:hug::hug::hug:

One thing that helped me is the revelation that the thing I was doing to relieve stress was actually CAUSING stress. Sometimes we munch as kind of a "release valve" for the steam that's building up inside. A piece of candy lets off a little steam. It works for a while, but it actually has the opposite long term effect of causing more stress, guilt, anger, body hatred, feelings of failure, depression....Eating off plan ADDS to stress, even if it feels good in the moment. I liken it to a hit of crack or alcohol for a crack addict. At the moment, nothing in the world seems more important or that it will work. Unfortunately, it harms us. Maybe there are other ways you can "let off steam" when the pressure builds? Getting out of the room or hospital for even 10 minutes, going out into the sunshine, giving someone a hug...all positive ways that will release that stress without causing more stress in the long run.

I am on day 21 and have lost 9 pounds and only 4 inches. I am a little discouraged by the low inches and slow pounds. Any advise? I am 100% OP take my oil, MRC6, vitamins, HNS.

I can only think of two things that might be a problem if you're 100% OP and still not losing. Number one, are you weighing your food? Number two, are you getting too much exercise? A food scale is almost (if not definitely) a necessity for this eating plan. Plus, this is quite low calorie, so if you're exercising more than the 4 hours per week limit, your body will not want to get rid of the weight.

It could be so many things - are you getting in 100 oz of water? Are you exercising? Are you eating at the right time of the day - example every 3-4 hours? .. How many HNS' are you getting in? Are you weighing after cooking? Are you getting a variety?

Don't forget, we all seem to experience a slight stall around day 21... I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you're weighing your food, drinking plenty of water, exercising lightly, and staying on plan.

You've already been given good advise and 9 lbs in 21 days is 3 lbs a week which is what I was "promised."

Water is very importnat (64 oz plus 8 oz for every 25 lbs you want to lose and 8 oz for every 15 min of exercise - I get at least 120 oz).

Consider adding some fiber to make sure eveything is moving through properly (either fiber drink from MRC or I use Crystal Light with fiber or Benifiber).

Are you eating within 1 hour of getting up? Variety is important.

Are you combining proteins from different groups? (like eggs with tuna or cheese with chicken - you should not be doing this).

Has your center recomended anything?

You should be proud of those 9 lbs, but I also understand wanting to lose the weight as quickly as possible and there are a lot little details and tricks so if you would like more info, post what you've been eating/drinking/exercising and we are always glad to offer advise.

Mariah

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. :hug:

Struggling Nicole..

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Patzi

Went to a crawfish boil at a friend's last night. We had a really good time!

Even though I wasn't totally on-plan, I think I did ok. I ate some crawfish tails (I wasn't able to weigh them, but they're so tiny I'm positive I didn't get enough protein--maybe only 1 or 2 oz), and part of one boiled red potato. Avoided the corn on the cob, spicy corn salad, potato salad and fruit salad. I made sure we brought a veggie salad (chopped mixed veggies in a light vinaigrette) so that there would be veggies for me. I stuck with water and iced tea--instead of the abundance of beer and mixed drinks--and only had a bite of my husband's Louisiana-style King cake. When we got home, I ate a cheese stick (even though it's not OP for evening) to make sure I got enough protein.

I really didn't have the option of bringing my own food or meal replacement, because the whole point of the party was to do a photoshoot for her online magazine project that she's starting--so it wouldn't have looked good for me to not eat anything, or to eat something totally unrelated. I'm satisfied with how I did, though. :)

Unfortunately, I feel even crummier this morning. I thought I was just fighting allergies until I got so miserable this weekend, but now I think it's a virus. I started to feel better yesterday--even felt ok when I went to bed last night--but woke up achy, stuffy, and with a sore throat, which is even worse than I was before. :( I really don't want to keep taking sick days, though.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

Weigh In Monday and I'm down another 1.5 pounds. I'm actually proud of myself. Yesterday, I got to go to a church retreat and they had a spread of food like you wouldn't believe. Gotta love southern cooking! However, I planned ahead and brought my OP foods with me. I even turned away the table of deserts. I was fortunate enough to have a couple of ladies at the table with me that ended up being my support system for the day. They were amazing! I'm so happy I stuck with it. :)

Congrats to those who have been places with a TON of really good "bad" food and stayed OP!

My sister in law called last night and invited me over for Easter. I asked what she was fixing and she said her whole family was bringing stuff ... Ham, potato salad, deviled eggs, chips & dips, chicken wings and a ton of desserts. I told her not to worry about me, I would just bring a meal replacement bar and be just fine. I thought she was going to jump through the phone and choke me! She said, "All you're going to eat is a *#$&@& #**#@$& *@#$*&@#$ BAR??" .. all the symbols represent several bad words. I was laughing and told her I would fix something and then just reheat it when it was time to eat. But I feel bad because what should I take over there? She, of course, told me nothing.. but I feel like I need to take something! Any suggestions?

Hi...
Everyone has given you great advice and I have nothing to add to that.
I wanted to tell you, if you lost 9 pounds in 21 days that is a good weight loss.

I, also was OP the whole time , and I was promised a 2 pound loss a week, and some weeks I lost 1/2 a pound or stayed the same.. I looked back at my records and on week 22, I started to stall a bit..

Be proud of yourself as you did a fantastic job in the 21 days..

Patzi

That crawfish boil sounded like lots of fun.. I went to a seafood boil last year and really enjoyed it..

If you have the flu, or virus, please take care of yourself. My daughter had it and landed in the hospital dehydrated.. Hope you are feeling better soon, and be proud of yourself on choices.. You did a great job.

Patzi

Sorry your not feeling well but it sounds like you had a great weekend.

Mariah

Congrats!!!!

Mariah