I totally understand where you're coming from, and I was extremely skeptical at first. My sister (an ICU nurse who just started anesthesia school) started with MRC just over a year ago. She's 9 years older than me, and was having health problems (high cholesterol/blood pressure, shortness of breath, and pre-diabetic). I've been concerned about my weight for a while, as looking at my sister is like looking through a window into my future.
My sister lost 40lbs and then had to quit when she became (unplanned) pregnant. After she was down 30lbs, I saw that the diet really works--but it's hard. I took the leap last September and invested in it, though I was still skeptical (and irritated at how much it cost). Each center is a little different. My center pushed supplements on me right at first, then backed off and didn't mention them again until I stalled at -50lbs. Most of them only have the "pre-programmed" answers they learned from training, but two of them really seem to understand the science behind the program and were able to answer my questions to my satisfaction.
I wanted to lose as much of the weight as possible as naturally as possible. The only supplements I used for the first 50 or so lbs I lost were the drink supplements, a multivitamin (a prenatal that my doctor prescribed me), and flax seed oil (which I recently switched to krill oil from the center--easier to swallow). When I stalled for a month at about -55lbs, I tried the cortitrim, which helped a little. Then I switched to phentatrim, which helped a lot, with no side effects for me. I'm now down 73lbs.
The program sucks at first. I'll be totally honest about that. At the end of my preconditioning, I went to my consultant and cried. I felt awful (you put it best when you said "like a zombie") and hungry all the time. My consultant said to give it one week on the actual menu plan (I didn't start with the yellow menu--I weighed too much for it--so I started with the regular menu plan pretty quickly) and then decide. After the first week on my actual menu plan, I felt fine. Still felt pretty deprived, but I could live with it.
One of the other women on this board (hatesthesweatpants) always says that the program works if you work the program. It's not like weight-watchers or other diets--you can't just pick and choose what you like about this program and blend it with others, you have to really work the program as it's written in order to see the results. This program is great--but it's not for everyone, and if you aren't willing or able to do it the way it's supposed to be, then it may not be for you (or your husband). Even though we may be well-educated people (which I consider myself to be, as well as my sister), we do not necessarily know better than this program--as is evidenced by the fact that we are overweight and need help getting it under control.
This program DOES work-- Debi (hatesthesweatpants), Patzi, Junie, me, and others are all examples of how well this program works from start to finish, and we're all willing to help you on this board with questions or problems you run into.
There are sometimes multiple centers in larger cities, too, so if you don't like the consultants at your center, perhaps you can switch? I did, and that helped me a lot.
They also have some meal plans to fit various lifestyles-- 2-meal a day and 6-meals a day, so if your schedule is making it difficult, that may help, too.
As far as the drink supplements go-- are you drinking just the concentrated ones, or the powdered ones, too? The concentrated ones are the sweetest to me. I like the peach-mango powdered one, as it has a light, almost creamy flavor (but you have to mix it really well or it clumps). I haven't looked for other supplements, but I"m sure you could find something similar on dietdirect.com.
Sorry so long, but I wanted to address all of your concerns. I do hope you stick with it--it's changed my life--but totally understand if you decide to do something else. Like I said, we're here on this board to help!
^^^^^ What she said!! ^^^^^^
Welcome and ask questions - we're here for you!
Good luck on your weight loss journey. This is an absolutely amazing board with the most wonderful posters. They will encourage you on your way and help motivate you when it seems you can't keep your head in the game. This program DOES work. Just trust the plan and you will see results!!!
Question - my scale at home shows a lost when the scale at the center doesn't. I can only account for this because when I weigh at home - it's first thing in the am and nude. At the center it's mid-day, after lunch and with whatever I happen to be wearing that day.
I tend to lean towards my scale at home...okay or no?
Question - my scale at home shows a lost when the scale at the center doesn't. I can only account for this because when I weigh at home - it's first thing in the am and nude. At the center it's mid-day, after lunch and with whatever I happen to be wearing that day.
I tend to lean towards my scale at home...okay or no?
I would lean towards the home scales, but just be aware that MRC uses their scales and numbers for your "official" weight. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you weigh in later in the day. I'm fortunate enough that I can weigh in on my lunch break. On those mornings, I only eat a Meal Replacement Bar. I hold off drinking anything until after I weigh in. Thanks to some game play on the Biggest Loser, I learned that a gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds!!! Yikes! I always have a protein drink ready to go once I weigh in. Another thing I do is have a set of clothes in the car that I always use to weigh in. This way, I know that any weight loss (or gain) is due to me, and not the clothes.
The posters here have more great ideas and tips. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Weighed in and lost the last one pound of 2 that I had gained, so back to where I should and want to be.It took me two full weeks to lose this weight and mind you no reason for gain, just happened.
