Ghostfruit, I hear you, it's something I've been struggling with more recently as well. Very similar timeframe, although I'm not sure what you weigh. I have several examples, from my boss comment/lamenting how I no longer fit through a grate... Long story. My mom saying we need to diet, to a friend who has unintentionally gained over a 100 pounds last few years, so jealous.

Other people notice but it's those select few who actually bring up my gain, or changes. The best way I've found to deal with all the above is to give half-truths... Implying I am comfortable, content, or otherwise not concerned w/ number on the scale. Brush it off and make 'fat kid' jokes, me and my friend constantly toss insults back and forth, mostly at our own expense. Laughing about our mutual fat girl struggles. Exchange advice on chafing and stuff, including our appetites or bad habits.

I am in no way comfortable admitting fat is a turn on, discussing my sexual desires or that my gains been intentional. I can't and won't try to explain that part with anyone outside this community. We seem to rely on humor alot in those awkward moments, and I've vaguely implied bits of the truth.

I started out small a few years ago, baby steps contributing an offhand comment or add on my two cents. Always letting them bring up the subject of weight first, try to normalize the topic I guess. Act like it doesnt really bother you to be bigger and hopefully the people around you will follow suit.

That's been my experience so far, I also worry about what they might say in another 20 or 40 pounds. There's really no way to shrug off 300 pounds, I'm not just getting chubby anymore... Good luck.

Still working on that myself, I don't really much care about strangers or passerby, look around and I'm usually comparable in size or smaller than some. Day to day hardly ever phases me, occasional comments from co-workers, I've been there over 10 years and some knew me at around 180 and have seen my gain up to 260 since. Over 40 odd pounds the past couple years.

It is more so family and friends. It always hits me when digging through presentable outfits, like damn, I look huge. Case in point, I attended an outdoor wedding reception this afternoon, thankfully casual dress. Got tipsy enough to hit the dance floor a few times - I can't dance - and was less self conscious than usual.

Just got home and wonder what they are thinking, did anyone comment behind my back, notice I am as big as my mom now? I was able to cover up under an ugly Xmas sweater last time most these people saw me. Was 235+ last summer, a few haven't seen me in a couple years when I was under 220...

In the past it bothered me more, but again I look around, my cousins rocking a new dad bod, another's been married a few years and they've clearly put on a few... My gain has probably been the most significant and for today at least I am okay with that. However at the same time I am a tiny bit relieved I haven't reached my goal of 280 just yet.

One thing is certian, I have no desire to lose weight or change my upward trajectory, 280 and eventually 300 will defiantly give them something to talk about if tonight didn't raise a few eyebrows.

I am not ashamed per say... However as I am still stuck in the closet and none of my friends or family know how I feel about growing fatter these past couple years... I can hardly claim to fly my freak flag proudly.

I hide my search history and make sure my bottle of Eatmore natural pills isn't out in open. Hide the heavy whipping cream in the back of my fridge, nobody has ever seen my weight log or measurements spreadsheet.

That doesn't stop me from gaining weight and my friends are aware I can pound down 5 chilli dogs or 2 jacks pizzas in a single sitting. But I never flaunt my true appetite in front of people. If I order a calzone and full hoagie from the pizza place near my parents house I pick it up on my way home rather then have it delivered to their door. Or get one or the other if I am staying for dinner... Is that shameful behavior?

I still intend to weigh 300+ someday and would appreciate any advice from people were honest with their loved ones about wanting to be fat and liking the extra weight.

Hovering around 260 and finally feeling like I am getting fat, starting to waddle and actually seen a decrease in my fitness levels. I could hold a squat and stand unaided at 240s now I probobly could but I'm afraid my pants will rip... 280 is my current goal.

300 is most defiantly the next goal, and 330 sounds like a nice rounded number... Beyond that I wouldn't panic about 350 but don't think I would actively go for 400 unless with the right person.

500 - 600 is pure fantasy at this point and might be too much for me to handle mobility wise. Sounds awesome tho...

