Candi: You're right, it's been quiet! I wondered the same thing!

I was in Rogers all day for a workshop and it was gorgeous-I'm so glad to see fall weather!

When I have that problem, I use Docusate Sodium from Walmart(it's a generic for Colace, I think) and it seems to work well for me, usually within 10-12 hours. I like it because it's a stool softener, not a laxative, so relatively gentle.

I dreaded WI today because I had 2 drinks Saturday night and the first french fries I've had in almost 5 months! Long story, but ended up eating dinner at a place that had NO salads and the only thing they did serve was bbq! I did limit myself to 8-10 fries and only ate the meat and the bottom bun of my sandwich. Well, I actually lost 1.5lbs today, so I was happy with that! I told my consultant as she was looking at my food sheet that I feel like this is how "real" life will be--I really don't see myself NEVER enjoying any of the foods I used to enjoy again. BUT, the difference this time is that I got right back on program Sunday morning, rather than letting that become an old, bad habit! She said this is what I'll learn to do during maintenance. I can't wait to start stabilization next week--but I am a little nervous, too!

Good luck to everyone this week!

Hey Ladies!
I've been gone for the last 4-5 days, trying to recover from feeling horrible! What I mentioned last week about starting to feel sick turned into feeling like I was swallowing glass Thursday morning! It was some of the worst pain I've had! So, I went to the doctor and it was tonsillitis; and I got a shot of penicillin and a script. Thursday I didn't eat anything but a popsicle and an HNS cappuccino. Friday I was feeling better but still not hungry so I picked at things and didn't stay on plan because nothing sounded good. That threw me off for the weekend--we went out for my husbands birthday, I had a baby shower and a lunch with some of the best sweets and treats around. Today I could tell I had eaten bad because I was craving sugar and junk. I did pretty good today, but not like I would have liked to.
My center also called, asking when we would be back in, since we haven't been there since Sept. 8. We are 45 min away from there, so it's hard to get there as often as I'd really like. I'm getting really nervous about WI, I can't keep cheating and think it won't show on the scale! How do I not sabotage this like I have all the other times in the past? I want this to work. But it's hard (I know it's hard for you all too)--how do I choose smart each day without feeling so deprived?
Sorry, I'm rambling and complaining...I need to be thrilled that I've lost 10 lbs so far and am making better choices. It's all in the perspective, right?! Thanks for letting me vent. I'm heading to bed!
Nichole

I had my maintenance weigh in today and was down 1/2 pound, bringing me to 5 1/2 pounds under goal....

As I said earlier, it was no fun not eating and drinking with everyone while friends are here. Never bothered me before, but did this time. I still have friends here, but they leave for home on Friday. I was very tempted when eating out with everyone, but did not go OP, and I guess it was good as I lost 1/2 pound..But I actually felt sorry for myself, and that is not good at all and need to get over that in the future. I think the desserts got me one night, peanut butter pie, creamsicle cheese cake, pecan carmel pie, huge fudge brownie with lots of icecream and whipped cream.. That was the hardest part not having any of that. Glad when that night was over. These desserts were at one sitting, everyone at table other than myself was having them.. I had some plain strawberries and blueberries.

This week I did experiment with having a glass of wine when eating out, and I always take a fat and carb blocker when eating out, and it did not make me gain, so that is a good thing. Also experimented eating a larger piece of baked oatmeal with nuts in it this time, and that seemed to work ok.I have baked oatmeal every afternoon when I get home with a cup of coffee, and that is working ok. However, when I have the baked oatmeal, do not have any other bread or of the like during day. Center said to try that, and it works. I always take an HNS with a carb dessert.

Welcome to all the newbies, and congrats to all that have lost weight and reached a certain goal.

Ladies were talking today at center and they were saying their weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week and not more than that, and that is staying OP.My center has a walking type marathon going on every Wednesday for members. Ones on the program we cannot talk about lose more weekly, but they find that diet very difficult is what they were saying.

