Mrc July 2014
 

Here we go!
Good luck everyone and please share what is keeping you successful on this plan and any helpful tips are always welcomed!

Hi Big Dog...

You said you were going to ask center about the HNS replacement drinks you were taking previously.. Would you be so kind to let me know what they say, as I would like to try them.

Thanks
Patzi

Hi!!
Yes, that is two exclamation points!!! And now, three! I started MRC on June 20th at 177 lbs. Yesterday, my fourth weigh-in, I was at 165! My goal is 135 (though I am really going for 125). Based on their calculations, I should be at my goal weight in October. I am looking forward to being able to fit my calves into those cute boots with skirts and leggings this fall, and with this program I know I will be there. I found this board and am very glad to be able to share support with others who are working toward their goals.

For me, the last 1.5 years have been completely crazy... actually, the past two years. In September 2012 my husband and I impulsively decided to sell everything we owned, except one car and two computers, and move to a Caribbean island. It was great while it lasted. We had been on the island seven months when I had a pontine stroke. I was 41 years old, and at the time weighed 140 lbs. It was completely unexpected and out of the blue.

Since the stroke in March 2013, we moved back to Arkansas... with our one car and two computers. We've been slowly rebuilding our lives over the past year, and in the process I packed on nearly 40lbs (which is so incredibly stupid for many reasons, but especially considering the stroke). I kindof let myself go, giving into the comfort of family and food as I dealt with the stress of starting over and a feeling of failure that the island adventure didn't quite work out as planned.

The extra weight became too much to bear in May/June. After a lot of research, I decided on MRC. I do not regret my decision at all and plan to keep up the momentum and stick to the program 100%.

They put me on the Meta-Balance plan because of the stroke. I have been eating chicken breast (grilled w/balsamic and garlic), and ground turkey since I started, and I am good with that. I do not ever feel hungry. The only thing I am having a problem with in terms of the menu is eating ALL the foods required at every meal, and on the snacks. Often, I will only have the HNS between meals, and skip the fruit/starch/or dairy. I am wondering if that will inhibit my weight loss, or actually speed it up. I kinda wish they had put me on the Meta-Slim plan because it is supposed to be faster, and have been trying to covertly get the menu. Thoughts? Advice?

Anyway, thanks for letting me share. I hope you all have a great holiday weekend with zero temptation for holiday food!

(PS... How do I get the fancy weight tracker things that folks have at the bottom of their posts?)

Hi PostGirl!

WOW! What a story.

I am 40 years old. Have been on a gradual weight increase for too many years. my blood pressure started to rise, and I generally was starting to not feel good. My best friend went through the program and lost 50 lbs, and has been on maintenance for a year.

My starting weight was 194.5. My goal is to get to 145 by October. I started pre-conditioning on June 25. Started the Meta-Slim Green Menu June 30. I am currently down 6lbs. I don't know what the difference is between our menu's, but it sounds like the one you have is working. I'm still not in the groove of the food thing yet either, but my best friend said it took her about a month. I think my body is still in WTH mode, but thankfully my caffeine headaches only lasted a day. (YAY!)

Are you still in Arkansas?

MP (Athtrnr)

I'm new to MRC
 

I started at MRC almost 4 weeks ago and am quite happy to find these boards. I will go for my 4th weigh-in tomorrow. I'm intrigued by the colored menus you speak of as the one I have is beige. I'm at work right now and the menu is at home but I think mine is the Meta-Slim. It's been really easy so far and I've lost 12 pounds. However, I'm really scared I won't show a loss tomorrow. I cannot have those scales stuck! I believe there are some people on here from Arkansas -- which center do you go to? I go to the one on South Markham in Little Rock.

Hello Everyone!
Sounds like everyone is doing well! Ive been eating a lot of salad with grilled Mahi and tuna, packing zip locks of cukes, celery to munch on at work and keep my extra mini blender at work to blend my "HNSs"
I told my DH that my doctor said my sugar was high so I couldn't eat the Klondike ice cream he bought home :). Yeah, make him feel bad for bringing them home when I told him I seriously needed to get this weight OFF ( again!)

Patzi - the new center hasn't opened yet- the manager that called me said it should be mid July. She is already talking to me about recruiting some of my friends and residents (I'm now doing Property Management) so I can get Flex dollars to buy stuff from the Center. I haven't told her yet but I'm a closet dieter and never tell anyone how I'm dieting :). I don't like to hear their remarks or opinions. Haha! When I started MRC and lost 35 lbs, I shared w one friend and she was like OMG, that's horrible- I'm just going to do another diet ( well good for you- how is that working?)
I'm doing it on my own loosely using my materials from before - I already feel lighter but haven't weighed in yet.
I know the Counselors are salespeople so not sure if she will go for it or not.
I know my Syntrax Nectar worked as an HNS and much better tasting and there are so many great combos that I don't miss dessert. I just had a Mocha Chocolate Truffle Peanutbutter shake. (Left over coffee, water, Syntrax Choc Truffle powder, Tsp PB2 powder, ice blended in my Oster blender). Yum!

