I've even done the apples with the splenda & cinn in the micro if I'm in a rush and they are good (more of a baked apple). For Thanksgiving to stay OP I did a bunch of them in a crockpot (peeled, sliced apples) with a little water and cinnamon and splenda so I knew I'd have "dessert"...they were a hit with everyone (I almost didn't get any!)

This sounds wonderful.. How long did you leave in crockpot..Did you use the ground cinnamon spice or a cinnamon stick? I will definately try this.
Patzi

Jen...
I have been with you on this journey, and I am so excited for you.. Two pounds to go how exciting.. You must be elated over this.. You deserve an applause...

Patzi

I used ground cinnamon, mixed it with splenda. I didn't write down how much I did, it would be to your liking (some recipes called for nutmeg). I peeled and cut them, filled the crockpot with them, I think I cooked them 3-4 hours on low. Some recipes call for butter or apple cider on them, but I just did the apples with the splenda and cinnamon (1 tsp-ish of ground cinnamon, amount of splenda depends on the sweetness of the apple and if you want tart or sweet).

Why do you think it's called cheating?
 

Or maybe question is actually WHO exactly am I cheating? Just "food" for thought...

Susie, I tried this with zucchini and the slices were so thin they stuck to rhe baking pan. Disaster. Did you oil it first? Or brush oil on the chips? And how hot was the oven? I really wanted this to work!

the apple slices with cinnamon and sweetner sound good. I will have to try those this weekend.
I won a bottle of the Internal Cleanser as a prize item at my center -- has anyone used this supplemental? if so, have any side effects from it?

How about yellow squash?? I am a salty girl - don't really crave sweets if they are not around.
Do y'all use the Lavash bread?

WI tonight and down 3.5lbs. It was a pleasant surprise after holding 1.5 lbs last week in water weight.

Thanks, Patzi! I'm beyond excited about being 2 pounds from goal and I'm also in a bit of a catch-22 this weekend. I'm actually running a 15K race tomorrow (9.3 miles). It was one of those things I needed to do to feel like my old self again (pre-married, pre-pregnancy, pre-mommy) and prove I can do this. I'm not going for speed or personal best times or anything like that. I just need to say I can still do this. I am incredibly excited, however, my body needs fuel to do this. Unfortunately, that fuel for running is usually straight up carbs. I did one race while on program and didn't eat any carbs before and it was a disaster of a race. So, I had a long discussion with my counselors yesterday and we came up with a plan (they are even in the race and gave me one of their center's shirts so we can all match. :D) They are supportive of eating some carbs ahead of time as this is "race fuel" as opposed to me eating carbs just for the sake of it and there being no legit purpose for it other than I felt like it. Make sense? Besides, I didn't come all this way, get two pounds from goal, just to gain weight after running a 15K. ;)


Congrats, FIF!!! That's an awesome number!!!!!!!


Congrats! I have tried that one in the past. Side effects...well...it does what it's supposed to do. ;)

Kind of frustrated today. After 1 week on conditioning and 2 weeks on program, I am down 8 pounds of fat (I gaine 1.5 pounds of water weight, thank you hormones) and 4.75 inches. I know it is not bad, but it just feels so slow. I mean I officially started the plan (after preconditioning) on the 25th of last month. But I actually lost more in preconditioning that I am now. I have only been losing 1-1.5 pounds at each weigh in. And I know that is twice a week, but it is still crazy slow. I know part of it is the PCOS, but I feel like I am flogging myself to death at the gym (once again I know that will pass when I am not so hormonal), and not enjoying my food, and just generally frustrated with the whole situation. I know, this too shall pass, but this morning I am having a hard time not raiding the candy dishes placed all over my damned office.

Seriously, i like my job, but one of the problems with working in a large office with lots of other women is that there is chocolate just a few feet away at any given moment, and this morning I feel very...strained towards it.

Jen...'
Are they having you eat a straight carb or a carb and protein together, and a did they suggest what kind of carb.. I do walks on occasion, and would love to know this..

