Pushing limits

BigBallBellyGirl:
The people who caution about aggressive stuffing and hard-core gaining are absolutely right. (Note, I said "caution about", not "caution against".) In an effort to gain back some lost weight and ultimately get to 450-500, I started super-stuffings constantly. I was gaining 10 pounds a week, easily, and never leaving any room in my stomach I didn't immediately fill. I loved the journey and the filled past the limit sensation, but about a month ago, I started to have weird neurological symptoms, like tingling, and skin numbness, as well as severe back and upper belly pain. I'm not abandoning my goal, by any means, but I decided to back off on the extreme stuffings for a while and let my body heal. But guess what? I find eating normal meals almost impossible. Yesterday, my partner and I went to a pub. He ordered a Philly cheesesteak and side salad. I ordered a double mushroom Swiss burger and tater tots, 1200 calories according to the menu. Based on nutritional standards, I had a very large meal, but my body didn't think so. I downed everything, but I didn't even feel like I had eaten at all. He gave me a fourth of his cheesesteak, but I still felt not just unsatisfied, but empty. I ended up getting queso with soft tortillas, adding another 1,800 calories. The fact is, I absolutely wanted more, but I stopped myself, because with beer, I had already exceeded 4,000 calories in a sitting. The fact is, had I been intentionally stuffing, I honestly could have easily had a fast food meal on the way home, but I refrained. The reality is, I think I also was averaging way more calories than I calculated when I was constantly stuffing. I usually documented around 15,000, but that number was likely well over 20,000. And last week, I put on 5 pounds while thinking I was eating conservatively. The appetite is a bizarre thing.

Munchies:
Sounds about right.

I appreciate you making the distinction you made when you said "caution about" versus "caution against."

Extreme weight gain and stuffing are very fun - but only in the short term.

That said, I wish you all the best. You've stretched your stomach out. It will shrink in time, but it will not be comfortable.

That said, there are some things you can do in the meantime. Some foods make you feel fuller for longer. Here's an article for example: myplenity.com/blog/10-foods-that-help-you-feel-fuller-longer

Remember, the goal isn't weight loss. It's just to help you suffer less while you wait for your stomach to recover. You probably won't lose any weight. If anything, you'll gain at a slower rate before eventually maintaining.
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Thank you for the guidance, and yes, I'm definitely still seeing gains. It's just not 10 pounds a week, which I knew wasn't sustainable forever anyway. And I don't regret putting on so much weight so quickly. I love the way I look. But pushing my body so hard had consequences, and real life is not weight gain fiction. The reality of gaining 220 pounds in 16 months (80 of which happened in 10 weeks) is that:

- I had some scary digestive issues, including a week of constipation, carrying around 25 pounds of waste. Not to be graphic, but that almost required an ER trip.
- My blood pressure was dangerously high (stroke level) and is still problematic.
- I've had shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
- I had belly button pain and tingling. I still have numb patches on my abdomen.
- When I was gaining 10 pounds a week, I had two cracked stretch marks. One still hasn't healed.
- I can no longer stand more than 5 minutes because of hip and back pain.
- I struggle with stopping, even when I've eaten 5,000 calories, because my brain recognizes any room in my stomach as hunger

Again -- I don't have regrets, but I join you in cautioning people (with no judgement, just genuine care) that pushing limits for extended periods of time takes a toll on physical and cognitive health, finances, and lifestyle. I'll still get to 450 (or more), but when I do feel well enough to do massive, extreme stuffings, they'll probably be confined to an evening or a weekend rather than lasting for weeks of months.
1 year