Have a great day.
Patzi

1.5lbs away from the 90lb Board!
 

First, things are moving through now and almost a little too much. Not sure I've got it all out of my system but hoping to be back to normal by tomorrow :)

Went for WI this morning - it's my 179th day on program, so I had my measurements done. I lost 8.75" in 30 days which brings me to a total of 64.75" and I lost 4lbs! SO close to the 90lb board now. My consultant asked if I would be signing it on Friday. I just said, let's hope so and if not, then it'll be Tuesday! We set another goal today - to be on the 100lb board by the of October! So when it's times for our "mini-goals", that will be mine.

Patzi - Congrats on the loss but sorry you are feeling terrible about not enjoying things with your friends. I know that has to be tough. In the beginning, I was one of those "I'm never going to cheat" people but now, I have loosened up a bit. Not saying that I cheat every week but if I know I have something coming up, I plan for it and I know I can make good choices and not hate myself afterwards. I'm in more control of my eating behaviors. Please try to enjoy yourself! :hug:

Tamikl - I'm with you on taking it one day at a time. When I did my measurements this morning, they asked me a group of questions and one of them was - are you afraid/worried about stabilization/maitenance? I told my consultant that I'm not really thinking about it because it's 3-4 months away but I do know that when it does happen and I'm able to add more foods, that I feel as though I have been educated enough to make the right decisions and not go on a free for all type mode, which got me into this obese status! Just keep on truckin' along :D

learning2Bhealthy - The Buffalo Chicken was REAL good but I made it Sunday night and I must have done something wrong because it did not taste good at all. My buffalo sauce was extremly overpowering, maybe too much vinegar? I don't know. We sampled the Cheeseburger Soup and I really liked that, just hate that you can only have it for lunch. I'm planning on going to the Crock Pot cooking class Wednesday and Katie told me they were planning on an Italian Cooking class next month. LOVE me some Italian.

Time to go back to work! Wish I was outside enjoying this weather!

Since we are on so much protein - constipation can be a problem. My doctor says use 1 scoup of Miralax 2 times a day -- do that and you will not have a problem -- you may have to cut back to 1 a day but do it every day because it will not hurt you and will help so much.

too funny Candi!! never TMI for me!!! just got back from vacation - 9 glorious days at the beach camping... my DH and i had salads every day w/ fresh grilled fish or shrimp or lean flank steak.. i had an egg, 1/2 grapefruit and my special treat, cinnamon toast w/ lots of cinnamon and some spray butter on lite wheat bread., i did have some Hog Heaven BBQ but didn't eat the bread and we even ate at an all you can eat seafood buffet - the best chocolate pie ever!! anyway, swimming, biking and walking the dogs everyday a few times on the beach and lost 3 lbs! i did take my scales w/ me and put in the camper to keep me on track! :-)
does anyone know a good chewy choc. dessert recipe i can make w/ the protein powder or something that is OP?
thanks! Peggy

i'll have to try the Miralax...didn't have a problem till vacation, then upped my water in take and HNS's. (they must have fiber in them?)

Tami,
Thanks for all your kind words and advice! I will be following a lot of it:)
How long have you been doing this? I looked back and actually counted--I've only been OP for 3 weeks today!:dizzy: It seems A LOT longer than that. I'm just in a rut with my food. I'm also nervous because today starts our town's Street Fair for the week. The entire town is shut down for the whole week. It's like a carnival with all the good food (tons and tons) and fun rides, from today through Sat. night. It's my husband's favorite time of year, especially since his birthday always falls during this week! We will go tonight for the opening parade, Thursday night for the Industrial Parade and we're working our church's Taco Trailer Sat. night! So, I need to decide what my absolute favorite must have's are, and only splurge on those. It's not like I'll never taste these things again! And except for the chocolate chip cookie I just ate, I've been OP all day! I will eat dinner before we leave to go tonight and plan to just look around and see what my choices are for the evening. I'd like to not eat anything there tonight and decide what I want for Thursday. Anyway, I'll get through it.

