It is so crazy that so many of us are experiencing this at the same time! I too have been MIA and it's because I totally wend on a bender for a couple of weeks and pretty much just gave up feeling that I was happy (or OK) with where I am now and I'll lose the rest....wait for it....later. It's been nuts.

So I talked with a fellow MRC buddy on Saturday and she was on the same crazy train heading south. We decided to go in and face the music and I am so glad that I did. I talked a long time with one of the gals (this was Saturday) and she helped me to realize that I was/am self-sabotaging. All of the growing that I had done during the classes and initial weeks on the program, had been put into a sort of hibernation mode. I needed to reawaken the empowerment that I have and the control that I have for myself - restart the fight! I went 5 days on the meta-quick plan (bar for b-fast, shake for lunch and a good dinner, 4 HNSs) and I am back on top (mostly - I slipped up last night but that was from lack of planning...and sleep).

So, I got rid of the cravings and extra hunger that I was feeling and started to feel in control again! I also went to a class on Tue. night about self-esteem and it was super helpful! Plus my insight helped some of the newbies

Hang in there ladies - it's never too late to turn around, and like smiles123 said...we're still GOOD! We're good students, we're just having a down time. Let's pick up our heads and move forward! I'm looking forward to weighing in Saturday morning and seeing a loss baby!!! ((HUGS))

@Imoverit -- I agree! It's so weird that we're all going through this right now. I wonder if part of it has to do with the "winter blahs," and the other part has to do with feeling as though we're already past what we perceived to be "the hard part"--i.e., the dreaded holiday feasts and treats--and we've let our guard down, so to speak.

I had to remind myself today that the holidays wasn't "the hard part." ALL of this is hard--most days! I need to just suck it up and stick it out, or I'm just wasting my money.

I, too, did Meta-quick today, and plan to do it again tomorrow. I kind of felt like I needed to be extra-strict with myself for a day or two in order to get back on track and move past my grazing and cravings. I needed to go "cold turkey," lol. So far, I did great today. I'm hoping for another good day tomorrow, and then a better weigh-in on Saturday.

We can do it ladies! We just need to get to the root of our problem, and deal with that, I think--then the diet can just fall back into line.

Good luck to all of us!

Hey hteep, I am SO in the same boat. I cannot tell you how many times I've looked up Overeaters Anonymous and said, I should really go there. Of course I never do, because that would be admitting that my binging is an issue, and I don't know if I'll ever really hit the point where I'm willing to say that.

I've been sitting at home today sick and all day the thoughts that have been running through my mind are, "I should order a pizza; what do I want on a pizza, I should call Papa Johns, etc.". Which is a problem because I KNOW that pizza is a huge binge trigger for me. I was on the website getting ready to place my order for an obscene amount of food when I finally made myself wake up and say DON'T DO THIS. So instead I went out and got a wrap. Not entirely that much better, but I knew I would only have one and not have the option to binge.

I hear you though--once it happens it is sooooo easy to keep going. But everyone is right, one day, one binge, one slip up isn't going to ruin everything. Of course it is simple to throw our hands up and say well that's that and continue eating, but you know it isn't true. Look at all you've achieved. One binge isn't going to undo all that hard work. So what if you step on the scale and it resulted in a pound or two--that is tiny relative to the loss you've already realized and the bigger loss you're working towards. So, great job on that and know that no matter how bad you slip, you can always make it up!

I found this quote on another post and LOVE IT...

"I have never, ever, not even one time regretted not eating something. Never. Not once. Turns out telling yourself no feels marvelous. No deprivation passing up on *those foods*. The deprivation is EATING them and remaining overweight. You've got to raise your standards; requiring more from yourself. Challenge yourself. Push yourself. Work past the discomfort. Every time you do it, it gets easier and easier." - Rockinrobin[/QUOTE]

Gwen....I love the quote, I am going to print it out and carry it with me and paste it in my kitchen. Thanks so much!

Here is a link to a forum that might be of interest:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/chicks-control-64/

You're funny, Sherral!
The truth is, I can *literally* feel the pain in my bones and my gut when someone else talks of weight loss struggles. I had truly hit "rock bottom" and have so much empathy for people with that feeling. I really think that I will spend the rest of my life trying to help others realize their potential - we all have the answer! It's been right there inside of us all along - sometimes it's just lying dormant.

To answer your question, I am taking on a role at my gym of peer coach and community organizer. I'm going to help them work towards building a community like our online forum here where people can encourage, love and challenge each other to be better. I'm hoping to start grad school in marriage and family therapy next fall. Guess what? Exactly one year ago, I was at the end of my rope. MRC and the support from this forum changed my life! I'm truly a story of "IF I CAN DO IT, ANYONE CAN!" and I'll shout it from the rooftops as long as I have a voice and someone is listening.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Yesterday was a good day except for some rice cakes last night. Compared to the previous days, I think that I did pretty good. I am getting back to my old habits and working through it. Let's do it together!

Thanks so much for being on here and encouraging me/us. You trully are an inspiration and I look forward to reading your posts. This forum has been my salvation. When I get to the point that I am going to go off plan, I come here. I start reading everyone's struggles or successes and think to my self where do I want to be. I'm so thankful I found all of you! We can all do it! Just keep working on ourselves.
I started this program to get rid of my two baby weights and the stress weight from a child with a lot of health problems. I am starting to loose the weight, but I am gaining so much more from this experience. I have a better relationship with my husband. We communicate better and he helps out more with the kids and household chores. I felt like I was drowning before the program, but now I have learned how to float. My son is doing so much better health wise and I have more time to focus on me. I am a focus in my life now.
I hope this is a journey for everyone. This isn't just about pounds. This is about your life. How do you want to live it? CARPE DIEM!

Given you a THUMBS UP!

hteep123, that's great! to hear you sharing the experience along the way is so helpful. yes, we can all relate. it's a reminder to me for the future...and to let others be a part of my journey. Thank you for letting us be a part of yours!

You know how girls get on the same "cycle"? My mom always calls it being "Queen Bee'd" We are all on the same BINGE cycle!!

Put another tally mark up there for peop0le who have gone on a crazy crazy binge day/week/month. I was actually doing really well, accepting that my body will lose weight as it wants as long as I stick to the plan, and then yesterday we had a snow day.....I was fine until about 11:00. I was hungry, cold and the peanut butter was just sitting right there

Today, I've got my water, HSN and lunch planned out. I need to go weigh in and talk to one of the ladies at my center, but I'm still feeling a little ashamed about that....

So anyway, we are all in the same boat

I love the phrase "Queen Bee'd"! It is so true! At least for me, I feel better knowing that I am not alone when I am going through something tough. It makes me feel like less of an alien and I really believe there are strength in numbers.

Women have a wonderful talent to bond in a fantastic way through our experiences. We have a great natural sense of empathy for each other. You guys keep me going and I am glad I can help some of you with my story.

@machaela - don't be ashamed. Get into your center and accept where you are in your journey. You will feel MUCH better when you do. We can all do this together!