Kimerz - awesome!

I'm on my second day of the old blue menu. I'm hungry tonight and have had to keep busy to keep myself from eating. My in-laws are coming for a visit so I wanted to get the house looking perfect anyway....

I had gained while I was on vacation but have lost that. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the scale keeps moving down. I have been struggling to get below 166. Come on blue menu!

Kimerz, I think that's great. 17 lbs in just a couple of months! I just started and am losing pretty good right now, but I know it will slow down. I just hope I can keep on track and keep the momentum going.

Selway, you are so close to your goal! I can't imagine being that close! Good luck with those last few pounds!

Good Morning! I survived my first week back on plan. I'm down almost 3.5 pounds. Feeling a bit proud of myself for hanging tough, especially considering I'm PMSing.

JenB72 - Nice!!! I think that first week is key for getting mentally prepared (ESPECIALLY with PMS)!

llarends - 17? Awesome! Thank you for the good thoughts.

Just got back from my weigh in. I did pre-program for one week and have been on the actual plan for 8 days. I've lost 10.5 lbs. I'm not feeling hungry or deprived of food, but boy oh boy, I miss having those Summer cocktails outdoors with Friends, Family and Neighbors.

My counselor seems to think if I add the extra two protein drinks per day, it will increase my weight loss. Just curious if anyone has tried this and wondered if it worked. I usually drink 3 per day. Once or twice, I've had 4. I'll gladly spend the extra money on the drinks if it truly will make a difference, but I don't want to waste the money on the extra's if it doesn't, especially since I'm not hungry and really don't need them to curb hunger.

Hello. After losing about 45 pounds on MRC in 2011, and then regaining, I rejoined today. It's the only diet plan I ever lost weight on so I'm excited to get going again. Preconditioning here I come.

Question: Have any of you done the DNA testing or B12 shots? Do you think they really help or are they just more of an upsale. I would be willing to spring for the cost if they are an actual aid to weight loss. Also, our center is having a sale on them this week. Just wondering.

llarends and LisCanDo - both great questions!

llarends - I really think it depends on the person. Right now I am on the old blue menu and it says no more than 4 HNS/day. When I switch to the old green Meta Slim menu tomorrow - which (I have to look again to confirm) I think says no more than 5 HNS/day. I am going to experiment a little and see if 4 or 5 impacts my weight loss. This diet works very well for me and I think it is because of the protein spread out over the day. So maybe experiment a little yourself? One week with 3/day and one week with 5/day? You are rocking this - 10.5 lbs in EIGHT days??!!! Or maybe wait until you hit a stall and see if adding the extra drinks in helps get weight loss moving again?

LisCanDo - I did the hormone testing a few years back. I remember this being a hot topic on the forum. I think everyone has their own opinion on whether supplements are worth it, if hormone testing is worth it, how many HNS are worth it, etc. If you do decide to do the testing, I recommend reviewing your results with your doctor before you order any hormone creams or other products - not just accept interpretation from a salesperson that has had 30 minutes of training in reading these test results. This isn't just your calories that they are tweaking now....

I hope you both keep us posted on your decisions and results!

Everyone have a great day!

If you are over 200 pounds, you have to follow a different plan. The yellow/blue/green menus are only if you are under 200 pounds. I know if you are under 200, the max is 4. When I was under 200, my counselors occasionally told me to up it to 5, but only to break a plateau. My advice would be to up it to 4 to see if it makes a difference. If it does, and you want to try to max out at 5, go for it. I'm a big one on trying something to see if it works, and if it doesn't, go back to what does.

As for the hormone testing, I did it a few years back, and it was a complete waste. But that's just me. What works for one person, may not for another.

Good luck and best wishes to all!

Thanks JenB72 and Selway, I am going to try 4 a day until my next weigh in on Saturday and see if it works. I will let you know the results!

For what it's worth, I joined MRC a few weeks ago and they asked about the testing. I declined as I had hormone testing done at my doctors office a few months ago. The dr. said my hormones are out of whack, but she did not want to put me on any sort of medication at this point due to the benefits vs. risks. I need to go back in a few months to follow up.

Thanks Selway, JenB72 and llarend for your thoughtful replies. I appreciate the input! I've decided to skip the testing for now, knowing that I can do that later if I want to.

Even though I'm only on preconditioning, if feels good to be eating better!

AARRGH! The blue menu was going well, but I was definitely getting hungry grouchy at night. Last night I couldn't take it anymore (was going to snap someone's head off) so I had a Greek yogurt with blueberries. Scale is up 2.1 lbs since yesterday!!! My body is really fighting to go below 167. I thought I was going to hit 164 this AM but NOOOOOO. I am not super thin and should be able to lose some more. Hopefully I am just retaining water for one reason or another.

