MRC Maintainers
 

The thread is for those MRC Members that have successfully reached their weight loss goal and are going through the MRC Stabilization/Maintenance Program. :)

I will introduce myself..

Name is Patzi..
I am on maintenance since May, 2011. I decided to go 5 pounds under my goal before going on stabilization, and glad I did, as it has given me some
leeway if I gained .But the key is,if one gains,get back on the wagon and go from there. It all works out.

I thank Jen for starting this site.. I weighed in today and lost 2 pounds I gained Tuesday putting me 5 1/2 pounds under goal.

Patzi

I'm Elizabeth-
So glad to be here and want to say "thank you" to JenB for starting this thread! I just started week 1 of stabilization and I know I will have tons of questions/challenges ahead of me because I am determined to KEEP it off this time!! I enjoyed my first baked potato in over 5 months today at lunch and it was delicious!

I have a question for you, already, Patzi! I know they've always told me to try to keep starch servings to around 40-50 calories. I wondered if there is a similar number for starches in stabilization. I know 1/2 cup of rice is about 100 calories, so I was wondering if that's the guideline? Also, is it correct that I can have any of the starches listed on the Stabilization menu at my normal "starch times?" So, I can now have 1/2 cup of oatmeal at breakfast, instead of 1/4? Or, 8 animal cookies? In other words, those starches aren't just for that lunch starch I'm adding 3 days a week?
__________________

Hi...
You can add only one starch serving to LUNCH ONLY on three days for the first week. This is a tricky week, as sometimes peoples carbs may cause weight to fluctuate, but then again maybe not.. Journal everything this week. This addition is to be eaten at lunch only,not at any other time.

This addition to the starch for lunch is in additon to whatever starch you are having on whatever plan you are on.The starch you have for breakfast is whatever is on your sheet. Oatmeal on mine is 1/4.Do not change that for breakfast during stabilization, as you can only add the starch at lunch.. Now if you are on another plan other than Meta Slim,it may be different, but i doubt it. If you wanted more oatmeal at lunch , then you would have the 1/2 cup that is allowed at lunch 3 x WEEK.

They are having you add starch at lunch only because no starch is included there. Only at breakfast and supper.

Does this make sense to you? If not,please ask away, will try to make it clear.

Biggest treat for me was having 1/2 English muffin at lunch with tuna salad on top of that and a slice of cheese for a tuna melt.Thought I died and went to heaven. LOL.

I will answer any questions you have..

Patzi

Now on my breakfast menu for Meta Slim,it allows protein, and a bread/starch, whichever is on my list. You can have 1/4 cup oatmeal at breakfast as that is what is on my list.

I can have any of the starches listed on the Stabilization menu at my normal "starch times?" So, I can now have 1/2 cup of oatmeal at breakfast, instead of 1/4? Or, 8 animal cookies

Gone for good... I meant to also say, no you cannot have any of the stablization menu starches at normal starch times.. Only at lunch...

Patzi

Thanks, Patzi! I missed the stabilization party, so I'm trying to figure it out! When I got my menu Friday at my WI, I asked the consultant this question. She said I can have any of those starches on the Stabilization Menu at any meals. In other words, I thought this was my new list of allowable starches. This didn't seem right to me, because that would be adding a whole lot of calories all of a sudden. And, I noticed on my journal that it says "bread" for breakfast and dinner, but it says "starch" at lunch. I felt kind of rushed and she was more interested in trying to sell me their "reward" packs of vitamins/minerals I haven't taken up until this point, but she wanted me to spend 110+ on! Luckily, I stayed strong and didn't buy any of them-I don't want to add anything new at this point, especially since I am trying to cut back on the pills I'm taking!

I appreciate your helpfulness!

Hi all!

My name is Natalie, and I started stabilization in May 2011 and maintenance in June 2011.

I started stabilization at 197 (goal weight was 191), and I began maintenance at 190. I've since lost a few more pounds--I'm down to 184.5. :D No problems with that--my "healthiest range" is actually at 170-180, I think, but I wanted to stabilize so we could start trying to get pregnant this last summer.

Maintenance was 100% going fine (if/when I did gain, it was usually only 1/2-1lb, and I would lose it again quickly the next week or two), until just the last couple weeks--stress is getting to me. Work has sucked and been stressful, I"ve been struggling with exercising (I dread doing it and have a hard time scheduling it in since I've been so busy with work), and money/budget/house issues are making me crazy.

