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 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.

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!!!!

Hello ladies. I haven't had a chance to catch up. My apologies. I'm working 50+ hours a week and the rest of my time is spent getting this house put back together and helping the hospital coordinate our Katrina relief drive.

I hope things are going well for everyone.

HI ammi & brand new me, my older son was back at nursery yesterday and with being up early got a really challenging exercise video I had'nt used for five years out, managed 15 minutes, it was split into 15 or 25 minutes so I was pleased. Got the kitchen floor clean and other jobs which are hard to do with 2 boys trying to injure one another!
What is wrong with your house, was it affected by katrina? You are very good trying to help those who have survived Katrina, I wish we could do something practical to help.
Ammi, I know tou have a 14 year-old girl how old is the other one? Do they fight? I shared a room with my youngest sister, my other sister got a room of her own 'coz I was (and still am) scared of the dark, we were always fighting, but we're best friends now!

regards,
sharon

Good morning, chickies!

I was working at the restaurant last night and a bunch of us servers started a conversation about whos fault the situation in the Gulf is--whether it's Bush's fault, the Federal government, the state government, the local governments, the individuals who chose not to leave, the individuals who are lotting and shooting people...I just got so frustrated that everyone is still trying to figure out who to blame instead of just shutting up and helping out! So rock on, brandnewme. I'm so glad to hear you are helping! If I weren't working 60+ hours a week with 2 jobs, I'd be trying to do more, too. Until then, the least I can do is drop some $$ with those collecting at all the intersections around here--not much, but every little bit adds up, right?

Ammi--yes, housework can be GREAT exercise! I cleaned up my apartment over the weekend and certainly worked up a sweat doing so. As much as I'm sure you love your children, isn't it nice to have them out of the house for a while

voodoo--ha, I used to fight with my sister when we were younger, too--she is 5 years older than me, so there was always a pretty big gap in maturity and understanding. Now that we are older, though, we get along just fine

Well, hope everyone's kids are making a smooth transition back to school. I went and bought some Ginseng yesterday on Dogpal/Catherine's advice, so we'll see if that helps. I have also cut out almost all carbs yesterday and today (my meals were/are: egg white omelette, 2 large turkey sausages, baked ham slices, and grilled chicken) and have been drinking only water and diet soda. Hopefully, this will help to compensate for the horrible weekend of eating--as of steping on the scale this morning, it does seem to be working , but I won't know for sure until Thursday night at my TOPS weigh-in.
Well, of to do some actual work--catch you ladies later!

Hi Sharon - that is great news that you dug out your old exercise tape and managed 15 minutes of it. I can't even attempt to do mine because of my surigal wounds, that's why I make do with housework. Good for you too that not only did you do the exercise but you did housework too. I bet that worked off quite a few calories. I think all us mums that send kids back to school spend the first few days cleaning the house and getting it back in order lol. My other daughter (step) is 14 in November. She and Beth get on ok, but Beth being an only child before that HATES sharing her room. The fact that it is too small too doesn't help. I think it might make things a bit easier now the beds are back together.

Hi Jill - Oh yes that is perfectly true, I love my girls, but I do love it when they are in school. I get so much more achieved and everything is nice and tidy, well at least til they get in lol. You know you are doing the low carb thing, do you ever find your body craves the carbs? It's funny, but when I am not dieting I hardly eat any bread or pasta, or porrige. But when I am dieting they all make up a staple part of what I eat. I haven't started on the porrige yet, that will be nice on cold winter mornings!

Tonight I am cooking cauliflower cheese for my tea, WW recipe. First time I made it I think there was too much milk in the sauce and it didn't so much coat the cauliflower, it wet it lol. So I am adjusting the recipe to make it how I like it!! The kids and hubby are having some medditeranian salsa thing with rice. I am not in to spicy things, so they can enjoy that without me wishing I was eating it, lol.

Bye for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Greetings chickadees!!! Happy Wednsday to us all. I'm sending strength to everyone. First let me start with
HAPPY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY LILLION !!! I hope those around you made you feel special.

Next, I have super news. .well, to me anyway. Today is my 42nd birthday . This one is much better than the last . Last year was my first birthday without my mom. I lost her 2 yrs ago mid september. It was hard not having her with me last year, but this year I know she is very proud of me. My next happy news is.. ...my stuck is unstuck!!!!! I had put on 3 lbs from muscle built up from swimming and then got stuck , but those 3 lbs ate them selves and took 2 more with them .
So now I am at -51 lbs How great is that?? I am soo pleased I could just...giggle .

Ammiuk: First let me welcome you. You are quite a positive addition to our family . Thank you for always pointing out the good stuff when you sense some one is down.
Thats just wonderful. Also, Congrats on the sweaty house work! You are the queen . I hate to sweat more than anything. I can get my best work done in the pool . Boy I can feel it when I miss a couple of days. And the carb issue you were talking about, the more carbs you eat the more you will crave them . They are sugars and the body uses it like a drug. They give instant gratification, but burn up quickly causing the craving again. I stopped eating breads in April and have only had it a handful of times since. Each time I do it, I cant stop craving it for another 2 or 3 days. Its not worth the turmoil for me. My carbs come from fruit, soy chips, crutons and rarely pop corn. I'm diabetic and making this change for myself has allowed me to cut WAY back on my insulin. I just thought I'd share what happens to me, maybe you can
think about it and see if there is a pattern for you. Good luck with those bugger carbs .

