I'm up to 500+ now, so I've been at both points in between. I was in the 300 range for quite some time, and I still felt quite physically active at that size. I could walk briskly, and I looked like a "regular fat girl". Around 350, I start looking very "round", and by 400, I'm the fattest person most people encounter as they go about their day. I also carry a lot of belly fat, and that's the size at which I outgrew mainstream retail clothing. I found I was tiring out more easily too, and I needed a c-Pap, a grocery store scooter to shop and an accessible parking spot tag, both because of mobility and to open my door as wide as possible to get in and out.

The more dramatic difference though, occurred as I approached 500, outgrowing my car driver's seat, my shower stall (had to replace the glass door with a curtain), and most grocery store scooters. I'm also no longer able to put my arms around my body to reach my belly button. I like this size for me, and I plan to maintain, but I can certainly see why it wouldn't be for everyone.

Not always! I have big boobs objectively speaking, but that's because I'm super obese. In comparison to my belly though, I'm practically flat chested. I have 33 more inches of belly than bust currently. When I was briefly 190-ish pounds, I only wore a 36A bra, but my waist was still 40 inches.

For me, gaining meant enjoyment and developing a body I felt comfortable in. I feel like myself as an obese person, and I like my physical appearance. I was 200 lb before I started 8th grade, and I hit 300 in high school. The only time I've been under 200 as an adult was a few years back, and I never got below 190, which is still considered obese for a person my height. I didn't like it. Even that was too small for me.

Good recommendation!

We ended up getting a Chrysler Pacifica. It's easy to get into, and I have the ability to turn in the driver's seat because I'm not pinned behind the wheel. It's nice to have that piece of independence back!

After a year of rapid gaining, I've reached a weight -- 507 lb. -- I'm quite happy with, and I've made in some cases costly accomodations to be comfortable. I've invested in clothing I can wear for occasions that call for professional attire, adapted our bathroom, and put in heavy duty grab bars in our home. I also have a recliner with a lift and recently traded my sedan for a van. In other words, my life is built for a person my size. That said, I can also feel I'd be on the cusp of losing a lot of independence if I got much heavier, and neither my partner nor I are ready to give up doing fun things

According to the Mayo Clinic 's calorie requirement calculator, an inactive, 5'3", 507lb. 29 year old woman needs 3,000 calories or so to maintain. I've currently cut back dramatically from my prior intake to about 5,000 calories a day, and I'm eating a lot of fiber to feel more full. I'm hopeful I don't have to cut back more than that, but we'll see.

Is there anybody out there in say, the 400 to 600 lb range (or who is close to someone that size) who is maintaining? I realize a lot of factors are involved, but where did your daily calorie count settle?

Mine was probably this past Friday-after-Thanksgiving, which my partner and I designated as an all-day stuffing. I hit around 58 thousand calories, leaving a giant garbage bag of catering pans and paper plates. It was by far the most I've ever consumed (and probably ever will), and I barely ate for two days after. Unforgettable experience (and total experiment in gluttony) I'm thankful I had though.

I couldn't do it, lol. I'd probably end up completely immobile or I'd sit in the dining hall and eat until I popped like a balloon!

I'm a fan of the Golden Corral in Pittsburgh. I've spent hours there before trying as many things as I could, and the staff remained courteous and helpful, even after my seventh trip.

I traded my car today for a van, after getting too big to safely get behind the wheel of my Camry. My partner is incredible and always willing to take me wherever I want to go, but it feels good to have some independence back!

I feel like this is the flipside to the issues many women here run into with people demanding photos or sexual chat. I hear from men that they're constantly hit up by women (or people claiming to be women) scamming for money. I hate this trend, and I feel like this community wasn't always like that. Some of us really are here for connection and a place to belong.