Originally Posted by nepeanut:
I will be traveling for work in November, so, I would be interested in hearing any tips that MRC lives you. I will ask when my trip is a little closer. I'm all for taking my own dressing and eating salads, but, am a little worried about lunches they may have catered in during the day. I guess I will just do the best I can.

same here! i will be in meetings all day, and lunches will be catered... My center told me:

When eating out:
- ask for 8 oz servings size of fish/chicken and make sure they are 'plain'
- ask for a full or double serving of veggies and try to stay away from carrots and onions
- Take your HNS with you

i dont have a problem with staying away from dressing ( not a big dressing fan anyway), but what i do have problem with is resisting when there are all kinds of cookies and other nice things on the table of a catered lunch/dinner. At home you have full control over what type of things you bring into your house, when you are out and its all there, its just so hard to resist for me.
One thing that i was told to try was this: Try to go 1.5x your usual water intake. Meaning: currently i am doing 96 oz a day, so i'd have to go to: 144 oz, which means 18 glasses instead of the 12 i am doing now. This cuts down your cravings. Thats gonna be a challenge, but i think i am gonna try to stick with it.

for October i am hoping to loose 10-13lbs! im going to work super hard this month on staying op... had a melt down yesterday at my nephews b-day party and then ate a small pc of cake :( i can't believe i freakin did that! ugh! im so disappointed in myself for doing that.... but now that i got it out of my system i am good to go and hope i do not have anymore set backs.... WE CAN ALL DO THIS!!!

Originally Posted by reuselady:
I just tried to create an October Challenge tracker on 3FCs Edit Signature page.
I went into UserCP, clicked on Edit Signature, Clicked on my current tracker which brought up the fields to create a new tracker. When I was done, I copied the bbCode url and got back to my update signature page. I typed October Goal in after my overall tracker and then pasted the new url in after that. I think I'm going to go back and put the October goal first and fancy up the words.

OK, I got it how I like it. I've been at or slightly above 139.5 since 14 September so my October goal is to finally GET TO GOAL! I also posted some pictures in my profile - from vacation 2004, from signing the 10 lb Board on 23 June and big one of me and two of my sisters from last weekend. Our youngest sister could not be with us but she was always the skinny one, the fashion model, and we were pudgy, especially me, I was the tallest and felt clumsy, dumpy and fat compared to my little sisters - NOT ANY MORE! Any these two have been losing and exercising - going to curves in Charleston, SC and I still felt I could hold my own with them! NSV for sure!
(now to update my avatar . . .)

Wow Jeanette, you look great!! You are so close to goal, I know your gonna make it this month... keep up the great work and you'll get there, CONGRATS!!

Thanks Karen, TeresaG and Mountain Gal,
I guess I had been avoiding the camera because I couldn't find any really good examples of how I used to feel. I'm just so glad I feel very happy with the way I look today and so grateful to have found MRC and you guys - this forum. I am spreading the word - it is so sad to see so many overweight people. Good luck to everyone on their October Challenges! jeanette

Originally Posted by nabeelmalik:
same here! i will be in meetings all day, and lunches will be catered... My center told me:

When eating out:
- ask for 8 oz servings size of fish/chicken and make sure they are 'plain'
- ask for a full or double serving of veggies and try to stay away from carrots and onions
- Take your HNS with you

i dont have a problem with staying away from dressing ( not a big dressing fan anyway), but what i do have problem with is resisting when there are all kinds of cookies and other nice things on the table of a catered lunch/dinner. At home you have full control over what type of things you bring into your house, when you are out and its all there, its just so hard to resist for me.
One thing that i was told to try was this: Try to go 1.5x your usual water intake. Meaning: currently i am doing 96 oz a day, so i'd have to go to: 144 oz, which means 18 glasses instead of the 12 i am doing now. This cuts down your cravings. Thats gonna be a challenge, but i think i am gonna try to stick with it.

Nabeel, your center has good suggestions. I took going out as a challenge, much to my son's embarrassment! At Taco Bell, I asked at the counter how I could get 4 oz protein 8 oz vegetables - we came up with 2 chicken burritos supremes, hold the sour cream, hold the rice, and put everything on 1/2 tortilla and throw away the other 1 1/2 tortillas. I think you need more protein than I did so you might have to get 3. I bought a digital scale at Harbour Freight (about $20 - I think it is a mailing scale). It uses batteries and is flat so I put it in my briefcase or oversize purse. At first I was taking it in restaurants with me, weighing my plate, eating my salad then weighing my plate again to see how many ounces of salad I had eaten and therefore much cooked veggies I could eat to get the full amount of veggies I was allotted for that meal.