DOGPAL: WHERE ARE YOU???? Prayers and strength to you my friend.


Much love and support to everyone and battle on warriors of the buldge.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHADIE!!!

I'm so happy for you to have busted through that plateau!

I haven't cut carbs out of my diet completely. I still have whole wheat pastas, regular salad dressings, sauces on meats (honey mustard, bbq sauce, etc.), and sometimes oatmeal for breakfast. I don't find that I ever crave them, though, whether I have been "breadless" for days or if I just had some a few hours ago. I guess I'm just lucky that I can take 'em or leave 'em and that they don't affect me as strongly as they do some. I have cut them out almost completely just yesterday and today in an effort to rid myself of the pounds I gained over the weekend, but that's not permanent--more like just a jumpstart

Good Afternoon Ladies!

Just a quickie here!

Shadypurple: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! We're practically twins! And a great big on beating that plateau!

On the subject of carbs...I eat TONS of them. Breads, pastas, rice dishes, you name it. Of course, when you get down to it, Weight Watchers tends to be a high-carb, low-fat diet. But it works for me. The last time I lost any significant weight was on a diet my Dr. put me on. No more than 1500 cal. per day, no more than 40 grams of fat. And the first thing I was told to do was TRIPLE my carbs! I lost 40 lbs on that diet from Sept. to Feb. and kept it off for over a year, until I started back on my old eating habits of high-fat, high calorie foods. I know lots of folks get good results on low-carb diets and more power to them, and for some folks it is a necessity, but high carbs, low fat works for me if I just stick to it.

Must work now. Just got back from letting the puppies out and need to accomplish something before I go home at 5! Have a happy, healthy OP day everyone!

The carb thing, on the plan I follow most carbs are FREE FOODS, you can eat them in unlimited quantities, except for bread. I love it, loads of pasta, potatoes, fruit & veg. I wish I could go low carb or Atkins but having irritable bowel I find eating that way would make me very ill.
Ammi how long before you can exercise? (if you don't mind me asking) how does house work differ, is it because you only move in a way which won't upset your wound? How are you healing and feeling now, are you glad you had the op, I expect you are'nt in as much pain as before? Hope you don't mind, if you do please accept my apologies.
Shadie p it must be hard without your mum, they've always been there for birthdays and special days, I almost lost my mum four years ago when I was pregnant, she's had the all clear now so I hope she'll be around a bit longer. I'm sure your mum is watching over you and is really proud of your lifestyle changes/weightloss.

regards,
sharon

Hello Shadie and a very very happy birthday to you!! I am glad that this birthday so far has been wonderful, and much better than last years. You are right, your mum will be very proud of you, and not just because you have lost a shed load of weight. And on the subject of weight, that is fantastic that you have gotten past that plateau, WELL DONE YOU. Thank you for your warm welcome and thank you for explaining how Carbs effect you personally, and how they work in general. I never realised that's how they worked. I don't crave them myself, in fact, like Lilion WW diets work the best for me.

Jill - I will keep in mind that a drop in carbs might work as a good kick start to getting back on track after a slip off the wagon. It might be interesting just to try it and see how I feel without them.

Lilion - you have lost loads of weight, so it's more than obvious that carbs don't hinder you at all. I don't think they hinder me either, but I will definitely try going without them just for an experiment.

Sharon - the reason I can do housework is because there's no jumping around, no jolts to the body, and as the wound is perineal, I don't have to risk ripping it open by doing leg lunges etc. I also haven't tried exercising with my ostomy, and I am not sure if jumping around will make the bag come lose, or strain the stoma itself. It's all going to be trial and error when I do feel up to exercising properly. In the mean time, just vacuuming or cleaning makes me sweat. I am so unfit. I am hoping that keeping up daily housework will help me get some energy back, and then in time I will be able to take up proper exercise. I would love to swim, but with the open wound I am not allowed. Things will be so much better when this stupid wound heals. Yes I am glad I had the surgery, I had no option really, but life is much better now than it was when I had the UC. I have far less pain, and I don't have to live my life around the nearest toilet. I have to see the surgeon in October and I will find out if I need more surgery, including a skin graft. I don't want that, but if it means this wound finally heals I guess I will just have to do it. Thanks for asking.

Hugs,

Ammi

For you Shadie girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SHADIE,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Hi Everyone!! I feel like it has been ages that I have been here! Just been busy and hectic! Missed everyone though!

Anyway, I did weigh in on Monday. I used 2 different scales. The one that I originally used read that I was 289 adn I find that hard to believe. The new one that I got gave me several diffferent readings. I went with 294.5. SO I am guessing I am somewhere inbetween those 2. I am just happy for now that I am under 300. I hope NEVER to return!!

I hope everyone is doing well. I see have a few posts to catch up on and I will do so. I have been doing pretty well so I am happy. Hope everyone has a great night!!

{{HUGS}} PJ

Happy Birthday Shadie!! I am so happy that you had a great birthday!! I am glad that you were able to find some peace and comfort even though your Mom was not physically with you.

HUGE CONGRATS on those 51 pounds down! WOO HOO! Keep them comin down!!

Here is to a great LOSING year for you!!

{{HUGS}}
PJ

Lilion

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! May you have a year with many blessings and much good health and happiness!
Cheers!!
{{HUGS}}
PJ