[thinthinker]

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!

[thinthinker]

Good morning everyone! I feel like I just left here. Gee, I think I did. I ended up crashing on the recliner so Honey wouldn't know what time I got off here. He said this morning he woke up at 3:00 and wondered where the heck I was. Ooops.

Forgot to mention yesterday that it is my WI (not Wisconsin) day and I was down 1.4 for the week. Well on my way to the 2 pounds for Challenge! I'm glad to see progress at this point, no matter how small.

MaryB: I haven't seen, or heard of, for that matter the new types of 100 calories packs, but both of them sound like I would like them. I know some of you really like the oreo ones, but I think they're dry and pretty unsatisfying. Honey likes them though, so I'm guessing I'm just weird.

Marcie: I had alot of catching up to do and I didn't want to risk leaving anyone out. I'm still concerned that maybe I did but I was hoping with the length of the post you'd all see I was making an effort.

Terri: "No excuses for funks. " You're right, Sarg. I'm feeling much better today. A number of issues have been cleared up, especially Mother Nature and what she has in store for me. I hate to whine about it, but she was making me NUTTS!

Mary: There's nothing wrong with a little protein if you plan for it (or make up for it as the case may be!) * I'm glad your friend was able to save some things. I sure hope she had insurance that can cover the rest.

Tony: Glad to see you stopping by.

Qadira: 7 WEEKS! Wow, good for you! Sounds like you've really made THIS time, YOUR time! I'm hoping that I will find my "click" here soon. If I don't, I think I'm just going to have to make it "click". I'm tired of waiting for it to show up on its own. BTW, I do mystery shopping and merchandising. That's how I get to do "bank jobs" and not have law enforcement after me. I'm also a "showgirl", doing theatre work on the weekends and I've been known as the "bra lady" for a couple of years because I was doing Playtex bra resets for quite awhile.

Well, my dears, it's after 11:00 AM and if I don't get this "ample" rear in gear, I will never get outta the house. So..........with that I say, Have a GREAT day. Love ya bunches!

[Jibbelle]

I am very very very bad....I had a slice of homemade poundcake (with chocolate swirls...not choclate cake swirls, but chocolate sludge swirls) with homeade chocolate icing. OH MY it was good, but OH MY I feel bad. : (

Good thing I have until Saturday to work it off!!!!

UGH...I am weak!

[Qadira]

Jibbelle - I want you to know that reading your post made those things in the back of my jaws that produce saliva hurt! You are so bad! Thanks for sharing.

[LAnneCarrington]

So much for going for a walk today; even though it is 39 degrees, it is pouring down rain and has been practically all day since early this morning.

Well, I got on the scale for the week, and with my monthly just starting, I was not expecting anything earth-shattering, but I dropped three more pounds! Yay!

I'm also reisiting the urge to nap so I may do an aerobics tape later on;plus daytime napping isn't a good habit to get into anyway....in my opinion hehe.

Another good thing that happened this week is that I finally paid off my computer! Yes, it is finally mine! Now I can brag that everything in my house is owned by me free and clear. Boy, does THAT feel good!

Hope all are having a great day and have good scale stories as well

Oh and about me, there isn't much too exciting; for those that missed my bio, here it is:

DATE - 1/10/05

USER NAME - LAnneCarrington

SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR USER NAME - It is my name

REAL NAME - You are welcome to call me Anne

AGE - 42

BIRTHDATE - February 8, 1962

WHERE YOU LIVE - McKeesport, PA USA

SIGNIFICANT OTHER - None

ANNIVERSARY - N/A

KIDS - N/A

PETS - Three cats, Spanky, Popeye and Tiger

OCCUPATION - Freelance Journalist/Student

STARTING WEIGHT - 351 lbs.

WHAT PLAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING - Plan recommended by personal physician

FAV. EXERCISE(S) - Cardio, yoga, power walking, strength training.

FAV. NO-NO FOODS - Chocolate and pizza

FAV.BOOK(S) - Anything by Ann Rule

FAV. MOVIE(S) - The classics mostly

FAV. SONG(S) - Lots of classic rock!

FAV. QUOTE - "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"- Eleanor Rooselvelt

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU -

Favorite Yes-Yes Foods: Fruit, turkey breast, grilled chicken salad, Weight Watchers desserts (in moderation), Carb Smart ice cream (in moderation), non-fat yogurt, Splenda sugar subsitute, Subway Veggie Delite Subs on wheat bread.

Sports I Love: Football (American), Wrestling, NASCAR Racing, Women's Sports.

Other Interests: Cats, theater, drawing and painting, my computer, working out, shopping, my studies in pyschology and criminal justice, volunteering for domestic violence awareness causes and animal shelters.