We also just found out that we have fertility issues. I've always had PCOS, but with 10 years of BC pills and the recent weight loss and exercise habits, I've actually been ovulating and cycling since coming off the pill last summer. My cycles started to slow a little bit, though, so my doctor wanted to try a medicated cycle (to help ovulation), but that requires a sperm analysis on the husband to make sure we aren't wasting a medicated cycle... turns out my husband's analysis came back with zero sperm. ZERO. :( That was over a month ago, and I've been really upset and struggling with food/exercise since then. I mostly just want to curl up and sleep all the time. But, we have an appointment with an infertility urologist specialist tomorrow (we had a month-long wait to get in), so I'm hoping we'll start getting more answers soon.

Aaaand now that you all have gotten TMI on me...

I'm so glad this thread was started and is easy to locate! I had pretty much stopped posting (though I was still reading) the regular forum/threads because a lot of what I'm going through in maintenance is so different from the experiences of those actively dieting. :hug:

Teacher Lady...

It is so nice to hear from you, Natalie... I am glad this site was started also.
I am the same,if I gain it is 1-2 pounds, and then it comes right off..

Patzi

My name is Cindy. I started the program about a year ago, I reached by goal weight in Jan 2011 and have been on maintenace since 2/10/11. I have never posted before but I have been following the the MRC thread all along.
I am glad to see something on maintenace. I have been doing pretty good on maintence until now, I have maybe lost my motivation or maybe I am getting bored with my food choices. I am up 4 lbs from my weight goal and it is starting to concern me. I do not know what to cook anymore. It's always the same old same old. While I was on the program I mostly used recipes out of the MRC cookbook, but since maintence I am lost. I do not use alot of the recipies anymore because they require supplements, does anyone have any suggestions for what to cook or subsitiutions for the supplements in the recipes.
Thanks.

Minnie me..
Nice to meet you.. Are you still going to the weigh ins? I still go twice a week. I need the accountability.. I am 5pounds under goal, and I play with
2 pounds all the time.. When I gain,I go back on my Meta Slim menu , the green one,for a few days, and that will usually take weight off, and I suggest you continue to journal in the event you stopped..

I never use the recipe book . I just cook healthy. Maybe try to make a list of what you want to have for breakfast,what you will have for lunch, a snack,etc..and supper. Here is my eating today and none of it from the cookbook.

Today I had for breakfast,2 homemade sausage patties,1slice of ww bread,with butter spray and some blueberries.Also had coffee with soy milk.

Lunch.. Had a chicken burger, left over veggies from last night, which were
roasted veggies,some strawberries

Snack when I got home from work,had an iced coffee made into a shake with diet creme soda and a small piece of baked oatmeal, and a small piece of soy cheese.

Supper.. We will have flounder, broccoli,large salad with dressing and home made pita croutons..

Later on,will have something,notsure what yet.

Now,if I gain weight on weigh in will go thru what I ate and see where I think I went off track.

Hope this helps you some, but try to stay motivated. If you have come this
far, that is wonderful,you will get the 4 pounds off.If you do go to meetings ask for help , if not we will try to keep you motivated on this forum..

Good luck to you.

Patzi

Hi all you maintainers! I am interested in hearing what habits you have changed - besides what you eat. Are you finding that you think differently? Prioritize differently? What do you think is helping the most? I once read that we have to accept the fact that even in maintainance one ALWAYS has to be vigilent. That kind of depressed me at first. But I think it is probably true. For sure you cant go back to your old ways. What is working for you guys?

Hi...
One cannot go back to their old ways, but on maintenance you are free to eat healthy and enjoy yourself.. Once you lose the weight , you will have a different attitude about yourself, that you won't let yourself slide back to old ways.... Remember in stabilization, you will learn how to add to your diet and you will be allowed so much more food and choices... I still cannot eat peanut butter without gaining, so I have omitted it for anothe time.. I enjoy the feeling I can have a glass of wine when I go out, and experience with foods, but in moderation. I had a small piece of pie when I went out one night , took my fat and carb blocker with that meal, but during the day omitted any types of breads, and less fruit. That is what center told me to do. I did not gain weight. I try something new each week, and if I gain I omit it for the time being, and go on to something else.. I can now eat cookies, some baked oatmeal, some pastry in moderation, and be fine.. I eat sensible servings.. I never bring in a bag of chips , as I know I can't stop at a few, so stay away from them, but other than that, I seem to have become disciplined.. I have disciplined myself to have a square of chocolate, vs. eating a whole box..
Consultant always asks if I have challenges for the weekend, and if I do we talk about it, and figure what I will try and what to omit from the day. It has worked for me..
I went 5 pounds under goal, so I would have some play room, and I gain 2, lose 2. Sometimes I gain for no reason, but such is life, it does come off..
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I feel good about maintenance, but I do feel I need to go in and get weighed.. I still go twice a week, but that is my choice. I may start going once a week next year, will see.

