Hi! I spent a really good chunk of my weekend reading this June thread and a few other random ones. When I went to my consultation at MRC today, I was pretty much already sold on the program. You are all so motivating! The progress and success each of you are seeing and the support you provide each other is definitely the little extra something that will help me stick with this program! So thank you!
I'm actually sticking with the pre-conditioning menu for three weeks because my mom is coming to visit and she won't be very supportive of anything too radical (like the HNSes and other supplements). My 17 weeks don't actually start until the 18th of July. I was really impressed that the center manager was willing to do that for me. She really seemed to want me to join the program for ME, not because she was making commission or bonuses or whatever. I've read some negativity regarding attitudes found in certain centers and the manager's actions today helped me feel confident that this center isn't one of those.
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I'll now stop lurking and start joining in!
Welcome! I'm glad you found us and made the decision to invest in yourself! This board has been my saving grace, and what has kept me from quitting over the holidays! You'll get lots of support on here. Keep us posted, and ask any questions as you come up with them.
Well, we made it to Pensacola yesterday afternoon. My mom stayed with the boys and I went out to dinner with my dad (he lives here in Pensacola). He took me down to Pensacola Beach. We ate at Flounders.. I had the most AH-MAZING Mahi with asparagus. I'm not an asparagus eater but this was little tiny asparagus and so tasty!
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Candi - The Mahi sounds wonderful and it sounds like you have been doing a great job, in the midst of a difficult situation. Praying for you and your mom through all these adjustments. . .
Teacherlady - What an amazing compliment! I bet you would make a great instructor!
Letherout - Welcome to the group! I'm glad the MRC manager was able to work with you on your start date. My consultants have always been very helpful and supportive and they have never tried to push anything on me . . . I hope your experience will be the same.
Here are the pictures - The long sleeve shots were taken 2/23/2011 and the shorts were taken last Saturday 6/25/2011 (17 weeks - 38 lbs - 61.75 inches later)
Patzi - Thanks! My blood pressure is pretty stable. At the appointment, it was 111/75. I thought for sure he was going to take me off one or two pills. No dice. Instead, he issued the challenge to get to 160. I was 175 at that time and am down to 170 now. So, I guess I'm 1/3 of the way there. As for the soda, I'm not even going near it. They told me limit it to one can (12 oz.) but I'm not doing that either.
Candi - You are doing so awesome!!!! Stay strong, girl! You can do it!!!
Teacherlady - That is such a wonderful validation of how far you have come. You should definitely consider get certified to teach yoga. It sounds so exciting.
LetHerOut - Welcome to the board! Sounds like you got in with a great center. It's a shame not everyone can have that experience. Mine is wonderful as well. Good luck on your journey!!!
Mariah - You look incredible!!! The funny thing is, I began on 02/23/11!!! Keep it up! You're doing great!
Weighed in today, and I'm down another 2 lbs. on week 6 of stabilization.
They said I should do just fine in maintenance, since no foods really seemed to cause me any problems in stabilization.
They put me on a 1500 calorie menu for maintenance (my Tanita shows I need 1600 calories to maintain, we're going with 1500 just to be safe), so we'll see how it goes. I'm just worried the flexibility and choices might trip me up, but I feel better when I think about the fact that this year on maintenance is about catching things before they get out of control and having support in getting things back under control.
I think it's definitely going to be a mindset change when I start getting on the scale and hoping for no change rather than constant drops. That is what I would look forward to every week to see my progress--so now I think I'm going to focus more on yoga, try to get some more classes in every week, and work towards bettering my practice so I can eventually get certified. I gotta have goals, or else I just slide back into old practices.
I tried the cocoa supplement blended with diet cream soda and ice last night--yummy, cool, and refreshing after my yoga class! What a great summer treat. I bet it would be good with the cappuccino supplement, diet chocolate soda and ice, too.
I'm finishing the third week of the program. This past week they started me on the protein drinks and an afternoon snack. I didn't lose anything all week. Is it normal to get stuck so early on in the program? I've heard of getting stuck on a certain weight, but not this early.
