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 a bi-weekly 2x2 Challenge.
Our goal is to lose 2 lbs in 2 weeks.
We have a long term goal of losing 300+ lbs within our 300+ group in 2005.

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.

Hi Everyone!
Hope you all had a great weekend!

Thinthinker: Thank you for the craving advice.

Esmaraude: Thank you, yes that helps. I am not "dieting" That is such a dirty ugly word. Instead I am watching what I eat. If I crave something I try to work though it, if I can't I eat a little or substitute with something similar. It works sometimes...lol

Terri: Well, this year will only be my second year with an herb garden. I have room in my little 6 x 6 garden for about 6 herbs. Last year I grow herbs in 10 in. pots. I grew lavender, basil, lemon balm (my very fav) and oregono. Now I want more. Their pretty easy to grow & perfect in pots for your deck. Good luck

Oh & Thank you for the welcome to anyone who said "hi" that I may have missed the message. I'm so glad for this group. It's definately keeping me focused and aware that weight loss needs to be on my mind constantly.

Have a great day!

I'M BA-ACK!

Well ladies - Lilion is back from Sin City with $$$ left over! I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had! We stayed at the Luxor and upgraded to a suite - another $130.00 for four nights, but worth every penny! We had a view of the Sphinx and a bit of the strip and it was just beautiful at night. Unfortunately, it was also facing east, which meant waking up early every day, but there was so much to do that we needed to anyway. Best part of the room was the jetted tub in the bathroom, which was a life-saver for my back and legs. I don't think I'd have made it without the tub. With the suite we also got free passes to the King Tut exhibit and free spa passes we used the last night to set in the big hot tub...next time I have free spa passes though I won't wait until the last thing. We literally went at 4:00 a.m. and had to be at the airport at noon. Didn't get much sleep the last night.

We did everything we could do in the four days we had. We did skip something I really wanted, which was to go to the top of the Stratosphere tower, but it was more money than everyone wanted to spend just to see the view. We took in a show, free, since we gambled enough to be comp'ed show tickets at the Tropicana, which was right across the street from the Luxor. We actually gambled there more than anywhere else...but we made sure a lot of casino's got our money! We're actually quite cheap gamblers. I lost about $10 in slots...because I just can't stand to lose money and quit playing. But I won $25 in nickel slots. I actually played a lot of blackjack and never lost any money to speak of. I usually quit when I was up a few dollars and only played on the $5 tables except for twice, when I had coupons to win $15 for betting $10...which I also won. Poor DH, who is actually quite good at cards and taught me how to play just kept losing at blackjack, but did okay at craps.

I admit, I ate like a pig and didn't even try to make good choices. I had a lot of fun though and as of tomorrow will be back on track. I say as of tomorrow because tonight we're taking our son out as a treat to him and he wants to go to Chili's. We walked our butts off though and I'll be very surprised if we gained much except water. We literally walked 7 miles or so one day and then every other day walked too. I've never had my legs or feet hurt so bad. But it likely made up for some of the fattening food. The fatty food also had another lovely consequence, in that it moved thru my system much faster than normal...if you get my drift. Not a lot of fun, thank heaven for Imodium.

Well, DH is rushing me so I best go. Anyway, I'll post photos as soon as we can get some on disk.

LATER!

Hey Lillion, nice to see you've come back from Sin City...I can't wait to see some new photos!!!

Hi Pebbles, I think I forgot to say hello to you in the last thread, oy vey.

My mother bought me a nice gift...she's been hearing about me grumble about the analog scale we have in our bathroom..well..she came home today from Wal-Mart with a brand new scale....I stepped on it and got....."ERR"...GAH!!! I looked at the box and found out it is only accurate to 300lbs...I'm soooooo bummed....at least now I have a new goal...to lose those pesky 37 pounds so I can use my new scale

Things like that are such a reality check to me, I hate it, and it makes me feel like such a freak, like I'm getting too fat for this world or something.

Anyways, I'm a bit bummed but I don't want to bring anyone else down....see you all soon.

Home from Florida...travelling home today was exhausting and a challenge...but we're back...just in time to go to Jason's parent's for dinner...oysh. I need to unpack and get cleaned up...more late. Here's hoping that Wednesday night's WI isn't too tragic.

Hi Everyone.
I'm just popping in for a very quick hello. I've been lurking around, but don't have much to say right now. The IVF cycle is not going very well right now. I am full of emotions and hormone meds and one minute am happy and the next am crying. It's been difficult to say the least. Over the past couple of days I've had to start dealing with the prospect that we may never conceive our own child and it's heartbreaking.

There are so many new faces around and I know most of you don't know me well and have no idea what is going on, but I wanted to make sure and update all my buddies. I thought about sending personal messages, but I'm not up for it at the moment. I am going to curl up on the couch and watch Desperate Housewives. Hopefully that will help clear my mind a bit.

Hugs and Love to All! I'll update again when I can.
BarbPA

Hello all!

I felt like changing my avatar to the main characters I've created. They're my babies, LOL! So now it matches my siggy pic a little better.

