I was told by my center (after I asked because of afternoon hunger) that I could have sugar-free Jello cups, but had to limit to 1 per day (preferably only a couple of times a week, rather than every day.

Hello all. I made it through my two Christmas parties in less than 24 hours...not a single bite of cookies, goodies, bread, potatoes...I did soooo good. It really doesn't matter what the scale says tomorrow, I stayed OP and in the long haul it will help!

I'm doing metaslim & since its working I'm sticking with it (oh, I would loooove some greek yogurt or fruit,,,but I should be to maintenance by spring, I can wait). I do sometimes get hungry between meals, so in the morning between meals I usually have a creamy and in the afternoon I have a clear HNS mixed with diet rite or the walmart flavored sparking water (if I know I won't have time in the afternoon, I do it for lunch).

Hi
I was on Meta Slim before going on maintenance.. You be proud of yourself for stayng on program for two parties in less than 24 hours.. You did so well, I am happy for you.. I will be going to two parties within two days this coming weekend and plan on not gaining any weight.

You said it does MATTER. That is the key.. You are on target and focused and for that you deserve an applause..


Patzi

Argree with Patzi! Getting through those parties OP is a huge accomplishment. What the scale may or may not reflect right away is not the point here. Because you know in the long run it will reflect your determination and good choices you made.

I try and try not to let the scale rule me. It's so easy for that to become our reward - or our punishment - because I have thought it as punishment for being "bad" I would avoid it and go into denial. I am impressed by how Patzi uses it as information to help her learn which foods and behaviors result in gains.

that's fantastic Gina! i went to a Christmas party friday night and they had white chili (chicken, northern beans) so had that w/ lots of chopped up green onions. would have been nice of them to have a veggie tray available for me to munch on (haha!) had one small homemade chocolate (very unusual for me - im a chocoholic for real!)
i've been doing this plan since August so ready for a change and a little more variety. but if i stop losing, i'll definitely go back to Metaslim. my friend lost 25 lbs on Metabalance and reached her goal weight, actually is 5 lbs under her goal and has stuck w/ it and kept it off. she travels alot for her job so even more challenging to stick w/ this plan but she has succeeded. i'm going to check w the center also re: the Greek yogurt...it's the same nutritional value as cottage cheese and some brands have an even higher protein count so that's good. Thanks for sharing! it's funny but i'll be at an event and will think about what you guys are posting - that you stayed on plan and i'll be like, i can do this!!! i can have that dessert later after i've reached my goal...if i still want it.

Welcome! It is a crazy time of year to join but you know what? It's worth it. My sis thought I was bananas for starting 2 weeks before Thanksgiving and I told her, "I could be down 10 pounds by Thanksgiving." And you know what? I WAS! You can do this.


It voids your contract if you don't buy from them? Whoa. So what, are they going to tell you not to come back? But yeah, they do keep track.


They ask me if I need anything while I'm consulting with them and they write it down right there so that they can go to the back and get it.


You. Are. Amazing. :)


I went a little bonkers this weekend. I ate 4 (!!!!) chocolate chip cookies Friday night. My kids had friends over so I made some and couldn't stay away! Then last night I had 2 glasses of wine...my bf and I get together a weekend before Christmas and I wrap all our presents (I love doing that and she hates it) and she makes all the bows (I suck at bows) and we usually share a couple of bottles. Well, last night we only shared 1 bottle. I seem to be up about a pound, but I'm glad it's not more than that.

I checked with my center about voiding contract if you do not buy from them. I was told you have to buy the HNS as that is part of the diet.. Anything else many people cannot afford and center has to work with you.

