Love to Fish - that is a GREAT inch loss. I seemed to be more amazed with the inches than the pounds for some reason. Don't get me wrong I loved seeing the pounds drop too. Maybe it was because the meaurement were taken less often. Your trip sounds fun. The planning will pay off. Prayers coming your way for safe travels.

Sonny - It does get better after about 2 weeks. Just keep with the program and you will be feeling GREAT in no time at all.

So many new people. Welcome. I seem to have forgotten that in the last post. Good luck with the program and visit often. This place is great for advice and support.

Sonny - I think the first few weeks are rough, for me. I agree about carb and sugar withdrawals... personally, I think the body is trying to rid itself of that so you get cravings, headaches and such. Drinking a lot of water really helped me to flush everything out...

Love to Fish - congratulations on the inches! Nice! Prayers for your journey... you sound like you have everything under control with planning your meals and groceries. That's awesome... it always makes me enjoy the camping/weekend trips when I plan what I'm going to eat - I don't have to worry about anything but cooking and putting everything together... and, maybe it's me, but I think grilled chicken, veggies (loves me some squash), and salads all taste better at camp :)

bigdog - It sounds like you have tried a variety of products. How does the Proti Diet lemonade compare to the Syntrax Nectar lemonade? Taste wise and if you can tell a difference in the protein levels. Is the protein oatmeal from Proti Diet plain or flavored? It's that good? I appreciate the advice before I going buying in bulk.

sonny - I am on day 8 now and am finally starting to feel better. My friend, who is also on MRC, said that days 7-10 were the roughest for her. That's when she indulged in 2 Milky Ways! After she told me that, I'm being very careful not to cave in on these last days on the blue sheet.

Bigdog- Can you tell me how many servings you get out of a 2lb tub of Syntrax Nectar? It doesn't say on Amazon. I'm just trying to figure out costs. I'm thinking it's about $1/serving, which is better than $1.50 for HNS's.

Thanks in advance!

I'm camping this weekend too and had been kind of worrying about the food. When I read this it dawned on me: if you don't take it, you won't eat it. We seem to have a lot of food rituals around camping for some reason, but I am going to change it up. For instance: he loves campfire cobbler with canned blueberries in the Dutch oven. So I will bring fresh blueberries for me. When he has a brownie, I will have a bar. I keep the house so clean of off-plan foods, I think he is looking forward to camping to "carb out" as he puts it. It is at a high elevation so will be cold at night (30s), which makes me want hot chocolate - need to remember an HNS cocoa. Once again, planning is so critical....

I have not been on the scales all week. It has been a relief to get off that rollercoaster of anticipation every day, but I also don't feel like I have lost anything. MetaBalance really feels like a lot more food. I have hardly eated off plan at all and have felt good physically. We will see how I do tomorrow. In a way I am not sure I care. I'm still waffling about where my goal should be and had wanted to get the bodyfat at 30 (I'm at 37), but I am growing tired of being so hyper focused on this.... I have so many events coming up that make losing difficult, sigh. This is one of those vulnerable moments when I could give it up. But I think it is better to have a goal (even if it is highter than i originally envisioned ) and feel proud of having met it that just peter out, don't you?

The 2 lb. (32 oz.) Syntrax has on the label...1/4 scoop, 130 servings. 25 cal. if you're using as a HNS, 3/4 scoop would be 75 cal. so the container would be about 43 servings per container. (is my math right? 130 /3 =43.3)
i actually use a full scoop so it's 100 cal. and 1 oz so for me 32 servings.
23 G. protein, 0 fat, 0 sugar, 0 carbs for 1 oz. if it's 3/4 scoop 18 G. protein.
The Protidiet Pink Lemonade is better than the Syntrax Roadside Lemonade in my opinion and sometimes i'll mix the 2 together... the roadside lemonade is more frothy when blended... it is good w/ fresca or diet Sierra mist...
the oatmeal w/ the dried apples and cinnamon is really really good! (indiv. packets) and the reg. oatmeal is good - just like oatmeal- i add splenda and cinnamon. i don't eat oatmeal that much - just a few times in the winter. and i used to make some MRC cookies. bleah, not good at all and when i made them ate all of them in the pan. hello? hot baked stuff even it's not good - yep, ate them all!
Diet Direct has all the nutritional info for all this stuff if you want to research (even if you order elsewhere) even has reviews which are great if you want to see what flavors people prefer.. you can also order the variety pack which gives you 13 different flavors for approx. $19 - great way to check them out before spending $30+ for the big tub. i keep those in my car and camper so i'm never out of protein if i need it :-)

Protein rocks :love:, carbs are the devil :devil: LOL!

