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.

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.

Hi all!

Just checking in quickly while I give my knees a rest. I've been dusting and vaccuuming and picking up. Getting stuff ready. Wrapping, packing up. Still have to get out to the store for some last minute stuff. YIKES! The day is flying by and it doesn't seem like I've made even a dent. That's what I get for procrastinating until the last day.

I don't know how much I'll be around, but I'm taking the laptop with me so NO misbehavin' here, ok?

Ok, break's over. See you later. Love ya bunches.

Hi gang,

I haven't done any reading back, so many apologies for not checking in with everyone.

It's been a very hard few weeks, and I've gained some weight back. But here I am, ready to get back on track. I hope all are doing well, and I'll try to get caught back up with people soon.

Thin, I'm dying to know where you're off to, so I guess I'll have to read back at least a little

Karen Joy, I'm no doctor, so I hate to say disregard what the doctor says. But... at high weights like ours, usually a person can get started losing weight by making more moderate changes--and I think a lot of us find that we're more successful that way. How long has your husband been this heavy? Has he been trying to lose weight or modify his behaviors recently?

Well my hubby has been a big man since I met him, when we first met 6 years ago he was about 300 pounds and since then has had his weight yo-yo. His whole life really, his weight was up and down. I am so concerned for him right now because at 31 my husband's breathing is so labored and this is the heaviest he has ever been. I am not expecting him to be thin, I just want my man healthy! I thought after looking at the diet that perhaps a rapid weight loss would encourage his self esteem ( his family can be really mean) I think they have their heart's in the right place but their advice and encouragements seem more like insults and battery. They have at times even blamed me. I have some weight to loose but nothing too major. But I think that you may be right about this doctor's advice...it seems too harsh and I do not think that ANOTHER diet failure will help him.

One strategy I've taken over the years with various doctors (my current doc is quite good and reasonable, but others have not been) has been to let them think I'm following their plan, but do my own thing, until I've lost a significant amount of weight--and then tell them, "Hey, I didn't pay any attention to that stupid 800-calorie diet you gave me. Here's what I did instead."

Of course we are talking about serious health issues, so your hubby needs something that IS going to work for him. How far is the diet the doc gave him from his current eating behaviors? Could he shoot for something in the middle, between the doc's diet and his current eating?

my hubby is what i call a "sneaky eater"...his line of work has him on a crazy schedule and late night eating is nothing new. But within the past few months I have heard him going to the fridge. Waking up from a sound sleep and raiding it. Is it because when he is alone he can eat what he wants or the amount he wants without anyone talking about it? When we eat together he appears to eat a "normal" portion for a man but it is his eating habits that " do not see that have me concerned. If he only ate what I see him eat he really would be thin! I do not want anyone to think that I am mean to my husband about his weight. I'd adore him at any size but he is so handsome and fun and smart that I wish that everyone could see that, but even he is blinded by the numbers on the scale. And I am afraid that part of his sneaky eating habits are because he is sad on the inside. And my heart is sick over that.

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome Karen Joy. Your thoughts of wishing people could see your husband the way you do, is so true of many of us. I am more than a number on a scale, i hate the fact that in this society, unless you are very thin, blonde, and tall, you are not considered "pretty".. i wish you and your husband the best of luck. I do agree that this diet plan seems awfully strict, especially for someone who is just begginning. Maybe he can ease into it somewhat. He is lucky to have a wonderful wife like you to help him. hope everyones day is going well, so far mine is. Catherine, i meant to say i love your posts! i look for them everyday, they are always interesting and informative. I am in awe of the weight loss sucess you have had, you have become an inspiration to mehave a great evening everyone, and remember, never give up

Karen-Joy, my Dr. also has me on a diet - she partnered with a dietician and they made a diet especially for me. So far I have lost 15lbs in 3 weeks. It wasn't easy at first, but I've gotten used to it now. I was told it was either the diet or go on insulin shots. I prefer to loose the weight.

As for your hubby. You might have to do tough love. You might have to lock the fridge in the middle of the night so he can't sneak. You might have to threaten to leave him, or something to that nature. Scare him in other words. IF he does the diet the Dr. prescribed for him he WILL loose the weight. He won't if he cheats. Just remind him how much you love him, but would not want to be his widow. ((((HUGS))))

Hi Chickies,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. Sorry I haven't been posting much lately
but I am still recuperating from our trip to Oklahoma. I caught some sinus thing and it sucks! But I am feeling better than I was.

Thin, 2cute, Terri and the rest that are going to Spring Fling, (or already there hehe) Have an Incredible time and maybe next year more of us can join you. I am definitely going to try!!