Hi..
I weighed in today and on maintenance stayed the same weight.
I will not go in Friday, as I am going to give myself a break and not weigh in one day, I was told, where it is a holiday weekend, if I lose weight next Tuesday, I will earn a free week, so that is a good thing.
I think it's definitely going to be a mindset change when I start getting on the scale and hoping for no change rather than constant drops. That is what I would look forward to every week to see my progress--so now I think I'm going to focus more on yoga, try to get some more classes in every week, and work towards bettering my practice so I can eventually get certified. I gotta have goals, or else I just slide back into old practices.
I tried the cocoa supplement blended with diet cream soda and ice last night--yummy, cool, and refreshing after my yoga class! What a great summer treat. I bet it would be good with the cappuccino supplement, diet chocolate soda and ice, too.
Good luck to all this week!
Teacherlady, I love you goal and am so happy for you. What a great accomplishment! And by the way, where do you get your diet chocolate soda from? I have heard about it, but can't find it anywhere. Please share!
Today is my 8th wedding anniversary with my husband. We were researching restaurants for weeks trying to find something different and on plan. Last night I finally suggested that it would be fun to get the kids out of the house and we stay home. I am cooking crab legs and we are watching a movie snuggled up on the couch. I am looking forward to a quiet kid free night.
Anyone have any great suggestions on what else to cook with the crab? I am thinking I might try to make fake mashed potatoes out of garbanzo beans and chicken broth HNS, then have a healthy portion of salad. Not sure though. Might splurge on the quinoa.
Hope everyone finds the strength to stay on plan! Good luck!
Teacherlady, I love you goal and am so happy for you. What a great accomplishment! And by the way, where do you get your diet chocolate soda from? I have heard about it, but can't find it anywhere. Please share!
Today is my 8th wedding anniversary with my husband. We were researching restaurants for weeks trying to find something different and on plan. Last night I finally suggested that it would be fun to get the kids out of the house and we stay home. I am cooking crab legs and we are watching a movie snuggled up on the couch. I am looking forward to a quiet kid free night.
Anyone have any great suggestions on what else to cook with the crab? I am thinking I might try to make fake mashed potatoes out of garbanzo beans and chicken broth HNS, then have a healthy portion of salad. Not sure though. Might splurge on the quinoa.
Hope everyone finds the strength to stay on plan! Good luck!
Quinoa is on plan-- and that sounds a lot better than fake mashed potatoes.
Once in a great while I will find diet chocolate soda at our walmart or grocery store, but not often. I know it's sold all over the place online, but the shipping is usually pretty expensive (I'm not willing to pay that much for SODA). I'm thinking about asking my local grocer (we have a corner-market type grocer who also does specialty items) to start ordering a small amount on a regular basis, but other than that, I have no idea where to get it.
Last edited by teacherlady79; 06-28-2011 at 03:12 PM.
LetHerOut..
Welcome.. Want to wish you the best on your challenge.
Struggling Nicole.. I think you are on maintenance, are you not? If not, stabilization.. A nice quinoa pilaf is delightful and light and on plan.
Chocolate diet drink... Publix has diet Chocolate drink in with the diabetic drinks and foods. It is very good but very expesive. I think it is called Chocolate fudge drink. There is a recipe in the MRC cookbook using it.
coarkkayaker.. I stalled in my 4th week.. I would take this up with the center, and next time you go in have them go thru your daily journals to see if they can come up with something on why you stopped losing.
Teacher lady.. Great weight loss and what a great compliment.
Mariah.. Thank you for sharing the pictures. You look fantastic. A new you. You have really worked the program, and look at you.. Be proud.
Candi you are such an inspiration to all the members. Your Mom is in my prayers and thoughts.
Congrats to all that lost weight.
It is wonderful to go on here and see how many members are really trying and dedicated and I wish you all well.
