Goneforgood - you're so close! And it sounds like your head is in an awesome place for it. I hope those last 6 pounds just melt off for you!

Tara, I think extra water will benefit you. My center said to aim for 96 to 100 oz a day. I've been getting 116 most days. I feel like I'm in the restroom at work all. the. time. But I tell myself I'm peeing out more fat every time I go.

I'm taking Phentratrim, Cortatrim, MRC-C, and MSM. I started the Phentratrim first and noticed its appetite suppressant qualities right away. It was a small miracle to not think about food constantly while "dieting." I started Cortatrim just a few weeks ago and I looove it. I've definitely had visibly noticeable shrinkage in my midsection and it totally tames my stress levels. I didn't even realize how naturally stressed I was until I wasn't anymore. I still get stressed, of course, but I can handle it better. I've only been taking the MRC-6 for about a week and haven't noticed anything resulting from it. And then the MSM I started taking in the beginning with the Phentratrim and I noticed definite tightening of the loose skin I still had left in my belly from being pregnant 2.5 years ago. I really do think the supplements are aiding my weight loss. I also really wish they weren't so expensive!

I've been doing 4 HNSes from the start and every once in a while I manage to fit in a 5th in the evening. It's tough, though.

Food for thought of some of you that are struggling.. I read some of the postings and I really feel for you. Here are some things I did that made me get to maintenance..

I never went off program. That was a promise I made to myself. I travel alot for business, and trust me that was real difficult, but I did do it. Vacation, same thing. I had many times of crying, as I was so upset that I could not eat what everyone else was, but I got over it. It was a weak moment, I guess. Who knows, no one can say dieting is easy, as it is not. It is a challenge.

I journaled every day what I put in my mouth and the exercise I did. This is sooooo important. I work many hours a day, and I walk every night late for an hour with my husband, that is about all I could fit in, but it was the best I could do.I also weighed everything I ate. When I was on vacation, or on a trip, had a good idea of what weighed what after awhile, and if not sure, tried to eat less. If I could would call the restaurant before I went and talk to the manager to see if they could make me a meal to my liking and 99% of the time it worked.

If I gained, went back to my journal and try to find out what I ate that may have triggered it.

One of the most important things, I found with me, is why did I want to eat the wrong foods? This is soul searching in a way, and many many times I was tempted, and felt sorry for myself when I did not eat it. For me, I found out how much I was previously eating food to "feel better" when I was down, depressed, stressed, etc. My life is very stressful, sister with cancer, my young daughter had a stroke and has two children, and I run a full time business, so it was easy to say poor me and feel sorry for myself, as use that as an excuse to eat the wrong things, and I was tempted, trust me I was.

I have actually had a cookie ready to go in my mouth, and I stopped and this depressed me so much, that I could cry.. Then I found that I would have an attitude about it, to the point my husband would say, what did I do? That cleared my head as it was not his fault I was on a diet and had weak moments and not his fault that I could not eat the cookie.

So, it will all work out. And the best thing to do if you do go off program, go back and find out why , see your feelings at that time, and see if you can get past that . And get right back on. That is important. You went off, forget about it,and start back on track. Do not beat yourself up. Do not let that episode of eating bring you down. Just forget it.


I hope this helps someone who is struggling and feeling lost and angry at themselves. Don't.. You will make it. I promise, just stay with the program, and it really does work if you work it.

Patzi

Thank you for your advice, Patzi.

I mainly struggle at this point with how in the beginnning, eating out was going to be ok, didn't need to take supplements, weight was just going to "fall off...." etc...Now that I have been at this for going on 12 weeks, it is don't eat out, it is crucial to be taking supps, and of course that 1-2lbs is pretty slow weight loss.

I do find myself getting resentful, then I feel frustrated, deprived, and later depressed. I can usually perk back up pretty quick realizing that the "center" isn't what matters...it is me. This is all about me and my personal journey. I need to do it for me...etc...Also, that while the MRC "check ins" are in place to hold us accountable, I mostly need to be accountable to myself and my God who is guiding my journey. If we don't have the strength alone, that "cookie" in the privacy of my own home when noone is watching will win every time.