Karen-Joy -welcome to the thread, these wonderful ladies will help anyway they can. And they are a wealth of knowledge on dieting and weightloss. My DH and I are following The South Beach Diet and it is low fat and about eliminating bad carbs and eating healthier. You can get lots of info on the most popular diets around by clicking on the 3fatchicks.com at the top of the page and select 3FC features and then Diet guide from the drop down menu.
Also try to make sure foods available to snack on are allowed on the plan you choose, I know for me they can't be in the house if I can't have them.

No time for individual replies, everyone have a great evening.

KarenJoy: I am doing the Weight Watchers Core Plan...where the emphasis is placed on lean meats, protein, fat free dairy, whole grains, fruits and veggies...and water. If you stick to those foods, you don't have to do all of the counting and whatnot. If you choose to add in other foods, they are "points" but your wekly points can be used for anything you choose. I have lost 32 lbs since February 1 and have ben realy happy with my food choices and options. It was a gradual thing...cutting out bread actually was less challenging than I thought it was going to be, andnow that it is such an infequent part of my diet I am not having cravings.

There are plenty of ways to accomplish a goal if you have the right types of support and guidance. I was diagnosed with HBP last January and was given no direction from my doctor when she told me to go on a low sodium diet. I had a meltdown and was frsutrated. When a person gets told that he/she needs to go on a low-this and low-that diet...all they hear is what they can't have. It's wonderful that you want to help him through this. Hopefully you will find soemthing that you can do together so that you both feel like you area part of the process and that it's not about just one of you.

Good Luck!

Karen joy - This Karen welcomes you to the forum!

I can totally relate to your hubby worries. . . I'm afraid of going through the same thing with my fiance sometime in the future. We're probably around the same weight but he doesn't seem motivated to do anything about it.

Not only is a "sneaky eater" with a crazy schedule, he's openly addicted to fast food (but lives in denial over it). He's become a little more accepting of healthier choices lately, but is still quick to order the biggest and most fattening thing on any menu. And when I fix dinner, not only will he eat it, he'll want to make a trip to Burger King afterward (the nearest one is like two blocks away) because he's "still hungry." He doesn't have any pressing medical issues yet, but he's on the right path.

I'm frustrated. Lately he's seemed concerned that I might leave him if I lose a lot of weight, yet doesn't seem to acknowledge that I'm concerned over both of us and our future health. I've tried just about everything I can think of to motivate him. I've been there. I know what it's like to feel like I'm denying myself something or not really care about what I eat. But I can't force him to care and I can't do it for him, all I can do is attempt to be supportive.

Good luck to you. Maybe we can both figure this out.

Hi ladies,

We are having freaky spring weather. It is still as can be outside with a green overcast. That spells T*O*R*N*A*D*O weather. Its headed your way Lilion. I hope the crap its gone soon and no worries about flying out tomorrow. I freak when it comes to tornadic weather. I also am not too fond of flying anymore.

Karen Joy- You might check out the eating plan for South Beach diet. You don't have to do the phase 1 induction. However, it focuses on lean means, the right kinds of carbs, the right kinds of fats, lots of veggies and a moderate amount of fruits and dairy. IMOHP, I'd help your DH focus on making a few changes at a time such as getting switched to the healthier foods and worry about portion sizes later.

I'd be really leary of anything too drastic or too rapid of loss. Read back a a couple of threads and you'll see discussions about gallbladder issues which can be caused by too low of fat or elimination of greasy foods. Also, too drastic or rapid can cause the hair to fall out.

I'd listen to the doctor but devise a plan (as mentioned by Angela) that your DH is going to feel confidant and enthused about. Any way he'd read Dr. Phil's book?? So he can get to the bottom about the sneak eating. As Dr P would say - he needs to get real about his fat.

Good luck and keep finding ways to boost his confidence!!

I'm going to go try to walk the dog. Looks like we're on the edge of some nasty storms so hopefully it won't rain.

Goodnight!

Wow!! Lots of people are coming out of the woodwork. I had a really long day doing household chemical resets at K-mart today...yuck. I didn't get to work out either because when I got home I was just sooooo tired. Tomorrow my whole day is full of mystery shops, so it will be a nice and easy day...then saturday Borders, yay!

Jen, thanks for the nice response, it IS nice to be going to a pleasent workplace.

karen joy - my doctor reccomended a low fat/low carb diet for me as well. It's hard though, if you can't eat fat or carbs, what is there? A lot of us are also watching our sodium intake, so it makes it near impossible..you just have to go with the lesser evil unfortunately.

well, i know this has been a short post but i'm tired and my feet hurt

g'night everyone.

Karen/Esmeraude: My BF also told me he was worried that if I lost a lot of weight that I would want to leave him for someone else. I was so upset when he told me that...because I just couldn't understand how or why he would think that. I'm so lucky to have found him...he saw me at my worst and hopefully he will still be around to see me at my best as well...of course weight issues aside I am always at my best with him. Men are silly sometimes..but I guess we aren't the only self-conscious and insecure ones.