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.

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 the Amazon "store" in the upper right hand corner of the screen on the PURPLE tool bar. 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!!!!

Hi Ladies,

I just wanted to swing in before I go to bed and see what you are all chatting about. I just have a couple of comments.

Val: Hang in there. It sounds like after your party you are feeling so much more hope but, I just want to remind you to read your post bottom. It is a commitment to the process. Process isn't something that happens overnight. Perhaps feeling out of control is part of the process that you need to go through sort of like a wild river that is shallow enough that you feel like you may be able to cross it but swift enough that it scares the patootie out of you. Cross slowly, We aren't going to let you flow down river. If you slide down river a bit, I am fat but, I'm a darn good swimmer! Hugs to you.

Ammi: You are so much my inspiration. If I didn't have our friendship I would be lost. I want you to take a minute and know that at this thread we look forward to your every word. You inspire us just like Zelma, Wyllen, Lilion, Misti, Sharon..... I may be forgettting someone and If so, I'm sorry. All you shriking chickies let me and the smaller gals than I am know there is hope. Without Hope we have nothing!

Well, I guess I can jump down off my soap box for now. LOL. I wish I could give all of you who are struggling a hug. For those who are sad, worried or depressed, hurt and sick. Big hugs. For all of you who are doing well and staying op like our little Jillybean whom I'm so proud of, keep up the wonderful work.

Blessings,
Annie

Good morning, girls! It's a chilly day down here in TX. I love it though. We don't get cold weather alot and I actually enjoy it when we do , as long as there is no ice and snow.

Luan - I know your frustration all too well. Just remember, we only fail if we give up trying. Today's a new day.

Cristi - Glad to have you with us.

Sharon - Way to go getting that exercise in! It's so cute that Aiden tries to follow along. You are setting a good example for you kids by letting them see you exercise. Hopefully it will encourage a physically active adulthood for them. I bet your red hair looks beautiful. I ADORE red hair but so far have been too much of a chicken to try it for myself. But I always envy you beautiful red-haired girls. As for being down 30 pounds in a year, that is nothing to sneeze at, my dear. We can't compare our losses to others because we are all on our own journeys. And it can make us think negatively of situation that really is a quite positive. You have lost 30 pounds this year!!!! That is definitely a positive!!!


jilly - I was ready in the exercise thread about how you missed your morning workout and were going to be too busy to exercise in the evenings and how you got a walk in around your office building anyway. I LOVE the committment to exercise you are showing! Great job! Glad to hear you are going back to your TOPS group. Heaven knows we can all use as much support as we can get!

Ammi - Glad to see you back posting with us. Sounds like are you having a busy holiday time. I was noticing your ticker and can I just say WOW about 93 pounds gone? I will be jumping for joy over here when you hit your 100 pound mark. I can't wait!!!

mechelle - $5000 to ship a car! Wow, depending what kind of car a person has I bet sometimes it's cheaper to just sell the car and buy a new one when you get there. Thankfully, your expenses are paid for. Oh, and I am with you on the bottled water. The water in my city tastes terrible and half the time is cloudy. It especially happens in the summer time. We get our water from nearby lakes and when it gets hot and dry in Texas, algae grows and makes the water taste bad. While it is supposedly not bad for you healthwise, I just cannot drink it because of the taste. I, too, drink much more water if it is bottled and, therefore, it is WELL worth the investment!

Valerie - I have experienced that panicky feeling you are talking about. I wonder if the upcoming wedding and seeing your hubby's ex is triggering this food craziness. I know when I went home for Thanksgiving I was dreading seeing relatives who last saw me at my wedding 9 years ago (when I weighed 165 pounds!) and, just like you, I started thinking of what I could do to lose some pounds quick before I went. In the end I went off plan completely and actually gained rather than losing. This emotional side to eating is what gets me everytime. My only advice would be to take some deep breaths and try to calm that panicky feeling that pushes you to do things that aren't in your best interest. It is so hard to do, I know. Can you reach out to your hubby for some support when you are feeling like this?


Brenda - playing hookie, naughty girl. LOL, just kidding. I've been known to do that once in a great while. I call it "Taking a Mental Health Day."


Nancy - WOOHOO being 5 pounds down! As for being hungry, didn't you say a while back you were going to up your time on the elliptical? I find that I am hungrier the next day after exercising more than usual. Maybe that is what is going on with you?

Patti - Hope your foot feels better soon! Did you injure it? Try not to despair the plateau. You have come along way and I know you will get the losses jumpstarted again. I love your NSV related to your "unmentionables".

Annie - I didn't realize you and your hubby had a Gazelle too! I swear they are everywhere!!!