I've done great with the eating today but I didn't exercise like I should have. But unless I hit Wal-mart or the mall and make myself do some walking, I normally just work out during the week since I'm at the Y early anyway.

Thin- Yeah, you'd think that she'd have back-up supplies, but no. . . she also reprimanded me on that hearsay last week. . . it's so frustrating to work with her. And now my summer position is in jeopardy because she's actually considering people that initially turned down the position. What about seniority? I signed up for it two months ago when the high school girls said they didn't want to work all summer. And now they've changed their minds? Bleh.

Pebs- Glad to be of help. I've picked up a lot of tricks over the years, and I've lost significant amounts of weight in the past. The hardest part for me is making myself believe I am worth it so I actually stick to it, because when I stop caring about myself, I stop trying. And you don't have to be extremely strict and watch every morsel you put in your mouth; just by trying you're paving the way for progress. And it's a heck of a lot better than doing nothing. We can do it!

HI GUYS !!!!!

I am sitting at my daughters computer checking in.
For those of you who don't know... I live in Okla and my daughter lives in Mich.
Since the Spring Fling is in Michigan this year she was sweet enough to fly to Okla and drive back to Mich with me so I would not have to travel so far alone. She will also drive back with me... then fly back to Michigan.
I am not a flyer. Actually ... I have flown before ... but I am not able to walk much and I feared the walking in all the airports more than the flying. None the less ... isn't it sweet of my daughter to come home and drive back with me.

Thin... I am counting down the days till we all get together. 10,9,8,7,6 ...
Thanks for all the work you did getting this together.
For everyone who missed last year and/or this year... start watching in January for info on Spring Fling 2006 !!! They will probably always take place near the end of April. Mark your calendars NOW so you won't miss the next one.

Barbg... I did not bring anything fancy to wear either. Just casual wear like last year. I don't know what the weather will be like next weekend... but this weekend is beautiful here. While listening to their weatherman here... he said they have had SNOW in April before. BUT ... he did not predict any this year. LOL

BarbPA... I am soooooo sorry things are not going well.
You still have one embryo from the last time don't you ???
As they say... it only takes one.
Are you done doing whatever it is that you are doing for this session ???
If you have any free time...
I know a group of friends who would LOVE to see you. {{HUGS }}

Melissa... you called for a roll call. HERE I AM !!!!
I have spent the entire last week working like a maniac getting everything done at home because I knew I would be out of town for two weeks. Then the last couple of days I have been driving cross country.

Esmaude/Karen ... I too have worked in child care for many many years. I have done Home Day Care and outside the home day care centers. At one point I was in charge of the teenage girls who helped with the afterschool programs too. I have worked with newborns to 2 year olds , all the way up to the oldest which is 12 here. I have managed big daycare centers and small. But I must admit... I am glad to be out of it now.

Terri ... Your weekend sounded so nice. Our last two houses were country. We had a large horse pasture behind the first house we lived in... and a larger wheat field behind the second. The house we live in now is the most "cityfied" for us. LOL My husband grew up on a farm and always had horses and cows. He misses that. The closest thing we have to a horse now is ... our 66 Ford Mustang.

There are sooo many newcomers.... WELCOME !!!! There is no way I can get all of you by name and not miss a few so I am just welcoming all of you.

Okay... gotta run. Been a longgggg day.

Hi everyone my name is Clara. I live in Illinois,I'm 61. Raised 9 stepchildren and 2 adopted. Married nice man Bob who had 9 kids.Still married to him 33 years. Well I just whated to say hello.

Bye for now

Good morning everyone! Hope everyone had a great weekend. My trip to gatlinburg was good, i did well foodwise, and i walked like crazy! I am so gratful to have found this board, nobody understnads the frustruations of trying to lose weight except for people in the same boat. Sometimes it is very depressing thnking of how much I need to lose to feel "normal", and reading everyone's posts make me feel like im not alone. Well, i have to go to work, hope evryone has a great day

Good morning Ladies, I see a bunch of our chicks made it back home! Good to see Ya!

Lilion, Good job with the gambling. I am not a big chance taker myself, but I do love those one armed bandits. Glad you made it back safely.

Julee, same goes for you.(glad you made it back saefly). We will look forward to the pics.

Meliss, I am here, answering your roll call. It was super nice of your Mom to buy you the scale. You will be able to use them soon I know

2cute, Your daughter is a peach to do that for you. I know what you mean about flying, ugh! I swore I would never get on another plane when we landed in the states our last tour of duty overseas. I had had it with planes and traveling. So far, I haven't been back on a plane, but I have traveled a bit by land.

Esmaraude, I like your avatar! I am not fond of exercise myself, and I don't much like walking as a passtime, cause it hurts! I think I may be just a tad lazy when it comes to exercise

BarbPa, It was good to see you posting. Those darn hormones can really play heck with our emotions, hope you get to feeling better about things soon. Lurk if that is all you feel like doing, we will be saying hello anyway ok? :0)

Pebs, I am glad that we help keep you focused, now if someone can just keep me focused I will be doing better! Sometimes I think I am a lost cause. It is so strange that I can go for days being SO OP, and then out of the blue, BAM! I will never understand it!

LaneClare, welcome. I hope to see you often!