I have stopped taking all supplements except for an occasional HNS , cocoa, and the fat and carb blocker, I always keep on me. I find moderation is the key for me.. I still journal, as it is helpful if I gain to go back and examine.

My friend is going on 3 years stabilization, has kept her goal and is enjoying life. She lost 90 pounds.

Patzi

Patzi:
That is so encouraging to hear! I hear so many more stories about people who just gained the weight back and I SOOOO don't want to go back there! Hearing about someone who has kept it off for 3 years is awesome!

I also like your common sense approach--everything in moderation! I do feel that MRC is teaching me to be more aware of what I eat and to be sensible about my choices (although I know some of the consultants would NEVER eat anything not OP, that's not real life for me!)...your approach is realistic and definitely doable!

Thanks Patzi! Really good post. Regaining is my worst fear. And I have done it more times than I want to admit...

Here is a recipe a friend of mine gave me, and I will make it.. I will only add
1/4 of the beans, as they are a big trigger for me, added in with the pumpkin, I may be asking for trouble, but who knows... I will not use the chile, and for the fat free broth, I make my own veggie broth, so I will use that.
Any recipe can be adapted to MRC maintenance so that it is healthy and we can stay pretty much on top of things and in focus. This looks like a WW recipe to me, but I will adapt to maintenance..

Recipe can be read here. http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/c...pkin.html#more.

Patzi

Had my first yogurt in five months today-it was DELICIOUS!!! That's probably one of the things I've missed the most!

I haven't been very regular with my exercise through this journey. Now, I'm at the weight I want to be at, but still have a LOT of toning to do! So, I am going to really try to get in some exercise this week-we'll see how it goes! Once I get a routine, it won't be a problem. I used to walk 4-6 miles EVERY morning and that lasted for three years, until I moved out to the country, away from my walking partner!

Isn't great to be able to have a yogurt and other things? I love it..
I can't eat regular yogurt,but eat soy yogurt.. Every day when I get home from work, I make myself an iced coffee, add some apple yogurt , some pumpkin pie spice ,ice and make a great coffee shake. Just wonderful.
Patzi

Walden Farms dips... are they great and worth it, or kinda gross?

I've tried their dressings before, and I HATED them. They had such a weird flavor.

But I was walking past the Walden Farms section in the store today and saw the caramel dip, chocolate dip, and marshmallow fluff... and remembered that one or two people on 3FC said they liked them.

So, give it to me straight--are they pretty good? Or kinda gross? At almost $4 a jar, I really don't want to waste my money, but I really miss having caramel to dip my honeycrisp apples into!

TIA!

I like the chocolate sauce and the caramel dip. Now, they are not like the "real" stuff, but they are pretty good if that's all you can have! I didn't really care for the marshmallow one-I'm a BIG marshmallow cream person and I guess I just had my expectations too high! I eat the caramel dip with apples and the chocolate sauce is good with oranges-would probably be good with a banana, too!

I think the caramel one is the best and is good with apples. The chocolate and marshmallow ones aren't as good, but I used to take a spoon of each and mix them all together. That was pretty good!

yum! the caramel sounds great! espec. w/ apples. i tried the blue cheese dressing....gag....maybe i'll put it on chicken and try to bake it or something but alone, bleah. like i'd rather just put vinegar and oil on my salad :-)

hi, Patzi, just curious...what's your height and current maintenance weight? congrats again for making it to maintenance and sharing all the wonderful suggestions and advice :-)

I am 5'4, and my goal weight is 125, but I went down to 120 as a buffer.

Patzi

This is my first peak at this thread and can't wait to be a maintainer. Which according to the center would be in 26lbs but I think I want to lose about 50 more. Did you guys go by what the center said you should be your stopping weight or did you set your own goal and keep going?

Losing 50 more lbs would make me 5'9" and between 180-185. I just don't know what I'm going to look like. And if I get that close to 200 (center goal 205), I know I want to be out of the 200's and in ONEderland :D

I am on maintenance and have gained about 5 pounds from my goal weight. I have gained a few inches back -- have others had the same experience? I asked about it at the center and they don't know why I would have gained inches back. Any comments?