Toni - Bless your heart. I am sorry you are so frustrated. Researching diet after diet is bound to do that to you because they all say something different. My advice would be to leave the diet books alone for now and try to make a one or two simple changes to your lifestyle and as you get accustomed to those, add more healthy changes. It can be too difficult to try to change EVERYTHING all at once. For example, if you are not drinking water you could promise yourself to drink at least 64 oz of water per day. If you tend to eat seconds at meals you could commit to only eating one serving. It's just a thought, but I definitely think you need to quit reading all those diet books because there is not a magic bullet and it is when we search for one that we drive ourselves crazy. (Speaking from experience here). Good luck to you.

Katt - on making your Christmas goal. I am sorry about your ankles hurting from standing all day. Hopefully that will go away soon as you continue to lose.

Colleen - 6 pounds! WOW! We've got several big losses in our group which proves that it IS possible to lose weight during the holidays! Congrats on the raise as well. Don't spend it all in one place.


EmilyMay - Don't despair your slower pace of losing. Remember the Tortoise and the Hare....Slow and Steady Wins The Race!!!!!

Xan - Glad you made it back to the thread. Breaking even isn't all bad, especially during the holidays. Good luck with the lo-carb if you decide to try it.


Well, I think I am pretty much caught up now. Now I am off to the post office, the grocery store, and WalMart. Then home to do my 30 minutes on the Gazelle and to clean my house. I am committing to myself to get it ALL done today so that I can have relaxing Sunday. It is very hard for me to get my whole house cleaned in one day because my back hurts so badly when I have been standing and working for more than 20 minutes. I have to take lots of breaks. It is very frustrating to feel so handicapped almost. But, I know from last time I lost weight, when I get those first 25 pounds off alot of the back pain goes away and I am able to do more for longer periods of time.

Have a great day everyone!

WTG Chickies. No matter where you are at on Journey. Your trying and that's the thing the effort.

I'm going slowly on this WOE. I've been reading alot of great posts on 3FC and getting a few books that were suggested in some of the posts.


I'm almost there to begin my Journey.

All of you are always there to help and it's very much appreciated.

After the new year I'm going to look at getting the Gazelle. It seems to be the piece of equipment I'm looking for.

TTFN

xena i think i stepped to heavily on my foot usng the treadmill .. a couple days rest should help it!

Greetings all,

Wow, Jill, I am super impressed. Sounds like you made some great choices.

Michelle, congrats on the new job! I once went on a vacation to Washington to see the town where the TV show Northern Exposure was filmed. On the trip, we spent a day in Spokane and from what I saw, it seemed like a nice town. What exciting news!

Heather, I teach World History, Anthropology, and AP European History to 9-12th graders. I'm not teaching the AP course this year (I switch off with another teacher in the other sister high school), so this year is a little easier than last year. I teach in a 4x4 block (four 90 minute classes for those unfamiliar) and this semester is all World History. Next semester is going to be rough, as I'll have 3 different classes during the day and 2 new night school classes (3 hour classes!) to prepare for. That coupled with my other part-time tutoring job has me nervous about getting in the exercise next semester. I fear I'll be MIA for awhile.

Valerie, the Xmas tree story had me in stitches. I can just imagine all the brown pine needles everywhere.

Lilion, I believe you asked me about my avatar pic? That is my dog, Ann, a golden retriever/rottweiler mix. She is all golden (loves to swim, chase balls, etc) except for her coloring. I love her to death. She is getting older, though, and has been having health issues, so I've spent a lot of time worrying about her as of late. Today was a good day, though. We drove up north and she got to play in the snow.

Well, I know I missed a ton of people and for that I apologize. I hope everyone has a good day tomorrow. I need to finish grades, take a walk, plan for the week, go grocery shopping, wash clothes, and clean the house tomorrow. Whew. I think I'll be busy.

Jen-- Wow, next term sounds like a lot of preps! That is tough.

I just got off a term teaching 3 different courses. Our terms are only 10 weeks long, so it really feels like more. I had a tough time at the end getting everything in....

Val -- You know, you're an inspiration to so many people here. I love your attitude!!!!

I had all kinds of things I wanted to get done today - gym, shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc. and I did nothing! I had a thoroughly lazy day. I ended up reading an entire novel this afternoon/evening. It actually felt kind of good. One of the things that felt good about it is that days like these are becoming more of the exception, rather than the rule so that I can really enjoy them. Alas that means there is even more to get done tomorrow, but oh well.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Hey everyone-

I have been so busy since we found out we are moving. Been doing tons of research and stuff. Thank God for the internet! So much info! I have got so much to get ready for...its going to be a long two months. But I get out of Barrow!! YAY!

