Summer Sabotage
 

here's a great article from an email i got from WW... (i subscribe to WW, Hungry Girl and MSN) and receive all kinds of tips via email. i have to stay constantly motivated! Summer is the hardest for me which is prob. why i started with MRC in August (to get summer out of the way to commit)


Summer Sabotage

Try these tactics and keep the "light" season from getting heavy.


Appetite tends to decrease as the temperature rises, so losing weight this summer should be no problem, right? Not necessarily. Unfortunately, barbecues, weddings, visits and vacations, this time of year can actually be a weight-loss minefield.


Food is often the focus of our summer entertaining, and it's easy to lose sight of how much you're consuming. When you're at a party, before you pick up a plate, scan your options, suggests Susie Klein, MS, RD. "Think about what you really want, then get a plate and follow through on those choices."

Size does matter, so keep portion control in mind, says Ellie Krieger, MS, RD. And while you may be tempted to take a vacation from sensible eating while you're enjoying time off, Krieger advises that you merely loosen up rather than abandon your diet plan altogether. "When you're on vacation, allow yourself a little treat." Here are five more strategies for staying on track all season.

BYO
When invited for to a barbecue or picnic, contribute a chopped vegetable salad or some other healthful dish. That way you'll know there's at least one item on the menu that's tasty, filling, and low in calories.

Sit down
Rather than grazing throughout the party, get a plate, take small amounts of the food you want, sit down and enjoy it. Calories mount up, one nibble at a time, when you're hanging out at the buffet table mindlessly eating as much finger food as you want.

Get moving
After eating, leave the table — and the temptation — and do something active. Take a walk on the beach, play catch with the kids, start a volleyball or softball game, toss a Frisbee or football. Take the focus off food while you burn away your meal.

Quench with care
On a hot day it's easy to down glass after glass of lemonade or punch, but unless you've made it yourself and know for sure, be aware that it's probably loaded with sugar. Summer favorites such as smoothies and frozen margaritas can also be highly caloric. The best way to quench your thirst is with water. Make it flavorful by adding slices of orange, lemon or lime.

Treat yourself
Delectable doesn't have to be decadent. Indulge with lobster (hold the butter) and other fresh seafood. Corn grilled in the husk is flavorful without added calories from butter. And it wouldn't be summer without watermelon. It's sweet, fun to eat, loaded with nutrients and low in calories.

Camaswa and Faerychic,
congrats on all the inches lost - way to go!!! maybe your knees are getting muscular so a couple more inches :-) i need to get a paper tape measure..the metal one is a bit dangerous! haha.
going camping this weekend fri to mon in the mountains of VA,meeting up w/ my family. planning on cutting up a bunch of veggies to put in camper frig - i know we'll have BBQ, hotdogs, hamburgers. im def. taking my mini blender and the Syntrax powder and case of water. will have to partake of some Mich Ultra too (did i mention i'm meeting up w/ my family?) i don't take drugs :-) so have to take some beer w/ me! LOL! we are planning on hiking to the waterfalls and since we are camping on the river side, it's a long walk or bikeride to the pool and fishing pond, so i'll be getting some good exercise in. 8 hour trip so will have some cheese string, veggies, fruit to munch on.... Tradition is we stop at McD's so we can get the dogs some fries and my DH a burger... i usually get the Happy Meal and give the fries to the dogs.. i love their toys!! that i keep on my computer desk :-) i did notice last time they gave me apples and just a few fries which was great thinking on their part!

About 3 months ago, Mickey D's changed their happy meals to include apples and a mini fry in them instead of a small fry and cookies. My son was so happy since he hated choosing between the fries and apples

got the Berry salad from Wendy's last night...not sure of the nutritional value...kind of scared to look! it's grilled chicken, blueberries, strawberries, almonds (of course you can leave those out but sooo good) and FF raspberry dressing. also have shavings of really good romano (i think!) cheese
it's better than a gourmet restaurant salad! at least around here in my small town. you alsohave the choice of getting a full or half size. i usually get the full size and save part of it for the next day. it really is a big salad!

bigdog - I saw that salad advertised at Wendy's and wondered if we could have one. I'll have to question MRC about it. Will Wendy's give you the nutritional info if you ask for it? I suppose that it's online somewhere too.

Today was a day of repeating, "Nothings tastes as good as skinny feels!!" I loaded up a huge platter with baked goods for a funeral and didn't even have a crumb!! I have noticed that while on the MRC diet I don't have the urges to cheat as much as I did on other diets. Maybe it was just the time of day though. I can pass on stuff in the morning, but bring it out at 5 p.m. and watch your fingers!

