Jen... All I can say is you are awesome and I am so happy for you.

Rocki... What a great weight loss over the holidays. Be proud of yourself.

I want to welcome all new to MRC and congrats to all that have lost weight.

Jen, thanks for the vote of confidence... I am really trying.. Will let y'all know Friday...

Patzi

JenB- yay!! Just think, we knew you when! You must be on cloud 9! I am still hoping to see that commercial too!

After the ups and downs of back to back holiday weekends, I came out up 1.2 pounds. I had been up 2.8 after Chiristmas, then wrestled it down,.then came New Years with a 5-day vacation. Good news for me was that I faced it immediately and am doing a couple MetaQuick days right away .I wish I could
just hibernate for a while.

Hello to all the new people!

Are you nuts?? 9 pounds over the holidays is GREAT!!

Happy New Year everyone!!

never made it to the Pelican Plunge...ended up in Urgent care w/ my Dad in law all day NY day. Gallbladder issues (he's in bad health and diabetic) have been working and babysitting my mum in law who has Alzheimers while my DH has been at the hospital w/ DIL...wow, happy new year, right? so trying to stay on plan and feed MIL - will definitely need a week of Mediquick when this is over!!j and another camping R&R!! after the 5th meal this week, she asked if we could go out and eat. haha! she may have lost her memory but seemed to remember i can't cook! if i had some protein bars, i probably should have given her those to eat! hadn't had time to exercise either :-(

Rocki, i put a TB of the choc. powder in my coffee in the am and it mixes well but you are right, i took a full scoop and put in hot water and it clumped bad! i swear w/ the first bottle i bought, it mixed well when hot. very strange! way to go w/ the 9 lb. loss!!! i was doing great till NY day and the family stuff!
oh,well had more collard greens today and a little bit of hopping john hoping for some luck!! :-)

i did get a chance to walk this am and it was 23 degrees! but it was so good to be out and walking, i just bundled up! high 43 today which is freezing for S.C! can't believe Christmas day i was in shorts and barefoot in the sand in FL - oh happy day!

Hi...
Wishing everyone a great weigh in if today is the day...

For those having a problem mixing some of the powders.. I was having a real problem with the cocoa, and I have a salad wisk, not a regular wisk, and I use that and really mix and it is clump free. However, have to mix for awhile to get it like that.. Rachel Ray uses one of those whisks when she makes her salad dressings...

Have a great day and think thin.

Patzi

TL,
I actually took the whole program to my dr before I started and she gave me the OK. I wouldn't want to do anything that would make any medical issues worse. After yesterday's visit to MRC and the high blood pressure reading, I went by my dr's office and had them re-take it, and it was 122/74, which is usually about right. My dr said it may have been the machine they used to take it which usually doesn't have a large cuff, and that can make a difference. I am so glad to know that you lost weight without the supplements. I don't want to feel like I can't do it without them, but I also don't want to miss out on any tools that might help me. When you did take the phentatrim, did you notice a difference in yourself at all? Did you notice you didn't get hungry, or anything? I do know I have more energy, but it's not a nervous energy, I just don't get sleepy in the afternoon like I usually do. Of course that could be from not eating the carbs either. LOL

Welcome to Kuntreegirl and any other newbies I missed.

Thanks to everyone for your congrats on my 9 lbs loss over the holidays. I know, it really IS great. I just know if I stick to the plan that I can lose twice that much between now and program end. I just have to stick to it!

Patzi..what is a salad wisk? What does it look like? I used to sell Pampered Chef and have about every kitchen took you can imagine. I might have one! :) And I'm sure you'll be back @ 5 under by Friday.

TeacherLady..I've done the C25K training a few times and I love it (when I can get my butt there to do it). I was up to running the 5k in about 33 minutes and and when it came time for my actual race (in May) I just couldn't run the whole time. I don't even think I made it a quarter mile without having to walk. Problem is I train inside and I have allergies and asthma, so running outside has always been an issue for me. I *try* to get outside but it's difficult. I run much better on the treadmill. LOL

Bigdog..I'll try the tbs in my coffee, but unless I find that salad wisk Patzi is talking about, I won't be mixing that much of the chocolate in anything hot..yucky! Sorry about your mother and father-in-law. That's got to be tough. I know what you mean about the flip flops, sand and now 23 degrees! Brr..I think it was just under 30 here in West Central FL this morning.I've got leggings, jeans, silky thermal, sweater, and boots on today!

