I was taking many of those supplements before I started HM.

I was already taking a multi (7001), Cal/Mag, D, Omega 3/6/9 (EFA) and chromium. I don't use only the HM brand as they're quite expensive compared to say a health food store.

My mandatory products are the Chromagic and WM2000. I started taking the acidophalus because it helped big time with regularity. I also log everything into Livestrong and try very hard to make sure that I get AT LEAST 25-30 grams of Fiber every day.

I started the CLA six weeks ago and in that time I've lost about 11" overall. Yesterday was measurement day and I hit 58" total loss since March 17/10. I don't know if the CLA is making a difference or not as I am averaging about 15"/month. I have never used the F/B's but I do have a bottle of S/B's for nights when I'm going to have a few more drinks than the single allowance.

I don't really exercise that much. I do walk my dog for about an hour most days but other than that I have been a lazy girl for the last few months.

Here are a couple of typical menu days for me on QLP1:

Breakfast:
1/2 Cup All Bran (1 starch)
1/2 Banana (1 fruit)
4 Oz Skim Milk (1/2 dairy)

Lunch:
2 Slices "diet bread" (1 starch)
2 Tbsp Avacado (1 fat)
65g Fat Free Schneiders Lifestyle Turkey (1/2 protein)
1 Slice Fat Free Cheese (1/2 dairy)
1 Cup Shredded Cabbage (1 vegetable)
1 Tbsp Calorie Wise Coleslaw dressing (1/2 free exchange) yes I know it's supposed to be fat free, but whatever!

Dinner:
6 Oz Beef Tenderloin on the BBQ (1-1/2 protein)
1 Cob Corn (1 vegetable)
1 Cup Steamed Broccoli (1 vegetable)
1 Tsp Margarine (1 fat)

Treat:
1/4 Cup Rolo (no sugar added/low fat) ice cream (1/2 free exchange)
1 Cup Strawberries (1 fruit)

OR:

Breakfast:
1/2 Cup 1% Cottage Cheese (1/2 protein)
3 oz Non-fat yogurt (1/2 dairy)
3/4 Cup Raspberries (3/4 fruit)

Lunch:
2 Cup Spinach (2 vegetables)
1/2 Cup Blackberries (1 fruit)
2.5 Oz grilled Chicken (1/2 protein)
1 Tsp Olive Oil (1 fat) + Rice vinegar to taste

Dinner:
5 Oz White meat grilled Chicken (1 protein)
"My Favorite Rice"
1/4 Cup Brown Rice (1 starch)
1/4 Cup purple Onion (1/2 vegetable)
1/2 Cup Chopped Green/Red Peppers (1/2 vegetable)
Dash of low-sodium soya sauce to taste
1/4 Cup Canned pineapple tidbits (1/4 fruit)

Treat:
2 Slices "Diet Bread" (1 starch)
2 Tbsp Sugar Free Jam (1 free exchange)

I have loads of combos like that and have managed to make delicious tortilla free tacos, pasta free spaghetti, bread free chicken salad/egg salad wraps. I've gotten fairly creative in the kitchen and while most of the time I end up cooking different food for DH & DD I don't mind.

I'd love to share some more meal / recipe ideas with you all as I'm always looking for new ways to make this lifestyle change interesting.

Cheers,
Tamara

You're doing great! This is so inspiring.

I also wanted to ask you how you chose your goal, or if they chose it for you. I started at 230 also, and set my goal for 175 (goal date November), but I told the girls at my center I would re-evalute my goal when I got to my goal weight to see how I felt at that time.

On Wednesday I was switched to QLP1. Not a huge adjustment as I was having trouble getting in all the foods before.

Here's my typical day:

Breakfast
Smoothie (1 cup stawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 tsp peanut butter or 2 tbsps Udo's oil, 1/2 cup skim milk) (2 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 dairy)
3 Lifestyle bran crackers (1 starch)

Lunch
1 cups mixed greens (1/2 vegetable)
1/2 cup cucumber (1/2 vegetable)
2 slices 'diet bread' (1 starch)
2 eggs, 4 fat free turkey deli slices, or 4 oz chicken (1 protien)

Snack
1 oz almonds (1 fat)
1 yogurt (1/2 dairy)

Dinner
4 oz chicken, fish or 2 eggs (1 protien)
1/2 cup broccoli (1/2 vegetable)
1/2 cup sweet potato (1/2 vegetable)

Snack
Thinsations, Smart Pop Popcorn, Skinny Cow (1 free exchange)


It's usually something like this. Any thoughts?

