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!!!!

They changed the thread while I was still writing, so I moved this up.

Panda-I was in OA for about a year in the early '90's. First off, I didn't really do it right. I lost 150 lbs, and then joined. Everyone thought I was an old hand. That was part of my illness that I couldn’t admit that I had a problem until I fixed it. The second problem I had was that the group I went to was mostly bulimics and anorexics. I felt like a fish out of water. Lastly, I didn’t like the idea that they wouldn’t let you talk about losing weight. It was designed to change your relationship with food. I understand why that is, but I want to get healthy, and that involves losing weight and keeping it off. I guess I felt like it was substituting one obsession for another. In the end, everyone needs to find what works for them, and what they can stick with. Any diet will work if you stick to it, and the best exercise program is one that you like well enough to stick to. Those two things are about as individual as things come. What works for me may not work for another living soul.

Good Morning All,

It's Thursday and what a gloomy day? I hate days like this, I just don't want to get out of bed. It doesn't help either that I have to go shopping today and I have really really bad acne on my face still. For as long as I have been dieting I have all of a sudden developed terrible acne. The doc says its stress, but how come then I have only had it since dieting. I should go back to eating loads of chocolate and fatty foods, at least I didn't have spots then Seriously though, I really could do with hiding away for a while. Times like this I wish I was one of those ladies who cover all of their face except their eyes

Princesspuffypants - it was great talking to you the other day, and I am sure we will chat again really soon. Don't let those rotten scales bring you down when you weigh this week, think more of how you feel, how your clothes fit etc than what they say. They lie lol.

SueMarie - I am really sorry that you are stuck at 352 -357 lbs. It must be so frustrating for you. Don't say IF you get below 350 that you will maintain well, you must say WHEN you get below 350 You have to think positively.

Dogpal - Congrats on the 2 lb loss so far, and it isn't even Friday yet I bet you worked off some points/cals/energy painting that fence. I bet you are so relieved it's all finished now!!

Pandabean - how are you doing, have you climbed back onto the wagon now I have never tried OA, don't even think they have it in the UK, although I could be wrong. But one thing I have heard about it that I don't like is that you can't be friends with anybody outside of OA, is that right?? I have a friend in Idaho, and she ran into an old friend of hers. They were in OA together, but my friend quit because she found dieting her own way better for her. Anyway she asked her friend if she would stay in touch and they could encourage each other in their weight loss, and she said NO, I'm not allowed, you aren't in OA. That sounds pretty daft to me, support is support no matter what diet regime you follow.

PJ - How are you doing today? I hope you are keeping up the great work staying OP.

Sharon - good morning to you too. Hope the weather is a bit brighter where you are.

Ok well I have prattled on enough now, I guess it's time to have breakfast and then get dressed to go out, yuck yuck yuck Take care all and have a great day.

Hugs,

Ammi

Hi everyone, lost the 'thread' for yesterday, today is slimming club day, weigh - in at 11am. The weather is vile here, all fine rain and mist, but we are nearly in October, seems we have had very little of Summer, I was hoping for an Indian Summer, oh well.

Someone mentioned chairs, and fitting in them, the adult ed. place I go to has normal chairs without arms, which is good because when I went before to do sign language I got pregnant and got even bigger! It is a fear which I suppose many of us have, will the (flimsy plastic) chair hold my weight, can I fit on the ride seat, will the seatbelt go 'round me, can I get up/out easily? still we must emphasise that we are here to do something positive, to get healthy and 'normal' sized, or at least so we don't have to worry about chairs collapsing or not fitting in them!

At the moment, though I feel a bit depressed, I am feeling positive about losing weight and exercising , which is supposed to boost your mood, so I'm hoping I can keep it up. I will post later, here's to a good loss, hope you're all well.

sharon

hello all! so despite my worry about my feminine issue. im down 1.4 today!! horray! i love the gym! i even went back to the evil elliptical machine and did it for 25 min straight! hot sexy body, here i come

thank you for the encouragement. i hope everyone is well. if you need a kick in the pants, a hug, or anything, im here!

