LetHerOut-CONGRATULATIONS! That is exciting news! Even if you didn't get to lose all the weight you wanted to, at least you have already learned some much healthier eating habits that will help you and your baby throughout your pregnancy!

New to MRC
 

Hi all,
I'm relatively new to MRC--started pre-conditioning on August 9. I've been stalking this forum for about a week and decided to post. My last WI was Thursday, and I got to sign the 10lb board! I've lost 13 lbs, which makes the HNS go down much more smoothly!

Originally Posted by momoffour:
When I first started I acted as though I was a victum of the plan - "I can't eat what I want" " why can't I have my fruit at dinner" etc. until I realized that I CAN do anything I want to - but the results will be the same as they have always been. . . (me fat) . . . I paid a lot of money for MRC's expertise and I am choosing to follow their advise because they have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off and I do not know how to do this on my own.

Mariah

This is so true. I think attitude is everything in this. It makes a big difference in most things in life, too, but I definitely notice a difference in how "easy" the program is depending on how good or bad my attitude is. I'm trying to stay conscious of my thought patterns about food/diet this time, and most of the time, it helps a lot!

Originally Posted by LetHerOut:
So...I'm off the program. I found out this morning that I'm pregnant. I'm a little sad because I really wanted to wait a couple more months and lose more weight, but apparently my body was ready! I'm going to work really hard to stick to sort of a pre-conditioning menu throughout my pregnancy. The protein at every meal, lots of veggies and fruit, and limited carbs will really help me have a healthy pregnancy! I look forward to joining you all again next summer. :-)

Congratulations! Last time I had to stop for a pregnancy when I was about 15 lbs. away from my goal. Make sure you talk to your doctor about your plans. Babies brains need carbs (they don't need donuts and cookie carbs, though ;) ) so just make sure your plan includes enough healthy carbs. Even if you're not on MRC per se, you will still lose fat if you're eating healthier and staying away from the processed sugary/fatty foods we used to eat. It's healthy to lose a little weight even while pregnant as long as you're doing it the right way. Again, talk to your doctor, though, about whatever you decide to do.

Oh, and the only other "advice" I have to give-- don't wait too long after the birth to start doing something about it again. I started when my baby was just under a year, and I wish I had started sooner. I also started with a calorie counting/ WW approach, and I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I did with MRC. I had a few breastfeeding issues and didn't want to diet much, but MRC has a nursing plan if you decide to nurse, so I really should have gone back earlier. I just didn't want to give up all the unhealthy food I was eating. :o Good luck with your pregnancy!

Originally Posted by momoffour:
I have noticed a few of you have mentioned "not being able to only eat MRC foods for the rest of your lives". . . and I thought I would share my perspective. . .

First the strict food sheets are only for a short time (during your weight loss) not for the rest of your life. As you enter stabilization and maintenence many of these foods will come back . . . This has helped me many times when I have wanted to go off program . . . Am I really going to let an icecream cone, mashed potatoes, or sweet corn slow down my weight loss and cost me more $?

Unfortunately sometimes the answer has been "Yes" but most of the time I decided that I can go without any food for 6-12 months - the stores will still sell icecream after I reach my goal in a few months . . . I can buy fresh sweet corn and freeze it to be enjoyed once I am at my goal weight. . . etc.

I think it is a very slippery slope to start "cheating" on purpose . . . I did have one counselor suggest that if there is something that you are just craving and can't get out of your mind - you could enjoy 2 bites of that food. She quoted some scientific studies that show that the first 2 bites you take are the most flavorful and enjoyable and after that you are just eating to eat.

That said - this is your program, you are in charge and you can do whatever you want to! When I first started I acted as though I was a victum of the plan - "I can't eat what I want" " why can't I have my fruit at dinner" etc. until I realized that I CAN do anything I want to - but the results will be the same as they have always been. . . (me fat) . . . I paid a lot of money for MRC's expertise and I am choosing to follow their advise because they have succeeded in losing weight and keeping it off and I do not know how to do this on my own.

Just my thoughts and I hope it does not hurt anyone's feelings - I am finding every day that I am capable of doing many things that I did not think I could (like running with my 13-year-old son) - I just have to make up my mind to do it.

