Today was weigh in...it seems again I maintained. Had a super good week I only slipped twice and it was last night. Had a half of a small sugar cookie that a co-worker made, but shhh....it really wasnt that good. And then another co-worker stayed late after her shift and made pepermint bark. She came in carrying the tray and was like, "I know your not suppossed to have sugar, but I just made this and didn't want you to feel I was leaving you out." Again with the small piece and again...it just didn't taste right. My consultant and I both believe that my taste buds are changing (?) and that I may not crave sweets like I used to when I go into maintenance. She also told me that it seems to be a pattern that I'll have a weight loss of 2 or more pounds and then maintaine. But what I don't like is the last time I maintained...it was for a week and a half!!! Guess I am going to have to step up my cardio or exercise period to make the maintaining periods shorter.

Anyway...started Zumba today...just the 60 minute learn the basic steps was a bit much. I'm sore all over as I stand here at work and type this, but I know that tomorrow it will be easier and I plan on doing the 20 minute cardio party afterwards too. I think Zumba paired with Hip Hop Abs and I am going to start shedding pounds like crazy!!! Hope everyone's Christmas' are fabulous and filled with a little off plan treats, but mostly happy choices. And for those going to through stressful times about their babies, whether they be human or furry. I'm praying for you. I've got two of our dogs that are super old and are not really dealing with this winter to well. One can barely walk. I don't know what my husband and I are going to do when it comes time to make "the hard decision." Keep your chin up and just remember that their not in pain anymore.

Merry Christmas y'all and Blessed New Year!!!

" I can't see anyone beating oneself up if they do not stay OP..Say you enjoyed it,today is another day and try to focus. Life is hard enough without that.."

You said it,Patzi. I kind of cringe when people say they "cheated." Who do they think they are cheating? They simply ate something that wasn't on program. Interesting what you said about your friend who went off all the time and still was upset that she didn't lose. I know my slower loss is mostly due to the frequency I am having wine, as well as my difficulty with water. This definitely isnt the kind of program you can re-jigger to suit yourself, its not flexible like Weight Watchers. It's also a lot faster and simpler if you really stick to it. When I started that was one of the things they stressed. they said so many clients had ben on many diets before and they would kind of pick and choose - like Adkins allows bacon, and MRC is also low-carb, so.... but it just doesnt work that way. I personally have resisted the portion sizes, probably because i too remember low-carb diets in which you could eat all you want of meat, for example, or even fats. I hate to measure. But it really helps you lose better when you do.

You know the saying: the program works if you do.

I keep forgetting to mention things..

Today at weigh in they had two different brownies made with the Super Chocolate Drink and other ingredients.. I just cannot make these, they come out horrible and told the consultant and she said to do this...

There were two brownies, one made with the Decaffeinated Cappuccino and one brownie made with the vanilla creme pudding.. Well, the serving she gave me was a tiny tiny bit on a spoon, and I told her she can do better than that, and she let me at least have a decent taste. Both very good. I really liked the Cappuccino the best.

Consultant said she did not use any oil. She put in microwaver for 35 seconds. They were not done and she put them in for 10 seconds longer.
They were firm but not real cake like as a real brownie, but ladies, if you have a chocolate liking, they are really delicious.. I believe Teacher lady says she has one a night with a flavored yogurt. Yougurt is for maintenance area, but the brownie is OP.

If anyone has anything to add on to this, on the making of them to make them more cake like I would love to hear it. Consultant made them in a small square piece of tupperware.

I said to my husband I would love to make one and take it to the party Saturday night and he said where are you going to put it, your evening bags are too small, and I said I was thinking in your suit jacket pocket.. LOL. Needless to say, that will not be done, as I can just see this melting ..

Patzi

"Motivation for the Day" (I got off of Facebook)

"When you are trying to motivate yourself, appreciate the fact that you're even thinking about making a change. And as you move forward, allow yourself to be good enough." Alice Domar

I thought this was awesome...I am very hard on myself...all the time, especially with this journey we are all on. Being "good enough" is my goal!! Perfection simply isn't an option, nor is it necessary :)

Just wanted to share!

Wow Tamikl I will have to remember that quote.

@Camaswa: I try not to say I cheated. It's like I slipped or had an oops. I guess it's all in the mind of who is going off plan. For me it's like I know that if I want to lose this weight and I want to do it in a relatively fast way I can't afford to slip up too much. I have called it cheating in the past, but then it was huge slip ups and to me I was cheating myself. First, into thinking that it would be okay. And second, into thinking it wouldn't have such a big impact on my weight loss.

Yeah, I think they changed their cocoa and cappuccino formulas a little or something--I've had to stop adding the oil to my brownie or it gets too gooey. Otherwise, just use one cocoa packet (or cappuccino) and mix with one scoop of the super chocolate powder and about 3 Tbsp of water (sometimes it needs a tad more, just depends) and mix until it is a crumbly batter consistency. I usually microwave for 35-45 seconds...the longer you microwave it, the more cake-like it becomes.

It's the perfect "dessert" for me every night--I look forward to it, and it keeps me from snacking on other things. :)

Jen, terribly sorry about your loss. I had to put my dog of 17 years down a couple of summers ago. I had had him since I was 15 years old, so more than half my life. It was so heartbreaking and one of the hardest things I'd ever done, but he was suffering and would have kept at it as long as I'd ask him to. It does get easier, I promise. *hugs*

To be honest, I've been avoiding you guys. I've been mostly off plan all week. No weight gain, definitely no weight loss. Don't plan on being on plan this weekend, either. But, I did start an exercise program today. I was going to start next week, anyway, but since I've done so bad with food and I don't have much going on this week, figured I may as well start. I'm doing Insanity and completed the first fit test tonight. If I don't post anymore after this, it's because I won't be able to move.

