Camaswa, I'm with Rachel & Fluffy on this one. It sounds like the stress talking more than anything else. Take a few days to regain your balance from this past week. Then, just bite the bullet and face the scales. It may not be as bad as you think.

As they said, this is a life change. The biggest lesson I've learned over the past year is that while I may let things stress me out and I throw the plan out the window for a week or two at a time, I've managed to force myself to get back in the game. It may not be immediate. It may take a few days to get it right, but it's a matter of me taking control and not letting it take control of me. This is my choice.

Take a deep breath and know we are always here for you. You've done so great so far. Don't give up. You CAN do this!

camaswa-you sound like me last week. I was stuck at 157.5 (on my 5'4" frame sounds like your ratios...looking good, but some firming up needs to happen). I was ready to stabilize b/c I was frustrated...with myself, with hunger. Or to go all crazy and do metaquick (bless you, those of you that can do it, I just can't without being a seriously mean person). When I talked to my counselor she said refocus like you are starting new, follow the plan exactly, water, water, water, and hang in there. Had I decided to stabilize at 157.5, I probably never would have felt like I had fully reached my goal, even though it was a healthy place for me (but 150 is healthier without being too thin). So I refocused, got pumped, and got back on track. And the scale moved again. Down to 155. Yes, I may stabilize around 152 instead of 150, or I may go to 150, but the point is I didn't stabilize out of frustration. I pushed on. If you stabilize out of pure satisfaction of where you are and not because you are frustrated, that is a healthy thing. But if you are switching to stabilization due to frustration...don't. Did you ever try switching to metabalance and exercising? That's what I've done since Jan and even though my scale progress slowed, my inches have fallen off quicker and I have much more sanity with my eating. Just my two cents. You, Jen, bigdog, and I are all in this same battle of kicking the last little bit to the curb. Hang in there with us.

Spent the afternoon cooking cheesy baked potato soup (not for me!) for 3 different families that have illnesses along with some huge rolls. It was a perfect amount that I had enough for each family plus one big bowl for my husband. The kids don't like it. Same with the rolls, there will be enough for the kids & hubbie tonight, but no extras. I think I'm going to try to make a chicken veggie soup I found on pinterest. I'll let you know if it's good.

Thanks Rachel, Jen Fluffy, Gina! You are all right - and I do think its the stress Ive been feeling. Stabilizing out of frustration just doesnt feel right. And i kind of forgot about metabalance, even though gina refers to it a lot. I have the sheet... maybe that would be a helpful change. I saw my trainer today who recommended short intervals of walking with full-on running. 90 seconds walk, 30 seconds run. she said try to do 8 sets, that even such a short time amount would kick-start my metabolism.

I did forget to tell you all that I DID throw away the beautiful chocolates I recieved as a thank you for the project that had me so stressed. I ate several on the busride home and when I got off I walked straight to the garbage can and tossed them in.

Im looking forward to a low-key weekend of getting myself back together. maybe I'll hop up to the recipe thread, too.... here's to fresh starts, ladies.

Awesome, camaswa. yes, intervals like that help kick up your burn. It's the only way I workout when I have to be on a dreadmill

My soup was yummy. It was a tomato, chicken, spinach, garlic soup (the recipes I found was much different, but I modified with what I had and it was great.) But I did take a few bites of the yummy buns I made Tomorrow's a new day...got my meals planned and I'm ready!!!

Pretty decent day! Only had those few bites, and sampled a bite of the beef stew I made to check for hubby and kiddo. Thanks to the support from all.
It sounds like you all find it pretty easy not to partake! I am looking forward to that.
Congrats to those of you who are so close to your goal! I am just beginning so can't really offer advice, but you have already made it so far, what's a few pounds? I think you can do it!!! Have a great night all!

Kate

Kate-It isn't easy. It does get easi-er. Once you decide what things you are going to eat and what things you aren't (preplanning every meal especially ones out of the ordinary or for celebration) is key. That way you just don't have the conversation with yourself "I want to eat that. Should I eat that? I can have just one bite, can't i?" Early on I made that change and it has made a world of difference. I still get tempted when there is pizza around and if I can't handle it I just need to remove myself from the situation.

Hope everyone is having a healthy weekend. No regrets Monday!!