I am also a wrestling columnist, reporter and editor for a few sites. Check out my site for more about me if you feel nosey enough.

[therubyslippers!!]

Eddie’sheart – Speaking for myself, I just don’t have time to answer everyone’s posts, I usually just type something out when I actually have something to say. One problem I find with all of the forums is that there are so many members posting- it is hard to get to know everyone and would take hours to type responses. I’m sorry that only one person wished you well when you were sick, that is regrettable. As far as the “pm” thing goes I haven’t gotten any; but if I can assume you mean the discussion on sex, I’m sorry if you were offended, but I believe this is a legitmate issue for obese people. This was not a lascivious discussion, but an honest concern for a member.

Thinthinker – what do you do for a living? Does it involve a ski mask?

Determined, Fierum and others concerned – I don’t get this thing about “other agendas” and “tension”. Is this something that predates the New Year? I haven’t noticed anything tense in the eleven days I have been here, but being new have nothing to compare with.

Have a great TUesday - Ruby

[Jibbelle]

Ruby-
I was kind of thinking the same thing...everyone seems pretty happy go lucky to me! I like it here!

[2cute2Bfat]

Hello everyone. I have been going back and re-reading every post to be sure no one feels ignored.. but have come to the conclusion... there is no way I can keep up with everyone.
I wish I could.. but this group has grown so much.

It is sort of like how a small home town changes with growth. You love the intimate small feeling... but you work towards progress and growth for the town.
But .. when you are successful at growth... you lose that intimacy. It is a catch 22.
You no longer know everyone in town personally. I miss the small hometown atmosphere but could not turn anyone away who finds your hometown a place they would like to live. I guess we are suffering from growning pains.

I am going to TRY to catch up.

Leanne... {{{ HUGS }}} I hate that you are soooo sick. {{{ HUGS }}}
I wish I could come help you. I also raised my family with no relatives around to help .. but I had a husband to help some. ( Actually there were times when he was more work rather than help. lol) I hope you feel better soon. And DON'T think you are a bad mother. You are sick and it can't be helped. Be thankful you have your older kids to help... and let them help when you come home too. It is only temporary .. take care of yourself.

Barbg. YEE HA !!! 8 lbs !!! WA-WHO !!!!!
I don't know how to spell in Texan but you get the message.
Your DH's success makes me want to consider WLS ... but his strong feelings about you not doing it keeps me back. I guess since I am a total coward and fear the PAIN more than the death aspect ... I guess I will keep trucking here. LOL

Marcie... I want to thank you for always replying to everyone. I used to do that too.
I think we (the group) seem to take turns holding that role. It is truly time consuming if you aren't here often to do it in small doses. Trying to respond to 20 posts at one time is hard.
I just want you to know I noticed your kindness.

Susie.. Pretty bras and undies.... never had either. I have never been very feminine.
I tend to lean more towards... "Industrial Strenghth" LOL
I started to write "when I lose weight I will try them" but then realized... if I want to try them.. do it NOW not when.

Kari Berry.. I love The Avenue clothes. They don't shrink with washings or change their shapes like a lot of brands.
Like I said earlier to Barbg... I am too coward to do WLS. I think if I were younger I might consider it. I don't know what the age limit is.... but I am sure the older you are the harder it is on you too.

CD... I probably would have deleted my post had you not responded so quickly.
You know me well. LOL
I could never talk to my mom so I tried to keep an open communication with my daughters. BUT .. as a mom... I did not want to know "everything". LOL
I know you will make the right decision for yourself.

Ruby... here is your Texan WAHOO !!! 4 lbs is awesome !!!
Sorry but I can't read my other notes on you... and I just don't have time to go back and reread again. But I agree with todays post. The last 11 days have been tension free.

Chris... I hope you decided to stay. Hopefully you saw that everyone here does care.. just doesn't always have the time to get to everyone. And I hope you are feeling better too.

Kerri... Money problems SUCK !!! I hope everything works out for you.
I used to say "when the kids grow up and leave home I will..... " just like I would say "when I lose this weight...." . I hope you follow through on your desires better than I do.
I just loved your statement.... "He treats me like I am the most beautiful person in the world".. it put a huge smile on my face.

BarbPA .. I really appreciated your post. You "FORCED YOURSELF" to exercise.
It was doing what you need to do... whether you wanted to or not.
I need a lot more of that within myself. I remember those days I did it too and did build up those commitment muscles.
I hope you get feeling back to yourself soon. Funks are not fun.... but your private retreat may help that.

Memoe/Mary B ... I want to be a better grandma. My weight definitely affects what kind of grandma I am. It is actually painful for me both physcially and emotionally to babysit. When the physical pain limits me... it pains me emotionally. But I want them to know how much I love them. I want them to want to come see me when they are teenagers too. But that may be a pipedream.

