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!

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Good Morning All,

As I write this I am noticing that there is a problem with everybody's weight tickers. I wonder what's up? I miss seeing everybody's progress under their posts.

Anyway I didn't get chance to come back on here yesterday so I have some catching up to do now. Before I go any further though, let me just say to all the mums in the US and Australia HAPPY MOTHERS DAY We in the UK celebrate the day in March.

Misti - aww come on, don't you even like Elliott a tiny weeny little bitty bit As for Mandisa I thought she was brilliant, and I would have loved for her to win. I really do like Taylor and Elliott, but honestly I don't think either of them hold a candle to the runner up one year Clay Aiken. He has to be my all time fave from AI. Though I did like Bo too, I sure do wish both him and Clay had won.

Patti - I was indeed very happy to hear that you had resisted the pull of the scales yesterday. Now the big question is, can you do the same today

Cyn - congrats on the 1 lb loss, it's great to see those numbers coming down. That's brilliant that you have managed to cut right back on how much Dr Pepper you used to drink. I am trying so hard to get my daughter to stop drinking Cherry Coke, or at least drink the diet version of it. My ex husband, her dad, always gives her money when he sees her and she takes it to school and spends it on junk including the cherry coke. She isn't fat, but she has been, she had a growth spurt and thinned out nicely. But now she has to watch what she eats and drinks, and she has it in her head that she can just miss meals and then it will be OK for her to eat M&Ms and drink cherry coke. I didn't listen to my mum when I was at home, and look at me now..I really am despairing that I can't get Beth to listen to me.

Lori - oh no, not you too how can you not like Elliott, not even a little bit? I was actually watching a film a few weeks ago, and there was a song playing in it and the person singing it, don't know his name, he sounded just like Elliott though. Of course I also think Taylor has a look of George Clooney, so maybe I am just nuts

How are you doing? I hope things are settling down at home somewhat

Xena - I am sorry that you had that gain, and that all in all you have gained 8 lbs in the last month. Have you lost any weight in that time too? I know all about gaining back weight. I lost 22 lbs last year from the summer time, and gained it all back by mid January. I totally went overboard in November and especially over Christmas.

I don't know what advice I can give you because I know in my heart that if you just aren't in the right frame of mind to be dieting that it just won't happen. You will try, fail, feel worse because of it and then just eat more. I guess the only thing I can say is to not fall off the diet wagon altogether, maybe increase your exercise to make up for not making the right diet choices. Keep drinking plenty of water. And all the while try to figure out what it is that is bringing you down and keeping you from committing 100% to losing weight. I hope that trying the Core diet will help you to get back on track too, were you doing the points one before then?

OH well that would be an eye opener for me if AI did override the vote on Chris. I don't think I can remember it happening before. What would happen if they got him back though, would they boot Katherine, or would they just add an extra week to the show so they could all have another go at the Elvis songs? You know if Chris was to be brought back I still think he would be voted out the next time because a lot of people wouldn't be as happy as his fans to see him back. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. I agree with you though about Chris sounding the same and being a bit boring. I feel the same about Katherine. They have good voices, but they are like so many other people out there now. Taylor and Elliott are so individual, one of them deserves to win.

Julee - woops so you had that mini melt down for nothing Well it wasn't really for nothing because you proved to yourself that although you were willing to throw in the towel, you didn't. You didn't give up on your diet or on yourself, so you should be really proud of yourself!

Congrats on your reading the sermon going well. I hate public speaking whether it be reading something or just talking, so I am very impressed that you did that sermon and did it well too.

SueMarie - well it's your WI today, I can't wait to hear how you have done! I hope keeping off the scales until today pays off and you have a wonderful surprise when you do get on them!!

That's cool that you got that home gym, now you just have all those empty boxes to get rid of I would love to have some exercise equipment but we just don't have the room for it. Of course once the kids have grown up and left home I will have a spare room then, so I shall just be patient for another few years Have fun and don't overdo it when you do get to work out on your new 'toy'

I hope you let yourself have that icecream you had been craving. You had the points for it, and I am sure you have the willpower to stop at just one.

