March Thread
 

Its March...so we need a March thread. :-)

Weighed in today and am so excited I am only 14lbs away from goal. I haven't worked out in a week now because of Jayen's seizures. His seizures are the reason I got to the weight I did. I really hope I can get through this! I was wondering if anyone had any great ideas for how to get rid of the belly fat. I am having the hardest time with this. I do (did) sit-ups everyday and haven't seen any improvement.

I don't have any special tricks for the abs, but I wanted to say congrats on being so close to your goal weight. It's an inspiration to me whose one week into this journey (again). I love looking at everyone's tickers. For me, that's a great deal of motivation to keep going.

Struggling Nicole..
Congratulations on the loss and you are getting real close to goal.
I was told by Center that Corti Trim is great for belly fat.

I weighed in today and gained .7 pounds, that makes me almost 2 pounds from goal. No reason for the gain, so hopefully will do better on Friday.

Congratulations to all the losers.

Patzi

First Weigh in
 

I started preconditioning last Thursday and went in today for my first WI. I lost 7.5 lbs Yeah! I go Friday for my meal training and can't wait. :carrot:

You are so close to goal! How exciting. I unfortunately do not have any tips for the abs, but would love to hear what kinds of tips someone can give us (I carry most of my weight in the middle).

My belly fat was one of the last things to disappear. :( I was beginning to lose hope! The closer I got to goal, the more quickly those "womanly fat deposits" - abdomen, thighs, boobs - started shrinking. Unfortunately, my boobs took most of the hit! :D It DOES go away though. There are numerous studies that you cannot target/spot reduce. It's all about overall weight loss. Abdominal exercise tightens and strengthens the muscle that is there, it does NOT reduce fat.

That said, in the last couple of months of loss, I went hard-core on abdominal work (pun intended). I really wanted there to be a strong/flat stomach under the fat. So, situps, planks, pushups, v-ups, tons of functional/balance training, side sit-ups, p90x, etc etc etc. My abs are so strong now that I can do a v-up holding a 35lb plate. But, you couldn't see them until I lost the layer of fat...which is all food.

So, good news/bad news! ;)

Let me know if you want ab exercises - I am in <3 with them.

Hey ladies.. I'm back on board. I've been totally out of control. I found my weigh in sheets from 2 years ago and I have gained 30 lbs since March 2, 2009. Very discouraging, but I know I'm ready to get back on track. I have been horrible about sticking to ANYTHING, and I've tried it all. I did WW for a week, Atkins for 2 weeks, HCG 3 times over a few months..I just didn't stick to anything. I'm back to MRC b/c it's was REALLY worked for me back in 2008. I went from 172 lbs to 124 with the MRC plan and working out. I have been doing the couch to 5K program and am on the last run of week 5, which was a 20 minute run. I completed it this morning and am super excited. I just need to get more exercise in and get the eating plan on track.

Keep up the great work and try not to get discouraged. This isn't easy, but it's SO worth it. I kept my weight off for 2 years and then had so many stressful things going on, I just quit. I want to be thin and healthy again. Take care!

Congrats to Struggling Nicole and Patzi! You two are sooooo close to goal! Well done!

My weight's been holding steady for 2 weeks now, so I'm trying to figure out what's going on. I know it's just about my TOM, but I don't know if TWO WEEKS of roughly the same weight can be attributed to that. Whatever the case, I'm hoping to start losing again very quickly. The ladies at the center keep telling me they want to keep an eye on my progress, but the longer they "keep an eye on it" and do nothing, the further I get from achieving my goal on time :( Not too fond of that. Fingers crossed for a good loss when I weigh in on Friday, but it's not looking good for the home team.

Rocki~
Welcome back! I remember you from the last time I did MRC and was on these boards. Unfortunately, I too gained back much of the weight, and am struggling to get rid of it AGAIN. Hope that this time really is the LAST time! Good luck!

