Hi All, I've been MIA since sometime in March. We sold our house and relocated. Meanwhile I've fallen off plan. For those of you that remember, I was starting stabilization. My question though is where do I start to get back OP. Do I restart pre-conditioning? Do I start with the green menu? or am I supposed to start with the yellow one for being under 200 now (which I've never done.)?
Just wanting to know what everybody has done to jump start their weight loss journey AGAIN!!

I don't want to resign because I believe I can do it with the help of ALL you wonderful people and my self control..

p.s I only have about 10 pounds to lose. It comes back VERY quickly..

If you have to break a bunch of new bad habits, give yourself a little pre-conditioning time. When I restarted at the center they made me pre-condition for a week and it made me mad, I wanted to jump right back in, but I imagine the shock to my system might not have been healthy, huh? Then I'd either start back at the beginning of stabilization (if you lost anything on stabilization before) or if you think you need it, try the green or yellow menu for a while then ease back into stabilization. Might have to be a little trial and error for you. Welcome back!

First of all, I commend you on your weight loss journey and owning up to your eating habits =)

(I remember...you are the one who had those awesome before/ after pics).

This is what I was told by my center...

When I was signing my 6lb weight "commitment," I asked my counselor if I go above the weight that I committed to, what I be required to do? She told me that they would put me back on "green menu" until I get back to goal weight again.

Let me also tell you this...
I started stabilization 3 weeks ago (I'm suppose to be on week 4 this week), but I just couldn't do it. The added starchs, dairy, and carbs made me HUNGRY and I had a one day binge each week of stabilization. The scale shot up 12lbs, but I know that it was water weight because carbs hold more water. Anyway, I called my center and told them I was putting myself back on green menu and I did. My blood sugar levels are back to normal and I don't have chronic cravings for more carbs. My center said they are okay with me doing green until I get to goal. They even came up with an alternative stabilization plan. Once I reach goal, they will transition me to the Meta Balance menu and then slowly increase my caloric intake to where I need to maintain.

The weight that ou've probably gained is not "real" weight. It's most likely water weight. I can testify to this because I'm now back down to where I was when I messed up.

Let us know what you plan to do and you'll get back down.

It is amazing how "fast" the weight comes on. I realize that part of it is carb bloat, but it is scary! I've had a family illness to deal with and basically fell off plan for a couple of weeks. I am a stress-eater. My weight is up 15 lbs. Does anyone else notice an increase in stomach bloat after eating off plan? My stomach is so bloated and big....

Anyway, today was my first day of my recommitment to plan. I'm hoping that I can keep it together...

WOW, I am glad I am not the only one dealing with this. I had a bad night last night with the carbs and oh yes you sure do "bloat up" I feel like I am full of helium and could fly away.. Live and learn I guess.. I won't be repeating last night's performance anytime soon I can tell you.. <G>..

hang in there Goose, this too shall pass..

Cheers!

Ronnie

yeah, I guess I need to get stingy with the carbs again and wait it out. Sigh.

Thanks for your support, Ronnie!!! I'll definitely feel better when my belly doesn't feel or look so very gross. Ugh. I'm disgusted with myself in all honesty. We'll see how much will pop off by the end of the week. Then I guess I'll know how much I actually gained and how much was bloat. I've got to learn to manage my stress better; life is full of challenges and I know that I can't turn to food each time I face an obstacle. Sure wish I was one of those people who didn't want to eat when they are stressed. LOL

I am so on the same page with some of you I am having such a hard time getting back on program! I have been slacking off since an emergency surgery on my leg the middle of JANUARY! I have since had a second surgery and need a third one performed. I had lost 90 lbs before all this happened. My weight is up 21 lbs. It comes back lightening fast when you make bad choices in food! I am such an emotional eater as well. And the DH is not supportive at all. MRC keeps calling and leaving messages....I haven't been in to weigh in three weeks...I know I need to face the music. Why do I do this to myself???? There was a posting on here somewhere that I responded to on Saturday, but my posting disappeared the next day...Don't know why...But the posting was about two books that were recommended: Life is Hard, Food is Easy and the other is When Food is Love. Has anyone on here read these? I must get back on track! Thanks for listening.

