9 pounds to stabilization
 

Anyone else in similar position and want to team up for this leg of the trip? I hear it can be challenging and a bit anxious to BE THERE!

8.5 for me too! I am ready, excited, and nervous all at the same time!

Looks like I have about 8 to go as well. We can do this ladies!

Cheers!

Ronnie

I just started so I am not close to 8-9 pounds from goal, but I just wanted to take a moment and wish you the best, I know you can do it! Just reading that you are that close is so motivating to me, so thanks for that! I can do this and so can you all!

WI tomorrow. I'm trying to kick up the exercise a little more this week, as I haven't consistenly done this throughout program. So this week I went to my zumba class twice (total of 120 minutes so far). Not sure if I'll get there any more this week dur to schedule. How about you all--what's a little something you're going to try and do differently to make things budge on the scale?

Welcome and I must tell you the HARDEST part for me was just getting started. It hasn't come off as fast as I would have liked (human nature) but perseverence does pay off. Just one day at a time and again, in my opinion you're at the hardest part so give yourself a pat on the back.:carrot:

Thanks for the positive reinforcement! I feel like I am doing really well and just keep counting down the days...I just want to make it to Day 11! That is the mini-goal I set for myself.

But what is hard is that Day 11 is Christmas Eve and that is when we always have our family Christmas....I am just hoping to get through that day! My mom has offered to make whatever I can eat, but at this point I don't have my green menu so I don't know what to tell her. If anyone has some ideas for me that would be great. It will be the dinner meal I need ideas for (meat-slim).

My center just gave a handout on this and since you'll be at day 11 I would think all of this would apply to you.
Breakfast Clear Supplement and Breakfast Casserols (page 18 cookbook ) or 1 serving protein group 1 or 3
Lunch 4-6 oz turkey breast, 1 serving cooked vegetables (ideas--p. 160 green bean casserole or trick potatoes p. 159, or roasted asparagus-pg. 169 or savory cabbage p. 157), 8 oz salad or green bean & cherry tomato salad (let me know if you want recipe for this), 1/4 cup dressing--sage and savory dressing (let me know if you want recipe for this), 1/4 cranberry sauce or relish, dessert--choose 1 from (baked apples p. 176, apple celery salad, p. 185, fruit compote, p. 183 or peach cobbler p. 188)
Dinner4 oz turkey or other group 3 protein and 4 oz cooked or 8 oz raw veggies
eveningclear supplement

I'm right there with you all! The last 10 are sometimes the hardest. Especially now. I keep trying to convince myself that its ok to go Off plan because I'm so close and have less ground to cover now... and with all those holiday treats all around... GEEZ! I think I'm worse now than when I started! I tell ya, it's been tough!

You are describing me to a T! I seem to be able to convince myself of anything... I can go wok off that chocolate, this is the last bite, a liitle won't hurt me, etc, etc, etc. UGH!

Frustrated....at WI I gained a pound. I had exercised twice (120' zumba)since last weigh in, had gone out to eat once but had made good choices.....I drink plenty of water.....for those of you who have been at this last 10 pounds for awhile.....counseling please! Center told me that this is a point where weight can jump up and down some...that body really tries to hold on. Stomach fat still needs to go more and it's been there a long time....how do I break through?

Checking in on those of you on this journey with me....tomorrow WI. I've kept on program even though was frustrated at gaining a pound....haven't exercised since the last WI.....time will tell tomorrow!