Judie, Welcome to you also. I saw your post off thread, come on over to the numbered threads and let us get to know you. Believe me, there is a whole bunch of us that understand what you are going through.

I think that is everyone from this thread. If not, I apologize!

To all the others that haven't posted yet. Here is wishing you an OP day. Iwillbe

While I'm waiting the hour after I take my morning medicine before I can eat breakfast, I thought I'd check in.

This is something I got from the American Institute for Cancer Research from their column entitled "Nutrition Notes."

The five stages of motivational readiness that can be applied to dieting, exercise, or just about anything in your lifestyle you are trying to change.

Stage One: Precontemplation - A person has no intention of changing.

Stage Two: Contemplation - A person intends to change, but later.

Stage Three: Preparation - A person is ready to change withing the next month.

Stage Four: Action - This stage is reached when a person has recently changed a behavior.

Stage Five: Maintenance - This final level occurs only when a person has carried out the new behavior for at least six months to two years.

For those of you having trouble sticking to your plan or exercise routine, tell yourself if you can stick it out for at least 6 months, it will get easier. My next door neighbor's mom used to yell at them on Sunday morning that they had to get up to go to church so that it would be a habit for next week. I wish that it could be that easy. I myself have always had a problem with sticking with things. I think I hated that part of my character most of all. I hated being that person that did just enough to get by. I saw my friends staying in shape, and just *****ed that it wasn't fair that I couldn't. I finally feel like I have taken the energy that I used to put into my "want-a-be" dreams and turned it into energy to pursue my "reachable" dreams.

What are you gals going to do today to help you reach for the dreams you deserve?

Good morning!

To answer Catherine's question - I've already done 30 minutes on the spinner and then some pilates for the back. That's the exercise part.

This was last night but its part of achieving my dreams. I had my first ever riding lesson on Tanyah. It was postponed from a couple of weeks ago. I loved it. It was a good workout. Not just for Tanyah either.

So I told DH that he was going to have to make more effort to have lunches for me to take to work so I can use that money I was spending in the work cafeteria to spend on lessons.

The inspiring thing about this woman is that she's lost 105 pounds. She encouraged me to keep at it. Its best for the horses back and for me too. I admit there was a bit of embarassment to have her talk about it but I know she was there too.

Off to work!!

Hey - where's the talk about workout clothes at Fling???

Hello ladies, just checking in because I won't be here all afternoon or evening...it's orientation time at Border's!! Did I mention I got a part time gig there to pick up some extra hours? Hey, was it this group that had a girl in it that worked at Borders?? I can't remember....Anyways, there is NO way today I will be exercising...I would like to but it can't happen...I forgot and took a shower already, and I am not going to get all sweaty and stinky before work.

WELCOME to Laneclara, I hope you dive right in on our discussion..hehehe.

Julee - Welcome home...in case I didn't already welcome you back!! (I thought I had, I can't be too sure)....here's hoping on Wednesday's weight in, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...from what you described this weekend it doesn't sound like you did bad at ALL.

Barb - You're in my thoughts..there really is nothing I can say to do what you're going through with justice. I just hope one day God can bless you with a little child of your own.

Karen - I like your avatar a lot more than your old one...the other one was nice of course it was just sorta depressing, hehe...I like the pretty spring pastel colors in your new image.

Futurediva - I'm glad you had a good weekend away....where is Gatlinburg though???

2Cute - What a sweet daughter you have You know, I didn't know WHERE you lived, I always wondered..I mean for a while your avatar said you lived in Twoterville...hehe...I knew it was in the midwest somewhere though (in one of the square states...ha ha I'm just kidding, I know oklahoma is the saucepan state).

IWillBe - You didn't say anything about your weekend so I have nothing to comment on, but you posted, so hello!!!

Catherine - I think we all have trouble sticking to things, or else we probably wouldn't even be here....already I've become a major slacker at logging down all the food I'm eating every day. Thankfully it's easier to forgive myself though because I exercise now 4-5 times a week.

Terri - I miss taking riding lessons, I used to have so much fun...and if i remember correctly it was SUCH a great workout....but i don't miss the saddle sores

Well, I guess that's everyone who posted since I was last here...just wanted to catch up a bit since I won't be here tonight :sniff: Everyone, have a great day and make the right decisions today because it's a NEW day!!!

MissMeliss- Congrats on the Border's job! I have a really good friend that has worked at several bookstores; she says that her current job at Border's is the best place she's ever worked when it comes to employee treatment and such.

Yeah, I'd say my last avatar was rather. . . wistful, LOL! But it did a good job representing me at the time. I still love that pic and could stare it all day, but the change is good since I'm feeling a heck of a lot better now. Besides, there's something more satisfying about using something that I drew myself, LOL!

Ok, since it's Monday I did my "official" weigh-in after I finished my shift and before I worked out. Three more pounds, so I'm down by 27 now. Yay!

I'm feeling so much better about everything; I think I needed to work through that low point I had not so long ago to get it out of my system. I actually felt like getting out of bed this morning. I can't believe I actually have some energy.

Well, hope everyone has a good day! I'll be checking in later tonight. . .