As for the scales, my scale, which is same brand as center says I am 1 1/2 pounds under the one at center. I go by that one.. Also, there are two scales at center, and they both read differently. Some people insist they weigh on the same scale each week. I go in first thing in morning and have not eaten anything, and weigh same weight pants or capris each time I go , and a light weight tee in summer..
For those that order from Diet Direct.. Bari Wise is 10 percent off ending June 26th.. Coupon code is Bariwise10. I order their shakes, and their bars when they are on sale, rest of time I order from center.
The ready to make shakes.. I bought some today for when I travel. I was told one of those is a creamy, and two of those is a full meal replacement.. Also told to freeze and eat like icecream. So, that sounds nice and cooling for summer. I usually have a hot chocolate each night, so will freeze the shake and have their version of icecream as too hot to have cocoa.
Welcome to the newbies, and congrats to all that lost weight.
Weighed in today and signed the 45 pound board! It took about a month and a half to lose 5 pounds, but I think I needed to be remotivated and definitely am now that I signed the board. I had come to the point where I felt good and I think subconciously I was sabatoging more weight loss because I felt so good at the weight I was at. But, I only have 23 pounds until goal, so I need to kick it into high gear and get this weight off.
Welcome to all the new MRCers! I'm excited for you!
Patzi--it must be a relief to have the scale under control again. I have to say I would be much more anxiety-ridden than you if I were on maintainence and mysterious pounds appeared.
evensmom--you and I have similar starting weights and goals. I agree that losing 45 pounds is an accomplishment of its own and it would be so easy to stop here.
I was motivated this week after realizing that if I hadn't lost that 45 pounds I would have had to drag it all over Manhattan with me on vacation. The next time I go, I will be even slimmer and the evening dresses I wore won't be so tight on my tummy.
On my unofficial weigh-in this morning, I was only 1 pound from my pre-vacation weight. I really thought I would lose since I walked so much I had to take extra motrin and tylenol from muscle soreness. Since I didn't lose, I'm just glad I was able to get it off so quickly.
Now I know that by my weigh-in on Tuesday I'll have probably lost that pound and maybe another one too.
Hey Gang! I'm not caught up on all the posts and getting ready to leave for Pensacola! They have decided to operate on BOTH of my mom's feet! So it's been a hectic day. She's been at work, yes.. even with a broken foot. And I've been working but when I found out about both feet, I started calling places for portable scooters and things like that to help her. I found one on Craig's list and my brother came through with the money and I had to drive about 45min (one way) to get it. Now I'm doing laundry and haven't even started packing! It's going to be a long night!
Anyway - went to WI today. It was a slow week - only 2lbs, which I'm good with considering everything that has been going on. And it was my 91st day, so I got updated measurements. I've lost 34"! Mainly in my ribs and hips.
Welcome to all the newbies and congrats to all those with losses.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! Keep up the great work!
Patzi:
Just thought I'd share an idea, in case you still have some of that hot cocoa...I agree it's too hot for it now, so the other night, I decided to try blending the hot cocoa with diet cream soda (1/2-2/3 of a can) and some ice. It was delicious! Almost like a chocolate shake, or even reminded me of a Wendy's Frosty!!
Hi ya'll. I'm on Day 63. I have 3 weeks til my deadline. I have hadseveral weeks on and off where I stalled, but I am definitely losing. I've lost 13 lbs!!!!!!!!!
I know you have to spend money on this program, but it seriously kicks butt. I am...no WAS a serial dieter - South Beach, Weight Watchers....you name it.
I did MRC in 2000, and went from 187 to 146. I've stayed between 130 and 150 mostly between 2000 and 2010. I got up in the 150's and started serial dieting again....with no success.
Now, here I am - 140!!! YAY! Heading back down. I can't wait to get past the 130 mark. That will be uncharted territory since 1994.
I am doing the metaquick program - start today - to help push me into the 130's, and get me closer to the goal of 133.5. After I reach that, I plan to go back until I hit 125 or 126.
I started sabotaging recently, which put my loss to a grinding halt! I'm realizing that I've been serial dieting and struggling for so many years (never learned stabilization because I moved away before I got there) is my "norm" and getting out of it (success), means CHANGE, and I'm a little scared.
I'm not going to let the fear drive me. I'm going to give it 100% the next 3 weeks. NO EXCUSES!!!!!
I'll let you know how my metaquick goes and how much poundage I lose.
Patzi:
Just thought I'd share an idea, in case you still have some of that hot cocoa...I agree it's too hot for it now, so the other night, I decided to try blending the hot cocoa with diet cream soda (1/2-2/3 of a can) and some ice. It was delicious! Almost like a chocolate shake, or even reminded me of a Wendy's Frosty!!
