Originally Posted by namaste:
Congratulations! German chocolate cake is my birthday cake as well, and for my birthday this year we had it as my request (It's the tradition you know). I didn't have any, I just actually really enjoyed my family enjoying it. I saved a small piece and froze it.... and sometime after I get through this part of my journey, I'll have it.

That is so cool that you saved yourself some of your own birthday cake. I wish I would have thought of that. I just skipped the cake all together and had my birthday dinner with a friend. The company was far more important than the food. (Did I say that?)

I went to WI this morning and am 0.5 from the 50 pound board. I should have signed it a couple of weeks ago, but I have been on my own version of MRC and plateaued as a result for a couple of weeks. I am back on actual MRC now and lost 3.5 pounds since Monday...hmmm...water weight.

All of the holiday festivities are starting to get to me. I have had both lunch and dinner out for a number of consecutive days. It is really starting to wear on me. So far I am making mostly good choices.

It is great to see all of you doing so well!!

Originally Posted by dla:
That is so cool that you saved yourself some of your own birthday cake. I wish I would have thought of that. I just skipped the cake all together and had my birthday dinner with a friend. The company was far more important than the food. (Did I say that?)

I went to WI this morning and am 0.5 from the 50 pound board. I should have signed it a couple of weeks ago, but I have been on my own version of MRC and plateaued as a result for a couple of weeks. I am back on actual MRC now and lost 3.5 pounds since Monday...hmmm...water weight.

All of the holiday festivities are starting to get to me. I have had both lunch and dinner out for a number of consecutive days. It is really starting to wear on me. So far I am making mostly good choices.

It is great to see all of you doing so well!!

You know, last year I did skipped out of cake altogether.... which was fine, but this year, I wanted things a little different. And you are right, the company is FAR more important than the food. A good laugh, hugs, etc are just the best! I can't actually even remember what we made for dinner! I think just something basic, maybe the taco casserole? lol!

You'll be to the 50lb board really soon! Next WI!

Keep making those good choices, and remember that the food isn't worth it. You are! We are going to cheesecake factory for our team celebration tomorrow. And I plan to have a non cheesecake, DELIGHTFUL time! And once more.... it's just like you said; it's about the company... not the food.

Originally Posted by ShineOn:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! And welcome to ONEDERLAND!! It all gets better from here. Just remember the paper towel theory - as the roll gets smaller the lbs (ie paper towels wrap around more) make a bigger difference in how fast you shrink. You'll really start to see the sizes drop fast.

Shineon thanks for that reminder!! I hit Onderland this week also and was super excited but I hadn't thought about it making a bigger difference in my clothes. I started out a 20W and have only dropped to a 16W so far. I felt like I should have been moving faster through the sizes but the paper towel theory does make sense. I read it when I first joined MRC but I needed the reminder now that it applies to me! I'm really close to being a regular 16 and can't wait to be able to buy clothes everywhere and not just the specialty shops. Since nothing in my closet is smaller than a 16 I will have lots to buy :woohoo:

3MM: Congrats onpassing the half-way mark. I like your new picture! My top is bigger than my bottom, too. At this point, I am happy with my size medium shirts/sweaters and size small pants/skirts. So many of the clothes today aren't consistent with sizes, as I can wear a 10, 8, or 6 pant. I'm not as into the size on the label anymore, just on how it looks on me.

Oh my goodness I hope everything turns out ok, how scarry!
Yesterday I decided to try on some size 12s that have been hiding in my closet for about 6 or 7 years, and they actually fit! My arms are soooo sore today from weights yesterday. My closet is full of various sizes. I have size 24 all the way down to size 9. My Aunt bought me a really cute brown leather jacket two years ago, it was $200.00 jacket and I loved it but now it can almost wrap around me twice, not sure what to do with it now so I guess it will just hang there lol. We are getting a family Christmas picture made this year, this is a first, I have never allowed us to get a family portrait, and when I lose about 20 more (for my birthday) I am going to pamper myself and get all fixed up and have my sister do some sexy photos of me ;P of course I have the tools to edit them and airbrush them lol. Im looking forward to it though. I will be thinking about you and hoping it all turns out ok.

Welcome back Rocki!

Originally Posted by KeepinOnandOn:
Shineon thanks for that reminder!! I hit Onderland this week also and was super excited but I hadn't thought about it making a bigger difference in my clothes. I started out a 20W and have only dropped to a 16W so far. I felt like I should have been moving faster through the sizes but the paper towel theory does make sense. I read it when I first joined MRC but I needed the reminder now that it applies to me! I'm really close to being a regular 16 and can't wait to be able to buy clothes everywhere and not just the specialty shops. Since nothing in my closet is smaller than a 16 I will have lots to buy :woohoo:

I can't wait until I can shop in the "normal" sizes. The last time that happened though I was overwhelmed and freaked out. The paper towel theory makes sense, but is frustrating. I think I have lost from a 24W to a 20W or 18W. I'm not really sure because I have a tendency to wear my clothes hanging off of me these days. I can't even tell what "fits". Do any of you have a hard time letting go?