I have never heard of the "MSM??" supplement? What does that do?

Tami

Patzi~ Thank you so much for sharing your testimony and being transparent. It is so validating to hear your personal journey and words of wisdom. To me it's one thing to hear the consultants story, but it's even better to hear someone like you who is currnetly working the program.

At today's WI the consultant I had (for the 1st time) recommended that I try the Phetatrim. She said it would help get me back up to losing at least 2 lbs a week. She also added, "it is the cheapest of our suppliments". I gulped when she said it's 70 bucks a month!
Phetatrim~ is there a cheaper brand at Walgreens/Walmart that I can get?? Does anyone highly recommend this product for speedier weight loss??

Thanks!!

Hi Connie~ I have been on Phentatrim since the start, and have always lost 1-2lbs. I am off of it now, and on Enhancer, which they say these two should be alternated. It is more expensive, and I am still averaging the same. Likely affects each person differently.

My family wants to go to the "Drive In" tonight. How do I do this? I can eat dinner before I go, but I will be up until at least 1am surrounding by snacking etc...not sure about an average persons willpower in this!! Help please!!! Even if I brought high protein snacks, I am still not supposed to eat in the evenings!

Tami

Connie...
When I took Phentatrim, I never lost more than 1 pound a week. It did curb my appetite, but I only take it now, if I have a bad craving. When I found it did nothing to make me lose weight, per se, I did not take on a regular basis.
I cannot say it is for speedier weight loss, but that is me, everyone is different. Teacherlady took it also, if she reads this she may have something to say about it. Now, that I think of it, I even went into a stall when taking phentatrim, but again, each person is different.

Patzi

Patzi, those are very wise words. Thank you for posting that.

I've been taking Phentratrim from the beginning so I don't know how my weight loss would go without it. Sorry, I'm no help. :-(

I do NOT want to cook tonight. I really really really want Thai food but peanut sauce is not on plan. Suppose I'd better suck it up and figure out how to make those chicken breasts in the fridge appealing....

Patzi, thank you for your post. Definitely some "food for thought" for many of us. Well said!!!!

Scales are continuing to play nice. I can't wait to sign the 40 pound board.

Great food for thought, Patzi. Thank you for continuing to be such an active member of this forum, even through your maintenance journey. I appreciate your insight.

The scale finally moved a couple of pounds thanks to 3 days of MQ!!

I am Celebrating my birthday today 22 lbs Lighter!! I have learned that it is about a Total life-change, not just about the loss of weight.

I want to thank you all for your openness and honesty on this board, it helps me keep going in both the good times and the tough ones. I am watching so many of you make it thru the struggle, be successful and reach your goals. I now know that I too can do it! That's the best gift I can recieve today.

~Connie~

Happy Birthday, Connie, and congratulations on being so much lighter.Great feeling isn't it.. Enjoy your day.

Patzi

Way to Go Connie. What is Metaquick? Is that more shakes instead of food? Don't know yet because they haven't suggested it.

Happy Birthday!

Congrats on all the other losses out there. Today I head off for vacation to Sunriver, Oregon with my extended family. Lots of eating, but my bag is packed with all my supp., drinks, and bars. I know I can do it. I also know I won't be perfect but I plan on working walking, biking, and swimming like crazy to make up for it.

You can do it Brandy! Just let everyone know that you are close to your goal and you don't want to blow it. Enjoy your vacation.

MetaQuick is the meal replacement shake and/or bar for breakfast and lunch (w/HNS) and then the reg dinner menu. The consultants hadn't recommended it yet, but I had 2 or more weeks of the scale going up and then down. For me, it was more of needing a psychological boost because I was getting very frustrated. I found MQ to be a little tough and I'm glad I did it on extremely busy days, so I wasn't constantly thinking about how hungry I was.

Happy Birthday Connie!

Happy birthday, Connie! And congrats on 22 pounds! I'm glad MQ got you the results you needed to see! I definitely understand that brand of frustration.