JenB72:

I'm doing the calories in calories out and the -750 decifit, I know you mentioned that you were doing this also, my question is do you always eat the calories that the flex tells you that you have to eat? I sync mine with fitnesspal also. Thanks

faerychic: That's awesome, a pound is a pound!! maybe your next weigh in will be bigger!!

Hi everyone,
I am headed for a weigh in! I've been off program (eating clean and well but not doing supplements) for two weeks now to determine if those are the source of headaches and lower back pain. I was drinking 4 per day. I've continued to lose in eating well and I have built up stamina for running! While I don't have rapid weight loss, the inches sure are falling off!!! I have lost 21 lbs since starting just before labor day. I am going to get some more supplements tonight and try again. I'm feeling super motivated having continued to lose on my own, but I'm ready to really get back to it with the goal of a 40lb loss by Christmas. Fall is the hardest menu for me to resist! But..I'm making good choices Love reading all of your motivational posts!

Sounds awesome and you're doing a good job, goodluck and let us know how it goes.

skelley: I use the fitbit flex and sync with my fitness pal as well. Most days I'm getting in between 8000-10,000 steps. The flex says my average calories burned are right around 2200. Based on the usual 1200 calories a day (when I'm logging food I nearly never go over this), I'm looking at an average of 1000 calories a day deficit.

On my MRC plan there is no specific caloric goal listed, just the amounts of various foods that I should be eating.

Not sure if that answers your question or not!

Great to see everyone posting, and doing well. I'm holding steady in my range, which is good.

Just got past a big deadline at work, so stress level should go down some. Hope so anyway.

I leave next week for a conference, anxious about that, as the meals are all provided. I emailed the organizers for it and they sent me the catering menus. So, I'll review with my coach and see what her suggestions are. And my business partner & others we know who have watched my journey will be there, so that should help me be careful, because they know what I usually do... And I won't want to eat a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't normally in front of them.

CelticHarpie: yes thank you for answering, using the fitbit flex it says my average calories burned are 1915 with a -750 deficit. I'm averaging around 960-1000 calories a day eating on plan with the green menu, some days it's only 756. Right now my flex says i'm under my calorie goal? But since we don't go by calories that would be correct. I love my flex!
One thing I noticed that it said this morning I took 69 steps in my sleep, I activate my flex when I get into bed so not sure where that's coming from. Some people say it calculates steps when typing on your computer or keyboard, i'm more interested in the calories burned, but was curious about the steps.

Does it ever get easier? Will the devil in my head ever stop? I wanna do good and ususally through the day do awesome! However, after dinner, while watching tv, it hits.... eat! I will find anything and i mean anything to quiet it down. Looking back eating on program wasn't this hard, I can't seem to get my groove back during maintenance. I am starting back on my meta-balance menu and returning to the center 2x's(starting monday) a week.

twinkletoes75: I wish I knew the answer, that's what happened to me after I hit maintenance and after two months I started eating at night just because! I was suppose to maintain 1300 calories a day and I guess I took it that if I eat whatever I wanted as long as I stayed there I would be good, but my carb and sweet cravings came back. After gaining 15 lbs of the 32 I lost while on plan I too am back on the green menu and going to weigh in once a week at the center. I wish I knew the secret, I guess I have no willpower. But hopefully this time I can get to maintenance and stay within the 5 lb they give you. You can do this, just keep coming back here and logging in and talking to all of us, we've all been there.

Hi All - I weighed in and am down FOUR lbs! I also got my FIRST ribbon...13.5 inches long Back on track with the HNS and determined to keep going.

I am reading your postings about cravings and putting it back on...have you all read "The Diet Cure"? Lots of very scientific reasons behind the cravings and such. I've been studying it and taking notes. Basically covers brain balance and diet. Worth the read - especically when it comes to the topic of uncontrollable cravings and moods. I deal with a significant thryroid deficiency and am on meds (hence S-L-O-W weightloss)...this book has lots of helpful items pertaining to thyroid function.

We actually has some discussion here about The Diet Cure. I purchased the book and took the suggested supplements for some time, but it was just too much for me. Too many pills that I cannot afford. I am in the same boat as SKELLY - put on 15 pounds in maintenance over the period of 1 year and am back on plan now trying to take it off.

Congrat's on your loss! The plan does work if you stick to it

gumdropmom! Yahoo!! Congrats on the 4lbs that is big loss! I have read the Diet Cure and I tried following it using the pills and after awhile they wore off and I went back to eating at night and having the carb and sweet cravings. So i'm back with the HNS and on the green menu.

One thing that I found that has helped me is 1 - drinking warm water (not hot). something about the warm water will expand in your stomach and the full feeling helps. Also, a diet & caffeine free soda. Sip it slowly. Something about the sweetness helps me.

I also found out that when you do eat something high in bad carbs (like chocolate and/or candy) it will take you 4 days to get rid of the craving. So if you cheat again within that 4 days, you will need to start that timer over.

Great tips, thanks Lady67! I need all the help I can get

Never. I always eat what I'm supposed to per the green menu and that's it. Just because Flex says I have wiggle room, I resist the urge.