JenB
 

Jen! Congrats on winning that contest! That is SO awesome! You should be so proud of yourself for all that you've accomplished. Do you win anything other than the 4 extra weeks? Any other prizes or money? :) My center only gives 1 free week for losing over holidays (it used to be 2, not sure why they changed it). I really would love more free weeks. LOL

Anyway..You're amazing! Congrats again!

Just like some people have a "gym bag", I have a "MRC bag." It has my 3 ring binder that I keep all my food sheets and information sheets in and it also has my weigh in clothes. Easy peasy. :p I do take a few of their supplements and the rest I buy on my own OTC. The ones of theirs I take are MRC-6, Corti-Trim, and Phentratrim. I totally credit Corti-Trim with helping getting rid of my baby belly. The counselors were amazed yesterday when I got ready to weigh in that I'm PMSing and my belly was almost, dare I say it, flat. LOL My OTC sups are the Multi-Vitamin, Flax Seed Oil, B6, and MSM. While this works for me, it may not work for everyone. I have tried supplements which I will NEVER take again. However, it may be great for someone else. I do things by trial and error. I hope this helps you some.

Apparently, I won $100 for the contest. They're cutting the check for that. My counselor's happy because he gets $100 too! ;)



I finally got the commerical e-mailed to me by the center, but realized I don't want to upload it anywhere due to copyright issues. Murphy's Law, I would be the one nailed for it if I did. So, I am willing to e-mail it if you'd like to see it, however, I have to impose some conditions. You have to PM me with an e-mail address I can forward it to (like I said before, you can create a temporary gmail or yahoo account it you don't want to send out your real one) and you must be a consistent poster. After the whole menu fiasco, I'm not willing to e-mail it to anyone I haven't seen on a regular basis on this MRC board. Sorry lurkers, I really don't mean to be harsh, but the menu thing caused me problems and I'm not going to run into the same issue twice.

Thanks Jen, you answered a couple of questions I've been meaning to ask. Do most of you have a weigh in outfit? I was contemplating what to wear today and it has all been geared around my weigh in. I really could just change - duh Chickadee!

I've also been wondering about the Corti-Trim. I hate taking pills, but if they really work, I could force one more in. My belly is my worst area. My pants tend to be baggy in the butt and thighs and tighter on the belly. My body has changed so much as I've gotten older. Sometimes I feel like I'm living in someone elses body! ;)

Have a great day everyone!

Chickadee

Chickadee...I had a belly that wouldn't go away. When I first started going in and they took my initial measurements, I was stunned. Unlike most pregnant women who's bodies will lose 10-15 pounds off the bat after having a baby, I didn't. I lost the weight of the baby and that was it. I was dealing with severe pre-eclampsia (the munchkin was an emergency c-section 2 months early because I almost landed in a coma) so my body was retaining fluids like you wouldn't believe. To the point of 11 blood pressure pills a day after giving birth. When I got back to work and would sit at my desk, I had to sit up very straight because I could feel the rolls in my belly, something that I had never felt before. The Corti-Trim really targeted my mid-section for a while, inches were just going away at a rapid clip. Then nothing. Very frustrating. I quit taking it for a couple of months and when I started back, it started working again. Sometimes, you just need to take a break from things to get them working again...within reason. ;)

Hey Ladies...sorry I've fallen off the boards for a couple of days. I had to nurse my "baby" (DH) back to health. It never ceases to amaze me how much of a big baby men become when their sick. And to top it all off...I think I am coming down with it now too.