~luan

Ammi-I also fight with my face. When I was at my largest, I basically put myself into a pre-mature menopause. Now that I have lost weight, I am actually going through a second puberty. Man, I didn't like it the first time, so twice is enough. At least my periods have finally settled into a regular cycle. I use under-eye cover sticks, two different colors to mix to match my skin tone better, and that really covers well. The bumps still show up close, but at least I don't look like a pepperoni pizza. The doctor has told me that going on the pill might help with the whole puberty thing, but I am a devout Catholic, and that is just not going to happen. So I tell myself that it will settle down eventually. Acne can also be a sign of PCOS, so if you haven't been tested for that, you might want to be.

Jeez, I missed a lot while I was gone!

I flew back to Baltimore yesterday afternoon from my business trip in North Carolina--flew out just before Ophelia really caused some havoc on the flight delays, thank goodness! As for the actual trip, it was an EPA Web training conference, so it was really boring, but I did get to see my old boss (who now goes to grad school at NC state), so that was fun

I also got some excellent news while I was waiting for my coworker in the hotel. My cell phone rang, and it was a number I didn't recognize, but I answered it anyway. It was an offer for a job I had applied for! WOOHOO! It's not a full-time gig, but at least I can quit working at the restaurant to work on this new job. It'll be part-time, kinda sporadic (sometimes busy, sometimes slow). I'll actually be editing secret shopper evaluation reports before they go to the clients. I'm in the hospitality division, so I get to read al kinds of good evaluations about hotels around here--the good, the bad, and the ugly It pays between $20-125 per report, so I should be able to at least make the same as I do at the restaurant, but now from the comfort of my own home (all done online from my home computer). I get to work my new part-time job while watching tv, sitting in my pajamas, wearing no makeup...I'm so happy

I have been on birth control pills since I was 17 to control erratic and overly painful periods. Back then it was never about birth control...it was about life control. Now here I am 15 years later and my primary reason for being on the pill is still to regulate my periods. My BF and I have been in a totally monogamous relationship now for over 2 years and I have friends of mine who don't understand why we're using other methods of birth control with me on the Pill for so long. I don't think of the Pill in terms of being used for that. It keeps me sane, healthy and able to have a normal life. I wouldn't wish what I have been through on anyone.

My PCP wanted to have me explore getting an IUD instead, because she wants me off of estrogen based methods because of my BP, even though it's now totally under control.

Life without the pill for me isn't worth living. I had my period close to 18 days a month..when I had it, and it was accompanied by fevers, nausea and vomiting, hot flashes and sweating, diarrhea and migraines...oh yeah..and acne and cramps.

I have a friend who just got diagnosed with PCOS the other day. Luckily for her, she started WW and lost weight before hand, because weight loss and PCOS are not always friends. I know more and more women who are on the Pill and almost none of them are using it for actual birth control, but as a means of controlling an irregular cycle and being able to live a life.

It must be difficult to grapple with personal religious principles and morals and science at the same time. Clearly both arguments make sense to a person, but only one can win out. I guess I'm just a wimp when it comes to pain and agony.

In other news...I'm down another 1.6...and that was in jeans after dinner when I weighed in last night. Yay!

This current 10 lbs I am working on has been the slowest 10 lbs yet, but I am starting to see some major changes in my body...which is so exciting.

Have a good week...my major stress begins today and ends around October 17. Too much to go into...but it's like having a 30 day week.

Good morning Ladies,

Ammiuk and Voodoo: You guys both sound like you are needing a hug! Big hug coming at you both. Keep your heads up. Things will look better soon.

Princesspuffypants and Juleecee: Congrats on your -1.somethings. Way to go. I am so happy for you both.

Jillybean: I'm glad that you are home safetly and soundly. congrats on your new job. It sounds like so much fun! I wanted to get into secret shopper jobs cause I though it would be fun. Hope you love your new job.

Catherine: Hi, just wanted to say Hi and glad that you didn't get blown away. How long before you get to go be with your Hunnie?

Well, blessings to everyone, we have an apprasial on our house for the loan company tomorrw. I am nervous about it. I just get nervous about everything.