I'm new here. This is my first post. By way of a quick introduction, I'm 27 and I've struggled with me weight since I was 16. You know the story. Diet, lose a few pounds, get frustrated with diet restrictiveness and slow progress, go off plan, gain it all and more, and so the cycle goes. 11 weeks ago I was at my highest weight ever (236 at only 5'4") and finally decided to make serious change. I made a few simple commitments to myself and I started my own blog and posted them for the world to see. In a nutshell, the commitments were stay accountable by blogging at least 4 times/week, exercise for at least 30 minutes at least 4 times a week, and reject the all-or-nothing mentality. I've been sticking to it and have lost 11 pounds in 11 weeks. Unfortunately, at this rate, it'll take me two years to lose the weight and that's assuming I can keep up the same rate of loss that I had in the beginning. I'm also struggling more and more with cravings for sweet and I can kind of sense that I'm on the edge.
Therefore, I'm ready to give MRC a try! I don't have any centers anywhere remotely near me, so I'll be doing the program on my own (buying the HNS from DietDirect).
Tomorrow is Day 1 of pre-conditioning. I am already nervous about how hungry I might be!
My biggest fear on this program is social eating situations. I eat out with friends and in homes of my friends a minimum of twice a week and often more! I think in both cases (at someone's house or at a restaurant) I'll either have to eat beforehand and just sit with everyone while they're eating or I'll have to take my own food. I'm a little worried about what people will think when they see me not eating or when I bring my own food to group events. Have you all had to deal with this? How do you handle it? I really think it's just the first couple times that will be the hardest until I (and everyone else) am used to bringing my own food. The problem is my personality is very, very "people-pleasing" so I'm too worried about what others think, but I am ready to stand up for myself. Any encouragement or experiences you could share would be helpful.
Also, how did you get through the first few days? It's just less food and far, far less carbs than I'm used to eating (even though I've been losing weight).
My biggest fear on this program is social eating situations. I eat out with friends and in homes of my friends a minimum of twice a week and often more! I think in both cases (at someone's house or at a restaurant) I'll either have to eat beforehand and just sit with everyone while they're eating or I'll have to take my own food. I'm a little worried about what people will think when they see me not eating or when I bring my own food to group events. Have you all had to deal with this? How do you handle it? I really think it's just the first couple times that will be the hardest until I (and everyone else) am used to bringing my own food. The problem is my personality is very, very "people-pleasing" so I'm too worried about what others think, but I am ready to stand up for myself. Any encouragement or experiences you could share would be helpful.
Also, how did you get through the first few days? It's just less food and far, far less carbs than I'm used to eating (even though I've been losing weight).
Welcome!
Social situations was the toughest part for me, too. At one point, I realized that I had been canceling out of and avoiding social situations, and I had to make myself stop that and start participating again. Once I explained what I was doing, my friends and family were VERY supportive. My mother-in-law would always ask what she could supply for me at family gatherings (she even asked for a copy of my menu so she knew what foods I could eat), and my friends were totally ok with me bringing my own food (I just had to make sure I didn't sigh or look sad when looking at their food, lol, because I didn't want to make them feel bad for eating whatever they wanted). For example, my mother-in-law made grilled chicken one night, and I brought my own frozen green beans, since I knew she was serving cheesy potatoes and a broccoli casserole with it.
I'm a people-pleaser, too, but I had to change to the mentality that this is time I focus on me and my needs. I just figured that if they happened to not be supportive (which was never the case for me), then maybe they weren't really true friends. And really, once I started to actually lose successfully, they really saw how determined I was and worked hard to not sabotage me by not putting desserts in front of me, etc.
As a matter of fact, several of my friends were inspired (or became self-conscious, lol) to start eating a little better for themselves.
Honestly, as far as the first few days on plan (specifically, on preconditioning), I was miserable. I don't know if it was the withdrawal from carbs, or the sudden drop in calories, or what, but I was miserable. I stuck with it, though, until I started the actual menu and had the drink supplements, and then I was fine. I have no idea what to suggest to make the first few days better--I just had to suck it up until it got easier.
You sound determined, and I think you'll get a lot of support and help from this board--I certainly have!
