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.
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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
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we have found it to become a home. We invite you to join us.
WELCOME!
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good morning fellow strugglers . I hope every one is feeling fine and looking to share a smile with me . I LOST 6lbs this week I'm so tickled I can dance a happy dance . My 14 yr old son has been right with me helping me stay on task and he has just cut down and kept the crap food away from me and he's lost 12 lbs We were very excited to see the hard work paying off. I wish I felt smaller, but at this size my clothes arent even loose yet. But I'm going to be patient with my self.
Well good luck to us all and keep reaching for your stars. Enjoy your life today and share a smile with some one who lookslike they need it.
Shadie--I hear ya on the wishing you felt smaller. I have lost 15 pounds so far, and it hasn't even seemed to make a dent. I remember a time when I weighed 265, and now I weigh 295, but I never bought new bigger clothes, so does that mean that when I lose another 30 pounds, I will still bein the same size?! How depressing...yeah, it's healthier for my body and blah blah blah, but I want my instant gratification, damm!t
On the plus side, I have noticed one body part that does look a LOT better--my ankles! I used to have puffy swollen-looking ankles all the time with just like a lump of squishiness where the bone is, ya know? But now they are much more defined, and the bone actually looks like a bone instead of a blob I used to think they were puffy because I spend so much time on my feet (nearly 30 hours a week of waitressing), but I still waitress, and here they are. Hey, it's only ankles, but at least I look better in my capris and sandals, so I'll take what I can get
well I thought I blew it yesterday. I did good allll day. I drank a about 120oz of water, had my fruit smoothie fro breakfast, a veggie medly for lunch, and chicken, squash and couscous for dinner. I was good. The bad part is, I still felt hungry and deeply unsatisfied. I put a pear in my smoothie. I keep trying to make myself eat them but one of these days I am going to have to accept that I don't LIKE pears! Blarg! Then, I bought my veggies at walmart. I normally eat them raw but I had to throw half of them out because they were bad and the rest were less than mediocre...so my low-cal usually satisfying lunch ended up being a chore and I threw half of it out. Dinner was good, but after it was over I was still ravenous. I waited 45 minutes to see if I started to feel full, but my stomach still screamed HUNGRY at me. So I cracked and ate an order of fried cheese sticks and drank this Hershy/Caramel choclate milk drink....
and on that drink let me just say that it is 270cals 7g fat of total orgasm in a bottle! I took one sip and said "Oh My GOD" right there. Not an everyday treat by any means, but on my rewarded bad days...oh mamma!
Anyhoo, so I felt like a total failure and couldn't believe that my "bad streak" had hit day five and wanted to just lie around the house like the blob I am all night.
I woke up this morning and was down 3.4lbs!!! All that water REALLY paid off! Now I am only .8lbs above the weight I was when I started this binge fest. I feel that's my "real" weight and I can work from that. By tomorrow or the next day I'll meet or lower the last lowest weight I was at. Yay! My ticker is no longer lying!
I know that it's said that you shouldn't weigh everyday, but this morning it got me past that "I'm such a failure" depression and moved me right into motivation land!
Anyway...
Joe Anne: Congrats on the loss!
Jillybean: I've been in the same pants for the past 50lbs. The only time I notice that they're tighter (despite the 50lbs gain since I started wearing them) is when I first take them out of the drier. I'll probably notice the looseness there first as I lose. I call it the Drier Motivation Method!
Maybe it will work?
shadiepurple Congrats on the loss! Keep up the good work and you'll see the difference, even if it's just in how you feel.
Hi Gals! I missed you sooo much! Even though I've been having fun on vacation, I've been thinking about you all, praying for losses and good health. My flight leaves from Newark, NJ tonight around 7 pm and oh boy am I ready to go home! Even though it's been great seeing family and friends, I miss my DH and I also miss my healthy life!!! Who woulda' thought?
