Metabolic Research Center...take 16!!!

[MrsPhibes]

Crystal: I will be taking the suggestion of your counselor tomorrow night. It will be a planned off plan. Is that an oxymoron? Anyway, it's my birthday and DH is taking me out for dinner to a terrific restaurant in Kansas City called the Bristol. I already know that I am having either the lobster or crab but to make it taste right I'll need to have some of the melted butter. And they are famous for their rolls too. Saturday it will be back on plan but my birthday only comes once a year. It will be my first planned cheat.

[Gma to 4]

Originally Posted by namaste

First off, how wonderful to run a nonprofit! Do you mind me asking, what do you do? I'm the president of the Community Foundation. What kind of nonprofit? We work with donors who want to establish funds or have left bequests in their wills that will make grants to nonprofits. (We have over 100 funds and grant out about $750K a year to food banks, homeless shelters, art programs, scholarships, etc.) It's the greatest job in the world!

Second, are you at the Ft Collins or Greeley center? I'm at the Greeley Center.

Finally, gosh! Tough question.... in those situations, could you consider having a meal replacement bar or shake instead? Or maybe bringing a form of protein with you? Like cheese? Something you could throw in your purse before you left for the luncheon and get to if you needed to?

I'm still thinking. It's a long process, this thinking thing.... don't give up on me, I may have more suggestions.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've had to do the MR bar twice this week already and am starting to wonder if that's one of the reasons my weight loss has slowed. I had two dinners that I had to go to last week, so couldn't do the bars for dinner. The cheese may be an option. I hadn't thought about taking cheese with me, which would work at least for lunch. Do you know if we can have string cheese? That would be quick and easy.

[3monkeysmomma]

Originally Posted by snflrgrl1962

Whew!!! I thought I was about to catch up on the reading, but 8 pages today! You guys are have been really talkative! LOL

Went to WI yesterday and was down another 3.6 lbs. WOOHOO!!! I have lost 21.6 so far. I feel like I have been on MRC for a long time, but it really has been only 35 days.

I have a couple of questions. How much weight did you guys have to lose before you dropped a pant size? I currently wear a 24 and they are getting really baggy, but I still can't fit into a 22.

Can we have papaya as a fruit selection? It isn't on my menu, but I just wondered if anyone else eats it.

Now on a personal note....Has anyone suffered constipation while on MRC? I have been having a significant problem since I began. I talked to my center and really weren't very helpful. I already take to maximum amount of flax, and I also take the internal cleanser. Nothing has helped!!! Does anyone have suggestions???????

21.6 lbs is awesome!! in barely over a month wow! I take 6 flax a day. When I need it I use milk of mag. Exercising helps get things moving too. Have you thought about using the fiber sups the center offers?

[3monkeysmomma]

Originally Posted by blueyedangel

I was up a 1/2 today at WI. I couldn't keep my hand outta the breadsticks w/cheese last night...

My counselor offered a suggestion I had considered on my own, but somehow seems more "ok" coming from her. I get so bored with the same things, and its SO hard with 4 kids to not eat pizza, spagetti, tacos, etc... She said if I felt I had to go off plan then to set a certain day each week to do it. That way several days I would still be in fat burning mode. I tend to only go off 1 meal, but typically every 4th day. So, if I KNEW that on say Saturday, I could eat what I want (within reason) it would be more beneficial to me than how I am now. Makes sense? I know this isn't the right way. But, I think I would be able to look at it as a reward for doing well all week and give me the motivation to not cheat a little here or there. I only want/need one meal...breakfast is always easy for me, generally lunch also, but dinner is when we are all together. I'm just feeling very deprived... I wish I could be more disciplined...

Thats what I do too! If I have an Off meal then I won't have dessert but if I have an OP meal I will have dessert, sometimes once a week sometimes once every two weeks. I don't waste these choices at home though. I save them for when I go out to eat. Zero cheating at home, if I start cheating at home no telling where I would draw the line. But I know that every Friday we go to Lubbock so I can WI. Sometimes we go straight back home and so I stay OP, sometimes we go eat. I still make "wiser" choices. I would love a chicken fried steak with fries and gravy but I don't get one, I'll get a philly cheesesteak instead. Or I will eat OP and have some chocolate cake for dessert. Not everyone can do this. I have no problem getting right back in the saddle the very next meal, like you said if I know I can choose a treat I am more apt to stay OP the rest of the time.