Stella4: I noticed a couple of things that are a little out of whack. Maybe check your quantities on the following:

Breakfast: 2 Tbsp Oil? Not sure if UDO's oil is different, but 1 fat = 1 TSP Oil, not TBSP

Snack: 1 fat = 1/2 OZ of almonds, not 1 OZ

If you're taking too much fat it may be hampering your efforts!

Lunch: You're shorting yourself 1oz of chicken, a serving of white meat chicken is 5 ounces! Don't give yourself too little!

Dinner: 1 Veg = 1/2 Cup Sweet Potato or Yams, but you have 1/2 cup listed as 1/2 serving. Because of the starch you get less!

If you love squash, try butternut as it is 1/2 the calories of sweet potatoes and tastes almost the same. I use 1 cup of butternut as 1 Veg, but with sweet pot/yams I only use 1/2 cup as a serving which is what our books say for serving size.

Do you find that you're hungry often? Are you enjoying your meals? Do you find yourself getting bored?

I chose my goal out of thin-air (no pun intended). Most BMI charts tell me I should range between 110-140lbs. I chose 140 as that puts me at 24.0 and anything over 24.9 is overweight. I wanted to be in the "normal" range on a standard BMI chart. The girls at my center asked me if I didn't think that was too much as they think I'm already looking much better than I did at 220, but I'm determined to get to 140. I may even decide to go lower, but we'll see when I get there. I was 230lbs on January 1, 2010 and that started me on the journey I'm on now.

I had a bad weekend camping this past weekend and feel like crap because of it. It's the first time since I started March 17/10 that I've cheated like that and really feel like I've cheated myself, but I'm back OP 100% and plan on getting back on track and doing loads of exercise this week to compensate. I'm camping again the next two weekends, but I'll stay OP (except for drinks, but I'll have the light Mike's Hard Lemonade or Vodka & Diet Sprite) and be down on each Monday!

How was your weekend?

Tamara

Hi Tamara,

I was just reading your last tag....also looked at your stats. I think its kinda funny were in the exact same boat. I started at 230 and im at 190 right now. My goal is 150 though. Considering all we've been through and the transformations that have taken place I know I'll be happy once I reach that 150.

Just wondering how your finding clothes fitting? And not to be too nosey, but what dress size are you now? I find it varies from store to store? It's fun to try on new things though!

Hope to hear from you, Peg

Keep up the GREAT work!

oops! Just noticed your 51 pounds down...wow! AMAZING!

Hi Peg! Nice to see you back.

I have consigned most of my wardrobe and use the credit from selling my size 14 - 20 clothes to buy things that fit me now. I will continue to consign down to a size 8 and then we'll see.

I'm currently in a size 12 in most shops and even bought a dress at Ricki's week before last in a size 8! It's a beautiful fit and definately fits large. I'm in a Large still in most things, although have found that some things look better in a medium (I'm just used to hiding my body so sometimes it's hard to accept that the snug fitting medium is better).

My DH has started telling people that I'm just slimming down so I can buy new clothes! *Ha! I've always loved to shop but I find it much more fun now that I can shop in "regular" sizes and am not at the highest size. Even my feet have shrunk which is a real bummer as I have some really beautiful designer shoes in a size 8 that I can't wear anymore...now I'll have to go buy them in a 7.5! LOL

Here are my starting measurements as of March 17/10:

Neck 15"
Bust 47"
Shoulder 53"
Ribs 40.5"
Waist 39"
Abdomen 48.5"
Hips 50"
Arms 13.5"
Thigh 27"
Inner Knee 16"
Calf 17"
Ankle 9"

Here they are as of August 4/10 (week 21):

Neck 13" - down 2"
Bust 38" - down 9"
Shoulder 44.5" - down 8.5"
Ribs 35.5" - down 5"
Waist 32.5" - down 6.5"
Abdomen 38.5" - down 10"
Hips 43" - down 7"
Arms 11.5" - down 2"
Thigh 22.5" - down 4.5"
Inner Knee 14.5" - down 1.5"
Calf 15.5" - down 1.5"
Ankle 8.5" - down 0.5"

What about everyone else? Do you find the inches are sometimes coming off faster than the pounds? I have found that the CLA seems to be doing what it claims as sometimes I have 0.8lbs loss and 2.5 or more inches! I've thought about trying to find a less expensive source though as HM's products are more expensive than in most health food stores.