Thanks
Patzi

Carb and protein. For instance, my pre-race go-to breakfast is a small plain bagel with peanut butter and a banana. They even suggested bringing one of my Meal Replacement Bars to help with the protein side of things. As for the carbs for dinner, whole-grain or wheat pasta was their suggestion.

excellent recommendation for the workout video~~ thks,

If anyone needs a recommendation on a strength training video you can do at home I highly recommend Jackie WArner's Power Circuit (she's got a few, that's my favorite...along with the xtreme time saver). I've been doing the 40 minute full body workout 2x a week and seeing a huge difference. There's also a 15 minute full body that gets all the body parts (and probably the best place to start if you aren't used to strength training). There are also 15 minute sections for abs (killer), legs, and arms if you just want to focus on one area. I just got done with the 40 and I'm all sweaty and muscles shakey so I know I worked it:)[/QUOTE]

i love Miss Vicky's jalepeno chips and my DH buys them all the time. i measured out 40 cal. of the chips and had those for dinner in place of the 40 Cal. lite bread or melba toast. it was a small portion but satisfied my craving and i didn't eat the whole bag. did not gain that week either. not sure what the Center would say about that but it worked for me :-)
and what's funny about that is after i ate them, realized they were no big deal and actually prefered my garlic melba toast i usually eat w/ my salads

On Diet Direct and want to order some of that "Nectar." I am debating between the Chocolate Truffle and the Fuzzy Navel??? Help please! Also, would this be considered a "creamy" protein drink all depending on the flavor?

THanks Jen...
That is very helpful for me.

Patzi

Why don't you start with the single serving variety pack? Those containers are so huge I would hate it if I got one I didn't like. Just today I had 1/2 a package of strawberry mouse in Greek yogurt. I loved it! I do the same with the choc truffle- reminds me of chocolate cheesecake. If you are set on a big container, I do really like the chocolate truffle. Haven't tried the fuzzy navel yet, hoping that will taste like a dreamcicle with yourgrt.

There are 0 carbs, so I consider it a clear. You just have to use a little less if you only want protein at 15 g. I don't bother to do that math anymore, but then I haven't been breaking any records on the scales...

I am down 2.5 pounds today since my last visit to the center 2 weeks ago, however! Yay, relief! But we decided I'm not really ready to add anything more to my stabilization plan till next week. I'm going up and down too much.

Went to WI today and was only down .5 lbs. Pretty bummed about that but at least it was a loss. :( But on a better note I did get the new green menu. Since I'm below 200 now they have changed me to it. It looks good and I'm excited about the changes. I will probably be having corn tonight for supper. I miss corn. And I like the option of fruit with breakfast instead of a starch. Hopefully I will have a greater loss next WI which is on Tuesday.

Happy Friday everyone!

i have to say i am addicted to the Chocolate Truffle and never get tired of it. i did get a little tired of the orange and the lemonade. next time i order, i'll get the variety pack so i can try other flavors. the strawberry sounds good! and of course the Chocolate Truffle. it's so yummy! i like it w/ greek yogurt. i like it w/ frozen raspberries or any fruit. good w/ left over coffee. good w/ diet Dr. Pepper. good w/ diet sprite. i even threw a few nuts in there one time and blended it up...chocolate peanut butter! but i'm a chocoholic for sure so have to have chocolate each and every day :-) i count it as a HNS...0 carbs! 0 sugar!
Camaswa, congrats on losing 2.5 more pounds WOO HOO!!!! go girl!

I had never heard of dietdirect before, but I checked them out today after I read some of these posts. I am jsut curious on what the difference is between what they have and what is at my center. Obdviously they have more flavor choices, but is it just another name brand for the same things otherwise?

Bummed today. WI and I was up .5. Since I have been following my plan neurotically, it is being chalked up to the stress and emotions of the week. My period is also starting this weekend, I haven't had a cycle OP yet so I am wondering how much that is playing a role. Trying to keep my head up but after all week of wanting to seek comfort in food but making good chioces instead I am kind of feeling why the **** didn't I just give in? Ugh, sorry for the rant, just really bummed... :(

Camaswa...
Thanks for bringing up the variety pack of the Syntrax product.. I have never tried it, and my main concern is the allergic reaction to whey.. Sometimes I can tolerate it, sometimes not, so this is a good way to try it..
Congrats to the weight loss.. Good idea to go easy on stabilization if you are not steady with the up and down.. It will all come together soon for you.If I can ever be of help to you,please ask..

Patzi

Wish me luck, ladies! Running a 15K in the morning. Sure couldn't have done that a year ago. :woohoo:

This week has been great. Took yesterday off so I could go get my new tattoo and then went to a great hockey game. On top of the weight lss I couldn't have ask for a better start to the weekend. Hope you all are enjoying yours too!

Congrats on being under the 200 mark, feels great doesn't it? I had corn the other night for the first time and I savored it.

JenB. Good luck on your race!

Galadreal. 2-3 lbs per week is awesome. Congrats.

Sara. Did you get all your water in? I noticed last week I had a 1.5 lb gain and after looking at what I ate I found I was coming up short on my water. My food was all good just really short on water. Also did you get all you hsn? That has been a culprit for me too. Good luck.

Congrats to the rest of the losers! Good luck this week everybody.

