that's fantastic!!! and good job on the exercise. i need to step up my activity. i walk 30 -40 min. every am but need to start lifting weights again and riding my exerc. bike.... dang, now i have 3 more lbs to lose to catch up w/ you :-) and i just got back from an oyster roast..... had a few lite beers so will be drinking water to get rid of the water retention!.... small bowl of chili, few steamed oysters and a hot dog w/ no bun...very full. guess the veggies were the jalepenos and onions? :) i have lunch w/ the in laws tomorrow and will def. have to have a cajun bloody mary to get me through that. HA HA...will count as a couple veggies :-) prob have steamed shrimp w/ hot sauce and celery..,,for lunch and will def. be drinking water all day tomorrow.

I just love you! I've always considered bloody marys a vegetable. Too bad we live on opposite sides of the country. HaHa. Seriously, though, you guys eat great back there: oyster roasts.. shrimp.... Of course my husband is out salmon fishing right now, so i cant complain!

And yes, you should start doing the weights again! I love it. When you stick with it, it makes such a huge difference in how you look. It is just hard to get started.

i love lifting weights but would have to join a gym again to get serious about it...i have free weights at the house but get bored... used to do Tae Bo too and loved it..felt like Billy Blanks was talking directly to me..he'd say, tuck that stomach in and i'd be YES SIR! there is an Oyster Roast every weekend here and if we are not going to one, we are roasting them on the grill ourselves or steaming some blue crabs or shrimp. my DH's speciality is Maryland style lump meat crab cakes. he uses no filler, just egg and a little mayo to hold them together and old bay seasoning.. and he bakes them too. usually will put key lime tartar on top - yum! have you heard of Mt. Ranier beer? my DH said that is a great beer from your part of the country :-) yeah, we used to vacation here in SC - im from Richmond, VA and we decided to move in less than a month...just packed up and moved! we love fishing, boating, rving so it's like being on permanant vacation. surrounded by water - love it!! that's so cool your husb. is salmon fishing! we have tons of fishing tournaments here - mostly cobia, red fish, trout, King fish...

Happy end of the weekend everyone. I did okay during the weekend, went a little off plan yesterday for the first time since I started...and it showed on the scale. I know it is short term gain from the sodium/carbs in what I ate yesterday. So I'm back on plan exactly today. I also think I'm dealing with a little constipation...any advice on what to do to stay regular...with all the protein...let's just say my body doesn't keep it moving. Also chugging down the water today...and an interval workout tonight.

I take fiber supplements that I bought from Walmart. My diverticulosis requires it on this diet!

someone on this board recommended Smooth Move herbal tea and it really does work! you drink the tea at night and you will go in the morning...smoothly! LOL! the tea is good too and with it being cold out, it's a nice hot tea drink... i got it at Walgreen's...$5.99 for 16 bags.. may be cheaper at Walmart ? you can actually get two cups of tea out of one bag...

someone on this board recommended Smooth Move herbal tea and it really does work! you drink the tea at night and you will go in the morning...smoothly! LOL! the tea is good too and with it being cold out, it's a nice hot tea drink... i got it at Walgreen's...$5.99 for 16 bags.. may be cheaper at Walmart ? you can actually get two cups of tea out of one bag...

Do you find that in the tea section or the pharmacy section?

in the pharmacy section w/ the laxatives... it's natural w/ senna.
i've never used laxatives before and didn't want anything crazy harsh that was going to keep me locked in the bathroom all day!!!! i cracked up when someone mentioned it before - but the name is correct

It's worth a shot. They wanted me to up my fish oil to 9000mg, but from doing some reading I don't think that's the best plan. I've had to use laxatives off and on the past week and am not going to make that a way of life.

this is natural also and actually the person that recommended it said the MRC counselor told her about it. OMG, my counselor recommended the Internal Colon Cleanser if i did Medi Quick.... i don't even know what that is but sounded very extreme!!!!like yikes!

I think the fish oil helps. Low carb always constipates me, but not this time. Ok, so it's not perfect (I feel a TMI coming on) but, it helps a lot. Smooth Move tea is useful of course!

Yuck!

I am taking the fishoil, but "only" 6 capsules. They didn't have the tea but I did get some benefiber. I always fluctuate with regularity depending on my cycle anyhow...seems to be enhanced with this way of eating.

