LA Weight Loss - LA Weight Loss #43

Good morning all! I made it back safe and sound from Madison last night. I went to weigh in this morning and I maintained over my trip. I would have liked to lose even just a little, but that is ok. All week I had to eat catered meals...so who knows how they were prepared. I think I made the best choices I could, except for that one chocolate chip cookie :devil: .

I am putting a 5 lb turkey breast in the oven this afternoon. I will have that to eat on all week. It makes for quick and easy meals.

Hope everyone had a great on plan week!!

Hey everyone!

Its been a crazy week for me...its also been up and down. Last week I lost 4 pounds and now I am up 4 pounds. I had a good week and walked 4 days so far. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I really ate well. I also just finished TOM so I thought I would be down. I had two people at work ask me if I was losing weight and said yes even though the scale didn't say so! Anyway, sounds like everyone else is right on track!
Diane, glad to hear you are doing well and adding some running in your exercise routine! Those little busts help a lot!
Jibbelle, Way to go on not gaining while you were gone! You are right about not knowing how that food was prepared! Be very proud of yourself.

Congrats to everyone else that lost this week as well!

Have a great weekend! Don't forget your water!

Marcie

Hi EveryOne:
Welcome back Jibbelle. Eating food that you do not have control over is hard. Was it a good cookie?
Marcie sometimes that scale drives me nuts I have been doing the up and down it is a pain neck, but I keep trying.
I was bad and went shoppung for some clothes that I did not need but I wanted a little motivation. It was kind of fun picking up things and not worrying if they were going to fit.
I cheated on my first day of take-off but I did o.K. on the second day. I should not have done it I was not in the mood to do take-off. The party I was supposed to go to was cancelled, not to be mean but I was glad, no temptation for the weekend now.
Have a great weekend
Diane
4/06/01 201 ( I was putting the wrong date all this time)
02/09/02 143.6
goal 135

Diane-

The cookie was very good!! LOL Not as good as mine, but I do not dare make a whole batch of cookies!

Everyone must be having a week as hectic as mine. The board seems to be slow. I hope all is well with everyone!

Hi Jibbelle:
I was thinking the same thing I was getting ready to answer my own post. I dare not make any cookies I would probably eat the whole batch. How are you doing?

I know we talked about being sick of chicken but tonight it crossed my mind not to eat anything for dinner than have chicken again, then I found some ground turkey and had a turkey burger.
I have not been doing well with the program lately cheating to much this is getting rather silly I have 7-8 pounds left and I seem to be in a cheating cycle any ideas? I have been losing the same 2 pounds over and over and when they say at the center Oh you lost since the last time you were here, to me that is not losing because I did it three time already, it was a new councelor
and I felt bad after but when they are offering you ideas that I have done I don't know how many times by now it get kind of annoying. One tells you not eat fruit at night then she is telling me to eat two fruits after dinner, I just told her after dinner I do not eat anything. Just feeling frustrated. I weigh in tomarrow.
Diane
4/06/01 201
2/09/02 143.8
goal 135

I am doing pretty well Diane, although things are a bit crazy with work and school right now.

The people at my center always told me not to eat fruit after 4pm. They also said to try and get my starches in before 4pm also. Those are the foods that take the longest to digest.

I have been cheating a lot lately too. I get the munchies when I get home from work. I really need to be better for the couple hours before dinner time.

I am really trying hard this week. I really must lose a pound or two this week! I am in a bit of a slump. They are supposed to change my plan really soon. I think in 5 more lbs. I wish they would do it now. I think it would help.

Jibbelle:
My munchie time is in the afternoon. Most of the time I do not eat after I have had dinner. I think it is good that you are working through these munchie times. Hang in there. Since I started I would always make sure I got to the center for me three times a week no matter how much I cheated, I did not want to give in or give up.
My weigh in was up .2 from Saturday not bad ater the cheating I did on Saturday.
I want to get over this cheating also I have not had a good week for a while.
Have a good day
Diane
4/06/01 201
02/12/02 143.8
goal 135

Hi all,

Well, it's been a quiet week in...

Oops. Channeling Garrison Keillor there for a minute.

Actually, I'm up a little. (0.4 gain since Saturday, when I lost 0.2.) Bleh. Problem is, I'm on program! But it's "that time" so I'm hanging tough.

Do y'all ever find yourself making bargains with yourself? Y'know, "I'll just have this Snickers and then I'll walk five miles tomorrow." I'll catch myself talking like this, but then I'll realize that I never keep the bargain!

I guess it's easier to stay on the program. Oh well. I'll be loving it when I'm done!

Cheers,
Mary

236/205.8/160

I have had a pretty good day today so far:

Breakfast
cereal bar (S,F)

Snack
orange and nu light bar (F)

Lunch
bread, turkey, mayo, lettuce salad, fat free dressing (P, V, V, S, fat)

Snack
milk, nu light shake (Dairy)

Dinner (at 4:30 since I have to leave for class soon!)
lettuce salad, lean pocket, ff dressing (P, S, V, V)

I will also have an apple right before class at 6:30. I managed to get all my foods in with no cheats! I am on the red plan until I get to 239, then I switch to purple. I am so close. I am hoping that when I switch I will start losing faster again.

Take care all!

