I wish my time was at 5:30 that is acceptable.. It is so difficult to attend these functions when one works.. I am sure many will be missing due to this. But, I am going, so that is good... I figured I will use the food for my lunch schedule, as ours is 11:30 -1. I am looking forward to comparing notes with you.

Patzi

I weighed in and stayed the same, good weigh in for maintenance.
I experimented last week having two slices of 35 calorie bread for lunch and had a nice sandwich, plus I added more fats, like almonds, mayo, had baked oatmeal, a small square once with HNS,had more starchy veggies, etc. So , I am happy with all this

This week I will experiment some more, and see how I make out. Not sure how, but will figure out my plan this weekend when I am home.

Hope everyone has a great weigh in and a nice Friday.

Patzi

Re: meal replacement cookies, are they in the cookbook? I so seldom use that, I should get back into it. If they are not in there, would you be so kind to post the recipe, as this would work nicely for me, where I could not make a shake for lunch and a change for a bar when I am at a meeting.
Thanks
Patzi

Please don't be nervous.. This is a great program that works, and this forum is always here for support.. Good luck to you...

Patzi

Candi-- Definitely post the meal replacement cookie recipe! I don't think I ever made that, though, because I knew I'd still have to eat a veggie with it (so, not a total meal replacement). But now that I'm actually enjoying salads, I am more likely to make it and eat it.

I updated my avatar/profile pic. I wore one of my cute new dresses to work today (finally getting warm enough again to wear it) and had someone take a picture of me.

The dress I'm wearing to the wedding at the end of the month actually makes me look even skinnier.

You look FANTASTIC! Congrats!

Think I found out why my weight was up...TOM came last night. With a vengeance. I am cramping like crazy at work today. At least there is a reason for it!

I'm not sure if these are in the cookbook... so here's the recipe (very simple).


1 pkg meal replacement shake (chocolate or vanilla)
1/4 cup of water or more as needed
Optional: cinnamon, valilla or any other sugar-free extracts

Blend & drop on cookie sheet sprayed with Pam
Bake at 350 for 13-15 minutes
Replaces any meal up to 3 times a week.

Here are my variations: I think I use close to 1/2 cup but add it in increments as I'm mixing - the recipe states "*Batter should resemble brownie batter, not cookie dough." I kept mine kind of thick - not real runny.
Extracts - I've made mine with a TINY dash of mint extract.. it doesn't take much with mint and a dash of imitation butter extract.

Baking - Don't be scared - these things PUFF up but kinda go back down and I cooked mine for about 10 minutes so the centers were still a little gooey, let them cool a bit and put them in the fridge. When you bite into them, it's like having a little fudgy treat in the middle.

My center told me if I eat/drink the powdered meal replacements that I wouldn't have to eat my veggie serving. With the premade's, you still have to eat the veggies ??? I will ask again tomorrow at WI because I didn't eat my veggies the last time I made these.

ENJOY!

Forgot to mention the following.
The center h as me on a 1200 calorie maintenance program .. They believe that is what I need to maintain the weight loss, but that could change.
That includes.

2 servings dairy
2 servings daily veggies high starch 3 x week 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw
2 servings fruit daily
3 servings starch daily lots of nice selections
protein... 9-10 servings daily ( 1 0z) = 1 serving unless otherwise indicated. 1 Fats daily 1 serving( low fat whenever possible

Free.. is coffee, tea, broth, egg whites, mustard , ketchup, SF gelatin, pickles
spices,"I Can't Believe it's not Butter", Pam Spray.

Any questions, please feel free to ask..

Patzi

Ok, the other recipe I've seen is different--I think it just uses a pudding supplement. Yeah, if you're using the meal replacement shake mix, it replaces the entire meal.

Cool!

Patzi, I'm only in week 2 of stabilization, and the choices to me are almost overwhelming already. How do you keep track of everything on maintenance? Do you use some kind of food sheet?

They're thinking I'll probably be able to go up to a 1600 calorie diet. I'll probably ask for 1500, just to give me some wiggle room for mistakes. Even if I don't have to write everything down in maintenance, I guarantee I will--either through livestrong.com or on my own food sheet. That will help me see my food patterns and identify problem areas if my weight starts to creep up.

Of course, if I get pregnant, it's kind of a moot point, but I'll probably still keep track so I don't overdue it and blow up.

My center's manager lost weight, had a baby, then got right back down to goal. So did another consultant. They both told me that I'm welcome to call or stop by with any questions if/when I get pregnant. Also, they have a breastfeeding menu for new mommies that I can get when I go back to maintenance. Again--this is all IF I manage to get pregnant. Still, it's nice to know my center is so supportive. My consultant told me that my job was to lose the weight, their job is to help me keep it off!

teacherlady, you look so summery and slim in the new picture!

Patzi, I'm happy stabilization is continuing to go well for you after a bumpy start.

Britt, I'm having a horrible TOM as well right now. Not doing anything but my minimal chores. Also craving MORE food but not necessarily carbs.

Thank you so much. I started Condittioning on Sunday and as of Wed I was down 3 pounds, but I got on the scale today and had only lost 0.4 more..is this ok? My consultant doesnt tell me much, she just reads exactly off the paper..she doesnt say good, bad..nothing. She hasnt talked to me at all about exercise, just that I should do it. What is the right amount?? I am kind of lost but trying to do my best

They usually recommend walking about 3 times per week for exercise, to start. Is there more than one consultant at your center? You absolutely don't have to see the same person every time. In fact, my center is more of a "first come, first serve," where whatever consultant is free takes whoever is there.

And yes, losing that much during preconditioning is totally normal. Keep in mind that the first week or so the losses are from water weight--we all naturally retain water until we start drinking more--so your future weekly losses shouldn't be as drastic.

Oh my gosh you look AWESOME!!! How exciting. Have you picked out your outfit for the stabilization party yet? I just had ours this past Monday. It was a great experience. We wrote things that we want to let go of (like stress, overeating, etc) on balloons and let them go. We also had a sort of graduation ceremony. I got a cute graduation cap cut out with a tassle as long as the inches I have lost. But best of all was taking the after pictures!! What an awesome feeling, to know I have an AFTER!!!!! pic. Best of luck to you and Patzi. Hope you are inspired as much as I was.