Wow thanks everyone for their insight on cheating. I have so many special events coming up this summer and I just want to prepare myself. My first event is a very special bachelorette party coming up on May 23rd. I won't be at goal weight by then but hopefully close. If I can be at 146-148 by May 23, I'll probably gain 5 lbs so back up to 153. Then my goal is to be down at my goal weight by 6/6 for the beginning of non-stop special events. I have an event on 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 7/11, 7/12 and 7/18. Lots of wedding and special milestone birthday parties. I plan to cheat on those days but only for the events. The rest of the time I want to be 100% OP. All I need is to be at goal weight by end of June so that I can attend the June stabilization class. I'm hoping!

Hi Kristalin,

Sorry to hear you had a bad day on Sunday. I had a horrible day. It started out bad and just never got any better. I stayed OP, just horrible in other ways.

I had a WI Friday and although I lost, I was told I wasn't losing as much as I should. It was frustrating because I have stayed OP. I think that frustration started my day on Sunday and then the puppy got my new cell phone and it just kind of kept going. I baked a birthday cake, about 80 cupcakes, never even licked my fingers. I was tempted but something inside just said to not even start. I think with the mood I was in, if I had started I might not have stopped any time soon. My youngest turned 8 on Sunday.

Hope your week has improved. I have one more late night tonight taking my last final, then I can at least have a break from school. I'm going to class tonight as well and hopefully will have a better WI.

Take care and stay strong.

Teresa

I must admit I looked at your foods for the past two days and on paper it sounds REALLY good! I wanted to ask have you tried the Aunt Millie's 45-cal bread? If so, which do you like better, Sara Lee or Aunt Millie's? I've been using Aunt Millie's but I've ALWAYS bought Sara Lee previously. I'm also curious as to what the actual meals are that you have prepared for your lunch/dinner. I'm always looking for new ideas since I'm somewhat of a picky eater. Thanks for sharing!!

Do you like using Fitday? I think it might be fun just to see how many calories I'm actually consuming in a day.

I haven't tried Aunt Millie's...maybe I'll look for it next time I need bread (I have a whole loaf of sara lee in my fridge. That will last me forever!). I use a lot of recipes (modified sometimes) out of the cookbook. I really like the chicken taco salad, chinese chicken salad, stuffed green peppers, chicken/veggie casserole and zuchinni lasagna.

I love using Fitday. I've been using it for 4 or 5 years now to keep track of calories consumed. It really helps to stay on track. Before I joined MRC, I was actually quite "healthy" since I actually ate pretty good (basically what we'll all be eating during stabilization and afterwards) and worked out 2 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. I joined MRC because I was stuck at 172 even though I ate well and worked out so hard. I think this program is helping to sort of reset my metabolism, which is exactly what I needed. Plus, I've already lost close to 20 lbs so that's a plus! 10 lbs more to go.

Hey all.

Newbie here (to posting on 3FC anyway, I haven't quite got as far as to commit to MRC, though I have been lurking around reading posts about it for quite a while).

I imagine that I won't even go in for the consult until after the second week in June due to traveling/funds... But I was wondering. How hard is it to keep everything fresh.

Might not be that hard if there are other mouths munching food items on the side, but I am just asking 'cause it is just me and even the non-healthy things I have laying around usually don't keep until I finish them (bread especially).

Are the meal plans rather easy to shop for? Or is it a little of this, some of that, out of a whopper of a jar/package (For example, maybe three slices of bread a week or something like that where the rest of the container may go bad before it is all used up)?

Side note:
I wonder if Squid would be OP eventually. I have such a craving for it sometimes. At least I like it better not fried.

Welcome! I plan my meals a week in advance...make my menu for the week shop on Sunday and prepare anything in advance, cook chicken and freeze in 4oz bags, I keep my bread in the freezer and only take out one piece at at a time...it keeps for a good couple of weeks. Preparation is the key for me on this diet, I have a very busy life (I know we all do) but without knowing what I am having I would just eat whatever I could find...I also plan meals for my family too, I love my crockpot! Had it for 15 years and only now I am using it weekly for my family...It makes my life easier...

Hi everyone...wow I was lost when I couldn't get on for a couple hours earlier...it was like a bad dream... where are my 3 fat chicks!!!

Anyway, you are all back and that is the important thing!