Hi
I just started LA 3 weeks ago and have lost 15 lbs. I love the plan and would love to talk to others on the plan.
Island girl
SW169.5
CW 1553/4
GW135

You are doing great so far!! Which plan are you on?

Hi Jibell
I am on the red plan- What kind of meals do u make w/ turkey breast???I am interested in exchanging menus of what I eat for the day if anyone is interested. Is there a trick to reading the other posts- I can only get to what is showing. Any help would be appreciated. Is there anyway this thread can come directly to my email. ???
Truly,
Pam
Ps if anyone wants to email me directly concerning LAWL feel free- just put LAWL in subject or I will delete it
Pammac3323@aol.com

turkey stir fry
turkey salad (mayo, celery, etc)
turkey fajitas
turkey sandwich
turkey chunks on salad
I use the turkey in any recipe I would use chicken.

I am also on the red plan, but I should be switching very soon to the purple.

Breakfast: cereal bar, cottage cheese
Snack: nulight, orange
Lunch: pasta, broccoli, mushrooms, pasta, cheese
Snack: apple, nulight
Dinner: turkey salad, melba toast, tossed salad

What a day I am having today! Busy one at work, then I get home and the heat pump isnt working and my house is freezing!!! ARGH! Waiting on repair man now.

Hi all
I am enjoying reading your posts. I have had a hungry day today. I weighed and am down another lb. I have been planning my meals the night b4 but haven't done it today and I can see how it messes me up- so tonite I will plan for tomorrow, If I fail to plan- I plan to fail. thanks for being there. It feels good to know there are others out there doing the same as I. It has been 3 weeks today and maybe the honeymoon is over or just TOM but am having a yucky feeling day- but I haven't cheated so I am proud of that.I am learning to maneuver around this site, so ya'll can disregard my prior post.
Pam
SW 169.5
CW 1543/4
GW 135 by Memorial weekend

149 by 2-28

Hey Ladies,

Just popping in to say hello... nice to see that everyone is doing ok. Keep up the good work and may you have continued success with your diets!

Well, I'm still not back on plan... have had so much going on... beginning to feel some better... found a dr that I like... even though I don't go to the doctor... I had to give in... she seems to think that it was my lung... which fortunately has cleared up.

She is running a few other tests and we are waiting on those results... when she gives me the go ahead... a clean report... I will continue some type of diet under her supervision... it probably will not be LAWL... but... for those of you that are heathly and having good results... I wish you the best.

And for those others, not on LA... I wish you good results, too!

I'm off to P'cola... not to the center... but, with my daughter to the dr... did I tell you that I'm expecting my 2nd grandchild... our daughter's first child... due Sept.... our grandson just turned 11... so this is just great news... we are all excited!

Take care all,
Nancy

Hi Nancy:
I am glad everything checked out with you, and congrats on your 2nd grandchild. Good luck with what ever type of diet you do as long as it works for you that is what counts. I have missed seeing your posts let us know how you are doing.
I am almost done I kind of dragged it out but I am o.k. with it as long as I reach my goal, I guess that is what counts not how long it took me to get there.
Welcome Island girl sounds like you are doing great I started on the purple plan then was switched to the gold.
Hey Jibbelle how is the cheating going this week, I have not been perfect but I am doing o.k.
Mary I think we all come to a point when we find it is much easier if we just stick to it, cheating just makes it so hard.
Happy Valentines Everyone
Diane
4/06/01 201
2/14/02 142
goal 135

I am doing ok this week on the cheating. For valentines day I had one piece of chocolate covered toffee. Other than than, I have done pretty well this week. I have missed a few food though, that sometimes hurts as much as eating too much! I am off today, but I have a full agenda so I am not sure if I will make it to the center. For sure I will go in the morning. I am only a couple pounds away from switching plans and my loss has really slowed down. I am going to see if I can switch just a little bit early.

Take care all
Marcie

Marcie(Jibbelle);
I had some Valentines candy also. When I switched from purple to gold they let me switch early and the pounds started coming off again even though I missed the extra food. I will be on the gold plan until I finish.
I told the manager that I would not cheat so I can reach my 60 pound mark but I cheated so I don't think I will make it until next week.
Have a nice day off
Diane
4/06/01 201
2/14/02 142
goal 135

We just went out for dinner to celebrate Valentine's a day late. I had grilled salmon, rice pilaf, and steamed veggies. It was a little bland, but pretty good. I had a cup of coffee for dessert. :D

I am going to weigh in tomorrow, so I am trying to get in a little extra water this evening.

I will post after weigh in tomorrow morning.

Take care all!

I just went to weigh in. Only down 0.4 lbs but I guess I will take it. That is a total of 45 lbs gone! She really does not want me to switch to the next plan until I get to 239. That is only 4 lbs away. That could take a month at this rate though! She suggested, of course, that I do the Take off. I am going to hold out for one more week...with no cheating...and see if I can lose a lb or two. If I dont, then maybe I will do takeoff.

My mom is coming into town on Tuesday and we are going to see Phantom of the Opera. I am SOOOOO excited. I need to pick a place for us to go to dinner. She is running about a size behind me in weight loss so I am going to send some clothes home with her.

Anyone else have a weigh in today??