Will be praying for your daughter. I hope everything is ok.

I'm so sorry to hear about your kitty Jen. Do the best you can with the eating and think of all the happy memories you have of your cat. So sad for you.

I totally have the delayed reaction to eating off program. I think I'm ok the next day (maintain or slight loss), but then the next day or two after that I see a gain. It's a big struggle. I'm trying super hard to not go off plan, but it IS very difficult right now.

Awesome job on the 170 and the 22.45 lbs. I'm hoping to sign the 10 lb board next week. It s/b a total of 16 down for me but I lost about 5 before I started @ the center and I'm exactly 10 lbs today..hoping to be 2 more by next week :)

I'm on the green menu and you can have 4 oz of fat-free Greek yogurt. It's listed in the dairy section with the eggs, milk, cheese, cottage cheese, and such. I had it with the cranberry relish (MRC recipe) the other day. I mixed it all up and had that with some cucumbers for my lunch. It was pretty good. I think I'll try the vanilla extract next time.

I made the brownie with the ProtiDiet Hot Cocoa mix I have (just like the MRC packets). You use the hot cocoa, 1 tb oil, 2 tsp water, 1 pkt splenda. Microwave for 1 minute. I might have my oil and water measurements mixed up (don't have the paper in front of me). It was all smooshed and "melted" in the bowl but I think if I had used a ramekin it would have been more like a little brownie. It was really pretty good. It was similar to a chocolate molten cake texture. Soft, falling apart cake with a little fudge mixed in. I was pleasantly surprised, but just wish I could have had more. I really wanted one tonight but I had my creamy with my lunch for broccoli/cheese soup. Oh, my green menu has yogurt on it for the meta-slim program.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone. I weighed in yesterday and was down 1 lb. Down another this AM on my scale (which is right on with the center). I'm really trying lots of self-talk with these two days coming up. Party @ my house tonight and at my grandmother's tomorrow. I keep telling myself and my hubby that "it's not the last time I'll see these foods, I don't need to mess up my progress just to eat the crap we're going to have". I'm just trying to figure out what the best plan for me is. I think I should have all my own food and only the few OP things from the "buffet". We're having ham, yams, rum cake (my mom's AMAZING recipe), cookies, relish tray, and green bean casserole here @ our house. Sunday there will be more freaking ham, pigs in a blanket, meatballs, sweet potato casserole (I'm bringing this and it's great!), and more dessert. It sucks b/c I can't even eat ham with all its salt (besides I don't really like it anyway). I'm just trying to figure out what protein I should enjoy. I know I can eat off the relish tray and be relatively safe b/c it's all raw veggies (that we're allowed b/c I'm making it) :)..but no potatoes, yams, desserts or any of that stuff. It will be easier here b/c I can just fix myself something else in my own kitchen. However, my grandmother is a major feeder (along with my dad) and will be the first to jump in and say "it's just a bite", or "it's Christmas. Just today you can have it"..ugh..

Self talk, self talk, self talk! :)

I hope you all have an awesome weekend and Merry Christmas and/or Happy Hanukkah to everyone! Keep up the great work and just get back on track ASAP if you went off. I think I might exercise some this weekend :)..That should help a bit if I "slip up".. I really want to earn an extra week of program though..I have to stay strong and still lose over the weekend for a loss on Monday!

Oh, BIGDOG..Twisted Cherry tastes like cherry jello or a Luden's cherry cough drop. It's not bad. It's better with MORE water (unlike the chocolate which I like with less)..I doubt I'll order it again, but I might try the lemonade next time like you say you love..You get the pink lemonade, right? What is the Roadside Lemonade?? Hope you're having fun camping girl!

Rocki

WHat is the twisted Cherry? Is it a drink ?

Cassie T... If you are at a place that you can, I was told by center, if you go off program with a cookie or cake, take an HNS with it, and a fat and carb blocker..Always an HNS with a yummy carb. Oh, me oh my... Peppermint bark.. One of my favorites.. I used to make that for my daughter. Center was right in my case, as time went on, I did not crave the sweets like I used to and found I had better control of my feelings.. However, being in a stressful situation, is difficult for me, I could still overindulge if I let myself, but try to do something else, to occupy my mind away from food. Stress is not only a problem with diet, it is a problem with the mind thinking..

Tamikl.. Great motivation and how true.. Thanks for sharing...

Wishing everyone a great day...

Patzi

Progress, not perfection, ladies! Enjoy these next days, do the best you can, and dont beat yourself up. xxooxxoo

Trust me Patzi, I will never be perfect on this program, but I am actually allowed wine on my program. Because I have a lapband, I follow a very different program than most of you do. MRC had a nutritionist come up with a plan for me since I cannot follow the ones MRC usually uses. I don't drink it too often because I don't feel like it's the best choice. I think you're absolutely right when you say to enjoy what you chose to consume move on. No beatings necessary!

Merry Christmas everyone! :D

Chickadee

So sorry I did not know you were allowed wine.. Did the nutritionist MRC has make up a special program for you? There is a fella I met during stabilization party that had a lapband and he was given a different program also.

Happy Holiday to you.
Patzi

No problem Patzi! As I said, even though I am allowed the occasional glass of wine, I don't drink it very often because it just can't be helpful! MRC had me fill out a questionnaire about what I can and can't eat and how much I can handle. She came back with a really workable plan that I'm finding very doable. I drink an HNS every day and try to keep my protein up. I think you are inspiring and I am getting lots of motivation from you and others on this board.

Keep doing your best everyone!

Chickadee