I read the Life is Hard Food is Easy. It is a pretty good read for those of us who eat our feelings. My only problem is I don't know what I am feeling that may be causing my issues. I do recommend it though. My center told me about it. I just ordered another book but I can't remember what it is called. Ok it is called Rules for Normal Eating.. by Karen somebody or other. I hope it is good. But give the LIHFIE a whirl. I think you will find it helpful..

Cheers!

Ronnie

I've read Rules for Normal Eating .... nothing earth shattering, but it is a good read.

Champagneblond,
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one struggling right now! I'm sure that your surgeries have made it so difficult for keeping the weight off. Heck, I can't even say I had surgery. Simply put, to deal with all the nightmare stress right now I ate my feelings. I suppose I should be glad that I can own my behavior, but it doesn't make it any easier. I hear what you're saying...why do I do this to myself??? I quit my center about a month ago because I needed to cut some stress out of my life while dealing with my mom's stroke. My center is great but they tend to "stalk" you. LOL I was only 4 pounds from goal so I thought I'd be okay. Then, I took a couple of weeks off and am struggling to get into my pants.
I did go buy some scales today that measure BMI, body fat, hydration levels...similar to tanita. I will continue to keep my date with my own version of tanita each Saturday just like I did when I went to my center. Bottom line is I know I've got to be accountable and since I've chosen to stop going to my center, I've got to hold myself to the same standards they did. Thanks for the book suggestions; I'm definitely going to check them out. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of us struggling out there!

Hi and thanks for the helpful replies. Well I decided to go resign yesterday. I was up 21 pounds...That's in 1 month...WoW it comes on quickly. They said only 6 pounds of that is REAL weight. The other I guess is what they call water weight. They put me on pre-conditioning then at the end of the week it's off on the yellow.. I have not done the yellow but I hear it's h***. I don't know why but I've NEVER craved sweets like this before. I always wanted salty things like sunflower seeds, chips, crackers, etc. Maybe it's because sweets are "forbidden". I don't know. It's driving me crazy though.
I heard that artificial sweeteners causes craving. I ate A LOT of that stuff during my first weight loss faze. So I'll try to limit it this time.

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing this but then in a way it scares me. What are we to do about the similar problems we face? What can we do to pin point it? I hate it..

Well, that's a relief to know that only about 6 lbs are actual weight gain! That gives me hope for the 15 I'm up after a couple of weeks. The yellow menu is gross and disgusting, but it works. If you can hang in there it will sure help cut those cravings. That's what I'm working on...hanging in there. I'm a carb junkie. No other way to put it.

Unfortunately, I wish I had an answer to your questions. What do we do with these issues we're facing? Sometimes I wonder if I make enough dieting mistakes, then I'll finally learn not to eat crap since it makes me look and feel so bad. Planning on checking out that book mentioned in the earlier post...maybe that'll give me some insight. Someone else made a comment that she looks at going off-plan as a choice, not a cheat. That's a very healthy way of looking at it. We choose to make the wrong decisions about what we eat and then end up starting the cycle all over again. Ugh. It's a never ending battle for the rest of our lives.

Goose, I wish my center would stalk me! I have asked them to call me a couple times during the week and check up on me. I think I have gotten one or two calls since I asked. And they were both from the guy who works at my center. I want someone to be accountable to on a daily basis not just when I go in twice a week to weigh in. I need to make it to stabilization cause I know what will happen if I don't and it is going to be a very expensive science project if I don't. I need to focus and leave the carbs alone. After the other night, I haven't done that again.. Hopefully it cured me from myself!

Cheers!
Ronnie

Congrats on staying away from the carbs, Ronnie! I've been on program completely for 2 days; after just 1 day I was down 4 lbs. We'll see how much more will come off this week. It is so scary how much we bloat on this diet when we eat off plan...jeez.

Sorry to hear your center isn't more supportive. Mine was overly supportive, to the point of more than one call a day. Even after I explained my situation with mom and that I'd be in whenever I could fit it in they still stalked me. There was obviously a problem with communication at the center. No one was relaying my message to basically leave me alone. LOL