Congratulations, Ladystarrider!! Weight loss is not a race but a lifestyle change. Way to stick with it!

Hang in there, jenkatt! Sometimes it is so hard, but it will be worth it in the end. How long have you been on program and how much have you lost?

I have been drinking at least 96 oz of water daily, usually a little more. I've never been much of a soda drinker so I don't think the water consumption is my issue. I do however think I am retaining water so I started on B6 today.

I know what your talking about ladystarrider. I've lost 13lbs so far and this weekend I did some clothes shopping. It was nice to see the difference in how clothes fit. Especially since my weight loss has plateaued out the last 2 weeks. It gave my motivation the boost it needed!!

Try not to get discouraged! I'm a slow loser too and it can get frustrating. Is this your first time on MRC? It's mine and it seems like I'm always learning something new from the MRC staff and this forum to help me do this program better. At my last visit the counselor told me that I should eat my entire meal and HNS within a 30 minute period of time to put myself in the right chemical balance for fat burning. I tend to get busy and find I'm eating my fruit or HNS an hour or two after I ate my lunch.
No matter what the scale says tomorrow, keep going. Remember, what is the alternative?

Thanks y'all. I started preconditioning May 13th in earnest. Although I had my food class two weeks before that - long story, I had an unexpected business trip thrown in there. For me, part of the problem was I barely lost anything on pre-conditioning. It's just frustrating. I walk away from the bad stuff and my fat butt is still there. I'm in awe of y'all going down clothes sizes and signing boards and I haven't even signed the 10 pound board yet.
It bites.

:hug::hug:jenkatt:hug::hug:,
I posted something a few weeks ago about the 10 day plateau. They gave me a sheet of paper that basically said to expect a plateau and even a gain around the 10th day. It can last for a bit. After you lost all the water weight, the cells start holding onto the water like crazy to keep from collapsing. But, you're actually still burning fat. So, it's actually good news if this is what's happening. The week after this happened to me, I lost 5lbs, I think.

Other than that, I agree with namaste. Make sure you're eating everything at once and maxing out your HNS's. Also, are you weighing your food? I weigh EVERYTHING - veggies, meat, etc. It's going to happen for you - how can it not? The only way it won't happen is if you give up, which I'm sure you won't do! :-)

If you want the entire paper, let me know and I will scan and email to you.
Good luck,

lookinfine09, Congrats on your first Half-Marathon !!! I too took off for a couple of weeks after my marathon needed the mental time off :) I only truly ate too much after my long runs 10+ miles, I just was so hungry, even my husband would comment on my appetite...I am back to running for exercise and stress relief and following the Meta-Balance menu which works best for me...good luck to you!

Well I'm past 10 days, but I'll take any info I can get! Thanks!

Good luck to you. I hope you make your mini-goal of 20 pounds!!

Thank you so much for this post. It actually makes me feel like I'm "on track" with this whole diet thing. I actually went to weigh in on my 10th day and gained 1 pound. I was a little disappointed because I made an honest mistake about my menu (I ate from group 1 protein at night instead of group 2 or 3)... I thought this was the reason I was gaining, but I'm glad to know this 10th day plateau is normal!

I went to weigh in yesterday (my 11th day) and stayed the same.... no weight loss. I, too, got that sheet explaining plateaus around that time so was somewhat expecting it, but I was really hoping it wasn't going to happen to me. I am just crossing fingers for a better loss later this week to make up for it some. I have to say it made me really want to give in a bit and have something off plan. I had to really think my way out of it, which I did and am proud for doing so! It was a little lesson learned.... my emotional eating is certainly not gone and I need to keep tabs on it.

I was up a half a pound. This sucks.

Back from a 3 week vacation and I went in to weigh in and was up 3 pounds.. now considering I thought it would 10 (lol).. I was quite happy. Plus I was told alot of that wouold be water weight from all the driving.

Now, I need to get back on track :)

I think I missed the last two weeks here - not sure how that happened!
Staying OP still, with the exception that I'm struggling with drinking enough water. I'm trying, I"m trying. Anyone have suggestions? I'm still losing, which is good. But I'd so wanted to be below 200 before hubby gets home. I've got 13 days left. Today I weighed at home and I was 207.8. My official weigh in will be on Friday.

The first thing I do in the morning (on a non WI day) is fill up my glass of water. I usually get in 10 oz before breakfast and then take my glass to work with me. It seems like I get 20 oz in before my day really starts.