Keisha - hello and so glad you found us. I think it makes the world of difference to have support and encouragement from others who are in the same boat. Ones that know what it's like to be so big, know how hard it is to diet, and what a journey we have ahead of us. Women like Zelma, who are proof that we can get to looking slim and lovely again are a real inspiration. As are plenty of others who are losing the weight and keeping it off. I would name a few, but then would feel bad if I forgot somebody, but suffice to say we are all in this journey together and are going to get to our goals.

Annie - as I am here writing this all the weight tickers are still not working, I am sure it will be sorted soon. I sure do hope so because I am hoping to report a loss tomorrow. Now how is that for positive thinking

Flady - good job on those babysteps, making small changes makes all the difference. It's my daughter's birthday this month. Now normally I would use that as an excuse to eat what I want when we go out for a Pizza Hut meal. But this time I am going to make better choices, a slice or two of a thin and crispy pizza, a diet coke, and no starters or dessert. And at home I will just have a thin slice of her birthday cake. I will still share the treats of the day, but so much more sensibly.

Sharon - are you enjoying your weekend, how is Aiden, I hope he is much better since we last spoke.

Brenda, Crock, Kayley, Nancy, Velma, Christine, Jill, Val, Vicki, Mel, Lilion, Brandnewme, Catherine, HippieMomma, and anybody else I haven't mentioned, including our lurkers I hope you are all doing well, having a great weekend, and are losing weight as I type

Got to go put some washing on the line, hmm so much for my lazy Sunday Take care all and bye for now.

Hugs,

Ammi

Good morning and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Another post with no personals. I did catch up and read all the threads I missed this week...but I'm pressed for time, so just know I'm waving a big hello to everyone.

My birthday on Thursday was nice. Thai food for lunch with a friend, then I picked up my ex's 8-year old daughter from school and we went to get a mani/pedi, then went to her house and we made waffles cuz she wanted to make cake but I didn't have time to make cake. I dropped her off at her Dad's house and then I took myself to my favorite restaurant, where I was meeting a few close friends for dinner. I had me a big party there last year - 28 of my friends showed up then and I loved socializing with everyone but I was so busy being a butterfly that I never did have dinner. I wanted to do it differently this year - more low-key, and less busy. So, on this birthday I only invited my closest friends. It was 6 of us and we had a sweet time. And, one of them bought me my favorite bday cake, this year in miniature version (chocolate with fresh strawberries and whipped cream icing). All in all, it was a good birthday. And, it certainly was a "food" day in that the focus was food, but I ate normal portions of real food and small portions of the sweet stuff (waffle and cake).

Went to dance class yesterday after my 70-min bike workout so I got more than 2.5 hours of real movement yesterday. YAY for Saturdays. :-) This was our third session in dance class. Did I mention to y'all that last week a few of my friends showed up unexpectedly and it made the class even better? Well, they were there this week too, along with one of my other friends whom I dragged out of her house to come with me. And, we are doing more "dancy" things and less "aerobics class things" in class so I'm enjoying myself even more. A few of us are enjoying ourselves so much we asked the instructor is she was continuing the series after the original 8 weeks. She said she probably will. I'm so happy! This class really makes my Saturday morning really special.

About half-way through dance class I got very very sad. See, the class is in a dance studio and well, dance studios have at least one wall made out of mirros. This studio is no exception. It's been really interesting to do class there, and watch my body in motion most of the time. I sure am learning a lot about myself through that process.

Yesterday we were in the stretching portion of the class and I looked up at myself doing my stretching contortions (since I'm so flexible, they really are contortions) and I saw my body, and particularly my arms, and how large they are and felt really sad and deep compassion toward myself for having done this to my body. There was no judgment there on my part, only compassion and a very deep sadness.

