:welcome3:

Wow! So many newbies!!! Best wishes to you all as you start your journey. It may not be easy at times, but if you can find a way to battle through the tought times, it will be worth it.

My center said there are several things being discontinued. They no longer have the box of assorted bars and I do not like several flavors of HNS that I used to love! Wonder why they have reformulated them? The new, taller packs are easier to open, but I don't understand why they messed with the flavors. I am thinking about trying to contact the home office and complain.

If you find a number or email address for the corporate office please pass it on........my center is ALWAYS out of product. I told the counselors last week that I was going to buy my own vitamins and bars since they are always out of when I need. They said they have no control over what HNS's & supplements they are provided to sell.

MRC may discontinue selling them, but from what I've found, this "re-formulation" thing isn't entirely true. While they may be doing it with the drinks, I was told the Mini Crisps were being re-formulated. Funny that I found the EXACT same thing on the Family Bariatric website. I purchased several boxes there and even told my counselor. He was shocked that I found them online.

My suggestion is if you can't get you want at the center, go online. Family Bariatric has some products where the boxes are identical to MRC's, however, you do have to pay a little for shipping. Diet Direct and Nashua Nutrition don't have the exact product from what I've seen, but they have equivalent. It's just a matter of preference. Also, compare the "total cost" between sites. While you have to pay for shipping at Family Bariatric, some of their costs per product are cheaper than Diet Direct. If you spend about $49 at DD, you get free shipping, but some of their prices are more. It may be only the difference of $2 as I found out with a recent order. Either way, you'll be able to get what you need until the center has it on hand.

About this "reformulating". MRC does not mAke any of this stuff. They simply have it packaged to their specifications. Perhaps they are able to tweak the formulations somewhat but overall these are the same as brands like Bariwise amd ProtiDiet. MRC probably switched suppliers. I love that you can get them elsewhere!

MRC is such a good diet plan. I've never understood why the centers are always out of stuff. Thank goodness for these boards or I would have never known about the online sites to order from ! they didn't even have the cookbook when i joined so had to order online. their attitude was oh, well... it's funny, i'm in a small town and the WW meetings are usually in an old building or church (temporary settings) and boy they always are fully stocked w/ their snacks, bars, little bags, books, etc. because they can make money on all those extras. i loved the meetings too - their plan stopped working for me but i did love the group meetings where everyone shared what they were going through. and you know i never spoke up...HA HA, i really had to fight to keep my hand from raising and sharing!!! LOL, wonder if they miss me? it's like, where is that girl that was always bouncing in her seat w/ stuff to talk about? haha i used to take my girlfriend w/ me and she wouldn't eat anything all day before our weigh in in the pm. she would be like, i wish they would STOP talking about food, i'm starving! then she'd want to go out for pizza after our meetings! needless to say, she wasn't successful at losing. one time she had 4 Slim fasts for the day to equal the 20 points she was allowed!!!!

Need some help here...

For those that have been on Weight Watchers, they use to suggest making an icecream sandwich with WW approved icecream, frozen yogurt or cool whip and graham crackers... It was delicious.

I am wanting to make it using the MRC idea of food eating.. I do not want to use graham crackers as they are real high in carbs, unless there are some that I am not aware of that are not.

I am open to suggestions.. I was thinking for inside to use FF Greek yogurt that I have flavored, as I have that every night as a treat. Maybe freeze a bit before putting it between the two whatever ... I am on maintenance so whatever is suggested may not be for all that are on program, but maybe some that are on stabilization.

Thanks
Patzi

Hi, Patzi, check this link out below for low carb ice cream sandwiches (20 g. protein, 4 g. carbs, 15 g. fiber) i haven't made this (too many ingredients for me since i am very challenged in the kitchen!) but i wish you would make it and ship to me! LOL

http://www.ehow.com/how_2310127_make...ice-cream.html

I know what you mean about the wafer bars... I like them too! The Soy Mini Crisps being discontinued really bummed me out.

