to next week’s weigh in, as it’s my measurement day as well. (I do them once a month).

Went to the gym this morning, and did my usual (30 mins elliptical, 30 mins strength training). I’m thinking about working out a bit more at home here later.

Cyn – It was definitely rough, but I’m so happy I was able to control myself. That’s always been the hardest for me, as Andrew likes to eat out. I’m glad that the problem will be taken care of, so you aren’t in any discomfort anymore. When will you find out when you’re able to get the surgery?

Annie – I hope that having your own office will help; and I’m very glad that your company is willing to work with you regarding scheduling and having your own space. Some places wouldn’t be as accommodating.

Sharon – As you know I’ve done South Beach; I just couldn’t stick with it long term. It made me lose weight very quickly, but it kind of made me feel lethargic, and was very boring. Good luck in choosing just what is right for you. And I’m sure that’s nothing more than some water weight, and it’ll go back down. That pesky water weight is the worst!

Tracy – I don’t blame you for being frustrated. Have you talked to your boyfriend about these issues? Maybe right now isn’t the right time to be proposing (money, etc), and that’s why he hasn’t done so? If he’s supporting you in buying the wedding dress, then he knows he wants to marry you, right? I know our situations are very different, but Andrew & I have been together for close to 5 years. We decided several years ago that we wanted to get married. He bought me a ring, although he doesn’t consider it my engagement ring…more of a promise ring type of thing. Our finances aren’t the best, and we’re waiting until we are financially stable before we get married. Maybe it’s the same kind of issue, that the timing just isn’t right at the moment?

Beth – Good for you for getting back on the wagon, and for being 2 lbs down! When’s your next weigh in?

good moring ladies... i had such big thoughts about jumping in this forum, getting to know all you ladies, and losing weight.. well....
i have had stomach pains for about two weeks.. stupidly im one of those peeps that practically has to be dying to go to the dr.. yesterday i reached that point.. the pain was so bad i couldnt hardly move or stand up.. anyhow, i have a UTI.. never had one in my life... the part that irritates me about it, is i gave up soda two weeks ago for bottled water and fruit juices, and thats when i get a horrible bladder infect? lol... makes me want to go back to the soda
anyhow, im on som e heavy duty antibiotics.. lost 5 lbs this week cause i ws too sick to eat lol....and should feel more like exersizing and getting to know you all in the next day or two...

Good afternoon all..sorry i havent posted before now it has been a busy day of running around doing errands.

Well, i did jillian michaels dvd and i loved it but it is pretty hard i could only do 35 mins of the 45 mins and there was some high impact moves that i cant do yet so im gonna do it again on thursday im gonna mix it in with my walking dvd's.

i have a little vent and i hope you guys dont mind indulging me for a minute... my husband just frustrated the **** out of me he is sooo lazy and i knew this about him when i married him but i swear that he is getting worse..i asked him today before i left to run my errands if he would pick up the house a little bit and well i come home and nothing looks different!! so i asked him about it and he says " i picked up the living room a little bit" and the living room doesnt look any different!!! and if i do ask him to do things he does them half *** ya know like i ask him once in a great while to do the dishes well when i go to put them away half of them still have food on them it drives me insane so i dont ask him to do the dishes anymore but its kind of stressful on me a little because im trying to find a job, work on losing weight, keep the house clean, do laundry ( sometimes he'll do it but not very often)and weedwack the yard and all i ask of him is for him to mow the lawn and sometimes even that is a fight!! grrrrr! do any of you ladies experience that with your husband/boyfriend?

thanks for listening i feel better now lol
have a great night
Heather

Brandnew-I used to teach classes to non-profits on how to recruit, train, and "feed" volunteers. At one time I had over 180 volunteer mediators working for me. The biggest mistake is when we think that volunteers aren't real employees just because they aren't paid. You have to pay them, just not with money. When I requested resumes and interviews before taking on volunteers, I had 2-3 times as many people sign up as when I took anyone who came through the door.

Himself held my hand all the way to my first day of school. Our old facility had to be vacated since the province was fixing to put a highway right through it. The new building isn't finished being constructed, so we are in temporary digs at an old community college facility in a strip mall. There's a two lane industrial road to cross from the bus stop rather than a 6 lane highway with a concrete divider in the middle. Much safer. He was worried about what it will look like when covered with ice. It was over 90 degrees, and I was being eaten alive by gnats, so I couldn't be bothered with discussions about ice. The whole area must have been built on an old swamp. Getting swarmed by insects made me homesick for Florida.

Hey ladies...checking in to say hellooooo... I hope everyone is well.

I've been a scatter brain the past few days...had a doctor appointment last friday, that went well actually. My skin issues look better says the doc, even though I still feel like a blob with the plague or something. Then I had a family thing, which always surprises me when people are shocked at the salads I make. I mean I threw them together so fast and they just eat them up and say things like "I can't make this at home, i wouldn't know how." hehe

I HAVEN'T made my raw food cinnamon balls yet...ran out of agave nectar, noooooo...so I have to pick some up soon. Oh well...I'll have to experiment with sweet things next week.

This week I'm all into TACOS, but raw taco salad...i dunno, we'll see how it turns out. *shrugs*

TACOS!

Anyhow, *HUGS* to you all...