Grannie/Mary .. Those peanut butter sandwiches used to get to me too. Mmm
You are doing great !!! I don't think you did too much damage.
I sure am glad you came back and I did notice the longer messages you have posted lately.

Terri... thanks for reminding me about my contract with myself. I certainly have not been living up to it. I am doing okay... not eating off plan... but not exercising like I promised myself to do. I even still journal ... but water needs upped. I only get about 40 oz daily.

Tony ... I too thought everything was resolved. I am more than ready to move on... to put the past in the past, where it belongs. My hope and prayers are for the future.... I hope all of our futures are bright and happy ones.

I know I am missing many here... Oceangirl, Quadera, Michelle, working it off, and more ... you all posted two threads back but I just don't have time to go back that far. I have put wayyyy too much time in this post.

I still miss all of our MIAs ... hope you might miss me too.
You have meant 2much2me2Bforgotten.

[kari_berry]

Hello ladies - I hope that this post finds you all well.

Eddie’sheart - I'm sorry that you have felt ignored. I have only been back here for a few weeks now (after many many months away), and have not really gotten the chance to get to know many people. I would hope that you reconsider, and stay. There really are great people here. But if not, I wish you success in whatever you choose to do.

And like a lot of ladies here, I have a hard time keeping up with posts - and commenting on each one. Though I do read all the posts daily! Reading about everyone else's success is wonderful! All of your successes make me want to keep going!

Today my mouth is feeling much better. The pain is not as bad, and I have been doing mouth exercises so I can begin to open my mouth a little wider. (That's what's been making it hard to eat) lol.

I am still sticking to plan. This morning for breakfast I had some chicken salad that was left over from yesterday. For dinner I will probably have chicken salad again lol. (Though I might try a turkey reuben if I can get it in my mouth) lol.

Friday is my weigh in day, and I am really looking forward to it. I love the fact that the scale we use, prints out little tickets. It makes it easier to track my progress.

I've been wanting to get back to the gym - so hopefully I can do that this week. My brother has been trying to push me into joining his gym "Power House Gym". My brother is a body builder, and thinks he knows it all. Drives me crazy! He told me that I NEED to go to the gym 5 days per week. He said that that is the only way that I will see ANY results. He also said that I should only go with him - because he can show me how to use all the equipment.

My response?? Why would I want to go to a gym that is loaded with mostly body builder men, who would stare at me, and probably laugh when I'm on a treadmill? I know what that gym is like. I've been to it once, and I drive by it everyday. I am very happy with Nu-Lady Fitness. It's a little farther than I want to drive, but it is NICE. It is located in the basement at a nice mall. It has lots and lots of room to where it is never packed, and there is always some form of equipment open. Plus there are ladies there that are in the same boat as me. It's nice to know that no one is staring, or possibly even laughing at me.

It just makes me mad that my brother thinks that I cannot accomplish anything unless I go with HIM 5 days a week. I don't think so! lol.

Oh well - I am rambling now. lol

Well - I'd better get going. I hope all you ladies are having a great day. Keep up the great work everyone!!!

Later,
~ Kari Berry ~

[~Kerri~]

Well, I should be weighing in at Curves tonight. Their scales still aren't working too well and gives an error when anyone goes near it and I can't afford one right now. But I can get measured and hopefully have lost and tightened up some and got rid of some inches over the holidays... I'd be happy at this point to break even, but I've got to hope.

It's been really hard staying OP! My first month was such a breeze for me, I was hoping it wouldn't be this hard, but what do I expect?? I can do anything I set my mind to and this shouldn't be any different, should it?

Food ok today so far... had a banana for breakfast as I was running out the door... a turkey sandwich /c lowfat cheese, veggies and whole wheat bread, an apple an orange, 5 fritos and an oatmeal cookie for lunch. Not horrible and a heckuva lot better than Taco Bell, KFC or McDonald's that I'd been having a hard time avoiding.

I live 20 miles from work, so I end up eating out as convenience, not because I can't bring it, but it's a hassle. Started today, though and gonna keep on. Gonna eat out once a week tops and that's it and not crap food either... good healthy stuff... which is available at most fast food joints these days, but too much of a trap to avoid daily. This should be easier, and if I DO cheat, it's once a week to be tempted not daily.

Thin-- Excellent start to the challenge! I've decided to stay away from the challenges for a few months until I'm good and into my plan... last month when I tried, I didn't do well at first and just threw it all out the window! Not the plan but the trying to meet the goals since I'd failed so early in... Congrats to you!

Jibbelle-- MMMmmm, Cake ~In the Homer voice~... sounds good!! A little cheat here and there never hurt anyone!