i'm laughing and hope my DH doesn't ask what i'm laughing at!!!! TMI is my middle name!!! LOL i take fish oil but should probably increase it. at first when i'd take it, i'd have little fishy burps - hahahahhahahhhhaah but i'm used to it now. Funny story about my mom (RIP Mom) and i hope she doesnt pop down from heaven and hit me on the head!!! i had went home to visit and we went shopping the day after Christmas. it was a Marathon!!! shopping day. all of a sudden, she was like i have to go to the bathroom! mall is packed so we're walking and then she's shuffling pretty fast (she was in her 80's) well, she was the type person if she didn't go everyday she'd take a laxative. well that am, she didn't go, so she took a few things, pills, exlax choc. chews and something else. we got tothe bathroom just in time . i was like what were you thinking? the day after Christmas in the mall! we got a huge laugh out of that!!! as kids, we'd sneak in her room and eat what we thought was chocolate that she hid in her underwear drawer...we quickly found out it was chocolate exlax!!! ugh!!!!! she said she'd bet we'd never sneak "candy" from her again! lol

make sure you drink tons of water w/ the benefiber...i used to take it but was always really bloated w/ it. but everyone's system is different...

when i did Weight Watchers, i always ate Fiber One and that kept me regular but had to eliminate cereal w/ this diet.... plus we're only eating 1 fruit a day where i was used to eating 3-4 servings a day so that made a difference.

Caffiene usually helps me stay regular...but obviously that is out. I only bought a small thing of benefiber b/c I was worried with that...I drink about 80-100 oz of water per day, so I should be okay.

Yeah, I'm supposed to take fiber supplements every day because of the diverticulosis, but on my normal diet (carbs, fruit, caffeine) I didn't have to. When I cut that out during pre condition, I was in serious pain by day 2, and not because I couldn't go (I still could), it just felt like my insides were twisted up.

:lol:

i think so too with all that water :-) i'm actually wondering if i can add 40 cal. of Fiber One back in my diet for Breakfast instead of the lite wheat bread...i'll have to ask... it's 60 cal. for 1/2 cup, 25 g. carbs, 0 sugar and 14 g. fiber.... i used to blend it in my fruit smoothies (before MRC)

That's a good thought, bigdog. I had wondered about switching my bread for activia at breakfast.

i just compared the nutritional value of Fiber One w/ the old fashioned oatmeal i was eating and it's lower calories, less carbs and 3 times the fiber. i'm doing it!! if i gain, i'll cut it out. (i have 3 boxes in my pantry!) from my old WW days..used to buy it in bulk when on sale...
i love Activia and really do miss yogurt. i'm surprised the Greek yogurt isnt on this plan, it's super high in protein...

I'm surprised about greek yogurt as well...I'm guessing if you compared it to cottage cheese it would be similar (for plain greek)...I know lowfat ricotta is similar to cottage cheese...the serving size is slightly smaller for the same calories.

Day 1 and already making excuses
 

Yesterday I was all excited to start my journey to weight loss. Of course I decided not to start that day because I had already planned a very un healthy meal. So this morning my goal was clear. Start drinking water the moment I got up and follow my meal plan. I even woke up, mentally telling myself I needed to check and see what I need to eat (obviously today I need to start planning my meals).

The minute I got home from taking the kids to school, I spotted a box of movie theater butter popcorn that I had purchased over the weekend and had yet to break into. My first thought was I really want that popcorn. Then I went even farther and said to myself, Well this week is turkey week. Im going to for sure eat my fill of turkey and dressing, so why dont I just start my diet next week. Oh I know what I will do....I will just drink water and cut out the soda and coffee.

WHAT THE HECK????!!?!?! After a few moments I realized I deserve better. So today is still going to be my first day on the diet. In a way I am thankful for this experience because now I am SURE I will make excuses for everything and I need to be better prepared.

For those on maintenance will post a recipe I will make for pumpkin pie. Have made it before, it is low fat and very good.. I will try to do tonight if I can, if not first thing in morning.. This has a crust, but can be made crustless if so desire.

I will post this on the maintenance forum, as it is not a recipe for those OP.

Patzi

:hug: It's amazing what we can talk ourselves in & out of! I struggled with the SAME thing. I just started MRC and I really debated on whether this was the right time or if I should wait til after Thanksgiving, after Christmas, after the New Year, etc...I realized that there would always be something standing in my way. So I went ahead and decided to start before Thanksgiving, and even then there was a party I was going to on a Friday night and thought I should wait til after that. No. I just did it. And you know what? I have lost 10 pounds. I SIGNED THE 10 POUND BOARD THIS MORNING! There is no better feeling than going into Thanksgiving 10 pounds lighter than I was two weeks ago. It also gives me the encouragement I need to not completely blow it this week. You can do it. :hug:

Went to a WI this morning and was down another pound for 10 total! I signed the 10 pound board today! Pretty awesome. They tried to talk me into buying the fat/carb blocker for my upcoming Thanksgiving plans but I didn't. Any thoughts on that one? My plan is to stick with my HNS drinks and practice careful portion control. I don't plan on indulging in desserts or soda, but I do plan on eating whatever my mom serves for lunch and dinner (which will be a lot of carbs & starch, and everything else that is on program will be loaded with butter and salt.)