[3monkeysmomma]

Originally Posted by Gma to 4

Thanks for the suggestions. I've had to do the MR bar twice this week already and am starting to wonder if that's one of the reasons my weight loss has slowed. I had two dinners that I had to go to last week, so couldn't do the bars for dinner. The cheese may be an option. I hadn't thought about taking cheese with me, which would work at least for lunch. Do you know if we can have string cheese? That would be quick and easy.

String cheese is allowed (by my center anyway) its considered a hard cheese. Have you thought about eating your veggies right before you go to these dinners? Then at the dinner you can concentrate on the protein and maybe just a small salad? Plus you wouldn't be quite so hungry so it would be easier to say no to temptations. You maybe could find a little bity squeeze bottle type thing to put dressing in and keep in your purse, you could tell anyone that might look at you weird that you have to watch your sugar (not a lie) they may assume diabetic or something but thats what assuming gets you, lol. If the protein is totally not an option then you can fall back on the string cheese, maybe string it up and put in your salad? On the days you know you have a dinner then maybe don't have any cheese during the day so you can save it for supper, I know we aren't suppose to have it at night but considering your dilema.

[3monkeysmomma]

Originally Posted by Gma to 4

Thanks for the suggestions. I've had to do the MR bar twice this week already and am starting to wonder if that's one of the reasons my weight loss has slowed. I had two dinners that I had to go to last week, so couldn't do the bars for dinner. The cheese may be an option. I hadn't thought about taking cheese with me, which would work at least for lunch. Do you know if we can have string cheese? That would be quick and easy.

String cheese is allowed (by my center anyway) its considered a hard cheese. Have you thought about eating your veggies right before you go to these dinners? Then at the dinner you can concentrate on the protein and maybe just a small salad? Plus you wouldn't be quite so hungry so it would be easier to say no to temptations. You maybe could find a little bity squeeze bottle type thing to put dressing in and keep in your purse, you could tell anyone that might look at you weird that you have to watch your sugar (not a lie) they may assume diabetic or something but thats what assuming gets you, lol. If the protein is totally not an option then you can fall back on the string cheese, maybe string it up and put in your salad? On the days you know you have a dinner then maybe don't have any cheese during the day so you can save it for supper, I know we aren't suppose to have it at night but considering your dilema.

[Venvix]

Woweee...aren't you all chatty & busy! I have been away from this forum for quite a while...but I have been lurking & reading and I'm finally all caught up! I have been away 'cuz my DH and I adopted a 9 week old puppy who got really really sick and almost died, but luckily with our wonderful vet's help, she is happy & healthy, and I can get back to my day to day!
I am amazed at all of the losses and all of awesome progress a lot of you have made...WAY TO GO!! (it's gotta be a general one, since there are SO many people on this forum to reply to!!) However, a special shoutout to Alexiah, good to see you back, and to Jeweliek I am SO psyched that you found your wedding ring...I almost lost mine a few weeks ago, and I felt your stress! And to snflrgrl1962 I have also had the problem with constipation. It is one of the reasons why I refuse to give up my regular coffee, 'cuz I personally find that coffee really helps me in that area! (sorry if it's TMI!) I love coffee, and have had it since the beginning of my MRC journey, and I don't think it has interfered much with my own personal weight loss, but I don't advocate it for everyone...
I have had a really hard time staying on-plan the last few weeks, with the stress of our sick puppy, I have felt like I haven't been eating much and so consequently, the numbers on the scale have gone down a bit. I really have to buckle down and finish out my contract, as I only have a week or 2 to go, and I'm only like 8 pounds away from goal... in any case, I am perfectly happy with what I have achieved, and if I could go on stabilization tomorrow, I would be a very happy girl....we'll see what the gals at my center have to say about that!
In any case, I have updated my avatar picture, and I'm trying to figure out how to post a "before and after" picture on my profile like some of you have... I had an awesome weekend away last weekend...my best friend and I went to Moab, Utah and camped, and hiked and mountain biked ALL weekend long (my new avatar pic is from last weekend)....it was truly awesome! I saw some people who I hadn't seen in a while, and got a whole slew of compliments about how in shape I looked...and the best part was that the biking and hiking was SO much easier when you aren't lugging around an extra 25 lbs! that was such a good NSV for me! I can't wait till the weather gets better for more biking...my favorite sport, and I definitely recommend a helmet! (I don't know who brought up this topic of helmets, but when I had a bad crash last year while flying downhilll on my road bike at 30 mph, it truly saved my noggin!)
Anyways, sorry to make it so long, but glad to be able to post again. Hope everyone has a Happy Friday and good WI's!!

