Thanks!

Thanks Patzi. I have been down this road a few times before, where I have lost the weight. My problem is the maintenance part. I understand what I need to do, but always seem to go back to my old ways. I think your posts with maitenance are going to help me this time around. I need to be more mindful of what I am eating and continue to track my food. Thank you for continuing to post now that you are in maintenance.[/QUOTE]
I second that! I'm thinking that maintenance should not really be much different: still gotta plan, still gotta control portions, still gotta monitor and track. But more flexibility. It's about balance.

Back.
 

It has been a few weeks since I have been on here. First off Congrats to all the biggest losers! Your success inspires me to keep going! And for those wih family and pet issues (my kitty was my baby till I had my munchkins!) I am so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with you,
I have had some family issues the past 2 weeks that have been rough. I have stalled out over the weight loss and have not been on plan. I am raring to get back. In reading over this thread, I think I will take the advice not to cheat on all the little piddky things. I put fat free cool whip on my choc pudding brownie at night, thinking its only 15 cal, it's not that bad. I drink diet coke, and sneak pretzels and crackers thoughout the day. My goal this week is to stop this. I need to think of it is a lifestyle change not just a diet.
Do y'all with kids eat the same meals you cook for your family? I am kid of going crazy making hem comfort food while eating my grilled chicken with veg. I don't think I can keeP that up.

Kate

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar-bl...8/130/173/.png

Ps. How do you get your signature to appear? I am on my iPhone.

MrsKatydid - I would say 95% of the time we all eat the same meal. My husband is also on MRC so that helps. My boys have always eaten what I fix and I started this when they started eating "real" food. I'm not a short order cook. Now that being said, there are a few occasions when I will make the boys mac and cheese or PB&J and then eat leftovers. But that is only occasionally. I also don't use any of the HNS in meal prep. I leave it out or use something on plan to replace it.

ynaper, what are some of your substitutions you use? Becuase we keep wanting to try things in the cookbook, but are not even sure where to start.

last night as we were watching TV, there was a commercial on for Lucky Charms Cereal and I wanted to lick the screen. The sudden mad urge for sugar and carbs just kind of came out of no where, slapped me in the head, and ran cackling off into the night.

galadreal..

Only bars I had ordered from Diet Direct were the Bari Wise Bars. They have the nutritonal data for them on the web site, plus they also have a varied box..

Did you ever think of making the egg muffin quiches( I posted recipe ) in recipe forum) for breakfast and freezing them? That is what I eat when I am in a rush.. I make the turkey sausage and have that with the egg muffin quiche .Turkey sausage I freeze after making also. Just nuke it and it is there for the eating.. Nice and easy when you are in a rush, vs. taking a bar.

Patzi

Galadreal - I usually leave them out all together. I have used the no sodium chicken stock or broth. I find that if you leave them out you don't get the "weird" taste that some of the HNS's seem to have. I have the theory that recipes are just guidelines and make changes as I like. I just make sure what I use is on program. I hope this helps.

Agree. Better to make something ahead. Plus that is good practice for the rest of your life. You never want to go back to grabbing the stuff you probably grabbed before.

The bars are good like candy but don't stick with me like a meal. Plus when I have them I keep getting into them like snacks. That might work on maintenance but not when trying to lose. the carbs do add up. They sure are good, though!

Katy-I try to make similar meals...like tonight was enchilladas. I made my own with chicken and limited cheese & lots of sauteed peppers, husband had ground beef ones, and DD used the meat, cheese, and shell to make her own taco. (DS just ate cheese...I won't make him something else besides a PB sand). I think for many meals I end up making similar things, just sometimes have some variations between mine & the kids (but I did that even before MRC). I let them keep frozen pizza and mac & cheese for when I'm gone and dad's the cook.

Jen-I read the book "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad" by Shari Braendel. She's a fashion expert and helps women know how to dress in a flattering way for their body. It was so helpful since I am incompetent in that arena. It has helped as I rebuilt my wardrobe and her info is right on. She has a chapter on how to find jeans for your body type and even gives examples of kinds. My mom is bottom heavy and her suggestion of Eddie Bauer curvy fit looks great on her. I tried them on (I'm more of a balanced body) and they looked awful. Normally I would take that as I am awful...but i knew it was the cut of jeans for my body. Shari's been doing a 30 day frumpy to fabulous challenge on FB and it has been soooo helpful. I don't think of myself as fabulous, but I know what I have does help me look better.