Blessings,
Dogpal

Chalk up another woman on the pill for reasons other than birth control, Julee! When I had just turned 16, I had to have emergency surgery to have a 10-inch ovarian cyst removed. It was like a huge water balloon and had gotten tangled in my falopian tube and actually cut off the circulation to my ovary and killed it. While they were in there, they found another cyst starting on my other ovary, so they had to remove 2 cysts and an ovary. I was immediately put on birth control pills because my doctor called me a "cyst farm," and the pill helps to prevent cysts. I have been on them steadily since that week after I turned 16 (I'm now 23), and I didn't even have sex for the first time until I was almost 22, so it was definitely a medical prescription. Of course, I don't think my sex life would be any different whether I were on the pill or not, so it doesn't really affect me in that way. There are some moral and ethical issues I feel very strongly about, but I say if a pill can help to heal you and make you feel better, then go for it! If a side effect of that pill is a decreased likelihood of becoming pregnant, I still think it's worth it, especially since we still have to be responsible about things other than pregnancy when sex is involved. But of course, to each her own!

OH, and there are some medications that counter the birth-control affects of "the pill," so it doesn't always even work. I know on my amoxocillan (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!), there was a warning about that. The pill still helped me to stay regular, kepe my skin pretty clear, and keep those cysts away, but if I were to have a sex, I would require a "back-up" method of protection.

Hello Ladies

AmmiUK – Yes yes yes! Must watch my words… WHEN I get below 350… how about this… WHEN I get to 200 woohoo! I too need a little me time… although I’m taking the “him” with me… We were just at Vegas two weeks ago, but that was for bowling sweepers. So much stress with competition and all that. This weekend at Laughlin, it will be a time to relax and enjoy myself… ooh ourselves. Heheheh

Voodoo – Yes, it’s a fear for me too… I won’t go on any of the theme park rides because I’m scared I won’t fit. I go to the expensive theaters where the arms lift up… I work in a school and they how those desk chair combos… can’t fit them either. Even at Cal State University for my schooling, the desks are…. Tiny. You take Sign Language? I took 3 semesters of it. (that’s what… equal to 2 years?) You know that saying, use it or loose it… I’m loosing it.
You take Sign Language? I took 3 semesters of it. (that’s what… equal to 2 years?) You know that saying, use it or loose it… I’m loosing it.

HippievanLady – what test is there for PCOS? I would like to talk to my doctor about it as well.

Jilly – Welcome back! Congrats on the job offer… was it an actual offer for the position or an offer to come in and interview?

Julee – Hiya! My stress begins next week and ends sometime in December… YAY for classes! EEEK!

I hope everyone is doing well...

I can't wait for Friday!!! We are laving for Laughlin for the weekend! Woohoo! I'm gonna soak up the sun, sit by the pool, and penny slots here I come!!! I'm a high roller!!

Have a weonderful day everyone...
Sue...

Dogpal-I leave October 3 at 10pm. I still haven't gotten my coat made because I'm having trouble getting to my sewing table. When our bathroom ceiling crashed in, everything in there like toiletries and over the toilet shelf with towels and such had to be moved into the bedroom so that it could be fixed. That was a month ago. The plasterer is finally finished, but it still has to be painted. When she showed up, the paint bucket they gave her was dried to a clump. I guess she'll be back tomorrow. I am excited and scared about the trip. It is a long trip, and I'm afraid of getting sick or having my knee or back stiffen on me. I'm afraid of losing my luggage or getting stuck in a snow bank. I'm afraid of totally losing it when I see him again. All those years of eating seem like a food coma to me. I muted my emotions for so long that the intensity of them now is very scary. I’m afraid of just losing gravity and flying off the planet sometimes. Sometimes I think my heart is just going to stop beating, or beat so hard it will explode right out of my chest. One of the reasons I decided to go by bus, besides the cost and the fact I’m afraid to fly, is that I wanted to time to think. My house is full of chaos right now. My roommate had knee surgery a month ago, and she has been, well just mean since then. 2 days ago she woke me up at 4 am because she had lint on her t-shirt. This morning it was 3:30am and she just woke up cursing and banging her crutches on the floor trying to adjust the length on one. A long bus ride is going to give my mind some time to quiet so I can have the chance to listen to my soul. I think that God can talk to us, but most of the time it is too noisy for us to hear him. I guess I want to know what my answer will be in case I get asked. It is so much to think about.

