Originally Posted by Clanori (Post 2481416)

Thanks I will be looking for them this weekend.:carrot:

Originally Posted by WooPigSooie (Post 2481989)

Ladies (and any gents), I'd like your suggestions on what food to bring to a holiday party this weekend. I'm thinking about a bunch of raw veggies (green peppers, cucumbers, what else?) and an assortment of cheese. What else would go well w/ that and still be OP? Someone else is bringing shrimp so I can get my protein there. I'd like to bring enough safe stuff so that I'm not tempted by the other goodies there. Maybe a dessert? Thanks for any help!

Originally Posted by ShineOn (Post 2482107)

Welcome BonnieMcC! I just barely hit the 100 lb mark. You can definately lose the weight in the time frame they give you if you are 100% on plan. Your body may not lose consistently, but don't get discouraged - you will lose!! I took a lot longer, but I kept sabotaging myself. In hindsight, I'm glad I went through that because I learned a lot of lessons about myself that will help me keep the weight off long term. There are plenty of people on here who lost over 100 lbs and did it without going off plan. What I love about MRC, is the total program. Take as many classes as your center offers - especially the behavior modification classes. Start your exercise slow, but just move every day for at least 30 minutes. Don't try to go crazy on the exercise because you will put yourself in starvation mode. But it's important to develope the healthy exercise habits that will lead to long term success. Go in twice a week - this is crucial to work through all the stumbling blocks, physical as well as emotional. Max out your HNS! It really does curb the appetite and help you stay in fat burning mode. Drink that water!! Try to drink half your body weight in ounces. For example, I started at 261 lbs so I drank 130 ounces per day. This board has been a huge part of my success. I would check in each day and it really helped keep me focused. Just hang in there - you can lose the weight without surgery!!!! This was my last atempt before caving in and taking my Dr. up on the bypass option. I'm so very happy I did it this way - I learned some very healthy habits along the way and it feels so wonderful to tell people I lose 100 lbs through diet & exercise - not surgery. There is a great sense of accomplishment. Again, welcome! We look forward to getting to know you on your journey.

Originally Posted by WooPigSooie (Post 2481989)

Ladies (and any gents), I'd like your suggestions on what food to bring to a holiday party this weekend. I'm thinking about a bunch of raw veggies (green peppers, cucumbers, what else?) and an assortment of cheese. What else would go well w/ that and still be OP? Someone else is bringing shrimp so I can get my protein there. I'd like to bring enough safe stuff so that I'm not tempted by the other goodies there. Maybe a dessert? Thanks for any help!

Originally Posted by ilovekotilab (Post 2482458)

I went to a "Maximize your weight loss during the holidays" class last night. The consultant brought a whole parties worth of food that is totally on plan. She brought a veggie center piece that was so cool. She made a veggie Christmas tree! It was made from a foam cone (about 12 inches tall) from Walmart or Hobby Lobby, and placed bib lettuce all the way around with tooth picks. She cut yellow zucchini squash and peeled cucumber into slices and had grape tomatoes. She placed all of the veggies on the tree with toothpicks to look like ornaments. She cut a squash into a star and put it on top of the tree. Then she placed yellow zucchini squash, peeled cucumber, grape tomatoes, and broccoli around the tree to look like gifts. She made a cucumber/dill dip and a taco dip made out of blended cottage cheese to serve with the veggies. It was so good! Here's all the things we had:
- MRC Veggie tree - Broccoli, cucumber, yellow zucchini, green peppers, & grape tomatoes
- MRC Taco Dip
- MRC Cucumber Dill Dip
- MRC Vanilla Pudding with MRC Cranberry Relish Swirl
- MRC Lemon Chiffon Cheese Cake Dip
- MRC Chocolate Orange Crunch Delight

Everything we sampled was so good. My favorite was the...well gosh... everything was my favorite - haha - I can't decide.

I plan on putting the recipes on the recipe thread. I hope this helps!! :D
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Originally Posted by Meemo (Post 2482131)

For all you newbies, listen to Gina, she knows what she's talking about - check out her before & after pics on her profile (click on her picture to see them)!