Had a horrible day at the center yesterday. My first ever! I've been taking the Syntrax Nectar flavors (and loving most of them) and my counselor was like why are you taking those? I told her and she flipped out! I still buy HNS from the center and she went all snotty on me and told me she was looking the otherway when I started taking vitamins that weren't MRC but I was required to buy their HNS. Which I still do...so know I'm like, do I fib in MFP because that's my food sheet she looks at, and put their HNS info in there or do I just endure her freak out everytime I go in. And then when I weighed she tried to blame my gain on the syntrax. "See I told you...we can't guarantee you a loss if your not using our product." I just wanted to scream at her....it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact I wasn't wearing my weigh in clothes...or the fact that I was weighing in in the afternoon after breakfast and lunch and six glasses of water...when my normal time is in the morning before all that? Absolutely nothing to do with that!!! I guess she could tell I was mad because we normally go back into a room to talk whenever I maintain or gain and yesterday I just made my next appointment and left. Then today I get a call from the centers Manager asking me how I was and if I needed anything from her.

Ugh!!! So of course last night not feeling good...couldn't really move cause I was hurting all over...(two mile walk on monday and Zumba) I turned to a chicken, mushroom, and pineapple thin crust pizza. Half a thin crust pizza...so I am looking at trying my hand at meta-quick for a couple of days if I don't get too much more sick. I am not allowing any carbs for the next couple of days and we'll see what my weight does.

Any suggestions on what to do about my MFP? I don't want to fib because that's cheating me...but I don't want to go through her freak outs anymore!

What to do??? What to do???

Cassie,
so sorry you had to go through that. I am brand new and haven't even started using the HNS's, but I plan on it and I also plan on finding a more cost efficient way of getting the supplements and I would hate for someone to get upset with me for that. It was nice of the manager to call you. I don't know what I would do about it though. I hope your next visit is better.

Jen,
I really need to get organized like you. You have such great ideas on how to do this. I have been trying to carry my food journal and supplement box in the purse I carry everyday and I am so uncomfortable. I moved to a larger purse of course, but I think getting a bag just for that is the best idea. Any other ideas and tips would be so great.

Rocki,
thank you for the welcome. I have enjoyed reading your posts. All of you are such an inspiration for me.

Cassie,
I'm new as well and still in pre-conditioning. It's good that you didn't say anything initally, but on your next vist, DEFINITELY let her know that her attitude was NOT appreciated. Most of the time, it's not what you say, but how you say it. She definitely could've communicated with you differently. I think she owes you an apology.

Also, I imagine her attitude was "stank" because technically, you're not sticking to THEIR plan 100% - even if you are still purchasing their HNSs.

It's challenging enough to do a weight-loss program without underlying issues, so to me, the most important thing is to get your relationship back on track so both of you have are in a positive frame of mind when you visit.

Hope this helps!

Hi Kuntree!
How's it going today? As for myself, on Day 2 of pre-conditioning and feeling pretty good! I am going to use the suggestion of a "weigh-in outfit" - I think that's a pretty good idea. I also carry my food journal back/forth to work, as well as a gallon of water. Seeing the water level go down throughout the day gives me a sense of accomplishment.

As far as organization tips, I offer the following:
1) ALWAYS grocery shop with a list & don't let yourself run out of anything before going to the grocery store.
2) Write down what you're going to eat BEFORE you eat it.
3) Prepare your lunch for the next day the night before & pack all your supplements, snacks, etc. for the day.
4) When preparing meals for your family, prepare your meal right alongside theirs.

A lot of being organized depends on your mental capacity to anticipate your own needs. Start "thinking ahead of yourself" if that makes sense.

I just made a yummy "discovery"...Mock Strawberry Fro Yo. 6 oz diet cherry 7up, 1/2 c cottage cheese (I used ricotta), a vanilla pudding HNS, 3/4 c strawberries...blended. It hit the spot (I miss ice cream). I'm going to try chocolate pudding with diet cream soda and ricotta next time. I've also been playing around their the "pumpkin pie" recipe and last night made it with 8 oz squash, 1 c. ricotta (or cottage cheese), 1 egg, 4 oz water, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 Tbsp splenda, 1 tsp vanilla (I wanted to figure out how to do it without the protein powder)...it would be 2 servings of veggies, 2 servings of protien, so cut it in half and had 2 "meals". So you can have it for lunch with some fruit and I just think to myself "I'm eating pie for lunch".