Patzi

regarding buying the HNSs from the center, i wasn't told that when i signed the contract. i told the #1 consultant that i would be using my own protein powder (buy it in bulk) and she said that was ok. so when i went to the food instruction class i told her that and #2 consultant said that was incorrect information and she was going to talk to #1. she told me i was supposed to have 4 HNSs a day. i calculated at 5 boxes at $55 (7 per box) that would be $1.57 per HNS x 4 per day $6.29 per day at 30 days - $188.70 per month in addition to the $300 i paid for 17 weeks. they also recommended me buying all the pills- another $100 per month. so i went back to #1 that signed me up and asked if i should discontinue the program and get my money back and she said no that she'd put some notes in my folder so i wouldnt be harassed. so when i go in, i try just to talk to #1 :-) but if #2 gets hold of me, OMG, she'll make comments like..if you took the pills, if you did our vitamins, did our HNSs...blah blah blah.
Anyway, I love this diet and it's been worth every penny because i'm losing weight and feel great! and if they hadn't been so pushy (#2, #3, #4) i would even buy some of the HNSs from them. i've saved tons of money on groceries, eat less! :-), don't buy desserts and all those tv dinners anymore and we don't go out to eat like we used to or eat all the fast food. now my pantry has big bottles of protein powder, different flavors! :-) Protidiet Pink Lemonade (large container)and the Syntrax Chocolate Truffle (3/4 scoop so it's 70 cal) are my daily HNSs. no big deal about the guarantee..just wanted you guys to know not to volunteer that info to the center...

Not using their HNS voids your contract, but not like a "you can't do the diet anymore" voiding.

The way it was explained when I signed my contract is that the contract is basically a guarantee of a specific amount of weight loss if you follow the diet as described in the contract--to a "T." If you hold up your end of the contract but do not lose the promised amount of weight, you are eligible for free re-enrollments until you do lose the weight.

If your contract is "voided" because you are cheating on the plan, not doing what you're supposed to be/told to be doing, or not using their HNSs, it just means that you can't come back and demand additional free weeks when you don't make your goal at the end of the contract. Regardless, you paid for a service for a period of time, and they will honor that whether you buy their HNS or not.

No big deal, unless you were planning on trying for additional free weeks on the grounds that you did everything perfectly and you still didn't meet your goal.

The only thing that is killing me today that we got FOUR(!) boxes of fannie mae candies for gifts at the 2 parties (one was a work party, one was family but my husband works for his family and my nephew got grandpa and grandma to buy lots of boxes:) I put three of them in our garage freezer and told DH if he wants them to hide them. My question for those on maintenance...when I get to maintenance, will I be able to have a piece of Fannie Mae?? :) I don't want the whole box...I'd go for one chocolate a week. But if I can't have it, they will be regifted (my husband will eat everything but the mint meltaways...my favorite). I'm married to one of those "can eat everything but the kitchen sink and still stay at a healthy weight" guys...luckily he does like to eat fruits and veggies with me and was SOOOOOOOOO supportive this weekend when people were offering to send food home with us he's like "we're not having that at our house". I think he likes his changing wife, though he won't admit it;)

the one thing I did try that I'm not sure is OP is ostrich pate on celery and some other exotic meat pate...my brother in law had been in Madagascar for several months and got it on his way home. Had to try it. Just a bite:) I read the ingredients and it was basically the meat and a little oil.

I'm starting an envelope of "svelte clothing" money (I tend to get money/gift cards from a few different people)...was going to call it "skinny" or "thin" clothes...but neither of those will describe me. I like svelte.

Yes, on maintenance I will indulge sometimes. A treat here and there (like a piece of chocolate every week) is fine. You learn that sometimes you have to compensate--whether by cutting something else out or exercising a little more--but it's worth it. :)

This reminded me of last year... I had bought a box of Russell Stover candy for my secretary, and it was a BOGO deal. So, I got the second box and planned to use it for a family gift exchange. Except it didn't make it. I opened up the box of truffles "Just to have one." I ate 4 all at once, and realized I needed to get rid of it. I opened the box, shook the candies into the trash can (so they'd get mixed in with the nasty stuff in the trash) and then smashed the box down on top. I was worried I might try to go back after them if I didn't smash them into the yucky stuff in the trash, lol. I was very proud that--even though I ate 4 of those candies instead of just one--I was able to stop myself and get rid of them.

that is too funny - i was just telling my DH a story about this friend of mine throwing away a cake she didn't want to be tempted with and because it was on the top of the trash, she still was tempted, so took coffee grounds and threw on top...was still tempted!!! so tied up the bag and threw it in the big super can. i've given cookies, candy, etc. to my neighbors to get it out of the house...this is probably a huge no no, but what about for every 3 lbs you lose, you can have one piece of candy :-) ok, guys don't yell at me!! i usually send my family homemade chocolate from a local candy store but one sister has recently lost 36 lbs and still wearing baggy clothes. her gift will be a tighter pair of pants she can show off in :-)