As for everyone with the constipation issues: it seems my fish oil really helps with that. I haven't had any issues so far, and it seems as soon as I take my big 3 pills along with the fish oil in the morning, I'm all set to go! Hopefully you can figure it out and not be too uncomfortable. I have problems with my bowels at times, so I know how painful and not fun it can be.

I'm really trying to focus on my water for the day...and staying positive. I need to come up with more protein choices for lunch. My husband has been doing turkey breast, which I don't think is the best idea. I finally looked at the sodium yesterday and about flipped! Needless to say, he's not going to be eating it for lunch every day anymore. He's so picky, it's not even funny. So we need to go over the cookbook again and see what we can make. I'm really enjoying the vegetables though, especially since before this I NEVER made sautéed veggies because my DH thought it was nasty and smelled up the house. Now though, he doesn't get a choice but to smell it and deal with it:) Of course, he still won't eat them, but at least I get to enjoy them.

I think we're going to get a medical scales, with the balance beam on top and not digital. DH mentioned it when we first started OP, but I wasn't sure. Now though, since we can't make it in all the time, I really would like to know how well I'm doing. We have an old feed scales in the garage, and though I think it works pretty accurately, it isn't always consistent. I'm excited--though I'll probably get obsessive with it;)

Hope you all have a great day.
Nichole

out of stock HNS's
 

i hate when they are out of the HNS's i need - i really do depend on them. i wanted the cookbook before vacation and they didn't have that either...they were just like oh well! i ordered for 1/2 off from Amazon and got it in 3 days. now i order everything from Nashua Nutrition or Diet Direct. the wonderslim bars are very similar. i also ordered some protein powder that was the same as HNS - 16 g. protein, etc. - bought some South Beach protein bars from Big Lots - :-)

acidepholis (spelling is off but close i think ) is good too. Can get it over the counter (husband was told to take this). I take a natural probiotic once a day if I'm having issues.

I've also heard that "Smooth Move" tea works well. It can be found in either the tea section or I have found it in the organic section, as well.

OK, this is really old school, but if you are severely constipated, you can drink a mixture of 8 oz water and 1 tsp of Epsom salt. This mixture works like the fluid doctors give before a colonoscopy. You are GUARANTEED a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hrs after drinking the mixture. It is definitely cleansing. I would only use this as a last resort and only when you have time to kill in the restroom.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4549586_use-...-laxative.html

Stuck!
 

:dunno:
Hi All...
Well this is my second post and I'm stuck. I went to WI last week and lost nothing. I weighed at the gym last night and have lost nothing...12 days no wt loss. I'm sure I'm the only guy on this site but I'm hoping on some feedback...

Started 270.5 LBS
Now at 226.5 LBS


And BTW...Whooooo Pig Sooooie! Go Hogs!:dizzy:

Hey, RedRider!

Sorry you're stuck in this plateau. Needless to say, we all have experienced it. Here's a sheet I came up with. I hope it can help you some.

Love this board~
 

I get so much wonderful advice from everyone on this board, thanks!! keeps me constantly motivated. got measured today and i've lost 15 inches! woo hoo! 15 lbs lost also since Aug. 3. just got back from vacation and amazing enough, lost 1 lb. don't think my counselor was very happy but 9 days of vacation and didn't gain? woo hoo! he also didn't like that i was mixing tequila w/ my HNS at the beach every day :-) had sugar free margarita mix and pink lemonade HNS - yum~! a girl has to have some fun :-) walked alot on the beach every day - did have to run into the ocean and whiz alot! LOL w/ all the water i was drinking! i packed alot of protein bars (hazelnut rocks!) so that was my choc. fix... anyway, back OP and goal is at least 3 -5 lbs by next wed. drinking water as i'm typing this!!!
good luck everyone and will see less of everyone next time we post!! :-):dizzy:

I haven't posted in a while because I've been off plan. It all started on Saturday with my husband's birthday-- went off, but I didn't go overboard. Then I found out that a friend from college would be visiting and wanted to stay with us starting the next day. Well, this, of course, involved eating out, and I had some of our old friends over, etc. I tried to not eat much even though I was eating off. On top of all that, it was my TOM, and it really got to me this time.