I'm a Geek. I love gadgets and I LOVE my new water bottle. It's called a hydracoach. it's completely not necessary, but it's ensuring I get my water. It has a little counter on the bottle that counts how many ounces of water you drink. You can tell it how much you want to drink in a day and it will tell how how you're doing with that amount. I got mine on Amazon for around $24.

That is a neat idea. I will have to check it out! I count my water with a sticky note. I just add the ounces once I drink them. It is a hassle sometimes. How does everyone else keep up with it?

I have a 32oz bottle, and know i need to fill it up 4 times in a day. I usually drink 2, almost 3 by lunch. I just let it sit on my desk and drink as I'm working. I fill up from our work cooler. I'd have to go to the cooler a lot more if I had a smaller bottle. LOL.. I've usually had all my water by the time I go home.

I use to have a 32 oz mug and I did have to refill it less. But I kinda like refilling this one more. It forces me to get up and move more regularly.

OK just got back from my weigh in. I am on day 14 and had a loss of .6 (9.6 overall). I guess I could be hitting the plateau soon even though she said it was a good number since I lost 3 on Monday.

How is everyone else doing?

We must have started at the same time Junie. I am on day 14 also and went to weigh in today. I am down a total of 9.5 pounds (1.5 down today) and have lost 19 inches. I am very happy with the progress. I still get hungry this time of day.... 3pm.... and try to be satisfied with my HNS. Keep up the great work!!

AngelaB, I've found that if I use a 16 oz glass, it's way easier for me. Everytime I fix myself an HSN, I also fix myself a 16 oz glass of water at the same time - so one for breakfast, one at midmorning, one for lunch and one at midafternoon. So by the time I have my 4th afternoon HSN, I've had 4 16 oz of water as well (there's your 8 8oz right there). Then I have 16 oz of water with dinner to get my personal goal of 80 oz in each day. Sometimes I even go overboard and drink a fiber drink and also get a 16 oz glass of water in w/that. So - basically, every single time I have something to drink, I refill my 16 oz of water to go alongside it. I've found that using the 16 oz glass just really helps me get it all in for some reason (no idea why). 4 16 oz just seems sooooo much easier than 8 8 oz. :) Hope that helps!

I use a fat straw, I can drink a lot more with a straw.

for water, i *love* my venti starbucks insulated tumber - it has a straw which is important for me and a lid so i don't spill since i've always got it wedged between my purse and my arm as i'm fumbling with keys. I do 4 a day (80 oz) 2 before lunch and 2 before bed.

Starbucks has them in stores again - they look like this

Or you can buy a non-starbucks one from the company that makes them.

For my water I use "intak" by thermos. You can also get it on amazon.com for under $13. I actually got mine at Walmart last summer but can't remember how much it cost.

Wendi, that is pretty cool that we started on the same day and lost the same amount of weight! 19 inches is amazing! They will be measuring me next week. I too get hungry around that time every day. I have started eating cucumbers and tomatoes to get me through until supper. Good luck and keep in touch.

anyone have problems with hair loss and having NO cycle...for months....and I mean...Months!!!??

I am a very young MRC member and have done exceptionally well on the program. I lost all my weight and then re signed a few months ago....to get to a lower number and lower fat mass number.
my goal is 110 and i was literally at 119 and then all of a sudden I started having theworst worst worst NIGHT cravings...literally...special k, turkey, peanut butter, anything....I am so good during the day...literally eat to the T and won't eat anything better and even when I am out with friends, family, and boyfriend...I NEVER go off menu and they all hate it. I always eat salads when I am out. I need to know what to do about these cravings...because My weight is back up to around 122 and I want to get to 110 so badly...Not for the number but because I felt so good at 119 and also because I am one of those people that sets a goal...and needs to accomplish it. I am a former true star athlete and never was really big but one i quit and decided not to play in college I didnt want to gain the freshy 15 so I went on MRC and did so well..
any help or ideas on what to do....these cravings have to stop...every night...and a lot of it is...the fact that I do not sleep!!

any help would be appreciated!! thanks soso much!

oh and I also started a hardcore workout with my boyfriend...lifting weights so realize I probably gained some muscle. and I will admit I am extremely hard on myself and literally never go off menu out to eat or during the day...won't even use any other dressing but red wine vinegar...
so with that....I am going to try the shake diet....meta quick..where you do shake in morning, bar for lunch and dinner....then I will do the two meal plan....


any help would be greatly appreciated it..
especially with hair loss, no cycle and the darn night snacking:( :( :(

What is your bmi and your fat%?