[nomoredonuts4me]

On the ever popular topic of constipation, if you haven't had a BM in over 3 days you should probably take 2 tablespoons of Milk of Magnesium (MOM). To prevent and/or help with constipation, make sure you drink plenty of water, eat fruits and vegetables high in fiber, take bulk laxatives like Metamucil (I prefer Citrucel because is doesn't cause gas), try Senokot-S as directed. It has senna, which is a natural laxitive plus docusate sodium, which is a stool softener. I do think the Internal Cleanser (Triphala) works great, especially if you take 4 tablets at bedtime (I take 2 tablets at bedtime). You can buy Triphala and Guggul cheaper at a health food/vitamin store or online at swansons vitamins. I can't think of anything else right now. I think my brain is constipated

Phentraslim does have Hoodia in it. It also has Forslean, Green Tea Leaf, and Banaba Leaf. I believe it is a thermogenic because of the Forslean or the Green Tea but you'd have to double check. That's what why they were testing it at our center. I always took the Enhancer, so I was taking the Phentraslim in place of the Enhancer. If you did try it, I don't think I would take the Hoodia with it. Where is Donuts when we need him?

I think Phentraslim looks like a great product to try. I would have tried it when I was heavier. I'm a big fan of Green Tea!!! Green Tea provides so many benefits besides weight loss. The active constituents in green tea are polyphenols, with an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) being the most powerful. The antioxidant activity of EGCG is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. One cup of green tea may provide 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects that are greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries. I have taken Green Tea since the beginning of my weight loss journey. I take 725 mg with each meal. Make sure the Green Tea you buy is standardized to contain 50% to 97% polyphenols per dose, containing per dose at least 50% epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

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*Healthy mood (Known for thousands of years as "The Happy Berry").
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*Healthy libido.
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*and more....
The 1 oz. of the Goji juice I take provides 30,000 mg of Lycium Barbarum, and adds about 7 grams of carbohydrates to my diet. I take it on an empty stomach each morning before breakfast, then I only have half of my starch/bread for breakfast. I do not advocate taking Goji during your weight loss efforts, but I made a personal decision to take it due to it's health benefits. Heck, it probably helps with constipation too.

[3monkeysmomma]

wow don't know how that last post made it on twice..hmm, weird.

BONNIEhoping everything is good with you, haven't seen you in awhile.

[3monkeysmomma]

Did someone say "happy berry"? very note worthy.

[nomoredonuts4me]

namaste~ You are beautiful inside and out. Love your new pics. Although when I saw your avatar pic, I wasn't sure it was you. I don't remember seeing the skinny chick in the glasses before. But seriously, I can see a real difference in your body since the last time I saw you around your 80 pound mark. Funny, a lot of people at work didn't make any comments about my weight loss until after I lost over 100 pounds. A lot had to do with the clothes I whore. When I started buying new smaller sized clothes, people I knew made more comments.

goal4life~ My like-minded online buddy. Congratulations!!! 85 pounds gone4life!!!
Where did the time and pounds go? Doesn't it seem like we started this whole weight loss journey thing yesterday? I couldn't be happier for you. I love watching your progress!

snflrgrl1962~ I love those WOO HOO moments. Congrats on an awesome amount of weight to lose! You are right on track

[nomoredonuts4me]

Originally Posted by 3monkeysmomma

Did someone say "happy berry"? very note worthy.

