Sheila ~ I find that so true. It was a very good learning experience. You did so well out! That is really what this program is about. Right now we are following a very regimented program. But what we really have to "get" is that when reality calls, there is a Plan B. And when we execute that technique, we have to feel guilt-free. That is the true monitor of our success.

Otherwise, if we berate ourselves for not staying within that "bubble - the parameters," we could really go off the deep end and the downward spiral begins...again! The saying "Persistence, not perfection" fits beautifully.

And that is why I mentioned Karen's niece the other day. She uses a calendar and if she has an "off" meal or day, she circles the calendar when she gets back to program...and sticks to it. In a two year period, she stated she had about 10 days like that - and she has lost 150 pounds and is in maintenance.

So as we follow our program daily we strive to follow the tenets of the program, but know that real life is out there!

Karen, Karen, Karen ~
(I wanted to put 50 emoticons there, I was so excited!)

50 pounds is unbelievable! I applaud you for your accomplishment!

As I stated in my previous post, if you didn't get back on program after Thanksgiving, if you didn't feel in your heart of hearts that you could do it - where would you be now!

But YOU KNEW YOU COULD DO IT! You are an example to us all that a slip or a slide does not make a failure. You got back in the game (remember the "Chutes and Ladders" analogy) and set your mind to finishing what you set out to do!

I am so happy for you.

Steph ~ All the above! You are formulating a plan that works the best to fit your weight loss goals. Keep moving forward. I like this quote from the Beck Diet Solution that the moderator BillBlueEyes posted today:

Chapter 9 Psychological Traps

Getting Off Track Traps

Almost every dieter who has had trouble losing weight or maintaining a weight loss has had a specific kind of sabotaging thought after eating off plan, something like this: "I've blown it. I might as well give up, eat whatever I want for the rest of the day, and start again tomorrow."

But just think: What if, every single time in the past you had made a mistake with your eating, you had immediately recovered and gotten right back on track? What if you had automatically said to yourself, "Oh, no big deal," and continued to eat in a normal controlled way? Wouldn't you be much better off now?

Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., Deborah Beck Busis, The Diet Trap Solution, Train Your Brain to Lose Weight and Keep It Off for Good (Blue book), pg. 197

Laura ~ I am so glad you are sleeping more soundly and deeply again! I am sorry for the "complex family news" which is devastating in itself I am sure, and yet you didn't allow that to derail your eating program. And Sheila was right, your husband is a keeper for being so supportive.

You certainly are keeping in line with your goals. I think planning our you forthcoming wardrobe is wonderful! What motivation! Plus the reward system of squirreling away the money to buy those items is a great idea!

I hope this week is smooth for you and everyone here!

Sheila, I like your strategy. Good for you to face the scale knowing there would be a high probability of a gain!

I am such a goofball. I was fixing to get my afternoon snack which I thought was a shake (my least favorite of the meal types) and was literally giddy when I opened my drawer to see a bag of cheese puffs!

Speaking of alcohol, I'm kind of lucky that I cannot drink so that I don't miss it. Since I had a cardiac incident last spring: quick story, had 'Broken Heart Syndrome" where an intense amount of adrenaline weakens the heart and manifests itself as congestive heart failure but is recoverable. As a side note, while it is a thing, it is not what took Debbie Reynolds, though it can occur at the news of a death. After I recovered I discussed drinking with my doctor and he advised moderation as alcohol is toxic to the heart. I noticed in the last few months that if I drink more than one glass of wine, my heart starts to race. Over time, I just stopped all together.

Thank you all for the kind wishes for my family. I agree my husband is a keeper! I did have to be aware of a relapse of my heart condition but am happy I have the medications to prevent it. The issue is that I learned my only brother (who is just 60) was just diagnosed with cancer after having had a total knee replacement. His knee had healed well, but he lost 15lbs and couldn't eat so the doctor had him go to the hospital. He is staying positive and I'm doing the same. My dad (not his) had his cancer diagnosis 30 years ago and is still with us, so positivity is a very powerful thing! As ever, take things one day at a time and stay positive.

Cheers,
Laura

Here it is: a testament to Karen and her niece that Medifast works through all life situations!

I am reading and rereading these wonderful words!