Camaswa, if you lived closer, i'd drop by and make you take a long walk with me! then we'd stop at a downtown bar and you could have a glass of wine and i'd have a mich ultra. we would talk about how far we have come and that you wear a size 10! and prob. smaller! i'd say, wow, you look great in those jeans and have you been working out? you are so muscular and so motivated working out w/ your trainer. what? you threw away another box of godiva chocolate. Wow, you are way stronger than me, girl! and how many inches have you lost? that many? OMG, that is incredible. your high body fat if they measured it correctly in the first place which i seriously doubt is because you are well endowed. remember this discussion we had on the board? LOL! i hope im not making you mad and that you are laughing!! i'm menapausing too and just ask my DH, i am irritable, bloated and hate my hair, feel like im fat, blah, blah. he has to remind me how far i've come and hey look at me now!! :-) Celebrate your successes, girl, because i am your biggest fan!!!! and menapause is a b***h. makes you retain even more water. sounds like also when you weigh in, it's after work or even after a work out. i can weigh in the am, do a 4 mile walk, and weigh when i get back in and i'm 2 lbs heavier.
are you taking anything for menapause? my doc recommended EstroNatural (the generic from Walgreens that is similiar to Estroven Extra Strength) has B-6, calcium, black cohost extracts and is supposed to reduce hot flashes and night sweats. not sure if it will keep me from wanting to slap some of my coworkers but we will see......(and i'm a normally cheery person!)

Bigdog, Oh my god, you made my day! Gotta run to a meeting but I'm so glad I took a second to check back in. Hahaha. Thanks! More later.

Thanks Bigdog! With 43 servings a container, that brings it down to about 75 cents a serving (through Amazon)! I'm pretty stoked now. I kept sucking protein drinks down and visualizing money going down the drain. Using the Syntrax Nectar will help.

The money for all the HNS was a lot for me to get over at first but then I finally said it's not money being thrown away...It's money I'm using to better my health and there is no better way to spend it than making me healthy!

Fluffy - That's how I feel too. It is money well spent if I get results! And so far the results have been remarkable. There is not a day goes by that someone notices the change, and the brand new size 16 pants my DH made me buy are baggy now. Gonna have to shop for some 14's, and that puts a HUGE grin on my face :D.

Big Dog - you are a HOOT! I wish I could put a face to all the personality you put on here. :joker:

The inches are GREAT! Congratulations!!

Y'all be careful, and have fun. I can't wait to hear about your trip when you return. And as for staying OP...you GOT THIS!! :)

Just spilled vanilla pudding mix all over myself and kitchen *sad face*

Hi ladies--

FYI, here's the email I got from MRC about my complaint on the yucky cocoa:
Thank you for your comments concerning our cocoa product. We are very sorry your experience was not the best. As you noted we did change the formula, and while the product is perfectly safe to use the flavor key is not right. We are correcting this, and will have a shipment to our centers very soon. When the new shipment arrives please contact your center for a full exchange.

I went ahead and exchanged my 4.5 boxes of cocoa at my center today for two boxes of high protein shake mix--my site manager agreed to do it since I've been a client for 2 years.

I also mentioned to her that I'm 1 weekend away from completing my yoga certification, and that I'd be willing to teach an intro to yoga class at the center if she'd like. She got all excited, and the 2 women standing behind me in line immediately said "I would definitely be interested in that!" So, it's looking like I'll start the first Saturday in July. We didn't discuss details (frequency, etc.), but it sounds like she'd like to have me do it weekly. I don't know that I'm willing to do it that frequently without getting some kind of compensation (it's a bit of a hike to the other side of town for me, so gas and wear and tear on my car), but I certainly don't mind doing it a few times.

