I seem to lose my motivation on a pretty regular basis now that I'm feeling and looking pretty good. I had a meltdown back at the end of March and wanted to quit, then got it back together and lost 8 more pounds in the next 6 weeks. I was motivated by the info m y counselor gave me about bodyfat and how for maintaining it is important to get the bodyfat below 30 (Lower for younger women). Interestingly, in that subsequent 8 pound loss, my bf went down 3% which she said was really good.
But for about the last 6 weeks I've just been playing around with the same few pounds: down 2, up 1...etc. I was thinking that meant I should start to stabilize before I got too discouraged. But yesterday the counselor encouraged me to refocus again. In 3 months I am going to Italy and I MUST be stabie then, so she suggested staying strong OP for July, stabilizing in Aug, and having a month of maintenance before my trip. That sounded sensible to me. she said if I really worked it on MetaBalance I could be down 8 pounds. I'm thinking maybe 5.
Sometimes I wish I were more like the people who buckle down and never go off program. It does work and it works fast when you are compliant. But that's never been me. I like my happy hours and my social dinners with friends and yes, my had-a-crappy-day glasses of wine. I think I am learning how to have those things and then get right back on the bus, which is what real life actually is like. So as a result,this is taking a long time. Sometimes that's ok with me, and other times not.
Right now I am coming back around to it being ok. I am still 30 pounds lighter, a size 10-12, exercising regularly. Hellooooo, I have biceps now. So, July here we come. Glad you all are along.
I have a question, My husband has issues with the cost of the HNS's & right now we are catching up on bills so we don't have a lot of extra money and he is working his bootie off working (he is a beer distributer and has lost 20 lbs in the last 2 months just from his job alone, LONG hours which in turn turn into good money but not if you divide it into what he makes an hour) I was thinking of doing program using 3 HNS's a day and then supplementing the 2 extra HNS with my own protein powder (GNC amplified wheybolic extreme 60, 93 calories, 20g protein, 0.33g fat, 0.66g sugar, 1.16g carbs, 83mg sodium) I haven't yet because I don't want it to mess with my program & I don't want to ask my counselor because lets face it they want you to only use their protein products. what do you guys think?
he also claims that he didn't know it was going to cost an extra 200ish dollars a month for the HNS's even though he was sitting in the room with me for my consultation and my first appt when I signed up, he blew up the other day when he saw my box of HNS's because we have no money & he needs money for tires and other crap & he's working his butt off for nothing, makes me wish I had been as big of a butt when I was making more money then him (which has been for at least the last 4 years up until May 1)
You are right that your center will discourage you from using products purchased elsewhere. It's how they make money. But maybe as long as you are buying some, they will be supportive. Other people on these boards have chose to not let on to their counselors that they are doing this, so that's another option.
I think the bigger issue is how you and your husband are communicating. If he really was with you at the consultation then why doesn't he know about the cost of the HNSs? If you truly don't have the money for this, then why did you sign up? I am assuming that since he went with you it was a joint decision.
At 5'4" and 300+ pounds, your health is seriously at risk. If he wants a lifetime with you as his wife, then he needs to recognize that your weight is dangerously high and will have major health consequences sooner or later. Like heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and more. if you feel you need the support of a place like MRC to lose weight, then you need to tell him so.
All of us need the support of the people we love. Ask for it. And commit to the program so he can see this is an investment worth making becuase you are getting healthier, not to mention more beautiful and sexy! Good luck.
Hey AW. Use the GNC protein powder to supplement the HNSs but just don't tell the counselor. I bought 2 boxes of HNSs the entire 17 weeks of membership...they didn't like it though. Didn't buy any pills either except for phenatrim but didn't use it. I was successful just with the plan and weighing in every week. I told the manager I had my own protein powder after I went to the food class and they told me I'd have to spend $200/mth. They did not discuss this in my consultation. The mgr told me they couldn't offer me a guarantee since I wasn't buying their pills or products but I didn't care. I paid $400 including the phenatrim and that was enough in my opinion. I order syntrax powder from diet direct to use for the HNSs. I started out w the protidiet pink lemonade in the large container. If they sold the stuff in large containers I would have bought them from the center
Just make sure you stick w the plan and take advantage of the counseling and classes they offer so you benefit from everything they offer. . Good luck!
A really bad off plan Saturday. We're talking pizza, theater popcorn, wings, blooming onion, and NO WATER AT ALL....Oh well..... A good time was had by all.
Tomorrow is another day and I will hit it hard!
And I already know big dog...carbs are the devil!!
Sotsmom. Start drowning that devil with water!! Chug a lug and get right back on plan. I had boiled peanuts, rosemary triscuits and hummus on the boat today. I'm drinking water now !! Since I retain water like a bit%# And also planning on walking the beach tomorrow for more activity
Aw8, ever since I replied to your post it has been bugging me that I may have overstepped. If I offended you, I apologize. When Bigdog said she wasn't told about the $200 HNS cost at the consultation either, I got to thinking - first that it is a very shabby MRC sales tactic - and second, it you really weren't told, then your husband has a right to be upset, no matter how much he supports your efforts to get the weight off. I had interpreted your post to mean he doesn't really support you, that new tires were more important than your health, and that was not really fair of me. Please accept my apologies.
Camaswa. We appreciate your honesty and telling us like it is . Remember when I bought those miniature peppermint chocolate candies and posted I was just going to have a few a day. You were like, really? Is that really smart to have that temptation around?? As much as I tried to justify it. --- you were right. I thought about them every minute and ate them all in a few days!!! I think with me being from a big family w five kids - we always bought in bulk so I didn't ever get the individual serving sizes they sell at the center.