Reporting in near the end of my restart Day 2! Meals today: hot cocoa, mac and cheese, mint cocoa bar, triple berry smoothie, taco salad (L&G). I have one meal left to have, probably cereal with almond milk. Feeling great about my on-plan day!

Nice job, Steph! Keep up the good work!

I am so glad to see a thread that is busy!!! Such a wonderful and uplifting thing. We all have a support system for this journey but another one never hurts!!

My first week back on plan I was down 5.8 lbs, I was extremely disappointed in such a small loss. I was expecting it to be like week 1 again and be down at least 8-10 lbs. However, I had my IUD removed in June and my body is just now starting to get back to a normal monthly adventure with Aunt Flo so I had a full 5 days of misery on my first week. It was a daily struggle to not give in to those monthly cravings... Sunday night my fiance and I went to the movies and I caved!!! Not too bad though, a loss is a loss!!!!!!!

Looking forward to being a part of this new thread, I am not super active but I do check in at least once a week

Steph ~

You did it - 100% ON PLAN Day 2 Don't look back ---- keep repeating what you've done day after day.

You will be successful!

Karen

Mal2600 ~

So glad you joined us here.

WOW that weight loss is good for week one considering you're in the middle of TOM. I bet you'll drop more than you think this week having that all behind you.

It sounds like you are re-starting? If so, big kudos to you for restarting and moving towards your weight loss goals.

I hope you have a great ON PLAN week !

Karen

hi everyone! I am down another half pound today and feeling strong! I'm not going to weigh again until Friday and then will do once a week.

Today I have had MF oatmeal (not very good, but I only had one packet so I got it down) and MF sloppy joe, also not very good to me but again, I only had one packet so I ate it and got it out of the way. I am having a cup of coffee with a little half and half now. I put some chicken thighs in the crock pot and will steam some broccoli to go with it for dinner.

How are you all doing? I look forward to hearing from you!

Mal - Welcome! We all hope to see you here often! Congratulations on your nearly 6 lb loss. Every pound is a victory especially if you know you "caved" at the movies. I had my cave moment on Sunday afternoon (I did try to keep it to a negligible cave). Hang in there and hang out with us. This is such a great place for support!

Steph - Super kudos for staying on plan! Getting started is always the hardest part. At least for me it is. I don't care for the MF food much myself either but my husband is along for the ride and he says he finds the oatmeal decent. He adds a bit of cinnamon and almond milk and finds that to make it even a bit better.

I had part of my L&G meal at lunch today (I work from home) and I was just starving so I ate a can of albacore tune in water with a half of avocado smashed up and some celery. I guess I'll just eat some veggies tonight with the husband who is having steak! Every decision has consequences we have to live with.I also exercised this morning instead of in the evening so that may have contributed to the hunger factor.

Hope everyone is well and stays strong on plan.

Sheila

Thanks Sheila! You made a great choice with your tuna and then staying true to the plan and just having the Green. Way to go!

I am finishing up a successful Day 3 and I know in the past, it just got easier after Day 3. I am looking forward to less hunger. I had a bar mid afternoon, and my chicken and veggies for dinner. I am thinking I will have a bar for my last meal too because I am pretty hungry. Hopefully that is about to change.

I have been wishing I had some of those Octavia meals. They sound so good! The hot cereals, cinnamon cake, and bars all sound amazing. I wish we could buy them for a reasonable price and not through a coach. I wonder how good they are.

Hey Steph! Good job on making it through day 3. I'm in week two and have found I'm in a nice groove. I've been so tempted to check out the scale early but I am sticking to my guns and waiting until Saturday.

I too wish I could try the Optavia stuff but when I went to check it out after logging in I got a big warning message that if I proceeded I'd nullify my Advantage status and lose the credits earned. Annoying. My mother-in-law shared her thoughts on some of them but it seemed more like we both enjoyed the same Medifast things.

I know it's early, but my husband sent me a calendar invite for Valentines and I looked up the restaurant's menu. There is nothing truly lean and green so I'm figuring out a strategy. It's a farm-to-table type place with a very small menu as it is more of a chef showcase place. I'm thinking that it may be best to just try to keep my carbs for the day under 100 and forego one or two Medifast meals. Anyone have any suggestions? I know that for best results I need to stay 100% on plan, but sometimes that is almost impossible. Ideas welcome.

Hope everyone has a great day!!

Cheers,
Laura