Wow! A few of us from Arkansas in this thread! Yup, I go to the MRC in Fayetteville. They are great! And, DiscoverJoy, yes. It is absolutely amazing that my husband has stuck through all of this. 17.75 years and counting! He is my best friend. Keep on keepin' on, y'all!

Weighed in this am and lost 2 lbs! Woo hoo !
I'm just getting started so MORE to come! :)

Anyone use Fitness Pal? It rocks!! Great upgrades that include a scanner that scans the bar codes on your favorites and and adds to diary. Also has step tracker :) and will link to Fitbit tracker. I haven't used it in a awhile - loves that it calculates protein, carbs and fat. I have the protein set at 60%, Fat 20%, Carb 20%

Good luck everyone. I just turned down Peanut Butter Pie!!! Please help keep me strong- DH is a Chef and his life is food!

Big Dog...
Thanks for answering my question. Great step in not eating the icecream and peanut butter pie.. I know how hard it is, but your saying no will get you to your goal.

Consultants are sales people, but remember you are the one in control.
If I may be of help to you at any time, just ask.. But you seem to be really motivated and doing well, and I am sure you will succeed.

I have iced coffee every afternoon.. I will definately try the Chocolate Truffle Peanut Butter. Yumm is right.

I use fitness pal.. I am 3 1/2 years maintenance and I still journal my food daily.
Keeps me focused. I am a weak one, still have to get weighed in weekly. Sometimes I let it go for two, but it keeps me on my toes knowing the scale will tell it all. I just join Maintenance when I see a sale. I am paid up now till spring 2015.

Want to welcome newcombers and wish them the best on their new journey.

I have a question on the bars, for instance the chocolate wafer bars.. While on weight loss diet, how do these fit in the diet? There are no snacks on Meta Slim that I was on while losing weight, maybe on other MRC diets, but was just curious..

Happy 4th Everyone..

Patzi

Patzi, you have always been a great inspiration and I depend on these boards for motivation and helpful hints on what to eat :) to stay on plan. As long as I'm not hungry and can find good substitutes for what I'm craving- this plan will work again. I rejoined Weight Watchers last year and kept a daily journal on line but its too flexible and I only lost a few pounds. Live in a small town and the only weigh ins were at 630 pm and I hate to weigh in late in the PM.
I agree w Discoverjoy, this is the only plan that works for me
- hate to admit, I may need to join to have someone weigh me in every week but right now I'm trying to do it on my own until the Center opens. When I meet w them, if they won't agree to let me do my own HNSs/shakes, I won't join. There's a Weight control place in town that charges $100 initially then $25 a week (one on one counseling and share your journal w them, weigh in) that I may check out too to get started. They also have maintenance plans.
I love the MRC plan though.
Discoverjoy- what do use for your HNSs since you don't go to the center?
And I also love Pinterest for high protein recipes. Yah!!!
Patzi. Do I have the percentages right for My Fitness Pal? Protein 60%. Carbs and Fat 20%?
Happy 4th of July everyone!!

The chocolate wafer bars count as a meal replacement. They are really good.
They taste just like a cookie.

Thanks for the data on the chocolate wafer cookies, fwheel 4

I had maintenance weigh in today and maintained at 5 pounds under goal.

Big Dog.. I never counted calories or ever watched the amt. of protein, carbs, etc. I just ate the amount Meta Slim paper said to eat.. However, when I put in
to FitnessPal. Com, I did use the 60/20/20.

Wishing y'all a great weight loss week.. Remember, think thin.

Patzi..

discover Joy...

Do you have an item number for the HNS drinks that are like MRC on Nashua Nutrition? I see a drink, but it is does not have same ingredients as the clear HNS drink from MRC. I must be overlooking it..Wanted to compare prices with Diet Direct. I buy all my HNS from Diet Direct and if less expensive will switch over.

Thanks
Patzi

I like these a LOT
http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store...uit-7-box.html

Grapefruit is my FAV.

Are you telling me, these are not the same?

I bounce back and forth from Diet Direct and Nashua Nutrition. Well ACTUALLY, I pull both up on my computer at the same time, plug in the same order of drinks, and pick the one that gives me the best deal. Sometimes, either will have specials, or free shipping or something like that.

I'm a haggler like that. HA!

[QUOTE=discoverjoy;5037862]I like these a LOT
http://www.nashuanutrition.com/store...uit-7-box.html

Grapefruit is my FAV.

Are you telling me, these are not the same?

I bounce back and forth from Diet Direct and Nashua Nutrition. Well ACTUALLY, I pull both up on my computer at the same time, plug in the same order of drinks, and pick the one that gives me the best deal. Sometimes, either will have specials, or free shipping or something like that.

Hi..
I think they are close enough.. I was looking for clear and not powdered and that may be why I did not see them. Thanks.
Patzi

Question for you on Meta Slim... That is what I was on to get to maintenance.

Did they ever add any snacks on that diet? I don't mean an HNS, I mean a food snack? I saw the newer version where you could choose starch or fruit, as when I was losing , fruit was on lunch only, and starch for breakfast and supper
with three HNS and one creamy ..

