Thanks for the link to the recipes am definitely going to try some of those next week.

Chantal, thank you for not judging ;) and I know you are right we learn from our mistakes and have to learn to move past it.

I read something very interesting about how to change your focus so you never really cheat. It was on a different blog and I did not copy it to paste here but the gist of it was if we stop thinking about food as a reward or a celebration and start conciously reminding ourselves that we eat to live and not live to eat, changing our food habits becomes a breeze.


I thought that was sooooooo true. It's like when you try to quit smoking, you have to keep reminding yourself that nicotine is a drug that does not relieve you of boredom/stress otherwise non-smokers would be bored and stressed all the time.

So who says anytime we have to celebrate something we need to celebrate with food (food that's bad for you). Why can't we celebrate with a new pair of jeans or shoes or a treat for ourselves that does not have to go into our mouths. I guess if we manage to change our way of thinking about food that would help us stay focussed on healthy eating habits........

That's my philosophy for today and I swear I won't bore you any more :D

Based on our sharing of recipes and ideas and such I think that it would help us all to change our perspective on 'good food'. IF you did a taste taste between a burger you prepared yourself for example vs. a McDonald's one... which one do you think would win? As you can see, there are some wonderfully delicious foods that we can prepare ourselves that are fully legal. Some in fact taste so good you wonder if perhaps it isn't on plan after all. In the past I have indulged in something when eating out that I thought would be really good (off plan of course) and found myself disappointed. The social element of eating is hard for sure but there are ways around that too. It requires some reconditioning of your mind for sure...

I am challenging myself and heck... all of you too to find a way to make yourselves into culinary geniuses through this process. If you are craving something, find a way to make a HM legal version of it. It does take time and some trial and error but in the end you are reprogramming how you live essentially. That is my soapbox for today. According to the Wii fit I am down another lb. YAY!

Now I am going to go try and invent a 'iced coffee'. Stay tuned for the results and perhaps recipe....

We are not deprived! We are enlightened!

I agree meme...

Having a burger at home is as good, if not even better!
And Sweet potatoe fries can do the trick at times...

But when you're on the road, that's when things CAN get tougher...
I mean, the safety of our home is awesome. You have TOTAL control.

It's Thursday ladies...one more day to go... lol
Can you tell this week is simply drrrrraggin' by!!

Wow MEME I love the line "we are not deprived, we are enlightened"

that goes on my fridge for sure :D

lee2lee - 23 lbs in 2 months? WOW !

aditi - Don't be so hard on yourself. Find the lesson in this.

Chantal - Melting? Now there's a compliment!


Thanks for the great recipes. I can't believe that I'm only on DAY 3 and already I feel like my options are so limited and boring. I'll definitely give some of these a try.

WI today, down 0.5 which is good, I guess. I knew I couldn't keep up the 2lb-a-day pace.:censored: LOL

I did ask about the QLP 1 vs QLP 2 and was told that QLP 2 was for men and those who have 60+ lbs to lose. I'm not sure how knowledgeable the staff at my centre are. Every time they answer one of my questions, they seem "iffy". Like they're guessing. Also, I haven't been given any recipes although, in all fairness, it is only DAY 3.

I thought I'd check my old Weight Watchers books to see how many 'points' I've been eating and how HM's guidelines compared to WW's.

I'm not surprised that HM has me eating less. According to WW, I should be eating aprox 27 points per day. Looking at what I ate yesterday, I actually only had 22 points and 24 the day before.

Having said that, WW didn't work for me. No accountability. HM is the program for me!! Yippeeeee!!

Back to the drawing board for the iced coffee. My first attempt was not my best ever. Oops. Suggestions anyone?

Aren't compliments great?

Sunnygal I was with WW for a lil bit too, just the online one though not so much the meetings and everything and was allowed 21 points a day so I guess Im eating more with HM.........but WW dint do much for me either......

I do believe HM is gonna do it for me though because it does seem to encourage common sense in our eating habits and I guess all the counting is hard initially but soon we know exactly what we can eat and how much without having to think about it too much. I can't wait t get to that stage when eat right without having to think about it

GUESS WHO WEIGHED IN AT 50.4 POUNDS LOST?!?!?!

