I'm one of those people who lost and then regained (plus some) and have a very different body type than I did previously. Before my weight loss, I had already been obese my whole life. I reached around 370 lb, and my doctor encouraged me to lose weight. At that time, I was soft with a big belly, big hips, big thighs, a puffy face, and I jiggled when I moved or walked.

With a lot of diet and lifestyle changes, I got down to around 190, which is still obese for a 5'3 woman, though admittedly, I felt thick, but not fat.

When I decided to regain, I did it intentionally, and my major strategy was mass stuffings. Though I'm well aware of pitfalls of living off of carbs, cheese, and snack foods, most of my weight came from eating this way, in large quantities, as well as extreme stuffing. I eventually regained every ounce I lost, and I kept going, putting on 140 lb more than my previous high weight.

Though I am bigger than I have ever been, I'm also less jiggly. My fiance describes it as "firm fat", particularly in the belly area. Though it obviously does hang some, because , well, gravity, I have the kind of pot belly you see sometimes on an ultra supersized man. I do have a huge muffin top and lots of back rolls, but even that fat feels like it's somehow "tighter" than previously.

Additionally, a vast majority of my weight settled in my midsection, so I have an enormous circumference. I've been told my face, though chubby, is actually slightly more defined at 510 than 370. My back side is also big obviously, but it's not quite as wide in proportion to my body.

I know many many things my factor into to change in body composition and fat distribution. I'm approaching 30, so hormonal changes may be at play. I also gained 300 lb in less than 3 years, which was not the pattern previously, when I had just always been fat. And, at the height of my weight gain, I was stuffing to oblivion daily, eating mostly junk food and carbs. I like the effects, and my fiance enjoys the big bellied look too.

Yes-- Even at 4 to 5,000 calories a day, I'm struggling with profound hunger and also just trying to change patterns and habits around food and snacks. I'm pretty good at diverting myself with other activities, like meditation, or reading. This past weekend, my fiance and I started taking short walks each day. I tire out very quickly, within about ten minutes, but I'm sure like anything else, I'll build endurance. My hope is to stay this size roughly, but also maintain my ability to move around as I get older.

As far as the cravings go, I like healthy food as well, and if I absolutely must snack, I'm trying to choose vegetables and low fat dips. That doesn't always work out of course, but I'm slowly replacing the carbs I usually reach for with fresh things.

Carrying around all my weight is pretty hard on my feet, so I get pedicures regularly. I'm too heavy for the pedicure chairs at my salon, but the person I regularly go to finds ways to accommodate me. This also spares my fiance from having to deal with the calluses and rough patches I get from the pressure on my feet. He is kind enough between pedicures to give me foot massages with lotion. That may be more for him than me, as it keeps things from getting rugged!!

In my case, and for at least a couple of other people I know, yes. Obviously, it is still incremental, but over time, I expanded my calorie intake from around 2000 calories a day to 12,000 and sometimes more. And I certainly have stretched my stomach out. I'm tapering back to maintenance level, and I'm quite hungry on 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day.

That said, I have heard from others that after a full day pushing the limits, they could barely eat the following day. My point is, everyone is different, so give it a try and see what works!

Isn't it strange the way weight gain works?? I barely noticed 400 to 425, but growing from 475 to 500 felt like I doubled in weight, especially in my belly. The last 100 pounds also feels like it went exclusively to my gut. I realized it when I randomly discovered I can't wrap my arms around my body or reach my belly button.

Eat until you are stuffed, and then drink lukewarm liquid until you can't hold anything else. As soon as you feel the slightest bit of room, eat something else, and chase that with liquid too. Keep the cycle up, never pushing yourself to the point of pain, but also never letting your stomach feel like it has any space in it. You'll be surprised at how big your belly gets, and also at your capacity the next day.

This is excellent advice. There are some layouts I know won't work, for example, an elevated platform for the bridal table. Additionally, I want to be able to move easily through the room and greet people. Distance between tables is a consideration. Thanks again for your insights.

Thank you all, so much, for the well-wishes and advice! I really do appreciate this community.

Let me start by saying, I am sorry you have to go through this. I have lived with parental disapproval for as long as I can remember, oddly, not about my size, but because I don't otherwise fit their expectation of what a "good girl" does with her life. They envisioned a life in which I majored in something traditionally acceptable for women, like teaching or nursing. They wanted me to find a "good man from a good family" and marry him right out of college. They wanted me to remain active in the very traditional, conservative religion in which I was brought up. I didn't do any of those things in that order. They've been displeased ever since.

That said, regardless of "whose roof" you live under, no one... and I mean no one... has control of your body except you. Expressing concern is one thing. I am sure there are people who care about me who really wish I wasn't 500 lb. And honestly, some of their concerns are probably legitimate. I have had one or two people say, "I hope you're going to the doctor regularly." I'm at higher risk for diabetes, I have high blood pressure, I get short of breath. I get it.

But NO ONE has authority over your body-- and living on their real estate doesn't change that. Another person cannot *make you* gain weight, lose weight, color your hair, get Botox, join a gym, you name it. Even in a Sub-Dom romantic relationship, consent must still undergird EVERYTHING. Otherwise, the deal is off.

I don't have specific advice for you regarding your father, but I hope you feel empowered to have control over your own body. I suppose he could do something like restrict your access to food he buys. You should still feel empowered to buy your own food and feed your body in the way you find appropriate.

As for the jobs argument-- There may be professions a super obese person might not be physically able to do. You don't seem to fall in that category yet. But there are also hundreds of professions your physical fitness and your size have absolutely no impact on. Please don't believe the 'no one will hire you' scare tactic. It's simply not true. I have an excellent job, primarily work remotely, and make a good income way above the median. I'm just as competent at it at 500 lb as I was at 200 lb, because they hired my brain, not my body.

I truly do wish you all the best, and I hope you do what's best for YOU, rather than what someone else thinks you should do.

Thank you so much! 💓 I really I'm luckier than I ever thought I'd be, finding someone who is a true partner in every sense. I also happen to be crazy about him!