Cassie-I have no advice. I track mine on paper (I found I would allow myself to cheat more when using MFP, not sure why) so I just write "clear" or "creamy" for my HNS, so even if I am not using one of their HNS's it doesn't come up. 95% of the time I am using MRC HNS, but I do have some other protein powder of similar nutrient content that I use on occasion. What I signed (I don't know if everyone's is the same) that you will take a multi vitamin (doesn't have to be theirs) and their HNS's. I only buy the HNS, anything else I take (I'm just taking a multi-, a b6/12 complex, and fish oil) I get at walmart or CVS. I've steadily lost 2-2.5 a week. My mom takes many of their supplments but hasn't lost at the same rate (I can't guarantee that she doesn't cheat). My counselor is great...we talk about wrong choices I may have made, but she also doesn't beret me if I make a choice that isn't on plan (like I had a protein bar for a snack). She may remind me "hey, did you remember you aren't supposed to do a replacement and a creamy in the same day?", but no anger issues:)

I am new here as well. Started pre-conditioning on 12/5, I have found this forum very helpful...amazing what a google search brings up.

I was wondering if anyone works rotating shiftwork? I alternate day/night 12 hours shifts and was hoping for some feedback on how that affects weight loss on the MRC diet. No one at my center mentioned timing of meals.

Cassie, My opinion is if you think the Sytrax is the exact same nutritional content as the HNSs from MRC, and you really want to use them, then just write HNS in your journal and move on. If the nutritional content including sodium is the same, it cant affect your loss. Lots of people have good results while using Syntrax. On the other hand, it might enourage you to make more substitutions and before you know it you might find yourself making ones that arent really equal and you could end up not seeing the results you want. It sure seems that those pepple who stick closely to the plan see the best results. Like Patzi who NEVER went off plan EVER. Can you imagine? I dont know how much she has lost, but I would put money on her not gaining it back. I have heard other people come to the realization that bars put their carbs over the top and they then stall. SO they have to stop or cut back on the bars.

You also mentioned a bunch of other variables such as time of day, water consumed and what you were wearing. I ALWAYS go in at the same time, wearing the same thing. Its too disappointing otherwise. Im barely losing as it is. (I am speaking from experience as one of those people who seems to rationalize too many substitutions.)

Just my thought....

Today I am now back down to where I was Dec. 23. So today I am telling myself IT IS FINALLY BEHIND ME. All remaining sweets are going in the trash tonight. I dont care what relative made them or who much they cost. We still have truffles and peppermint bark, cranbreey bread and two kinds of cookies.

All along I have been saying that the holidays could have been much worse, which is true. I'm very happy that I'm not going into January having gained wieght like most people. But I'm only 10 pounds from goal and I want to get there.

Starting the food journal today. On one side of the page writing PLANNED and on the other side ACTUAL.

camaswa-that's a great idea on how to do the food journal. I made my own journal similar to the MRC one but slightly different. When I hit maintenance I'm going to use a fitbook (maybe MFP with it). YOu are totally going to rock this last 10 lbs!

What I do is I have a 4 column weekly calendar on my fridge. In 3 of the columns I write out what we will eat during the week (some meals we all eat the same, some I make them something else). Then in the 4th column I write our family events (which dictate our schedule). Sometimes nights get switched , but that way I almost always have the food I need in the house, taken out of the freezer if needed, and it helps so much with my food planning, staying on track, and budgeting/grocery shopping. I did it before I started this, I've just gotten more refined. On my food journal I turn in I often write in pencil what I think I'm going to eat (especially if we have an event to go to or are going to eat out or something where I have less control or need extra planning), that way I can erase and write what I actually ate if different. Planning (and having lots of lean protein and veggies always stocked up) has been key for me. My favorite store to get chicken breasts is going out of business...so I've been stocking up on their chicken breasts....I probably have a few months worth in the freezer:)

