There are other sugar free syrups out there, you just have to check the label. My mom also told me that the back of the blue box (can't remember the name) of maple extract has a syrup recipe...she used to make it all the time and never bought syrup, just use splenda instead of sugar. She has a friend that makes her own syrup using splenda so there must be a recipe somewhere online. I'm going to try it sometime because I like the spaghetti squash with a bit of spray butter and some syrup...its sort of a comfort food for me. We always put butter and brown sugar on acorn squash, but since we can't do acorn then spaghetti squash does the trick.

[QUOTE=tmarshall;3555129]Ok, I've heard so much about the Walden Farm products, that I was so excited when I saw them in my local supermarket. I bought mayo, peanut butter, honey dijon salad dressing, caramel dip-all sugar free, fat free, carb free, gluten free, cholesterol free-(this should of been my first clue) at about 4.00 a piece. Couldn't wait to get them home, and try them, guess what, they all suck, they really don't even taste like food, funny texture, funny aftertaste. has anyone found something from Waldens that they like?

I finally found these and tried the creamy bacon salad dressing and thought it was wonderful! I really didn't even notice a difference between it and regular dressings.

Morning all!

It's a chilly morning here in arkansas...cuddled up under my throw blanket. I've been thinking more about exercise since my counselor suggested I go ahead and try it and see if it helps me. For those of you that do exercise on this plan, what workouts do you do each week and how often?? My goal for 2011 is to do a 5k marathon so I'm thinking about starting the couch to 5k plan again (I've done it before in the past but got sick and had to stop then just never started again) It should burn a good amount of calories without being too strenuous.

sunshine, I agree about the creamy bacon, I think it's very good!

shadden, there are plenty of recipes that don't have supplements. Check out the recipe thread, the chicken or tilapia with melba toast as a batter and then fried or baked is delicious! I'm wishing they had more without supplements too because I feel like I waste a supplement when a recipe calls for it and it only adds up to a 1/2 or 1/4 supplement for that meal.. I either like it make a whole supplement or would rather not waste my supplement, lol.

I hope everyone's weekend is going well! stay strong all! think of how far ahead we'll be of everyone who decides to start january 1st Just thinking I could be a month from my goal by jan sure keeps me focused

Hi Spryng,
During my 7mo journey, walking has been the very best at promoting weight loss. It seems like the perfect amount of calorie burn without sending your body into starvation mode. I would try a 45 min brisk walk 3-4x/week and see how that goes. Do you have access to a treadmill? That might work when it's cold. It would also be good prep for a 5k. Then, when you get closer to goal, you can start adding some jogging in (if you want). Another thing I reaaaallly love that doesn't seem like work at all is Zumba.
Have fun!

Yep I got a great treadmill I can use. Yeah I can probably just start with walking.. she said walking/jogging burns about the same amount of calories so I may try some of both. What mph on the treadmill do you think constitutes jogging? 4mph? 5mph? I'm never sure, lol..

Depends on your stride length or how tall you are. I'm not jogging until I'm at about a 5, but for others, that would be a sprint! I like to walk at a good clip, but still be able to carry on a short conversation. If I feel like it, I increase the speed and jog for 1-2 minutes, then go back down to a walk.

Well I think I'll definitely stick to walking for a couple weeks! I went for a bike ride with my daughter and I thought I was gonna die! my lungs felt like they were gonna explode and I couldn't catch my breath.. not gonna do that again, lol.. I'll stick to my friendly treadmill the rest of this week and see how it goes. Gotta build my stamina up again for sure.
I also wanted to share that I tried the fiesta nachos out of the recipe book yesterday and they were sooooo good! felt like a treat! Today we tried the skillet cabbage recipe and it was thick and felt like a stew, great for cold days for sure! I also made the strawberry banana cheesecake and even though I'm gonna have it for breakfast tomorrow I licked the spatula and can already tell ya it's gonna be yummy, lol. Really enjoying these new recipes for sure

Weekend has been OP and I'm looking forward to weighing in again on Tuesday. The beige menu hasn't been too bad (for the two days I've been on it). Tonight I'm going to make a taco salad with ground turkey. should be excellent! I'm even managing to get 3 HNS in a day.

Has anyone used cider vinegar tablets in place of the mrc6? Thinking about adding that in...cant hurt!