Hi Jibbelle:
I weighed in today I was up .4. Isn't that funny I gained what you lost. Congrats on the 45 pounds. Slowly is better than not at all. I have been slow lately.
Have fun with your Mom on Tuesday, I have been giving away my bigger clothes also. At this point I am not allowing myself anything with elastic for a while expect workout clothes, I don't want to have any leave way for extra weight.
Tomarrow I am going out to dinner with my father and his girl friend. At first I was going to weigh in on Monday, But I forgot I had plans with a friend of mine so I will go on Tuesday.
I was going to try and be good for lent and give up the cheating but I have not done well so far. I have to keep trying I guess.
Diane
4/06/01 201
2/16/02 142.4
goal 135

Hi Everyone,

I lost 0.4 today too! Maybe 4 is the magic number for today, up or down. ;-)

Congratulations on the 45 pounds, Jib! That's great!

I had dinner out last night too, at Macaroni Grill of all places, but managed to stay on program. (Steak, grilled veggies, salad, espresso)

Does anyone else feel like Sally from the movie When Harry Met Sally? I can't help think of the scenes where she orders food and puts all these changes and caveats on them. That's what I feel like.

"No pasta, please. Just a side salad. You can charge me extra. No, no potatoes, no gnocchi, no starch, darn it!" :lol:

But it's worth it for that loss!

Cheers,
Mary

Diane-
I can not believe how close you are to your goal. I can not wait to be there myself! I know it has been a long road, but I am sure you will be there soon! ;)

MaryR-
I have been evading Macaroni Grill because I have such a hard time saying no to pasta!! It sounds like you did well though.

I am been working hard all day and am starving! I am fixing an early dinner. I am having 1/2 chicken sandwich and broccoli/cauliflower with cheese. I think I also have a fruit left so I may sautee some apples with a little cinnamon adn fake sugar for dessert. That is always a treat!!!

hi everyone..i started reading this board a few days ago, its the only LAWL board i have found. I think it is so wonderful how you all support each other. I started LAWL a week and a half ago, and i have lost 11 pounds already. I feel so good, physically as well as mentally, i hardly ever feel hungry and i actually enjoy what i eat now. Last fall i tried weight watchers and i lost a little bit, but i hated the meetings and i wasnt really eating very healthily, its easy to eat a bunch of processed foods on that plan. Anyway, i just wanted to introduce myself to everyone, and i plan to keep checking in to report how i am doing and find out how all of you are doing. So hello to everyone! :)

i started at 191, am now at 179.4 and i am on the gold plan.

ml

It sounds as if you are off to a great start!!! How much do you want to lose?

i'm not sure how much i want to lose...i set my goal at 150, i think when i make it there i will be doing pretty good, but i may set it lower then. It was hard for me to pick a goal weight cause i dont know what i will look like at that weight lol

I felt exactly the same way! I set my goal at 170, but I may decide to go lower when I get close. I just wanted to start with something realistic.

Hi ML, welcome! And Hi to everyone else, too!

I like this board very much...you're right, it's the only LAWL board I can find. You're doing terrifically well, good for you!

I weighed in today and lost another point-six. I don't know why I'm always shocked when I lose; I'm pretty anal about staying on the program, and yet, I always try to prepare myself for the worst. So it was a lovely surprise!

I'm on the purple plan; I should be "graduating" to the Gold plan pretty soon. At least that's what the counselor told me on Saturday.

Does your center carry the chocolate-caramel bars? Mine doesn't yet, and I'm driving the staff nuts asking when they'll be in. ;)

So yesterday's challenge was eating at a Mexican restaurant. (Yeah, we eat out a lot. Hard on the pocketbook but easy on the kitchen!) And I was still able to stay on program by getting...yes...you guessed it...a grilled chicken salad! At least it had a spicy dressing that I could stick my fork into.

Cheers,
Mary

Hi mary :) nice to meet you....


no my center doesnt have those yet either...i will have to remember to ask about them, they sound yummy. i just got back from weighing in...stayed the same at 179.4, which was fine with me cause i had to eat out with my family saturday at a country restaurant with very fattining food lol...i did ok, got chicken and veggies, but i know they probably had more fat than at home.

I have tried the chocolate crunch, double chocolate, and chocolate peanut butter bars, so far i think i like chocolate crunch the best. Has anyone tried the mint chocolate, fruit, or honey nougat? I want to try them but i am scared of getting stuck with bars i dont like lol.

One more question...is it ok to eat ground turkey on the plan?

ML
191 2/7/02
179.4 2/18/02
150ish

Someone posted a message on the board a while back saying that the taste testers liked the carmel bars but thought they tasted more like butterscotch so they went back to the drawing board with them. Who knows when they will be out!

I like the chocolate cruch bars the best, and I have tried them all. The chocolate mint taste just like the double chocolate but with a mint flavor. I am not too fond of the mint, although I do like the double chocolate. The honey nougat taste like Zero bars. I get them on occassion, but I usually need the chocolate fix! I had the fruit and oat bars once, but I can not remember what they were like. Obviously I didnt like them all that much! :lol: I think the berry and lemon suck! It took me a month to get through those two boxes. They are like eating one giant skittle.:lol: If you like sugar candy, you will like those.

These of course are only my opinions, I know some people here like bars that I didnt like. To each their own. ;)

You can have ground turkey breast as an unlimited protein. Just make sure it is the BREAST. It is kind of expensive, so I usually buy it on sale, patty it, and freeze away the burgers. As a matter of fact, I just had one tonight! Sometimes I mix the turkey burger with mexican seasonings and serve it over a bed of lettuce with cheese and salsa. Kind of a taco salad without the starch.