Originally Posted by dla:
I can't wait until I can shop in the "normal" sizes. The last time that happened though I was overwhelmed and freaked out. The paper towel theory makes sense, but is frustrating. I think I have lost from a 24W to a 20W or 18W. I'm not really sure because I have a tendency to wear my clothes hanging off of me these days. I can't even tell what "fits". Do any of you have a hard time letting go?

In the past, I've held on to all of my clothes, larger or smaller "just in case". This time I'm getting rid of the ones that are bigger as soon as they get too loose on me. I figure it will make it cost a little more if I start gaining weight again and maybe motivate me sooner to get back where I should be. What I've always done obviously didn't work for me so I'm trying something new! :)

That 50lb board will have your name on it at the next WI!! Great job!

Originally Posted by WooPigSooie:
Follow up to this post: I've lost 5 lbs in the past week! :carrot: By far my biggest loss. Maybe I've just busted through a plateau but I've really tried to stick to the plan and follow your suggestions re: more water, less frequent cottage cheese lunches, less cooking oil, etc. I also went a week without exercising but I hope that's just coincidence! OH, and I have also made sure to get my starch in at dinner, something I frequently skipped, and it's really helped keep the night hunger/munchies cravings at night. I've had a lot of fish lately too. So obviously I'm very excited about the big losses and I'm feeling recommited to following the plan as closely as I can.

Wow! 5lbs. in 1 week at your lower weight is pretty amazing!! I love those big drops!

Originally Posted by KeepinOnandOn:
Shineon thanks for that reminder!! I hit Onderland this week also and was super excited but I hadn't thought about it making a bigger difference in my clothes. I started out a 20W and have only dropped to a 16W so far. I felt like I should have been moving faster through the sizes but the paper towel theory does make sense. I read it when I first joined MRC but I needed the reminder now that it applies to me! I'm really close to being a regular 16 and can't wait to be able to buy clothes everywhere and not just the specialty shops. Since nothing in my closet is smaller than a 16 I will have lots to buy :woohoo:

I was so overwhelmed when I went into a regular store to shop. I left and it took about a month to get up the nerve to go back. I ended up buying suits in a size 14, but I was so frustrated. I didn't realize that there would be suits in several different places in the store based on style, designer, trendy verses conservative!! I just wanted a couple basic suits!! Ironically, the classic suits were behind the speciality dresses by the plus size section - buried way in a back corner!! I thought a size 14 was my ideal size. I'm actually wearing one of the suits today - after it was sized down by a tailor and wearing a sweater under the jacket. I would have never dreamed I'd be in a 8.

Originally Posted by dla:
I can't wait until I can shop in the "normal" sizes. The last time that happened though I was overwhelmed and freaked out. The paper towel theory makes sense, but is frustrating. I think I have lost from a 24W to a 20W or 18W. I'm not really sure because I have a tendency to wear my clothes hanging off of me these days. I can't even tell what "fits". Do any of you have a hard time letting go?

I started in a size 24W. And YES, I had a really hard time letting go. Over the years, I had built up a nice wardrope. I remember looking at the pile of clothes that I had purged from the closet, but were sitting in the corner of my room. They were bagged up and ready to go to the Goodwill. I just cried. Something about putting a couple $500 suits in a plastic bag just seemed way wrong. Isn't it crazy how much we have to pay for good quality clothing in the plus sizes. I would never spend that much now. "Normal" size clothes have much better sales. I can't believe all the things I've bought in a size 8. I bet I haven't spent $500 for the whole closet with all the sales I've been hitting. Anyway, letting go of the clothes actually helped me let go of the mental block that was holding me at a plateau. Releasing the clothing and embracing the new me was a break through. I used to hate shopping. I would go every 6 - 8 months and buy everything at once. An entire wardrope that color coded - anything that fit and looked decent I would get. Now, I can actually browse through a store, pick a few items I like and just leave with a few things. I don't have to worry about something decent not being available when I go back. And more importantly, just because several items will fit, I don't feel the need to purchase because the choices are so abundent now. Do I dare say shopping is fun now?? I don't know if I would go that far, but it's not a dreaded chore anymore. I know a lot more things will look good on me.

Originally Posted by KeepinOnandOn:
In the past, I've held on to all of my clothes, larger or smaller "just in case". This time I'm getting rid of the ones that are bigger as soon as they get too loose on me. I figure it will make it cost a little more if I start gaining weight again and maybe motivate me sooner to get back where I should be. What I've always done obviously didn't work for me so I'm trying something new!

I have to say that really helped keep me in check this time - I'd gotten rid of all my old clothes & I just refused to buy new ones when my clothes started getting a little tight or even unwearable. It's been nice being able to get back into them (not back into all of them yet, but most).