Has anyone here ordered from dietdirect.com or bariatricchoice.com (they're pretty much the same company)? If so, about how long does shipping take?

I ordered some things last week, but have no idea when to expect it. I'm hoping I get it before I leave for Orlando on Thursday...

Also, anyone know about how much the carb/fat blocker costs?

Well I was OP all weekend until today. I don't feel 100% and was craving some comfort food...and coupled with being on the road drving home equaled a fast food dinner. I am mad at myself for caving, but it was only one meal, and only one hamburger/fries. So I'm back on again, drinking a HNS and water....and hoping I didn't ruin myself for weigh in Tues.

I've ordered a couple times from diet direct and it has shipped that day or the next and arrived a day or 2 later. Three days max from order to delivery for me. With the regular, free shipping. But your location may factor in. I'm in Indiana.

I've been gone from this forum for 4 days on a trip to do Christian ministry at a motorcycle rally in Galveston. I have enjoyed catching up on reading all the posts, especially the recent ones stressing the life-long changes we have to make to prevent regaining the weight we lose. So much wisdom. I feel confident that once I get "done" and into stabilization, this forum will continue to be my rock and my support group in every way.

So many positive changes have happened since I joined MRC in April - too many to recount. During my trip I made the best choices possible from all available options, and that wasn't always easy! First of all, most of the food at a rally is vendor food...i.e. greasy, fried, carb-laden, YUCK! I always went for the ones where you could see them cooking the proteins out on a grill and piled on the veggies. The Greek food vendors were the best for this. We ended up at IHOP yesterday morning, where I chose one of their SIMPLE & FIT Veggie Omelette w/Fresh Fruit for 320 calories. It was delicious. We ate a Subway salad for our afternoon stop. I skipped dinner, but I've been careful to get in the fruit and HNS.

I am hopeful that the four days will have had a positive effect on my loss, especially since we walked for miles each day! I'll update again when I go to the center to WI. You all are the best, and I love being part of 3FC!

WOW! Great job staying on plan and not making excuses! It really sounds to me like you're making lifestyle changes and that's exactly what it takes. So proud of you!

My jeans were getting pretty baggy in the butt (I've never had much of a tush), so I bought a new pair at Kohls Saturday. TWO SIZES SMALLER than I've been wearing (Went from a 22 to an 18!).


Then I went to Lane Bryant on Sunday to look at their new stuff and I bought a cropped cardigan and a v-neck sweater & cami A FULL SIZE SMALLER than what I usually get at LB (22/24 to an 18/20)! And normally I would never have looked at the cropped cardigan for fear that it would make me look pregnant or just extra-fat, but it was fine--and really cute!


All of this made me feel pretty darn good and helped motivate me to stay on-plan this weekend, even though weekends are usually pretty hard for me.

I think it's time to raid my clothes-I-loved-but-haven't-fit-in-over-2-years closet.

Good Morning All

Spryng, really love reading your posts, you give me lots of encouragement! I also have a hard time on my bike, so when I do ride it is by myself so I don't have to keep up with anyone. My neighborhood is very hilly which makes it even harder. I think I am going shopping at Peltz today to get a pair of run/jog flip flops. I have terrible bunions and sneakers kill me, i end up with blood blisters on the sides of my foot.

I had a great weekend on program and am looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow. Yesterday went to my Mom's house for a big family dinner. Turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and the whole nine, including pumpkin pie, chocolate creme and apple. I ate my turkey breast and salad and the biscotti I get from Diet Direct (3 biscotti for 45 calories and program friendly and oh so much better than melba) and a MRC hot cocoa mixed into my coffe and I was very satisfied. However, the turkey tasted soooooo salty. I have been using hormone free chicken and beef and have gotten off the salt. The turkey was a butterball and I could taste the injected salt and junk they put in it.

Britt : You may have some water retension but one burger and fries will not make you gain fat. So hang in there and drink lots and lots of water today.

Starrider: great job staying on program away form home. I find that hard but it is a definite indication of your determination and lifestyle changes you have made. Kudos to you! :bravo

Well, got to go, lots to do today. I am painting my kitchen cupboards today and lots of phone call to make and grocery shopping. Everyone have a grat week on program.

Sherral