Well, I weighed in at home this morning and am 1 pound down from my scale than when I left Friday. I did eat some junkish food yesterday. I got ravenously hungry (finally..hadn't been hungry since I got sick Sunday) while I was at Walmart picking up my medicine and I got fast food. Just ate some Zaxby's chicken strips....so I was expecting a small gain from extra carbs and salt...but nothing yet.

I will weigh in at the center tomorrow morning. Hopefully, I'll be up for my Zumba workout tomorrow as well.

I'm so excited! I just weighed in and at the end of my first week back OP, I've lost 6.5 pounds!!!!!! Now to figure out how not to lose that enthusiasm of the first week and keep it going. Taking it a week at a time, a day at a time.

Happy March everyone!

I weighed in today, and was only down .5 pounds, but that is alright, because I signed the 20 pound board today, which made it all better. It it TTOM for me, so I am not suprised for the small loss. I will weigh again Saturday and am sure to see a bigger loss for the week.

Woohoo!!! Well done! Bet you feel fantastic!

Did you have another name when you were on before? This board says you just joined February 2011?? Let's do it right this time. I didn't sign back up @ the center (just can't keep spending money there), but I have all my paperwork and the hubby and kids to keep me accountable! :)

Way to go Jen! That is SOOOOO awesome. If I lose 6.5 lbs in my first week I'll be super excited too! It is very hard to keep it going, but be creative, ask for help and lots of mental, self-talk..that's what helped me the most. Don't be afraid to talk to the counselors and ask for guidance and try new recipes if you're bored! Keep it up! You're doing great!

Welcome to all the new members and ones coming back.. This is a great goup , sure has helped me.

Ashley Rae.. When I went to a stall the center had me try the following.

Meta Quick for two days, and back on the first menu for one day. I am on Meta Slim.. They also had me go back to the first menu for a day, then second day on the second menu and third day, the third menu, if this makes sense.. One time they had me go on the Meta Quick for 4 days.. This all worked and made me start to lose again.. Center should suggest things to help you out of a stall, maybe remind them again.. Hope the next weigh in will be a good one for you. Oh, forgot one thing, they had me add one HNS to daily intake, making it 5 HNS a day. Hang in there.
Patzi

Oh, Patzi, thank you sooooooo much for the info! I'll definitely bring this up to them tomorrow! I've not heard of MetaQuick, but I'm certainly going to ask about it! You're a rockstar! Thanks again!

Wow - Its hard to believe March is here already. Signed up last week for another 17 weeks. Not sure I'll need it but the Center was running a special. I have 8 weeks until my husband and I go to St. Maarten. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can stay focused and get the rest of this weight off.

When I signed up, I chose a 30 day plan followed by a 17 week plan with a year of maintenance afterwards. If you haven't reached your goal weight, does that mean you have to pay for another 17 weeks? How does that work?

Yes, if you don't hit your goal weight by the time the 17 weeks is up, you will have to do what they call a re-enroll, basically a contract extension for another 17 weeks.

Yikes! I'll remember that little tidbit about the re enroll. French fry today = moolah out of momma's pocket tomorrow! ;) Staying focused!

Hmmm... wish I had known that when I chose my goal weight. I would have to lose over 4 pounds a week to reach that. What if I choose not to re-enroll... can I do maintenance at whatever weight I'm at?

Patzi - thanks for sharing.
Mandiana - you can do it. Some weeks will be better, some a little less. But keep up working hard.

Today was a great day for me. Today I have done 27 days, I've lost 15 lbs and 29.5 inches.

I wish the pounds could be more, but hey - i can weigh 200 lbs and be a six 6. I'd be happy. LOL.

Way to go Nicole. I think you're ready to take that struggling out of your name. Goal is just a few steps away. Awesome.

You can, but I would suggest re-enrolling and getting to goal. Usually, it's just $99. The lower your body fat is when you start maintenance, the higher chance of success you will have keeping it off. Also, take advantage of the extensions that most centers offer. Usually, at every holiday, if you lose any amount of weight over the holiday, they will extend your contract by 2 weeks. I got an extra 6 weeks by losing over Memorial day, July 4th, Labor Day. I wouldn't have made it in time without those extensions.