Pushing limits

The people who caution about aggressive stuffing and hard-core gaining are absolutely right. (Note, I said "caution about", not "caution against".) In an effort to gain back some lost weight and ultimately get to 450-500, I started super-stuffings constantly. I was gaining 10 pounds a week, easily, and never leaving any room in my stomach I didn't immediately fill. I loved the journey and the filled past the limit sensation, but about a month ago, I started to have weird neurological symptoms, like tingling, and skin numbness, as well as severe back and upper belly pain. I'm not abandoning my goal, by any means, but I decided to back off on the extreme stuffings for a while and let my body heal. But guess what? I find eating normal meals almost impossible. Yesterday, my partner and I went to a pub. He ordered a Philly cheesesteak and side salad. I ordered a double mushroom Swiss burger and tater tots, 1200 calories according to the menu. Based on nutritional standards, I had a very large meal, but my body didn't think so. I downed everything, but I didn't even feel like I had eaten at all. He gave me a fourth of his cheesesteak, but I still felt not just unsatisfied, but empty. I ended up getting queso with soft tortillas, adding another 1,800 calories. The fact is, I absolutely wanted more, but I stopped myself, because with beer, I had already exceeded 4,000 calories in a sitting. Had I been intentionally stuffing, I honestly could have easily had a fast food meal on the way home, but I refrained. The reality is, I think I also was averaging way more calories than I calculated when I was constantly stuffing. I usually documented around 15,000, but that number was likely well over 20,000. And last week, I put on 5 pounds while thinking I was eating conservatively. The appetite is a bizarre thing.
1 year

Super sized travel!

At 412, I'm well aware I need two airplane seats and a seatbelt extender. My bigger concern is getting around in large airports. Special assistance would be a must. When I last flew in 2022, I was only 305, and logistics were tough because I tired easily and don't have the ability to quickly move through security. Careful planning will be in order next time.
1 year

Belly coverage quiz - love to know what you see when you look down

I see boobs and then the top of my belly. I can no longer see my belly button, and from my angle, I can't see my thighs or knees either when sitting. My gut has taken over!
1 year

Are metal bed frames better?

I've used a metal frame since I broke a flimsy twin bed as a teenager while vacationing at a lake cabin. I chose the bed I have for other reasons too, including aesthetic ones, but it's also held up well as I've continued to gain. I have noticed though, I can't cut corners on cheap mattresses. They flatten and develop indents in no time.
1 year

Pushing limits

This is my favorite kind of stuffing. Even as fat as I am, there have been times I've eaten until I can barely sink a finger into the top of my belly and the fat around my belly button stretches tight. Ahhh, I'm taking a bit of a gaining break at the moment, and I miss being that full!
1 year

Belly button tingling

ForeverFFA:
Tingling can also be caused by unhealthy amounts of pressure on the spine or a nerve. Whatever the cause, it sounds like your body is sending warning signs that it needs a break.

BigBallBellyGirl:
I have just in the past week had a bit of a reality check with myself, because I do want to remain mobile. I'm 29 and a working professional, and my partner is moderately physically active. I've been putting on 7 to 10 pounds a week lately, and obviously, that can't go on indefinitely. While I'm 403 now and still hope to get to 450, I'm going to try slowing down to see if that helps with my belly pain, bizarre tingling, and sore belly button. My partner agrees that's probably best. Maybe 2 pounds a week is more sustainable!

Munchies:
It is, but you will probably need to have gaining breaks all together of you want to let your body recover.

I also caution against stopping cold turkey. I'm a feeder that enjoys super intense stuffings, and I've been around the block a bit. If you go cold turkey, you'll struggle a lot. I find transitioning into better eating habits to be more effective. It takes about a month to do, and you'll still gain weight during this time, but you won't have such a hard time dealing with cravings.

Week 1: Eat anything you want, but don't stuff yourself.
Week 2: Eat as much as you want without stuffing yourself, but eat cleaner.
Week 3 - 4: Decrease your portion sizes over time until you have a normal amount of food during meals. Continue to eat clean.

Since you have a supportive partner, involve him in your goals. It's easier to stop/slow down when you aren't going it alone.

MottiF:
That’s seems like very good advice

Munchies:
Tried and true, baby.


I can tell my issue is going to be recognizing that I don't have the be stuffed to the absolute limit to be satisfied. Over the weekend, I had several large "normal" meals... restaurant portions... that most people wouldn't be able to finish. But I felt an intense desire to pack in more food. I think in my head, "satisfied" has started to equate "about to burst and unable to breathe". That said, I've never had a desire to be immobile, and my absolute cap is 500 pounds, so there was always going to be a big transition at some point.
1 year

Belly button tingling

ForeverFFA:
Tingling can also be caused by unhealthy amounts of pressure on the spine or a nerve. Whatever the cause, it sounds like your body is sending warning signs that it needs a break.