Had a good weigh in yesterday... down 3.5 pounds. BUT it's not the way to do it. I was in car accident yesterday morning with my two daughters (7 and 9) and had to spend the ENTIRE day in the ER having my youngest checked out for torn bowels or spleen (due to the seatbelt). So, we didn't eat breakfast or lunch all day and then I weighed in. Hopefully I can hop back on the wagon, as I treated my girls (and myself) to Orange Leaf last night after the day we had... oh well, once in a while doesn't hurt. My main concern is that no one was hurt (we're all just sore today) and that's all that matters.

Have a great weekend everyone! We'll be taking a small trip out of town - going to eat at a few BBQ joints (planned cheats) and then stay on plan the rest of the time!

How about for the cookies using those oatmeal cakes/bars/whatever they are, that you have made so many times? Or some variation of them. The Greek yougert will freeze hard as a rock if you leave it in too long, as you probably already know. I read the recipe Bigdog found- great nutrition content but too much work for Me!

Wafer Bars
 

I did some searching...............Nashua Nutrition has Proti-thin Vanilla Wafer squares which appear the be the same as MRC's but I don't have a box to check the nutrional info. Netrition has bars called OH YEAH Chocolate Chocolate Wafers that are very similar to MRC's - the nutrition info is just slightly different:

OH YEAH:
Calories 210 (mrc is 200)
total fat cal 117 (mrc is 110)
total fat 13 g (mrc is 12g)
sodium 130 mg (mrc is 135 mg)
total carb 8 g (mrc is 11 g)
Dietary fiber 2g (mrc is 1g)
Sugar 2 g (mrc is 4 g)
protein 14 g (mrc is 13 g)

I do really like the MRC wafers but don't eat them too often since they are so good I want to eat more than 1 serving!

Ok, I had a quick question for all you lovely ladies with kids...or anyone with an opinion, really. I had 2 days of spotting at the start of last week, then nothing. I was expecting my TOM, but it never happened. I was on Antibiotics for a sinus infection earler in the month but did not think about using backup birth control becuase I have PCOS and was told I am not ovulating anyway. I took a pregnancy test on Saturday evening and it came back negative. This week I am so tired and I am sore all over, but I figured that was from Zumba. My stomach is doing these lazy barrel rolls and I just don't want to eat anything, even when it is all growly, it does not want food.

I have lost almost 20% of my body weight since I started this diet last november and I don't know what kind of effect that has had on my system, but I am starting to get frustrated, and I am so tired I just want to crawl under my desk for a nap. :(

My mom's friend sent me this recipe for Taco Seasoning (just like the packets, but better for you). The only thing that looks OP would be the cornstarch. Thoughts on this?


Taco Seasoning (for use w/1 lb meat)

2 tsp minced onion
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp cornstarch
¼ tsp dried, crushed red pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp oregano
½ tsp cumin

Blend all in mini food processor.

Can someone post the MetaBalance plan? I will likely be switching to it next week (from the Green Meta Slim menu) as I am beginning to train for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day walk, so I will be working out about 5 days a week.

Melissa, we are not allowed to post the actual plans because they are trademarked and owned property of MRC. Are you not an enrolled member of a center?

Milissa, liked the seasoning. What makes this better for you?

Scale obsession!
 

I am normally an everyday weigher - naked first thing in the morning. However, this past week I decided that I would NOT step on the scale at home - only at the center on my Saturday weigh in. My reasoning is that I am tired of stressing about not losing. I figure at least this way I won't see the ups and downs during the week - hopefully just a loss on Saturday. I started metabalance on Monday and have following the plan with no cheats(tastes or even licks!) Hoping to see a loss tomorrow since I have been at the same weight for the past 3 weigh in's. I only have 3 more weeks left of weight loss and there is no way I will reach my goal, but at least a couple more pounds down would be nice!

Faery, your posts so often say what I am thinking! It amazes me - we have such similar issues and even stats. I am watching the number moving up and down so much each day that I am also discouraged. I posted elsewhere that this first week on MetaBalance I have gained everyday- now today it has backed off some, putting me back where I was last week. I weigh in at the center in a few hours, but I'm even stressing some over that because it will be later in the day than usual and I wil have worked out, eaten and had more water.