SueMarie-they usually test for PCOS with a hormone test, and an ultrasound of the ovaries. Some of the symptoms are acne, way too much hair in the wrong places, irregular periods, obesity, and infertility (most women are diagnosed when they seek help to get pregnant). It can make you more susceptible to heart problems and diabetes. I saw a research report that came out this week, and they are finding that girls that are obese are more likely to develop PCOS, and the quicker it is caught so that the hair growth and acne can be under control sooner rather than later makes a big difference.

As for the soup I stirred up by saying that I couldn’t use the pill because I’m a devout Catholic. That is just my personal decision. I don’t expect anyone to believe the way I do. Most regular Catholics don’t. If I had some serious problems with my period, I might reconsider. They have become obnoxiously regular now, and I only have 24-36 hours worth of cramps. When I first started again, it was like I was 11 years old again, going like a gushing oil well. It has settled down to normal now. I am a total throw back, old fashioned, simple woman. Sometimes I think I was born 100 years too late, or 100 years too early. It is one of the reasons that met my boyfriend through the internet. I felt it was important to meet someone who shared my values. That can be few and far between sometimes for the really devout. This site services only Catholics that follow all the rules, not just the ones they agree with; are serious about courtship, not dating; and are willing to be open to move wherever the Holy Spirit may steer them. I can truthfully say that Canada was not in my long term plans, but the heart wants what it wants. When I get back I will have many stories about how strange it is to be 43 years old and having to drag a chaperone around everywhere we go. I just hope the chaperone he arranged for is a fun as the one I did when he was down here. And before I get a rash of questions about why I would put up with that, just think about how much easier dating was when you didn’t worry about how the evening was going to end. We actually have to talk to each other, and get to know each other, and can do so in an environment that has no pressures. There is a sweetness to it that I don’t see in any of my brothers’ or my friends’ relationships. Some things are worth waiting for.

Hello All,

What a fabulous day I have had today. I made myself go out to do the grocery shopping with my hubby. First off he decides he fancies BK for lunch, so I went with him and ate NOTHING!! Just had a juice. Then after we went shopping I came home and planned the evening meal, and I made WW beef burgers for us all. When we got to eat them there was compliments all around. They really were tasty. So not only did I make myself a healthy meal, I gave the whole family a healthy meal. Yay lol.

Sharon - I am so glad that although you are a bit down, you are still able to think positively about your diet. How did your WI go? I hope it was ok. As for chairs, oh yeah I know all about the hassle of them. There are a few places I can't go because the chairs have arms and although I can squeeze into them, they hurt my legs so much I can't enjoy my cuppa or whatever I am there for. I also can't fit on theme park rides, had the humiliaton once of forcing myself into a tiny seat on a roller coaster, just managed to get the bar down and locked, and then the creep of an operator made me get off because the seat belt wouldn't do up. I mean geez, I was wedged in like a cork in a wine bottle, I wasn't unsafe at all. And I had been on the ride before and they didn't make me use the belt. So I suffered terrible humiliation leaving the ride and having people snigger. It sucks. It also sucks that I have done nothing about it til now. But I am going to lose weight and I am going back to that theme park and will do up that seat belt with room to move!!

Luan - woohoo, well done on the fabulous weight loss. How great is that. I can't wait til I weigh on Sunday and can adjust my weight tracker appropriately!!

Catherine - although I really feel for you, it is good to know I am not the only one that suffers with stupid acne. I have no problem with taking the pill, but my doctor won't let me take it because of my size. I have an Implanon rod in my arm for contraception.........BUT since my first surgery 3 years ago, I have had long recoveries, and two more surgeries with long recoveries, and I am still recovering from my last surgery in January. SO, the Implanon isn't a contraceptive because I am unable to do more than kiss and cuddle with my hubby. I stay on it because it stops my periods. I have enough to deal with, so it's great not to have periods. I noticed today that my face gets so greasy, it's like I have rubbed oil all over my face. I have no idea why I have gone all greasy, but I think I need to go see my doctor about it.

I think it's lovely that you met your fella on the Net, and the whole thing with the chaperones is so sweet and romantic. I met my hubby on the net and I know how exciting it all is!! I hope you have a lovely visit with your fella in October.