Mariah

Well, you are so very right :) I am a non-smoker now, but when I was in the beginnings of that journey, mind set was everything. When I felt sorry for myself, and I had to tell myself that I can smoke at any time....just choosing not to! It worked for that and it is the same with this....problem is that smoking is gone for good...we have to eat, so food is always an issue:)

We need to be strict with ourselves while we are losing....very true. Ice cream will still be there, but the difference is that we will be lighter!!!

Thank you so much for the "eye opener." MRC isn't doing anything to me...I am choosing to do something for myself with their help!!

Tami


http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar007...1/165/183/.png

MOMOFFOUR so true so true. Thanks for the insight and reminder we chose to lose weight and we have to put forth the effort and work hard to accomplish our goals. Thanks again.

Let Her Out congratulations, that is wonderful news. Will this be your first?

LetHerOut -- Congratulations!

MomofFour - Good post, good points.

Hey Ladies! I just wanted to share that I love reading all the stories on this thread. We are an amazing group of women and are all working toward bettering ourselves!

I ran a 5k this morning and did it in my best time! 34:50! I was aiming for under 36. I started doing the couch to 5k at the beginning of the summer and it was literally getting me off the couch. It felt awful not being able to run for 2 minutes at a time at the beginning-- but thanks to the MRC and running i am down 25 pounds and adding good exercise! I still have 45 pounds to go but i know i can do it! Hopefully I will be to onederland by the holidays to help motivate through the hard season!

Thanks again for all that you share. It really reaches people and motivates people!

Hi ladies~

Feeling a bit discouraged...for the past week, I have been on the "Meta Balance" menu. I like it...but I don't think I am losing any weight on it. Additionally, next week I head out of town for a week with my husband for business. A hotel...no kitchen...help?

I am beginning to feel stressed...you can't afford to go weeks without a loss on this program...it will just cost you more in the long run! I don't see my counselor until Wednesday....so any tips?

Thanks,
Tami

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar070...1/165/183/.png

Originally Posted by tkdtara84:
This is so true. I think attitude is everything in this. It makes a big difference in most things in life, too, but I definitely notice a difference in how "easy" the program is depending on how good or bad my attitude is. I'm trying to stay conscious of my thought patterns about food/diet this time, and most of the time, it helps a lot!



Congratulations! Last time I had to stop for a pregnancy when I was about 15 lbs. away from my goal. Make sure you talk to your doctor about your plans. Babies brains need carbs (they don't need donuts and cookie carbs, though ;) ) so just make sure your plan includes enough healthy carbs. Even if you're not on MRC per se, you will still lose fat if you're eating healthier and staying away from the processed sugary/fatty foods we used to eat. It's healthy to lose a little weight even while pregnant as long as you're doing it the right way. Again, talk to your doctor, though, about whatever you decide to do.

Oh, and the only other "advice" I have to give-- don't wait too long after the birth to start doing something about it again. I started when my baby was just under a year, and I wish I had started sooner. I also started with a calorie counting/ WW approach, and I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I did with MRC. I had a few breastfeeding issues and didn't want to diet much, but MRC has a nursing plan if you decide to nurse, so I really should have gone back earlier. I just didn't want to give up all the unhealthy food I was eating. :o Good luck with your pregnancy!

So true, Mariah!
in my first week, there was a lady in the food instruction class w/ me...the conversation went like this...(counselor's answer in (). i don't like water (you have to drink lots of water, flushes fat out) i can't drink that much water (Drink It!), i always have breakfast out w/ my friends 3 days a week (order cheese toast) they don't have cheese toast (they make omelets, right? and have toast?!! order cheese and toast!!) i have to eat what my husband eats (what?!!!) one excuse after another...WOW! i had cinnamon toast (lite wheat bread, spray butter, cinnamon), 2 eggs for b-fast, large salad w/ sharp cheddar cheese, strawberries for lunch, for dinner, 4 oz grilled chicken, grilled asparagus and garlic melba toast. plus all the yummy pink lemonade HNS's and one creamy (chocolate or strawberry shake) a day. and i've lost 11 lbs. in 25 days! what's not to love?! i'm a very slow loser so this is "huge" for me!

Originally Posted by learning2Bhealthy:
Hi All, I was wondering if it's worth it to buy the MRC cookbook? I didn't last time. We have a really good recipe Thread here so I just never bothered. What are your opinions on it?