A few minutes later we were doing other stuff and a friend asked me how I was doing (she's a big girl too, though not nearly as big as me). "Oh," I said, "I just got a bit sad." Her response "Body stuff?" And I said "Yeah" and that's all I needed to feel less alone. I think it's good that I allow myself to have feelings around my body and how I look. It's really good to cultivate that awareness and to be that much more in touch with my emotions. It will only help in the long run. This process is not just about eating better and moving more, I really have to come to grips with my emotional life and generate a wholistic approach to better health.

And, I'm sure it is easier for me to go to a dance class or to take myself hiking with a group of strangers (like I am doing today) cuz I do it within the context of my community. For example, there were about 10 people in that class yesterday, eleven including the instructor. I am by far the biggest person there, but 6-7 of us are big girls (probably cuz the class was billed as a "beginner's class) and I'm sure that is the reason why I feel so comfortable there. And, I really am blessed to live in the Bay Area and be a part of the queer community here. By miracle of miracles I landed me in a community that is much more size-accepting and where fat girls don't stay home and hide cuz they are fat. Instead we all go out and live our lives like normal people do - attending dance or yoga or pilates or whatever movement class, going to clubs and social events and having an active social life while dressed to the nines and enjoying life in all our fabulous fat glory! ROFL It makes a world of difference for sure, cuz I feel less alone and, eventhough I'm invariably THE largest person there, I'm never alone and I'm surrounded by people who struggle to be comfortable in their bodies as much as I struggle, and celebrate our bodies as much as I celebrate mine. Not to say that there isn't any fat discrimination amongs queers here in San Francisco...but it's alot less blatant than it is in the "normal" world. So, on that side, I'm really blessed!

So, today I'm going to ride my bike for 60 minutes then take myself to Church (have to have food somewhere in between!) and then I'm taking myself hiking with a bunch of strangers. Wish me luck - I get VERY nervous around strangers! :-) Weather here has been fabulous, so I cannot wait to get out in nature and enjoy myself. Must remember to bring my sunscreen - don't want to be burnt tomorrow!

OK, I'm off to my bike. Hope y'all have a great day today!

Oh, you crack me up! ROFL

Since I'm being wordy and we have Ammi over there across the pond all impatient and such, I also have to mention that in the last couple of days I've been feeling like my body is less fat. Like I see my body has changed a wee bit from a few weeks ago. I cannot tell by how lose my clothes are, since I'm still wearing the jeans I was wearing when I started this process and well, they are already lose. But when I see myself naked in the mirror I can see some differences. I popped on the scale this morning and it doesn't show a loss (or a gain) but my body sure is changing. Must be all this exercise!!!! Yay for exercise! :=)

Soooooo, Ammi, is this "enough meat" for ya, or should I post something more? <wide evil grin>

OK, NOW i'm really getting on my bike. Really, I am!

Hi Ammi! I'm here and I'm going to post!!! It's kinda weird because it seems like we slow down on the weekend. For me that is when I have the most time to post so it seems the opposite of how it should be. Of course maybe that just means all the rest of you have more fun on the weekends than I do and don't have time to post!

Ammi, I think we are going to have to form our very own Elliot Fan Club even if it's just the two of us. I love him just as much as you do. I would jump for joy if he ended up winning! Thank you for your words of encouragement. You are so right that it is difficult if you are not in the right frame of mind to do this. I know I need to just stick with it the best that I can rather than giving up altogether. That's how I ended up 300+. I've probably told the story before, but in 2004 I had gotten down to about 195 (started around 230) and was looking pretty good. I am tall (5'11") so I can carry 195 althought I wanted to lose another 20-30. Anyway, my weight loss stalled mostly due to my not following the plan and getting too discouraged. Within a year I had not only gained back the 35 I had lost I had gone all the way up to 309....my all time highest weight. I was physically and emotionally miserable. I do feel a bit better just being down 15 pounds, but I still have lots aches and pains in my back and feet that no 36 year old should have. Anyway, I don't want to just give up completely or I could end up even worse. I am just glad I have everyone here on the 300+ thread for support.

SueMarie - Good luck at your weighin. I just know you will have some awesome results this week!

