Hi everyone, I stumbled across this site looking for answers about Metabolic Research Center...I've scanned through the other lengthy threads but I just can't find the answer I'm looking for so I'm going straight to the skinny horse's mouth.
I've had a first meeting with a counselor at MRC and even though she kind of answered my questions it was glazed over. Here are my questions...
What does a typical day of food look like? Are there restrictions? Is it a pre-planned menu?
I'm used to the Weight Watchers plan but the last two times I had no success so I want to try something different. However, I'm really scared that if this plan is to restrictive I won't be able to succeed and I'll just fall off the wagon. I would appreciate any feedback that you have...
Thanks in advance!!
Ladybug,
Even though I've been on program for less than a month, I'll attempt to answer your questions. I've also included the website so that you can look through it. http://www.emetabolic.com/program.htm
1. What does a typical day of food look like?
A typical day depends on what menu you are on. For the first couple of days, you would be on a specific menu tailored to your weight loss goal. The menu where you would spend most of your time looks like:
Breakfast: protein / starch / High Nutrient Supplement (HNS)
Lunch: protein / vegetables / fruit / (HNS)
Dinner: protein / vegetables / starch (optional HNS)
The most important thing are the High Nutrient Supplements, which help you burn fat. There are many options of the HNS's including different liquid flavors and creamies (hot cocoa mix, pudding).
2. Are there restrictions? Yes. On your menu is a list of foods in each category; protein, vegetables, starch, fruit that you can choose from. You should stay away from everything else.
3. Is it a pre-planned menu? Kind of. It's pre-planned in what you are allowed to have at each meal. But it's up to you on how you want to prepare it. They also have a cookbook available for purchase so that you can try different ways of preparing your meals.
I would like to add, that no supplements are actually "needed" to lose weight. A supplement doesn't burn fat. Eating a proper diet, and regular exercise does.
A lot of companies will say that their supplements are necessary-and basically, it is because they are a business, which obviously has the goal of making money.
Honestly, I would shy away from any company who won't give you any info at all until you sign the contract.
I would like to add, that no supplements are actually "needed" to lose weight. A supplement doesn't burn fat. Eating a proper diet, and regular exercise does.
A lot of companies will say that their supplements are necessary-and basically, it is because they are a business, which obviously has the goal of making money.
Honestly, I would shy away from any company who won't give you any info at all until you sign the contract.
Hmmmm... I've recently started at MRC too (and am having great results... 10 lbs in one week, but I have a lot to lose) and I just wanted to comment that, while the HNS supplements (not the pills, the drinks and food) might not be necessary to actually lose weight, MRC absolutely REQUIRES you to use them or the guarantee you signed as part of your contract will not be valid. And YES, they are ridiculously expensive ($11 or $13 per box of 7), but taste pretty good. Honestly, the HNS requirement is the ONLY thing about MRC that makes me mad and more than a little disgusted. Yes, I know they help... esp. if you have a craving, but I really think the price is over the top (considering they are just an adjunct to the food that you buy and prepare). I am on the Meta-Balance program because I have diabetes (type 2) and they REQUIRE that I use 3 per day and I can use as many as 5. It might be that the other MRC programs do not require as many. The vitamins and other herbal supplements are also quite expensive, but you have the luxury of buying those anywhere if you don't want to buy them at top dollar. Except for MRC-6 and Total Woman, I buy all the rest online or at Costco. I would like to add that, although it might not be absolutely necessary to use the vitamins and herbal supplements, they completely keep me from having ANY cravings (one day I didn't use them and cravings did become an issue).
All things considered (and having done MANY diets in the past), I absolutely recommend MRC. Good Luck!
I think that all programs have pro's and con's. think about what it costs you to be overweight. I have made a committment to make a healthy life style change. I have kids and I want to be around for them. I dont' want to have a heart attack like my father did because of his weight. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to loss weight. cost is pretty irrelevant when you think about what it is going to cost you when you are 50 and are on multiple medications that cost far more than getting healthy today.
aphil is right...no supplements are needed to lose weight. Lots of women around here have lots a ton of weight using only diet changes and exercise, but some of us need a bit more help and a bit more guidence. MRC for me is all about the support. I really really like the weekly weight ins (most people WI twice a week). It helps me to talk to people about my issues and get some advice. Do they push their product...absolutely. They want to make money just like the rest of us. They require the high nutrient supplements (HNS) drinks. You're supposed to drink them at least 3 times a day. Again, Aphil is right...they don't burn fat. They just throw more protein into your body to keep it in fat burning mode. If you're hungry between meals, you can drink one and honestly...it works to qwell the hunger. This is why I don't mind taking them. Other than that, all of their products are optional, and I have told them No several times. They do back off.
MRC has a sign on cost. This cost gets you support at the weigh ins, classes and some basic health monitoring. The only additional cost is the HNS drinks. Everything else is completely optional.
I've watched 2 close friends lose over 75lbs each in about 6 months and keep it off and I've watched my brother lose 80lbs since November and that was enough for me to give it a shot too.