Long story, so grab a big glass of water to hydrate while i tell you what happened first of all the closest center to me is a hour away. and to let any new people know that are reading this, i love the MRC plan and will continue this way of eating for ever - the additional protein has not only helped me get back to a healthy weight but has also stopped my sugar cravings and evened out my hormones (my DH is very thankful for this also BTW) LOL! and even though i've been at this weight before, this time i have more muscle and look even leaner than what my actual weight is. Very cool! but as you guys know, my main support has came from this board (recipes, motivation, support, exercise tips, etc) the consultants at my center only want to push the supplements and when i refused them, were not supportive. going in weekly to weigh in though did keep me on track to lose the 30 plus lbs.
my paid 17 weeks were up end of Dec and i wasn't at my goal so asked a consultant if i could do maintenance. she said i wasn't at goal and could pay to rejoin to reach goal. she also pointed out that i didn't buy any supplements or HNSs from them so there was no guarantee. i said, ok - thank you and asked her for a copy of my measurements and weight (from the tape for my last weigh in) that's when i realized that on the tape it showed they had my height at 5'7" and goal weight at 145 so all this time, they were basing my inches lost, etc. on that goal which made no sense.
then i kept getting calls from the center each week -reminders to weigh in? so i called and talked to another consultant and told her my 17 weeks were up. she told me i had already paid for maintenance when i signed up and should take advantage of coming in for a year. i told her what the one consultant said and she told me that if my BMI was at a certain no., i could still do maintenance and to come weigh in. i figured if i went back it would be a huge sales pitch to get me to sign up again so didn't go. so short story long -i'm doing this on my own. i still weigh in every am, am still on plan most of the time!! but have stalled at 170. so when i say, i'm happy i haven't gained, i really am happy about that because since i don't have someone weighing me and w/ my past history of regaining what i've lost - it is a miracle! LOL! and i prob. shouldnt say this out loud but if i do find myself gaining - then i'd join Weight watchers which is close to me and just go to weigh in weekly (for the accountability) i do like the group meetings where everyone shares what they go through - i never really liked the one on one like they have at MRC. very uncomfortable for me actually.
but i do love all of you guys and you keep me accountable and if i could just see even 169.9, i'd be doing a happy dance!! will have to say, at my current weight, went shopping the other day and everything fit - i now have to watch what i spend! because before i couldn't fit into anything so saved money by not buying anything!

Bigdog, ahhh. I figured something screwy like that happened. Of all the stories people relay about their centers, yours are consistently the strangest. My place finally stopped pushing stuff, although I do buy the HNSs. OH- I saw Diet Direct has a single-serving variety pack of the Nectar brand protien drinks. I just got it. Didn't want to risk buying such a huge container of something I might not like.

Anyway, back to the MRC program- you are right, the diet is great even though the centers vary wildly in their support. I'm glad you are sticking with the plan - and with us!

The Bittersweet Truth About Sugar

Did you know that the average American consumes an astounding two to three pounds of sugar each week? This certainly begs the question, “Are we all too sweet on sugar?” For many, the answer to this question is a resounding, YES! Moreover, for those of us actively trying to lose weight, any attempt to sans the sweet stuff and cut the carbs can often be one the biggest roadblocks on our road to a successful slim down!




By now, most of us have heard the phrases, “good carbohydrates” and “bad carbohydrates,” as well as “good fats” and “bad fats.” Well, that same train of thought can be applied to the categorization of sugars. “Good” sugar is found in whole foods, like fruits and vegetables. In this form, sugar arrives in our bodies bundled with lots of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. On the other hand, highly processed and highly refined sugars, like the stuff used to sweeten sodas, candy and baked goods, are the types of sugars that can sabotage our attempts to lose weight!



Ok, so let’s talk about highly refined sugars for a moment. In its most basic form, sugar is a simple carbohydrate that elevates the body’s blood sugar levels. Highly refined sugars like sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar) and high-fructose corn syrup are almost always processed into many of the foods we consume on a daily basis, such as bread, breakfast cereals, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauces, pre-packaged meals and much more!



Our bodies were just not designed to consume refined sugar, and as such, for those of us on a mission to lose weight, consuming refined sugar impedes our body’s ability to effectively burn fat.



An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body's blood-sugar balance and triggers the release of insulin, which happens to promote the storage of fat. So, when you eat foods that are high in sugar, you're creating the perfect storm in your body for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease. That said, excess sugar consumption is one of the primary reasons why so many people trying to lose weight are not able to reach their goals or build lean muscle mass. As painful as it is to say, there is just no way an individual can continue to take in excess amounts of refined sugar and still expect to slim down and build the body they so desire!