I alternate between the Honey Nougat and the Double Chocolate, with the HN for morning (sometimes breakfast!) and the DC for dessert after dinner.

Great idea about the ground turkey breast! Thanks, Jibbelle!!

Cheers,
Mary

Hi All:
Welcome ML.
Jibbelle I thought we could not have salsa until stablization or am I mistaken? Did you make it to purple plan?
It seems like we all do not have the carmel bars and we are from different areas. I don't even ask anymore.
I cheated again and I am really getting annoyed with myself,
since December I have really only lost 2 pounds. I go to weigh in tomarrow I might do take off at the end of the week.
Have a great OP week
Diane
04/06/01 201
2/16/02 142.4
goal 135

Diane-

I am at 243 and I have to make it to 239 before they switch my plan. I am sooooo close! I have really been trying hard this week. I hope it shows Saturday when I weigh in.

I am going out to dinner tonight with my mom. Hopefully there is some chicken on the menu! Then we are going to see Phantom of the Opera...I am so excited. I will drink lots of water at the show (thankfully there is an intermission! :lol:)

I do not know about the salsa and stabilization. I just saw that salsa was a free food in the LA Weight Loss cookbook that they have at the center. There are lots of free foods in there that are not in any of the literature they gave me when I started. If anyone has not seen the cookbook, browse thru one next time you are at the center. I believe the free foods were in the last section of ethnic foods.

I ate the honey nougat bar for a mid morning snack for a long time. Now I usually do a chocolate crunch or double chocolate bar mid morning and a chocolate shake (made with milk) for an after work snack. :) If I have cheese on the menu for the day then I do two bars.

Do you keep doing bars during stabalization?

Hi all-
This is my fourth week and I went up 2.1/4 lbs. I was so bummed but I deserved it as we went out Fri. and I had a glass of wine and then on sat. I ate 2 extra bars- I needed chocolate...It is a week before TOM- does anyone else have weight gain around that time????
Another question- I bought individual frozen chicken breasts at Sams by Empire- they are so good but have a 12% solution of salt and sodium phosphates and stuff like that - does anyone know if they are acceptable????
I'm afraid they are too high in sodium.
Also I pan fry my breasts in Pam and I can't believe its not butter spray- is that okay???
Thanks for your suggestions.
Diane- I am so impressed with your loss- Way to go
Jibelle- Did you love the Phantom- I have the CD and CRANK it up. I LOVE it...
Mary- you are doing great- eating out and losing- you go girl
Why do some people do take off and what does it consist of? Does everyone graduate down when they lose a certain amount???
I don't want to give up ANY of my food...
I am on the red plan- was on the gold but felt like I was going to pass out- not enough food for as much as I exercised, so they moved me to red the first week.
Pam
SW-169.5
CW-157
GW-135

My center told me that the quick frozen breast are too high in sodium and not to buy them. Only fresh chicken! It is expensive so I usually stock up when there is a sale and freeze them in singe servings. I think "I cant believe its not butter" spray is a free food. I seem to remember someone at my center mentioning that. I use a little of it on my steamed veggies.

I almost always go up a little during TOM. It is water weight and comes back off quickly!

I have only done that Take Off once and that was when i first started the program. It is that orange drink and diet you do when you first start. I think you can sub 2 oranges a day for the drink.

You can ask someone at your center if/when they will change your plan. It should be in your file. They decide what your weight goals are for each plan when you start. I guess they can make changes as appropriate though.

I can not wait to get rid of the red plan. I hate that morning protein!

Jibbelle:
It sounds like you are finally back on track congrats. I think I am doing O.K. also cheating just ruins everything. It seems like from different centers that they allow different things. I guess it is best to follow what we have been doing so far fom what we here at our own centers. Go purple! Are you having a nice time with your mother?
Pam I do the 2-day take=off when I see I am standing still or I hit a plateau or during the holidays when I ate extra. During the two days I have the take off juice 4 time a day two bars and six ounces of protein and two vegetables. no fat and no starches or fruit. It is a tough two days but when I do it I usually have a nice weight loss.
I weigh in tomarrow again, I have been sticking to the three times a week it keeps me honest with myself.
Diane
04/06/02 201
02/20/02 141.4
goal 135

hi everyone..just got back from weigh in. I lost a little bit since monday yay....was wondering if y'all buy the suppliments and which ones, or if you have opinions on them. Keep up the good work!! :)

ml

S: 191
C: 178.8
G: 150ish

I do not use any of their supplements. I do, however, take a womens one a day and a calcium tablet every day.

I was reading an article in one of my journals (I am a biochemist doing research on pharmaceuticals) and it said that St. Johns Wart decreases the efficacy of birth control pills. If you decide to take supplements from the center and you are on the pill....do NOT take the Tri-Max Plus. :) This is what they had me taking for 3 months before I ready this journal article. I no longer take any of their supplements.

Hi Everyone!

I weighed in today: a 1.2 pound loss! Yippee! I'm back up to averaging 2 pounds a week; right on target.

The only supplements I take are the Vita-max, the Calcium, and the EFA. I really don't eat enough fish, so I like to EFA to get my essential fatty acids. I could get the vitamin and calcium anywhere, but LAWL is convenient and I have a credit from referring some friends!