Candi...
I am 5'4 and my goal weight by the center was 128. I told them that is not good, I wanted 125, and then I went to 120 as a buffer and glad I did.. If I gain 2 pounds, I get it right off, but do have a buffer, and believe me that really helps. Only time I gain is if I eat out more than once a week, and it is not from bad eating it is from salt content and we never know how the foods are prepared, regardless of what you ask for.. Good idea , though , in my opinion to have a buffer

Mama 4901..

Do you know why you have gained the weight back? I have not gained it back nor have I gained any inches back.. If I gain two pounds, I go right back to the green menu(which is my last menu on Meta Slim) for that week or until I lose the weight and I eat more fish and eggbeaters, or egg whites. I
have allergies if I eat the whole eggs, but am ok with eggbeaters. Center told me that is the quickest way to get it back off.. Welcome to the board.

Patzi

Thanks Patzi - I will try doing that. I think I should have been under my goal when I started maintenance instead of 3 pounds from it -- I will try going back on the green menu and see if I can get to my actual goal. Maybe that would help. I know for sure my body does not like carbs -- I really need to stay away from them.

Candi,
My center had my goal set at 190, but they also said that I could revisit that goal as I got closer (my "ideal" range, as they calculated it for me, was about 170-180). I think they set my goal at 190 for the simple reason that it seemed so much more attainable and do-able to me when I first signed up than if they had told me that my goal was 170. That, I think, was another of those little mind-sets that helped me stick with the program.

When I hit 197, I wanted to start stabilization because we were planning on 1)leaving town for 10 days for our belated honeymoon, and 2)starting to try to get pregnant. I couldn't be dieting while trying to get pregnant, so I started maintenance. I ended up losing 7 lbs during stabilization, and I started maintenance at 190. I will say, when I started stabilization, they asked me if I didn't want to stay on the plan and re-set my goal to 175 or so...but again, I wanted to try to get pregnant, so that wasn't what I wanted at the time.

They gave me the option of doing a 1500-calorie maintenance plan to maintain (my body calc actually came out at 1600 to maintain), or a 1300-calorie plan to continue to slowly lose. I said I wanted the 1500 plan... but I've honestly had a hard time eating that much purely because I"m paranoid about gaining. So, I've pretty much been sticking with about 1300 calories a day. Since I started maintenance (in July sometime), I have lost an additional 10lbs--without consciously trying to do it most of the time. Some weeks I stay the same, some weeks I gained 1/2 lb, some weeks I lost 1-2lbs. I'm learning what affects my body and causes me to gain, as well as what helps me lose the fastest in the least disruptive way (extra exercise, unfortunately, lol).

At this point, I'm happy either maintaining at 180 or losing 2-5 more pounds--it really doesn't matter to me either way (and I never thought I would say that!). I feel great, I'm physically fit, and I can still indulge and have treats occasionally. I feel NORMAL for once. :D I'll probably plan on upping my daily calories to 1500 pretty soon, as I'm planning on adding another yoga class to my repertoire (my next goal is to eventually become a yoga instructor), and that will burn calories. Or, I might wait until after the holidays, so I can leave myself some "wiggle room" during that time.

I'm sorry this got so long, but I hope it helped answer your questions! You are looking fabulous, by the way!

Thanks Patzi & TeacherLady!

I'm definitely going to have a buffer. It's great to have you guys to reach out to! Such inspirations!

Urgh. I weighed in on Friday and was up 5 lbs (in two weeks--I go bi-monthly now) according to their scale. :(

I'm sure part of it was because I was wearing heavier clothes (denim trousers and a sweater vs. yoga pants and a t-shirt, which is my usual weigh-in outfit) and a different time of day (Friday afternoon instead of my usual Saturday morning). So, I think I've actually only gained about 3lbs.

But I also know part of it was that I've been snacking a lot in the evenings and eating out more in the last week or so. I'm really struggling right now with being in more social settings (I avoided most social engagements while dieting for this very reason), as well as with people who are "feeders" and just really generous with food. They bring it over, and I just can't stop myself.

My husband has one friend who is a major "feeder" -- I think I'm just going to tell him that he can't bring food over any more, or if he does it has to be just enough for him and my husband. And he absolutely cannot leave leftovers at our house.