Try adding it to your chili recipe. You could call it Happy Berry Chili

[HumbleBee]

ieduc8em,
sorry for the delay in our original conversation, but when I went to the center Tuesday night I forgot to ask. Anyway, I went for Food 101 Thursday night and she said if we do the meal replacement with 2 HNS, we count it as 2 HNS, not 1.

Have a good one!

[Gma to 4]

Originally Posted by [B

3monkeysmomma[/b];String cheese is allowed (by my center anyway) its considered a hard cheese. Have you thought about eating your veggies right before you go to these dinners? Then at the dinner you can concentrate on the protein and maybe just a small salad? Plus you wouldn't be quite so hungry so it would be easier to say no to temptations. You maybe could find a little bity squeeze bottle type thing to put dressing in and keep in your purse, you could tell anyone that might look at you weird that you have to watch your sugar (not a lie) they may assume diabetic or something but thats what assuming gets you, lol. If the protein is totally not an option then you can fall back on the string cheese, maybe string it up and put in your salad? On the days you know you have a dinner then maybe don't have any cheese during the day so you can save it for supper, I know we aren't suppose to have it at night but considering your dilema.

Great idea about eating the veggies prior to the lunch, as it may be the best solution. Neither luncheon this week had salad (must be a cost-savings measure for these nonprofits). I do still have packets of the MRC salad dressing that I carry and have used those at dinner.

So that brings me to my second question. If I eat the veggies with an HNS an hour or more prior to the luncheon (one was in a neigboring city, which was 45 minutes away), does it mess up the metabolism thing? I did come back and ate my fruit (wasn't on the lunch menu either, but cheesecake with strawberry glaze was and I didn't eat it ), but again that put me 2-1/2 hours after I had the HNS.

[Rocki]

WOOHOO. Glad you found your ring! I lost mine in the trash one time (soon after we were married and I remember sitting there, crying b/c I thought I'd lost it forever).

Originally Posted by jeweliek

YOU ARE MY HERO!!!!

It was in the laundry! I absolutely owe you!

Sorry it's so hard to stay on plan in those situations. UGH. Goodluck with all that! The chicken is wonderful and VERY satisfying!

Originally Posted by singalong

So I have been sick with a silly cold on a very busy week. I am a music teacher and have two kinder programs and a 90 member 2nd choir that meets after school. Today is the volunteer lunchin. Every staff member had to bring either a salad or a dessert. Needless to say the school is covered in SUGAR..... OH MY IT HAS BEEN HARD TO STAY AWAY. The salads brought were pasta salads and all bad salads I can't have. I walked in with my pre weight lunch and ate like the odd ball out again. I did it so far. I am here until 9:00 tonight and it is calling me JEN...... I am so yummy........But I don't need it. I will go have my stupid 4OZ of chicken and pretend it is all those glorious dishes....LOL.... I can do it and the chicken is very satisfying RIGHT??????? Jenn

I'll have to check out this cidar. Hope you're doing well Crystal.

Originally Posted by blueyedangel

I'm soooo far behind... but here is the same Cider vinegar you guys were chatting about on page 5 for less $$$ I believe.

www dot iherb dot com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=506

$7.82 for 180 I'm gonna give it a try. I'm almost out of MRC6

More later...trying to catch up!

Woohoo for 2 lbs this week! I know what you mean about the first 10 lbs going so fast and the next 10 go SOO SLOW!

Originally Posted by MrsPhibes

There is a lot of reading/catching up to do as far as this forum goes. You gals move so fast. In just one day there are 8 or 9 pages to read.

I went to wi this morning after gettings my blood drawn (fasting) and was down 1 pound. Thought it would be more bc when I weigh myself at home (pre breakfast then after breakfast) the food/liquid I drink weigh 1 lb. That makes 2 for this week.

I hope that I can sign the 20 lb board soon. The first 10 went pretty fast (or so it seemed) and the next 10 are dragging. But I'll keep plugging along.

Going to see the doc next week for the results of the blood work and for a physical. Maybe he can shed some light on why my hair is falling out.

I don't like peppers, but I'll try it with mushrooms or something!