I guess we should stop obsessing and just do our jobs: sticking to the plan. Let us know if your center suggests you do something different to break your stall.

For those that are having problems with their centers, something I just found out a couple days ago is that you do not have to be on their program to buy their products. Which is good for people who don't want to be on it, or need the products for other reasons, HOWEVER if the people who are on the program are not getting the products they need then the center needs to limit what they sell (or stop selling) to people not paying for the program. It might be worth it to ask your center if they do that and complain if they do.

I am on day two of the yellow menu and am struggling with being tired, not wanting to eat all of the vegetables required, and feeling bloated. Any ideas? The gal at MCR suggested exercising, but I'm too pooped to care. Has anyone else experienced this? I lost 5.5 pounds during my 4 days of pre-conditioning, so I don't want to cheat or not follow the diet to a tee, however I'm weiner when it comes to struggling. I think that I could do this better if I just drank the HNS and gave up eating! Any ideas or personal experiences that you could describe would be appreciated!

Just got my menus today and am super excited. I personally like that they tell you pretty much exactly what to eat for the first 10 days; it takes the guess work out of it. I am afraid I'm going to get really sick of salad :^: It's only a few days though and I'll be happy when I reach the regular menu.

I dropped 5 lbs in pre-conditioning so I'm well on my well....only 45 more pounds to go! :D

Bigdog..
Thanks for the site on icecream sandwich cookies.

Patzi

It's been a while since I posted, so it's catch up time...:)

My sister had the upper lobe of her right lung removed. It was lung cancer this time, and not breast cancer like we feared. However, she has been upgraded to Stage 4. Not good....Prayers are needed, for healing, peace, and grace to get through what's to come. Thanks all.

As for me, I went to the doctor last week, and was taken off the blood pressure medicine. One of my first goals down!! Very happy about this! The doctor was very pleased about my weight loss. Having my mammogram done next Friday, and new blood work done at the end of the month. I sure hope my cholesterol levels are down too.

Down 24 total lbs since I began. I go to weigh in tomorrow and hope to sign the 25 lb board. I am so close to "onederland"...Fingers crossed, but know it will most likely be next week before I get there.

Welcome to the newbies, congrats to the loosers, and stay positive y'all!!

Ok, big BBQ fest in town and the preview was last night. it's one price at the gate and you sample from all the BBQ masters :-) does pickles count as a veggie? this lady had homemade pickles that were killer good! :-) i did well and just sampled a bite from a few of the vendors. afterwards met up w/ some friends at a BBQ restaurant (crazy, huh?) but those guys showed up late at the fest and the food had ran out so they were craving bbq. everyone ordered ribs, wings, bbq and me and another friend ordered the special...Wedge of lettuce with grilled shrimp, cubes of watermelon, thin onions w/ citrus dressing. at first i felt deprived and really wanted the bbq and mac n cheese but my meal was excellent! and i felt great afterwards. i find that when i overindulge i feel awful and sluggish (like many of you have posted here) the fest continues today and i'll probably go and walk around, prob. eat before i go and not get the all you can eat wrist band :-) bands playing all day and it's on this beautiful island on the water. Tom Berenger was there and i was taking pics of him and texting to my family in VA. hahah! he lives here and is alway at most of the events . was hoping to see Pat Conroy who is one of my favorite writers :-) i need some new tighter clothes. the photographer was there from the local nsp and he always takes our pics.(because my friends are silly girls and he has a crush on my DH) haha .he showed it to me and my outfit was baggy and unflattering. i need more fitted clothes!!!! just mixed some vanilla bean torte powder in my coffee...yum! :coffee: have a great weekend everyone and think protein, water, veggies, protein, water, veggies !!we deserve to be healthy and thinner!