As far as the socializing thing... I'm at a loss. Went to a party Friday evening with appetizers, desserts and drinks. I brought a fairly healthy dip and crackers, but overate on what everyone else brought. Then Saturday night we went bowling with friends (I used to be on a league until I broke my wrist a couple years ago, so I LOVE bowling), and I didn't intend to drink, but they got pitchers... and I decided to have one. I forgot how much I liked beer & bowling (it's the only time I drink beer--usually it's gross to me) and I ended up having 5 beers (500+ calories and then a major headache the next morning!).

I'm planning on being as careful as I can and avoid unplanned food issues this week... avoiding eating out so I can keep it under my control, too. I'm also going to try to step up my workouts--adding back a yoga class (I've only been going to 1/week since July), and possibly jogging outside one day a week. I'm pretty motivated on the jogging right now--there's a "Turkey Trot" 5K here on Thanksgiving, and I'm really going to try to run it (however slowly that may be, lol).

How have you all been handling social situations that are centered around food/drink? The drinking isn't much of an issue for me (except when bowling, lol), because I'm really not much of a drinker. But the food... :^:

Teacherlady,
I'm not maintaining yet but I sure have those issues around social eating and drinking. It is so hard for me. And the next dAy, when I feelike crap, I am likely to overeat again. An old trick that helps with alcohol is alternating with water. Hard when pitchers are going around, but still. Or try starting with water before that first drink. Also, go full! If you still do the creamies, have one just before you go. if not, have some kind of protein and preferably something with volume. Then there is plain old avoidance - just don't take that first bite. All much easier said than done. I bet some of your weight is water and will come right off.

How many of you have continued using HNS during maintenance? I have been having only one a day for over a month. I actually think the protein is good for me, but wondered what you all think? If I do continue a protein drink, it will likely be a cheaper version from Wal-Mart!
Elizabeth

Hi...
I will try to post a recipe here for pumpkin pie. It is as low fat as I can make it, and have made it before and tastes real good. If I have not posted by late tomorrow, please remind me.. I am off Wed thru Sun and I am bombed with work to get to that point.. Pie has a crust.. We are on maintenance, and we can eat anything in moderation, and with good sense.

Patzi

I am not home,so can't scan the recipe.. However, if you look up online Ligher Libby's Pumpkin Pie, you will find the recipe online...

Patzi

Found it, Patzi! Looks great! Thanks a bunch!

Lighter Libby's Pumpkin Pie
 

Patzi had mentioned this so wanted to post and share (it looks great and just in time for Thanksgiving!)

Lighter Libby's Pumpkin Pie (recommended by Patzi) :-)

Ingredients
1 (9 inch) unbaked (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 egg whites
1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Fat Free Milk




Directions
1. PREHEAT oven to 425 degrees F.
2. COMBINE sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger and salt in small bowl. Beat egg whites lightly in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell.
3. BAKE for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake for additional 30 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. (Do not freeze as this will cause filling to separate from crust.)



Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 252 | Total Fat: 7.8g | Cholesterol: 2mgPowered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Thanks for posting this recipe. Was going to try and do it today.

Happy Thanksgiving
Patzi

I'm a little late for this to be helpful on Thanksgiving, but here's some thoughts on reducing the calories even further:

You could probably cut even more calories by using a sugar/splenda mix instead of just sugar.

Also, here's a pie-trick I read about online: Take a refrigerated pie crust (like Pillsbury or generic) and roll it out even thinner than how it comes out of the package, then you end up using less pie crust (and therefore less calories). I'm not sure if this works or not, but it was an idea I read about.

Elizabeth,
I still use them. I use the concentrated drink ones sometimes after a particularly hard cardio workout (about 1x a week, but not every week), and I usually have a cocoa every evening (I mix it with the super chocolate powder & microwave it to make a brownie) as my dessert--to keep me from snacking/craving sweets in the evenings.

I think they're a good supplement to have around and certainly won't hurt us to use sometimes. :)

i actually ended up making the Pumpkin Fluff which is 50 cal. per serving (without crust) i used the reduced fat Graham cracker crust .the rest of the family ate it w/ crust and i just ate the filling out of it :-)

Pumpkin Fluff

8 servings

1 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
4 serving fat free sugar free instant vanilla pudding & pie filling mix
6 oz Cool whip lite whipped topping
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

put all in blender and whip it up! sprinkle nutmeg and Lite Cool whip on top.

you can serve in wine or parfait glasses. i've also put in a graham cracker crust and served as a pie. it's more of a pumpkin mousse and is sooo good.