Gina, my husband used to cook ostrich and emu all the time at this restaurant in VA where they served alot of wild game. it's very lean so actually that's a great choice. the free range veal was excellent (red not white..not sure if they have that in SC) i like your svelte clothing idea...sounds like a great reward plan too...for every pound lost, put some money in the envelope...just for you!
just got back from grocery store and i'm stocked w/ my on plan foods!! yay

Teacherlady, you are right but at the time no. 2 consultant was saying i couldn't do the program at all without buying the HNSs, but we got it straightened out :-) this program has really taught me to read labels. i used to drink Slim Fast or eat Fiber One bars thinking all that stuff was high protein...not at all and they just made me hungry! that's my fave part about this diet, i'm never hungry. but i do wish i could find some better recipes... would love a good recipe for vegetable soup on plan....

i did buy some jello, SF, FF that i'm going to make and put my allowed fruit in it and have for lunch. the jello is only 10 calories, no sugar or carbs... strawberry jello w/ strawberries fixed for tomorrow :-) i've made green jello before and put strawberries in and my DH kept throwing it away thinking it was something that went horribly bad. (it was like purple green color) haha!

teacherlady-Thanks...I'll keep them hidden behind meat and veggies in the garage freezer until I'm on maintenance:) Once I hit my goal weight (or maybe once I get close) I'm going to add back in more working out...training for a 5 K, maybe a 10 K and for sure a sprint triathlon...so I'll put the piece of chocolate on a long run day. I don't mind working out a little more for a little treat...but previous to MRC I did that too much:)

bigdog-It wasn't a "great" soup recipe, but the other day I used the protein chicken boullian, 4 oz cooked chicken breast, and sauteed peppers. Different but I thought it was tasty. It was evening so I crunched up my melba toast and put it in there. This week I'm going to try some other veggies in it...I'm making the family chicken noodle (or it may be turkey noodle).

thanks, i've done the protein chicken bouillon w/ chicken, green beans, green onions and 1/4 cup kidney beans (for dinner) - i added cayenne pepper and cracked black pepper. it was ok....i couldn't think of what other veggies to add... i bought the protein cream of mushroom soup and tried to eat that w/ just green beans.. yuck! maybe i can add mushrooms and chicken to that w/ green onions.... i do love the protein chicken noodle by itself...

To Gina: this week i had a dinner out with my ad agency - they really like to do it up, cocktails, wine, etc. After it was all over they gave me a Christmas present: CHOCOLATES. Beautiful, handmade chocolates, packaged like little jewels. I weaved my way on to the train, where they kept calling my name: Camaswa, we know you want us... and yes, I ate two but when I got to my stop, I tossed the rest in the trash. Sad but true. I looked for a homeless guy to give them to, but for once didnt see any!

camaswa-Sad, but what you had to do. Good for you for doing that!!

I have actually been on MRC since May...on this board since August:) The jello I was referring to was MRC's jello HNS. I move food items around too....mainly my fruit from lunch I will have later afternoon to curb appetite tip dinner. I am like you...needed to eat more frequently:)

Tis the season for parties and events that are all centered around eating and drinking cocktails! last week, a football party that i skipped that's highlight according to the host was fried shrimp, etc and chocolate cake... Fri.- Downtown was blocked off for party and all the stores were offering free wine and cheese, fudge.., Sat. - Boat parade w/ tailgating parties, today Christmas parade and my friends were drinking champagne and cooking out - and it's the first weekend of DEC!!!! i missed Sat. and Sun. events and people were texting me if i was ok and asking if i was sick... i haven't told anyone i'm on this diet~ taking it day by day! i'll still go out but just realizing how many events i've been to in the past that are centered around food and drink...

Yes, that was a bit difficult for me, as well. I kind of shunned a lot of those things when I was on the diet because I knew I couldn't handle the temptation. But once I went on maintenance, I wanted to go back to being more social.