Hang in there porchmom. My weight seemed to stall as I inched closer to the 10 pounds to go mark. Sounds like you've been exercising and that's great. I didn't exercise for most of my program b/c I lost without having to, not to mention that I hate exercise. I had to start using the treadmill as I got closer to the end of this journey. It really has helped me and I've been dropping 2 or 1.5 a week since I started. 6.5 to go. Gonna plan on maintaining through the holidays...no weight loss planned for me until I have some good meals with my family. Also, I have a birthday to enjoy two days after Christmas. I told my center my plans and that I would not eat off plan every day of my vacation, but only on holidays. My consultant said she wouldn't try to talk me out of it since I'm so close to the end...I'll bet they'll still call me several times to "check on me". Sometimes I get tickled when I think of what they must be imagining...me out of control, eating everything in my path. LOL

this sounds like me, I just want to maintain until after the holidays. I'm
managing this well, as well as enjoying a little freedom with no weight gain.
I have been faithful to exercise. I think that has keep me from not gaining.
Goose - I did what you did, and my center totally understands my decision.
I will be back OP after the holidays and on my way to stablization. what a way to start the New Year!
Merry Christmas to everyone!
magnoliagirl

Sounds like you've got good realistic plans. At WI today I was down the pound I'd gained...so again....9 pounds to go:) I'll go to Zumba class tonight for 60 minutes. Just out of curiosity--how much treadmill time did you put in for things to kick in and was it a manual treadmill or electric? My tummy fat has been here SO LONG I think it's going to be stubborn--I'm trying to think positively but am a bit nervous (as I'm sure you can tell). I'm just so looking forward to stabilization at this pointl I did buy the fat and carb blocker today to use over holidays (when I too will go off program for a few days). Anyone used that with success??? I hated spending more money but did....

One of the counselors at my center said the only thing she really recommended "off record" was flex, B6, B12 and guggul.

Porchmom - the treadmill really helped me. I do 20 minutes in the am and
20 minutes in the evening. Make sure you get your heart rate up. You can
go on line and see what your heart rate should be for your age. I did not opt
for the fat and carb blocker. So close to stablization wanted to finish off
without adding another supplement.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas,
magnoliagirl

Good job on the 1 lb. loss! Honestly, I only spend 90 mins a week on the treadmill (electric). Of course, I wasn't exercising at all so I guess a little is better than nothing! LOL As far as belly fat, mine really has just started to pop off. I lost about 20 inches since my last tanita/measurements and it was really in my problem areas: belly, thighs, butt. Oh yeah...and boobs. They are just sad at this point. However I guess we can't lose in just the areas we want, huh?! I've never done the fat/carb blocker. Let me know how it works for you!

Looking at your weight ticker....you've done AWESOME!!! 6 more pounds! YEA! I look forward to the "pop off" of the belly fat...that is a great description. It's not popping yet....although some is coming.....seems like the fat is coming from the top down which is weird:) I ALMOST blew it today. A client brought in Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake and it looked SO TOTALLY GOOD....I thought...I have the carb blocker in my purse.....but I didn't do it.

Do you do 40 minutes every day? That's awesome. Electric treadmill? My heart rate gets up in zumba so I know I'm good there.

I understand about not wanting to add another supplement. I had really mixed feelings myself.

Thanks. What's flex?

Sorry Flax

treadmill
 

Yes I have an electric treadmill, it is easier for me to break into two 20 minute
workouts a day. I could not do 40 minutes at one time.
Let me know about the carb blocker, almost bought today, but passed
due to the money. Her sales pitch really sounded good, she said people
still use it during maintenance if they know they are going to be eating a
high fat meal. I haven't been OP all week, not too bad, had a few cookies.
and went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch and had about 3 bites of cheesecake and gave the rest away. Sure was good! Glad you had more
self control on your cheesecake. I have 6 lbs to go before stablization. Which I will do after the 1st. Can wait to start maintenance to see how well I do.

Merry Christmas and Happy New - New Year for all of us!
MAGNOLIAGIRL :carrot:

Let's do this! I have 12 lbs to go... we can do it!!!

Just a quick update. I did HORRIBLE over Christmas...and I'd planned to go off program but I REALLY went off program. So....at last WI I was down 23 pounds....heading towards 30 and I'll do WI tomorrow and just have to say day by day.....I am back on program today. I'm sure the sodium in and of itself will spike me up quite a bit....scary.

I have been eating terribly myself. And I haven't weighed yet...I'm too scared. Good luck tomorrow!