Weekend with family! What do most families do when they haven't seen each other in a while and want to catch up? We eat and visit!! Have stayed away from the chips, dips, crunch, salty, sweet stuff. My mom cooks the best ham so not to offend I had 2 bites plus ate my veggies. Don't think I had enough water since we were out shopping most of the day. By the end of the day I felt like I needed my old "expand-o-waist" pants. WI is on Wednesday so water, water, water, HNS, HNS. Have a great rest of the weekend.

It's a new day, and I'm hoping to feel better, but still wondering if anyone else had problems with feeling so tired and fatigued. I did a little research and it seems like this could be a normal problem starting a high protein diet. But I'm wondering how long it will last. And has anyone else had leg and arm cramps? I'm guessing that it could be another symptom? Whew. This is not easy!

Hi...
I would suggest you bring these symptoms up with your consultant and they may need to change your menu around a bit.. I am on maintenance and did not have the fatigue, but did have leg cramps, and then they went away. Did not have them for long. Let us know what they say.. It is a great diet, so hang in there.
Patzi

sotsmom.
I will keep your sister in my prayers.. My sister has esophageal cancer and have been down this route, so know where you are at right now.

Isn't it wonderful to be off High Blood Pressure Meds.. I was able to get off them, also. Wishing rest of your tests are all great..

Patzi

Patzi

Thanks so much for the kind words. I have gone through this cancer thing with my best friend (lost her last year at the age of 43), and two days later we got the diagnosis on my sister. At the time she was a Stage 3, so we were optimistic after her mastectomies and chemo/radiation that we could see a full recovery. I guess the Stage 4 progression shouldn't have been a surprise, but it really deflated my family. It helps to know that others understand the emotional roller coaster we are on.

On a positive note, WI today had me down another 2.5 lbs. I signed the 25 lb board, and next week I should definitely hit "onderland:!!! :carrot: WOO HOO! I haven't been there since before my beautiful baby girl was born almost 19 years ago!! My husband and I are planning a celebration that will not include our favorite restaurant this time!!:lol:

Hi all. I got off only a teeny .5 of my 1.5 gain last week. I switched to MetaBalance and had quite a few deviations plus more meals out than usual. While changing it up was good, I found myself making excuses to have a little of this and that. I don't quite have the hang of it yet- i was like a robot on the green menu. but I struggled to get that plan right at first too. The goal with this change is not to get so hungry between meals, especially between lunch and dinner. I have been losing steam too often.

I just had a nice lunch salad at home with arugula and other greens, 2oz. chicken and 1oz reduced fat feta cheese. Tossed with olive oil and sprinkled on some fancy "finishing" salt I got as a gift. Thats probably not smart...Then some blueberries and a cup of decaf with just a smidge of Vanilla Bean Nectar. I can handle this today. I'm staying around the house and working on some pillow covers I have been wanting to make since oh... Christmas.

Reading the health issues of the loved ones is hard. I am so sorry, and I too have been there with my dad who died of brain cancer. This is the hard part of loving someone, isn't it? Try to take care of yourself through it.

Lost 1.5 pounds this week on the metabalance menu (started on Monday). I decided I would strictly stick to the menu this past week to see if I could lose on this plan since I wasn't having much luck with the meta slim. I only have 2 more weight loss weeks left and will start stabilization on 6/23. I know I won't make goal by then but maybe I can lose a few more pounds during stabilization. If I don't I am okay with that - my clothes fit nicely, I am off the high blood pressure med's and I feel much better about the way I look. My fat percentage is still higher that it should be but I am not going to stress over it. It has been a long hard journey but well worth it.

CAMASWA: the only suggestions my counselor had for me today regarding the metabalance plan was to make sure to get in all 3 HNS's (and even a 4th one) and to eat the snacks in the order they appear on the menu. She said not to switch them around. They also sent me a new metabalance menu that has a few additional choices (although I think they sent me the wrong one since it says it is for women in the weight range of 170-200)

Yay Faery! That's a decent loss!!! I'm motivated knowing you did that well.

