Way to go on making good choices!

That's awesome!!!! Congrats!!! :carrot:

Hello Everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. This seems like a great group with tons of advise I'm 15 days into the program and as of this am have lost 8.5 lbs. Yippee!! I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions but my first here is: What does OP mean? I'm making assumptions in reading alot of your posts but just wanted to confirm exactly. I appreciate any input with whatever 'newbie' questions I gack up.

Determined to turn heads and this time not because they're looking at the fat lady!!

Susie

For me it was almost immediately - at 10lbs I noticed I lost the majority of my stomach as if 10lbs was just hanging over my pants. When I lost 20lbs I saw it in the mirror because it appeared I was getting my waist back. I really noticed the difference in shopping for bras a few weeks ago - I went down a whole size, and no longer did I have side boobs (hanging out over my bra strap). As I'm getting closer to 30lbs - I definitely see my double chin going away .. so I'm completely excited about 40lbs!!!

I think the area I see the least progress - my canckles come and go - and my thighs... I also forgot to take pics .. so I'm starting at 30lbs lost to take them and will take them every 10lbs.

Welcome!

OP = On Plan ... some people use it as Off Plan, though. It kind of depends on the context of the sentence, I guess. :)

Did your center take a picture of you when you first started? I didn't take any pictures of myself before I started, so I just asked my center to make a copy of my "before" pictures that they taped into my file. :)

They did - but it was only a side view .. So I'm kind of bummed that there is no front shot .. I do have one of me at Christmas sitting on the couch - I look like a blob so I hide it.. but I'm about to pull that puppy out for motivation.

Thanks! I went for WI (weigh in for the newer people) and only lost 1lb. But I will take that pound. That's 4lbs. total for this week. I'm 2.5lbs from signing the 20lb board. Crossing my fingers that I will be doing that Tuesday at my next WI.

You did so well making good choices..Be proud of yourself.

Patzi

Hello everyone..

I weighed in this morning and gained another1/2 pound putting me right at goal.That is three weighins, gaining weight at each.. I suggested going back to the green menu on Meta Slim,and I was advised to go back to the blue for Saturday, Sunday and Monday and see what scale does Monday.So, here I go again. They said I lost more inches and gained muscle mass,so they feel that may be what is causing the weight gain. I still walk briskly one hour each night, 7 nights a week, and due to the loose skin on upper arms from losing weight I have been doing the weights every day for that area. The weights is he only thing new, and I am only at 35 a day.

I was so disgusted today, for the first time since I have been on this program,I felt like going and just binging, but after the pity party I talked myself out of it.. That would be so foolish.


So,we shall see.I will start the blue menu,on meta slim that is day 5-11tomorrow and see what happens.

Hope you all have great weigh ins.

Patzi

Patzi, I bet it truly is just muscle mass--especially with the extra weight training and losing inches. At this point, as long as your inches stay the same or continue to drop, I wouldn't worry too much about what the scale says.

Although, I also understand that's much easier said than done. ;)

Oh Patzi! I am so glad you talked yourself out of binging! You would so have regretted it and then possibly have even wanted to give up totally afterwards. You have come so very far and I agree that it is muscle mass if you are still losing inches. I know how frustrating and disappointing the gaining is. When that happened to me, my center told me to drop the dairy for a week and see if that was what was causing it and sure enough... Dairy is one of my triggers. Maybe you have a trigger in your menu that is "allowed", but your body responds differently too? Maybe you could drop something out for a bit until things settle for you?

Welcome to this group. It is a fantastic bunch of people.This group has helped me get to where I am today.. Great weight loss . Be proud of yourself.
Patzi

You guys, I had such an amazing evening Friday. I just had to share!
First, a bit of back story. I went to WI on Friday afternoon and although I'd lost a pound, my BMI had not dropped, so the ladies are concerned that I'm not metabolizing fat like I should. I was a bit down in the dumps. But, I had plans for the evening, so I didn't have much time to dwell on the bad news.

Anyway, I went to an "adult prom" or "second-chance prom" if you will, last night. I made a dress instead of buying one. But, I had to do some very last minute alterations because it was much to big in the bust from when I measured just a month ago. Woohoo! I felt so unbelievably beautiful and had at least 20 people stop me to tell me they loved my dress. One guy asked to take a picture of it and another girl asked if I made bridesmaid dresses. My ego is way over-inflated right now :D But, I don't believe I've ever in my life felt more attractive than I did last evening. I'm reinvigorated to lose the last 16 pounds (even though the center has now readjusted my goal and wants me to lose 25 more :(...seriously, I'd blow away in a windstorm at that, I'm certain!).

Just wanted to share. I hope all of you are feeling more and more gorgeous as you approach your goal! Also, pardon the poor quality of the photo and the apparent poor quality of the dress. I'd been wearing it for 10 hours at the time of the photo and had been dancing in it for 4. The hoopskirt was not that atrociously obvious, either, but after running 2 blocks in the rain to the car, the dress was clinging to everything :dizzy:

Oooh! You look like a butterfly! How appropriate, given that you are metaphorically coming out of your cocoon! :)

Well, I felt like crap again yesterday (allergies/cold/sinus infection--I can't tell what it is right now). I worked until noon, then took the afternoon off to rent a bad B movie, sit next to a humidifier, and occasionally use my neti pot.