At Subway I got the grilled chicken salad with extra piece of grilled chicken.
You do have to be creative and have a sense of humor - at the catered lunches, ask anyone who appears not to want to eat their tomato or other vegetables, to share with you (or see if you can have two lunches and give the soft drink, chips and snack to someone else). I refill and chill 12 oz bottles of water almost frozen and use them to keep my little insulated lunch box cold. You could bring cherry tomatoes, and a peeled and sliced cucumber in a ziplock bag with your extra water to supplement the meager vegetables the catered lunches will have. Get a scale and use it in your room so you know how much you are taking with you.

Explain to other people when they ask you what and why, tell them how much you have lost and how dedicated you are to this program. Take the cards from your MRC center, put "Referred by (your name and location)" on the back and give them to people who are really interested. You should be proud - you are doing something for yourself, that is good for your health.

At fine restaurants, have shrimp and asparagus! or steak and broccoli - especially if you are on per diem or someone else is paying for it. You might not always be right on program but if you can stay full of the correct things and your HNSs, you will be better able to resist anything with sugar! That is what will hurt - if you eat sweets, you will then crave them and it will be that much harder to resist. Just make it a rule with yourself, not to eat anything that might have sugar in it (shrimp cocktail sauce and balsamic vinaigrette were what got me on vacation and for the first time I have cravings - after 2 months on program without any cravings). Don't worry about indulging / splurging on things that are on your menu, even if maybe have butter on them. Take Fat and Carb Blockers before these kind of meals.

Nabeel, Have a great time in Chicago! And Nepeanut, have a great time on your business trip. You both have a special kind of challenge this month but it is possible to succeed and come back with little or no weight gain. Good Luck, jeanette

Well, I missed my September goal by 5 lbs. I lost a total of 9 lbs in September and I'm not happy with that. I did, however, kick butt in the inches department, losing a total of 11 inches. After 68 days, I'm down 24 lbs and 25.25 inches. I really fear not making my goal by the intended date (50 lbs. by the Monday before Thanksgiving), but I can't stress over that.

So how stupid am I? I worry about not making goal and I'm frustrated over a dismal September, so there's only one thing to do -- attend a beer and food tasting on October 1st! DUH!!!! Well, I've learned my lesson and spent a good share of today staring at the tile floor in the restroom at work!

Therefore, here are my October goals:

1. Down 10 lbs;
2. Try my darndest to stay 100% OP;
3. Be a good, new mom to the rescue dog I am adopting Saturday morning! (Oscar the Dachshund will fill an enormous void in my life and I can't wait for us to become pals!)
4. Get rid of these baggy pants before I become a REAL embarrassment to myself!

Good luck to everyone and let's hope October is the month of losses!

-- JJ

Originally Posted by Phat not Fat:
Therefore, here are my October goals:

1. Down 10 lbs;
2. Try my darndest to stay 100% OP;
3. Be a good, new mom to the rescue dog I am adopting Saturday morning! (Oscar the Dachshund will fill an enormous void in my life and I can't wait for us to become pals!)
4. Get rid of these baggy pants before I become a REAL embarrassment to myself!

Good luck to everyone and let's hope October is the month of losses!

-- JJ

awww congrats on getting ur new doggie today! how sweet! n all the best 4 the october goals :) njoy ur weeeknd with the lil one :hug:

Originally Posted by kccross:
http://www.tickerfactory.com

Make your ticker, then once finished you will get a code (you want the bbCode one). Copy the code then paste it in your signature. To change it as you lose just double click on the ticker and it will take you right to your ticker. All you need to do is put in your pin and click Update Weight!

Good luck!

THANK YOU for the help kccross! :hug: I am going to go for 12lbs this month! Can't wait to hit that goal!

[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/waFn06c/]
http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt...06c/weight.png

Originally Posted by reuselady:
Nabeel, your center has good suggestions. I took going out as a challenge, much to my son's embarrassment! At Taco Bell, I asked at the counter how I could get 4 oz protein 8 oz vegetables - we came up with 2 chicken burritos supremes, hold the sour cream, hold the rice, and put everything on 1/2 tortilla and throw away the other 1 1/2 tortillas. I think you need more protein than I did so you might have to get 3. I bought a digital scale at Harbour Freight (about $20 - I think it is a mailing scale). It uses batteries and is flat so I put it in my briefcase or oversize purse. At first I was taking it in restaurants with me, weighing my plate, eating my salad then weighing my plate again to see how many ounces of salad I had eaten and therefore much cooked veggies I could eat to get the full amount of veggies I was allotted for that meal.