Anne-- congrats on the weight loss and paying off the 'puter! I have 3 more payments and mine will be too!

2Cute-- Awww, thanks... I've struck out many many MANY times in the opposite sex department with the wrong guy and this time I am the lucky one in the relationship. I took a chance on a guy I would've normally been friends with, "the nice guy" and got the happiest relationship of my life out of it.

And for the other part of your post-- You can't keep up with everyone... there's no way --unless you are getting paid to do this all day (wouldn't that be great?) --to avoid any hurt feelings. It will happen sometimes. I've been the one that left once and I just chalk it up to it not being the right time and place for me. You ladies have been nothing but warm, generous and accepting of me and everyone new I've seen come after me to this forum and I don't think you can avoid things like that happening sometimes. Ten thousand different personalities in one place, whether you want it to or not, and sometimes feelings get hurt.

[hippygoddess]

I'm terribly sorry if I've come across as selfish here - I don't mean to be I just haven't been able to be online long enough to reply to everyone lately.
I am home from hospital (they gave me a drip to rehydrate me, have done various tests and given me some tablets to settle things a little so I don't get so dehydrated again). The kids were good, and the only friend I can count on here took me to hospital and also gave me transport home, and kept the kids informed about how I was. Two of the kids actually stayed at friends houses, so it was only one 16 yr old and a 10 yr old at home. Now I am home, they are being extra nice to me and being very helpful. I guess when I'm better things will get back to normal (with teenage angst etc).
Thanks for all the get well wishes. I'm going back to lay down. {{{hugs}}}

[kari_berry]

hippygoddess - Glad you are back from the hospital! {{{hugs}}} I hope you are feeling well soon! Glad your kids were good for you!

~ Kari Berry ~

[bobsgal]

Hello everyone! It seems as though there are a lot of new names since I've been here last. For those of you who "know" me, I've missed you and I'm sorry I dropped out of sight. To everyone else, my name is Stephanie. My info is posted in the bio thread I believe. I probably need to update it though. I am 27 years old and have 2 children(Brandon-6 and Kayla-4) I have been married for almost 6 years. I also have a 10 year old stepdaughter. I am at my new all time high weight and am serious about losing it once and for all. I see you have a new challenge going. Sounds good! I joined Bally Total Fitness and love going. This is going to be my year. I hope everyone had a good holiday and wish everyone well in the new year. Be back later.
Steph

[Grannie39074]

Good evening friends. Can you beleive I exercised today
WE now have a treadmill at work in our kitchen. We all walk after we eat our lunch. If we walk 20 min we get a star on the calender. It gives us incentive.

Dh and I had Turkey Burgers for dinner with a big salad.
hippygoddess glad you are feeling better

I have a Genealogy Seminar on Sat. so I will be out of town Fri night and most of Sat. For the ones of you that don't know me I am the President of our local Genealogy Society and the Vice-Pres of the State Society.
I am still writing the column for our local paper too.
Library business is hectic lately lots of reports and science fairs going on.

Do any of you drink green tea. DH and I have been dring hot tea at night lately
Well I better run I want to soak in a tub.
LUV to all

[Terri in MO]

I said I'm going to try to do better with offering support and do more replies, so here I am! I am going to work backwards and see how far I get.

Mary - Good job on exercising at work. That's also good that you are involving others. Certainly makes it feel less lonely! I have done green tea but gave it up because it seemed to have too much acid for me. Maybe it was the caffeine. I don''t think I ever congratulated you for getting back under 200 - good job!

Steph - Welcome back! Jump into the challenges any time.

Leanne - I'm glad to see that you are back home with the kids. Enjoy "nice" while you can! Hon, you don't need to apologize because you're not selfish. Get better soon!

Kerri - Looks like you tried to add a ticker? Did you copy from the second one? Hang in there with your plan. I never did understand why after being on plan for a period of time it is so easy to fall off than to stay on. Makes you wonder if it really is becoming habit or not!

Kari - That's funny about your brother. Guys can be clueless sometimes. But he means well. Sounds like you've got a good plan for your food. I am going to have to check out The Avenue.

2Cute - Get that contract printed out or something. You did great last year and you can do great this year too!

Ruby - Hi!

Anne - Welcome to the group and on your loss.

Marcie, Marcie, Marcie - You are a bad girl! For not sharing! Actually, a treat is a treat. No reason to feel bad. Now just get your butt moving!

Thin - Have your talked to the doc about any herbal or natural remedies for mother nature? My doc suggested a magnesium supplement for PMS.

I think that is it for this thread. Time for dinner. Sorry but I'm going to try to keep current from this thread forward. If I've missed anyone from the previoius thread, I'm sorry. I don't have time to go back and read.