Hey everyone! I haven't been on the board for a while due to Holidays and traveling and trying to get caught up at work, but I am back and I think I need to come here daily just to keep my focus on this plan. It's hard to stay OP all the time but many of your posts motivate me and give me great ideas. I love the Strawberry Frozen Yogurt recipe!!!! I also haven't been tracking my food because I dont like those sheets they give me at the office. I'm thinking I will just use a journal I have already and track my meals there. It's not as obvious and easier to carry with me. I tell them I track it mentally, but they keep on me. I really am terrible at writing stuff down. I've lost 11 lbs in the first 3 weeks and setting a small goal of 15lbs by 4wks. My more long-term goal for the month of January is to track my meals in a journal.;)

Darcy, I made my own tracking sheets in excel. The ones they gave me were not tailored to my plan and were crazy small. My sheets have really helped me eat "cleaner". I track exercise, weight and food on mine. Sounds like you're doing great.

Chickadee

Hello all :)

Congrats to Jen...you continue to be such an inspiration girl!!!!

Had my WI today and was down another pound...which considering my past week with New Years parties, etc...I was quite pleased! I also will be starting Stabilization on Monday...so pretty excited about that...and very ready.

While I think it is a challenge to lose weight, I am a bit nervous about these next steps. I have a feeling that learning to keep it off will be a challenge, too. Glad to have this forum!

Keep up the great work ladies...and stay focused! It IS worth it!

Tami, you will do great on stabilization. I know what you mean bout being a little nervous...but embrace the new you and new body and you will learn what your body needs to maintain.

Tami...
You will do great on stabilization.. It is a good feeling to be there.. If you need any help please feel free to ask... Now you will start to have what you have missed on the regular diet.. You have done a wonderful job and as I have always said, if you work the diet, it works for you and you are a great inspiration for others... Happy for you.

Patzi

Totally agree! TAmi you have always had the best attitude and are very honest! You WILL do great and you can trust yourself to male the right decisions.

New Year, new motivation!!! Restarting plan!! Chickadee, would you be opposed to sending me a copy of your excel spreadsheet? I also think the food journal you get from the center is waaaaay too small!! You can PM me here!! Thanks so much!!

Hello Ladies,

Do any of you happen to have the directions on how to make the MRC strawberry-banana gelatin (Jello)? I have two packages left, but threw the box away and apparently that's where the directions were printed. I know it's a few oz of hot and cold water, but I can't remember exactly. Anyone know?

Thanks!

2 oz hot water, 2 oz cold

Welcome Amy and good luck. Look forward to hearing about your success.

Leo, I really like your tips. I work full time and have very active kids. In all sports and church events, so we do spend a lot of evenings away from home. Also, my husband works 2-10 in the evenings, so I am like a single mom. Organization is not usually in my vocabulary. We manage to get where we need to get and have what we need to have, but it's not without some fumbling. I am writing everyone's tips down so I can use them in my world. You all impress me so much. I don't know "yet" how you all do it, but I will. I can't shop without a list. I didn't think to write down what I eat BEFORE I eat, I usually write it down after I've eaten. I like that. I also prepare my food separately from my kids food and I sort of resent that. Is that terrible? Very good advice, thanks.

I go Friday for my first class and to get my menu's and protein drinks. I am excited about getting started. I have done very well during the pre-conditioning, or at least I think I have. I don't have any problem drinking the water, but I'm sure for someone who isn't used to it, it's a challenge. You're doing great!!!

Cassie -I am so sorry you had a bad experience yesterday. The counselor could and should have handled it differently. I would ask to speak with a different counselor next time.

kuntreegirl -Like Chickadee, I was tracking my food on an excel spreadsheet. I recently switched to My Fitness Pal because when you go to maintenance, you start counting calories so I figured I better start getting in that mode ahead of time. I did find that even though I wasn't carrying a food journal around with me, I had no problem remembering what I ate when it came time to put it in the computer. Also, I organize my drinks and supplements for the week. I have very well worn baggies that I've been using from the get go. Like I said, this may seem like overkill to some, but it works for me. They contain my HNS for the day, the supplements I take divided into breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a separate pill box for my blood pressure med. I just pick up that days baggie each morning and by the end of the day, if it's empty, yay me! LOL I'm attaching a picture of one as an example. I only have to get my baggies in order once a week and it makes my life much easier. :)

