Did anyone here watch "The Biggest Loser" last night? With all of our talk about plateaus, that's exactly what sent home the contestant last night. Over the last 5 weeks, she lost 5, 4,3,2, and 1 pound, respectively. It didn't last forever, because when they did the update on her (where is she now), she had lost an additional 21 pounds at home. Nonetheless, I'm sure it was as frustrating to her as it is to us.

I guess it goes to prove, you can be doing everything right, as she was, and still have roadblocks. The main thing is to not let it stop you and to finish what you started.

Have a great Wednesday!!!! Here's to sticking to the plan!!!

^ This has happened with us, too. He only eats OP at dinner, with me. He eats out every day for lunch (not necessarily fast food, and he likes salads a lot, but it's still eating out and higher sodium and calories!), and still drinks beer or goes out for drinks with the guys. Yet he's now on the smallest hole on his belt. I bet if he would quit drinking and eating out so much, he'd probably drop a bunch of weight fairly quickly-- so I actually haven't suggested that until recently, as I wanted to get ahead of him on the weight loss before he started losing. Selfish, I know, but I also know it would have been discouraging/demoralizing for me to watch him effortlessly drop weight while I struggle every week.

My brother was funny (in a gross, "boy" way) last night when I saw him. he asked how much I'm down now, and I said "56 lbs. Actually, it's about 55 lbs, because I weighed in today and I'm up about 1.5lbs." He laughed and rolled his eyes and said something about how it cracks him up that my sister and I get so worked up over 1/2 or 1 lb--because taking "a good-size dump" will drop your weight that much. Typical guy.

ETA: Oh, and I just started dragging my husband to yoga with me about a week ago. I go to 2 classes a week--one is an absolute beginner class and very relaxing, the other is an intermediate class and more of a workout. I've only dragged hubby with me to the beginner class, but it was a surprise for him to see me do it pretty effortlessly while he struggled to get through the class--and I wasn't really sore the next day, but he could barely move! Made me feel pretty good, and made me realize how far I've come since I started the yoga and weightloss!

I was actually told never to mix the food groups. I can have more than 1 type of protein if they are from the same group, but cannot mix them. I was told about this in my 2nd week when I made tuna patties (tuna from group 3 and egg white from group 1). I don't know if it would be different for you, but all of my consultants have been quite adament about not mixing the groups. I hope this is helpful and does not just add more confusion.

Mariah

I think this is going to depend on your definition of "normal". If you go back to eating the same way you ate before, you will gain the weight back. I think I will always have to be cautious with my food choices and aware of what I am putting into my body as well as the amount of exericise I am doing. I never want to go back to the old way of doing things.

However, we do add back in food and I hope we learn how to indulge once in while without going completely overboard or feeling guilty. I can't wait to eat popcorn again and peanut butter, but in appropriate poritions and not every day. I have a long way to go before I reach maintenence so I don't know exactly what to expect, but I know from past experience that I cannot eat like I was eating and still maintain a healthy weight no matter how much exercise I put in.

Mariah

I was told the same thing. It's considered "playing" with the menu, and my consultants discouraged it. There are a couple of recipes that they have okay'ed that combine the groups, but those are only supposed to be eaten occasionally. But, when they are eaten, I was told to halve both protein amounts, even though that would be less than my 4 oz. of allotted protein per meal.

First - All husbands are incredibly annoying in this area. Mine is losing weight (I refuse to ask how much!) despite eating pizza, pasta, and just plain junk food - but I expected this and am actually glad he is losing too. When I look hot this winter I want to have a hot, sexy man on my arm . . . not an overweight blob! It may not be fair, but if it was not easier for my husband than it is for me, he would never do it.

Second - MRC does have a 2-meal plan where you eat breakfast and dinner and just have HNS for lunch and snack. If you do not like eating all 3 meals, I would let the consultant know and they may offer to switch you to this plan. I am absolutely loving it! It may help you feel more normal.

Mariah

I wish I could go on the 2 meal plan, but due to my health, they won't let me do any other plan, but the balance. I just want to get rid of the fruit!! LOL

WI at lunch and over the past week, while PMSing no less, I've lost 1.5 pounds. Losing while PMSing?! I'll take it.

I did watch last night - that was a really sad episode. But she stuck to it - down 225 lbs total?!!! I can't wait to see her at finale - she's been on her journey a loooonnnnggg time!

Ack! Sometimes I suggest Applebee's as a place to eat when friends want to go out because they have some lo-cal meals. Oops. Check this out about their sodium in their meals (from the Eat This Not That guy, according to http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatt...t-foods-2011):

3. WORST "HEALTHY" ENTREE
Applebee's Weight Watchers Chipotle Lime Chicken
4,990 mg sodium
490 calories
12 g fat (2 g saturated)

Sodium Equivalent: 31 servings of Ruffles (that’s more than two “Family Size” bags!)

Avoiding salt at Applebee's is nearly impossible. Not even the “healthy” selections pass muster. The six items on the Under 550 Calories menu average 2,341 mg of sodium per entree. The five items on the Weight Watchers menu average 2,448 mg. Even the side dishes are dangerous. A side of Loaded Mashed Potatoes will cost you 1,340 mg, and a side of Broccoli Cheddar Soup will cost you 1,690. If you order anything off this menu, you'd be wise to stick to sodium-free foods for the rest of the day.

Eat This Instead!
Applebee's Asiago Peppercorn Steak
1,520 mg sodium
390 calories
14 g fat (6 g saturated)

ETA: I knew restaurant food all had more sodium than if I was eating at home, but I had no idea their "healthy" meals had this much sodium. I eat a lot of Outback Salmon, "light style"...I'm heading to their website now to see if they list the amount of sodium in their nutrition information!

HOLY COW! I never really checked Applebee's menu because I always get the steak, thinking it's the only thing I can eat! I wonder how much sodium is in my steak now! I guess I'm checking Chipotle too - we eat there ALL the time.

According to the article, the Asiago Peppercorn steak "only" has 1,250mg of sodium--that's still a lot!

I checked Outback's salmon, and it runs about 730mg (with the veggies). More than when I cook at home, but not terrible. The 6 oz Outback Special steak only has 480mg of sodium (light style--no butter). I guess I'll be eating the steak instead of the salmon.

Mmmmm....the Outback Special sounds so good right now.

Yes, I'm in total PMS mode right now.

This does help, thank you. I was just wondering because they wanted me to start stabilization already and I am still 11 pounds from goal. I will be starting in 3 weeks anyway though.

Hi,

Which yoga class do u go to?

R