I started my certification program because I want to bring yoga to people like I was--overweight and/or injured or physically limited. These are the people who are usually too intimidated to take a yoga class in a gym or studio, but they are the ones who would likely benefit the most! My first two teachers believed in me and provided me lots of support and modifications until I was strong enough to do it on my own, and I want to do that for others. So I'm excited to be able to do just that! :D

If you'd like an inspiring video about what yoga can do, check this out (be sure to have the kleenex nearby):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

L



That is funny...I got the exact same response from MRC regarding HNS complaint...word for word:). I hope we are being taken seriously.

Getting ready to turn in for the night; however, I wanted to thank all of you for prayers and kind words. We traveled about 715 miles (12.5 hrs) today and we do have numbbuttitus - yes that is a medical condition :tired:. Tomorrow is about 6 hrs. of traveling and we still won't be there - yikes. After we checked in we walked to Applebee's. Waitress asked how we were doing and I told her I would be a lot better once she delivered me Mich Ultra. Hope everyone has a great Friday.

teacherlady79- I have a friend on MRC that is about 300 lbs. I know yoga would help her with stress but it isn't easy for her to get into most of the poses. Awesome video. I'm sending her the link.. TY

I just tried the hot cocoa and you guys are right, yuck! It's almost as if it's slimy, really weird. After my vanilla pudding spill, I made a cappuchino "shake" and it was delicious!

Btw, I haven't had another official weigh in yet, but I've noticed I gained about a 1 1/2lbs after starting the blue menu. Did anyone else gain? It doesn't seem like I'm eating any more than the yellow menu, so I'm kind of surprised. Hopefully I'll drop it soon. I'm on plan and everything!

CAMASWA: I, like you feel so much better on the meta balance plan and staying off the scale at home (much less stress!). I may have mentioned this before but I have decided to start stabilization next Saturday whatever my weight may be. I am pretty certain I will not be at my goal weight. Maybe I am not supposed to weigh 160 at this point in my life or maybe I will drop a few more pounds in stabilization. It has been such a struggle to get to 167 - I am ready to move on and looking forward to stabilization. I actually am happy with how I look now (well, truth be told if I could have a tummy tuck that would make me happy! 4 pregnancies and c-sections have taken their toll in that region:p) I look at it like this.......I have also met 2 of my goals: size 10 jeans and off the high blood pressure med's. So, 2 out of 3 ain't bad! Anyway, you are only 2 pounds away from your goal weight and I think you should be proud of yourself right now.

Faerychic - I agree with you stabilizing now. If you are ready and it does sound like you are then go for it. The number on the scales isn't the ONLY thing that should motivate us. I think being happy with yourself is huge. Not to mention the clothes size and being off the meds are awesome! I started stabilization when I was about 6 pounds away from goal. I was and still am happy with my body and how I feel now. I have dropped a couple more pounds which is a good feeling but if I don't drop anymore I'm OK with that at this point also. I just WON'T let myself go the other way. You will enjoy stabiliation and maintenance.

Camaswa - I agree with you... planning is key. But, like you, I also think it gets soooo tiring focusing on body fat percentage... Mine is high too, but I've lost 77 or so pounds... went from a size 22 to a 9/10... and I have so much more energy! Focus on the positives my friend - do what you can with weights and stay with your lifestyle change, but be proud of where you have come from! You look amazing (I'm sure) and feel great... the rest will come.

Teacherlady - I admire your wanting to give back with the yoga classes - so inspirational! To pay it forward is a great thing...

Have a great weekend, guys! Onward!

I totally hear you! Congrats on having the clarity of mind to decide when enough's enough! You are very smart.

With July 4th coming up and a ton of bbqs going on, what is everyone's game plan?

This is good to hear YNAPIER that you have dropped a couple more pounds since stabilizing. I am hoping I can do the same.

Crossed Over
 

:cp:

I am very happy to report that as of last night, I have "crossed over" to that ONEderful place that is ONEderland!! I haven't been here since my daughter was 6 months old, and she is soon to be 19! I can't tell you what a big deal this is to me. All of the diets I have been on before got me to 200, but I could never force myself over into the 100's. I feel totally energized, and fully believe that I can make it to my personal goal.

