Yes I must admit it IS very depressing, the part of the reason I cheated yesterday. I was feeling very vulnerable and emotional. I just hope I can keep away from the sweets. That's always been my downfall.

I'm going to a cooking class this evening and plan to WI, so I know i'll either show a gain or remain the same I'm sure. Thank you for the kind thoughts!!

As far as quoting, in each post down in the right-hand corner, you should see the option to quote. It's in a gray color and you just click that and it'll quote that post. Any other questios about the site? I can try to answer as best as I can.

I looked at the Walden Farms web site to see about the individual packets of dressing to take when I travel or eat out. They have a lot of other products that are calorie/sugar/carb/fat free. I asked at my WI today about all their products (they have mayo!) and I was told they're checking on it...I guess with the MRC 'headquarters'?? My center has recommended the dressings and syrup, but I hadn't heard anything about Walden Farms other products. They even have a peanut butter spread and jellies. Anyone else have info on this until I get an answer from my center?

Oh my, it's taken the better part of an afternoon to read all 27 pages! wow! Packed with info. I had my free consultation on Saturday. I do plan on joining. But I have to see my regular doctor first. I figured out that I can use my HSA funds to pay for the joining fee if I get my doctor to write a letter saying I'm obese. Done... he's only been yapping at me for the past 2 years to do something. None of his suggestions worked!! Stupid dummy head! haha. Anyway ... I'm new. I'll be lurking for a bit until I get all my info (probably another week or so). I'm excited. Someone here at my work has been on the program for about 7 or 8 months and he's lost a lot of weight. And if he can do it so can I!!

I am in love with the strawberry jelly! I put a small amount on top of half of an English Muffin and then top that with just a little sugar free whip cream. It is like having desert after Breakfast/Dinner.
I have also tried their barbque sauce and it is good too. My center says I shouldn't have anything that is "off plan", so I try to use them sparingly.

I know this is a silly question but I'm going to ask it anyway:

When you go to the supermarket deli and have them slice up turkey slices, is the deli meat considered processed meat? Are meats like this considered OP? Last Saturday morning I got a pound of deli meat and it was easy to divide up the 16oz. into my meals.

No, because I did the same thing on Sunday! I asked my center today and they said as long as you buy Sara Lee or Jennie-O (sp?) you're fine. And I know Wal-Mart carries both brands.

I bought Deli sliced reduced sodium turkey meat and my center said this was fine. They discouraged the prepackaged brands.

Oh, thank you mama and hopper. I'm relieved.

Thanks to all who replied regarding my question about the Walden Farms products. I am just trying to think of everything I can to stay OP while on my trip to Vegas.

I know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but I don't want to bring it all home on my hips for everyone to see!

I think I made a big mistake.....
 

Yesterday and today I went to a conference for which I had already paid, and included meals. I just finished pre-conditioning and went to my food class on Friday. I was given a beige menu and promised to start it on Sunday. Well, I ate unwisely, even though I tried to stay as close as I could to the pre-conditioning menu. I drank my water and took carb-blocker. Tonight my feet, ankles and fingers are so swollen from fluid retention. I feel like crap. I guess the food was too salty, but that is a guess. Tomorrow I will start the beige....but guess I needed to see that I have to follow the program exactly or I will pay a heavy price. I really hope I haven't sabotaged any hope for weight loss this week....or worse, gained weight. I wonder if I should drink MORE water or less. Seems like if my body isn't getting rid of it, I shouldn't drink more than usual. Any thoughts from the more experienced folks?

I just started day 1-4 on Thursday. Today is my last day and tomorrow I will go to day 5. It has really been a lot easier than I thought when I first saw my meal plan. There is a lot of useful and uplifting info here and I really like the recipe thread. I can't weight until day 11 when I can use most of those. I didn't do so well in preconditioning because I think I needed more "boundaries", but according to my home scale I have done really well this week.
Anyone else have any problems with the "vagueness" (not sure if this is a real word..LOL) of preconditioning?

skinnywallet- if you are retaining fluid you should drink more. Your body holds onto it cause it doesn't think its going to get any more so when you drink more, your body can let go of the fluid its hanging on to.

Went to the center today and showed them my fluid retention
 

They said drink more water and that I was one of the 65% of people who are sodium sensitive. Since I ate hotel food, it was probably loaded with salt.

I also called my doctor, as my feet were really swollen. Couldn't get my shoes on, and had to wear house-slippers to work. Doctor said the same thing. More water and call him if it doesn't go away.

What was interesting is that the TANITA showed I had lost 4 and a half pounds of fat, but I was carrying 9 pounds of water! My counselor said that proved I had been "good", just a water retention problem. I was relieved in one regard, as I thought I'd get in trouble for gaining weight.

But here is my question. I am already drinking 112 ounces of water, and I need to drink more???? At what point do you have an electrolyte problem from drinking too much water? I've also heard of "water intoxication" from drinking too much water. I just wonder how much more I can hold. I am in the bathroom all the time! OK,.... I'll drink more water......but I am really uncomfortable!!!!

I drink 128 oz. per day and I have a friend on the program who lost 145 lbs. and she drinks 220 ozs. per day. I couldn't do that much but the 128 was doable for me and seemed to help my weight loss. I started out only doing 90 but found I lost more doing 128.

WOW! That puts it in perspective for me.
 

OK then. I will happily force it down if it makes that much difference. I had no idea that people could consume so much. Problem is that I don't like drinking plain water and want something in it to flavor it, but WOW! Just WOW.

H20 and I are about to become friends.

Thank you "Keepin", for the knowlege and the attitude adjustment.

(laughing to myself: Does your friend who drinks the 220 ounces DRINK it or push around a IV pole? Lame joke, I know. I am just blown away and have to laugh that I was worried about 112 ounces.) heh.