At Subway I got the grilled chicken salad with extra piece of grilled chicken.
You do have to be creative and have a sense of humor - at the catered lunches, ask anyone who appears not to want to eat their tomato or other vegetables, to share with you (or see if you can have two lunches and give the soft drink, chips and snack to someone else). I refill and chill 12 oz bottles of water almost frozen and use them to keep my little insulated lunch box cold. You could bring cherry tomatoes, and a peeled and sliced cucumber in a ziplock bag with your extra water to supplement the meager vegetables the catered lunches will have. Get a scale and use it in your room so you know how much you are taking with you.

Explain to other people when they ask you what and why, tell them how much you have lost and how dedicated you are to this program. Take the cards from your MRC center, put "Referred by (your name and location)" on the back and give them to people who are really interested. You should be proud - you are doing something for yourself, that is good for your health.

At fine restaurants, have shrimp and asparagus! or steak and broccoli - especially if you are on per diem or someone else is paying for it. You might not always be right on program but if you can stay full of the correct things and your HNSs, you will be better able to resist anything with sugar! That is what will hurt - if you eat sweets, you will then crave them and it will be that much harder to resist. Just make it a rule with yourself, not to eat anything that might have sugar in it (shrimp cocktail sauce and balsamic vinaigrette were what got me on vacation and for the first time I have cravings - after 2 months on program without any cravings). Don't worry about indulging / splurging on things that are on your menu, even if maybe have butter on them. Take Fat and Carb Blockers before these kind of meals.

Nabeel, Have a great time in Chicago! And Nepeanut, have a great time on your business trip. You both have a special kind of challenge this month but it is possible to succeed and come back with little or no weight gain. Good Luck, jeanette

Thank you so much!! Well i am kicking off my chicago trip with a Chicago Bears game tomorrow morning at Soldier Field! :), ehum i can safely say, that its gonna be the hardest day to stay OP :)

I want to lose 12 pounds in October. My goal is January 4th, so I would like to lose at least 12 pounds a month to make it closer to my goal before they put me on maintenance.

Originally Posted by reuselady:
Nabeel, your center has good suggestions. I took going out as a challenge, much to my son's embarrassment! At Taco Bell, I asked at the counter how I could get 4 oz protein 8 oz vegetables - we came up with 2 chicken burritos supremes, hold the sour cream, hold the rice, and put everything on 1/2 tortilla and throw away the other 1 1/2 tortillas. I think you need more protein than I did so you might have to get 3. I bought a digital scale at Harbour Freight (about $20 - I think it is a mailing scale). It uses batteries and is flat so I put it in my briefcase or oversize purse. At first I was taking it in restaurants with me, weighing my plate, eating my salad then weighing my plate again to see how many ounces of salad I had eaten and therefore much cooked veggies I could eat to get the full amount of veggies I was allotted for that meal.

At Subway I got the grilled chicken salad with extra piece of grilled chicken.
You do have to be creative and have a sense of humor - at the catered lunches, ask anyone who appears not to want to eat their tomato or other vegetables, to share with you (or see if you can have two lunches and give the soft drink, chips and snack to someone else). I refill and chill 12 oz bottles of water almost frozen and use them to keep my little insulated lunch box cold. You could bring cherry tomatoes, and a peeled and sliced cucumber in a ziplock bag with your extra water to supplement the meager vegetables the catered lunches will have. Get a scale and use it in your room so you know how much you are taking with you.

Explain to other people when they ask you what and why, tell them how much you have lost and how dedicated you are to this program. Take the cards from your MRC center, put "Referred by (your name and location)" on the back and give them to people who are really interested. You should be proud - you are doing something for yourself, that is good for your health.

At fine restaurants, have shrimp and asparagus! or steak and broccoli - especially if you are on per diem or someone else is paying for it. You might not always be right on program but if you can stay full of the correct things and your HNSs, you will be better able to resist anything with sugar! That is what will hurt - if you eat sweets, you will then crave them and it will be that much harder to resist. Just make it a rule with yourself, not to eat anything that might have sugar in it (shrimp cocktail sauce and balsamic vinaigrette were what got me on vacation and for the first time I have cravings - after 2 months on program without any cravings). Don't worry about indulging / splurging on things that are on your menu, even if maybe have butter on them. Take Fat and Carb Blockers before these kind of meals.

Nabeel, Have a great time in Chicago! And Nepeanut, have a great time on your business trip. You both have a special kind of challenge this month but it is possible to succeed and come back with little or no weight gain. Good Luck, jeanette

Thank you for the wonderful tips!

Went to WI yesterday and still 150. UGH!!! I am so tired of seeing that number. I have been doing great on my water though. I was sick last week but am feeling better so I am going to try and get into the gym tonight. I am also considering Meta Quick for a week.