BUT, I still dragged myself to yoga. Friday nights are the more challenging yoga class for me, but I just warned the instructor that I wasn't feeling well and to pay no attention to me if I have to stop and rest periodically--or run out to cough/blow my nose, lol. I was surprised at how much I was still able to do, despite feeling crappy and run-down. :)

AND, I weighed in today-- down 2.5lbs. YAY! The phentatrim seems to be helping. I was really happy with the loss, but a little, tiny bit disappointed that it wasn't .5lb more--so I could be at a milestone (-60lbs!) and pop a balloon or open an Easter egg to get a prize (that's the current promotion at my center). Oh, well, hopefully on Tuesday. :)

I ordered my Kindle a week or so ago, to be my -60lb reward. It came a couple days ago and was staring at me every day. I haven't even opened the box. I came home and asked hubby if he thought -.5lb away from this reward goal was close enough to be able to open it. He said "Sure! You could lose that .5lb this afternoon alone if you have a big poop! Besides, you're sick--what else can you do besides read or watch tv?" He's gross, but he's right.

I'm going to finish checking my email, then open my kindle up and start reading! :)

Congrats on the weight loss! And go for it with the Kindle. You are so close to an awesome milestone! Can't wait for you to exceed it! Have fun reading :D

That is a good weight loss. I find the Phentatrim does help. I only take it when I feel the craving . Gosh, teacher lady,getting to 60 pound weight loss,that is fantastic.. Enjoy your kindle

Patzi

Bad bad girl!!!
 

I haven't been on the site in a while and should have been checking in more often. We are still in the hospital waiting for a seizure and some answers. I am trying to stay on plan but I have fallen back into my old ways. I have started rewarding myself for getting through certain things. It was a hard day so I am going to eat this peanut butter egg, or two, or three. It was a REALLY BAD day. I even started hiding them from my husband. I ate two today when he left the room. :(
My center is mailing me more HNS as I'm not certain how long we will be here. I need to leave asap though because this is not a good environment for me. I have completely fallen off the wagon and am not sure how to get back on. I have given into the temptations and now I think I am craving them again.:devil:
HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP. I NEED HELP!

Struggling Nicole - My thoughts & prayers go out to you and your family during this time and I hope your son gets the help that he needs. I don't know what I would do, if I were in your situation. Hard times are going to happen, maybe not as hard as what you're going through now but life is full of speed bumps. I think you've just gotta think about how far you've come and think of your health. Have you looked for a center near the hospital? Maybe you could go there to talk with someone or set up a time to talk to your favorite consultant at your center. Hopefully you can work through this and get back on track. :hug:

You (and your dress) look beautiful! Thanks for the great example and inspiration.

Mariah

Congrats on the loss, I know you've been working hard for it and enjoy your Kindle. 59.5 (or 60 if you had a good poop since posting) is an amazing landmark and very inspiring!

Mariah

Mariah

HELP IS HERE! GRABBING YOUR HAND AND PULLING YOU BACK OUT OF THOSE OLD BAD HAIBTS. You've already taken the first step to get back on track by ackowledging you need help. The stress and uncertainty of your situation is so difficult, but you can do this. You have come too far stop now.

Step 1 - Throw away that off plan food or give it to your husband to "dispose of" - DON'T EAT IT TO GET RID OF IT. GET BACK OP RIGHT NOW!

Step 2 - You need a plan. Are you eating at the hospital, restrauarnts, hotel, or can you do some cooking? Can you hit a grocery store for some supplies? It may seem more convenient to eat out, but if you have a cooler with a few protein options (turkey/chicken lunch meat), hard boiled eggs, cheese and/or tuna in a pouch. A couple of fruit options and a loaf of low-calorie bread or tortillas. A few veggie options (relish tray, premade salad, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, etc. ) you can probably save money and not be as tempted. -

Step 3 - Don't beat yourself up . . . you are under a lot of stress . . . went back to old ways . . . BUT this time you saw the bad choices you were making ... reached out for help . . . and will stay OP to the best of your ability until you reach your goal. I would call that an incredible accomplishment and a great victory. If you can get back OP while you are out of town with your child in the hospital, you can do anything you put your mind to!

Mariah

keeping you and your family in my prayers.... u will get through this

Thanks guys! I decided last night to eat one more peanut butter egg and popcorn with m&ms. Then, I made my husband walk a mile back to the parking garage and dispose of evertyhing else. I made a promise to him and asked him to promise to help me stay on plan the rest of the time we are here.
@Rzrbackcandi - There are no centers near the hospital, let alone the whole darn state of Minnesota. I checked before I left. I think a phone call is not a bad idea. I will try that today.
@nair and momoffour - Thanks so much for the inspiring words. I will pull myself up out of this whole. I know I am the only one who can do it and I need to stop whining and just get it done.
I'm pretty sad and upset. Tomorrow is the stabilization party and once again I am going to miss it. I decided not to go last month because I didn't feel ready for stabilization and my husband wasn't home. Now, we are still at the hospital with no leave date in sight. Really ready to see a finish line. I want to wear my size 4 dress and show everyone my accomplishments. I think I need something like that to motivate me again.
Sorry for being Debbie Downer. I am promising to myself and everyone here that I WILL NOT EAT OFF PLAN ANYMORE! I need to realize that those treats will come back. They are not lost forever!

: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