Sorry so many of you are having problems with your centers & counselors. At my center, we can schedule appointments (except on Fridays & Saturdays) to see someone specific. I usually schedule an appointment for Tuesday mornings with the same counselor and then I show up and wait outside Friday mornings, before the center opens, then when I sign in I put that counselors name next to mine. There have been times that she has been busy so I just wait, or if I can't wait, then I put another counselors name down. There is only 1 counselor out of 6 that I don't care for. She is new and acts like she knows everything. Maybe you guys can check with your centers to see if they do this?

I'm going for WI this morning. REALLY praying for a loss. This stalling stuff just stinks! I'll keep you guys posted.

Happy Friday!

Tkdtara84-Glad you are over the impact of the vacation and congrats on the loss. It is amazing that a slip up can derail you for so long isn't it? Seems like I'm an "all or nothing" kinda gal, too and it's just so much better to stay 100% OP.

Rzrbackcandi-good luck on the weigh in. I'm thinking "low number" thoughts for you. Hope you get some positive news cuz stalls are just not fair.

Patzi-I am so impressed with your attention and dedication in maintenance. This is really the key to keeping it off and I'll follow your example when I get there.

For me, this week has been the slippery slope....small off plan choice on Tuesday evening then another on Wednesday evening then another last night...not big calorie binges, but enough to keep me off plan and out of ketosis. I've just been really tired in the evenings and feeling sorry for myself so justify why I should just have that one treat and that one drink before bed. It stops today! I'll be 100% OP through the entire day and night!

Jen,
Thank you so much! I never thought I would be in the "inspiration" group. It's been such a blessing to make it this far.

You are doing phenomenal! You should be very proud of your progress so far.

I had maintenance weigh in and gained 1/2 pound putting me at 4 1/2 under goal. So the nuts. I experimented with did not work out. I will scratch for another time. That was 1/2 pound weight gain from Tuesday to today, so nuts had to be the culprit.

Candi.
I have seen people request a certain consultant at my center, also. Way to go if one is having a problem, for sure. I wish you a great weigh in. Stalling is the pits. I will check in later to see how you did.

Wishing all a wonderful day, and think thin.


Patzi

Yah! Plateau seems to be busted!
 

Well - just got back from WI! I, of course, requested to see Katie today - she's my favorite. When she called me back she said, "Well, did we do it?". I told her I wasn't sure and wanted to WI before we went back to talk.. so we did. DOWN 3lbs!!!:hyper: I am SO excited.

Then we went back to chat and she asked me how this week went for me. I told her I was feeling frustrated because of no weight loss. Then she looks at my chart and says - Candice, you've lost 4lbs in 1 week. I didn't understand what she was talking about - in my head I hadn't lost anything. We made a little timeline and it actually turns out to be 3.5lbs in 1 week because of my .5 gain after vacation. But still! Just because the scale didn't show a loss on Tuesday, I freaked out. So she talked to me about looking at the big picture - not just that weigh in or that week... but how things are overall and how much better I'm looking & feeling since I started. She's the type of consultant that could talk you off the edge of a very tall building and I really appreciate that!

I'm going to continue taking the extra Trace Mineral through tomorrow and switch to berries for lunch going forward. We talked about the apples and how the menu calls for a "small" apple. The ones at the store are usually considered medium-large depending on the type of apple. So no more apples for me!

Anyway - I can finally go change my ticker! With this 3lbs gone, I'm 2.5lbs away from 80!! Hope to be signing that board next week!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Oh - and thank you all for your encouragement! Don't know what I would do without this blog!

I was in the other room with Veronica re-enrolling when I heard...Woooooo Hoooo down 3 lbs. Was that you? My appointment was at 9am this morning. Congratulations on the 3 lbs! That's a big loss. We work so hard to get nothing or a slight gain so it sometimes can be a discouragement but it is always better to look at the big picture. Great Job!!! My favorite is Veronica. I like Katie too!! Do you know if Amy is still there?

Oh my goodness! I saw you this morning! SOOO Cool to have someone going to the same center! Yes, Veronica is one of my favorites as well. When you were in the scale room, I was standing around the corner with Katie waiting to WI. I joined in late March and Amy wasn't there. It's Allison, Katie, Veronia, Shelly, Holly and Victoria. Victoria is the new one.