I am very suspicious of the Tri-Max; they emphasize the "all natural", but there's no regulation of herbal supplements. And the Fat Blocker (FB-500)? Uh-uh! I ain't takin' anything that causes "elimination of unused fat". Sounds too messy to me! :o

Have a great weekend!
Mary

Hi ALL:
Mary I am glad you are back on track.
I all so use the supplements just not the fb 500's they did not agree with me. I have done well with them so I just keep taking them. I don't take birth control so I do not worry about the tri-max.
ml even a little bit is good that is all I lose about now is just a little, all the little bits add up.
Have a good Friday
Diane
04/06/01 201
02/21/02 141.2
goal 135
I have five weeks left would like to finish in that time

I was glad to see that someone finally sued LA Weightloss for lying in their adds and not revealing all the costs of the plan until after the 3 day expiration of contract cancelation law(otherwise known as Jet Start or whatever they call it now). If anyone is interested go to

http://www.************.com/laweightloss2.html

Nothing against the sales people (sometimes called counselors) at LA Weightloss but way back when I was on the plan I found it curious that they don't show you the plan or the costs until after the 3 day time limit is up. Someone agreed I guess.

I'm still looking at 8 boxes of Lites...ya think they are still edible after 3 years????

Well, I can only speak for my center, but when I joined in November 2001, they explained all of the costs up front, and told me that the LA Lites were an additional, required expense. I did have to pry information about the program itself out of them, but they did tell me.

But perhaps they knew this settlement was in the works.

The bottom line is that any commercial weight loss system, whether it's LAWL, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, or whatever, is in it for the money. Why do you think Weight Watchers keeps changing up their program every few years?

This note is not meant to be a defense of LAWL, just a perspective. As with anything, buyers need beware, ask lots of questions, and leave if those questions aren't answered.

Cheers,
Mary

hello! Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Mine got off to a great start...i weighed in today at 176!! I was so excited. And the counselors at my center are great. They are so supportive. I hope you are all doing well. :)

ML

s: 191
c: 176
g: 150

Congrats on the loss ML...you are doing great!!

Diane-
I am sure you can finish in 5 weeks if you set your mind to it. Calculate how many pounds you need to lose each week and focus on that! You can do it! When you do take off do you use the oranges or the drink?

I just went to weigh in and I was down 0.8 lbs. It is not much, but I will take it! Every little bit helps. I just have a 4.2 lbs to go to get to 50 lbs lost! I need to think of a special reward for when I get there! Maybe that will motivate me some more.

I have an exam on tuesday so I am spending all weekend studying. Anyone have any fun and exciting plans?

This recipe is out of the LA cookbook, but I do not know the exchanges. Does anyone have the book?

Apricot Custard

3 medium fresh apricots, chopped
1 egg, beaten
½ cup skim milk
1 packet sugar substitute
¼ teaspoon vanilla
Dash of ground nutmeg

Place chopped apricots into custard or soufflé dish. Place in a shallow baking pan.

In small mixing bowl, combine the egg, milk, sugar substitute and vanilla. Pour egg mixture over apricots. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Place the baking pan with the cups on the oven rack. Pour boiling water into baking pan around custard cups to a depth of 1 inch.

Bake in a 325° oven for 30-35 minutes, or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Mary:
I also just heard from a friend that Good Morning America did an undercover expose on LAWLC and found that centers were routinely not telling people the cost up front STILL and especially, although not part of the article about the settlement, they were not telling people about the LARGE additional cost involved if you don't get to your goal weight by your goal date.....not the end of your contract, but your GOAL DATE. They are still failing to explain that difference to their clients.

I have personally decided that the way to analyze any program is to ask yourself "do they profit more from your success or your failure?". LAWL, since most of the costs are up front, profit more from your failure and getting another contract in the door to pay upfront. WW "pay as you go plan" profits from you continuing to come and your failure costs them money. I don't know about the others. LAWL has one of the highest failure rates in the business, and also one of the best balance sheets.... make sense?

Hey... whatever works is my motto!! I am just a sticlkler about honesty for some strange reason and I don't like deception. I oersonally think LAWL has very deceptive business practices.

What do you mean by:

"they were not telling people about the LARGE additional cost involved if you don't get to your goal weight by your goal date"

What LARGE additional costs are incurred? You mean buying extra weeks?

I did not reach my goal weight by the date they said and I did not have any large additional cost. I knew I was not going to make it so at Christmas they had a special of $3.00 a week I did not think that was large. Even $7.00 a week is not bad, it is cheaper than WW. I was supposed to finish at week 33 and instead I will probably finish at week 50. I don't see any LARGE additional cost.
Jibbelle do you use the cookbook often, I used a lot when I first got it, but now I just seem to have gone back to eating the same things. You are so close that 50 mark ( I was going to say keep it up, but keep it going down.
I finally reach 60 pounds today, I almost can't believe it. I have 5.6 pounds left. When I am finished should I do a before and after?
ML I am glad your weekend is starting well, have a nice one.
At our center they are having a count down to spring, We have not had a bad winter but I can't wait until the warmer weather. This may sound silly but since I lost weight I am always complaining that I am cold, I guess I lost my insulation.
Marcie how are you doing? Everything O.K. I bought some running shoes yesterday I felt the walking ones were not very comfortable when I am running on the treadmill.
Have a great OP weekend
Diane
04/06/01 201
2/23/02 140.6
goal 135

I agree that the cost of extra weeks really isnt too bad.