Jilly, I am so right there with you: THIS TIME IS FOR REAL! I have never felt so motivated and so happy to be healthy in my entire life! We are going to do this! And, as someone else said, I have you girls to thank because I think in the past I have failed because I felt so alone. I mustn't short change DH either. He is the only man who has ever truly loved me for me. He married me fat and loved me to bits then and he loves me now, encourages me, and keeps me on point in a good way. I already know he would love me to pieces at twice his weight, so we only have a world of good to look forward to!
Anyway, if you all remember I was so nervous about flying off the rails once those old triggers presented themselves: mom's heart attack menu, NYC hot dogs, AC boardwalk fries, junk food on the go, etc. But, I can tell you that where I went wrong was NOT EATING ENOUGH on some days! Of course I have had some things that are certainly not on the plan, but before I left I told myself I am ok with maintaining and if I gain, I will not have a melt down because I know soon it will go. I have actually eaten less because I have been surrounded by very few good options. Honestly, I am cutting myself some slack here because I am so shocked by the unhealthy foods that surrounds my loved ones. I think, unfortunately, with my limited activity and my screwed up eating habits (not eating 3 meals a day, eating sweets, and loving those carbs), I was bound to be the one weighing in at nearly 300 lbs. My mom, my sister, and my lil bros have been eating unhealthily their whole lives and yet I am the only one that is THIS FAT. My mom has been around 200lbs and my sister is there now, but I have always been the fattest by far. I think this is the first time in my life that I am not concerned with everyone else's eating habits and entirely concerned with mine. Before I was so depressed because 'it's not fair' that Sabrina eats fast food all the time, never eats breakfast, doesn't even really walk and yet remains a size 8 and I am constantly gaining. Now, I feel like hey this is what I need to do and that's it.
Exercise! I want to cry just thinking about how active I've been this week. I've walked so much and I've also done squats and lunges on my own when I felt I hadn't walked enough. That is such an accomplishment for me. I actually WANT to exercise. Dogpal and Audrey, you girls have been on my mind. You were in my head telling me to get walking or to do something, to move that body! I'm so proud of the both of you and our 30 a day success it just makes me want to weep! Audrey, you said something about me and Dogpal being your motivation (I read it some time last week before I flew out) but honey, I was shocked because I feel I am racing myself every day just to keep up with you two powerhouses! I really do miss checking in w/ you two every day! Can't wait!
Joe Anne and Shadie: CONGRATS ON THOSE LOSSES!
Tasha: I am so sorry about the financial stress, I certainly know where you're coming from. I will keep you in my prayers.
Any newbies: WELCOME and congrats on taking that step. You will certainly find the support you need here. These women are phenomenal.
Oh, Lilion, I think some time ago you mentione swelling up from the humidity in the Midwest? I was so puzzled by that, but the moment I stepped off the plan it seemed my feet and hands just pumped up! It's been so hot and humid in the Norheast, especially the NYC/north Jersey area! I had to buy my shoes for the wedding a size larger (and they were those Nine West ballerina slippers) My feet were so ugly and embarrassing! But the rest of me looked good and I kept getting compliments! Yeah! Anyway, did you find out what worked to reduce the swelling? I'm drinking 6 -8 glasses to water on 'bad days' and more than 8 on those really hot nasty days, but not much of it is coming out in the bathroom! I'm hoping a lot is going in my sweat, but I'm afraid that I'm just packing all this water in
OK girls, speak to you next on the other side of the pond... although I'm so thrilled that this old computer is now working that I might pop in here and there until my flight!
Shadie- Yay!! 6lbs is awesome! I totally understand about wanting to feel smaller. Mentally I don't feel any smaller. Physically I know I must be, but clothing sizes frustrate me. I still have some 26's that feel pretty good and some that are huge. I have some 22's that I can wear, but the sz 24 capri's ain't working. It seems like all the clothes that are given to me fit, but the ones that I reward myself with (by shrinking into) will just not fit on my big ol' butt. I just want to look in the mirror and not recognize myself nekid...ya know what I mean?