I'm back after spending most of the weekend at the hospital. Grandpa is improving even though they still have no idea what is actually wrong (well, the really smart doctor was going to be in late this afternoon...he's like Dr. House since grandpa seriously had 5 or 6 different specialties looking at his case...it was like watching "House" meets the "Beverly Hillbillies"). It was a lot of driving, sitting, and since i left so quick I didn't have a lot of time to plan. But with some protein bars & powder and fruit during the day then a normal meal at night I did okay. Back to my "normal" today. Kickbutt workout coming up. Started tracking my food in my fitbook today instead of MFP.

Hi,

My name is Kim. Today was my first day of pre~conditioning. I stayed on plan which is an accomplishment for me. Usually when I diet I give in to the first temptation. Not this time. Plucking down the money for the program has me motivated to stick with it. WOW to Jen for going from a size 18 to a size 4! That is so inspiring. I want to be just like you ;0) We can all do this!
Kim

need encouragement
 

I'm having a "fat day". I haven't been OP, but I fell HUGE. It may have something to do with my fear of WI this afternoon. I always get spooked. I could use some words of endouragement, if anyone has the time...

Thanks!

oops...
 

OOPS...I meant I havent been off plan...I have been obsessive about measuring EVERYTHING!!!!

Katy - Generally, I eat the same as my husband, but in smaller measured portions. When DH and I first married, I figured I could eat exactly what he did. Yeah...women don't work that way. And while I may have moments of "that's not fair!", I've just had to get over it. It's just a fact of life. Once I let go of that hang up, it made it much easier to deal with. I feel great and that's all that matters. :)

Gina - Thanks for the recommendation! I'm definitely gonna check it out. I hope your grandpa gets some answers today. My prayers are with him and your family. :hug:

kimmy - Take this program a day (or meal) at a time and you will start to see results before you know it.

sots mom - I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a big hug right now. I have my moments with WI's too. Here's the thing, those counselors are there to help you. I'd actually walk into the center and when one of them would greet me, my response back would be "HELP!!!" It broke the ice, gave them a good laugh, and they'd say, "Uh oh! Come on back and let's talk" and they'd be laughing the whole time. When I had bad weeks, I would be completely honest with them because if you fudge your food sheet and then WI and gain 5 pounds, it doesn't help and they can see right through it. If I had a slice of pizza or cheeseburger, I put it down on the sheet, but with an explanation about what was going on in my life or my emotional state, whatever. The only way they can help you is by knowing how you are dealing with things so they can give you pointers about how to deal with it next time. As for the scale and the actual number, yeah, it can be disappointing to see a gain, but it's like ripping off a band-aid. You just have to deal with the momentary pain of it. The great thing is, if you stick with the plan after that, the number is going to be better next time and that's such a great feeling. :hug:

Think I may have actually broken this stupid month long plateau (only a pound a week, UGH!!). The bathroom scale this morning was actually about 3 pounds down from Sunday. We will know more on Thursday at WI, but fingers crossed.

And thanks for the advice on the bars and sups. I know it has been 66 days now (yes, I am counting), but I am still learning. I have not made the egg quiche yet, I will try that. Husband wanted to make snickerdoodles this morning for breakfast, but neither of us wanted to get up in time, so it was just scrambled eggs and cinnamon toast. Thankfully my back is feeling better, we did managed to do a bellydance workout last night, and he accidentally broke one of the pull cords to the ceiling fan...He got it stuck on a hand weight (because doing bellydancing is girly, doing it with weights makes it more manly or something, I don't know) and pulled too hard and little pieces of chain went everywhere. Then we had to pause the DVD and search for them becuase as soon as they hit the ground, tiny Hel cat went running after them and she will eat anything she finds on the floor. I think we got them all, but now I have to get a new pull for the fan.

Sots mom - I'm right there with you on the WI thing. I'm having WI anxiety today also. I usually don't worry about it but for some reason today I am. I had 3 bites of ice cream this weekend. I think that is why I'm anxious about WI today. But I also know that if I'm up or the same it will come off, as long as I don't eat off program. This program works as long as you do what you your meal plan tells you to do.