Great job! Keep up the good work!

((((Hugs))))) to all of you this Monday morning! Hang in there and enjoy this week!

I survived Christmas at my mom's without any sneaks. I stayed on plan all but five accidental smarties. It was a crazy moment and I didn't even realize I was eating them. They were in my pocket to get my son to sit down and take pictures. I reached in my pocket and just started eating. I freaked out a minute later. I guess it is a good wake-up moment. How often was I subconciously eating?

One christmas down, one to go! Good luck everyone, stay stong.

I went to WI this morning and I am down another half a pound! That makes 6 lbs in 9 days. I picked up some Flaxseed Oil and some B-6 from the local store. I am hoping that I don't have any ill effects. It seems I am allergic to just about everything under the sun, but I have used flaxseeds in my cooking before so I am hoping for the best.

Good luck everyone!

I was doing so well, until Saturday night; at 39 lbs down, I'm really hoping I didn't derail myself for hitting 40lbs by Christmas.

Hubby was out hunting this weekend, and I was craving chocolate, big-time. I usually keep a box of Atkins Endulge bars around (120 cals, protein, fiber, low-carb, much better than nothing, much better than other candy/chocolate options), but I was out. I had a box of Russell Stover truffle candies in the house (supposed to be the white elephant gift for this Friday's family thing), and I cracked the box open and ate a few. Then I went back for more. After a total of 5 or 6 truffles, I got mad at myself and threw the entire box into the trash.

Luckily, I didn't just throw the box in the trashcan--I opened it up, shook the truffles into the trash, then mashed the box down on top of them, to make sure they got mashed into the trash (I had cleaned out the fridge earlier that evening, so there was some pretty gross stuff in there).

I told my mom about it yesterday--she looked at me like I was nuts and just kept repeating "You threw the whole box of truffles away? In the trash??"

Even though I screwed up, I'm still kind of proud I found the willpower to throw the rest away so I couldn't keep sabotaging myself.

Weighing in tomorrow, and planning to be pretty careful this week so I can indulge a little on Christmas.

Good luck this week, ladies! We're in the home stretch, I think.

You were very smart to smash them in the trash. Sometime we have to make it completely untouchable just to keep it out of our mouths. What strength you have. 1 step back and 2 steps forward is still forward. Just keep making progress. Good luck at weigh in. Hoping you hit your goal of 40 before christmas!

That is awesome, you have so much more value that a box of truffles. Don't you feel empowered?

Great job on the "truffle smash"! Every night I clear my daughter's plate (she is almost 2) and there is always the temptation to take a little bite or nibble off her plate. Sometimes I have to count my steps to the trash can just to get there, but once it is in I breathe a sigh of relief.

So I weighed in yesterday (finally...haven't been since before my cruise) and I was up 2 pounds. No worries. I have gained 2 pounds being good and OP, so I know I can lose it quickly. I am having a little trouble getting 100% back OP. For some reason, the amount of food is getting to me. I was so full at dinner last night, I couldn't eat my carbs. It took time getting to where I was OP, so I know I have to work back towards that after my week off.

No worries. I will sign that 30 pound board this month!

This was the biggest surprise to me when I started MRC. I'm guessing I was eating hundreds of calories a day without even realizing it!

Hi ..
I weighed in today and gained 3/10 of a pound. No reason for the gain, as I was OP.. I am a bit stressed, as every time I gain just a bit, they keep telling me about the drops program and if I told them once I told them numerous times, I am not interested.. I again told them I would buy extra weeks if I did not make my goal by Jan. 14th. I have purchased one year of maintenance so that is taken care of. They insist I am at a stall again. I lost 1 1/2 pounds last week. Oh, well, thanks for letting me vent. Ihave 8 more pounds to go till goal and doubt I will make it, but will deal with it at that time. They told me when I started I would lose 2 pounds a week and that has not happened.

Congrats to all the losers. Have a great day.

Patzi

Yes, the "truffle smash" was empowering--I just wish I had done it after the first truffle. Oh, well, live and learn. And you're right, Nicole--2 steps forward and 1 step back is still forward progress. And, as ladystarrider has pointed out, we are looking for progress, not perfection.

Patzi, I wouldn't call it a stall until you haven't seen a loss for several weigh-ins--and you just lost 1.5lbs last week, so I wouldn't be concerned. Just keep plugging along--no matter how many times they push it, they can't force you to do the drops or anything else you don't want to do.

I"ve been really stressed lately--which I think is driving my cravings (and cavings). We found out last week that my mom's cancer (lymphoma) is back after 17 years in remission. I took her in for a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy yesterday, and all was going well until it came time to go home after the biopsy. She couldn't walk--her right leg wouldn't work. Since she's had small strokes in the past, they decided to play it safe and keep her overnight. THey did some MRIs and, long story short, found nothing. Can't figure it out. She was totally fine this morning. I'm glad it's okay, but I spent all of yesterday (6:30am to 9pm) at the hospital with her, and all of today (8:30am to 4pm--when they finally discharged her). Let me tell you--hospital cafeteria food is NOT MRC FRIENDLY. It was really hard to stick to the plan. I was ok yesterday for breakfast and lunch, as I had planned ahead for that. I did the best I could, though, until I got home to a plate of goodies my neighbor baked and brought over. I couldn't resist the cookies & treats last night.

Ugh! I also feel like a total slug because I wasn't able to make it to my MOnday night yoga class. Not exercising just makes me more tired-feeling.

After settling mom in at home with my sister, I didn't have time to weigh in today, so I'll probably do that first thing tomorrow morning. I hope I haven't gained, if nothing else. Like I said before, I'd really like to indulge guilt-free on Christmas.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I think I mostly just needed to process the last two days before I could get totally back on track.

WE CAN DO IT! We're almost past the holiday food craze!

I'm so sorry to hear that your mother is going through all this (and you right along with her). The holidays are almost over and 2011 is almost here!

Aw What a tough few weeks! We're here for you - vent all you want! It's so hard when you're tired and stressed to make good food choices. Just do your best and get through it. Take some time to enjoy the holiday season and look for some ways to find peace. It's a great time of year when we take off the crappy food, crazy shopping, etc.!

Wishing y'all a great day. Teacher lady,special prayers being sent for your Mom.

I agree what you say about the stall. I feel more positive today. Sometimes coming here and venting sure picks up the mood.. So glad I found y'all.

Patzi