I went to WI on Tuesday just to see how things stood-- up 6 lbs. It cuold have been worse, because I really pack it on when I go off. Anyhow, that night I realized I had the stomach flu-- diet karma perhaps?

Anyway, I lost most of what I ate yesterday, and I've had applesauce and a chicken sandwich today. I'm feeling about 80% now, and it is over, so tomorrow I plan to go back OP. On the bright side, I'm basically back where I started weight wise, lol. It's not the way I would have chosen to lose it again, but I'm going to take full advantage and get right back OP. Our houseguest is gone, and I think my tummy can handle normal food tomorrow. I haven't exercised all week, and I think I'm just going to take the rest of the week off since I'm still feeling weak.

As for the constipation discussion-- I have issues, too. I have always been an "every few days" person, even when I'm eating normally. When I do "go" on MRC, it's never very much. I assume this is because the volume of food I eat is less than what I ate before. I did pick up some benefiber, which I have yet to try. I read that the fruit and fiber MRC sells is basically benefiber with crystal light, so I plan to add a dose a day (three is recommended, but I'll start with one).

Tami-- yes, the downside of going slow with the weight loss is that you have to pay for more time. Last time I think I renewed twice. If you can wait for a special (they always have them around new years), then the price is less. It is less expensive thn when first signing up because you don't have to pay for maintenance or the hormone kit if your center makes you buy it. Talk to them and see what they say. I believe that if you just go on your own for the remainder of the time that you forfeit maintenance, but i'm not sure if that's the way it works at every center. Basically you're paying for the counselors' time, I think. I will say that it's worth it to get where you want to be before you go on stabilization. If you stabilize but still have 15 to go, you won't be happy. Unfortunately, time is definitely money on MRC. It does give me an incentive to stay OP so I don't have to sign up for more time. As it is, I too, might have to add more time, but I'm hoping not. It will be close.

Patzi-- Like Jen and others, I have never heard the 2/3 shake rule for metaquick, either this time on MRC or three years ago. Also, they always advocate the clear with the shake-- it's on the paper. I wonder why it's that way at your center. Also, I'm super impressed with your willpower with friends. I don't blame you for feeling frustrated. I love when friends visit, but I must say that I'm glad to have the temptations and routine disruptions removed when they leave.

ETA: Something else I've discovered about myself-- I feel awful when I cheat. I get heartburn and feel halfway sick to my stomach. I really want to go back OP just so I feel better. I didn't have this last time. I mean, I felt bad when eating bad foods, but I felt as if it was worth it, I suppose. I don't feel that way anymore. I think that's a great sign. In fact, I didn't even realize I had the flu at first-- I thought I just felt bad from eating a doughnut, lol. It's just not worth it. I don't feel sick if I eat a small portion of off plan food and only eat off one meal. It's the larger portion sizes or the extended cheating that does me in. It's been helpful in teaching me some balance.

I swear I think I have a stomach virus. I have the...ahem...opposite problem of Candi at the moment. :o You would think this would be a good thing, however, I'm beginning to wonder if it's dehydrating me because the scale refuses to budge. I've stayed 100% on plan so I'm wondering if I need to increase my water intake to compensate. Guess I'll talk with the counselors this afternoon. If all else fails, I'll start chowing down the MRC bars since I know that will stop this "issue."

Or eat a lot of cheese! LOL! I hope you start feeling better.