It is awesome that your son is with you on this. My DH is in this with me all the way. We work together and have cut portions and cut out soda and fast food and junk. He goes walking with me and we can talk about it and share all the little fears and stress. It has really made us better as a couple.
Jilly- The weird thing about me is that 4 years ago I was wearing sz 28 jeans and weighed 315...got down to 285 and up again to 330...but I was wearing a comfortable 26???? I only really noticed a difference in me once I got down to 285...maybe its a magic number or something. I still got my canckles...but big legs run in the family...even my normal sized mom has big calves and ankles so no hope there
Solus- I absolutely hate buying produce at Walmart. Everyone I have tried has the same old, nasty looking stuff. I am a girl on a budget so I try to be frugal, but I have given up and I go to the regular grocery or orchard for my fruit and veggies, just for the sake of quality.
It took me about 3 months for my stomach to realize that I wasn't starving it. At first I looked at the lean cuisine and wondered where the rest of it was, but time will help and the smaller portions will satisfy you. I believe that Catherine(hippievanlady) had her plan of eating soup? every couple of hours and then making it more infrequent until her stomach shrunk. (I apologize if I got that wrong). But I find that oatmeal...just the good ol' instant in the microwave stuff is a god-send. For one thing, just eating something that is steaming hot seems to tell the belly to hush up. That and it is good and filling and is not a terrible amount of calories for all the benefits that it does. Hope it might help, I know it did for me.
Oh and the caramel/choc. milk orgasm sounds fabulous...makes me wish I still drank milk....hmmm wonder if I can fake it in my Choc. Silk???
Tammara- Welcome back!!! Glad that ya had a good time.
To everyone else- Welcome to all the newbies. Sorry I don't post on here enough/often...(I should do something about that) I hope that everyone is doing well and keeping cool. I know that I am not far from my A/C now that June is here = )
Bah, I'll never understand it all! I weigh 295, and anywhere from 265 up to 310, I have always worn a size 22-24 pants, 28 shirt. It's not like my height has changed any! Who knows...
I can't believe I started to get a sore throat last night again!! I think I wll have to stop kissing my hubby until we are both over this terrible thing. My hubby is planning a birthday party for me this Sunday and to celebrate Father's day. We have no children after nearly 20 years of marriage but my Dad lives near us so he will be here to celebrate with us. I have always celebrated Father's day with my birthday. It is nice. Plus that means hubby and step mom will be making the Bar b q I get to kick back.
Joane: Yea! on your minus 4.25. That is so awesome. Keep up what ever you are doing. It is working great.
Lilion: Good luck getting that time off from work. What a pain. I am also very fortunate to have a wonderful marriage like you discribed. We are almost always together. We have sooooo much fun and make each other laugh. We got married when I was 19 years old and we only knew each other for 3 weeks. Very lucky to recognize true love at first site. I am a hunting widow every October for one or two weeks my husband goes hunting with my Dad. I hate it because I miss him terribly. I am happy that he has so much fun and they have invited me to stay with them in the 5th wheel up in the mountains while they hunt but I think I would go nuts in the snow in a tiny trailer from dusk till dawn.
Juleecee: I think it is great that you have friends going to ww with you. I hope it helps to keep you motivated and you going helps to motivate them.
Shadie: Yea! -6 and your son -12 how awesome. I am so proud for you. That is something your son will remember for the rest of his life how he and his momma got into shape together. Wonderful. About the clothes, It is amazing how we stay the same. It makes me wonder that if I am still in the same size when I am 50 pounds lighter than I was, how badly did I look in the clothes before and how much was I squeezing into them.
