hi folks, i realize the chat is a work in progress... just thought i would mention this because it seemed kind of like a bug. i am using a linux computer and firefox.

when i was on the "user" tab, when i clicked on someone to chat with them, their name would be highlighted and go to the top of the list (just like in the past). but when i was chatting with one individual, and switching between the group and user tabs, it wasn't highlighting them or putting them at the top of the page.

also, the top of the tab indicated i had messages waiting, but those user names were not highlighted either, so i couldn't tell who was trying to chat with me.

appreciate all the work you are doing on this, and i look forward to whatever new features come next!

it's audio, not video, but this soundcloud site from massivelyfattening (formerly known as jessicuh in bbw modelling circles) is a great series.

soundcloud.com/massively-fattening

it has been awhile since i listened to them - i am not sure if they are gender-specific, or just encouraging in general. but hopefully they will inspire others to continue this type of work!

i don't know if i would call it "sympathy," but my initial weight gain started when i was dating a very fat woman. i was only 160 lbs when we met, but just i kind of fell into her lifestyle. we went out to eat and drink a lot, and that really rubbed off on me. i started to really enjoy food more than i had in the past, and that was when i first gained a fat belly.

thank you! it can be a bit of a roller coaster, both physically and mentally - but just to let others who might be facing this know, it's not all negative. you will find new knowledge and experiences you didn't even think about, and find new ways to experience and explore being fat and feedism.

it's interesting to read the different perspectives everyone is sharing.

i got fat somewhat later in life (like 40-ish), i found fat people attractive, but never saw myself that way. my self-image had always been that of a fit person. it was a partner who was a real gourmand who introduced me to the true "joy" of food, really taking an interest in flavours and textures, and appreciating as something more than just a means to an end... and so i started to get fat.

so for me, it was more of an enjoyment of the lifestyle, i think. as a fat admirer and part of the whole feedism community, the appreciation of my changing body was there, but not really the driving force.

last year i ran into some health issues that required some changes in my diet and activity. i have lost about 50 lbs as a result. i started out a lot heavier than your gf, but i have found my weight kind of plateaued, and i am still enjoying being fat.

i will add to the voices suggesting you continue to listen to your doctor's advice. at first it is overwhelming, and it seems you have to cut everything good out of your life... but over time as you read and learn of other options, you'll find there are still ways to enjoy the lifestyle, if not in the same way or to the same degree as before.

best wishes on this new journey!

$300 a week, or a month? per month, that is probably a tough situation, you are going to have to be creative in how you spend it.

per week, that is not a bad budget for one person - but don't waste too much of it eating out. i know mcdonalds and the like are fattening, but you can get way more calories for way less money buying pasta, rice, flour, etc. and make your own stuff. we bake home-made cinnamon buns at home all the time - a whole tray of them for probably the cost of a single cinnabon from the food court.

it's working for me using firefox right now.

when i put on my first 50-70 lbs i was dating a much larger ssbbw woman... so i kind of knew it was happening (i took pics are posted them here, lol!), but next to her is didn't seem like much.

the first time i really felt i was fat was during my first trip to the gym after several months away (7 or 8?)... wow, that was when i really realized i was no longer fit. i got winded on the treadmill after just a couple of minutes. i couldn't believe how my belly was bouncing around, either! it was a very humbling experience.

showering and getting dressed with a flabby gut, surrounded by a bunch of athletic, muscular studs for the first time felt really embarrassing, too.

listening to ozzy tonight... very sorry to hear of his passing today.