Keisha - Glad you decided to join our thread. We are here to help support you on your journey. And, as Ammi said, I think it really helps to be supported by others who have quite a lot of weight to lose. No weight loss is easy, but I think for those of us who are 300+ the goal can seem insurmountable so we need some extra support. And we have plenty of success stories right here among us. Zelma has lost nearly 200 pounds, Julee has lost 90+ and counting...there are others I am sure I am forgetting. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Annie - Thanks for your encouragement. You are so right that "we all fall down". I needed to hear that. Sometimes I feel like everyone else has this licked and is moving happily on down the scale while I am the only one who struggles. Thanks for reminding me that it is not just me!

Flady - I think eating more meals at home as opposed to eating out frequently is a GREAT way to start! And you are right, it's all about baby steps.

MariaLucia - Your talking about feeling sad and compassionate towards yourself in regards to what you have done to your body really touched me. I can totally empathize with that feeling of sadness. I have not made it to the compassion part yet. I still beat myself up. But I definitely understand the sadness of realizing the permanent damage I have done to my body: stretch marks and the inevitable saggy skin to follow weight loss. Sometimes I find myself looking at another woman's bare arm or waist with is taught skin and think, "Mine will never be like that." Even if I have surgery to remove the skin, I will have scars. And that makes me sad.




Yesterday at my WW meeting there was a woman who made lifetime after losing 157 pounds. To look at her now you would never guess she had ever had a weight problem. It was so inspiring. She talked a bit about how she did it and she basically said, "I didn't do anything special, I just followed the program one day at a time." If she can do it, so can I!

I am on my second day doing Core and feeling good about it. I am always able to do better on the weekends than during the week. I get to work and I often get overwhelmed with the desire to eat and snack all day long. So I really need to plan for tomorrow by bringing some Core-friendly snacks and packing my own lunch. I feel like if I can succeed tomorrow I will be able to succeed for the rest of the week. Wish me luck!!!!

Ammi - Don't worry that you can't vote for Elliot....last week I voted for him the whole two hours and plan to do the same this week. Obsessed with AI? Me? Never!

Syncere~ A BIG Welcome to you.. and best of luck,,,,,

Ammi~ I am here now.. All has calmed down for me to settle in and be an puter geek for the day,, Having a time with my Dog KADO she is in heat.and deed,, she is so ashamed of it, but yet wants to go out and meet the fellas at the same time. she reminds me of how I was from 20to 30.. shewww..LOL.,. but NOT ashamed, did not get to go to the book Signing in Tennessee.(that sucked) but I have been so busy that I couldnt barely post... Take CAre...

I weighed in and I have lost the Magic Number again,, yep you guessed it 3 lbs.. actually 3.5 but I am not doing the Half numbers.. I will use it later. I reckon..LOL.. Take Care Everyone.

Ammi no i did not resist the scales today lol but i am pleased to report a 2 pound loss. i need my ticker!!!

Ammi sorry about the slow posting. i had company and now i have to go wash up some dishes. see you later! oh you have to help me make a decision... AI on May 23 is the season finale but also on that night is the Country Music AWARDS! WHICH SHOW SHALL I WATCH?

Just a quick hi! I did the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life this morning (3 am!) and walked for 101 minutes all told!

Welcome to the newcomers! If you're looking for something fun to do, I suggest you check out our May exercise thread. We're counting the minutes we exercise individually, and setting individual goals. AND, we're counting our minutes of exercise as a group. So far, this month we've collectively exercised for over 100 hours! (6000 minutes), and are working on our 100K minute challenge -- yes, we're seeing how long it takes us to exercise for 100,000 minutes this year! (So far, bets are that we will make it sometime in August and are already over halfway there!)

We'd love to have you help us get there quicker. I struggle getting the exercise in but really love the accountability of this group!

There were so many things I wanted to tell people, but they've all escaped me.

But I do wonder what happened to Catherine -- talk about inspirational! But she hasn't been here since March!