One word...I think this plan works best for people with alot of weight to lose. I think its too expensive for just a little weight loss. It'll still work, don't get me wrong, but if I had less to lose than I did...the sticker shock might have scared me away.
Hope the info helps.
Ladybug75 I don't know if you have made a decision to join MRC yet. I was also on Weight Watchers a couple times. I really find the MRC is a bargain for what you are getting. It is based on how much weight you need to lose - your start up fee usually covers twice a week weigh ins, personalized diets, they do review your food journal in detail, measurements and 12 months of maintance counseling. I have been on the plan for 18 days and love it! At my 14 day measurement, I was down 11.25 inches and as of today, 11 pounds. More importantly, I'm eating very healthy foods. They do have a cookbook, and I'm finding a variety of good meals that I can eat. The HNS (high nutritional supplements) are a whey protein with 70 - 100 calories each. It's a low calorie way to get in extra protein. This is a lifestyle, not just a diet. My doctor has reviewed my plan and enthusiastically supports it. I am diabetic and my blood sugars have dropped dramatically. My doctor is going to run a whole new series of blood work at the 6 week mark so we have some concrete evidence of how this new lifestyle plan is working for me. If in doubt, do run it by your doctor. They won't give you the food plan up front - they are a business, and if you have the food plan for your situation, you probably won't want to pay the start up fee. But ask about a money back gaurantee if your doctor tells you not to do the plan. My doctor is very impressed. And I don't feel like I'm being restricted. Eating from all 4 food groups and finding a lot of creative ways to make low fat, low sodium and low calorie foods that don't make me feel like I'm missing out on anything - plus, I'm not hungry. Good luck on your decision!
What I like about MRC and what really got my attention is.....all the BEFORE testimonials and AFTER result PICTURES....the people are not SAGGY. So for that reason, I am inclined to stick with the program by using their products: HNS, vitamins and supplements. HNS is protein and protein helps you build muscle mass...muscle burns more calories than fat. Of course, weight loss is what we are interested in...and I see the pounds and inches coming off so that keeps me motivated.
Sagginess has nothing to do with the supplements, I would like to add.
Whether or not someone is saggy after weight loss, depends on many things. One of those things is muscle mass-but a supplement cannot build muscle mass. You have to have enough protein to build muscle, but you also have to do muscle building exercise-such as weight training or Pilates. It can't build itself without it. While you can use supplements if you would like, you don't have to. Egg whites, chicken breast, fish-any protein source will do the exact same thing. But-exercise is the main thing for building muscle.
The second factor is extra skin. Some people never get it if they only have 30 pounds to lose, or have good elasticity. On the other hand, if you are prone to it genetically, or you lose a *lot* of weight, like 70 pounds+, then part of the sagginess is actually extra skin. Many people who have lost 70 or more pounds end up getting a tummy tuck, lower body lift, or something like that to remove extra skin.
Again, Aphil is right...exercise helps a TON with building that muscle up to help reduce extra skin. There is no magic bullet for tightening skin and it's kinda a fact of life that if you stretch your skin for years carrying a bunch of weight eventually it's not gonna be able to recover. I've got alot of weight to lose (near 200lbs in the end) and I have accepted the fact that I'll likely have extra skin and i can choose to have it removed or I can live with it as a consequence of my previous lifestyle. I do get exercise time in now to help with that and I also try to keep my skin as healthy as possible (per my doctor) to try to help fend off the saggyness, but in the end, it is what it is.
I would just like to add that I have been on many, many diets in my life time. Never before have I felt like I am in control over food with this plan instead of food controlling me.
I no longer have cravings for sweets, bread (carbs are my downfall) and fatty foods.
My opinion is that each person has to find a plan that works for them. Then you have to make up your mind that you are going to commit to it.
I would just like to add that I have been on many, many diets in my life time. Never before have I felt like I am in control over food with this plan instead of food controlling me.
I no longer have cravings for sweets, bread (carbs are my downfall) and fatty foods.
My opinion is that each person has to find a plan that works for them. Then you have to make up your mind that you are going to commit to it.
Hi, I am new on here and posted on another thread. I am curious how much initally MRC up front costs? I need to loose roughly 30-40 pounds.
Thanks in advance!!!
Hi, I am new on here and posted on another thread. I am curious how much initally MRC up front costs? I need to loose roughly 30-40 pounds.
Thanks in advance!!!
You need to make an appointment to speak with someone at MRC. It is a free consultation, and they will give you many different options as far as cost, payment plans, what will fit your budget, etc... What I spend at MRC and what you will spend will be very different. Check out my repsonse on the other link as well.
I also think if you don't have much to lose then try the least expensive way to lose weight. Walk, drink more water, don't eat junk, don't eat what the kids don't finish. Those little things add up. Although you won't see the results like we do with MRC, you will lose weight.
Paying them to help me learn to control my eating habits, and learn how to eat healthy is worth every penny.
But what IS Metabolic Research Center?
What does a typical day of food look like? Are there restrictions? Is it a pre-planned menu? 