I hope everyone is having a good day!

Hi everyone!!
I'm completely off plan and need to get restarted. I'm still maintaining but need to be losing! Got a promotion and am in a new office which I love but crazy busy!!
Have not been eating regular meals and just grabbing stuff on the go - usually protein shakes and Greek yogurt.
But also cookies and candy .
I need to remind myself how much better I feel when I'm on plan

Family reunion next weekend and could kick myself for not losing the weight I wanted to.

Now looking for clothes that make me look thinner!!

Good luck everyone and send me some motivational tips!!

Went in for my measurements this morning after 2 weeks on the plan and 1 week of preconditioning. Down 12.5 lbs and 12 inches. I'm really happy with the results, but man, I wish it could be faster. :-)

I am going out of town with a friend this weekend for a celebration. I haven't had a cocktail since I've started the plan and I know I will have one (or two) this weekend. Any advice on what's the lesser of the evils when it comes to ordering a cocktail? I'm confident I can stay on plan food wise, it's just the celebratory drinks that will be my downfall.

bigdog - welcome back. You can do this! If it helps - I have followed you for a few years now on this forum and decided to use your strategy for the program this time. I used ALL of the supplements/vitamins/suppressants the last two times that I was on program. This time I am doing it without any supplements (other than protein drinks of course). The weight loss may be slower but hopefully won't come back if I have to fight so hard to lose it.

llarends - Awesome job! As for cocktails - I am of no help here, but found this online about dieting and having a cocktail:


Best Cocktails:

Any Basic Mixed Drink: Gin & Tonic, Vodka Soda…

Why: “Because when you drink a 1-ounce pour of most liquors and top them off with a calorie-free mixer, you end up with a drink that’s pretty low in calories, no matter the combination.” Just be sure to ask the bartender for a 1-ounce shot of the spirit since many establishments pour 1.5 ounces per cocktail.

Calorie Count: 65 calories per 8-ounce glass

White Wine Spritzer

Why: “The concept of the spritzer is simple—white wine mixed with equal proportions club soda. And while some may think it’s an atrocity to mix a nice Pinot Grigio with anything, it’s your body. And if you prefer a spritzer to a beer gut, it’s your prerogative.”

Calorie Count: 50 calories per 5-ounce glass

Mimosa

Why: Once again, it’s about the half and half combo. “Don’t even worry about which brand of champagne. In all honesty, it doesn’t matter. If it makes you happy to buy the expensive stuff, by all means, knock yourself out!”

Calorie Count: 75 calories per 4-ounce glass

Kahlua and Coffee

Why: “The Starbucks coffee craze has gotten people thinking up crazy calorie-filled concoctions. But luckily, one of the old standbys of classic cocktails can fulfill your alcohol and caffeine needs with substantially less calories. Even the best-brewed coffee has zero calories! And with such a light drink, you can afford to add a bit of skim milk to make it creamy.”

Calorie Count: 91 calories per 6 ounces

Martini

Why: Because this cocktail is mostly straight liquor shaken with ice and with a splash of vermouth. “The taste can be strong for someone who likes sweeter drinks, and if that’s you, order your martini made with infused liquor, like vanilla-flavored vodka or spicy pepper-infused liquors, that adds flavor without calories.”

Calorie Count: 160 calories per 2.5-ounce glass (pretty strong drink so it’s not like you need many of these).

Worst Cocktails:

Margarita

Why: Blame it on the Triple Sec, which can add about 300 calories per drink, and the 200+ calories that come from the margarita mix.

Calorie Count: 750 calories

Instead Try: Tequila on the rocks with a splash of lime to save over 650 calories

Long Island Iced Tea

Why: It’s the Triple Sec again, along with too many spirits in one drink (rum, gin, vodka and tequila).

Calorie Count: 750 calories

Instead Try: Rum mixed with Diet Coke, topped off with a slice of lime—“It will save you more than 600 calories!”

Pina Colada

Why: Two words: Coconut cream. Two more words: pineapple juice. Both adding not only calories, but fat and sugar.

Calorie Count: 650 calories (and 90 grams of carbs!). Another way to look at it: about 55 calories per ounce.

Instead Try: Vanilla-flavored vodka mixed with Diet Coke or Sprite to save about 500 calories

White Russian

Why: Heavy cream. “One drink has nearly one quarter of the calories an average person should consume in a day!”

Calorie Count: About 450 calories

Instead Try: A coffee-flavored liquor with iced coffee to save over 350 calories

Cosmopolitan

Why: “It may not have as many calories as the other drinks on this list, but you’ll drink this one quicker—and find yourself ordering it again!”

Calorie Count: 150 calories

Instead Try: Vodka with diet cranberry juice