You are doing such a great job! I'm only down 25 and its been 60 days as of Saturday! Keep going!!

I think it might be an OK short term solution. A girl at the cooking class has already lost 27lbs in 6 weeks (can I say jealous!). I asked her how she felt and she said great, she felt full all the time, sometimes she said she had to force herself to eat - so it sounds like its different for everyone.

Good luck making the right choice, you will make the right decision.

You're doing a great job! I think everyone processes things differently. I have just had so much stored fat for such a long time.. Plus I'm taking pretty much all the supplements. I'm hoping I can cut back on some but want to lose another 20 or so before I start playing around with that.

Keep up the great work!

Thanks for all the positive input. I appreciate everything anyone has to share since I'm just starting out. My question is why cant we have sugar free popcicles? just bizzare to me since in my head they are mainly water flavor and artifical sweetner....can someone help me make sense of this?

Just wanted to remind all that those "3 little letters" of that "certain program" could get our thread shut down, and possibly the MRC forum. See the sticky at the top of the page.

My goodness, what a great weight loss in 27 days.. Be proud of yourself, you have done a fantastic job. You deserve to be on a high. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am for you.

Patzi

skubagirl,

I think they limit our artificial sweeteners because they trigger our insulin reaction in the same way that natural sweeteners do.

For example, we're only allowed limited amounts of Crystal Light a day because it can trigger metabolic processes that will stall our weight loss.

I wish I could be more specific.

It would be wonderful if MRC had a book out on its theories like Atkins or South Beach so we had one authoritative source instead of vague explanations by counselors who vary in their ability to communicate the process.

I loved my counselors when I actually went and paid the first time I did MRC (and lost 47 pounds) but no one actually explained why the fruit at lunch and the starch at dinner were not interchangeable. It was hard for me also because I worked nights and ate the MRC breakfast before going to bed and that was okay for some reason. I'm good at doing what I'm told--I just appreciate some clarity sometimes.

So anyway, I've decided I'm going to sign up again as I get closer to goal because I want to do stabilization right and follow up with maintainence.

Just got home from my hour & 1/2 massage! Feels so wonderful! I'm feeling loose, like a long neck goose :-) Tomorrow is a holiday for me, so I'm getting a pedicure and then my hair done. Can't wait to see what I schedule for myself at 30lbs.

I decided to get my hair cut (donated to locks of love) and colored for the first time ever today and I love it! I did not realize how long it takes and so I ended up WI in the evening instead of in the morning and between weighing in later than usual (with dinner still in my tummy) and not getting in enough water earlier in the week I gained 2 lbs. I really think this is due to water retenion and giong in later than usual so it did surprise or upset me. I plan on going in Saturday morning for a more accurate WI and hopefully measurements. In the past this gain would have upset me and sent me on a binge, so I must be learning something.

p.s. my cat appears to be doing well. She is moving slowly and on pain medication, but should be fine.

Mariah

Congrats on the loss! You are doing an amazing job. I've been trying to come up with (non-food) rewards for reaching weight loss goals and I think I will have to add a massage to the list. I have never had a professional massage (too self conscious) but it sounds like a wonderful, relaxing reward.

Mariah

I'm not sure, but I know they do try to limit artificial sweeterns. However, if you are wanting a popcycle, the HNS make really good popcycles. I would use a litlte less water than normal (maybe 6 oz) or even an OP diet pop instead of water and then freeze them in either icecube trays with toothpics, dixi-cups with popcycle sticks or popcycle molds.

Mariah

I never got a straight answer, either, but I think it has to do with limiting anything that may send us on a bender for other stuff. For a lot of people, popsicles may be a trigger to overeat. I think there's a long list of things that would probably be "ok" on plan, but they just don't allow. I think they like to keep the menu simple and uncomplicated. Like others have said, you can make them from the HNS's and look forward to Dreyers slow-churned no-sugar-added when you get to maintenance! love that stuff!

I have sucessfully had two great OP days since I was off plan from being out of town and then sick.

I'm a little worried about tonight. I'm the family baker, and honestly, I love to bake. So I'm going home for Easter and my family has requested I make some goodies.

I have made these things before, so I won't have to taste test...but I will have to refuse licking the spoon and such. I know I can say no!

*rzbackcandi- where did you get your massage? I LOVE East Meets West Spa in Fayetteville! They are like miracle workers! But they are a bit pricey...

Mariah..
You have a fantastic outlook. And so glad you did something for yourself , a hair cut and color.. I am sure it looks wonderful. Good luck on your tomorrow weigh in.

Patzi

I weighed in this morning and gained 1/2pound..So,I need to go one full pound to be 3 under goal as I want to be and as the center would like me to be..
This week I added carrots ( 1/2 the amount) and peanut butter( 1/2amt.) and gained 1/2pound..So,they told for now stay off the peanut butter and carrots and make other choices for add on.

Wishing everyone a great Friday.I am off from my business and it feels wonderful not to have to go in to work.

Patzi