While I'm on here, I would like to warn everyone about the evils of the scale. Many years ago I lost 40 pounds and got on the scale about every day. When the scale didn't show me what I wanted to see, I got terribly depressed and once even threw the scale out the back door. Really! The mental stress of dieting evolved into bulimia and then I really had a problem. PLEASE, everyone, don't take dieting to extreme and don't depend on the scale so much. I suppose that a tape measure could be equally deadly. :) Take it one day at a time and if you look good, your clothes fit, and you are happy - things are going in the right direction. It's often a slow process and a new eating lifestyle that needs to be learned. It won't all happen overnight or even by next week. Just don't get phobic about losing weight. . . it can be a dangerous game.

Well, that all said, I'm wondering how you all find the energy to work out? I am still feeling fatigued and usually only have enough energy to complete the tasks of the day, let alone go to the gym. I'm on day 13 of the diet, so I keep thinking that the fatigue will go away soon. No luck!

And how in the heck do you all drink so much water? I have never been a water drinker, so 64 ounces is a lot. Rachels77 - you drink enough water to float a boat! I don't think that I could do it. I kind of feel water-logged at about 50 ounces! But trying to push through for the good of the diet. . . .

bigdog - I agree with the article's warning about summertime (or any time) drinks. You can consume more empty calories drinking things than you would believe.

Everyone who has posting lately seems to be doing a good job dieting. Way to go everyone! Keep it up! Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!!!!

jlpnebraska: I just recently stopped stepping on the scale every morning and feel much less stressed about whether I lose or not. I have never thrown the scale out the door but have given "the bird" to my scale when I didn't like what it read :^: As for exercising - I didn't even think about trying anything but walking until after i had been on plan for 4 months. In the beginning I was always light headed and would often get migraines. My center actually does not suggest anything more than walking for exercise. You should probably give yourself more time on plan to adjust to less food before you start exercising (or check with your counselor for advice).

Wendy's Berry Salad
 

[QUOTE=jlpnebraska;4376452]bigdog - I saw that salad advertised at Wendy's and wondered if we could have one. I'll have to question MRC about it. Will Wendy's give you the nutritional info if you ask for it? I suppose that it's online somewhere too.




here you go!
http://www.wendys.com/food/Nutrition...roduct_id=1428

half salad is 238 cal. and full size is approx 450. the cheese is asiago.
lots of protein! carbs are pretty high for the full size. check out the link above. prob. the dressing pushes up the carbs... what's cool about Wendys is that you can delete the ingred. you want to take out to fit your food plan.. i usually split and eat half for dinner and the other half for lunch the next day...

Everyone seems to be focused right now. We are in Canada for another 10-11 days. I'm not getting my usual 70-80 oz. water each day, maybe 50. The shoreline up here is not like in the South - it's all rocks so getting to shore for potty break is difficult at times. I did not bring a food scale with me but I think I'm doing well with portion control. I have been on diet since Sept. so I figured the scale was one less thing to pack and keep up with plus space was a premium since we boated in to camp. Hubby is out with guide today so I'm reading and getting caught up on posts. Good luck to all on your journey.

Thanks, bigdog, for the link to Wendy's. The salad is pretty high in fat, carbs, and sugar. I'm going to have my food science guru look it over and tell me what I should take out to bring those numbers down a bit. I just came in from mowing the yard and the whole Wendy's web site looks good!!

faerychic - Only weighing in twice a week could be a smart move if you were getting stressed with your scale. You are only 5 pounds from your goal and you can fluctuate almost that much in a day. Keep up the good work! I think that I might try to walk on my treadmill to start exercising. It's cooler inside and I can read while I walk on there.

jlp - I find that your body will get used to all the water. You feel super full at first, but then your body adjusts and you can't go without (at minimum!) 64 oz a day. At least, that's my experience. I usually get in about 100, more if I'm exercising.

I got to sign the 10 lb board today AND I'm finally on the green menu. I had cottage cheese and a peach for breakfast and it was the BEST. PEACH. EVER.

I ordered a bikini from Old Navy yesterday. 10 more lbs and I'm wearing it, whether other swimers like it or not :)

sonnyrae - Who cares what the other swimmers think! They will be looking at the smile on your face, not at your swimsuit!!

Ten pounds in ten days? Good job!

SonnyRae, I just love your attitude! Hey you know what? Ordering a bikini isn't a bad idea at all!. Congrats to all the inches and pounds lost everyone!

