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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Abbey--from my understanding about the sagging skin, the younger you are, the more elastic your skin, so the better chances of not having so much. However, some people hit the genetics jackpot and don't seem to have any at all, while others end up with lots of skin at any age. There has been talk of certain foods and nutrients that can help to increase skin elasticity (I know Catherine said she eats pumpkin every single day for this reason), but of course, they don't necessarily work for everyone. There's also a method of brushing your skin to stimulate it that is supposed to help. It won't show immediate effects, but by brushing daily over a period of time, some say it really works (you can Google that for more info if you'd like, or even search for "dry brushing" here on 3FC, as there have been discussions about it before). Some also say that regular exercise, particularly strength training, can help to minimize sagging because you're toning the muscles to sort of hold everything in place. Some also notice that when they do have the sagging skin, it improves over time by itself. Losing weight slowly instead of quickly/drastically should also help to prevent this problem some--patients who have had weight loss surgery are usually prime candidates for the worst sagging skin because they lose the wieght so quickly, so most of them then need to have cosmetic surgery as well.
In any case, I think there's a whole thread in the Maintainers' forum about loose skin, so you might want to check that out
As for me, I'm still hangin' in here. I ate waaaay too many mixed nuts for my afternoon snack yesterday, so I was pretty disappointed in myself. Meh, what can I do but get up, brush off, and move on?
I was VERY sleepy again yesterday. I slept for about an hour on the couch before Jeff got home, and then I knew we had to go out to the grocery store and Verizon to pick up my phone (which they didn't fix, but anyway...), and I just couldn't get myself going. I felt a little dizzy as we walked through the grocery store, but that could have just been becuase it was so hot out, I guess (since we had walked down quite a length of sidewalk from the Verizon store to the grocery store). We cam home, had dinner, played a video game, and by 9:30, we went to bed because I just couldn't stay awake anymore. 9:30! I am 24 years old...I should be able to stay up all night! I woke up a little before my alarm went off (around 5am), but even after my shower and getting dressed, I still feel like I want to just crawl back into bed for the rest of the day C'est la vie...off to face the traffic and head to work...
Good morning ladies! Wow- i've gotten instantly busier than I already was by starting school this week. I feel like I might have overloaded myself. I'm going to try 2 full weeks, and if it doesn't seem to be working drop something. Between working from 5-2, trying to keep a clean home, eat right (which takes time- although thanks to nurtisystem, not too much), excercise, and sleep normal amounts, and going to class, I have very little time left over to actually do the preperation and assignments. I had my first day of on campus classes yesterday and I just love it! I'm a nerd, always have been. The first class, professor is nice, not particularly intersting, but it's a eng comp class- a true love of mine. the second class I was iffy about, but the prof is great, she went over 30 mins last night and I didn't even realize it!!
Okay- I don't really have much time for personals- I've been reading everyone's progress and everyone seems to be doing well.
Angie- THANK YOU!! That was so nice what you said about my pics- when I looked at them I saw all the fat that I tend to somehow not recognize on myself on a daily basis, so it really brought me down. Your comments made me feel a lot better, plus you are right, I will be really happy to have those later.
As far as skin sagging- I've been told that there are 3 factors: age, rate of loss (speed), and toning excercises. If you don't lose to fast, and tone, they say you are less likley to have saggy skin. They also say the younger you are the less likely you are to have it too! at least there are (2) areas we can control!!
Jill-thanks for the answer on the hummus (forever ago)- I knew it couldn't be whale...
Gotta run- going to be late for work! everyone have a great day!
I just wanted to thank you Jilly for pointing me in the direction of this group, I've been surfing the site for the last few days trying to figure out exactly where i fit in and because of you, I have found it!! I've noticed that i have so much in common with all of you ladies from my weight, to my love of Pogo
thank you thank you thank you!!!
Just rushing in this morning, as usual since I go to work so early, but wanted to say a big to Ziggy! Glad you joined us!
Yeeks, all this talk of saggy skin going away the younger you are is not very heartening to us "oldies" LOL but I know it is true. Still, I will fight it all I can. Not going to worry too much about it at this point; just get the fat off!
I posted a couple of pics on the pics page. They were the ones we took at the hotel at the weekend. I REALLY like them and just keep showing them off to everyone.
Welcome Ziggy! Glad you joined here. I have recently joined too. This is a great place!
Zelma~Your pictures look great!
I also worry about sagging skin. But I guess the great thing is I won't be this heavy anymore. I carry most of my weight in my stomach and I really can see a skin change already.(more of a texture change)I just have been moving more and lost 6 pounds. But I am not too worried about it yet. Well we went grocery shopping and bought healthier food. We cleaned out our cabinets and fridge. No more soda/no more junk. I am realizing now how addicted I was to that stuff! And I am glad I joined the excercise board for September. *thanks wyllenn for suggesting that to me* I think that will be a great way to keep me cheked in. Also my husband said he wants to lose weight as well. He has about 50 pounds to lose. Hope you all have a great day!
Ziggy - These ladies are THE BEST! You'll be quite happy here!
Zelma - Your photos are wonderful. I like the 2nd one best myself. What a handsome, healthy-looking couple you are! No one would ever guess just by looking at you what a wonderful accomplishment you've had. I can only hope to have that said of me someday.
Mechelle - As I said in my pm to you - your photos are AMAZING! I can't even imgaine living in a place where you can stand in the grass and see the ice pack just a few feet away in JUNE! Fascinating! If you get any mail at all, you shouldn't have too much problem getting a DVD up there! I think something like Walk Away The Pounds is the best bet...cause you sure won't want to go jogging! Seriously, it would be very challenging to get in enough exercise in the weather you've got up there. I hope you find the right thing for you.
Jilly - I hope you get to feeling better soon!