For anyone interested i think tomorrow night is airing an episode of NOVA called The Truth About Fat. Channel 2

I have a few goals that have more to do with my actual fat than any number on scale or tape measure. Met a couple of them this past year, first was a bathroom countertop my belly had been hovering over for years. Most recent was a ledge at my house, belly just started brushing that. Next goal is less than an inch more hang to do the same to my kitchen table. A couple inches to go for low railing of my front steps. Various items like markers, lotion bottles, pack of smokes, hair spray, eventually a can or bottle of soda... Started out with just pens and pencils being able to stick under there in junior high.

Most revolve around my belly, like being able to reach the underside, or touch my bellybutton. It now brushes. my thighs when standing but has yet to impede my walking. One of my loftier goals is for my belly to encroach on my knees.

I've had the same problem over the years and after 1st joining FF it took me like a year to gain over ten pounds. Took me 5+ years to gain 10 - 15 pounds b4 that. Gotta keep up with calorie intake.

Heavy cream mixed with ice cream, or added to malts and McDonald's frappes has been a new staple for me, and it's working. I am up about 40 pounds from last December and nearly 20 pounds from just past summer. I don't usually make it to 4000 calories a day and think my metabolism is finally slowing down.

It takes more commitment than you realise some days to eat regular meals and find time to snack in between. When you think your full let your stomach settle a little than try to eat a bit more and top off again. Have a malt or shake exceeding 1000 calories by itself to go with dinner. Good luck, hope to see more of you in the future.

Not sure to the long-term effects but it's been 4 -6 months or so since I started diligently topping off with HWC in various drinks, milk, frappes, shakes, ice cream... In the past 2 Sundays I have restocked and just cracked open 5th or 6th quart of Oct tonight. Mixed 1/2 the new quart into 3 frappes... Just shy of 3000 calories this evening.

Calculated excess calories for the first week at over 11,000 calories mixing with 2 frappes every single night. Second week was prob a little more and I am up about 10 pounds since start of September. My overall gain for five months is over 20 pounds and all time personal best.

The most notable change is how much softer my belly has gotten since the start of this summer. Like seriously plush compared to anything I've experienced with past gains over the years. The way it jiggles and feels when I walk is a totally new feeling. I am softer all over and recently started gaining more in my face and arms too.

HWC works miracles for easy gains and I've built up more of a tolerance to the extra dairy than when I first started.

Metabolism hands down... I love eating but there are only so many hours in the day. Either way whatever I eat, especially of I ate a lot more than usual, a slower metabolism would ensure that it all sticks. I think mine has slowed down but it used to burn off everything, and why it's been harder for me to gain in the past.

Nasty catch 22 that... I'm starting to feel it's two sides of the same coin. My recent experiences of getting puffed on stairs, also used take two sometimes three at a time, now havent attempted to skip steps in awhike. Must try that tomorrow. Putting on socks very recently became a chore, easier to lean or sit and still tougher to bend my torso or leg... Undeniable proof of gain and definitely a thrill... Also a tad annoying when in a hurry lol.

Ive always taken pride in certain physical attributes like climbing skills, fairly awesome balance, overall stamina... I am still amazingly light on my feet for 250+ despite hardly being able to see them. Harder to balance on a curb w/ chunky thighs yet doable, and can skip over stepping stones. However much more prone to sprains and ankles weaker due to past injuries.

Overall its both, I love experiencing fat girl moments, fyi it hurts when you misjudge squeezing through a tight space... Belly got a bruise last week, yet hit the offending door (pitch dark) first and saved my face any impact, I gave it a pat of thanks. I enjoy most these annoyances at the same time find it irritating.

Outgrowing clothes kinda sucks on one hand, the other is fist pumping hells yeah. My frappe,addiction and various bad habits are expensive... Love squeezing into booths and feeling my belly against the table, or just feeling increased weight slow me down. Seeing the scale creep higher, it's all worth it.

Chafing = annoying as hell!