Hello Just wanted to introduce myself. I signed up with MRC yesterday, after seeing other people's great results, and started the pre-conditioning today.

My highest weight was 211 a couple of years ago. Over those years I've been able to lose and keep off a little over 15 pounds on my own. I've been stuck between 185 and 195 for the past year or so. I just haven't really stuck to any specific plan I guess. I'm 5' 0", weighed in at 196 at the center yesterday, and my goal is 130.

Are there any vegetarians here? There are only 3 veggie protein options on the list I was given: hard cheese, lf cottage cheese and eggs. I'm not really a fan of cottage cheese or eggs, and I can't imagine eating cheese at every meal would be a good idea.

So, I told the consultant I was a vegetarian and asked if they had any vegetarian options. The consultant said that, while they don't have a veggie pre-conditioning menu, they do have a vegetarian h**-menu. She said, in the meantime, I could substitute 4oz fake meats or 1/4 c nuts.

Any suggestions for quality plant-based or dairy protein options? Would plain, fat-free greek yogurt qualify as a protein? Is there a way to read labels to see what the best alternatives might be?

When looking at labels... if the calories and protein grams are the same and the only difference between the two are one has less fat and more carbs and the other has less carbs and more fat... which is the better choice?

Also, I know she said that I won't be exercising after pre-conditioning, but I don't remember whether I was supposed to be exercising during pre-conditioning?

Thank you for any assistance you can provide! I've enjoyed reading your posts.

~ Mandi

I am not on the veg menu, but aren't beans allowed? Those are great sources of protein. You need to call your center and ask to speak with someone else...they have to give you some alternatives.

Also, I don't know why you WOULDN'T excercise after pre-conditioning. Many of us workout regularly. You also need to ask about that. I don't see why you can't workout now.

On the list they gave me, beans are considered starches, but I would think that beans, lentils, etc would also be a good alternative.

After pre-conditioning, I'm doing 30 days of an 800 cal diet, during which, I'm not supposed to do intense cardio or strength training. I think walking is okay though.

Ah that plan. Well I don't know anything about that one. And for that matter 3FC doesn't condone it (as do many of us) because it is unhealthy and dangerous.

We use MRC's food plan with a sensible amount of food and no artificial hormones. I would highly suggest talking to them about a food plan. The plan you are on is dangerous...and it doesn't make sense. When should losing weight be "no excercise allowed"? But anyway...make the choices you need....

The "no exercise" thing kind of made sense to me, because my husband, who lost 170 pounds in 3 years, had to make sure he didn't exercise too much or too intensely, otherwise he would get too hungry, eat too much and would stop losing weight. Now that he's at a healthy weight, he exercises much more.

I'll do some more research.

@mandiana- You and I share a similar story. My highest weight was 211. I'm 5ft 1. I started at 196 with MRC and they have my goal set at 140...but my personal goal is 130. I am going to do this on meta-slim. I hope you can talk to them about a food plan. Metaslim works. My aunt lost over 90lbs on it and has kept it off for 7yrs!

Thanks, Karla! What an encouraging story! My first weigh-in is tomorrow, and I will talk to them.

Ooohhh.. and we're both on the East Coast of Florida too! I'm in Palm Coast.

Mandiana - I just finished the plan you are talking about. They don't like you talking about it here, though. You can e-mail me at EllisFan14 at gmail if you'd like.

Also, I did yoga 2-3 times a week while on that plan, ice skated and walked.

Nice! I love to see Florida gals on here.