Just curious...

Patzi

I'm just curious. How close is maintenance menu to meta slim? I never reached the maintenance phase. I always moved, or my center closed down, or some stupid thing.

So I have a mere 25.6 lbs to go (I like to say "mere" because it is less overwhelming)...and since I don't want to EVER go through this stupidness again, I definitely want to go on their maintenance plan.

Just curious about it.

It is different, as you start adding more foods during the stabilization period which is before maintenance.

Patzi

So I'm calling tomorrow about restarting and wanted to post an introduction. My name is Alisha and I did MRC 6 years ago. I lost about 40lbs before moving. I kept the weight off for the most part until I had my daughter 4 years ago. After she was born I lost the baby weight plus a little bit more on my own following a higher protein, lower carb plan. I also took up running and was doing great! However, not quite two years ago my middle daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and then celiacs 6 months later. I got so busy taking care of her that I stopped taking care of myself. On top of that I work full time and had just started my Ph.D. program. I have watched my weight go up and feel like I don't even know what to do to get it back under control. My old MRC called a couple of months ago and I never deleted the message. Last night it hit me that maybe it was time to go back. So here we go. I'm sure I'm going to have lots of questions, I'm heavier this time and think I will likely be on a different menu.

Thanks!

Thelish...

Welcome back.. Wishing you the best of luck on your new challenge.. I hit maintenance, going on 4 years mid 2015. Great program. Only one out of many that worked for me.

Patzi

Very Quiet lately.. Wishing everyone a great weight loss day.

Patzi

Had maintenance weigh in today and I'm still on track and maintaining! It's an awesome feeling! Hope all is well with everyone! Had a great fourth of july!:carrot:

Saw the new menu today when I went in for my consultation. I'll be preconditioning the week so I can officially start when the new menu is released. I think we have a good plan for the distance deal. I'm excited about all the new HNS flavors there are since I did this before.

Patzi -- 4 years of maintenance! That is awesome

Joy -- congrats of 10lbs!!

I heard about the new menu sounds like it's going to be awesome and much easier for the newbies!! Wish they did this when I was going thru the program LOL!

When one knows for sure the new menu is out, please let me know. My center has said nothing about it.. I will want it, as when I gain, I go back to the green menu till I get weight off. I have also gone back from the beginning a couple of times to give me a boost to get weight off.

Skelley... Great on maintaining..

Discoverjoy if I did not say congrats to you, I am saying it now..

I have a friend who just hit maintenance . She lost 78 pounds and I can't recall the inches, but it was bunches.. She is like a different person. This is her second
time around and she did not cheat and she made it.It is so worth it.

Wishing y'all a great week.. I will be back tomorrow after maintenance weigh in.

Patzi

Patzi:

There will be no more yellow/blue/green, it's all one menu now and you don't have to choose proteins from groups 1, 2, 3, I can't go into much detail as I told my center I wouldn't, they haven't gone thru the training yet but it's suppose to be awesome.

skelley331 what center do you go to? I see your location is Indiana and I am from Indiana too and I go to the one in Lafayette.

OH My... I wish I had that new menu when I was losing.. I can't wait to see it.

Thanks
Patzi

ahuazz:

I go to the one in Columbus, I know some of the girls have gone to Lafayette, they haven't mentioned the new menu yet because they haven't had their training so they didn't tell me a whole lot but it sounds awesome!

Patzi they told me they thought it would be out in a couple weeks, I'm so looking forward to seeing it. I know we are maintenance but I would think we would be allowed a copy of it, don't you think?

I have no problem getting any of those MRC diet menus .. The last time they changed I asked for them.. I do use the green menu when I gain weight and they know that and I will tell them I want the new menu. I am sure there will be no problem. If you go to the center, I am sure they will give it to you.

Patzi

Good, because I would really like to have it. Thanks

I have a class on Thur to go over the new menu. I will share at that time what I learn if nobody else has before then.

Thank you...

Patzi

So...I'm curious.

What have you guys found that makes the BIGGEST difference in your weight loss?

Water? Exercise? supplements? Hormones??

The HNS drinks made a difference in my weight loss, but all in all, not going off program. That is the biggest thing and most important.. If you stick to the program , it is a winning situation.. I always drank 64 oz. of water a day.

Patzi

Water, exercise, and sticking to food plan. And...really getting in tune with the difference between hunger and simply the desire to eat. Obviously in sticking to program, there isn't "cheating" or snacking per se. But...in the times when I've needed to "take a break" from plan for one reason or another, I've been pleased by the fact I can stop and think before grabbing something - and then think about what I grab! Protein vs. carbs!

I had my meeting about the new menu. I was the only signed up for the 4pm class so it was a one on one. One change all proteins are grouped together and you can have them anytime for any meal. They of course recommend the leaner cuts of meat. Carbs now you can have any crisp bread within the 50 calorie limit. I really like the addition of almond milk to carbs. Healthy fats they've added avocado uncured bacon. They also allow you to move one serving of veggies to breakfast which I like because I really like to do green smoothies with spinach and kale.

Those are the big changes I noticed.