Ok I haven't dared step on a scale this week. This weekend was tough. We are in the process of moving no pots and pans and (eek) eating out. I did ok most meals with salads and chicken but I have to say my water intake was terrible and so were a couple of meals. Was it worth it? NO but now I feel awful.

Heading to MCR for a weigh in. It has been busy around our household, I am so glad I have my standby main foods, broccolli, tuna, chicken, apples, greek yogurt,melba, plenty of HSN's and bottles of water for times like this. I stay closer to program that way. I am finding summer harder for me with daughter out of school and my routines from school year are non existent. Plan on picking up half a berry salad after weigh-in. Thanks bigdog for telling about them.

JLPNebraska - Yep... I'm a water drinker. I try to keep a full container at my desk to sip throughout the day... If I don't have enough, I feel fatigued and usually gain. If you can't do regular water, some try lemon slices or something in it. And, I'm weird, but I can't hardly do super-cold water (hurts my teeth!). I floated alot before my body adjusted...

With the fatigue, I was pretty tired the first few weeks of the plan... I think my body was adjusting not having that afternoon sweet "pick-me-up" and the sugar I'd consume throughout the day. I also had headaches from caffeine withdrawal. Exercising in the morning usually helps me with energy, although most of my Zumba classes are at night. I try to fit in some morning elliptical when I've overindulged the previous day (last week was fried pickles... I know, I know :)

Sonnyrae - Congrats on the bikini! Work it, girl! I went to a waterpark with my kiddos yesterday and it was interesting to see how people chose to wear their swimwear. Having two kids, my tummy isn't up to par on the bikini, but one day. One thing I appreciated about yesterday was that, for once since I was 18 years old, I didn't feel self-conscious in my tankini. I felt good, I played with my kids and did a few waterslides ... and I.had.fun.

That's what this program has done for me... getting out there and getting in there with my kids, seeing my friends and family without wondering if they're thinking about what I'm eating or if I'd gained another 5 pounds, and finally... not being so focused on food and having that eating/guilt cycle... I feel great, I'm down from a size 20/22 to a 9/10 and I'm not burning up when I'm outside. And, I like how I feel... I'm not at the bodyfat percentage I want but you know what? That's okay... I'm living, I'm healthy, and I'm happy...

Have a great week everyone!

Good Morning Ladies!!
About the WATER!! I'm not sure what is the HSN's but they make me hit the bathroom tons!! Artificial sweetners usually do that to me. Drinking water too almost makes me want to strap a porta-potty to me. So I don't drink more than 20 or 30 oz. of water. I know they say drink drink it helps with the weight loss. But HOW?? How have noticed the difference? What advice can u give me?

It has been 3 weeks and I've lost 5 1/2 lbs.

Thank you soooo much Ladies!!

Got back a few days ago from vacation. Been completely off plan the whole time, but also walking at least 8 blocks a day to and from the hotel. It is hard to stay on plan when you are having to go to restaraunts with 8 other people and none of their restaraunt choices have anything healthy.

Now guzzling water and hoping weigh-in does not go badly. So tired!

Most embarassing moment of the convention? Being told I am wearing the wrong bra size at the chain-mail shop. But I got an awesome new top that fits really well.

Hey, Galadreal -

I used to sell bras for a living, including the bra fittings. Don't be embarrased... back then, about 75 percent of women were wearing the wrong size bra, so you're not alone. A new bra (if the fitting is done right) will make a big difference in appearance and comfort.

Aprons - I'd recommend keeping a bottle of water with you at all times. I even take a small cooler with water and have my own bottle where ever I go. I try to take frequent sips and drink 8 oz or so if I'm feeling hungry. I didn't drink much water AT ALL prior to starting MRC and now I feel tired and don't lose as much when I don't drink up... I'm not sure about why it helps with weight loss, I'm sure it has something to do with keeping cells hydrated and "flushing" fat. I definitely do notice a difference, personally, if I don't have at least 90-100 oz per day...

Ditto this. I used to gag on water, I hated it so much when I first started. But now I average 80-100oz of water on my non-exercise days, and about 120 oz on my exercise days. And yes, this means I have to go to the bathroom A LOT. I also never used to have to get up to potty in the middle of the night, but I have to get up around 2:30 or 3am every night now, like clockwork, to pee. It used to be even more than this, but I started restricting my fluids at around 8pm so I wouldn't risk having an accident in bed (how embarrassing would THAT be????).

And I was miserable my first couple weeks on plan. I was fatigued, irritable, and emotional. I think I was definitely going through a carb/sugar withdrawal, but also suddenly having to find another way of coping with my every day stresses rather than turning to food made me a bit of an emotional mess. Not to mention that I was used to eating meals I truly enjoyed, and the meals were very plain (and sometimes gross to me) at the beginning of the plan, so I was almost depressed about having something that I enjoyed taken away from me.