Originally Posted by Finz (Post 2482541)

Oh good, thanks for those! We go to our first holiday thing tonight. I'm having my HNS beforehand and am mentally prepared!

Originally Posted by Austons Mom (Post 2482329)

I did a quick search and found a very low calorie recipe for veggie dip, 1 - 16 oz container if fat free cottage cheese and 1 packet of Hidden Valley ranch dressing - blend the cottage cheese till smooth, add the ranch packet and chill overnight. 80 calories per 1/2 cup.

Originally Posted by BonnieMcC (Post 2482338)

Thank you sooo much for your wonderful words and congrats on your success! I will definately pump up on the water..I am drinking 64 during pre-conditioning---but I will work on getting in more.
btw, GREAT before and after pics! You have inspired me!

Originally Posted by ilovekotilab (Post 2482458)

I went to a "Maximize your weight loss during the holidays" class last night. The consultant brought a whole parties worth of food that is totally on plan. She brought a veggie center piece that was so cool. She made a veggie Christmas tree! It was made from a foam cone (about 12 inches tall) from Walmart or Hobby Lobby, and placed bib lettuce all the way around with tooth picks. She cut yellow zucchini squash and peeled cucumber into slices and had grape tomatoes. She placed all of the veggies on the tree with toothpicks to look like ornaments. She cut a squash into a star and put it on top of the tree. Then she placed yellow zucchini squash, peeled cucumber, grape tomatoes, and broccoli around the tree to look like gifts. She made a cucumber/dill dip and a taco dip made out of blended cottage cheese to serve with the veggies. It was so good! Here's all the things we had:
- MRC Veggie tree - Broccoli, cucumber, yellow zucchini, green peppers, & grape tomatoes
- MRC Taco Dip
- MRC Cucumber Dill Dip
- MRC Vanilla Pudding with MRC Cranberry Relish Swirl
- MRC Lemon Chiffon Cheese Cake Dip
- MRC Chocolate Orange Crunch Delight

Everything we sampled was so good. My favorite was the...well gosh... everything was my favorite - haha - I can't decide.

I plan on putting the recipes on the recipe thread. I hope this helps!! :D
[/LIST]

Originally Posted by ShineOn (Post 2482650)

This is a MRC recipe too. You can use 2 Tbs as 1 oz of protein. Also, add some water to make it a salad dressing - much better than the MRC ranch.



Thank you Bonnie. It really has gone by fast!



OK, this sounds absolutely amazing!!! Please post them on the recipe thread - I'm really curious about the chocolate orange crunch delight!! I would love to see a picture of the veggie tree. That center is so creative!!

Originally Posted by bfatnomore (Post 2482826)

I must admit I was a very bad girl over Thanksgiving break, however, I got back OP Monday & at WI yesterday was -3.5 lbs. The only thing I can figure is that although I ate some crappy foods, the portions were smaller (as I was filled up quicker). I know the scale could go the other way but I think now that I've been back OP for 4 days that my body has adjusted. Can anyone else think of any reason why I still showed a loss? I continued to exercise, maybe that helped too. Anyway, I'm done with going off plan until I get these lbs GONE! [/FONT]

Originally Posted by stuck in grad school (Post 2482110)

Yeah...the reward of the scale provides that instant gratification, but given the two, I'd rather be building muscle and losing on the scale slower. As long as you aren't doing so much that your body begins cannibalizing itself (the Tanita should tell you if you are), then it sounds like you are doing everything right to set yourself up to sustain your weight loss. I'd like to be strong and slender, not just slender.

I've been trying to recruit a local C25K partner, but I'm getting a lot of cold shoulders. Guess I'll have to go it solo...I bought a new pair of running shoes a week or so ago and left them in the present closet at my parents' house when I was home last week...hoping my mother remembers who wears the 10s in the fam. ;)

Do you have any favorite yoga videos? I think I might get tired of the only one I've got before my yoga class resumes in January.