That means the answer should be simple, right? All we have to do is sans the sugar, bid a fond farewell to the sweet stuff, break up with bread and kiss the carbs good-bye, yes? As “easy” as that sounds, there’s one giant problem that makes this ‘to-do’ item incredibly difficult to accomplish…sugar tastes really, really, really GOOD! In fact, once we start eating it, it's often difficult to stop. The more we eat, the more we crave. Because sugar is very addictive in nature, it can be a pretty tough habit to kick!



Yet, despite its delicious flavor, excessive consumption of sugar can truly destroy a person's health over time. It can rot teeth, disrupt normal brain function, promote heart disease and increase the risk for both diabetes and obesity. So, now that we know WHY we should start stepping away from sugar, the next question then becomes, HOW do we actually do so?



While removing sugar from your daily meals can be tough at first, it’s more than possible to accomplish, and the benefits of doing so are truly life changing! First, it’s important to know what you can expect during the first couple of weeks on a new eating regimen that’s low in both carbohydrates and sugars. If you are used to a diet consisting mostly of carbs and sweets, then it’s safe to assume that you will most likely experience some withdrawal symptoms as you begin to consume healthier foods.



These symptoms, while fairly mild, are still uncomfortable and often prevent people from staying on track. After all, headaches, lethargy, emotional distress, anger and even nausea, all potential side effects of sugar withdrawal, are not easy to ignore and cannot always be eliminated with sheer willpower alone. By understanding these symptoms and the reasons why you’re experiencing them, you can drastically improve your chances of successfully reducing your overall sugar intake and achieving your weight loss goals!



Basically, your body is going through withdrawal because it has become addicted to sugars, grains, high carb foods and the chemicals contained in foods previously consumed. As you begin to wean yourself off of refined sugars, you will experience cravings for the very foods that you are starting to remove from your diet. If this happens, it is extremely important to remember that these symptoms, however unpleasant, WILL PASS!



For most clients, starting MRC’s weight loss program involves following menus that will significantly reduce the intake of carbohydrates and refined sugars. However, despite axing these foods from your diet, your body’s insulin production will still remain about the same. Because of this shift, you may feel shaky / hypoglycemic, have headaches or even feel faint. However, our bodies are extremely resilient and they will adjust quickly to this change. So, those annoying withdrawal symptoms will become less and less intense over the course of a few weeks, as your body adjusts its insulin production.



It is also important to note that some clients may also have certain genes and/or hormones that play a part in increasing their sugar addiction tendencies. For those clients, it may take more time to fully understand this process, as well as to learn how to change their eating habits. This can be difficult, but with MRC’s help, it’s more than possible!



Now that you know what to expect, if sheer willpower alone just isn’t enough to help keep you on track, there are some other ways in which you can address your discomfort. For example, taking MRC’s Glucose Formula, along with a Thermogenic product, will help to stabilize your withdrawal symptoms as much as possible. Also, following MRC’s program guidelines and menus -- exactly as they are written – will help you to experience great results, as well as to help stabilize your body’s blood sugar levels. For example, by combining a protein and carbohydrate source at mealtime, you are helping to ensure proper blood sugar regulation. The consumption of fiber at each meal also plays a part in optimal blood sugar regulation.



Some additional tricks to help you adjust to a new eating plan and manage withdrawal symptoms include:

Eat breakfast within an hour of waking up
Eat something every 4-5 hours to help balance blood sugar levels
Do something that will distract you from eating sweets, like readings a book, cleaning the house, watching a comedy, going for a bike ride, or calling a friend, etc.
Drink LOTS AND LOTS of water!
Keep and accurate food journal for accountability
Lean on your consultants, family and friends for support!
Google It! Learn about sugar and its effects on your body
Don't beat yourself up if you give in to the craving. You're human.
Don’t let the occasional slip-up demotivate or discourage you.
At the end of the day, the sooner you can adopt MRC’s entire weight loss program, the closer you will be to reaching your goals and making your dreams become a reality! You can do this!!!