I buy generic most of the time and since my DH is addicted to Oreos -stock up when they are on sale. Haha. I even justify the cost of my loved Syntrax powder with the fact that I'm not eating out as much. But like you said, being overweight is a health risk and will cost you more in medical bills, etc so this is an investment in your health and well being.
AW. You will need the support of your husband and your counselor can even advise you on how to do that. I usually wouldnot tell my DH becuz he's a chef and all about food. The MRC plan is so different I had to tell him and his support really helps me. Not to say he doesnt whine when I do not want to eat out 4 times a week!! Or tempt me with "devil" food or lose weight in a week which would take me a month!!! Or eat popcorn and Oreos every single night that makes me want to slap him silly. Anyway. So not fair men have more muscle!! I'm just happy with my cappuccino latte shake. Yay
Well, I am tired from cooking today. But all my breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are all cooked packaged and ready to be grabbed before heading out to work, for the next 4 days. It took some time to plan/cook, but it will help me stay on track. I also have weigh in tomorrow. Not sure I am looking forward to it. I have stayed on plan, but with the humidity here, I am retaining water like crazy.
camaswa, thank you & I was a little taken aback at first but slept on it & i'm okay now. They did tell us about the cost of the HNS's at the consultation but we had just come from the beach and he had had a few drinks so his head probably wasn't quite where it should have been to take it all in, I had also bought the big 3 and he said he thought that was the required items that I had to buy. he looks at the HNS's as food and "the lady said you didnt' have to buy their food" I don't think I will be buying the big 3 again so that will help with the cost. He is very frustrating sometimes because "he is never wrong" or so he thinks lol. I was able to explain it to him by breaking down the price of the HNS's to what they cost a day which 3 a day is around $5 so that is no worse then a starbucks habit or fast food habit & much better for me. We can afford the program but that cuts into our "fun" time which if I don't get this weight off there will not be any "fun" time eventually. He is okay now and is supportive and as he sees the program working for me I'm sure he will understand even more that I need this.
I have had a very successful weekend my bestfriend graduated from nursing school and I must admit I am a bit of a lush for alcohol & I went out with them friday night & saturday night with everyone else drinking & I had water we went tubing today (another normal big drinking occasion) & again resisted the alcohol, & beach day tomorrow & I'm sure there won't be any drinking for me. I think I finally have my head wrapped around it all and the desire to really lose the weight this time. I am healthier than I was 3 years ago & much more physically active but this weight has got to pack it's bags, hit the road fat & don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more! lol
Not to say he doesnt whine when I do not want to eat out 4 times a week!! Or tempt me with "devil" food or lose weight in a week which would take me a month!!! Or eat popcorn and Oreos every single night that makes me want to slap him silly. Anyway. So not fair men have more muscle!! I'm just happy with my cappuccino latte shake. Yay
Aw8, ok, whew, I felt terrible, really. It sounds like you are getting started really great. Alcohol is definitely my downfall, so I commend you for abstaining at two social events in a row. Pretty soon those friends will start seeing your results and they will be so impressed.
About those HNSs, when you learn about the science- that is why the extra protein is important, it will really seem worth the cost, which as you said, isn't all that much more than a daily Starbucks habit.
Nyght, good job getting ready for the week! It makes such a difference.
I got the Artic Ice that Teacher Lady wrote about. NOT a substitute for ice cream in my book, but it did allow me to mindlessly eat something cold and creamy while watching tv. I know we are supposed to learn to stop want ing to do that, but hey. Anyway, it was expensive - over $5 a pint, and not great. I may try a different flavor at some point because I like the idea of it so much. Recommended with reservations, as they say.
I have my lunch salads made for the week and dinners planned out. I ate (and drank) off plan quite a lot this weekend. But it's July now, my month to refocus one more time for a home stretch of5-8 pounds before my birthday in August.
Have a good week everyone. Hope it cools off for you.
Ladies, thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support! After 2 1/2 weeks, I'm going back to the center today. It's not going to be easy, but it has to be done.
Allergies are kicking my butt right now. I think it's allergies. Non-stop tickle in my throat. Mom thinks it may be mildew in the air from all the rain we got from Tropical Storm Debby. We were some of the lucky ones...high and dry. Across town, not so lucky. Lots of flooding and washed out roads near me. Dreading August/September. That's when tropics are the worst.
Stress eating - AGAIN... so last night I did HORRIBLE off-plan - we're talking sugar cookies here, people... It threw me because I ususally have something planned, jump back to eating great and move on.
But, we're getting ready to leave for a hiking trip to the Yellowstone area. We're going with my mom and dad and my mom is a CONTROL freak. She had called 6 times within an hour, making sure I had packed jeans for my kids, suncreen, chairs, and that I didn't pack my tablecloth because we're using her's... this was all while I was trying to finish packing (we're camping) and I.went.nuts. Grabbed the cookies and sat on the couch and just ate.
What was I thinking? Now, I'm worried about spending the week with her... will I be able to maintain some control? I have planned a few off-meals at some restaurants but, with the stress, I'm hoping I don't go nuts!
So, feeling a bit down today... and worried... and not confident at all... blah...
Refocusing yet again
. Good luck!
A good time was had by all.
with water!! Chug a lug and get right back on plan. I had boiled peanuts, rosemary triscuits and hummus on the boat today. I'm drinking water now !! Since I retain water like a bit%# And also planning on walking the beach tomorrow for more activity
