tkdtara84, thanks for the advice. I might try that if I don't see improvement by Monday.
little edie, thanks for the info and the support. Everyone in this forum is so supportive, I love it.
JenB72, way to go! I read that and had to get up for a walk. It's perfect weather here in Oregon, so I don't have an excuse. (sunny, mid 70's)
Junie04, I have several goals for every 10 lbs. pedicure, new bras, massage, new clothes.
LetHerOut, thanks, and I am so sorry about your grandmother. (((hugs)))
Congrats to all the losers and hang in there all who are dealing with struggles. It's nice to know we all have each other's back and can find support here. <3

I reward myself all along the way. Last time I did every ten pounds, but this time I'm doing every five. They're things like pedicures, facials, new clothes, etc. I got highlights and an undercabinet CD player already. Honestly, I might have bought those things anyway, but I ordered them/got them when I hit my goal, so it was a nice way to reward myself that had nothing to do with food.

Rewards aren't a necessity, but they do help me, and with pedicures, etc., it's good to do something nice for myself. When I get to goal, I plan to do some clothes shopping at some favorite and/or more expensive stores. Honestly, I think that's the most popular reward for most people. Presumably, you'd be staying at that weight and could invest in some clothes that you'd wear for a long time. Also, most people have been making do with ill-fitting clothes on the way down, so you'd need clothes at a goal weight anyhow.

I've blended the hot cocoa supplement with about 1/2 can diet cream soda and ice for a yummy, cold treat. I bet you could do that with the cappuccino supplement, too.

I rewarded myself at -60 lbs with a Kindle--I'd been wanting one for a long time. I meant to upgrade to a new android phone (I have a blackberry now) when I hit goal, but then we went out of town, and now I can't decide which phone to get or how much to spend. So I guess my new phone will be more of a "yay, I maintained (after stabilization) for a month!" reward, lol.

I had been rewarding myself along the way with massages or a new cute top or dress, too, at every 20lbs lost.

The ultimate goal reward for me, though, has been buying new summer clothes--and now, buying new work clothes for this fall. It's hard for me, because I'm not used to spending that much money on so many new clothes, but it makes me feel so good to go shopping and have such a huge selection of stylish clothes to choose from now. A little overwhelming, but awesome. Also, being able to buy cute stuff cheaply off the clearance rack!

I guess I'm in the category I never really thought about a reward either. I think I need to start doing that. Just not sure what.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

The last two times I went in for a weigh in, the scale didn't move and I was very disappointed, especially since I'd been following the rules to a T. The counselor knew I was disappointed, and told me to start taking two B6 a day, so I did. I also decided to stop eating cheese as my morning protein this week, to see if it helped.

That evening (Tuesday), after I left the clinic, my family went to Red Lobster to celebrate mine and my daughter's birthdays. I went completely off program and ate everything I wanted to. I made a promise to myself that once I walked out of the restaurant, I was strictly back on program. I kept that promise and reluctantly went in for my weigh in this morning and.........

.... down 2.5 pounds!! So happy! They measured me today, too, and I got my first ribbon. It's 14.5 inches long. I'm down 9 pounds so far and next week, I plan to sign the 10 pound board!

I've finally been a member of this board for long enough that I'm allowed to have signatures, so I'm hoping my ticker shows up when I post this.

Another idea I had that I hope others may be interested in, is if you'll look under my user name to the left of this post, I put the date I started this program. While reading posts, I'm always curious to know how long the person has been following the program.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend!

Hi ladies! I, too, have finally been here long enough for a ticker. YAY!

I am os glad I found this site. I am a newbee to MRC. July 2011 is my second month. I have lost 19.5 lbs and 39.5 inches. 10 inches on my hips alone. I am so glad to have begun this journey.....this seems like such a simple plan.

SW - 326.5
CW - 307
GW - 198

ginpea, 2.5 is great! It's good that you don't have to deal with the guilt of going off program and having a gain. It's great that you got right back on after you cheated. I think that's the big key if/when you do decide to cheat. Way to go!

Ginpea - That's great about your 2.5 pound loss!!!!

RaRaF & Ginpea - You'll also find your ticker to be added motivation. I love being able to adjust it lower after a WI. Call it a little reward.

Simplytrying - Welcome to the board!!! This place is a great source of support!!! Best wishes on your journey!

Havin' a rough week, but trying to hang in there. My weight went up 1lb and then back down. I stayed the same at Friday's WI. I know it's probably that my TOM is 2 weeks late, but it's still frustrating. Trying to drink more H2O but feel like I'm having to gag it down. On my home scale this a.m., it looked like I was down .5, so we'll see what Tuesday brings. Wish me Luck!

Simplytrying ~ 10 inches off your hips alone??!! Wow! That is AMAZING!! Keep up the good work!

Congrats to everyone who has been losing.