Congrats on your loss Diane! I can not believe how close you are. When you get to goal I would love to see your before and after shots! I am sure it is a HUGE difference.

I do not have the cookbook...I just got that recipe off the LAWL webpage. Do you have the cookbook? If so, I would appreciate it if you looked up the apricot custard recipe and told me the food exchanges. THANKS!

I am having a salad and 1/2 turkey sandwhich for lunch. I am think I am making chicken fajitas for dinner. Will have to eat mine without the tortilla shell though! :lol:

Hi everyone! Hope you don't mind someone new dropping in. Actually, a few years ago I used to post here all the time. I was on LA and really loved it, but alas, as I always seem to do I eventually lost all inspiration and gained back all the weight plus some. Now I am super motivated to follow the plan the best I can WITHOUT going back to the center. I really like the diet, but I hated my center and stopped going long before I stopped following the diet. I am going to have to try to find a bar that is a good replacement - I know it's probably not the ideal way to go about this but it's worth a shot at this point.

I have a favor to ask of someone. I have my plan card still (I was on the Gold Plan), but I can't find my sheet on the quick start part (?Jet Start? I forget what it was called). If there is anyone who has time to post the details, I would be most appreciative.

Well, thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I'll try to make it back to catch up on posts and see what's going on here as often as possible (although I don't get a chance to get online nearly as much these days with a new baby).

Happy healthy vibes to all!
Sammy

I guess cost is all relative. After I had spent almost $1000 in up front costs for a saleslady to ask me when I went last to the bathroom and take my blood pressure, I thought ANY extra costs were "large". I considerered it throwing good money after bad. If I had been told up front (which I wasn't) that I HAD to loose 50 pounds in 24 weeks or pay more money, I would have gotton up and left, which of course they knew so they didn't tell me....and apparently didn't tell many others. I know my body well enough to know I do not loose weight that quickly no matter what. I suppose if it had been made clear UP FRONT that you are charged extra after your (ridiculous) goal date, and if they had been honest about their training and so-called expertise in the nutrition industry, I wouldn't have been so disillusioned. In any case, the advice from GMA was if you felt deceived by them, to contact your state's atorney general's office because you are not alone.

Hi Jibbelle:
The exchanges for the apricot custard are 1 fruit, 1/2 protein and 1 Dairy. I have been having the frozen dinners for lunch lately, I was eating to late otherwise and at least it is not chicken.
Sammy the I did the old take off phase which was done with the oranges, I hope this is the one you want.
2/ oranges/ day one in the morning and 1 afternoon
Proteins - beef, chicken, fish, lamb, tuna(in water) veal
No breading
vegetables broccoli, asparagus, celery, cucumbers, endive, escarole, greenbeans, green cabbage, green onions, iceberg lettuce, romaine, swiss chard, zucchini
you may use butter, margarine or oil while preparing ,
lite salad dressing on salads up to 24 oz. diet sode and your eight glasses of water daily. I hope that is everything.
Good luck
I weighed in today stayed the same from Saturday thank goodness I cheated on Saturday again. I can't wait to finish.
Have a great day
Diane
04/06/01 201
02/25/02 140.6
goal 135

Sammy-
Welcome back to the progam! I am glad you are joining us...we need all the support we can get sometimes!! ;) Best of luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.

Diane-
Thanks for the exchanges. I am going to make it this weekend for a treat. I have not had dessert in soooooo long! Well...except for that cookie I ate in madison. :lol:

I am going to weigh in tomorrow morning. I have the day off since I have an exam tomorrow night. I need to study most of the day. I would love to be down a little when I go to the center. *keeping fingers crossed*

Have a great day all!

Well, I have been reading all you posts and you inspired me to go back!!! I joined last July and did wonderful, and then I blew it!!!! So I am back up to where I was when I started. I am getting married in May and can not think about getting a dress!!! So I am on my way back and I will update where I am at when I get back.

I want to thank you all for the inspiration too!!! I hope coming here often will help too!

Your points are well taken, Barb.

I wonder how much the practices differ from center to center; they are a franchise operation. I can only speak to my experiences at my center, and they were quite honest about all the costs. Then again, having lots of experience at this game, I asked lots of questions and read the contract that I signed in detail. Most of the counselors I've worked with at my center have been great (there are a couple who are clueless, but that happens everywhere).

The only cost I had upfront on the day I joined was the membership fee. I had the choice of buying the bars weekly, at retail prices, or in bulk, at a significant discount. I chose bulk.

Nutritionally, the program's working very very well for me, much better than WW Points ever did. The reason is that it's quite similar to the WW program I started on back in '84. That's why I'm sticking with it.

I'm a stickler for honesty, too, believe me. If I feel like I've been ripped off, I'll scream loud and clear. So far, I've not felt that way.

Cheers,
Mary

Well, I have a wee gain today: 0.4. I'm not worried about it, though; I have them from time to time, and I was not as rigorous as I should have been about staying on the program. And, I lost a pound on Saturday, which is much more than usual.

