Hi everyone.
It's Thursday morning and I thought I'd check in to see how everyone was doing.
Melissa - I'm so sorry that this water thing has you upset.
I may have missed something, but I was wondering if the doctor has any ideas why you retain water so much?
Has he checked your kidney function? I know that in the hospital, where my mother works, she has patients who suffer with terrible fluid retention when their kidneys aren't filtering like they should. I know that cranberry juice helps flush out harmful bacteria from the kidneys - I wonder if that would help? Or even cranberry tea? I'm no medical professional but I'm frustrated for you that you should have to be on diuretics at such a young age.
Just keep swilling that water and it should help at least some.
I'm the pot calling the kettle black here,
but try not to stress a lot about it.
Stress can severely impact any form of weight loss.
Of course this is coming from the queen of worry warts
so please take that as good advice that I can't seem to follow myself! All in all, I hope you feel better soon, i.e. less crabby and less water!
I think you're doing a fantastic job so please keep the faith.
Rosetta - alas, but don't fret sweetie!
Everyone on my program said that they experienced a dramatic slow down in weight loss during the third week but then it evens out after that to about 3lbs a week (sometimes more).
Bear this in mind (this is what gets me through those frustrating times...). When you lose a substantial amount of weight (like 20 lbs!!!) your body needs time to catch up with the loss. It needs time to re-adjust skin, fat, blood vessels, etc. - hence you lose the inches! Just imagine what you'd look like if you lost 10lbs every week with no break!
It would be great weight-wise, but your skin would be dragging along behind you like a Hannibal Design wedding dress train!
And, as much as I want MY weight off, and as much as you want YOUR weight off, neither of us wants to look like that methinks!
So hang in there and be true to the program - I promise you it will work.
Rachel - you are doing SO well!
I can completely sympathize with you about the counting calories thing though. That kind of stuff does my head in.
I think that's why Weight Watchers used to drive me crazy. Count this point and that point and do math all day and then have to write everything down...
I think the behaviors were too close to obsessive/compulsive (for me) and another obsessive/compulsive behavior is something I certainly don't need!
Perhaps that's why it burns you out - it's a LOT of work to count everything's worth that you put into your mouth! Have you ever tried working off the portion guide system? (It's not called that, but it's the best I could do...) I've never done it but I've heard it's pretty accurate. I don't know the entire list but you may be able to Google it and see.
Anyway... it's like 6oz of meat is the size of the palm of your hand... A cup is the size of your fist and so on. Don't take those as accurate, I was just using them for an example, but it seems like if you take ONE time to work out the caloric content of certain measurements of food, you could then use the portion guide to have the correct amounts?
I know there are a LOT of websites out there that list everything's caloric content vs. portion size so it shouldn't be too mind numbing.
Oh yeah...you asked about Medifast... Well it's working grandly!
It's a very similar program to what Rosetta is doing I think. I'm choosing to do the Complete program, where I consume 5 supplements a day plus 2 bouillon and 2 pickles a day. I get a lot of flack on the Medifast forum because I don't have doctor supervision,
but it's just the way it is. I don't have insurance and I don't see anyone offering to foot the doctor bill so there we go...!
I have chosen this program over the 5&1 plan, (where you eat 5 supplements plus 1 measured out 'lean and green' meal (salad greens/veggies and a lean protein)) because I'm trying to break my compulsion with food. I didn't want that one "meal" hanging over my head all day - you know.. the thinking about it and obsessing over it.
In my mind it would only serve to reinforce the attachment to food I already have. It's also too easy to "mess around" with measured out portions for me.
You know.. the old quickly glance at the food scale and trick yourself into believing that 10oz actually read 7oz or insisting that you have a good idea of the portion size when you don't and not weighing at all - hence adding more... etc. That type of thing wouldn't be so bad for people generally restricting calories, but it could completely make or break my program and I don't want to run that risk.
These are all games I play with myself but when my meals some in a packet, there's nothing I can do to mess with them.
I just wish I wouldn't have eaten nonsense for two weeks or I'd be at a 40lbs loss by now.
Ah well...
Ellis - take a deep breath! You sound like you're running yourself into the ground hun..
Just ensure you're taking care of yourself. We're all thinking about you and missing you but come back and post when you can AFFORD the time - don't push it. We want you happy AND healthy! Big hugs
As for me, there's nothing new to report on my end I'm afraid.
I've started job hunting again and, as usual, it stresses me out.
(See... that pot/kettle thing I told you about Melissa?) I do try not to worry, but when you're dealing with something that affects your whole life and well being, it gets scary sometimes.
I'm half tempted to sign up for a college course just so I can use and abuse their career counsellor.
Other than websites who want your money so they will 'profile' you for the right career, I can't seem to find any independent, non-college or school affiliated advisors.
Heh, maybe I should go freelance! Other than that, it's pretty much been same pile, different foot but I am still on program and sticking to it like glue. I'm hoping for at least another 3lb loss but who knows?
Take care everyone!
Alisha
I'm so busy with a day program I'm taking, that it's all I can do to get there and back and climb into bed. 
Man, I'm feeling GOOD today!!! Got in a great workout this AM, the kids are off to school or to the sitter, and I've got a hectic evening planned. I've got tons of work to do, and I'd better get to it -- just wanted to pop in and say howdy to everyone. Make this a GREAT day!!! You CAN, I just know you can!!! 