(will have to say - i disagree about having to take the MRC’s Glucose Formula but thats just me being opposed to pills!)

i was thinking of an old Weight Watcher trick...when i first started WW many years ago, i wrote the number of points w/ a magic marker on boxes of crackers, soup, etc in my pantry to make me think about how many points i was going to eat ahead of time. made me rethink making those blueberry muffins and brownies, for sure! i'd grab the FF SF chocolate jello mix instead 1 point instead of 5 or 6! i still know to this day that a hamburger Happy Meal is 11 points w/ a diet coke. LOL! (which was 1/2 of my points for the day)

so i'm looking for "Devil" stickers that i can put on my DH's bag of oreos, chips, doritoes, hot dogs, Stouffer's pot pies (DEVIL!!! )

went out to eat last night and my DH was suggesting some entrees for me and then he stopped himself when most of them included a side dish of pasta or rice...i said "Carbs are the Devil" that just cracks me up every time (thanks Leo the Lioness!!) i'm sure anyone overhearing that rethought their choice. haha, yeah, right!

Will definitely stick with you guys! you are my daily motivation and keep me going. actually reading these posts reminded me to chug a lug and refill my water glass and jump on my exercise bike! (well after i get out of my pjs) LOL! Dang iPAD - it's locked me on the couch tapping away! with my furry children snuggled around me while DH is at work. Oh, here's a thought...i can use the iPAD and ride my bike!! which means i can enter my ad orders, check off my eproofs during the work week and ride my bike!! and ride my bike in the PJs - ok, off to spin

Bigdog, I wish I could clone my center and transport it to you. They have been nothing short of phenomenal. They've been incredibly supportive and have never pushed supplements on me. I actually look forward to my one-on-one time with them. They'll tell me about supplements they have if I'm going through something, but that's the extent of it. Any decision to purchase supplements has always been mine and no pressure. I wish you could see the way a center should be.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I'm doing pretty dang well lately for which I am thankful. Seems I'm in a good phase at the moment. I gave up bread for Lent. For me, bread was the devil! LOL I would have an extra slice or two at night, because it was an OP food. It's made my evenings much easier to deal with. My counselor and I were discussing it. It's kinda funny how sometimes it's easier to do things for religious reasons that you wouldn't do otherwise. It's like you have a contract with the Big Man upstairs. Mind you, this was how it was supposed to be while being OP anyway. I guess whatever it takes, right?

Jen, i wish you could too!! i love hearing everyone's positive experiences with their centers and the info you share from them has really helped me in my journey. The FB site and their newsletters are great! i had one consultant there that was pretty good, he did encourage me to get my husband's support (which i normally would not do) but when i would ask him about suggestions for food, he would tell me since he was a guy he could eat whatever he wanted. one consultant there said she spent over $100 a month on supplements alone not counting the HNSs and would tell me, look how great i look (like don't i want to be like her) one time, she was like, how old are you? and remarked that her aunt was my age. OMG! i thought she looked like a Dexatrim model gone wild w/ her eyes bugging out from pill overdose. and then the little petite Size 0 chickadee that works there (i insulted her because i asked her if she has always been a size 2 and she quickly corrected me and said she WAS A SIZE 0!) don't get me started...LOL! but excellent plan and like Camaswa, i'm going thru the menus and picking some new stuff to cook :-)

All our consultants have actually been through the plan. They've all posted their before and after shots in the center. They know what we are going through. I can totally relate to them. Guess I got lucky.

Sounds like the majority of you guys have some great consultants! Another reason for me not to rejoin was the two hour round trip to weigh in. When I first joined we had a center in town and it closed 3 weeks after I joined due to low attendance. Plus taking care of my in laws (cancer, Alzheimer's) zaps any extra time after working 50+ hours a week but thank goodness for MRC because this diet has helped me w sugar cravings --I'm not snacking on candy all day or eating cookies for breakfast, lunch and dinner like I used to when stressed. I used to top w peanut butter for protein! Or drink slim fast. All sugar and carbs. No wonder I was cranky and stressed. On a freaking sugar high!
Camaswa. Just ordered from diet direct yesterday. I didn't see the variety pack of nectar. Great idea! I wanted to try the grapefruit but didn't want to get the huge container. Might have to place another order soon. I wanted to try the twisted cherry too. Dont anyone judge me but I'm thinking the grapefruit would make a splendid Greyhound. Haha. And I could carry the individual packs w me since most bars don't stock diet tonic water or unsweetened grapefruit juice