Summer Swell
 

I used to always say in the summer I swell and it must be the heat!!! If I dont drink my water I retain even more water and show a gain every time. If I'm not running to the bathroom every hour and if my urine is not clear (tmi!) then I'm not getting enough water... It can be as much as a 3 lb gain in a day!

I can drink two Mich ultras , be on plan with food all day, get my HNSs in and show a gain the next am. My weight fluctuates like crazy in the summer! I've refilled all my water bottles and have one on the deck, in the living room, kitchen and office. And in my car as always! Reminders everywhere to drink up! Btw. I am ordering water when I order beer and limiting myself to one or two. We have been eating out more because my DH and I work so much and he's too beat to cook. Had the Boom Boom lean burger yesterday which is a lean burger w feta cheese, hot sauce served on a half head of Bibb lettuce. I did have a few sweet potato fries and even took half of my dinner home Lots of lettuce that filled me up

Regarding the HNSs, the more I drink ( I try for four a day) the more I lose and it seemed to lower my body fat.. That's what my counselor told me anyway. She said more protein builds muscle and depletes fat... And every time I drink water she said to think about it washing away the fat!!!
Chug a lug!!!
I'm going to need from all of you motivation and please share on plan meals, salads, desserts, HNS shake ideas!!! I'm going to be checking the menu forum too!!!

Bigdog are you on maintenance?

Hi all,
I've mostly just been posting in the maintenance thread, but I thought I'd ask all of you my question--

Did they change the formula for the creamy hot cocoa? I bought 5 new boxes at my maintenance weigh-in on Friday (I only weigh in once a month now, so it's been a while since I've bought it). I like to have a cocoa every evening with my vanilla yogurt--it keeps me from snacking. But when I broke open one of the new boxes tonight (noting that the packaging is definitely different) and tried the cocoa, it was DISGUSTING. It smelled weird (more like a weird protein drink), and it tasted nasty--waaaaaay too sweet, like chemical-y sweet--and it had a weird texture.

Unfortunately, I threw my receipt away (because I've never had an issue with it before), but I'm going to call and talk to my center manager to see if she'd be willing to give me in-store credit for the remaining 4 boxes if I bring them in. It's undrinkable, for sure, and I'm pissed to waste my money on it.

Anyway, my question: is it just me, or has anyone else noticed this, too? When did they change it up? Do you think they changed companies that they buy from, or do you think the company changed the formula? I've gotten ProtiDiet hot cocoa from familybariatric.com before, and it tasted the same as the old MRC hot cocoa, so I guess I'll just have to order it from online...unless they got it from ProtiDiet and they actually changed their formula.

Any ideas? This makes me very sad--looking forward to my cocoa and yogurt every night has really helped keep me on track (and keep my sanity). :(

Not in your imagination...the new HNS are nasty. My favorite is kiwi melon and it isn't even the same color. The grape is tolerable. I won't be buying anymore until they switch back. Their no refund policy really stinks...I wasnt told the formulas were different. Luckily I didn't buy much.

Yeah, that no-refund policy makes me mad. But I'm hoping, after 2 years of consistently going to this center, spending money there, and referring clients there that the site manager will at least give me in-store credit.

It sounds like I won't be exchanging for any of the other HNS drinks, though. What about the high-protein shake mix? I used to love the chocolate one, and haven't been able to find the same thing online. Is that different, too, I wonder?

Are the bars all pretty much the same? Of course, I heard they got rid of the crispy one I loved, so I don't know that I necessarily want the others. What about the soy crisps? PLEASE tell me they still have those. Those were great to take to the movies.

Ugh. I hate change sometimes. :(

sots mom, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.

My dad had a really rough weekend. Last week he had trouble with his chemo/radiation making him sick to his stomach and then this weekend he ended up in the ER with a temp of 100.9. The stress is overwhelming at times.

congrats to all losers, welcome newbies...good luck to rest.

I am a member. It was just a few days before I got my new menu and I was anxious. I am on the new menu now, and have my first weigh-in tomorrow on it. YAY!