Originally Posted by Ms Gigi

I have been on a kick with chicken breast lately! I put it in a frying pan with some EVOO, season it to my taste (cook it almost all the way done), put some fresh tomatoe and bell pepper in (cover with a lid) and simmer until chicken is done and bell pepper is soft! I then steam some whole green beans in the microwave, place it in the same pan I cooked the chicken in (after I take chicken/tomatoe/bell pepper out) put pan on a med to high heat, add some ICBINB, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper (simmer for about 4 min) and vualah! Eat with a slice of bread!

YAY for 3.6 lbs! That's awesome!

Originally Posted by snflrgrl1962

Whew!!! I thought I was about to catch up on the reading, but 8 pages today! You guys are have been really talkative! LOL

Went to WI yesterday and was down another 3.6 lbs. WOOHOO!!! I have lost 21.6 so far. I feel like I have been on MRC for a long time, but it really has been only 35 days.

I have a couple of questions. How much weight did you guys have to lose before you dropped a pant size? I currently wear a 24 and they are getting really baggy, but I still can't fit into a 22.

Can we have papaya as a fruit selection? It isn't on my menu, but I just wondered if anyone else eats it.

Now on a personal note....Has anyone suffered constipation while on MRC? I have been having a significant problem since I began. I talked to my center and really weren't very helpful. I already take to maximum amount of flax, and I also take the internal cleanser. Nothing has helped!!! Does anyone have suggestions???????

I'm gonna try that sleepy time tea. I have it at home and used it once while pg. I'm having a hard time sleeping lately. Does it help you rest all night? That's my big issue right now. I'll fall asleep okay, but don't stay in a restful sleep all night.

Originally Posted by Ms Gigi

Update on the chocolate caramel Celestial tea! I tried it last night, it smells delicious! It tastes pretty good, didn't care for the after taste. Maybe next time I will try a little of the vanilla slimfast in it as a creamer! Not something I would make an every day thing. I checked on line about the caffeine because I did not see anything on the box, it does have 36 mg of caffeine!

I do have the sleepytime extra (wellness tea) Celestial almost every night, it helps me rest better!

UGH! Driving all that way for a taste test! That stinks. My center is very close, so driving for nothing isn't a big deal. Maybe the next time you go you'll get more out of it. I hear ya on the darn donuts (sorry, using the "D" word here). DH bought donuts for the guys in the shop today and there's 2 boxes sitting out there calling my name. I'm resisting though (so far).

Originally Posted by Noah Tall

Okay, I went to our "cooking class" last night, and was sorely disappointed. There was no actual cooking, the ladies at the center just made up a few desserts from the cookbook and had them sitting out on the table to sample. I can't believe I drove 30 minutes to town for that.

Also, today I ate a donut . We have them all the time at work, and it usually doesn't bother me, but today I had to have one. It's crazy, because I was planning to eat one at the end of next month as a celebration for being promoted, but I guess I couldn't wait (tee hee, I almost typed "weight"). Anyway, all OP after that, but it was weird anyway.

Crystal..Good luck with your cheat meal or day. I started doing that and it started my downward spiral. I'm not saying that you'll have that problem, but I found that I couldn't just cheat a little, kwim? I thought I was okay and then it just got out of hand. But like Nickie said, some people can do it and others can't. I found out the hard way that I was a "can't" I know what you mean about wanting to not feel deprived all the time though, and having a special meal to look forward to is great!

Originally Posted by blueyedangel

I was up a 1/2 today at WI. I couldn't keep my hand outta the breadsticks w/cheese last night...

My counselor offered a suggestion I had considered on my own, but somehow seems more "ok" coming from her. I get so bored with the same things, and its SO hard with 4 kids to not eat pizza, spagetti, tacos, etc... She said if I felt I had to go off plan then to set a certain day each week to do it. That way several days I would still be in fat burning mode. I tend to only go off 1 meal, but typically every 4th day. So, if I KNEW that on say Saturday, I could eat what I want (within reason) it would be more beneficial to me than how I am now. Makes sense? I know this isn't the right way. But, I think I would be able to look at it as a reward for doing well all week and give me the motivation to not cheat a little here or there. I only want/need one meal...breakfast is always easy for me, generally lunch also, but dinner is when we are all together. I'm just feeling very deprived... I wish I could be more disciplined...