Please email me all mrc menu to kristlynjohnson at gmail dot com

haha- thanks for the edit!!! And you know we all owe our love of Choc. truffle to YOU! I never get tired of it either. today I had Carribean something or other with my yogurt. Ok, but not fab. Kind of a fake pineapple taste. would definitely not order a giant tub of that one.

Well, you know that MRC doesn't actually formulate or manufacture anything, they just private label stuff from other manufacturers. So if you really look, you can find pretty much every HNS and supplement somewhere else and sometimes cheaper. Or you can find different flavors of stuff with the same nutritional content. For people who are doing the program on their own or want to keep using the products on maintenance, Diet Direct is a good source. As long as you are enrolled with a center, you do have to buy from them, but I get a few extras now and then for fun and variety. Watch out for all the bars - too good! Too much like candy bars for me to resist.

Thank you! I'm feeling like I am getting there. And yes, those products ARE whey. Here's another idea: if there is a Vitamin Shoppe in your area, they do seel the vanilla and chocolate truffle in the single servings. You could just get one or two. My guess is there may be other retail outlets that sell the brand as well. I just happened to see it at that place, which is right across the street from my office. I keep a big jar of the Choc. Truffle under my desk and just dip into it!

Plateau anyone?
 

176 and holding....................for 3 weeks now! I have had my issues with cheats and staying OP, but I committed to staying OP 3 weeks ago and have not dropped a pound since :mad: I have lost 16 pounds and have another 16 to go to be at my goal weight. I guess the good news though is that I have lost 27 inches (and I am getting my waist back LOL!)

What has been your longest plateau? and was there something you did to break it? My counselor doesn't seem too concerned - she thinks I will have a large drop in weight soon. I did start exercising this week so she thinks I may be holding on to some water weight.

Today is a beautiful day here in colorful Colorado.....hope you are all enjoying your weekend :sunny:

Jen-how was the run? Was just a pre-race carb/protein meal enough? I know with runners I work with, for a race that long they would be adding in some more carbs for 3-4 days prior to build up their glycogen stores so they would have plenty of fuel. On metabalance I get a few more carbs and I can run about 3 miles without fatigue, but then I do notice a hunger spike the next day. That is the biggest thing I will need to play around with once I hit maintenance, having the right amount of carbs for longer runs/bikes/swims (pretty sure I'm going to do a tri at the end of summer).

faerychic-My longest plateu was in the 2-3 week range. Lots of water helped me break it...and just recognizing that my cycle plays a huge role and when I exercise I do hold water weight...but the tradeoff in how I feel and the change in my body composition are worth it (strength training has a bigger impact than cardio for me).

Went away with DH for an overnight trip...early anniversary celebration. I'm one week into metabalance stabilization (which is only 3 weeks) and have lost 2 lbs on stabilization. Friday night we planned on eating at the hotel "happy hour" (they had salad and stuff for "nachos", among other things). I knew I could make a big taco salad. Well, for the first time since Nov 1, I ate off plan. I had purposely not eaten any of my starches and one of my fruits earlier in the day, but I still had even more starch than I should have. And my biggest fear has been that once I had one of those "all out" meals, that's the way I'd want to eat all the time again. But I didn't. Today I woke up, kicked my own butt on the treadmill, and got right back to eating on plan. And my body didn't even want to go back to binging. (It was even somewhat happy I let it have a few more calories). It makes me feel so good to know that my body loves eating the healthy food and my habits have me loving salad and fish and broccoli, but also that I'm going to be able to handle the occasional, PLANNED treat meal without reverting back to consistent bad habits. Not sure if that made sense.

Went away with DH for an overnight trip...early anniversary celebration. I'm one week into metabalance stabilization (which is only 3 weeks) and have lost 2 lbs on stabilization. Friday night we planned on eating at the hotel "happy hour" (they had salad and stuff for "nachos", among other things). I knew I could make a big taco salad. Well, for the first time since Nov 1, I ate off plan. I had purposely not eaten any of my starches and one of my fruits earlier in the day, but I still had even more starch than I should have. And my biggest fear has been that once I had one of those "all out" meals, that's the way I'd want to eat all the time again. But I didn't. Today I woke up, kicked my own butt on the treadmill, and got right back to eating on plan. And my body didn't even want to go back to binging. (It was even somewhat happy I let it have a few more calories). It makes me feel so good to know that my body loves eating the healthy food and my habits have me loving salad and fish and broccoli, but also that I'm going to be able to handle the occasional, PLANNED treat meal without reverting back to consistent bad habits. Not sure if that made sense.[/QUOTE]

Nwcgina.....