When they did my body comp on Tuesday, my water weight was down 5lbs. I told her I was starting to get diarrhea and she said that's probably why. But then I got cramped up again... so I drank a bottle of Magnesium Citrate. The "pleasantly lemony flavor" that they advertise on the bottle is BULL! That stuff is nasty! I think next time, I will do that old school thing with the epsom salt! But anyway.. I think I got everything out of me. Still having some stomach cramps so I'm hoping there isn't anything majorly wrong. I just want to be back to "normal".

I WI tomorrow. Crossing my fingers for the 90lb board, but if not, then next week will work.

I hope you start feeling better Jen!

Well, just as I suspected, no change on the scale. I talked with my counselor about what was happening and he agreed that the scale didn't move because of my "issue." So, he had a couple of suggestions. I talk 9 flaxseed oil pills a day (3 at each meal). Scale that back to two for the time being. Then to increase my water in case I'm becoming dehydrated since that would cause water retention. We'll give it a try. I'm also gonna try Meta-Quick for a few days. I'll probably start that on Saturday.

On a positive note, I had my measurements done this week and I'm done another 2.5 inches making the total inches lost 53.25! I know since I'm getting closer to goal, the inches will start decreasing, but I'm still very happy with it. :)

Happy Saturday! Hope everyone is having a good weekend! :)

Happy Saturday.. It is quiet this weekend. Did not weigh in Friday. Will go Tuesday..

Patzi

Weighed in today. Lost 1.5 pounds but was up 1 last week. So a .5 loss. I'm going to really buckle down this week. Finally bought their fish oil so maybe that will help. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels. Maybe I need to change it up a bit as far as my menu. I seem to be eating the same foods all the time.

BMI calculations are not always scientifically accurate. They don't take into account muscle mass, body type, etc. and are only based on a height-weight ratio. So, I wouldn't let that completely guide you. You should pick a weight where you feel good about yourself and are happy. The lower you go, the less you can eat and still maintain, so it needs to be sustainable. You may not know until you get there or get close at least. So, while I wouldn't let hte BMI charts dictate your weight, I also would not let the re-signing thing dictate it either. You've chosen to do it more slowly because you cheat, and while that's perfectly fine, it means you'll probably have to sign up for more weeks if you want to keep losing.

When I got to a healthy BMI number (160 lbs. for me), I was still not really satisfied. I looked good, but not as good as I wanted. I'm a lot younger than you, though. I think my mom would have been very happy to be "overweight." It all depends on what you want. I still have no idea if 145 is really my goal. I haven't been 145 since probably the third grade, so I have no idea what I'll look like then. Based on my sizes at 160, I think I'll be a size 4 or maybe even smaller at that point, which I think might be a bit thin, but we'll see. According to the BMI charts, though, that's dead in the middle of normal, so that doesn't seem right. BMI isn't everything.

Also, if you're curious what your goal weight might look like, go to mybodygallery.com. You can enter your height and goal weight and see pictures of other women who are that size. There is still a variety, but it helps give you an idea at least.

i joined Aug. 3 and have done really well (losing avg. 1-3 lbs every week) and even on vacation, lost a lb.
this past Sat. weighed myself and i'm up a lb! weighed myself this am and am up 3 lbs!!! i did have a couple beers last night so that could be it. so today am drinking tons of water and will be having salad w/ protein for lunch and dinner. i ate 3 protein bars yesterday like it was candy..stupid stupid stupid!!! funny how the more i type, i'm remembering what i ate...yikes!oh yeah and buffalo chicken tenders last night at the bar too. i need to eat more variety - i was getting sick of salad and chicken so had the protein bars for lunch and snack. jumping on my exercise bike too and walking the pups. it's crazy for me to sabatage myself when i was doing so well. if anyone has some meal ideas, plz post them....i'm getting bored! thks for listening :-)

Tamika, the bodygallery is very cool! i'd be happy at 170! and maintain that weight. or maybe 165.. i'm 5'8", pear shaped. very inspirating to see what i am going to look like soon!!! i'm also very happy to be rid of the 17 lbs - never thought that would happen. thank you MRC!!! (had been doing wt. watchers for years and usually could lose but not for the past couple years). the extra protein and stricter choices has really helped w/ my success. now, the hard part, staying motivated and sticking w/ this program :-) love this board!

oops! meant Tami, not Tamika.... haven't woke up yet!!!

bigdog, are you keeping a food journal? It sounds like you are not, or at least you didn't on saturday. I've gotten kind of obsessive about that. Its a constant reminder of how I'm doing. Im not as far into the program as you are but its a thought...