ME!!! IN a late day weigh in too!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAY
:)

Yesterday Morning I was 127 even. Today at 5:30 pm I was 125.8 :)

Congratulations Dria! You have to be on top of the moon! Way to go!!!!!

WOO HOO !!!! :flow2::flow2::flow2::flow2::flow2:

Congratulations, Dria !!

Amazing!!!

Hello ladies...been a few days since I posted, have had a tough week with a bad tooth. Also had to do alot of thinking this week as to which plan I am going to go with....not sure if you guys have heard of HERBAL ONE or not, my choice was between HM or HO.....I was going to go with the HM but chose to go with the HO instead. I think the plans are similar, but the HO was more do-able with my work scehdule etc.

I looked around for a Herbal One forum and there isn't one anywhere...so I was wondering if it would be okay with you ladies if I hung out with you guys?

PLEEAAASEEEE......LOL

I go tomorrow at 3pm, cannot wait I am very excited about it. My mom is joining as well, she doesn't have as much to lose as I...but I am so excited that she and I are doing this together!!

Way to go on the losers this week....way to go everyone!!!!

I will post my start weight tomorrow when I get home...I have also made a private FACEBOOK page as well...that I plan on opening up once I get going on plan, I took some pics of myself yesterday...NOT TOO PRETTY I have to say but I want to track my progress by pics as well.

Again I hope you don't mind if I hang out with you girls...I won't try to push the plan on anyone...I just want to have a group to be associated with.

Kim

Better life - no problem! we are all on the same journey :)

So I haven't posted since I proposed the water challenge LOL That went well for me actually, but this week has been tough with lil cheats here and there for me. Yesterday at WI I was down 1LB, but today I was up 3/4.... oopsie.

This weekend is going to be hard for me. I am doing the Cancer Society's Relay for Life and spending the weekend at a friend's place out of town. I'm going to try my hardest to stay on plan!!

Also, I had like 7 pages of posts to read!! So *sprinkles encouragement on everyone's food* in lieu of responding to everything LOL

AND ONE LAST THING:

Whoever had that iced cap recipe can you post it again?? I"m having trouble finding it. Thaaaaaanks!! Update ya'll on MONDAY :)

Yay Dria :bravo: :congrat: :dancer:

Over 50lbs gone you must be on top of the world. You are truly an inspiration for those of us who are starting on this journey.

My WI is tonight lez see how I do :)

WAY TO GO DRIA!! WOOT WOOT!

Better life - WElCOME! Maybe you could share what you program is all about!

WI last night for me... I lost 2.2 pounds since Monday.... I'm 0.2 pounds away from 30!! WOOT WOOT. Hopefully I'll have a pretty good weekend and be at least 0.2 pounds by Monday LOL

It's my BDAY!!! :carrot::carrot::carrot: P-A-R-T-Y!!

Thanks to everyone for accepting me...:)

Chunks, I hope you do well staying on plan you can this weekend, must be tough when your away from home...good luck!!

Aditi...good luck with your WI tonight!!

Chantal...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

WTG on the 2.2loss!!!!! Being 2.2lbs away from the 30lb mark must feel fantastic!!

Thanks for the welcome as well!! I will certainly share any info you would like, I think it is similar to HM, I guess we can compare when I get all the info today...WOO HOO!!!!!!!

I also have started a blog...I want to try to do all I can to keep me motivated, I don't want to fail this time...I am 35 years old and I am sick of feeling like I am much much older, my body aches all the time...I get so down on myself and I can be a miserable BIOTCH on the best of days....NO MORE!!!!

Hope everyone has a great on plan day!!

Have a great day ladies!!

Iced Capp:
1 Chocolate VHP
8-12 Ice cubes (approx 1 cup give or take- it depends how slushy you want it)
2 tsp instant coffee (heaping - can adjust to taste)
Splenda or Stevia to taste
You can also add a splash of vanilla if you so desire.