Jill - that is so awesome that you got that job. Working from home and getting all that inside info about various places, how cool is that. I can just picture you now, sitting in your PJs, typing up the reports etc, and not missing working in the restaurant one little bit. Well done you!!

SueMarie - that's what I like to hear, WHEN you get to 200 lbs!!! Have a great weekend, and put a few coins in the slots for me

Dogpal - thanks for the hugs, they were really needed today, at least this morning. Good luck tomorrow with the appraisal, I hope things go how you want them too.

Julee - on your weight loss. I know that 10 lbs is being stubborn, but don't let it beat you. Sorry to hear you are in for a stressful time, I hope you get through it ok and that you don't turn to comfort eating if it gets to be too much. Take care.

Well time for me to get some sleep now, so bye for now, and enjoy the rest of the day or evening depending where you are

Hugs,

Ammi

Catherine...

I am sorry if it sounded like I was attacking your religion and its direct effect on your decisions. I totally understand your position and can appreciate how much a vital part of your life your Faith is to you. I made a career out of mine after a long lapse. I work full time in a synagogue as the Director of Youth Activities. I'm not an Orthodox Jew. I see myself as Conservative...which allows me to embrace tradition and accept modernity at the same time. I grapple back and forth with keeping totally Kosher and a few other things, but the one thing I won't budge on is who I date and marry. It's a big reason that I left Birmingham, AL. yeah, I do know people who met their spouses there through the singles group...but they weren't my kind of people and I kinda gave up on them. I met my boyfriend (2 1/2 years now) on Jdate..a website that caters to Jews looking for other Jews. He is not observant at all..but he knew that marrying a Jewish woman was important to him. Truth be told, the organization that sets policies for the movement actually has said that "as a directly accessible role model for Jewish youth, it is expected that [I] not interdate or intermarry." I have had people think I am crazy for working somewhere that dictates that part of my life. But it was a very conscious choice I made on my own. I wouldn't have taken the job if I had a problem with it. I admire people with strong ties to their faith and who allow it to be a guiding factor in their lives. Even when I was not actively practicing any religion at all, having faith in something bigger than myself was a source of my strength. I need to remind myself to spend more time blessing the match and less time cursing the darkness.

Ammi...the 10 lbs are slower than usual...but I can really feel the difference. Never in my life have I been called "skinny" - but it's a word people use for me now. I have a hard time buying into it...but it's a nice change. And I don't personally think that for me, 243 is skinny...but it's smaller than when I began, I'm still working on it daily, and if I can get that far, I can see it through! Thanks for the encouragement As far as the stress, this is a time for me at work where it's a never ending string of major projects...they all overlap and it makes it hard for me to focus on any of them for an extended period of time..even though that's what I need to do. For example, tomorrow I have a meeting with a former student to help him come up with some lessons and ideas for a class he will be teaching, then I have to shop for 2 programs, drop off the groceries, grocery shop for myself, meet Jason at home, get to the synagogue for a congregational dinner and services and then collapse. Saturday and Sunday are similar in structure and duration...you get the idea.

Incidentally...I got a few comments the other day on my derrierre..apparently the view from behind is pretty nice these days...wheeee.

Thanks all for being a part of my journey.

Hi all!

Just had to pop in here a minute.

Jill: I applied for a mystery shopping schedulers position last month. Didn't get it, I'm sure as I haven't heard a thing. Thought I would try to switch things up a bit. Oh well. Congrats on the editing job. Now when you get my reports across your desk make sure to be kind.

Catherine: I love your conviction about being a Catholic. I was raised Catholic and educated in a Catholic school. But I have to say that I have fallen away from the church because of it's propensity for changing the rules. I used to love it back in the days of Latin Masses, etc. We actually have a "pre Vatican II" Catholic parish around the corner from us. I was tempted to peek in there and see if that would be more to my liking. It's nice on Sunday to see the women actually dressed in skirts instead of the jeans, shorts and tank tops that I see going into the other Catholic churches in the area. *I can't be more excited for you going to meet up with your honey. You mentioned when you're leaving, but did you say how long you'll be gone?

No time for more, must run. Busy day tomorrow.