I cannot believe how fast you are losing! You've lost an amazing amount in a short time so don't stress over a plateau. I don't always see a big loss from MQ but I really like doing it. I love the shakes and bars and it's nice to take a break from food prep for a few days. Can't wait to hear how your measurements go--I predict huge numbers for you!

well i went in for my food class tonight and the other two ladies got the yellow menu and me and the only man in the class got the beige menu.... to start with...? i was down 3 more from tuesday's WI so i'm down like 6 lbs since i started preconditioning. i asked about the newmans dressing and they said yes that's fine... i bought the double choc pudding for my creamy to go with the hot cocoa ones i got from my friend and then the wild passion and strawberry kiwi and orange and the gello.... strawberry banana or something... i'm SO stoked i wanna start like TONIGHT just so i can try one of my drinks!! i'm like a kid when i get new stuff i HAVE to open it. this stuff is just TO expensive for that. she told us to keep on preconditioning till monday though which will stretch my drinks further through the six weeks.

so anyone have a clue why they'd start me on the beige menu rather than what the other women started on?

Your menu depends on your current weight. Beige until you get to 200, then green (not much difference except your protein portions drop).

I have 1/2 bottle of MRCs internal cleanser if anyone in northern Colorado wants to come by and get it (I can't use it), let me know.

my friend was at 230 or so when she started this program a couple years ago and she started on the yellow menu. she showed me all her paperwork to convince me to join....

I started out on a white menu at 266, then at around 250 moved to beige. They said I would move to another menu around the 200 pound mark

This has been a tough week for me. I have been sick all week and taking medication which makes me retain water. I still feel really yucky, but finally this morning I am back to the weight that I was last Saturday. I didn't get much exercise in, because with this horrible sinus/cold thing I can't really breathe.

I started on the white menu, too. I haven't even made it to beige yet, but I'm getting closer.

Looks like everyone is doing great this week!

I cheated :(
 

I am new to this site but have gained so much knowledge thru reading these posts!

My Question: I have been on MRC since Nov 9 '08 and have lost 20 pds. I started at 188, I should have lost more except I 'cheated' at Christmas by having 5 cookies and the first week of Jan I had a bite of pizza and 6 almond kisses. I gained a 1/2 pd, will I get back on a normal weight loss soon or should I do something different to jump start it.

I know being 40 isn't making weight loss move any faster, but I feel that little bit of cheating has slowed things down. Looking for some advice from the more experienced folks. You guys are a true inspiration!

Good Morning All-

This morning was day 8, and I was down 7.8 pounds! They also moved me (early) to the green menu, but I am not complaining.

Also, I wanted to tell you that I tried Meemo's version of the HNS's with Crystal Lite and egg whites, and I liked it. I think that it is the grossest thing that I have ever heard of, but it did not taste bad. To help save money, I am planning on drinking these when I am home (twice a day) and the ones from MRC when I am out (twice a day). I hope this helps someone.

Later,
Jeanne in Jax

Jeanne, glad you liked it. The other thing you can do with that 1/2 cup of egg whites for breakfast (or even lunch) is to scramble them up with a whole egg. Makes a nice big pile of scrambled eggs and gets in that extra protein equal to an HNS. ;)

Rumor-
When I have a cheat or something Off program my counselors tell me it will take 3 days of being OP to get back into fat burning mode. You know your body and mind best of all whether or not you can have a few cheats along the way or not! Alot of people can't! I did pretty good with allowing myself some! Can't say they were always the wisest choices but I would bet back on track the next day! Sometimes there is just nothing you can do about what you are being served. I always up the HNS that day and try to take fat and carb pills that meal.

Good luck and your body will get back on track!

Rumor, first of all :welcome:

I'm one who did a good bit of "cheating" the first time around (even more the second which is why I've struggled so much this time around). I also know my personality - as soon as I tell myself I "can't" or "won't" eat something, I start obsessing over it. So I allowed myself those occasional off-program choices, which helped me stay on-program the majority of the time. Yes, an off-plan choice will slow things down, but as long as you limit it to an occasional meal here & there, it will just be water weight you pick up from the extra sugar and/or starch you're taking in.

You have to know yourself, though - some people can have the occasional off-plan meal and get right back on the wagon. Others find it sends them into a spiral of off-plan eating and have a hard time getting back on track. If you're the latter, it's better to just stay "on the wagon".

Now - let's be realistic here. You've lost 20 lbs in 2 months. That's amazing anytime! But you - YOU did it over the holidays, when the average person is GAINING weight! Let's hear a little :woohoo: from you for that one!!!

Great job!

I love your NSV's - the t-shirt sizes have really been the best visual for me. I got rid of all my old clothes, but still have the t-shirts. I'll look in the closet and pull one that I remembered being tight and it will hang on me! How fun to get into the Mediums!!

Remember your plateau sheet - it's a good sign! Your fat cells are collapsing, then filling with water - you're just about ready for a good fat flush. I hit my first little one last wi and then lost another 3 lbs at my wi this morning. Just keep following the plan - your body rarely loses evenly, but you can keep your eating and exercise level. It will all catch up eventually. I've personally never done the Meta-Quick, so I can't weigh in on that one.

You can't change anything in the past - you can just control what you do in the future. Remember, this is a chemical balance diet, so if you go off plan too much, you're simply losing through the low calorie part - which is better than nothing. But the longer you can stay on the plan without "cheats" the quicker you will lose because you will stay in the fat burning mode. I do agree with Meemo (and I've done plenty of off plan eating myself). If you do have a meal off-plan, make it a conscious decision. Enjoy it and get right back on. If that meal will lead you to spiral eating or lots of BLTS (bites, licks, tastes and sips), don't do it!! Know your personality and your body. A lot of MRC is self-awareness training too.

I totally forgot to answer your question - your "cheats" were pretty minor, it usually takes about 3 days to get rid of the water weight & see the scale move again. Of course there are also those pesky plateaus that sneak up on us from time to time, but stick with the plan & the scale will start moving again soon.

Way To Go!
 

Great Job Jeanne in Jax! You made it to the green menu and lost 7.8! I go tomorrow to see how I did and to also move. Keep up the great work. I'll let you know how I did!

I cheated
 

Thanks everyone. I am down 1/2 pd...better than gaining right? lol I have began walking and running and that seems to help. To be honest, I am the nibbler, taster, bitter, licker. **sigh** I am still losing just very, very slowly. So common sense tells me to stop doing that.

Oh more question...my husband is on this diet as well and in the last 3-4 weeks he is very hungry at night and still hungry after dinner. My center was pretty useless in telling me what he could do. The most they said was eat protein at breakfast like chicken, fish or tuna. Blaugh! Does anyone have any suggestions?? Has anyone gone through this too? My husband has lost 30 pds since 11/08 and I am afraid if he continues this eatting at night he will just give up. He is still losing but it has slowed down.

Thanks!