BigBallBellyGirl:
I have just in the past week had a bit of a reality check with myself, because I do want to remain mobile. I'm 29 and a working professional, and my partner is moderately physically active. I've been putting on 7 to 10 pounds a week lately, and obviously, that can't go on indefinitely. While I'm 403 now and still hope to get to 450, I'm going to try slowing down to see if that helps with my belly pain, bizarre tingling, and sore belly button. My partner agrees that's probably best. Maybe 2 pounds a week is more sustainable!

Munchies:
It is, but you will probably need to have gaining breaks all together of you want to let your body recover.

I also caution against stopping cold turkey. I'm a feeder that enjoys super intense stuffings, and I've been around the block a bit. If you go cold turkey, you'll struggle a lot. I find transitioning into better eating habits to be more effective. It takes about a month to do, and you'll still gain weight during this time, but you won't have such a hard time dealing with cravings.

Week 1: Eat anything you want, but don't stuff yourself.
Week 2: Eat as much as you want without stuffing yourself, but eat cleaner.
Week 3 - 4: Decrease your portion sizes over time until you have a normal amount of food during meals. Continue to eat clean.

Since you have a supportive partner, involve him in your goals. It's easier to stop/slow down when you aren't going it alone.

BigBallBellyGirl:
This guidance sounds very manageable and realistic

Munchies:
Thank you! This is a method that I have tested myself, and I can confirm its effectiveness.


I'm going to try this, because i've started to have SO MANY negative effects from gaining 80 pounds in about 10 weeks. I love every ounce, and I enjoy the way I look and would love to be bigger, but I do think you're right about needing a break. In addition to the tingling and pressure, my BP also went up from around 130/95 to a consistent 170/120, and that concerned my partner. He's into stuffing me and much as I'm into super-stuffings myself, but he'd be absolutely supportive even if I needed to lose. We talked about giving it a couple of months to see how I feel. It's been a fun ride though.
1 year

Belly button tingling

ForeverFFA:
Tingling can also be caused by unhealthy amounts of pressure on the spine or a nerve. Whatever the cause, it sounds like your body is sending warning signs that it needs a break.

BigBallBellyGirl:
I have just in the past week had a bit of a reality check with myself, because I do want to remain mobile. I'm 29 and a working professional, and my partner is moderately physically active. I've been putting on 7 to 10 pounds a week lately, and obviously, that can't go on indefinitely. While I'm 403 now and still hope to get to 450, I'm going to try slowing down to see if that helps with my belly pain, bizarre tingling, and sore belly button. My partner agrees that's probably best. Maybe 2 pounds a week is more sustainable!

Munchies:
It is, but you will probably need to have gaining breaks all together of you want to let your body recover.

I also caution against stopping cold turkey. I'm a feeder that enjoys super intense stuffings, and I've been around the block a bit. If you go cold turkey, you'll struggle a lot. I find transitioning into better eating habits to be more effective. It takes about a month to do, and you'll still gain weight during this time, but you won't have such a hard time dealing with cravings.

Week 1: Eat anything you want, but don't stuff yourself.
Week 2: Eat as much as you want without stuffing yourself, but eat cleaner.
Week 3 - 4: Decrease your portion sizes over time until you have a normal amount of food during meals. Continue to eat clean.

Since you have a supportive partner, involve him in your goals. It's easier to stop/slow down when you aren't going it alone.


This guidance sounds very manageable and realistic
1 year

Belly button tingling

ForeverFFA:
Tingling can also be caused by unhealthy amounts of pressure on the spine or a nerve. Whatever the cause, it sounds like your body is sending warning signs that it needs a break.


I have just in the past week had a bit of a reality check with myself, because I do want to remain mobile. I'm 29 and a working professional, and my partner is moderately physically active. I've been putting on 7 to 10 pounds a week lately, and obviously, that can't go on indefinitely. While I'm 403 now and still hope to get to 450, I'm going to try slowing down to see if that helps with my belly pain, bizarre tingling, and sore belly button. My partner agrees that's probably best. Maybe 2 pounds a week is more sustainable!
1 year