However, I was a little irked at the counselor today. As we sit down to chat, she says to me: "So, how about if you agree to lose 2 pounds by Thursday?"

I almost burst out laughing!

Yeah, right! Two pounds in two days! I told her that was unrealistic and ridiculous, and she said, "How about a pound and a half?" And I laughed again!

So instead, I said, "Tell you what. I'll commit to following the program strictly and I'll take what I get."

Then she changed her tune and said, "Oh that's a good goal! There are so many ways to set good goals!"

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

While most of the counselors at my center are great, this particular one is just clueless. There's no way to predict what your body's gonna do; you just have to follow the program, relax, and let your body do its thing.

Pardon the rant! I know it probably seems funny coming right after my big LAWL perspective, but please. I guess they can't all be winners, eh?

Cheer,
Mary

Mary-

I agree that there is a difference between centers and counselors. We have a few great ladies working at our center and a few of the clueless ones also. We had a really awesome manager who just left to move to TX to be closer to her kids (grown kids). Right now we have no manager, but they said there is one moving one from another location to mine. I hope she is as good as the last one! Have to wait and see.

Up 0.4 really isnt bad. I think weight fluctuates quite a bit through the week and month! I am sure you will be down when you go in next time. ;) Keep at it...you are doing great!

Mary:
Our center has had good counselors and ones that don't stay very long. this is the longest group that I've had so far and they are great. I have 5.6 pounds to finish and the counselor I saw on Saturday said OH you can finish this week. I think she was kinding but I said any way that during the whole program I never lost 5 pounds in one week. I have I think 4 weeks now and that is what I am going to try to finish in. We all I think have are ups and downs. I think any loss that anyone has is a week is great no matter how much it is.
Jibbelle good luck with the test. and Your Welcome. Let me know what kind of recipes you like I will look through the book and post some.
Welcome back anjh7, I have really done well with LA this time around, I am glad that I tried again and everyone here is wonderful and supportive.
Diane

I just wrote a big long reply and then when I posted it, it said I didn't specify a thread....Huh? That was weird.

Anyway..... I won't keep you long just wanted to make a few points.
1st...there is no such thing as "finished". You have to learn to live in the real world without expensive bars and with preservatives and all that or it will all come back on. Just how long is your maintenance period? I was made to buy 24 weeks of weightloss and 28 weeks of maintenance while others, with more to loose could buy only a few weeks of maintenance. Made no sense to me. I know they just want that entire year of $$$ but the COULD have given me more weightloss weeks and fewer maintenance weeks...they cost the same after all. Just what was the point of pushing me out the door unless it was to make room for the next unpaid "year up front" sucker. Sorry...I'm not at all bitter, am I?

Anyone cruising these boards thinking about LAWL... just be aware of what you are getting into. Make sure you SEE the plan before you pay. It will more than likely be the gold plan...most people get that one...it's not really "custom". And those counselors are not really "counselors". The only nutritian training they had was a quick course in LAWL. They are hired for their SALES ability and nothing else...the more high pressure experience you have the better. Make sure you know ALL the costs up front, the plan, the bars, the supplements and the exra-weightloss weeks. They run through all that really fast if at all or no one would sign. The plan itself is nothing special. it's a low fat, low calorie program. They make their money off of selling expensive soy bars. If you suceed, you suceed because they monitor you 3 times a week and some people need that. I call it Weight Watchers for masochists. Also....make sure if you ever deviate even an inch...a bite of birthday cake, a skipped weigh in or another brand of bar...do NOT tell them. They are waiting for you to screw up so they can void any guarantee they have, if they still have one. They used to guarantee your success or you can keep coming for free...but NOT if you admit you goofed up. I mean don't even breathe Dorito dust or your guarantee is history. They profit if you fail. Unless, of course you buy bars as you go and not in bulk...then they are more attentive.

Good luck to all here...seriously.... we are all in the same boat.

Barb-

I just want to say that the majority of folks do not start on the gold plan. The plan they assign you is based on the number of pounds you need to lose. If you are like me and have 100+ lbs to lose they start you on red, move to purple, then to gold when you get close to goal. If you are a teenager, male or vegetarian you use a completely different set of plans (orange, blue, etc).


To all else-

I just went to the center this morning and I was down 1.2 lbs!! :jig: That is a total of 47 lbs. Only 3 more to 50! They will change my plan from red to purple after I lose 2 more lbs. I am ready for the change!

I am off today to study study study! I will check back in later for a study break.

True, if you have more to loose or health problems they do start you on a different plan but since the VAST majority of their clients are healthy and have less than 100 pounds to loose, the vast majority start on Gold. The point is it is not something they have to go in a back room and come up with based on your application. They are able to catagorize you immediately and they could, if they wanted to, give you the plan when you sign up and not wait until 3 days later when your check or charge has cleared. It is NOT "custom".

Maybe the VAST majority of persons at your center only have a few lbs to lose, but I can tell you that is not the case at my center. I go three times a week and most of the people in there have as much, or more to lose than I. Since August I have not met one person at my center on the gold plan. Additionally, if you exercise regularly they rarely ever put you on the gold plan!

