I am in month 2 of MRC and so far I've lost 9 lbs and 13 in. I could have lost more weight but pretty much every weekend I lose control. I do fine during the week but these past few days I have been craving carbs like CRAZY! What can I do to satisfy that craving without indulging in chips, bread, cookies, etc. like I did this weekend? And just having one chip or one bite of whatever to get my "fix" doesn't work.. it only opens the floodgates and makes me want more and more and more....

Hey, Hallie!

Unfortunately, there's no easy fix for "carb cravings." You're talking to the queen of carb cravings. I could sit down and eat a loaf of Italian bread from the bakery and not even blink an eye. I know where you're coming from.

Honestly, for me, it's taken practice, practice, practice. Turning down carbs one at a time. When I do, I feel so empowered. It is a high on it's own. I still have my moments, but not nearly as often as I used to.

Here's the thing with carb cravings. Eating snacks like bread, cookies, sweets, etc., makes our blood sugar spike and then fall rapidly. This triggers our body to crave more carbs the rest of the day. That's why you're not getting your "fix" and eating all day. It’s an absolutely viscous cycle. A domino effect occurs when you introduce that first carb. So, you need to quit playing dominos. But that's a decision only you can make.

Are you eating the carbs out of boredom is something you need to ask yourself. If so, you need to find other things to occupy your time. Going for a walk, a bike ride, reading a magazine...these things may sound cliche, but they work. Anything to get you away from the carbs and focus your energy on something good for you. You also need to see if you're following the plan as written. How much water are you drinking a day (plain water) in addition to the HNS? These things will impact your carb cravings.

One other thing. MRC does sell two different supplement that help with cravings. No pill is a cure-all, but they do help. One is called Guggle. It helps curb carb and salt cravings. The other is Metabolic Glucose Formula. It helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Talk to your counselor and see which would help you more.

I hope this helps some. You CAN do this, you just have to break the cycle.

Good Luck!!!

JenB has some excellent advice. Did you ever really get the carbs out of your system, or have you been cheating since the beginning? If you stay OP for a few weeks, your cravings should dissipate. I've done MRC twice, and I will say that it gets much better a few weeks into it when you're used to not eating carbs. You don't miss them as much. I mean, carbs always look/sound good to me, but I don't CRAVE them like I do at the beginning. It's pretty much under control once you've been eating on menu for a while. However, if you cheat once week, it just keeps that craving going.

Toward the end of my program last time, I got overconfident and started going out with friends once a week-- dinner out, a drink, and then sometimes a little dessert, too. I had about the same success you're having. It would take me half the week to recover from the cheat, and then a couple days later, it was cheat time again. It doesn't work well. I was toward the end, so I didn't have the size motivation like I did at the beginning, but looking back, I was just being stupid. If I had just kept up the same intensity for a short while longer, it would have been finished. Anyway, if you can really push yourself to get past the initial cravings, it will get better, but if you keep cheating, the cravings will always be there. Easier said than done, I know, but try making a stern commitment for two weeks or something. It was always easier for me when I broke it down and made a commitment for a week or so.

I haven't been on the program for very long, but I have stuck to it like glue and am shocked at how manageable my cravings are. Sugar has always been my nemesis (or true love, depending on how you look at it) but I've been able to give it up without looking back. Well, without looking back long enough for it to become a problem! I got a whiff of Oreos in the grocery store tonight that almost did me in....

To help with my motivation, I keep a list in the back of my food journal of things I'm looking forward to happening when I'm 90 pounds lighter. It ranges from "being able to wear my actual wedding set" to "setting a good example for my daughter." It's really helped me to review that list when I'm tempted to cheat, and I add things to it as they come to me so it stays pretty fresh in my mind.

I am definitely one that loves my carbs also. The others gave you some great advice. Here are a few things I do when I crave carbs. If I'm going to "cheat", I try to stay OP:

Make a Parmesan crisp: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/g...ipe/index.html These are very crunchy and satisfying

Eat some cottage cheese and maybe a little fruit

Melba toast and home made hummus

I also drink an HSN. So far this has helped. Good luck!

Thank yall so much for the advice! Definitely things to consider when I feel the urge..

I really like the idea of a list in the back of your food journal. I'm going to try that myself.