It's been tough, but I'm learning how to control myself at those things. One thing that helps me is to just stay the heck away from the food. I'll have one glass of wine and maybe a bite of something here or there (usually I ask my husband or a friend to just split something with me, or to get it for themselves and just give me a bite), and then STOP and make sure I move to a different room from the food (if possible). Also, I adjust what I eat the day before and after (usually lower-fat and less carb servings than usual), and try to drink extra water and throw in some extra exercise that week. As my consultant told me when I went on maintenance: "From here on out, you just have to remember 'calorie in, calorie out' in order to keep the weight off."

Also, it really helps when you've lost a lot of weight and everyone notices and makes comments about how great you look, what did you do to lose it, etc. ;) It made me realize that they're now watching what/how much I eat, and it helps me be more conscious of what I'm eating and what it'll do to me.

Hey, all! Back in Michigan on business. Hopefully for the last time. I have control over all meals, except lunch. With any luck, they'll offer choices like last time.

Have a great OP day!

decided to stick w/ the Meta Slim plan...reading over the Meta Balance again seems like it's too much food (for me) (the calories are approx 1300 MB vs. the approx 1000 on MS) i know my body needs more protein so i don't want to cut that out. i am going to have the Greek Yogurt for a protein though probably w/ lunch mixed with my fruit. and maybe a 1/2 cup for a snack w/ vanilla extract or splenda/cinnamon if i'm really hungry. here's the nutritional value (i couldn't believe it!!! - the protein count is incredible)

Chocani Greek Yogurt Plain Non-fat
8 oz, 140 cal., 0 fat, 105 sodium, carbs 9 g, 0 fiber, sugars 9g, PROTEIN 23G

i also made SF FF Strawberry Jello last night (10 cal) and added strawberries and 1/4 cup Greek yogurt. i make jello according to instructions and then put all in blender to make more of a mousse. instead of a protein bar with 15 g. protein and 25 G. carbs!, i'll have the jello...
not really on plan but i didn't gain this weight from eating jello or a few strawberries - the CARBS did me in... this will wean me off the high carb bars :-)

What is the matter with me??? I blew my diet this weekend. Cookies on Friday night, half bottle of wine Saturday night, then last night I went off the edge and made a copycat of Olive Garden's chicken gnocchi soup. At least I did stay on program for all breakfasts and lunches, but I don't understand why I sabotage myself like that. I think it's the weather; I get a little down this time of year and I hate cold weather. We had snow predicted for today and although it didn't come, I just wanted comfort food.

Well, I'm back on track, but I feel...heavy from the weekend. Not weighing in today!!

Try not to be too hard on yourself :) I can relate...I think we all can. When we make that mistake, seems easier to just keep screwing up LOL That is why you just get right back on track...like you are doing! "One Day at a Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Today I am HUNGRY!! Had an extra egg at lunch so hopefully that will take care of it. Most days I can stay satisfied, especially if I am busy...but not today. I did do a Jillian Michaels Kettlebell workout this morning, so that could be why.

Congrats to everyone on the weight loss! I did okay over Thanksgiving, although I did do Black Friday, which put me at 1 1/2 hours of sleep! Ack! That usually has an impact on me, but I lost 4 lbs. So, I'm down just a little over 40 pounds since August.

You're right on the plan... it does work and, for me, has been fairly easy to follow. I DID have a little piece of my mom's homemade fudge (yummy), but adjusted somewhere else to make sure I was was convered.

I think a big part of it is changing the way I think about food... I didn't realize until this year how much of our family's social activities revolved around food! Also, I noticed just how bad I used to eat... This year, instead of thinking "I CAN'T have that"... I tried to adjust my thinking to "it's not the best for me."

Hopefully this month will go better... We have my birthday, anniversary, and Christmas all in the same week!

Whew I got my saliva test results back last week and my progesterone was the biggest concern since it was the lowest. Told me I need to get a cream that I would use for about two week. Told them I had to come off something else in order for my to use their recommended product. They suggested MrC6 but want me to stay on the Phentratrim and Corti-Trim (to help deal with my cortisal levels). Any suggestion or notes on this aspect??