Which just makes me realize how far I've come and how much my mindset has changed. Now I look at food as fuel for the most part, and I don't have to always like it. Yes, I still splurge, and yes, I try to make my meals as delicious as possible, but I don't whine or complain when it's just plain chicken and veggies for the 3rd night in a row anymore, either.

Congrats on all the losses (pounds and inches), ladies! Keep it up!

Leg cramps!!!
 

Omg, they are getting SO bad. Last night one leg and foot, this morning the other. It's truly unbearable. Does anyone else have these and what do you do?

Rachels, it would not have been so bad if I had been going down, but before this diet started I was wearing a 42 DDD, this guy tells me I am supposed to be in an E. GAH!! On the plus side it fits so well I can totally see doing jumping-jacks in it (wearing it over the clothes, chainmail on bare skin = BRRR!!) He also told me that he offers lifetime resizing, so no matter how much weight I lose he will take it in for me, but it should be good even if I lose up to 4 sizes. I don't think my chest is going to get below a 12, so I think I am good on that front anyway.

I have already started planning out my Halloween costume around it, now I just have to figure out leather working and kick the program into high gear (NO MORE CHEATS!) so I will look awesome in it.

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions about the water. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has/had trouble drinking enough. I could drink 64 oz. of diet Mt. Dew without a problem in the past. You wouldn't think that I would struggle with water so much.

I think that I am also struggling with fatigue because I used to eat lots of sweet treats and many of times that is what kept me going throughout the day. My goodness, how awful is that??!! Again, glad to hear that I'm not alone in this new game of avoidance. I was (I almost said "am") also an emotional eater, teacherlady, and that is one heck of a hard habit to break. I know that food was my crutch. Maybe I could make it be water! :)

Anyway, thanks ladies for your helpful hints and commiseration. I weighed in at MRC today and wasn't very pleased that I haven't lost anything in the last 5 days. They are calling it a plateau, so tomorrow I'm starting to take the Big 3 and maybe add another HNS per day. Oh, and drink more water! It's only day 14 for me, so sooner or later this has to get easier. You are all testimonies to how well the diet works and your helpfulness on this blog is much appreciated!! I do agree with many other comments, that this blog is as helpful or more helpful some days than the MRC!

P.S. I asked my food science daughter to review Wendy's berry salad for me and this was her reply -
I just looked up the salad. You should be able to eat it if you take off the dressing (totally just sugar syrup), and the asiago cheese (high sodium, high fat). The fat is coming from the chicken (I'm sure they don't use the leanest of cuts), the cheese, and the almonds. The sugar is coming from the dressing (which is just sugar and corn syrup....basically candy), and the berries. Small amounts of carbs may be coming from the lettuce, and the chicken (those little processed chicken boobies contain modified corn starch).

Basically just ditch the dressing and the cheese and you can eat it. Therefore...you are eating lettuce with chicken, berries, and almonds. It might be more beneficial (and cheaper) to make this delicacy at home. But if you are stuck eating out, this is a good choice.

JLP - I struggled with water in the beginning also. I am up 100+ oz per day now and the weight seems to come off easier, AND I don't get hungry like I did before the big water push. Stick with it and increase as you can til you get up to at least 64 oz, more if possible. I think you will really like the difference it makes. :)

I just joined MRC on Monday and am in preconditioning this week, I go to the food class on friday, how much of a change is it to go from preconditioning to on program.I believe I will be on metaslim, is there limitations on exercise with this plan? I just don't know what to expect and am still quite nervous I have a good 150 lbs to lose to get to final goal weight. I guess I will find out on friday huh lol. I just wanted to pop in and say hi

If it's any consolation, jlpnebraska, the tendency is for everyone to stall out between day 14 and 30. It's just your body suddenly realizing "hey! changes! what the heck!" and adjusting to the change. If all you do is drink more water and truck along with the diet, you'll probably start losing again naturally in about a week.

Keep in mind that the weight losses on the scale are not going to be consistent week to week, even if you follow the plan perfectly. Once in a while, our bodies need to pause and readjust. It's just part of the process. If you're frustrated with a short stall like this one, just ask them to take your measurements again--usually you will still show a loss in inches, even if it doesn't show up on the scale, and sometimes seeing that you aren't truly stalling out, your body is still changing and reacting, is enough to keep you cheerfully marching on. :)

Thanks, teacherlady, for the cheering on! You are more motivaton than the counselors at MRC (I won't name names because you probably have met them). The problem that I can see with the two gals that I have worked with is that they have not lost much weight themselves. The best advice on anything usually comes from someone who has experienced it. You have obviously lived this diet and been very successful. Thanks for the motivation today!

