Laura & BanTam ~

I really like the shakes. Probably because they are quick and easy and of all the meals they are the ones that keep me the most full. The dutch chocolate one I make more like a hot cocoa and it tastes good to me - took the place of my morning coffee.

I think some need the variety of food with Medifast and some do better if they stick to fewer options. My tastes have changed so much since when I first started. I hated the oatmeal the first month now I think I could eat it for every meal some days.

Karen

Karen! Just this morning, I was making the oatmeal and for some reason it smelled like dog food to me! My husband thought I was crazy, he said, "it just smells like maple". The weirdest thing...

Laura ~

Can you switch to 2.5 hours? Does that give you enough time to stretch out your meals during the day and eat the last one an hour before bed?

I've never eaten two at the same time...I worried more how my body would process so much protein at the same time.

I'm wondering....Are you getting all your water in? Are you making sure you get your healthy fats in each day? These two elements have been key for me to stay full throughout the day and stay in high fat burning mode.

Karen

Laura~

I remember a discussion on the old Medifast forums years ago about whether it is okay to eat 2 meals at once. If I recall correctly someone asked Nutrition Support, and they said the spacing of one meal every 2-3 hours is to maintain a stable blood sugar for weight loss, so that is ideal. But they also said if you have a choice between eating 2 at once or just getting in 4 meals that day, it is better to eat the 2 at once (for example if you get up really late on a weekend and don't have time to space them). Hope this helps.

I was at an event for several hours last night where food was served. I had my strategy of "eat a bar right before I go" and then just drink a lot of water, eat the salad and skip whatever is off plan. That didn't work for me this time. The main course was cooked and presented by a child whose parents are encouraging them to cook to prepare for culinary school in a few years. All the guests were given "rating cards" and asked to evaluate the food. There were only 6 of us and the child was very excited about their main dish which was completely off plan. I am not trying to make excuses. I chose to eat it to not hurt the child and parent's feelings. I had one serving and now I am feeling bad, but I still think it would have been too hurtful of me to just not eat it. Sigh.

So today I am drinking plenty of water and staying 100% on plan and hoping the damages are not too bad. I was on plan 100% for 8 days prior to that and I know I can get right back on track. I am about to have my hot cocoa for a late breakfast.

Laura - if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic then having 30'ish carbs at once may be counter-productive.

Steph - one bad meal does not define us!! ...unless you let it. <3

Thanks everyone! I hadn't considered the protein impact, very insightful! I will aim for 2.5 hour intervals. I cannot eat close to bedtime, so that's not an option. I am getting the water and fats in though.

Agree with BanTam, Steph. I understand how unsettling it can be early on in your journey. I think you did the best you could in that situation.

Laura ~ Steph was exactly right! Those were the instructions from Medifast nutritional support. I think your plan of 2.5 hour intervals may really work for you. All you can do is experiment and try different modes of "fueling."

Steph ~ You did exactly the right thing under those circumstances! It that particular scenario, you positively could not hurt that child's feelings (might be something they remember for a very long time!)

Remember, it is preparation for the real world. We are all living in somewhat of a protected "bubble" during the 5 and 1 phase. We know we are limited in choices. However, how did we get to this point in our lives? We didn't care during our weight gaining days.

Now we do...we are mindful of what we are eating. I think this will be the key to our success.

Bravo for success in learning a new coping skill!

Happy Hump Day!!

Well, back to waking at a ridiculous hour again.. grr... I was up at 3:30 and could not fall back asleep. Around 5:45 I crawled back into bed and had a power nap, so we'll see how the day goes.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!!

Wednesday: So, I started lifting weights with my husband last night. He is a great teacher and has a lot of experience. This is going to be a learning experience for me especially trying to lose weight. I got on the scale this morning and yes, I had gained a pound! That puts me at a 15.3 lb loss for the month of January and only 1.5 for this past week. I did some research and found that your muscles retain water when you lift weights. However, ultimately, you will be leaner and stronger without losing lbs and your body will burn more calories when at rest. This is going to take patience for me and I may need to stop doing my daily weigh-in. That may mean moving the scale out of my line of sight. I'm sticking with the plan, feeling good and know this is just part of the process. My non-scale victory was putting on a pair of pants I bought for a vacation last summer (that fit at the time) now fit again! I know I'm headed in the right direction.

Laura, After reading your post "Just this morning, I was making the oatmeal and for some reason it smelled like dog food to me!", I had to laugh because my husband's take on a few of the items are that they smell and taste like a "barnyard" I'm wondering if that is due to the soy. Just a thought.

Steph, I also think you did the right thing with the dinner made by your friends child. Sometimes, there are more important things than eating 100% on plan. I'm sure you've compensated for it by now.

Stay the course!

Sheila

LOL Sheila, 'barnyard' is also a good descriptor.

The great thing about weight training is that it is also great for women as we age and lose calcium in our bones. It's a great counter-agent.

My 'exercise' green light is effective this weekend and I plan on doing some light resistance training to tone up.

Even though today is when I was going to weigh in mid-week, I didn't feel the compulsion as strongly as I did last week. I'll give myself permission to weigh myself any time this week, but aim for just Saturday.

Cheers,
Laura

Oh, almost forgot Sheila: on the NSV with your pants!!!

Sheila ~ Congratulations!

Haha, I am getting a giggle out of the barnyard smell comments!! I feel the same way. I had one oatmeal in my stash and ate it already to get it out of the way. I try really hard not to "waste" any meals even if I dislike them, so I try to eat the yucky stuff first and get it all out of the way!

I don't have my official weigh in until Sunday but I checked today and am down another pound, so that's good, even after the "off" dinner I shared about. Yesterday my day was back to 100% (Lean and Green was grilled chicken on a salad). Today I have had a Chai Latte, Berry Smoothie, and just had my Smores bar which was very good! I only have one though, so I made sure to thoroughly enjoy it.

I find myself gravitating towards the bars more. I love most of the flavors! I remember people saying that eating more than one bar a day can stall weight loss; have any of you found that to be true, or false? I am trying to stay with no more than one bar a day just because I don't have very many bars and want to make them last, but if I ever see a chance to get a whole lot of bars cheaply on Craigslist I would be so happy to eat them for every meal, if it didn't stall my weight.

Would love to hear more about your Lean and Greens and which meals you gravitate towards. The weigh ins are very inspirational, too.