Thanks to a recommendation (sorry cant remember you name ;( ) I switch to all concentrates and left the powder behind due to the after taste I could bear any longer!

Any good tips for eating at Mexican resteraunts?? I have a company dinner there in 2 weeks! I appreciate it!

Jennifer

I have been feeling pretty crumby lately. I went home early from work Friday and was in bed most of the day Saturday. When I went to WI today I was expecting a large number. It had been a week since I last weighted. Well it was 2 pounds down. I'm happy about it but wanted more. I think Saturday killed me becuase I didn't feel like eating so didn't eat much at all. I didn't get all my water in either. I was about 20 ounces short. I am staying OP this week to reach my Christmas goal of being down 40 pounds.

Jennifer..
I am a registered nurse, and all I can tell you,MRC consultants are not medical people.. Before I start taking this and that for progesterone, I would call my doctor's office , or GYN if you have one and get their suggestions on this.. Progesterone and cortisol levels to me should be determined by a medical person. Now, this is my own opinion.. Others may disagree with me, but just thought I would bring it up.The choice is yours. I don't want you to think I am interferring , just giving you an opinion.

For Mexican Restaurant... They offer grilled chicken, steak and shrimp. Order your meat on the side with a grilled veggie or salad. At dinner a small side of black beans can be substituted for your bread. When ordering salads omit the
fried tortilla shell.. In general you want to avoid: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, rice, olives and chips..
Example.. Grilled chicken salad, add extra tomatoes, leave off anything not on program, and if at dinner,add black beans..
This is information the I had received from MRC.. Hope this helps you.
Patzi

Patzi,
Thank you very much that helped a lot!! I am gonna stop MRC here soon and not going to add anything until the new year I am going to go in for a full blood work panels to make sure all is good and see what the Dr. says about this weight plan. I like the protein diet mixed with regular food, This is teaching me a better habit and a better way to think about my food habits. Also, thank you for the lovely suggestions on what and how to order the food!!! I appreciate it very much!

Jennifer

Listen to Patzi, she is wise. :)

I avoided all MRC supplements other than the protein drink supplements (until the very end of my plan, I did phentatrim for about 1 month). You can lose the weight without all of their "extras." Not only that, but messing with hormone levels/supplements without a blood test always seemed kinda sketchy to me. I wouldn't trust a saliva test alone, and I certainly wouldn't trust not-medically-trained personnel to read & interpret the tests correctly.

Also, Patzi had good suggestions for the Mexican restaurant. I've also done chicken or steak fajitas minus the onions, or a carne asada plate with salad or veggies instead of rice.

Hi...
I had maintenance weigh in and lost 1 pound, bringing me to 6 pounds under goal.. I was hoping to do this, as of the two parties I have Fr nite & Sat. If I had not, that would have been ok, also, but have plenty of wiggle room.

I stayed OP with the green menu from Meta Slim.. Green menu is a good one, plenty of food, and it kept me satisfied. I will stay on green menu thru Thursday and see how I do at the two parties.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day and a great weigh in.

Patzi

1bighog- that's the million dollar question, isn't it? Why do we sabotage ourselves? I think it Is so important to keep asking. Have you heard of HALT: hungry, angry, lonely, tired? Any of these can push us off program. As can boredom, wanting to fit in, being unassertive about our own needs. It's a big big question.

Ynapier- I will join you: 5 pounds by Christmas! That seems like a great goal, considering the holidays!

I'm on the first day of my biz trip. Did MetaQuick for the travel day and if worked out great. Those shakes are more filling than I had thought they would be. I did have an extra - a bar- simply because I was bored and everyone else was snacking while waiting for the flight. It did make me notice how badly people eat when traveling. You get so tired and bored with the waiting around ...

Today I'm having the shakes and HNSs till dinner. So glad I brought them!

