I just cut the drawstring off a pair of starter brand athletic pants this afternoon. Instant releif and a couple inches of give in the waistband. They are still a bit tight.
Not quite retired.

Been sizing up over time, and usually buy a size up whenever possible, starting to grow into a few things. Can never seem to find shirts long enough, a flaw in sizing 2x - 3x held up together is generally an inch or so wider than 2x... Why is the length the same?
Don't get me started on women's clothing in general, to whom it may concern, women need functional pockets too!!!

I enjoy the stuffed bloated feeling too, feels amazing. I don't always like the slightly ill feeling that sometimes comes with it. Its alot of work growing a gut sometimes. I'm a bit opposite and wish I gained a little easier.

When the normal waddle slows down due to additional excess pounds and while still classified as waddling the person moves with a more stately 'delibrate' gait... Energy conservation and momentum become a necessity with each stride. Often rocking weight back and forth and going with the natural wobbling motions in attempt to keep up inertia.
Next comes the lumber, obviously struggling to keep putting one foot in front of the other, huffing and puffing along. Body wobbling out of control, no chance of using recent pounds to any advantage, it's all just too heavy.
The shuffle, lifing feet off the ground is nearly impossible, weight of belly pushing against legs shortens steps. Distance and stamina hit all time low, no unnecessary detours, it saps energy just to get from A to B.
The shuffle slows and distance shortens, it's harder to even stand for even a few minutes and just getting out of bed is a chore you'd rather avoid...

In market for a Used mid-sized SUV under 8 grand and looking for opinions/personal experiences. Googled best cars for fat people and got mixed reviews so far.

Honda CRV is supposedly top of the list but I recently rode in a friend's 2000 era and found it more cramped than mine. (A Subaru, may it RIP)
Only complaint is that emergency brake lever on left of console brushed my leg.
Are the 2008+ - 2012 CrV any roomier than the older style?

Test drove a 2014 Ford Escape last year, hell no. Center console is high on hip and door is squeezing in on left side, only car I've ever had to lean right to close door, and at only 250+ felt VERY claustrophobic!
Family members cars I've driven and sat in: 2014 Kia Sorento was a tight-ish squeeze behind the wheel. 2018+ Hundyi Tucson has tiny ass seats, my hips ain't huge and I overflowed a fair bit on both sides. 2019 Durango is not as roomy as you'd expect, but mostly ok, what about 10+ years ago?

I have personally found trucks to be deceptively small: early 2000s Silverado is the roomiest I've driven. 2005 Nissan Titan is fairly roomy w/ great storage and huge backseat but seat belt digs painfully into hip and leg is against door. Belly also brushes steering wheel.
Ford Explorer was ok 30lbs ago but prob tighter fit nowadays, driven a sport trek since and chunky friend around my size says aforementioned 2000 CRV is better ... Ranger is obviously tiny and very tight squeeze for me but doable... Sort of.
Note: belly less than inch from most steering wheels in all vehicles at 260 - 270 for 5'3" female.
My 08 Mazda 3 was shockingly comfortable for a compact car, mostly because console even with seat height and E brake on right by passenger seat.

Any feedback or suggestions is greatly appreciated to help narrow down AWD options on limited budget.

This. To all of the above. I'd add that my back gets sore easier, bed is super comfy with memory foam topper but does not offer proper support. I am slightly more strategic in how I crawl in and out to conserve energy. Rolling over when already sunken into plushy cloud has caused a tweak or two. Plus being on feet 10/12 hours a day bothers back more than legs.
Worth every extra pound but damn I am starting to feel the effects. Also noticing some changes to gait and strain on feet and ankles, not quite a waddle but can't quite keep up the same pace or stance anymore.

Anyone from the Twin Cities or surrounding areas going to the great Minnesota get together this year?
Are there any casual meet-ups at the MN State Fair anyone knows of for 2022?

In only have a tiny bit of experience with this at just 270 but my Ford Ranger is getting to be a tight squeeze. My everyday driver is now a Subaru and much preferable to climbing out of a tiny 4 cylinder Civic. Although the emergency brake digs into my leg a little from dumb position on console that would otherwise be perfect.

Test drove a Ford escape, hard no before even leaving the lot. The console is raised up 2 inches beside the seat, and the window controls on door have no reason to stick out quite that far. Even well under 300 I felt squished and my hips jammed between... I'm not very bottom heavy.
I've heard that Fusions and most Honda are fairly roomy for sedans.

Same here. Used HC on/off last few years and it did help me get over plateau in past, and kept that weight on.
That said my most recent attempts have been for naught. I managed to diligently finish off 5qts of the stuff in about 9 or so days. Bought 2 at a time and mixed into 1000+ calorie shakes and glasses of milk among other things over 2/3 days, repeat.

Was less on the ball for 2 weeks following but prolly drank 8 quarts in under a month mixed with other calories. Still at 270... How much did you need to drink for 20 pounds? Any good calorie dense mixers you'd suggest?

Any advice for how to keep up gaining momentum? I tend to only gain in smaller spurts and then get stuck again or keep reverting back to a set weight point for months on end.
Also how best to gain on a budget, especially with rising food costs?
EDIT: I am well versed in using HWC with various mixers, adding to shakes, ice cream exe, even mixing into food. It does help alot.

I would really like to pack on 20 - 30 pounds in a shorter span of time, or realistically be at least 25# heavier by 2023. Has anyone managed that big of gain on their own in under 6 months? How so? Any feedback is appreciated.

Not sure if its what I am eating, the miles I ususlly walk in an average day, genetics or a combination of these. I posted a while back about how a softer layer coated my belly with a firm undertone. Maybe in 240 range or so...

For me it seems that when I actually manage to pack on 10 or so pounds in shorter timeframe or even gradually that it takes a few month's to soften. I got stuck at 260 quite a while back now, no significant gains or even keeping on the few pounds I did yo-yo with.

Despite being in roughly same 5 pound range I noticed some rather drastic changes months later. Belly dropped a solid inch or more and I added to my waist. Even with no loss/gain it changed shape, from sloping inwards under bellybutton to a fuller softer bell shape. Several people commented/inquired about my weight change during that time my scale stubbornly stayed the same give or take a pound or two?
Delayed fat deposit/distribution?

I hope to repeat the experience and gain more than I did last time I saw more than 10 odd pounds in a single summer. Hopefully 20+ in span of 3/6 months and see what happens in the aftermath.