BIG SHOUT OUT to the Auburn, AL MRC team. They are awesome!!

Way to go Sots mom!!! Congratulations!!!
It seems like over the years I would get to 185 then join WW, lose 20 to 25, the regain and start all over again. Lose. Regain. Lose. Regain. Then last summer guess menopause struck and next thing u know I was at 200. Felt like crap. Joined MRC and took it day by day. It's the best plan for me and I feel great. I am never regaining!!!!! Threw the yo yo away;)

Thanks Big Dog. My yo-yo is also in the trash. This year I reclaim "ME" and nobody nor anything is gonna stop me. There may be a few bumps in the road, but I am fully committed. This group has helped me a lot. I don't post much, but I read every day, and there are always "pearls of wisdom" that get me through whatever the bumps of the day are.

Another pound lost! Although, it's probably more as I was wearing jeans yesterday during weigh-in. The consultant said that jeans typically weigh about 2 lbs, so in my head, I'm down 3 :)

On my scale at home I'm at 189, which is a wonderful feeling, but I'll be most excited when I hit the 170s again. I was 175ish throughout summer last year and I rocked a bikini for the first time in LONG time. While my tummy wasn't perfect, I felt really good. I'm looking forward to pulling that bad boy out before the end of summer!

you are exactly right, Sots mom! it's about you, it's all about me and we all need to remember that! Ladies, Repeat after me!! let it be all about you!! :-)

i think as women we are so used to taking care of everyone else and put ourselves last sometimes. i'm lucky that my DH loves to cook and clean but i take out the trash, take care of our three dogs (GSDs), maintain the cars, do all the bills, taxes and work minimum 10 hours a day or more (sales, straight commission) - we dont have kids but take care of my elderly in-laws (dad in law- legally blind, can't drive, has cancer, mum in law- Alzheimers and crazy :-) - sorry she's always been crazy even before Alzheimers) my father also has Alzheimers and is 89 but so happy! and doing great. he does still remember i'm his favorite little girl - haha!!

i have no control over any of those things but i do have control over what i chose to eat and drink. Walking my dogs is my favorite past time! walking my DH is fun too when he's not whining about havin to walk - LOL!;)
ok, headed to the deck w/ huge glass of water and to read The Good Dog (great book!!)

have a great weekend!

HI, I'm new here! Did MRC a few years back and lost what I needed too. But since then my mom (89 yrs. old) has moved in and I've gained 40 lbs from mostly stress!! But I have decided to take back my life and my body!

I really am happy to be back. I wanted to reply to Sonnyrae who wrote:


Btw, I haven't had another official weigh in yet, but I've noticed I gained about a 1 1/2lbs after starting the blue menu. Did anyone else gain? It doesn't seem like I'm eating any more than the yellow menu, so I'm kind of surprised. Hopefully I'll drop it soon. I'm on plan and everything!

I started the same time as u and I feel the same way. So Keep on Keeping on!! I use the Syntax Powders also and they are great. They now have them in Latte Flavor. Can't wait to get mine.

I did read a post back in the beginning of this June Thread about Protein Bars matching MRC's. I found these at Sam's Clubs!! They match up almost perfectly!!

Pure Protein, High Protein Bar, 20g Protein
Calories: 180
Fat: 4.5 g
Carb: 17 g
Sugar Alcohol : 4g
Protein: 20 g

One thing I wanted to ask about them???? When we use one the protein snack bars, what do we eat with it? Vegies???

Thanks and SOOOOOOOOOOO happy to be BACK!!!!

Aprons -- I was told that if I ate a protein bar at lunch to have a veggie with it. But, if it is for breakfast, it with a protein drink is ok. I don't think we are supposed to have one for dinner, but in a pinch I would also eat a salad with it. Sometimes it is the best choice we have!