Ok I am on day 3 now of the program and as a reminder I am on the Yellow menu which I figured out today is approximately 800 calories a day. That isn't much but only one more day until I can got to the blue menu. I can't wait for that morning egg! All this cheese is getting old. I have 3 questions for you seasoned pros...Sorry if I am being gross but the first 2 days OP I had terrible diarrhea! It is finally better today but did anyone else have that problem? It may have been my body's shock at all the fresh veggies! 2ndly- I have been extremely hungry even with extra protein supplements, is there a supplement that I need to consider from the center to curb appetite and if so, which one or should I wait for blue menu and see if that is more filling for me? Thirdly- I have been so tired, I have no energy and have been ready for bed by like 8! Is this also just a side effect of the low cal. diet? Sorry to ask so many questions, I just so want success and I thought maybe some of you could offer me some advice...thanks!
The good news is that despite being so hungry and tempted I have stayed 110% OP I have not cheated at all (I am proud of me!)

Teresa -

Sorry you had a bad day too. I can't believe they said you aren't losing fast enough?!?!? It is soooo hard doing the twice a week WI because one day you can lose and then not show anything for another week. Hang in there and don't give up. I got to WI but missed class, traffic sucked tonight I didn't lose anything but I didn't gain either, so I consider that a win. Good luck with your finals.

Hang in there too

hugs

Hello everyone...well...I had planned to join on Monday, but didn't get off work on time....so when I called today, the person I had my first consultation with had already left, and I really wanted to stick with her....so they said I have to do 3 days of preconditioning before I can go to the first class, so I now have to wait till the following week. So I might as well wait until Monday now to sign up....I have been following kind of the pre-conditioning routine...I gave up caffene and have been eating lots of salads and veggies....and tons of water...so I have lost 8 pounds just since they weighed me in at MRC.....now I wonder if this is just something I can do on my own by just making some of the recipes and buying some protein drinks that are in the store. I guess I will know more by Monday what to do....I had all planned to join this Monday and blew that one....I'm afraid if I keep waiting, I will talk myself out of joining....plus the fact I'm doing pretty good on my own, except I have done that before, and it didn't last...I need the support of MRC, I'm sure of that. Anyway....I am still reading and posting one here because the best advice is right at my finger tips...(no pun intended).

Another question....it said to use spell check I have to download it...has anyone done that? I'm very virus shy, so I always hate to download something I'm not sure of.

I couldn't imagine having to eat cheese for breakfast, ick, and not having my eggs! I would miss them that's for sure!! You should ask your center about something to curb your appetite. I use the All Day Weight Loss which I believe is an appetite suppressant/thermogenic. I must admist last thurs/fri I felt hungry, but that feeling has passed thank goodness. And my first 3-4 days in pre-conditioning I was SO irritable, grouchy, tired (just ask my hubby). I haven't felt like that since.

Congrats on not cheating! That is a big hurdle and you should be very proud of yourself!

Well, I 'think' my plateau has finally cleared. I've been 203-203.5 for the past 12 days and this morning (lucky day 13) I weighed 201.5! I was so excited so that just makes me want to keep going, even though I had cheated twice.

fiftieslady,

I didn't know there was a spell check and I'm like you, I would be hesitant to download it as well.

Congrats on losing the 8 pounds!! I probably would have the same thoughts about doing in on my own, but I think I eventually would give up since I didn't have the center to hold me accountable at WI's. Just my own two cents.

Is it just me/my computer, or can you guys not see many of the tickers anymore since the system maintenance yesterday? I can now set up my ticker, but I can't see the sample images either. Is this just a problem with my computer?

You might try the fiberful for hunger. I believe that you can have up to three a day of those as well. I never have that many...usually one if any. Now keep in mind that it is extra fiber so you might want to hold off until your first problem is gone!!

When I first started this diet I was EXTREMELY tired for about a week. Like no energy to get up from my desk and walk to the restroom tired. Now I have tons of energy and feel a MILLION times better. Hang in there. It is your body adjusting and going through detox.

There are people who do it on their own. I wouldn't be successful at it. I need the accountability and quite honestly I need the "cheerleading" aspect of it that they provide.

My computer is the same way, I can't see the tickers either. They were there before the system maintenance but I can't see them on my work computer or my home computer. I even checked User CP and I can't find a way to fix it.



It is completely up to you but it really doesn't matter who you see when you get signed on. The guy that signed me up is not even at the center anymore, he's been gone for a couple of months. My center has had alot of turnover as alot of businesses do, there are not many there who were there when I started in January. If it was me I would probably get to know a few people before you decide who you want to "stick with". The main thing is to get started as soon as possible and not wait another week. Also, I would not do it on my own, I would want the accountablity that the center gives you, the classes and the support are important in the beginning. The twice a week WI's give you accountability to stay on track. You are going to hit a plateau.....we have all been there....they can help you through that. I know the cost is high but isn't it worth any amount of money to lose weight and feel good?

About the spell check....I didn't download anything, like you, I don't like to download things because of viruses!


Take care!
Mel