Hi..
I want to second how important a journal is. I kept one every day while I was losing weight, and still keep one now on maintenance, as it is the only way if I gain, I can go back and see why, plus the consultant asks me if I gain if I kept a journal for that week. I am not as obsessive as I was while losing weight with the journal, but I still am at it..

Patzi

HEAD'S UP - I went to mybodygallery too but something very wierd happened - it said Infected by Bangladeshi (or something like that ) in scary giant letters. Within minutes my computer crashed. Ive just rebooted and I dont see any strange behavior, but I'm not going to try that site again.

Tomorrow will be my official 1st day back on MRC diet. However this time around I will be doing it on my own without the center. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have said the above words since I regained all my weight. I just really hope I can follow through with it. I have everything I need to be successful tomorrow, so no excuses. I've got to do it. When I was on program the 1st time I followed the plan precisely and lost the 56lbs I need to. However I didn't follow stabalization precisely and slowly but surely gained all my weight back plus some. I've been so afraid to try and lose again in fear that I will just regain. I think I am ready now because I've started nursing school this semester and have learned so much on how poor eating and being over weight effects your health. Please wish me luck, I know it is possible and is so worth it. I'm dying to be able to wear a size 6 again.....their in my closet waiting for me! LOL

Me too!! My computer didn't crash...but I am not going back to the site again either.

Tami

Yeesh-- that stinks! Maybe their site just got hacked or something. I've been there at least 20 different times over the past few months, and nothing has happened to my computer. I found out about the site here on 3FC in another forum. It's pretty widely talked about in the other forums, and I've never heard of others having problems.. Sorry you guys had trouble!

Well, today is Day 8 of 157 pounds. Every day for the past 8 I have weighed everywhere from 157.0 to 157.8. My pants are baggy (need to pull out the size 8's from the back of the closet) and I can already tell my rings are going to need to be re-sized AGAIN. Sheesh! Oh, today is Day 3 of Meta-Quick and between yesterday and today I gained weight?! Really?! This has happened before but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. I will not go off plan. I am going to stick with it and do all I can to bust out of it, but grrrrrr!!!!!


That is all. Happy Monday! :p

So impressed with your resolve. It WILL come off! Have they done a bodyfat check to see if you are retaining fluids?

after i typed that message, i grabbed my journal and started writing things down. you are exactly right.. i just got back from vacation last monday and still getting back in the swing of things workwise and MRC wise! :-) have my clipboard in front of me now - actually i need to get a binder and keep all my pages together. the journal will definitely help me get back on track. it was mostly water weight because i was down 2 lbs this am (after being back OP and drinking tons of water yesterday). i can do this!!!

thanks for the reminders and hope everyone has a great week!

Did that last Monday and everything was normal and I had lost 2.5 inches in the previous 3 1/2 weeks. Go figure! My body is just rebelling right now.

Weighed in at lunch and I guess I'm one of the few people that can gain weight on Meta-Quick! Up 0.5 pounds. My body is totally fighting me right now...but I WILL WIN! That's right! I said it! It may win this little battle, but I will win the war! I'm so sure of it that I'm not even going to adjust my ticker. I will not go off plan and I will kick the scale in the butt! :kickbutt:

Jen...
I gained weight twice on meta quick..One time 1/2, other 1 . Hang in there, it will come off.. Have you talked to your consultant, sometimes they can look at journal and see something you are overlooking. You are so dedicated, it will come off. Love seeing your posts. They are so inspiring.

Patzi