What exercise/activity does everyone do? I really want to start a boot camp but am a little worried about the cost vs. the benefit. DH says go for it! We'll see.

Still looking to see if anyone is interested in recipe exchanges/meal idea exchange as I'm always on the lookout for new and great things I haven't tried yet.

You're all doing amazing!

Tamara

Hi Tamara,

Im glad to be back. I posted replies in July but then nothing really happened...lol...so I guess I just stopped checking in. It's a wonderful feeling (at least for me) to no longer have to pick up the XL or walk into the plus size section. I've always been a larger girl my whole life and this is going to take time getting used to...however, I'm LOVING IT!

Went in for my weigh in yesterday and just under 190 (literally just under ) but I'll take it...another mile stone! Slow and steady we can all win the race!

It's too bad about your designer shoes... but like you said all the more reason to go out and shop some more.

I know that you are looking for some new recipes, but was wondering if you've ever picked up the Herbal Magic recipe book? I have volume 2 and I really enjoy using most of the recipes. For just under $30 this book will keep you busy. Also wondering what type of food you enjoy? Ital., Asian., etc.
I have a good recipe for a Italian meat sauce that I enjoy with no oil/fat and I usually add chicken to the sauce rather then lean ground meat (for a better choice of protein) Just let me know if you'd like it...It always makes me feel good when I eat it because its so tasty....not just another bland meal

Anyway, hope to hear from you again, Peg

Oh and about workouts....I just started the Jillian Michaels video 30 day Sculpt ( I think thats what it is). I am in complete pain right now, but I know that will pass. Just need to tone things up. It's great to lose the weight but then what? Kinda feel mushy

But wondering also what others do for exercise? I usually go for a 45 minute intense walk/jog everyday and now trying to add this workout video (as soon as I can move normally again )

Good Morning!

Peg: I would love your meatsauce recipe! I love to make all kinds of foods. I’ve experimented with variations of Italian, Asian and Mexican. I also eat A LOT of BBQ’d foods. I have both HM recipe books and my BFF just bought the BBQ book. She’s still got a few months on maintenance and she’s a lot more aware of what she eats now then she used to be. I guess when you spend the kind of money we all have on this program you want to make sure that it’s a long-term lifestyle change. More on the financial stuff later…

I know it’s terrible but I don’t really exercise! I know that’s bad but it’s hard to get motivated when the weight comes off regardless of activity. I know I need to start working out cause the flab monster is looming and I don’t like him at all! I just bought the Ab-Doer twist and I’m going to get serious as soon as it gets delivered, I also have a recumbent bike at home that I should be using! I also have the Beachbody Yoga booty ballet DVD’s but haven’t even unwrapped them! I’m SOOOO bad!

So I realized that I needed to stock up on my supplements soon and decided to do some research as the cost can be fairly high at HM. Here is what I found!

HM – CLA (42 softgels ) – 14 days @ 1/day $42/bottle
Jaimieson – Slim Down CLA (45 softgels) - 15 days @ 1/day $17/bottle
* Was taking 2 softgels 3x/day, but have decided to drop down to 1 softgels 3x day

HM – Calcium/Magnesium (60 tablets) – 30 days @ 2/day $16/bottle
Jaimieson – Calcium/Magnesium (200 tablets) – 100 days @ 2/day $5.99/bottle

HM – EFA (essential fatty acid) (? 30 softgels ?) – 10 days @ 3/day $26/bottle
Jaimieson – Omega 3/6/9 (180 softgels *special, usually on 150/bottle) – 69 days @ 3/day $12.99/bottle

So as you can see I won’t be buying any of HM’s supplements (except my mandatory ones) anymore. I’ll also check the Acidophilus and Vitamin D when I get close to running out. I’ll bet they’re much less expensive at the drugstore/supermarket as well. I’m also going to check and see if I can come close to replicating the S/B and F/B products with less expensive alternatives. The S/B product is mostly ginseng I think so it should be easy. Not sure…will let you know.

Anyhow that is what I’ve found and since I know that these products work for me I’m very glad that I’ve found them for far less money. DH is very happy too! Does everyone know what this means?

MORE MONEY FOR SHOPPING! LOL

Have a great day!
Tamara

WOW I'm back! Wedding planning takes so much out of me! But it's so exciting. On a side note, we booked our honeymoon to Cuba, we leave on the 30th of August for 8 days. Can't wait.

tamaraj, thanks for looking at my meal plan, I didn't realize I was definitely consuming too much fat. I'm also going to try butternut squash instead of sweet potato too.