I'm down 3.5 this week overall. Thur I weighed in and was down 1.5 which was a total shock I went in after I'd been at the gym did my run/walk for 50 minutes. Plus I was bloated from TOM. Saturday I was down another 2 lbs. Again I went in after working out. They get upset w/ me because I come in after working out. It is easier after work for me to hit the gym first and then go to the center. The center is on my way home from the gym and with gas prices these days I try not to drive extra miles. Saturday's I'm not waiting until 10 to workout if I do that I won't work out. I need to do my workout as soon as I get up.

The consultant yesterday was really upset with my water consumption she told me I was drinking too much water lately. I said do you know what the temp is outside. The feels like temp in NE has been over 100 this past week. I work out and when I'm done I'm wringing the sweat out of my shirt and you want me to cut back on my water are you crazy. That is what I wanted to say to her, instead I just said right now I will not go under a gallon of water a day. Not when I'm working out an hour a day and the outside temp is over 100 degrees. I'd rather slow down my weight loss than risk dehydration or cut back on my exercise. Usually the consultants comments don't upset me, but she also accused me of being addicted to running. I held my tongue and said well let's go see what the scale says. The scale was down 2lbs in two days. I wanted to say Booyah take that.
Instead I put my shoes on gathered my purse and said well if you don't have anymore I don't need anything and I'll be in next week.

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday. I'm not very active, but I do read everyone's comments.

I can think of worse things than a running addiction. I don't know why they care if you drink a ton of water anyhow. Most of the time, their advice is absolutely right, but if you're losing weight, I don't see the problem.

Cappuccino supplement..
Is this in a package same as the hot cocoa? That with diet creme soda and sounds good to me.

cmmnsnsfml I drink 68-72 oz. water daily, sometimes more in heat if working outside.. Never let the consultant be upset with you.. I have learned this a long time ago. I always said, I paid for this program, I am doing my best and that is that, next subject.. Some of you remember what I went thru with them trying to sell me products each time I gained or had stalled. I bucked them all the way and still made it to maintenance. There were times they had me so upset I cried when I got in car and I put a stop to that fast.. Now they start if I gain, and I keep saying, I went 5 pounds under goal so I could have some freedom..They started on me last week, about gaining a pound, and I nipped that in the bud. It is difficult enough losing weight and no one needs their confidence taken away from them. Be your own advocate and you will be fine.

ConnieInColorado Hope things are better for you this week. Hang in there.

Simplytrying, welcome to the board. Wishing you all the success in your new
challenge

Ginpea, great weight loss, and good for you, going right back on the program. That is just wonderful.

Junie..
It is so easy to lose motivation so close to goal, but hang in there and try to be focused and come to the board and talk about it.. You have come a long way and want to finish Have you talked to your consultant about this? I have made maintenance, is there anything I can do for you to help you? If so, please ask.

Lostcause.. Making it to the half point is a great place to be and gives you the incentive to get to the end. Pat yourself on the back as you do so deserve it.

luvs2read79 Good weight loss.

If I have missed anyone, I am truly sorry.. I want to congratulate all the losers, and want to tell anyone having a problem or down about not losing, come to this board and talk to us all. I would not have made it if it was not for this forum.

Everyone have a wonderful Sunday.

Patzi

ginpea- I, too fell off the wagon last night at a party. There were no good choices, pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese balls, sweet potato fries, cake balls... Not a good one for me. I did limit to one glass of wine, 2 sliders, 1 mac and cheese ball, 1 cake ball. It is my TOM so I'm not looking forward to a weigh in soon. I'm drinking a ton of water today! And, I'm totally back on program.

I like the idea of adding the date to when you started. I started in July also. I'm going to try to add it right now.

I love reading all the posts and look forward to getting my ticker on the bottom soon.

RaRaF - Doesn't having a ticker make you feel more official? haha

simplytrying - Sounds like you're off to a fantastic start! I hope to follow in your footsteps. This is my first month.

tkdtara84 & JenB72 & patzi - Thank you for the encouragment.

ConnieInColorado - Is your period being late a normal thing? Good luck for Tuesday! Hoping for a good weigh in!

cmmnsnsfml - Great job on the 3.5 pounds!! I wish I was addicted to running. Or at least, to exercise. How much water were you drinking that they got onto you for it? I've been drinking 100-120 ounces per day and have received nothing but praise from the consultants. I don't plan to go over that amount, though. I do know that you CAN drink too much water, but I don't know how much is too much.

brandy8188 - I've saved you a seat on the wagon, so get right back up here. To be honest, I'd told my family that if I went in for another weigh in and there was no change, I was going to cheat to give my body a jolt. I felt like it would work because I'd been eating the same thing every single day. When there was no change, I decided I was going to follow through on the cheat. I was a little reluctant to go for my weigh in yesterday, just because I knew I'd feel bad if I'd actually gained, but was so happy to see the 2.5 pound loss. Especially since that was the first time the scale had moved in over a week. I'm not advising cheats, but I do feel like it worked for me. Don't dwell on the cheat, just get right back to the program and don't look back.

I'm so glad you put your starting date under your user name, too. I really hope this catches on!