I'm wondering if anyone else struggles with wanting a snack? I'm sure that I'm not the only junk food junky on here! But today I really struggled. Maybe it was because I walked down two or three candy aisles in the stores and walked by the bakery in the grocery store. I used to buy (and consume mainly by myself) tons of junk. Now we can't even have popcorn! What do you all do? I ended up going outside to water my garden and stayed out there longer than I had intended just because I didn't want to come in the house and be tempted by something. Well, I ended up caving in anyway. I don't have any junk food in the house, but ate 1/2 of a caramel nut protein bar just because it was the closest thing that I had to real chocolate in the house. I've been on the diet for 2 weeks and seem to struggle every other day! I sure wish that I had never gotten so addicted to junk food!

jlpNebraska -- Yesterday was tough for me, too. Had 2 Fathers' day dinners. But, one thing I do is drink a protein drink if I am hungry. MRC told me to eat a low-fat string cheese or some veggies. I have found if I will eat some protein and drink a glass of water the craving will diminish. Sounds like you handled it pretty good. You removed yourself from where there was any food, and you ate some protein. So, don't give up! I have really only had about 2 times that I was really hungry and was told to take my Big 3 a little earlier each time. That really helped. But, you can do this!Remember it took a long time to get where we are, and it will take a while to be where we want to be.

I hear you on the junk cravings... You did the right thing with removing yourself from the situation. Even if you had 1/2 a bar, that's still not horrible. Learn and move on. The thing that helps me the most is making sure I get my water in. I try to do 30-40 oz between breakfast and lunch, 30-40 between lunch and dinner and 30 after... (we have early dinner).

I'm a little more relaxed with my eating, but that's changing this week... I need to re-commit to watching every bite, not snacking unnecessarily and journaling like a crazy woman. I think that, if I'm honest with myself and write EVERY bite down, I won't eat as bad because then it's staring me in the face...

Did HORRIBLE on plan yesterday... hubby wanted Chinese for his Father's Day lunch. We hadn't eaten chinese in over a year (our kids were super excited) but, by last night, I remembered why I can't eat it anymore... ugh. Acid, stomach aches... pure yuckies, folks... I'll remember that lesson for a while!

Sotsmom- congratulations! That is fabulous! There is just something about that number 200 that is so psychological. I've been there, and was very close again before I got a grip. Love the idea of throwing the yo-yo away! I fully intend to do that as well!

Camping trip this past weekend was easier than I thought it would be. I didn't take the usual treats and with lots of good veggies and fruit, I did just fine. Although i didn't get much exercise- the campground had a sign posted about bears so I decided to stay on the road for walking by myself while the man was out fishing. Narrow shoulder and I didnt enjoy it, so came back. Instead laid around and read that book everyone is talking about (come on, ladies, you know the one).

Last Friday they did measurements and I haves lost 46 inches total. That's insane. Funny to realize that EVERYTHING gets smaller- like your neck and your knees!

Ummm yes, I do know the book you are talking about. I have not read it myself but my girlfriend was reading it on our Vegas trip and read a few paragraphs to me at the pool........:o

46 inches lost is impressive! The weight training is paying off - I had mine done on Saturday and am at 39 inches lost. Funny you mention the knee measurement - apparently mine has increased a bit and my counselor just could not understand why. Finally told her I don't care about my knee measurement - don't worry about it! Now if it was my waist..........:p

Faery, well, I can't say it's a great book (or even a good book, truthfully) but I definitely see why everyone is reading it! And there IS a plot, albeit totally implausible. I was going to stop after the first one, but my hairdresser told me a few things about book 2 that got me curious. Now I guesss I will have to go on to book 3.

How weird your knee measurements increased! And I'm with you-who cares! My waist has gone down a total of 7 inches. Summer pants I took camping would barely stay up. I am doing all manner of ab exercises with the trainer but not so much on the other days. I just don't push myself like she does. I wish trainers were not so expensive - I would have one 3 days a week if I could!

WOW, all of your Inch Losses are GREAT!! I just started at the Gym 3 weeks ago. Can't wait to get measured. Some pants are fitting much better. So I know it's working. I hear ya about having a trainer 3 times a week. That would be really nice. I have mine 2 times a month. What are u all doing at the Gym? I would love to know!!

Apron, we do something a little different every week, but always runthroughjust about every major muscle group. 20 minutes of interval cardio first on a spin bike, sometimes step aerobics, whatever. I did kickboxing for a while, but not enough to get good at it. I like old style freeweights and traditional exercises. I bought Brazil Butt lift DVD, but it is too hard to get through. I try it every few days.