You will be just fine, and this makes sense indeed. You made a choice , it has showed you the discipline you have learned while on MRC and you willl handle the occasional planned treat meal and will not revert back. I am so happy for you that you have come this far and with great determination and understanding of your body, how it works and what to do when you have a meal other than your usual way of eating.. The key for maintenance is you can eat anything you want, as long as it does not spiral out of control and
you revert back to consistent bad habits and feel guilty about what you ate.
Thanks for sharing this with the group..

Patzi

Awesome! Totally echo Patzi's reply!

How frustrating! Keep drinking water and dont give up. If you ever find yourself thinking why bother, remember that if you serously went off plan now, you would most surely gain. There are worse things that staying the same. :) You really will lose it soon.

Originally Posted by faerychic

176 and holding....................for 3 weeks now! I have had my issues with cheats and staying OP, but I committed to staying OP 3 weeks ago and have not dropped a pound since I have lost 16 pounds and have another 16 to go to be at my goal weight. I guess the good news though is that I have lost 27 inches (and I am getting my waist back LOL!)

What has been your longest plateau? and was there something you did to break it? My counselor doesn't seem too concerned - she thinks I will have a large drop in weight soon. I did start exercising this week so she thinks I may be holding on to some water weight.

Faerychic...

My longest plateau was two full weeks, and when I lost the weight it was .2 pounds. Take your journal into your consultant and tell her you want her to find out why you are not losing the weight. She may not be concerned, but it is her duty to find out what the problem is if you are 100% OP. Many times, you lose inches and no weight, but it is three weeks, so have them give your weight loss a push by something..I always insisted they find out what the problem was and to find a remedy for it. However, you have lost the inches, so that is a good amount of inches to lose.. Hang in there, it will come off, if you stay OP, it really will. I am at maintenance and have had non weight loss weeks, or weeks where I lost a tiny amount, but it all works out, I promise.. It is all worth it. If you are on the new Meta Slim green menu, you may want to go back to the original one, as there are some that are not losing weight on the new one. Just a suggestion, as each one is different.. If there is anything I can do for you please ask.

I noticed in paper they are advertising $49.00 for 4 weeks in case anyone needs additional weeks..

Hope everyone has a great day.

Patzi

The run was fun, although, I am hurting a bit today. I actually got emotional after it was over. I couldn't have run that race a year ago. It was my 6th time doing that particular one but it is the one I am most proud of and the one that meant the most to me. :)

In hindsight, not enough carbo loading which is funny to say given the meal plan we are on. I think I've been "deprived" of carbs for so long that 2 nights worth of carbs, and the morning of, just wasn't enough. By the end, I was sluggish and tired (not to mention cramping toes, first time that's ever happened), but the finish line being in sight kept me going. Anyway, I was extremely hungry afterwards. I had grilled chicken salads for lunch and dinner, but threw in some extra carbs just to settle my stomach. That was my other issue. I had an upset stomach after it was over. At least it wasn't during. :p That seems to have finally calmed down today now that I'm back OP. Like you, it's something I'm going to have to play around with during maintenance to find a plan that works for me on longer runs. I can run a couple of miles at lunch and I'm fine. It's the longer runs that will take some learning on how to handle.

Lost another 2 pounds today at weigh in, though I am pretty sure at least 1 of those was water weight. Still, I will take it. Got to sign the 10 pound board. Came home and did a new "slim down" dvd from the bellytwins and it kicked my booty so hard. Ahh, workout video's, you never fail to put me in my place.

Now to go take a shower while hubby makes dinner, Lemon Chicken, tasty. I feel so stinky.

Tonight will be my first attempt at cooking while on this program. A little nervous but have to branch away from just doing a protien, veggie and fruit with no thought to making it a meal. Wish me luck :)

Jen-I'm with you that I know it will take some time to figure out about how much I should be eating on long run/hard workout days, and even leading up to those workouts. But it's a fun place to be. And I just tell myself that one of the keys to keeping it off will be my love of exercise. I decided to stabilize before I hit the low end of my goal because I really need to start doing more to be ready for the warrior dash in june and then something longer the end of summer.

Gina, I found a couple of good articles on Runner's World. One deals with nutrition and the other is for GI issues. I figure it's a start on learning what to do.

Nutrition: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/...6686-F,00.html

GI Issues: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/...0005-0,00.html

I must say, I'm loving this lifestyle change. I think I've got my husband hooked on road races now, but with his schedule, he's only off every third Saturday so we'd have to find ones that fit his schedule. Now that he's done a 15K, he really wants to do a 5K since he could go much faster and wouldn't have to hold back and pace himself for a longer run. The best part, we'll be doing this as a family and setting a great example for our munchkin. :)