I noticed you started a new LAWL bashing thread. If you dont mind, please continue to post there. I find your information, or misinformation, whatever the case may be, to be very discouraging. Everyone here is working hard to use a program that works great for them. I hope I speak on behalf of all us when I say that we would like to keep the thread positive and upbeat. I think it is important that we all are very supportive of each other and the progress we continue to have with the program we are using. After all....it is working great for all of us! :smug:

Thanks,
Marcie

WOW...
That is interesting. At my center most of the people had 20-50 to loose. Soem of them I didn't think even needed to loose weight at all! It got weird when the 20 pounders had to buy 10 weeks of weight loss and 42 weeks of maintenance!! LOL.

Hi Jibbelle ( Marcie)
Thanks for saying what we were all thinking. I was going to ask you to start E-mailing me privately. There are a variety of people at my center we have people who have lost 90 pounds and are not even finished. And others have lost less. I am now on the gold but I started on the purple. How is the studying and congrats on the loss I think when I reached 50 pounds that is when I thought I am going to make it this time and I do not have any regrets joining LA weightloss for the third time again.
I am having an off day but not to worried about it I am going to do the take off tomarrow and weigh in on Saturday.
Marcie(Jibbelle) Thanks for all the support you have given me and everyone else on this thread I don't know if I would have made it this far without you.
Forever Thankful
Diane
04/06/01 201
02/27/02 140.6
goal 135

Thanks for the kind words Diane. The support I have received from you and everyone else here has been a huge help in this journey! Everyone here really keeps me going. :)

My test went pretty well last night. I was difficult, but I think I got a B. All I really need in the class is a B so I am not shooting for much more. I just do not have the time it would take to get an A.

It is going to be crazy at work the next couple days so I am really looking forward to the weekend. No working and no studying. I am taking it easy!!! It is going to be cold and snowy so it will be a good weekend to curl up with my dog and a good book. :smug:

Anyone have any big weekend plans? Ok...so it is only Wednesday, but I am REALLY ready to relax!:lol:

Diane-

Thanks for the information...that's exactly what I was looking for. I got started and am feeling very inspired this time. I even found some high protein/low carb bars at the store to replace the LA Lites since I'm not going back to the center at this point. I hope they're as good as the Lites - I really liked those and they were VERY filling.

Happy thoughts to all. :D

Sammy

I have seen other people post on here who use non LA Lite bars. I am sure they are just as great!

Hi all- I have been lurking for a while and decided it was time to post again. I enjoy this site so much and get so much inspiration. i am grateful for it. i also really like the program, it is working very well for me. I have 30 lbs. to lose and they initailly put me on the Gold plan but when they realized how much i exercised they put me on the Red plan which has been great. I have lost 15 in about 5 weeks, had a little fluctuation last week but i expected it.

Jibelle thanks from me also for speaking up to Barb, she really needs to get a grip.Theres always one negative Nelly in a crowd but we can't let one sour grape spoil the bunch of us...LOL

I had ground turkey breat patty tonite- that was very good. Diane- thanks for the info. about frozen chicken breasts -made sense. Has anyone ever taken digestive enzymes??? I started today per advice from a friend who swears by them. Just wondering.

Anyway, I am feeling great with this way of eating and I think the price of the program is a small price to pay for regaining self esteem and control. The program really jives with leading health experts recommendations-check out Bob Greene "Get with the program" alot of the same philosophy.

One more thing and I am off but I would suggest highly to exercise and to stay on a higher amount of food. This way we won't lose precious muscle and the exercise when done at a high intensity level suppresses your appetite and I couldn't live w/o my endorphin release....Just my opinion...
Best to all,
Pam

SW 169.5
CW 154.5
GW 135ish:dizzy: :dizzy: :dizzy: :devil: :devil:

Pam-

I know nothing about digestive enzymes. If you post a question about it somewhere that Mrs Jim lurks she could probably tell you. She seems to really keep up with products on the market.

I agree with you that exercise is important. Unfortunately I work 60+ hours a week and go to graduate school part time. I only make it to the gym on Saturday and Sunday for an hour each time. I would love to work out daily, but I honestly have no time. How often do you work out?

It is 8am and I have already been at work for 2.5 hours. It is going to be a REALLY long day! I forgot my apple...so no mid morning snack...and I didnt pack my lunch either. ARGH! I hope there is something on plan in the cafeteria today. If all else fails...I have a chocolate crunch bar in my purse! :D

Hope everyone has a great day!

Hi Everyone!

Had a good result today; down .6 (yup, point-six). I'm so close to being under 200 pounds for the first time in years that I can feel it! It just increases my motivation.

Jib, good for you on your test! You have a really full life; I'm so impressed that you get to the gym at all. I would probably fall over and count that as exercise.

Diane, you're soooo close! I can't wait to get there. Congratulations to you!

Good for you Pam! What a terrific start. I do exercise every morning (at 6 am, ugh!), but it's 8 minutes of weights and resistance. I found the workout in Prevention Magazine (which I love and recommend) and then found out that it's the Jorge Cruise plan. If anyone's interested, I'll post a link. I also bought the Leslie Sansone tapes...I've done the one mile walk once! :lol: But I'm planning on more of that.

And for what it's worth, I'm on the purple plan and have been since I started the program right after Thanksgiving.

Have a great great weekend everyone! (Marcie, take a break, ok? ;) )

PS to barbs88 if she's still reading...y'know, I'm really sorry you had a bad experience. I hope you find success on a program that suits you. LAWL is working for me.

Cheers,
Mary