I'm new here. This is my first post. By way of a quick introduction, I'm 27 and I've struggled with me weight since I was 16. Therefore, I'm ready to give MRC a try! I don't have any centers anywhere remotely near me, so I'll be doing the program on my own (buying the HNS from DietDirect).
Tomorrow is Day 1 of pre-conditioning. I am already nervous about how hungry I might be!
My biggest fear on this program is social eating situations.
Teacherlady gave you some great ideas . . . hontestly until about 3 weeks ago I avoided all resturants and most social gatherings (I do not recommend this) but recently I decided that I am eating for my health and to fuel my body not to please other people or as a form of recreation and that has made a huge difference. For eating at someone's home I would recommend bringing something with you that you can share with everyone (MRC ranch dip and veggies - basically cottage cheese and dry ranch dressing mix blended until smooth or you can make your own humus using chickpeas (garbonzo beans) olive oil, lemon juice and whatever herbs you like (garlic powder, spinach, artichoak hearts etc.), the spinach strawberry salad is a good option or the 7-layer dip and there are several others. I think these recipies are in the recipie thread above but if not I'm happy to share. This way you are not singled out and it helps you feel like your not some outcast. . .
Eating out is hard - almost every place with have something that you can eat and stay on plan, but it almost always requires a lot of special ordering which I hate doing, but a few places I have been have really been great about doing whatever I ask for. Find out where you're going and plan ahead whenever possible and if you need ideas, ask and we are glad to help. If you have places that you typically go, I would come up with a plan for those places now. Most places you will have to bring your bread/starch and HNS but you have 1 hour to "finish" your meal so if you don't want to bring these in, eat them in the car either before or after your meal.
When I did preconditioning, there were no portion restrictions as long as I only ate the foods listed on the sheet at the meals I was supposed to. . . you do not need to be hungry during preconditioning - however, if you have a lot of carbs or caffine in your system - you may feel aweful for the first 2-3 days (tired, headaches, cramps, etc) your body is addicted to the carbs/caffine/etc and as it clears your system your body may respond a bit like a junkie does when their drugs are taken away. This sounds a bit harsh but if you can get through the first few days you will start to notice increased energy and should just feel better in all areas. I have not had any real hunger on the program - but I do use the maxumum number of HNS and soem fiber drinks from time to time which really helps to keep my appteite in under control. My stomach will growl when I get up - which is a great change from never being hungry in the morning - but I'm not starving. I will occasionally have hunger during the day - but typically it is around the time of my next meal or HNS.
One of the biggest changes in my life since MRC is a new found confidence in myself and I am less conscious about what I think others may be thinking . . . I have also been a people pleaser but that behavior caused me to weight 279 lbs and become a bit of a recluse, hiding in my home . . . MRC is helping me change that and helping me to realize that it does not matter what anyone else thinks about what you are doing and that there are going to be people who either consciously or subconsciously want you to fail - just realize this and don't let them get in your way (even if it is sweet grandma who shows you her love by "fattening you up" with her homemade goodies). I wish I could say it was easy, but this has been the hardest part for me so far. Someone on the board mentioned that we need to exercise that "no" muscle and that the more we use it, the stronger it will become and the easier it will get to use it. I have to remind myself that I am not hurting my friends or family by making healthy food choices - I may even inspire them or influnce them to make better food choices.
Well since I can't afford the metaslim and am doing maintenance I did exactly that last week- MAINTAINED...same weight as last week and the worker wasn't very happy with that...I am eating things off the list they gave me last week and she argued with me about things that are on it....I can't figure it out....... now she's telling me not to eat a starch at lunch...well I am supposed to eat 3 bread/starch servings and I do not get the opportunity at my job to have snacks, so how does that work? I'm frustrated....one worker tells me one thing and another tells me something else? Why can't there be consistency? Anyone else run into this?
Keep us posted, and ask any questions as you come up with them.
I don't have any centers anywhere remotely near me, so I'll be doing the program on my own (buying the HNS from DietDirect). 