Well, I should run...work calls. I'll be back later to post WI.
Wow Zelma!!!! You are gorgeous! I love the hair style and color and yes I think reds and browns would be beautiful on you. I echo Lilion, I would never have guessed you had been overweight before by looking at your picture. Wowsa!!
Welcome Ziggy!
As far as the saggy skin goes, I can hide that under clothes if I have it (and I surely will on my tummy). I can't hide the fat, so it's an easy decision for me!
As far as the saggy skin goes, I can hide that under clothes if I have it (and I surely will on my tummy). I can't hide the fat, so it's an easy decision for me!
Yep, same here! With a bunch of weight to go my inner thighs are already pretty darn unattractive and my belly and boobs getting saggy - but they weren't all that pretty 85 lbs ago either! WAIT! That's 87 lbs ago! I lost another 1.8 this week! Actually, I do lament the loss of my boobage - it was never that impressive to begin with. But I'd still rather be slim and saggy then fat and firm!
i'm not worried about saggy skin, i'm 35, 100lbs overweight and i had twins, parts of my lower tummy are numb i can't feel anything, so i'm pretty darn sure its in my future ! i'm not bothered, you know what ? my stretch marks are my battle scars from giving birth (and oh my god do i have stretch marks, i bet i can beat anyone with mine), so saggy skin can be my battle scar from finally getting thin !, i can live with it.
zelma : i'm not surprised you show them to everyone ! you look beautiful !
lilion : wtg on the weight loss.
and i have a recomendation for anyone needing to start out in exercise, on the health channel, denise austin does a workout called fit and lite, its a combination of pilates and yoga, so more toning than aerobic, but i made it through the whole workout, without stopping ! so its definatly gentler than most.
tomorrow is our last day of vacation, the twins go back to school, i'm happy and sad about that, happy because, the house will actually stay clean for a few hours after i've done it and i can get back on schedule with work. but i'll miss the little devils, i've enjoyed abby helping me with dinner, its been nice mommy daughter time, and playing video games with toby, we don't seem to have so much time for that stuff when they are at school. when they get home its homework, then dinner, then they want to go out with friends, and do their after school activities, but the time they are in for the night we only have an hour before bedtime.
Hi Ladies - Just checking in...nothing much new over here, lol. My sister had some XMAS photos to show me from last year - she just found them I guess, lol - so I can compare EXACTLY what I looked like the last time they saw me!! Also, she has a size 24 pair of jeans that's she's only worn a couple times, and she said I can have them when I get there in Dec! She measured them - and herself - and it seems like the should fit me already...but with my huge thighs (man I hate them!!) they'll probably look tight on me still. Oh well, I need new clothes, lol! Well, I'm going to try to get about 30 minutes of a nice pace of walking today, we'll see how the day goes! Hope everyone is doing well!
Stay OP chickies!!
Hi all,
Just a quick check in. I've been a little stressed lately so I haven't had the best eating but nothing too bad. I'm going to really try to focus on doing something else than eat when I'm stressed.
Regarding loose skin. I have it and I know I will always have it. I've been way too fat for way too long. I've started using skin firming lotions. I heard they help a little (but very little) mostly due to my wedding and my strapless gown. I much rather have excess skin than have skin that is filled to the brim so I don't let it bother me too much. Sometimes it makes it hard to sleep but I just move around until I find a comfortable positon. Also, it does get slightly better over time.
Thank you guys for the warm welcome, I'm very excited to find a place that i can vent and celebrate, especially with other women that know what i'm going through
Jill- If you are still having bleeding problems are you taking an iron supplement? I was borderline anemic for quite awhile (when I was having bleeding problems) and I always felt better when I made sure to take my iron.
Ziggy –
Zelma – You look gorgeous – but then you always look gorgeous! Both you and your husband look so happy and healthy. Please don’t apologize for posting pics – I always love to see them!
Michelle – “No spiders” - Now that is a positive attitude! Actually the place you live sounds really interesting. I loved that show Northern Exposure and I also watched North of 60 when I lived in Canada.
Kate – Congrats on being down 7 pounds!
With the loose skin issue, I am mostly ok with it. Actually one of the areas I am most concerned about are my calves. At my highest weight I started to have a lot of water retention and I started to have some circulation issues, which caused my calves to really swell up. I have seen my doctor about it and they have definitely gotten better since I have lost weight, but they are still quite puffy. On days like today when I am retaining more water they puff out quite a bit. I am really hoping they will go back to some semblance of normality when I get closer to goal. If not, well I will still be better off than at my highest weight.
One thing I do think about loose skin is that the healthier you are overall, the better your chances are. Just think about people you know who are heavy smokers or drinkers or who have really bad diets (no matter what size they are). Those who don’t take care of themselves tend to have much more unhealthy looking skin. If you take care of nourishing yourself both inside and outside your skin will probably have a much better chance.
I don’t have much to report. I am just trying to do a bit of extra working out the next few days to make my August exercise goal. Work is somewhat busy, which is good. One thing is that having split up my workouts I am finding myself with more energy again. I have actually gone to bed with a clean kitchen for several days in a row. It is so hard to keep the house tidy when you are exhausted.
Last edited by NotTheCheat; 08-30-2006 at 04:13 PM.
300+ And Ready to Try Again #992
I woke up a little before my alarm went off (around 5am), but even after my shower and getting dressed, I still feel like I want to just crawl back into bed for the rest of the day 
C'est la vie...off to face the traffic and head to work...
in Seattle
Seriously, it would be very challenging to get in enough exercise in the weather you've got up there. I hope you find the right thing for you.
I lost another 1.8 this week! 
Actually, I do lament the loss of my boobage - it was never that impressive to begin with. But I'd still rather be slim and saggy then fat and firm! 
ZIGGY :welcome
Now that is a positive attitude! 