Have you done a body comp lately? I'd be interested in seeing, since you've been working out so much.... what your bmi and fat mass are, along with your lean muscle and hydration. You know you can request it? And, are you doing a hns at night?

Ok, so are you on birth control? If not, have you recently stopped taking birth control? How many HNS are you drinking per day? Have you had your thyroid checked recently?

No birth control at all. and thyroid was checked....a while ago...when I was in the hospital for other reasons.
but I haven't been to center in a while becauase I have been so down on myself since gaining weight after hitting 119.
I know 110 is a low number...but We talked to my doctor and it is an ok weight for me...anything lower will be too low.
but Just needed some tips on how to cure this snacking and how to lose the last 13-14 pounds..I am going to have to resign soon...and I cannot believe I can't get these pounds off.I suppose running would help....I use to run everyday but haven't in so long.
I just am so down on gaining weight...it stinks..when you do so well and then do bad and can't get the goal.

and then we are pretty worried over the hair loss and no cycle thing..It has been months..

I take 4 drinks a day. breakfast,lunch, mid day and then dinner. that is what my center told me to do..

do drinks honestly help weight loss?!?

If you're not getting enough protein, your hair will fall out... that's why I was asking about the drinks. Can you give me an idea of your normal food choices (and amounts) for the day? So, for example.... tell me what you ate yesterday. And, get into the center and do that body comp! I think you're going to see 110 is going to be too low because of your weight lifting and muscle mass. Cardio will help you lose, and not give you the muscle gain but it's more of what you want. Do you want tone? How about doing pilates? or yoga? And also, when you have your body comp done, have your inches done too. I bet you've lost inches. How are your clothes feeling? You're being really hard on yourself and the stress won't help with your hair or your period love. :hug:

Not trying to be too personal but you don't think you're possibly pregnant?

yes you sound just like my mom! Wight is a big stress on me..and you would think I would be happy but I am not...because I wanna be 110...and i also still have a little belly pouch and I hate it.
hair loss is really bad and I started taking vitamins, and NO WAY i am prego...waiting till marriage.

and I will say I have lost tons tons and tons of inches and yes my clothes feel good...but its hard because i was down to 119 and then starting eating at night when i would wake up...and i dont know why or how to fix it...or what to do .......to lose the weight.

i wont be able to workout as hard because i am getting a job so that will be hard and put more stress on me!

yesterday i ate...toast and a hard boiled egg for breakfast, turkey and apple and cucumbers for lunch and a salad with grilled chicken for dinner and toast.

natures own is the bread i eat since that is what my center suggested..

but tomorrow i am going to start the shake,bar, dinner diet...

Ok, I know you want to "get there" but the stress is going to plateau you. You can try the shake, bar, deal and it's fine but here's what else I would suggest either instead of or after you do that.... ok?

Wake up, then for breakfast:

Eat a lean protein.... no eggs.
Have something like the Italian Breakfast Sausage, with a little cheese and a low cal tortilla (la flavorita)

Drink your HNS mid morning (in between breakfast and lunch)

For lunch.... (I don't know if you're eating ground turkey or turkey lunch meat here; if you're eating lunch meat, stop... too much sodium) Do your lean protein; chicken, tuna, ground turkey.... and cut out the apples for a week; move over to citrus. The apples are one of the highest in the glycemic index and will 1) cause plateaus 2) cause cravings.... and your veggie is fine. Stick with a raw veggie at lunch if possible; they burn faster.

Drink your HNS mid afternoon (between lunch and dinner)

For dinner..... lean protein again; try the taco casserole recipe! (that gives you the protein and the starch) and then for your veggie; do a cooked veggie ok? Cooked veggies will burn slower so that will keep you full through the night. If you're making broccoli, cut off the stems. They have a lot of sugar in them.

Drink an HNS before bed, or have a creamy before bed (make the gooey brownie recipe).

Need any recipes?

i have the cookbook at my house!

and yes i was doing turkey from publix..low sodium publix brand lunch meat.
so citrus...as in oranges? a whole orange?

and dinner was def usually chicken, green beans or broccoli and then the toast..natures own. 40 cal

i will do shake/bar diet...and hopefully it will work .....if i stop the cravings...and with waking up and snacking...i will pretty much just have to STOP!

what about stopping working out...is that going to cause any problems...
i will try running again.
and i will do my water.

just need to get to 110 and stop the freaking gosh darn snacking

also do you think drinks(HNS) really help weight loss and pills...because i go weekends sometimes or a few days without them when i run out...and was losing weight still...