This morning was funny - Katie said 2.5lbs, we High 5'd then I moved and said WAIT! it's 3! Then moved back and it was 2.5... so I took off my watch and there it was - 3lbs! :D

Now that there is someone nearby, if you need an exercise partner, let me know. I go to World Gym either on J street or Hwy 12 in Bentonville. But when it cools off, would LOVE to go walking out at the Millitary Park or some of the walking trails around here.

How did your re-enroll appt go?

JenB72 -Your post was such an encouragment to me today and I just wanted to let you know. If I remember correctly we started on the same day and I was really starting to feel fustrated about being so far away from my "goal weight" that I almost lost sight of all the positive changes

A few examples -

Yesterday I spent all day pulling up a pair of shorts that I could barely squeeze into in March (they really need to go in the too big pile)

This week I have gone "running - okay jogging" with each of my kids increasing the distance each day and barely gettnig winded. (this is something I have wanted to do for ages)

Definately need to buy new underpants - same issues as the shorts. . .

I wore a shirt that buttons down the front in public which I could not get my arms into in March.

I am more confident, outgoing, friendly and assertive.

I really wish they had not given me a "goal" because I think I would have been thrilled with 42 lbs and 69 inches in 6 months - - I refused to let the fact that I am not at my goal weight cause me to become negative or defeated. . . it may take longer than I want it to, but the weight will come off!

Candi - Keep up the great work!

Little eddie - sorry you had a rough time with the re-enrollment also sorry you were pressured into a salavia test. I am with Patzi on this one - the consultnats are not physicians, the results of these tests are questionable, most health insurance compaines will pay for the "blood test" versions of these which are more reliable and I personally believe that hormone replacement is nothing to mess with - they hormones are powerful and should only be provided by a NP or an M.D.

Patzi - thanks for all your advise and experience, you keep me going!

Raven - No more slipping and sliding around - you can stay OP . . . it may not be easy, but it is worth it!

Corkkyacker - Sorry you're not clicking - going through something similar . . . for the last 1-1/2 months every time I go in the only available consultant has been the only man on staff. . . He is very nice and I enjoy meeting with him from time to time, but sometimes I really want to talk to one of the ladies. . . I've changed the time I go in so hopefully I can figure out when they are working.

Tami - First, let me congratulate you on your loss. 2 pounds is a great number! Woohoo! With that said, I must say that I was absolutely shocked by some of the advise your counselor gave you. One of the things that my center stresses (and I've seen others on here say there's does as well) is that you never "reward" yourself with food. It is absolutely self-defeating. Rewarding with food got many of us into the situation we are in. We even have a thread going on here that emphasises non-food rewards. The other part that baffeled me was the idea of having a "cheat" meal...with MRC's blessing. I've never heard of this. The first thing that came to my mind when I read that was, yeah, and even with the Fat & Carb blocker, it will take 3 days to flush out of your system, which will lead to 3 days of slower weight loss, which means 3 more days of program, which means more money for MRC. It just doesn't make sense (or it does from her perspective because that's more money in her pocket). Sorry if I'm being such a downer, but I just wanted to give you another side to the story before you follow her advice. I only want you success for you!!!! You deserve it!!!! As for your vacation, I did bring my scales with me and it totally kept me accountable. I was less inclined to cheat knowing I was getting on the scale the next morning. The other thing was I totally planned ahead of time which restaurants I was going to and what I was going to eat. I barely glanced at the menus. My other suggestion is find a local grocery store or drugstore and buy your water so you'll always have some on hand. Hang in there! :)

Tara - Congrats on 5 pounds! I love everyone's suggestion about requesting a specific counselor. If there is one you're comfortable with, then by all means, you should be able to talk to that person. It's the best way to ensure your success!

Goneforgood1128 - Oh my goodness!!! Thank you for the scale suggestion!!!! I could not remember who had suggested it to thank them, but that's what I did last week on my trip. It made all the difference in the world!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!

Patzi - I'm so sorry the nuts didn't work out for you. I admire your diligence in trying to figure out what works for you.

Fluffy in Florida - I am so happy for you!!!! That's a lot of inches to lose!!!! I just know you'll be signing that 10 pound board next week. :D

raven59 - Hope you're having a great OP day today! I know you can do it. It's just the start!