I looked over your measurements, AMAZING! I find the inches dropping way more faster than the pounds, but my mom is doing the program too and she finds the opposite so I guess it's different for everyone.

For exercise, I have a membership at a gym that is very close to my house. Right now I've been going twice a week for aqua pilates (which I absolutely love) - it's an hour long class and very high intensity. The instructor claims we burn approx. 800 calories. Other than that I take my dog for walks, but I really should get to the gym more.

Thanks also for comparing the prices for HM products and Jaimieson. I want to try the CLA. I've heard a lot of good things.

Right now, my weight loss is on hold... I have two weeks until my wedding and if I lose any more weight my dress won't fit. I'm not suppose to lost anymore than 5 pounds (since the beginning of August) and I'm already down 3 pounds. But the girls at my center were understanding, but disappointed because I was doing so well. I'm still going in 3 days a week, taking supplements and following the program, but just monitoring.

Keep up the good work, ladies!

Hi ladies,

Tamara- here is the recipe you said you would like. It's really simple and you can either make it with lean ground meat or chicken breast. I usually use chicken.

It adds up as 1 protein, 1 starch, 2 or 3 veg (depending how much you want to put in) 1 dairy (if you add cheese at the end) and 1 free exchange

In a pan add 1/2 cup onion, 2-3 cloves of garlic, a chicken breast cut up in pieces, and water (maybe 1/2 cup or a little more)

Let that boil together until the chicken is cooked. Then add all your veg. I usually like to add red and green peppers, mushroom, tomato, but you can't go wrong with whatever you like. Then add tomato sauce (1/2 cup of Healthy Choice).
Then last add the seasoning: 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. Basil
pinch of chili flakes
Black pepper to taste
Mix is all up and let it cook on high heat (with out the lid) until thick. (might splash a bit )
Then add your cooked pasta into the pan and turn off stove... (but let it sit on the burner for about 10 minutes)
Add cheese before serving if you like!
(***if at any point the sauce is sticking to the bottom of pan just add some water. I don't use any oil in this recipe to avoid a fat and you don't need it)

I hope someone tries it out....I know I like it alot!

LOL! Where did everyone go?

Hello everyone. I have never blogged before but I came across your site and it is just so inspirational that I couldn't help myself.

I joined Herbal Magic (QLP4) on July 26th and my starting weight wss 169.5 lbs. I hope to reach my goal of 130 lbs before December 14th.

So far it has been slow going and it didn't help that last weekend my niece got married and I gained back 3lbs of the 6.25lbs that I had lost thanks to a few drinks and a piece of wedding cake.

Being a "newbie" I am still finding it difficult to eat all the food that they have allotted me each day. It is going to be really difficult because I have never believed that you should eat unless your body tells you it is hungry. Does anyone else feel that this is just way too much food or is it just me?

Hi Girls:

Peg: Here I am! LOL Sounds very similar to one I make now but I'll try it!

valleygirl123: Welcome! I started at QLP2 (219lbs) and when I started hovering around 190 and not moving they dropped me to the QLP1. I don't find it's too much food but I also find that I've NEVER hungry! I eat three meals and two snacks most days and it is working great for me. Everyone is different and if you're finding it too much food maybe consider going for the more dense foods. For example 1 Veg = 1 Cup broccoli or 1/2 Cup squash. 1 Dairy = 1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese (but it's only 1/2 a Protein if you use it as a P). What category do you find you're having the hardest time getting them all in for a day? We can probably all make suggestions to eat less and still fulfill your plan.

Stella4: You must be getting so excited about your wedding and how awesome will Cuba be! Lucky Girl! I hope you have a wonderful time and don't worry too much about your plan...you just get right back on track when you get home. It will be much easier after all the social obligations that go along with a wedding are over.

I had my WI today and am only down to 177.6...I'm hoping for the 160's by the end of the month but we'll see. Maybe my birthday on September 11 is a more attainable goal, have to wait and see I guess.

We have a concert on Thursday night (Buck Cherry) and then leave for camping again on the weekend. We haven't planned any camping trips yet for September, but we camped twice last year after Labour Day so it's hard to say what we'll do. I've got my weekend planned and other than drinks (of course) things look good.

Everyone have a great day and I'll try to check in again before the weekend.

Tamara