The only bad thing is I have been in a funk lately. I have had a lot of issues lately that have kept me not focused on losing weight. And these past few days I have been sort of down about it. I feel like I resist so much to change. Its like I have to fight myself to change. Its driving me nuts. But I am not sure why a part of me wants to stay fat. I constantly sabatoge myself. And I have had a really hard time exercising. Ok now I feel like I am just complaining! *LOL* I know you all proably know what I am trying to say. It just feels like I am having a hard time going forward. And honestly I am shocked I have lost 20 pounds and kept it off. I usually always will gain all of the weight back. I guess I should be thankful for that. Well I am going to try to get back in gear. I really would like to be under 300 pounds in the next 2 1/2 months. I think that is a realistic goal as long as I get moving! I should be happy I am still at least *trying* to keep at this. Like I said before I always give up. I think I am ready for change...I really need change.

Ok I am done venting! That is why I love this site...I can vent about things that you girls understand! Thanks just for just being here!

I will try to do personals tommorow. I hope you are all having a good weekend! Take care!

Thank you all for the warm welcome!! Makes me feel good to be back! Why didn't I do this a long time ago!! LOL

I have not been doing the best eating wise. I am so busy, work 7 days a week, school full time, and then my son and all this stuff. So I am basically always running. No energy to keep up with what I do, and no time to fight the weight, that causes the low energy... LOL

Anyway, I have been doing okay makeing a point to walk a little extra, up the stairs, or park in the back rather than in the front little things. I have a gym membership... I dont have time to use... Its all just this lack of time. So.. I am here to buy time..

Good morning everyone. Well, I did almost nothing yesterday I said I would do. I did get my Christmas cards mailed and I did get to the store to buy groceries. I did do my Gazelle workout. I got laundry done but as for cleaning the rest of the house I did nothing. I don't know why I struggle so much with that. I used to keep my house spotless and neat as a pin. Not so anymore. I know part of it is the physical encumbrances of my weight but there has to be more to it than that. I don't know. Maybe I have just gotten lazy. So anyway, now I have to get some of it done today even though I had planned a relaxing Sunday for myself. Oh well.

I saw the best movie yesterday. It was Blood Diamond with Leo DiCaprio. I also saw him this year in The Departed. Loved him in Departed but I thought he was even better in Blood Diamond. It's a horrific story, really. The story of what really happens to get diamonds out of Africa. And then the diamond companies put them in storage to control the supply to make us think they are "rare" and we pay a fortune for a silly stone someone may have lost a limb or their life over. Anyway, hope that wasn't a bummer but it really was a great movie. I hope it gets lots of Oscar nominations.

jilly - Your story about shopping made me chuckle. Men can be so oblivious sometimes! Sounds like you didn't do too badly at the restaurant even though you weren't able to follow your original plan. WTG!

Alice - Aw, your doggy sounds sweet. I can tell just by your words how much you love her. I'm an animal person too....a dog and a cat. They are my babies!

Michelle - Feel free to vent anytime. That is what we are here for. You are doing great and I think it's normal to have to struggle to change our habits. In fact, this morning I was lying in bed thinking about that exact thing and then I thought, "It took alot of REALLY bad habits done over a LONG period time to get me up to 300+. So it's only natural to expect that changing those habits so long engrained in us is going to take time." I am truely starting to try to practice patience with myself. I hope you do the same because you can do this!

Nancy - Sounds like you enjoyed your lazy day. We all need them from time to time.

Cristi - Wow, your life really sounds hectic. But sounds like you are doing the best that you can right now to squeeze in some exercise here and there. It all adds up, so keep it up!

Ammi - Congratulations on your "eating like a normal person" NSV! I say that because that is exactly what I wish for when I wish I could "eat like a normal person." You know, have the occasional treat and then move on without obsessing over it, causing your to either continue to overindulge or to severely restrict yourself as punishment. Sounds like it's really clicking for you.


OK, I am off to get my exercise in. Take care and have a great Sunday!

Hi Girls!! So sorry I haven't posted this week til now. My personal life has been in turmoil, but is relatively stable now.....at least as stable as it'll ever get. I hadn't weighed in until last Monday and I was up 8 pounds. I was so depressed....but then I remembered, like I could really forget, it was TOM.
So, I weighed again on Thursday before blood work, and I was down the 8 pounds! YEAH!!!!! So, I'd maintained for 2 weeks. I am so happy about that!
Being able to maintail is so much better than a gain!
DH, Andy finally went to see our doctor this week. He's diabetic and his sugars are OUT OF CONTROL. As is his cholestrol, etc. So, this is a great excuse for no junk food in our house. )I don't usually buy the chips, sausage and bacon....that's him. But, now that the dr has him good and scared, that has stopped too.....at least for now. Even he's talking about the gazelle.
I gotta go girls and get a bunch of stuff done ......and try to exercise today.
Sorry no personals, but I am so far behind in posts, I don't think I'll ever get caught up.