AmyKaylene - :welcome2: I haven't done shiftwork for years, but, with the timing of meals, I would ignore what the clock says. If you wake up at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, that's when your day begins. I would time my meals from there as if that were 7 or 8 in the morning. As long as you get in all your food, HNS, water, & supplements in before going to sleep, and get enough sleep, you should be ok. Good luck!

camaswa -I agree with you about the bars. They can totally backfire, good as they taste. It will even cause you to become constipated. There's a lovely thought. ;)

Tami - I am sooooo excited for you!!!!! You go, girl!!!! You are going to rock maintenance!!!!

eb102106 -If I remember correctly, it's 4 oz. hot water, mix, and then 4 oz. cold water, then chill. :)


Had a good visit at the cardiologist yesterday. He took me off my last pregnancy/post-pregnancy blood pressure med. Woohoo!! Back to my one BP pill a day I was on before the pregnancy. He wants me to track my BP for 2 weeks and send in the results. If my body responds well, he'll leave me off it. :D

Jen, thanks for the picture. I can see how you stay organized. I am still learning all the different supplements and I can't hardly tell the difference between the corti-trim and the phentatrim, so I have to keep them separate. I bought a pill box for the week and I keep a days supply in a separate little box with me all the time just in case. I need to take the advise of you and some of the others here and just make me bag for MRC and have it with me all the time. I am eager to find out about the menus, which one I'll be on, what the drinks are like, and just everything. I don't really feel like I've started the real program yet. The pre-conditioning is good I'm sure, but I am so ready to see some weight loss. To feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

How do you or any of you handle traveling? I have read a few posts about it from the holidays, but I am really nervous about it. My husband and I are taking our boys out of town next weekend and we will be sightseeing and doing something almost every minute of the day. Not sure how I will handle it. We also have scheduled in two fabulous restaurants that we have wanted to go to. Any suggestions? I have to say I know I will want to eat at these particular places. But, it's not the normal for us to go out of town often. I guess I will give myself a break and do the best I can.

I really like all your tips and suggestions. It is giving me so many ideas of how to structure this and make it work in my busy life. Thanks to everyone.

Kuntregirl. Some travel ideas: Keep HNSs in your purse and pour into bottled water. Add a creamy to coffee if you have stopped somewhere like a Starbucks Keep a couple bars FOR EMERGENCiEs only. At the special restaurants, try to have fish and veggies. Beg for a bite of someone else's meal if you really want to experience an item that you know would do damage. Above all. Don't get starved. Extra protein if needed, lots of water. Also don't get exhausted. And don't expect perfection. Have fun!

Sorry it took me so long to respond. We had a bit of a crisis at work, and I'm now taking over a dept chair's responsibilities at a building in addition to my job at the central office...so it's been a little hectic since I went back to work on Monday, lol.

Anyway, I did notice that I wasn't quite as hungry, and I felt it did give me more energy--but like you said, it wasn't nervous energy. It didn't affect my sleeping habits, either, as I was able to go to bed and fall asleep at my usual time with no problems.

I used it more toward the end of my weight loss partially because of my stall on weight loss, but also because I didn't want to be on a bunch of supplements already and then have no "extra" tools available to me when I hit plateaus or stalls. Does that make sense? Basically, I just didn't want to use all my tools in my toolbox from the get-go because I was worried that then I'd have nothing to help when I really hit a rough patch.

KG,
It's not terrible that you resent having to do "double work" in the kitchen! It's hard to put together a meal for kids who can have ANYTHING they want & at the same time, making a meal for yourself. Last night, my grandson had pizza & I had grilled flank steak & grilled asparagus. I wanted a bite of that pizza SO BAD! LOL! Then, my daughter came home later with chinese food! My willpower was tested, but you know what, I resisted and it FELT GOOD. I just put it in my head that I've been eating all this "good" food for years and while I enjoyed eating it at the time, it just packed on the poundage because of my poor choices. I'm going to sacrifice these next six to nine months and one day, I'll be able to enjoy my favorites again, smarter & healthier.

