SUGGESTION: while you are getting started on this plan, it would really help if you AVOID these situations. for the first 4 months on plan, I just stayed away from outings where food would be at the center of the activity and I am really glad I did. Otherwise, you are gonna end up discouraged and question the plan and question yourself!

I wish that was possible for me Joy2MeNU, but my job requires a fair amount of social situations as does hubbys. For those who can't avoid it, eat before him, scout menus before hand. And try as hard as you can to be strong!

On the slip ups I agree with Ang2877 to get right back on program and don't wait until tomorrow. It seems like I had slips and I just kept doing it with the mind set that I will start over tomorrow but when you say that every day it's hard to get back on track. You just have to commit and for me it seems the longer I can go without a slip the more I don't want to ruin my streak of slip free days.

I'm with Jenkatt too it's hard to avoid some social eating situations and just make sure you're prepared because life happens so deal with it. When you go out just pick things that are more program friendly. Don't feel weird if you need to ask for things a certain way because people do that more than you'd think.

One last note is at my WI I lost 2.5 pounds! I'm sneaking up on that 50 board.

We had a restaurant class at my center and they told us so much about how to talk to the waiters and explain to them what you WANT. You are there to get service from them and they should comply. Ordering grilled or steamed makes things simple. Another suggestion is to just tell them you have a food alergy and need things cooked they way you ask.

I remember the first time I ordered this way. It was at Frudruckers. I asked the size of the buffalo burger and they told me it was 8 oz. I ordered a plain buffalo pattie (I cut it in half when it came out) and a double salad, no dressing. It was very simple and very liberating that they LISTENED to me. The first time you do it is the hardest. Their job is to make the customer happy and we are the customer.

Good Luck!!

Went to WI today.. Down 1lb.. Not bad after struggling to get back on the program after Vacation. I'm still having a hard time getting 100% on program. I'm doing much much better.. Part of the problem is preparing food. I need to cook things ahead of time like I used to.. Heading to the beach again this weekend.. This time I'm going to pack veggies and fruit to take.

Have a great weekend...

I love Glee.. I was in the same funk before my vacation. I didn't weigh in before I went. I just knew I was going to gain. I wish I had gone. Maybe it would have been a kick in the butt before the trip. I went so far off program while I was gone.. It's been REALLY hard getting back to it. Do what you feel.. I felt the same way with my friend. I thought she went to all this trouble to cook for me, I can't tell her what to cook. It would be rude.. Have fun on your trip...

I weighed in today and was down a pound. Any loss makes me happy. I have really stuck to the menu and will be starting the green menu on Monday so seeing all the new choices I will have is encouraging.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks Goose and Meezoo...I'll survive the trip....I have before...she's trying to watch it too...in fact she's pretty jealous of my losses, so the food won't be that bad. I'll just have to fight the cravings and buckle back down when i come back.

Wendi - I absolutely cannot weight myself at home. I fall into exactly what you said...the number changes my mood for the day. I get too worried about that and it wrecks my days. I can't do it. If you just have to weigh at home....do it only one time a day and always at the same time. Write it down if you want to and then put the scale away for the rest of that day. Try to limit it like that and then maybe you'll be able to cut back to once every other day...and then maybe further apart. Its a bad habit for me, I had to quit doing it and thats how I did it.

As far as social eating goes...here's how I have done things. I see that my weight is going to be a forever issue for me. Yes, i have to do things differently while I'm trying to lose, I get that, and thats why I'm paying MRC for their support and eating their strict plan right now. But...there will always be social events and other food situations that I'll have to manage. If I'm in control, like I'm ordering food...I try to make the best choice i can...salad, lean meats, veggies, etc. If i'm eating what someone else has prepared...I try to make the best choice possible out of what is offered. If it's something pretty "bad" I eat a very small portion and try to hang on until i get home. Planning ahead is the best thing. Eat first if you can, but sometimes thats not possible either. For example...i'm going to be staying with my friend for a week. She'll try to cater to me a little, but I"m not going to ask her to. I'll eat what she prepares for her family and will just deal with it when i get back. It's a good time for me to try out the self-control. I don't have to have two portions...and I can eat more meat and less starches. I am in control of what i put in my mouth. I have to learn balance or I'll never keep my weight off. There's my 2cents.

Hey everyone! I HIT ONEDERLAND TODAY! Woo hoo! I was bound and determined to do it by weigh-in today and squeeeeeked by...199.5. So happy!

What a milestone! Congratulations!

That is FANTASTIC!! Great job and keep it up!

CONGRATS!!!!!

I have found that training for triathlons I do not lose weight. That seems so weird. Sure there is more muscle but with swimming, jogging and biking every day I'd think I'd see weight loss. Instead I am more hungry and really crave and consume extra fruit. I am down 52 lbs since November, so I am deciding, after completing 2 tri's this spring, to stop hardcore tri training and now finish my weight loss of 15 more lbs and include only about 30-45 min of exercise. See how it goes.

You might actually be in starvation mode, burning so many calories and limiting them. I give you credit, training for a triathalon if tough, and may not be the best time to try to loose that last little bit of weight.

Well, to day was my food instruction. I am very happy to say I lost 4 pounds in 4 days!! I am gonna love this. I really havent been hungry which has made it a lot easier.