Thanks, FLKat... You're doing awesome!

Debi, Whew!... I thought it was going to be another $300. I could probably handle $100.

Just checking in for day 2. I only have 2 of the MRC drinks left (tons of puddings, shakes and bars, but only 2 drinks)..so, I'm drinking a protein powder bought @ Sam's Club. I know it's not the same (has 130 cals, 2.5g fat, 3g carbs and 23g protein compared to 70 cals, 0 fat, 1g carbs & 16g protein)..BUT, if I just cut it by a 1/3 it *almost* equals out (that would take it to 85 cals, 1.5g fat, 2g carbs & 15g protein). I would have an extra 4.5g fat and an extra 3g carbs per day, not too awful bad. What do you all think? I don't want to spend the money to go buy drinks at the center so I'm going to order more drinks online.

I was down. 3.4 lbs this morning. That was encouraging, esp since TOM is finally making her way out the door as well.

Keep up the great work ladies!

Well, I have made my initial goal!! I am so excited today that I can't stop smiling. I think now I will go for a lower goal weight because I am not happy with where I am. Has anyone gone through this?

CONGRATS on making it to goal!:carrot:

I haven't gotten there yet...so I don't know about wanting to lose more. Not sure where you are in terms of weight, but if you are unhappy still and it is healthy for you to continue losing, I say go for it! You realized how hard you can work, why not keep going if you can?

Well I was trying for 3, but I made it to 2 pounds down! I'll take it, considering I was sick for 3 days and didn't eat OP. Some meals I skipped because I wasn't hungry and some meals I ate off program..and I didn't drink HNS for those 3 days either. But its all good. I know by Tuesday when I go back I will be signing that 40 pound board! woohoo!

Thank you! You are right. I mean, what's 20 more pounds after losing 80? We will see how I feel once I get down to that weight.

CONGRATULATIONS! I know it's been a difficult road, Junie, so I'm so proud and happy for you! You are an inspiration! :carrot:

I'm hungry... waaahhh! :cry:

Okay, enough whining. What's a good Meta-Slim dinner when you're really hungry?

Thanks so much, Teacherlady!

How about a big salad with only romaine lettuce with tilapia on the side and a piece of toast with spray butter? It will take you a while to eat the big salad too!

That is just great! What an accomplishment! Yes, go for the lower goal. It will be so much easier to maintain when you are at the weight you look and feel your best. I am so motivated by these skinny jeans that I will never be up more than 5lbs!

Thanks, Junie.

I don't know what was up with me today, but around 3pm I was starving. I stayed on plan though, and now it's time for bed! :yawn:

Usually hunger like that is followed by big losses. :crossed: Can't wait to see what the scale has to say tomorrow!

When I'm really hungry, I make meals I can snack on. So green beans baked till crispy in the oven (almost like fries) so I can eat one at a time with my hands....it takes a long time to eat them all. And I cut my chicken into nuggets before cooking. I have found if I trick myself into thinking its more food by the looks of it, I get full even when I'm starving.

Woohoo!!!! Congratulations!!!!! :cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

I really like that idea Razor! Thanks :D

Okay, so I did not see a big loss like I was expecting, like I usually see when I get that hungry. Instead, I gained almost 2 pounds. I did start exercising a couple of days ago. Could that be it? If so, is the weight gain a temporary thing? When should I worry?

I don't feel like I'm exercising too much. I'm doing 30 min on the treadmill at 3mi/hr and 4 or 5 strength training exercises. I've done that for the past 2 days, and am planning on doing that 5 days a week. Is that too much?

Also, I drank 98 oz of water, so I know it's not the water, but I don't remember the last time I went to the bathroom. Maybe I need more fiber?

Logically, I know that I shouldn't worry about the scale going up for a day, but ya know, if I was logical about food and weight, I probably wouldn't be fat. LOL