I also go to Food Class on Friday and am excited to see what plan I'll be placed on and learn more about the diet overall. I've also planned my response for if they try to pressure me into purchasing additional supplements, but my counselor doesn't seem like she's trying to push them. (Then again, I've only met with her twice so far).

Cassie-We just got called from Dave's team and we are going down on Feb 3 to do our debt free scream in the lobby!! So pumped. So, so, so pumped. I'll probably cry (and hopefully be in the 150's:))

My weight is stalled this week, which I expected. I always do before that TOM...and my counselor said she noticed being even more sensitive to those hormonal changes as you lose weight (or maybe I just notice it more). So expecting next week to be better (next 3 weeks until "that week" comes again, then another 3 of losing and then I should be at goal...)

TL, wow, it sounds like you have your hands more than full at work. Please don't worry about not getting back any sooner. I was very worried about all of the supplements bothering me in some way, but it's been just the opposite. I feel great and energized. I didn't want to be jumpy or jittery and so far I haven't been. I am sure I am feeling better just because of eating better as well, so I'm not giving the supplements all the credit. I can't wait until I can say that I have reached a plateau or that I'm stalling because that means that I HAVE been losing. Thanks again.

Leo, thanks for telling me that I'm not terrible. I don't resent my children, but it's not easy to make something so tasty for them and know that I will have brocoli instead of potatoes. I am so impressed with your willpower. You have got to be so proud of yourself. Now are you going to talk to your daughter about bringing that type of food around or are you OK with it? I have talked to my husband and sons and explained to them that I won't be buying certain foods that I bought before and that I need them to be understanding. They were all great about it and they all want me to be healthy, but I know there will come a time when they complain and I'll have to deal with that then. Not my husband, but my boys. They are teenagers. I tell myself the same thing, that I have had years and years of eating anything and everything that I want and now to enjoy the next chapter to it's fullest, I need to make wiser choices for myself and I will be around for a lot longer. I am very eager to find out which plan you're going to be on. I go at 9 in the morning. I am not looking forward to the weigh in because I know I will have already eaten breakfast and drank a lot of water. Good luck to you.

:smug:Camaswa, thank you for these ideas. I will absolutely do as you say and keep those drinks with me at all times. I will get them tomorrow. Yes, I will have to make very wise choices while we are at the restaurants. I can do it and if I enjoy something a little extra I won't beat myself up for it. I will just make sure to stick on plan all the rest of the time. I do NOT want to get too hungry while we are out sightseeing, that could be terrible for my plan. Thanks again.

Its been a while...
 

Hey gang!

First, I want to thank Jen for reaching out to me and 2nd, I want to apologize for my absence. November was a crazy month, being gone for 2 weeks for my mom's foot surgery and got back into town on Thanksgiving then spent a week trying to recoop and had to go to Orlando for a business meeting the following week. I also started a part time job at Hobby Lobby - so working 7am-4pm at my full time job and then going to work from 4:30pm-Close (which is 8pm but after cleanup, some nights I didn't get out of there until after 9pm). Needless to say, my weight loss came to a screeching halt!

I finally got the travel weight off and slowly lost a couple more pounds and then after Christmas, I lost 4.5lbs which allowed me to sign the 110lb board! I was shocked! I couldn't believe I had lost that much. But then I went for my WI that Friday and gained 1.5lbs back and this Tuesday gained 2 more pounds! UGH! But I have also been sick. Had bronchitis last week and still feel like I have a sinus infection. Hoping for a good WI tomorrow.

Oh, and another thing that has been keeping me a little busy.. I met someone! I've known him since high school, lost track of him through the years but we met back up earlier this year when we went to Joplin to help after the tornado. But we've really started to spend a lot of time together and it feels good! Haven't really had these kind of feelings in a few years.

Anyway - it's time for me to get back on track! I have set my goal to 185lbs.. which means I have a little over 30 pounds to lose!

I know I have missed a lot and I'm not even going to try to play catch up! But it feels good to be back! I've really missed all of you!

Yeah Candi...been hoping you've been doing well. And your picture looks amazing. A new you. a new man;). You are rocking it. I hope you keep posting...you have a lot of wisdom to share. 110 board....you can do anything in life!!!