Has anyone done it and what was your experience?

Well I'm fairly new to posting but have been reading along prior to joining the program and have found the forum very helpful along the way. As people always recommend writing your goals down, here it goes...would like to drop below 200 by the end of the month - 11 lbs to go in 3 1/2 weeks. Hopefully having something on paper, on purpose will help push me forward and increase my weekly average. I have been able to lose over 30 lbs since starting MRC and I'm pleased to see the program working for so many people, it's encouraging.

Has anyone had good luck using the enhancer? My plan was to go without the additional pills but would love some feedback from you. Thanks!

Out Of Control AGAIN
 

I've gained 8 pounds since Oct 1. My lower back is killing me!

I have always had eating issues, but I suppose I just ignored them or didn't realize the extent. Now I see what I'm doing and I feel so stupid cause I feel helpless.

Dominos, Hersheys, coke.... there are like drugs to me. Just keep shoving it in my mouth. At the time I am eating it I'm telling myself 'this is so good, I'm going through alot - I deserve a treat, who cares if I'm fat...".

Then I hate myself after and wish I could throw up. The center has called twice for me to come in but I am so ashamed. My lower back is hating me and I can barely move anyway. All that weight is just sitting in my gut pulling on my back.

WHY am I doing this to myself? I know I'm not alone. How have any of you gotten past this? Is it sheer will power?

Sometimes I swear I need an electric shock collar that shocks the mess out of me if I start to salivate. To extreme? Maybe. :?:

Just read this article and it sort of made me feel better - thought I'd share. I'm not perfect - and that's ok.
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...cles.asp?id=84

Originally Posted by kccross:
I've gained 8 pounds since Oct 1. My lower back is killing me!

I have always had eating issues, but I suppose I just ignored them or didn't realize the extent. Now I see what I'm doing and I feel so stupid cause I feel helpless.

Dominos, Hersheys, coke.... there are like drugs to me. Just keep shoving it in my mouth. At the time I am eating it I'm telling myself 'this is so good, I'm going through alot - I deserve a treat, who cares if I'm fat...".

Then I hate myself after and wish I could throw up. The center has called twice for me to come in but I am so ashamed. My lower back is hating me and I can barely move anyway. All that weight is just sitting in my gut pulling on my back.

WHY am I doing this to myself? I know I'm not alone. How have any of you gotten past this? Is it sheer will power?

Sometimes I swear I need an electric shock collar that shocks the mess out of me if I start to salivate. To extreme? Maybe. :?:

Just read this article and it sort of made me feel better - thought I'd share. I'm not perfect - and that's ok.
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...cles.asp?id=84

Kathy, I just want to hug you, take you in my arms and let you cry and hug you until you start to feel better. I'm reading the article you mentioned. It says "Guilt can be debilitating to your healthy habits." You say you are too ashamed to go into your MRCenter but that is what you paid them for - so you can go in and have them help you figure out strategies to overcome this problem. Is there one person there you feel most comfortable with, who you feel is sympathetic to you personally, who you will not feel is judging you? That is the one you need to make an appointment with and go in and talk with each time.

Does your center have the Connections Classes? If so, definitely go to them. Do you have insurance that will pay for counseling? The two women who did our Connections Classes also do private counseling and I think you may need the extra help. They recommended a couple of books but with little children (I can't remember, but I think you have 2 small ones) trying to do 'self-counseling' with a book may be too much. It would be easier talking it out with someone who is familiar with eating disorders and with MRC.

You said you have have always had eating issues; consider MRC the beginning of your Adult Education class that may last the rest of your life. Get 3 or 4 one or two inch 3 ring binders and a hole punch. Save everything the center gives you - your menu sheets, recipes, the papers on water and plateaus - get a pack of the dividers sheets so you can label each section. If you get the 1" binders, it will be easier to carry one around with you. Keep your food diary right there on the kitchen counter. Get a neat pen and attach it with a ribbon to the binder so you can jot things down (like how you feel) at anytime. Tell your children this is your homework and you need to do this for your MRC Class (or come up with a name for your special lifelong school - make it a positive name!) This will be a good example for your children as well as help get them on board helping you.

You are a beautiful woman - I am so sorry for the hard knocks life has thrown at you but they have helped make you the strong person you are. Now you need to use that strength to help yourself get healthier so you can be there for yourself and your children. Take it one day, even one meal, one moment at a time. Don't worry about what you did yesterday, this morning, two minutes ago. That is past. What can you do this minute? Stay with us - let us know who you are doing. We care, Kathy.:hug:

jeanette