What a great idea. I do have some diet cream soda, as one of the drinks I have been enjoying while on maintenance is coffee, and I have iced coffee, with diet creme soda and a small of amount of soy milk, ice, and froth up. But will add the hot chocolate.. Sounds so yummy.Again thanks for thinking of me.
Candi...
I say any weight loss is a gift, and you try so hard and are so disciplined, I am happy you had a 2 pound loss. That is a god weight loss with all the stress you have been under. Be proud of yourself. Glad to see you lost inches.. Have a good weekend, and take care of yourself with all going on.
I forgot to say, I think, but when I weighed in they did my measurements and I have lost 49 inches, that is more than weight I lost, and I am real happy with that.. Did not lose in my ankles..Oh, well, LOL such is life.
For those with mega stress, I found when I had a problem on losing weight, or going into stabilization or maintenance, I came to this forum and it helped me so much. I also spoke to one of my consultants and I have mentioned before my sister has cancer and my daughter has been sick so I have lots to deal with, but it all works out somehow, try to have faith,for better lack of a word, but it does work out. Before I started this program I would eat due to stress, but once the weight came off, I found I was fighting myself and did not do that, just stayed OP and the weight loss was the one thing I had going for myself and that was a positive for all the negative around me. So, if one can try and change their think mode , hopefully this will help you out. I know this is a difficult place to be in and add that in with dieting challenge, it is a lot, but it does find a happy medium.Weight loss was my gift to me, to offset the negativity, sickness, etc . that was engulfing and still engulfing my life.
Little Edie... I am very anxious when mysterious pounds appear, and it makes me sort of sad in a way, but more determined to get it off. To be honest, sometimes I become real sick of it, but I keep going.
coarkkayaker..Great advise ....if you get off course, get right back on it - don't wait until tomorrow to start over". I have never done the detox, so am anxious as to have someone answer your question.
pnvomaha .. So sorry for all your problems. Hang in there and we are here for you.
If I have forgotten to say congrats to anyone that has lost weight, not intentional, find this new method of posting a bit difficult at times, but understand the reason for it.
Wishing all a great day, a great weight loss, and for those having a difficult day, try to do something nice for yourself and make yourself a priority for maybe even an hour and hope that helps.
I am newer to the MRC diet....I am on Day 27. I have lost 14.5 lbs so far but seem to have come to a hault for a couple weeks. It's funny because this is the first diet that I would say I have stuck to 100% I have honestly not had a cheat that I know of since I started and yet I am only losing about a 1-2lbs a week. I'm considering doing Meta-quick but am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a substitute shake that has similar nutrition as the MRC meal replacement shakes. I'm getting a little fed up with all the money and supplements they push on you and am pretty sure there must be another product that is more cost effective for these shakes. If anyone has any ideas for me they would be much appreciated. Also, when doing the meta-quick I know you also take your usual hns supplements at breakfast and lunch but can you also have up to 4 of them to use between meals while doing meta-quick? Looking forward to this journey with all of you.
Woo! My center was selling the super chocolate powder (to replace fruits/veggies) for 50% this weekend. I remembered that someone had posted a brownie recipe that everyone raved about that uses that and the cocoa supplement, I think, so I went ahead and bought it. I can't wait to try it--I've had a chocolate craving like no other all this week.
I slept in and had a lazy day on Saturday, so I didn't make it to the center to weigh in. I weighed myself at the gym today, though, and it shows I'm continuing to maintain (according to that scale), so I think I'm doing okay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by danybell
I'm considering doing Meta-quick but am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a substitute shake that has similar nutrition as the MRC meal replacement shakes. I'm getting a little fed up with all the money and supplements they push on you and am pretty sure there must be another product that is more cost effective for these shakes. If anyone has any ideas for me they would be much appreciated. Also, when doing the meta-quick I know you also take your usual hns supplements at breakfast and lunch but can you also have up to 4 of them to use between meals while doing meta-quick? Looking forward to this journey with all of you.
Welcome!
Don't worry--most of us have a stall or slowdown when we're between 12-20lbs down, or about 2-3 weeks into the program. I really wouldn't worry about it just yet.
If you do decide to do Metaquick, you are still limited to your daily maximum of HNSs--on the green menu, I believe it is 4 total per day. That means you can have one with breakfast, one with lunch, and then two more during the day. Also, it is better if you alternate a shake for breakfast and a bar for lunch, or vice versa, rather than having 2 shakes in one day.
I found that the Atkins ready-to-drink meal replacement shakes end up being pretty close to the meal replacement shake mix that MRC sells. Just remember that you have to drink TWO of the Atkins shakes to equal one of the shake mix packets from MRC.
Last edited by teacherlady79; 06-26-2011 at 08:48 PM.
