I did 3 weeks of stabilization and switched back to my green menu in the middle of my 3rd week... I just couldn't do it =(

The new starches, fruits, and dairies spiked my sugar levels. I became more hungry and each week I messed up and BINGED on carbs. Instead of blowing my whole program, I just went back to the green menu.

I think it's interesting that I didn't have hunger problems on green menu, but on the stabilization menus that include more food made me feel like I was starving. It's the carbs, sugars, and starches-- I know it.

So here's the new plan that my counselor (at Metabolic) devised for me...

- I am going to stay on green menu until my weight goes back down to what it was when I started stabiliztion (btw, my 1 day binges caused the scale to go up 12 lbs!-- unbelieveable right?)

- Then I am going on the "Meta Balance" menu to help me transition into stabilization.

I was informed that the Meta-Balance menu has snacks, fruits, and dairies. I was told that it is a caloric based menu for weight loss. She also mentioned that on this menu I will still continue to lose but at a slower rate.

I spoke to another lady that started stabilization at the same time as me and she is experiencing the same exact thing. She said she is hungry and she craves more carbs.

at some point your gonna have to be able to eat carbs.....

Yeah, I know. I've just got to find a happy medium.

mkroyer,

Curious...do you struggle with carbs? If so, what are you doing to keep your carb intake in check?

It looks like you are doing a fine job of maintaining your weight loss. What exactly are you doing?

well, when i reintroduced carbs again, i gained weight right away.... of course. We ALL DO..... it has to happen. And its ALL water weight. For every gram of carbs (glycogen) your body stores, it also stores 3 grams of water along with it. Hence, you start eating carbs and you are going to gain the water weight back! i ACCEPTED THIS and didnt let the 4-5 pound gain freak me out..... im actually being quite generous here. it DID freak me out, but ive since learned a LOT....
now i eat carbs, but ive learned that i personally need to eat them around the times when my body is going to USE them, so i dont STORE them. Basically I eat most of my carbs in the morning (i workout/run in the am) and at breakfast. The carbs taper off a little at lunch, and then by dinner generally just have protein and veggies. Theres no reason for me to eat carbs right before i go to bed! i dont need energy to sleep

You know that's a great idea! Eating carbs early or when you know you NEED them for energy. Thanks for that!

Great idea when I get to maintenance.

Thanks,
Sexyrene

what is the meta balance menu?

That makes a lot of sense that we would need the carbs when we will expel the most energy. It will be a while before I will reach that point but I will put that in my notes to remember. Thanks.