Solus: Wonderful that your lost 3.4 I am happy for you. Now, pick youself up out of the blues and reclaim your victory and your op status! You can do it girl. (with love)
Biggirl: I am so thrilled you had a great trip. Congrats on moving your body daily. That is discipline. I am going to CA for two weeks at Christmas and I am already thinking about what I can do for exercise while there. I think I will make sure we stay in hotels with heated pools! We missed your cheering us on. Glad to have you back. Hope your flight is safe.
Theotherjen: Hope you enjoy that AC. I think it is supposed to be pretty warm here today. I may have to crank ours on for the first time this summer.
Well to everyone else, If I missed you sorry. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Mmmm...Chocolate milk. Sounds good. (I'm not going to think about it anymore!)
I guess the reason I don't say anything to the mean kids is because I was conditioned not to. I kept it all inside growing up and I still do (I eat the stress, disappointment and shame instead -- just like you said Hippygoddess). (My parents fought all the time when I was growing up so I learned to keep things to myself as a survival mechanism.)
I would never say anything to a small child. They are just telling the truth. They can call you fat one minute and tell you that you are the smartest, funniest, prettiest person they know the next. They don't mean it badly. They are just identifying things in their world. If a little kid says "you are fat," I say "yes, I am" and smile. They are right.
I'm also sorry you cried at the dietician's office, Hippygoddess. I know how frustrating it is. I also have come to accept a place where I'm probably not going to lose much or ever get thin. I am doing whatever I can to protect my health and every little accomplishment I have will put me closer to doing that. It's still frustrating though and it's hard. Right now I'm fighting the urge to start obsessing over losing again and do something stupid (like a crash diet or something -- this is my other curse).
Thank you guys for your support about the car. I guess when things happen to us, we only see them from our perspective and at that point in time it is the most urgent thing in the world. It's nice to know I'm not alone and everyone understands and cares.
My job is extremely stressful and I want to leave it, but if I get a new car I won't be able to for at least the length of the loan. That is making me not want to get a car. I'm thinking of getting a used motorcycle. Can you picture that? LOL. (That's just my desperation talking.)
P.S.: Congrats to everyone who had a loss!
Last edited by Tashabella; 06-15-2005 at 11:20 AM.
Solus...I don't know what plan you are following, but based on what you said you ate, you are not getting enough calories to really lose weight. When you are heavier you acually need more to lose...otherwise your metabolsim goes into starvation mode and you burn even less.
Many plans are now suggesting that you eat more often so that you won't overeat later on in the day...so little snacks here and there can often be helpful...something crunchy that takes a while to eat. I like to cut up an apple into a Ziploc baggie and sprinkle it with cinnamon and Splenda.
Also...I'm no dietician or any sort of expert, but it seems that you need to increase your water intake. The recommendation is about 64 oz. (6-8 glasses) per day. I bought a water bottle that is marked off at 8 oz. intervals that holds 32 oz. I know that I need to fill it and drain it twice a day. I also like to use Crystal Light (0 calories...pretty decent flavor) to jazz up my water on occasion. They now makew Crystal Light on the Go...which are little envelopes that make 16 oz. of drink (1 small bottle of water). You can take 1 packet, dump it into a regular sizedbottle of water, shake it and go....it takes 2 packets for my big bottle. The Raspberry Ice flavor is really yummy.
Good luck and keep trying...it often takes us a little bit of time to get our gameplans set and in place so that we know what will work for us.
p.s. 94% fat-free microwave popcorn is super low cal and is also pretty filling too! Jolly Time Healthy Pop is my personal favorite.
Well, I got forced into some exercise yesterday. . . I locked myself out of the house! No phone, no way to get in the car, let alone drive it. . . I was supposed to pick up a friend from work but I ended up walking there to get help. We have the same landlord so she was able to call him for me so I could get my keys. Whew!
