I use the hot chocolate as a shake...much different than the regular chocolate shake packet...much thicker - I like it the best! It does hold me over, too!

I have nearly completed day 5 and feeling strong. The hardest thing for me this weekend will be NOT getting on the scale! Next Monday will be 7 full days done and that is my plan...every 7 days I will see how I am doing weight wise. Yep, just need to focus on staying on plan and not letting the number on the scale trip me up this time around.

I feel it already...just like last time...I'm in fat burning mode and those cravings are no longer an hourly struggle. Water has been key as it was last time. I know it I get dehydrated I get hungry. I finally put that together!! Geez, took me long enough.

Bring on day 6.

Joyce ~

You have such a great attitude about that scale. I know that feeling when you feel "lighter" before you get on the scale and when you don't.

The fact that you stayed on plan is its own success.!!! I bet your body is just trying to catch up with all the weight you've already lost.

Congrats to you for getting up each day and sticking to your plan.

Karen

naturamom ~

Way to go!

I get that same taste in my mouth that you described well. I find that if I drink enough water it doesn't bother me at all.

Eating perfectly 100% on plan really keeps the cravings away so that we aren't hungry and miserable.

Keep fighting the GOOD hard fight because YOU are so WORTH IT.

Karen

Karen ~ I am actually terrified to get on that scale each week (and only at the Medifast Center) - but if I cancel the appointment because I "feel" like I didn't lose than I am not being accountable...and that accountability is paramount to success on the program.

So it is what it is - the scale is a key, a tool, a mode of transportation to get me to my destination (goal weight). Without it I won't know my latitude and longitude in my journey...
and that's my story and I'm sticking to it! I am getting goofy now...it is late!

Hello all round 2ers. Wow, you all have been chatty lately, lots of good stuff here. I'm almost at the two week mark, and am down about 7 pounds, so happy with the progress. I don't know why I resist going back to medifast, I know that it works for me. Got an evil shot in my knee today, hoping that will help my mobility. Yikes, that was not fun. Been rediscovering good lean and greens lately, like tilapia, curry chicken and all different kinds of roast veggies. I also made a good improvised soup with what I had on hand..frozen cauliflower and zucchinis cooked in chicken broth then hand blended with a very small amount of lite cheese. Really good and filling. here's to a good week for everyone!

YES TO THIS!!!

Joyce - I like how you view the "getting on the scale" part of this journey. You're so right, if you don't show up to weigh in you'll miss out on the accountability which is so key to this journey were on. It is part of the measurement we have to have, but fortunately not the only one, especially on the weeks when we KNOW we deserve a better number.

Karen

emira ~

Congrats on the 7 pound loss!

I hope you get some relief with your knee.

I resisted getting back on Medifast, too. I have no clue why I do since I know it works. For me it has been easy to talk myself into a cheat here and there and then starts the slippery slope of trying to get back on plan 100%. You'd think the cost of it alone would help us stick to the plan! Sheesh!

I like your ideas of changing up your L&G --- such a great season for soup!

Keep doing what you're doing because it is clearly working!

Karen

Greetings all! I will be one month on the 20th. I had one bad day this week, ate too much (including a big hunk of cheese). It was all low carb and I stayed in ketosis and moved 8 the next day. I am fitting into some clothing that was much too tight a few weeks ago. I got my hair cut last week and people at work (who I only see every week or two) kept saying how flattering the haircut it and that it make me look younger. I don't think it is so much the cut, but I have lost weight in my face.
Good luck to everyone over the Holidays. My biggest challenge will be when I am out of town for work the next couple of days, I am trying to be mentally prepared to stay on track. I am almost out of bars, which was a miscalculation, so I need to plan travel with less portable foods. I have oatmeal for the morning, hot drinks and some puffs, so I should be able to make it work. I am going to put in my order a week early and stock up on bars.
I must say, I am pleasantly suprised by TSFL, with the discounts they offer, the cost is lower than I had thought it might be. Plus, I am saving at the grocery store by planning my husband's meals and my Lean and green better.

Well I baked all day...a whole bunch of yummy stuff. I did not take one lick, bite, or taste the ENTIRE day. (my sweet DH kindly offered to be the taster:-)

Ketosis is SO GREAT on Medifast because it makes me want/crave absolutely nothing!!

I'll be getting on the scale first thing tomorrow morning for my first week weigh in. I'm so ready!

Karen

Hello all! I love hear all these wonderful successes! I, too, am crave-free!! It is amazing.

Karen~ What a nice hubby you have!!! Excellent that he was so indulging! You are going to have an excellent weigh in...I just know it! You are so committed. Nothing is going to stop you!

emira ~ 7 pounds lost is awesome! You go, girl! You inspire me to get creative with my lean and greens. I know I resisted doing Medifast again...just thought it was too restricting, too expensive, too _________ (insert excuse)!
And yet, I prayed that God would lead me to something I could handle. I was desperate. I just went online and ordered without much forethought...and now I am on day 45 and I feel fabulous. The very best Christmas gift ever was given to me - sanity.

HalfPass ~ Is there any possibility that there is an out-of-town Medifast Center where you are traveling? You could pick up some bars there? Otherwise, you have could possibly use Quest Bars, though higher in calories, the carbs and protein are excellent!
Yes, TSFL with the BeSlim rewards can really help with the cost of the Medifast food! And I am sure you look fabulous with you new haircut!

Please everyone have a safe and sane last week before Christmas. Let's stay in touch throughout the week to keep us all on the right track. It is hard to believe that we only have 13 days left til 2017!

TWINCA and cbi3 and naturamom ~ Please let us know how you are doing!

You are missed!!!

You are so sweet, thank you! I had a pretty good weekend - out and about with kids and no cravings. I thought our lunch at subway would be tough (yummy bread smell) but no problems. I just had a bar. Yay!

Speaking of food, any good vegetarian recipes? Chicken is the only meat I (sometimes) eat. Any fun twists on meatless options? Or egg white dishes?

Love the success stories! Please keep them coming.

Natramom, I only eat chicken and some fish. I like Boca burger and use it in a couple of ways, one of my favorites is over spaghetti squash or eggplant with some low sugar red sauce. Also, one cup box a burger with one cup egg beaters makes a very filling lean, I sometimes do that with spinach as my green and some salsa on top.
Another favorite is tofu and broccoli cooked under broil in the oven and marinated in liquid amino (low sodium sub for soy). The Boca burger is also excellent on taco salad.
I did stop by gnc and buy some Quest cereal bars. They are only 110 calories and a good emergency sub for medifast bars. I also put in my order a week early so I will be ahead.

I got on the scale today for my first re-start/first week weigh in and lost 5.4 lbs. I wondered what a restart after almost a month of grazing off of Medifast would produce...super happy with the number. The good part is that I started Medifast in September 2016 at 234 and now I am down to 208. I do think the bigger success for me right now is that I got back on plan and kept going.

So, I am here to stay. Ketosis during the holidays really helps me avoid the treats that are around this time of year. Medifast for me is so easy and so hard all at the same time.

Thank you for all your encouragement this past week. Bring on week 2!!

Karen