Originally Posted by KeepinOnandOn:
Shineon thanks for that reminder!! I hit Onderland this week also and was super excited but I hadn't thought about it making a bigger difference in my clothes. I started out a 20W and have only dropped to a 16W so far. I felt like I should have been moving faster through the sizes but the paper towel theory does make sense. I read it when I first joined MRC but I needed the reminder now that it applies to me! I'm really close to being a regular 16 and can't wait to be able to buy clothes everywhere and not just the specialty shops. Since nothing in my closet is smaller than a 16 I will have lots to buy :woohoo:

KeepinOnandOn: Congrats on entering ONEderland! :congrat:You deserve a shopping spree, but don't go overboard. I started out as a 16 and bought a bunch of stuff when I hit a 12, then quickly dropped to a 10 a week later so couldn't wear the 12s. Like many of the other posters, I've been getting rid of the things that no longer fit so that I don't have them as a crutch in case I start to gain.

Originally Posted by MrsPhibes:
Yes, they asked me if I wanted to go back on the green menu, and originally I did. Lost 1.5 pounds very easily but once you have added all the foods in on stabilization and are on maintenance you sort of learn what works and what doesn't . I found that milk and yogurt causes hunger in my case. As do a lot of carbs. I've been taking a really heavy duty spinning class 2x a week which seems to help now that I'm not riding outside very much.

Ron and I are going away this winter for a month to ski in Colorado. Although I'm going to try to eat healthy I know that the altitude effects your metabolism and last year when we were away there I was perfect on the green menu and only lost 1/2 pound in a week. I read that high altitude inhibits your ability to burn fat. So the MRC diet doesn't work in that instance. You need the carbs but they should be good carbs.

Gina, I don't think those 10 pounds are not from eating 35,000 extra calories. So just work at eating healthy and up the exercise; muscle weighs more and burns fat better. I've noticed my body is looking less flabby around the mid section where I lost a lot of my weight. So maybe things are evening out.

Good to see you back and glad that things worked out well for your dad.

Where are you guys skiing at? We are headed to Steamboat for a few days before Christmas! I can hardly wait to ski this year being 35 lbs lighter.

Curious when you exercise that much if you added calories to your diet? I guess I'll ask the counselors next time I'm in. It just seems that when you are exercising for most of the day when they recommend no more than 30 minutes of hard exercise that it could play with your body.

Maybe the altitude is the reason I gained so much weight and have had a hard time losing it here! HAHA Guess after 19 years though my body should have acclimated.

Have fun the snow should be awesome!
Tina

Originally Posted by lv2ski2004:
Where are you guys skiing at? We are headed to Steamboat for a few days before Christmas! I can hardly wait to ski this year being 35 lbs lighter.

Curious when you exercise that much if you added calories to your diet? I guess I'll ask the counselors next time I'm in. It just seems that when you are exercising for most of the day when they recommend no more than 30 minutes of hard exercise that it could play with your body.

Maybe the altitude is the reason I gained so much weight and have had a hard time losing it here! HAHA Guess after 19 years though my body should have acclimated.

Have fun the snow should be awesome!
Tina

We're going to Vail. We bought the Epic season pass this year, and, since my DH retired are going to rent an apartment in Minturn (between Vail and Beaver Creek) for the month of January. If you find yourself out in that area during that time let me know and we can ski together.

Last year I bonked skiing in the afternoon. Had to stop and eat more (used a MRB) since I was shaking and weak. So that's your body's way of telling you, "hey I need more calories!!!"

I too am looking forward to skiing in my lighter body. It certainly made biking and hill climbing easier.

Originally Posted by KeepinOnandOn:
I hit Onderland this week also and was super excited but I hadn't thought about it making a bigger difference in my clothes.

Congratulations! Just wait...it gets even better!

Originally Posted by dla:
I can't wait until I can shop in the "normal" sizes. The last time that happened though I was overwhelmed and freaked out. The paper towel theory makes sense, but is frustrating. I think I have lost from a 24W to a 20W or 18W. I'm not really sure because I have a tendency to wear my clothes hanging off of me these days. I can't even tell what "fits". Do any of you have a hard time letting go?

YES. I cleaned out my closet several months ago, and the clothes sat boxed up in a chair in my bedroom for at least two months before I moved them to my living room for at least another month. Last week I moved them to the trunk of my car, and I've asked one of my friends to go with me for moral support so that I can unload them. There's some good stuff in there--nothing great--but I think I feel wasteful for not using them up, if that makes sense. And, if I were being really honest with myself, I probably am worried on a subconscious level that I'll need them again. It's ridiculous, though. I wasn't happy when I wore those clothes, and I definitely don't have room for them.

Originally Posted by MrsPhibes:
We're going to Vail. We bought the Epic season pass this year, and, since my DH retired are going to rent an apartment in Minturn (between Vail and Beaver Creek) for the month of January. If you find yourself out in that area during that time let me know and we can ski together.

Last year I bonked skiing in the afternoon. Had to stop and eat more (used a MRB) since I was shaking and weak. So that's your body's way of telling you, "hey I need more calories!!!"

I too am looking forward to skiing in my lighter body. It certainly made biking and hill climbing easier.

If we end up in that area in Jan I'll let you know! We did the Copper Winterpark for the last couple of years! I've truly wondered about the food issue. I figured a cheese stick might be good for that in the afternoon! Guess we'll see what happens. I know that even by the time I get done Spinning in the am I'm famished. If I could make myself drink an HNS b-4 it might help!

TIna