Anyone else having sudden tooth pain when they started the plan? I don't remember this last time, but my teeth since Monday have been uber sensitive to cold (I have some sensitivity to cold, but not like this) and also sensitive to hot (never had that before). Wondering if the diet change is doing it?

Hey ladies! I'm hours away from joining MCR and I can't wait! Will be back later to post how it went. You ladies are awesome!

I doubt it!

My meeting today with the consultant was great! I was not pressured into buying anything. I will start pre-conditioning on Monday and the actual program next Thurday. Cant wait!

I agree. There's a couple of the gals there who just don't "get" it. They talk the talk, but they still don't actually understand.

Hang in there, though, because there are a few there who are absolutely awesome and great cheerleaders!

The program works as long as you work the program, and it sounds like you're doing everything right. You'll get past this stall and continue to see losses, I promise. :)

I can't remember who had the leg cramps, but that's usually due to a lack of potassium (which can happen when dieting). It happened A LOT to me when I was pregnant and I just ate bananas. We can't eat bananas, but you can probably get lite salt which is half Sodium Chloride and half Potassium. I guess it's technically not "on plan" but it's less salt than sea salt and an easy way to get in potassium. Disclosure: I am in no way a health professional so check with your doctor :)

In other news, another 1/2 pound down! My new bikini should be here today and I'm excited. If I'm brave enough, I'll add a picture :D

sonnyrae - I had leg cramps when I started two weeks ago, but they went away. I think that it had to do with my all-over feeling of fatigue. My arms also ached. I've never been a banana person, so can't imagine that I was missing the potassium. I have heard, too, though that bananas will cure achy muscles. I'm just glad that the feeling passed.

When I started, there was a conversation on here concerning Proti Diet products vs. MRC products. I recently purchased a big cannister of Proti Diet pink lemonade because it is much cheaper per serving than the MRC packets. It tastes about the same to me. Maybe a little "creamier," but that has to do with the type of protein in the drink (I think). I also got a box of Diet Protein To Go's mocha pudding and shake mix. If you like mocha flavored things, this tastes great! I was very surprised at the excellent flavor. Maybe I was just hungry for something "junky," but it hit the spot. I have a couple other Proti Diet products to try. More later on those.

I'm down another 2.5 lbs for a total of 32!!!!! Feeling very proud of myself.

We are traveling to Mobile tomorrow for my great-niece's 1st birthday party, and I am a little nervous. It's a pool party/grill out kinda thing, and from what I gather, there is pretty much nothing on plan available. My plan? I will eat before I go, and take my own water, and an extra HNS. I will also get to see/spend time with my oldest sister. I haven't seen her since her last diagnosis/surgery, and I am really looking forward to spending a little time with her. Every memory with her is precious.

Please pray for safe travel for us. Thanks y'all!

It has been a week or so since I posted. I have been SUPER busy beginning my Susan Komen 3 Day Training. I am walking about 15-20 miles a week now. Due to the change in my activity level, I was put on the MetaBalance menu. I have been a bit disappointed with my lack of weight loss over the past week since I went on the MetaBalance menu. I have only lost 1/2 lb. But, we did a full body comp and I have lost 2.5 lbs of fat. Apparently, the training is increasing my muscle mass, so my "weight loss" has slowed. But I press on....

SotsMom - Way to go on the 32 lbs! Also, great job on planning the water and HNS at the event. Go you! One thing that helps me if it's a potluck situation is to take something I can have... i.e. salad or strawberries or grilled veggies... just a thought, if you want to eat with everyone else.

Melissa - 2.5 lbs of fat is great! Proud that you are training and doing all that walking ... what a great cause and a wonderful way to treat your body to some extra movement... Way to go!!!

Just wanted to pop in and say Hi. I just did the food nutrition class today and started Metaslim level 1 today. I lost 3lbs during preconditioning so I guess that's a good start. I'm having a hard time believing that I can finally release all this weight.. it feels too good to be true

Another taste test result - MRC vanilla pudding beat Proti Diet.

Leg cramps- that was me. I started taking potassium supplements the same day I posted the question and it's getting better. I haven't woken in the night. When I wake in th morning I kind of feel like one or both calves and feet could cramp, so I get up and stretch right away. I hope this does the trick.

Hello everyone... Wishing you all a great weekend.. Congrats to all that lost .
Patzi