And now that I've taken that walk to work, I'm thinking that maybe I could actually do that for my morning shift. It's kinda hilly and there's some stairs to climb, but I know that would be so good for me. It took me maybe twenty minutes, so it wasn't all tht far.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here can tell me more about water retention. I'm thinking that maybe I should avoid salt. It's something I've never had to worry about before, but lately I've made a connection with it and my right foot and ankle swelling up. I first noticed it happening on Christmas day, and it really freaked me out. It took me some time to make that connection. One of my co-workers said it was a sign that my kidneys can't handle excess salt anymore.
Water retention is a problem for a lot of people and quite often it can be tied to excessive sodium consumption. When I started WW and was drinking at least 64 oz. of water daily, I started seeing ther results right away...in my ankles. Seeing my ankles and ankle bones was great!
The thing is this...there is sodium in everything and a lot of time what is low sodium is NOT low-fat or low-cal. Avoiding processed and fast foods can help cut a lot of sodium out. Increasing your water intake (within reason) can also help, as can increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. Consult your physician to see if he/she can offer any further suggestions...or if it is attributed to anyother cause.
Okie ladies… I’m out of work for the summer YAY! Today was the last day for me and now I get a summer break… NOT! I still start summer school next week.. awww! Anyways I’m thinking about going down to the elementary schools and seeing if they need any subs for their instructional aids. I could use a little extra money. I did good today. I was craving a soda… but I resisted and I got a bottled water instead. I’ve eaten pretty good so far today. Now just to keep it up hehehe. It’s a new day, lets take this one step at a time!
300+ And Ready To Try Again..#728
. I hope every one is feeling fine and looking to share a smile with me 
. I LOST 6lbs this week 
I'm so tickled I can dance a happy dance 
. My 14 yr old son has been right with me helping me stay on task and he has just cut down and kept the crap food away from me and he's lost 12 lbs 
We were very excited to see the hard work paying off. I wish I felt smaller, but at this size my clothes arent even loose yet. But I'm going to be patient with my self.
I used to think they were puffy because I spend so much time on my feet (nearly 30 hours a week of waitressing), but I still waitress, and here they are. Hey, it's only ankles, but at least I look better in my capris and sandals, so I'll take what I can get 
Exercise! I want to cry just thinking about how active I've been this week. I've walked so much and I've also done squats and lunges on my own when I felt I hadn't walked enough. That is such an accomplishment for me. I actually WANT to exercise. Dogpal and Audrey, you girls have been on my mind. You were in my head telling me to get walking or to do something, to move that body! I'm so proud of the both of you and our 30 a day success it just makes me want to weep! Audrey, you said something about me and Dogpal being your motivation (I read it some time last week before I flew out) but honey, I was shocked because I feel I am racing myself every day just to keep up with you two powerhouses! I really do miss checking in w/ you two every day! Can't wait!
Hi everyone-
I get to kick back. 
I am also very fortunate to have a wonderful marriage like you discribed. We are almost always together. 
We have sooooo much fun and make each other laugh. We got married when I was 19 years old and we only knew each other for 3 
weeks. Very lucky to recognize true love at first 
site. I am a hunting widow every October for one or two weeks my husband goes hunting with my Dad. I hate it because I miss him terribly. I am happy that he has so much fun and they have invited me to stay with them in the 5th wheel up in the mountains while they hunt but I think I would go nuts in the snow in a tiny trailer from dusk till dawn. 
Yea! -6 and your son -12 how awesome. I am so proud for you. That is something your son will remember for the rest of his life how he and his momma got into shape together. Wonderful. About the clothes, It is amazing how we stay the same. It makes me wonder that if I am still in the same size when I am 50 pounds lighter than I was, how badly did I look in the clothes before and how much was I squeezing into them. 
(with love)
That is discipline. I am going to CA for two weeks at Christmas and I am already thinking about what I can do for exercise while there. I think I will make sure we stay in hotels with heated pools! We missed your cheering us on. Glad to have you back. Hope your flight is safe.
warm here today. I may have to crank ours on for the first time this summer.
Back
(That's just my desperation talking.) 