Junie - You are definitely an inspiration! I hope your skinny self sticks around with us. We need all the motivation we can get. :p

Candi - Woohoo!!! Candi's about to have a new avatar!!!! ;) And it looks like you may just hit your August goal. That's awesome!!!!!!

learning2Bhealthy -I agree with you about the small gains or no gains. That's why I love this board so much. It's easy to fall into old patterns, but these ladies motivate me to stick with it. :)

momoffour - February 23, right? :) Think about how far we've come! What's 6 or 12 months of going through this if we can learn to keep it off and maintain our losses?! Crazy as it sounds, part of me is going to miss this journey when I hit my goal weight. I know, absolutely crazy, but it's becoming such a way of life, I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm done. LOL


Hope everyone else is having a great day!!!! :hug:

Wow it's not a good idea to miss days of not reading post. I have been trying to catch up but I am exhausted.

We took our youngest son to college yesterday, a few tears were shed but I tried not to let him see me upset. He was so excited for his time now. My daughters turn is next year and my oldest son is planning on getting married next June so empty nest is moving to fast for me.

Anyway I weighed in today and I lost 4 pounds!!! I was determined for the 3 pound gain Tues. to not get me down. This summer I have not been good just maintaining and playing with the scales and finally got me last Tues. So I am happy with the 4 and now I am determined!!!

My goal is to follow the program. I have trouble setting goals for myself, like if I say I want to lose 15 pounds by a certain date I never make it. I will make it a week later. So my goal is to JUST STAY ON PROGRAM.

Also my center is not pushy. We have never taken a salvia test nor has it ever been mentioned. The consultants will suggest stuff but never push. They even have HNS samples to try on Friday. Today they mixed the powered vanilla shake with lemon HNS and it taste just like lemon ice box pie. Very tasty

Jen you r a great example. I am so ready to see the 50's

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

I have to share an amazing experience I had last night. I needed a new suit for an upcoming job interview. So I went to the mall (I hate shopping, but the mall -to me- is the worst). Anyway - long story short and to the point. I had an associate helping me and I grabbed the size I thought I should try (a med) and then when I came out from trying it on, I told her that I thought maybe I should try the next size down cause the med was a little big. She said to me...ready for this?..."I thought you might need a small". :D Oh - that made my day! But I still hate shopping.

Thank you very much. Just wish I knew Candi's watch trick before WI lol;)


Stone...yesterday when I went to the center they had a food sampling. They made the rootbeer float OMG was it good. Just rootbeer and a vanilla creme pudding

And it's not that bulky of a watch! Next time, I'm taking off my watch, bracelet & glasses :D

coarkkayaker - What an amazing feeling that must have been! Congrats and keep up the great work!

Tami - JenB is right in everything she said. I can't imagine rewarding my weight loss with an off program meal. There are so many other things out there you can do as rewards, food shouldn't be one of them.

Mariah - Keep up the great work! That's exactly what my consultant was talking about today when I told her I was so frustrated for not losing. She sat with me for about 45minutes talking about how far I've come and asking me about how I felt before program and everything I've accomplished. It's easy to lose site of the overall picture when something doesn't go your way.

Ok - I'm off to the gym! Tomorrow night is Def Leppard in Kansas City!! Can't wait! I will probably post pics Sunday night or Monday morning.

Wow so exciting to read all the posts! I cant wait until the day to try on a smaller size...I haven't attempted yet. My second WI this week I was down 1.5lb which is 2.5lb for the wk and 9lb total since precond on Aug 8th. I don't notice a huge difference yet... I keep saying when I hit 20... Maybe I will?

My center is having a recipe swap and I am anxious to go to get ideas. I would love to mix things up a bit and use the basil n tomato for cooking...any ideas much appreciated. Thx:dizzy:

Hi ladies....

I appreciate the advice and also the fact that using food as a "reward" should not occur. The dynamics of what was going on at the time are the reasoning for this logic. I was having a melt down. I was pissed at trying so hard all the time, and frustrated with the fact that I would travel out of town and have to pack a "salad" or something, while others I was with were going out to lunch. Feeling sorry for myself in this journey has led to poor choices with food. Her "permission" to let loose (within reason of course) turned my attitude around. That is all. I do believe we did this for my benefit...not to sabbatage my efforts. (She knew I would do it anyway...it is a mental game, ladies. That is all :) Seems to be working for me.

I have to be realistic with my approach to permanent weight loss and lifestyle change. I simply am not at a place that I have told myself "never again will I have anything not on MRC menus." That is not where I am yet...what I can commit to is "one day at a time" to make good choices. We are all paying a fortune for the program....I truly don't intend to waste it, and do believe that my counselor wants me to succeed.

At the moment...an ice cream cone with my family is a reward for me...if I lose 2+lbs in a week, I justify that sort of a treat....and maybe it is wrong, but it makes me work hard throughout the week so I can have it!! LOL

Tami