Good idea on going to the Doc. I did the saliva test (we won't go there as to why lol) and was amazed at the results. Every low etc....buy this cream it will help, the whole nine yards. Went to doc and got the full workup and the test was actually accurate (however would not have added anything until doc told me that) So now I have a script for cream and am changing from premarin to bio-identical hormones. I feel better already but still have some tweeking to do before the levels are right. I'm with Patzi...if I'm taking medicine for stuff like this then the person prescribing the meds is going to have the degree to back it up. Good luck!!

camaswa & ynapier: Include me on the 5 pounds lost by Christmas! Maybe this will help me get off my buns to get some exercise. I had planned on walking during my lunch hour but the temperature has been in single digits here the last few days - brrrrr!

Also, what is Meta quick? is this something you do after you eat off plan or a plateau breaker? (I did Slim4life/Slimgenics 4 years ago and the plans are similar - just wondering if MRC has plateau breakers and a "reboot" after eating off plan.

Hey, Giggles -

I have eaten a few times at a Mexican restaurant... I always do a clean HNS while everyone is enjoying chips and salsa. I take the fat/carb blocker and then have a grilled chicken taco salad (no sour cream or guacamole or onions). It usually has some green peppers and onions sauteed into the mixture. I also have them add extra tomato and lettuce and take about 1/4 of the taco shell as bread... not ideal, but I'm not a big beans fan.

I'd love to lose 5 lbs by Christmas!

Rachels77,

That is a good idea doing the HNS drink while every one is snacking, it will st least occupy my hands for the time! What type of Fat/Carb blockers does every one use? I have seen that mentioned a few times. Also what does everyone use for for a weight tracker program online/phone?

Jennifer:hug:

Back from my trip and I stayed 100% OP!!!! I'm actually proud of myself. And, I think this is my last trip for a long time. Woohoo!

Over the weekend, two major things. First, I had to have my wedding rings re-sized...Again! I think in about 10 pounds, I will have to a have a final re-sizing, because they are still a little loose, but the next size down was a bit tight. Second, I bought a couple of fabulous dresses for my "After" pictures. I was almost in tears right there in the dressing room. They were size 8 dresses (Calvin Klein on clearance, no less) and they were a little loose on me! I would have gotten a size six in each, but they didn't have them. I still don't think my brain has caught up with my body, because looking at the dresses, I thought I would have to go back out and get 10's or 12's. They just looked so small. Turns out, I needed 6's. Me?! A 6?! I'm still amazed.

Hang in there, ladies! Just stick with it and you will be at your goal before you know it!

JenB72,

WOW that is incredible! I am so happy for you! I just hope with the same determination that I can be just as successful as you have become with you size. Congrats!! :)

Way TO GO Jen!!! woo hoo! that's fantastic! i think sometimes we don't expect the tremendous change and when it happens are kind of shocked. i am still pulling clothes from the closet that i haven't been able to get in for a few years and i can wear them. i do a little dance in the mirror each time, then run out in the living room and parade in front of my DH, like Looky here! he just laughs and says, looking good, doll! now please move out in front of the TV - haha. he's really proud and i think a little shocked i've stuck w/ it this long :-) i got him on the scales yesterday and he's lost 15 lbs too. but he did eat like 5 tacos last night after he weighed in. (high metabolism!! men suck!) i had 1/2 shell, tons of lettuce and cukes, 4 oz lean beef...
and a Chocolate Truffle HNS for dessert :-)

Jennifer...i use myfitnesspal to track online and love it! they have everything, restaurant meals, our protein bars, shakes, etc. you can customize your daily quotas for the protein, fat, carbs too and it keeps track for you. those guys also have a great blog site and have some pretty good advice...well sometimes! haha i set it at 1100 cal., carb 20% (55g), protein 60% (165g), fat 20% (24g) i guess i figured it out right...

Jen, we want to see your After Pictures!!! and your tiny size 6 new dress!!

camaswa & ynapier - count me in - 5 lbs before Christmas - before i sneak away with my DH and furry children to Florida for holiday! 21 days - 5 lbs. - we can do it!

Thanks! The crazy thing was my weight went up by 1/2 pound, but they said it was because I literally just got off a plane. I didn't know that flying causes water retention. It's probably something that everyone but me knew. LOL Anyway, they said, it should all be good by Friday's weigh in and not to stress about it. Quite frankly, knowing I was 100% OP, it was the first time I really didn't give too much credence to the scale. I know I rocked it the past few days. :)