Thanks :D

when i lose my next 5 lbs, i'm buying it as my reward :-) our counselor was talking about some recipes in there that sound wonderful and if i'm staying on this plan, i need some variety. i'm trying all kinds of new things to keep me motivated and i think it will help. especially the desserts! which is a huge tempation for me -(will keep me away from my DH's oreos and reese cups, the little :devil:

I've just started using the cookbook. I got it in my kit when I first signed up and I love having it! This week, I tried the MRC Spaghetti and the Open-Faced Portabella Mushroom recipes. They will now become a regular part of my menu. :)

Thank you for the well wishes! This will be our second baby. My first was over 9 lbs so I'm really worried about getting gestational diabetes this time. That was largely behind my motivation to lose weight!

Tara, thanks for the tip on talking to my doctor. I'm mostly just trying to remember to pair protein with my carbs. And I'm thrilled to have learned this weekend that my tastes actually have changed - things I would have eaten without a qualm several months ago now seem "too sweet" or just unappealing. Woohoo!

I do know they have a breastfeeding plan (a gal in my food course was going on it) so I look forward to getting back on program as soon as I can! After my first baby I was an emotional wreck and dealt with it through eating. I'm hoping the fact that this time around I'll know a little bit more about what I'm doing will help me avoid that!

I love the MRC cookbook. I think it's a great buy. The limited variety of allowable food can get really monotonous but the cookbook has some great stuff in it. I especially love it for breakfast ideas. I can't force myself to eat eggs every day, but the cheesecake, "great pudding," and snickerdoodles were awesome!

bigdog - IMO, people who make excuses like that lady in your food instruction class aren't committed and aren't ready to lose weight. And I say that because I've been there. Hopefully she can turn her attitude around to be more like yours!

Originally Posted by ginpea:
I've just started using the cookbook. I got it in my kit when I first signed up and I love having it! This week, I tried the MRC Spaghetti and the Open-Faced Portabella Mushroom recipes. They will now become a regular part of my menu. :)

I love the Portabella Mushroom recipie as well. . . I think the cookbook is a good resource, but if you are short on cash there are a lot of good recpies in the link above and many recieipies can be modified to fit MRC.

Letherout - Congrats! The timing may not have been what you wanted, but kids are a blessing . . . I actually lost about 15 lbs with each of my pregnancies. . . not "on purpose" but I decided I would "eat healthy for the baby" and both of us benefited from the healthy food choices.

I plan on having a successful OP week . . . Who's with me???

Mariah

I would highly recommend the cookbook. I love it. Normally at the beginning of the week I plan out our dinner menus (My husband is eating the same meals at dinner to not only help me out but to lose some lbs of his own.) My husband has also taken to cooking dinner for me too since he gets home before me. With the cookbook I just open up to the right recipe and leave it on the stove for him. Other than that, the recipes are great. I liked the thread about the recipes but it is rather long and searching for a recipe isn't that easy. With the cookbook it is much much better. It's 12.00 iirc, I also got mine the day of food instruction since it was in the package I purchased.

Originally Posted by Tamikl:
Hi ladies~

Feeling a bit discouraged...for the past week, I have been on the "Meta Balance" menu. I like it...but I don't think I am losing any weight on it. Additionally, next week I head out of town for a week with my husband for business. A hotel...no kitchen...help?

I am beginning to feel stressed...you can't afford to go weeks without a loss on this program...it will just cost you more in the long run! I don't see my counselor until Wednesday....so any tips?

Thanks,
Tami

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar070...1/165/183/.png

Are you still losing inches? Just because you aren't losing lbs doesn't mean you aren't being successful. As far as not having a kitchen while out of town, that seems to be an issue we are going to run in to. My suggestion would be to just make the best choices while eating out. Ask how the food is prepared, are they adding extra butter after cooked etc. Make sure the healthy chicken isn't marinated in crap. I have a restaurant that my husband and I both love (for steak normally but chicken for me now). I ask them to cook me a regular chicken breast plain, not a thing on it. It comes grilled plain. Then I ask for a bowl of lemons. I take the pepper and lemons and doctor it up to taste yummy. Also, don't be afraid to ask them to omit item like carrots or such from your salad (unless it is a mix that comes that way I have had great luck with people doing it for me). Ask for dressings on the side for your salad, no crutons, etcs (according to whichever meal and the program you are on.) If you go to a restuarant with no fruit on the menu but they have a bar, ask for orange slices.
My big suggestion is if you are feeling this way now call the center before Wednesday. I call mine all the time and they are very willing to help (well most are anyway :) )
Good luck and you can do this. Read JenB's platue buster tips they are great too.