I'm back...doing a shout out for others who want to walk though these last pounds together to stabilization......Quick summary of my entries on this thread.....went up and down during the holidays.....glad that's over and hope to keep going DOWN......

:DI'm still in it to win it! I won't be sure until I weigh in Saturday regarding how badly my holiday food fest affected my progress. I am weighing every day and it's not dropping like it should. Hoping for a big drop at once.:D

I too struggled over the holidays... since HALLOWEEN!!! I finally feel back in control and really feel like I am back on program. This is the 4th day 100% and no bad choices. I have started keeping a journal and it is helping to keep me from straying. I am also noticing things that make me want to eat... being uncomfortable is a big one. I would like to do some counseling to figure those issues out and I am looking into it.

I hope to do stabilization in February. My boyfriend is planning on buying some gym equipment for the basement so that will make the exercise easier.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Question
 

I'm not as close to stabilization as you guys, but I would like to tag along. I reduced my goal by five pounds...so I'm 13 pounds from stabilization. I have just started exercising...hoping to speed up the process here at the end. My WI will be this Saturday and maybe I will be even closer.
I do have a question...Are you still expected to use the HNS and the EFA's on stabilization? I'm trying to figure out what to buy so I have enough to last, but don't want to pay for extra stuff that I won't need.

Congratulations RoadQueen! I would suggest planning on continuing the EFA's on into Maintenance, maybe not 9 or 6 a day but at least 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. As far HNSs, you do decrease the max # over the weeks of Stabilization until you are down to 1 a day but even during Maintenance, they are very handy when you have a meal without enough protein or are not able to eat within a reasonable time, just like when you were on the diet. Plan on continuing to drink water - half your weight in water in ounces will keep you hydrated. Walking is great way to exercise on days when you don't have time to exercise - park away from the grocery store and walk a little - adds up. Good luck on this wonderful journey!

The more the merrier! When I went today for my stablization appt they said they will be be decreasing the number of HNS when I get to within 4 lbs of my goal. I had to sign an exercise waiver, funny! They said I can increase my exercise but they don't want to be held responsible if something should happen to me when I start exercising. :p

Thanks for the "half your weight in water to keep you hydrated"...that will be easy to remember going forward. Have never heard it worded that way.

Excuse my ignorance but what is EFA's?
sexyrene

Essential Fatty... somthing. Acids?
It's your Fish or Flax oil.

Thanks everyone,
I'm excited to be close to my goal, but I guess I was hoping to be able to get back to some sort of normal eating. I have to say the diet is great, but I don't know If I can keep this up forever. (Probably why I'm fat it the first place) I'm
staying completely OP during this weight reduction phase and have bee totally committed. I guess I need to think about all of this and maybe talk to the center for help with my resolve to keep the weight off. I feel like I'm never able to eat a meal with my husband. The timing always seem to be off. I've been cooking for him....anything he wants and I was looking forward to being able to eat the same things with him in the future. Of course watching the portion sizes and keeping it as healthy as possible. Will I ever get there?

You will. I'm having a bit of anxiety myself. I haven't been cooking much for my family...have been focusing on my stuff. I want to go back to us all eating together too.

Update
 

Good Morning,
I went to WI this AM and I am down 2#. Woo Hoo. Only another 11 to go until I'm at my goal. I've lost 43# since the end of September. It really does feel better than anything could taste.
I should start stabilization the first week of Feb. That's my plan. I've got three weeks to get off 11#, or I should at least be close enough to goal that they will let me start stabilization.
I hope you all have a good week. Stay warm....It looks like the whole country is cold.

Cheers for you! You've lost a LOT of weight in a short amount of time...we started about the same time looks like. My WI went well too--down 2.5#.....let's keep going!

Alright ladies. After weigh in I'm up 3.5 lbs. from my holiday foodfest so I've adjusted my ticker to reflect this gain. 10 lbs. to stabilization. Let's do this!