Are you on week 1 of stabilization too? I'm so excited to see what the new fruit will be starting Friday for week 2---I go in tomorrow. We'll compare notes about the hunger.

I've been hungrier too... i think for me it's adding the carbs... I'm in the middle of week 5, going to get my measurements tomorrow. This should be interesting... can't wait for week 6 & beyond. Still scared that the weight is going to come back. I guess its up to me though.

I went to WI this AM. I DID IT! I signed the 50# board and made my stabilization appointment. I've got 4# more to loose to get to my "new" goal that I set for myself. I just want to give my body some wiggle room below the goal weight that was first set. I got my 50# stone and danced a jig.
For all of you out there who are doing this program, just stay with it. It works!

Congratulations!!! Roadqueen...
You go Girl!!!
You are my inspiration.
sexyrene

Great job! I'm curious since you're further along in stabilization than me....did you notice certain foods that spiked up your wait during this process or was it all pretty smooth since gradual. My thought is that this is like a big science experiment for stabilization....gradually adding foods in to see which ones may push up the weight. Is this an accurate view?

Were you OP the whole time of stabilization?

Congrats!!!!!

Porchmom...
Thanks! You're right, it is a big science experiment. I like how they add a specific food each week so that you can see what slows you down. For me things have been smooth and gradual. But, I've been OP to the point of almost being neurotic about it - with a few itty bitty cheats (like having 5 melba toast rounds instead of 4 - I know, what a rebel!) I guess my military background makes this a perfect diet for me, because I did very well with following the rules. I apparently need the rigid structure, because a plan with loose guidelines just would not work for me. Too many differentials.

I never did gain weight on stabilization, but anyway, I think for me, adding the carb made things a little more difficult, because those have always been my downfall and I always want to push the limit on that. So when they said I could have 8 animal crackers with my lunch, I would count out 8, but then feel bad for the ones that were broken and then add 1 or 2 of those too, but not count them because they're broken. I know... silly me. BUT, I did manage to lose 5 pounds in 5 weeks of stabilization, so I must not have been too bad with the carbs. I did make sure as **** that I did get ALL of my water in, and then some if needed to offset any minor cheats or extra salt that I might have had. I hit a short plateau in the middle but that was also triggered by TOM, so to combat that I just kept drinking more water until one day I went from 53% water to 48% water (according to my scale) and dropped a couple of pounds. All in all, i think things went well. I was surpised this Thursday at WI when I was basically booted off stabilzation and thrust into maintenance a week early. They felt I was ready and said that week 6 was basically a repeat of week 5 anyway. So... here I go, off into the land of maintenance...

Hang in there everyone! Keep OP!! Stick to the plan and it WILL work for you.
Hugs,
Carla B.

Congratulations, Carla! That's fantastic!

To tell you the truth, I'm scared crapless about going on stabilization! I got the first week's sheet several weeks ago, but have been dragging my feet about actually starting it.

My work schedule has changed and the days have been absolutely crazy lately, to the point where I haven't been able to get to the gym more than the two times a week I've already been attending. Plus, our weather here has been cold and snowy since before Christmas, so I'm not able to get out and walk.

I'm currently one pound away from MRC's goal for me, but I just feel like like I want to stay on my current menu indefinitely in order to keep from gaining.

Call me crazy.

-- JJ

I know how all of you are feeling about possibly gaining back the weight. The past few days I have taken in a bite or two of off program items and wondered how if would affect my weight loss. As of Thursday I was 1.5 lbs from my goal. Tonight when I stepped on the scale (which is usually 2-3 lbs higher than the morning for me - for whatever reason!) I was 1.2 lbs above my goal (all 5 times I stepped on, off, on again, etc.) So I am hoping by Monday I will be below my goal or at least at it! It was very scary to take a tiny bite of a mini doughnut, but then again it was most likely offset by the 6 miles I walked today.

Yeah, JJ I hear ya. I felt the same way going into stabilization, but I put my trust in MRC, they have been right all along and had guided me this far so I just decided to keep on listening and stop questioning the method and just went along with the program. To be honest, I have not been in the gym or worked out once since I got back from Vegas around Halloween. I lost 23pounds before the trip, and the last 20 after, so I can't say that exercise was a key factor in my weight loss journey. Weird huh? I certainly don't advocate for not working out, but I just got too busy at work, and then with the holidays... you know how it gets. I definitely need to get my butt back in the gym though because I do need to tone up some and start maintenance on the right foot.

I'm not going to say don't sweat it and move on to the next step, because that's your decision to make when you're good and ready to do so, but when you are ready, go for it and follow the plan, you got this far already by doing just that. I think what would be worse would be to NOT follow through with the plan and then going backwards. AND, you have all of us here to cheer you on! Rah Rah Rah!!!

I feel the same way....trusting in the program even though it is scary. I remind myself of a poster from years back.....a ship in a harbor is safe, but that's not what ships were made for.....I am in week 2 of stabilization and enjoying the change and adding more fuel back in. When it's time--and only you can decide that--walk forward and try not to look down.

Thanks, Carla & Porchmom! I appreciate the encouragement!

Now, can you give Mother Nature a little pep talk and tell her we know what snow looks like and she can stop that nonsense anytime now? : )

-- JJ

You will do it! I know you will!
And 6 miles??? Woo hoo! you rock girl!

I'm in week 2 stabilization now....starting week 3 on Friday and they gave me the menu....get to add in dairy. I'm curious though....skim milk and yogurt were really the only 2 that interested me. Anyone else tried incorporating evaporated milk in or other things.....and if so in what way? Am I missing something....I think of evaporated milk and baking.

I start week 3 on Friday too. Let me think of something to use evap. milk for.