I have been having a lot of trouble eating my veggie portion with my dinner every night. I am just sick of it! I have skipped the 4 oz of cooked veggies I'm supposed to have with my dinner for the past two nights (and even before that, I've only been eating 2 oz worth.) So today, I got sucked into buying Super Veggie.

1bighog-Congrats on 10 lbs!! Woo hoo! Keep that momentum going into the holidays. I haven't bought the f/c blocker b/c I don't plan on eating off plan...even on Thanksgiving. I was going to modify for that day, but I tried that this weekend and some weight creeped back on...if I let myself do it one day there are way too many days over the next month when I could "modify" and end up not losing.

I went to WI during my lunch today and was down 3 pounds, which means......... I SIGNED THE 30 POUND BOARD! That is a totol of 32 pounds lost. :D
I met my November goal with 9 days left in the month. SO, I'm going to start on my December goal of a total of 40 pounds lost by Christmas instead of the end of December. Only 8 more pounds to go! :^:

Bighog - Way to go on the weight loss. :woo: Congrats on the decision to start the plan before the holidays. I'm sure you feel much better this year then you did last year. And one more thing GO HOGS!!!

At my Wal-mart, the "Smooth Move Tea" is in the grocery by tea...not by laxatives. Congrats to all of our "losers" this week! I lost 2lbs today at my WI :) Works for me! Yes, a huge motivator to stay on track over the holidays is to be losing weight before them, and NOT wanting to mess that up!!! Great time of year to start this journey!! There will never be a better time....ever :)

Wow, lots of losers here:) The great kind.

Tami-I should have looked there too...

Thanks and SAME TO YOU! 32 lbs is quite an accomplishment, and to do it early to boot!

And, WOOOOOOOOO..........
Didn't know there were so many AR people here!

that's fantastic!!!! congratulations!!!!! woo hoo :-)

That's fantastic, Bighog!!!!! and very motivating what happens when you stick to the program :-)

i got mine at Walgreens and it was w/ the laxatives...but good to know about Walmart..i'm sure it's a better price there :-)

i get tired of the veggies too so alot of times, i'll just cut up cucumbers or sometimes celery and snack on them..... sometimes just drink a V-8...not sure if that's on plan though...

I had maintenance weigh in and stayed the same... I am 5 /2 pounds under goal.

For those on stabilization and maintenance.. They are running a special of $59.00 for one year of maintenance.. I bought it.. Mine expires March , 2012, so this will take me thru March 2013. That is the least expensive I have ever seen maintenance.

For those on the program to lose weight.. This is just a suggestion, you should not substitute or add to what is on program, as the program is set up to eat what is there for a purpose.. If you want to substitute something, bring it up to the center, and they will help you work around it.. Same thing if you want to add something, ask their advise on it. I hope I did not hurt anyone's feelings by posting this, but you succeed if you stay OP, unfortunately.. I saw two of my friends fail by altering the program to fit what they wanted to do& cheating, etc.. But again, this is a personal choice to everyone, and I am not judging, just telling you what I know from experience. Hope this can help someone.

Today at center, lady lost 50 pounds and 64". She is 5'2. She is in a size 6 dress now from a 16.. Seems odd to see before and after pictures, as people look like a new person. s he is so tiny and slim now, and looks fantastic.. I notice people that have lost the weight have new hairdos, use more makeup and are so happy.

Wishing all a great weigh in and congrats to all those that have lost weight and inches.

Patzi

It is good advice Patzi...and since you've been successful...those are some of the best opinions that count for me:) I know I was trying to "alter" a little and it slowed my progress. So I've been back strictly OP for 3 days and won't look back. It's a bit of a learning curve for me...not because I don't know, but because old habits die hard. I even plan on staying OP on Thursday rather than do the altered plan MRC does...there are way too many days the next month I could try and "alter" and get myself all messed up and lose a month of progress.

Daughter just came down with the stomach bug...so eating on Thanksgiving may not even be much of an issue:(

We appreciate all of your advice and motivation tips! and what's good about this forum is that everyone can express their opinions and i especially love that! you have always motivated me and love that you share your success and progress. if i can quote Camaswa, i'm not a MRC poster child and do deviate from the menu time to time. mainly because i feel like their recipes are i found not that great! :-) after my membership ends, i'm not rejoining but will follow the basic plan and keep the additional protein in my diet. i'm losing weight, feel great, have energy and none of the hormone issues i used to have or maybe it was the high carb surges i was experiencing and not hormones at all!! :-0 it is a great plan...i disagree w/ the use of the supplements but if they work for others, then that's great. Everyone is different and some plans work better for them depending on lifestyle and with this diet, Budget! (i am eating out less so feel like i have the $$ to spend on my protein mixes and meal replacement bars)

Thanks for your advice! I plan on sticking with the MRC plan & products (well, except while at my parents' house this Wed-Sat.)

So you added a year of maintenance? Why? Is it for the support they offer?