I have been absolutely ravenous the past couple of days! It is taking every ounce of willpower I have not to indulge. I am choosing all of the filling foods, breaking up my meals so that I have snacks, drinking lots, chewing gum and anything else that keeps my mind off of food. UGH! This is frustrating! However, I think I've figured out that it is where I am in my cycle that is causing this. Last month it was the same. Apparently ovulation makes me hungry! Who knew?!? Anyone else have this problem? Oh yes, and I get a rematch right before TOM too... FUN! Gotta love being in my 30s...

Okay so here I am ladies....all my materials and I am ready to go tomorrow!!

Had to get my shopping done tonight...just did up my menu for tomorrow...wow it seems like so much food to fit in, I am sure in a few weeks it won't seem that way to me, but right now it does.

I think HERBAL ONE is very similar to HERBAL MAGIC in the food aspect. Right now I am eating......3 proteins, 4 veggies, 3 fruits, 3 starches, 2 dairy and 3 fat. Plus we have a ONE CHOICE food to eat once per daily, this can be something that is 100 calories or LESS, so I can eat the 100 calorie packs if I want. Do you guys get that option on HM? I couldn't remember if that was something I was told at the consult. There is also FREE CHOICES which is mainly condiments, FF mayo, sour cream, light jello...etc. We are allowed 2 choices per day of those ones....if we want them.

I am on 3 different pills, ULTRA THIN ONE...this helps controls the appetite and provide and increase in metabolism. ULTRA FIBRACHROME....this helps to control the gluclose levels leaving a fuller feeling for a longer period of time. Lastly the ULTRA ENZYME COMPLEX....this helps to aid in digestion, may reduce cholesterol, lists all different things.

Also on Monday Wednesday Friday we take the products at the center, MON...retention release. WED....L-Glute effervescent....FRI...Optimum D-Tox

I weighed in today at 208.3/4....so I was up 1 1/4 lb from when I was there almost 3 weeks ago. They have my goal date listed as February 22/2010...my goal weight is 137.5lbs

I am sooooo excited that Mom is doing this with me.....:)

Well ladies...hope everyone had a great day, I am off to bed the pain pills are kicking in and it is all I can do to stay awake...cannot wait to get this tooth dealt with Monday!!

Night all

K

Went for my Friday wi today and I lost another 2.4 pounds!!! Since Wednesday!?! :woohoo:

I broke the 35 pound mark and lost more than 6 pounds this week!

WOW good for you....way to go .....you must be so proud of yourself, and so you should be!!!....that is AMAZING.....may I ask what week you are in??

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!:carrot:

Week 12 :)

Yup, it feels great!!

So much to catch up on ladies. Im hoping to get to you all. Im a little rushed today as My neices should be here any moment now.


Sunny- CONGRATS!!!! A great start! How are you feeling about the meals so far? Hope your handling it well. Some people do have a tough time with the restrictions, but if thats not the case Super and if it is the case I hope you figure out what meals you can handle over and over lol. Keep up the amazing work!

BetterLife- Congrats on making the commitment to make yourself feel better. It sounds ALOT like Herbal Magic thats for sure. The 3 different pills a meal (though your intake might be slightly different?!) The freebie of 100 cal snack etc... all very familiar. I welcome you to the group and look forward to cheering on your progress as the weeks go by.

Chunks- No worries about that very very slight w/i that was up. I have no doubt your gonna be down 2 more by monday!!! You keep up the great work Chicky!!!

Aditi- I am awaiting to hear how your W/I went. Please come back and let us know how your doing soon. Thanks for the compliments I am over the moon. better yet I feel sexy :) And healthy... and energetic and who could ask for more then that!??!!?

Chantal- Sorry I am a day late. But HAPPY BIRTHDAY I hope you had a very great time. .2 down for monday PFFFFT Birthday and all I betcha your gonna be down a pound or two and kick that 30lbs lost way gone!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

mememegogirl- great job with the fighting off the hungries!!! When Im feeling hungry like that in the evening (snacky time old bad habit trying to ignore for me) I fill up on my teas and water.... I suck it back like its going out of style. Keeps me up moving to the potty and back lol And heating the water and making and dipping my tea bag keeps my hands busy!!! Good work!!

momof5k- HOLY SMOKES THATS FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!! weel 12 and 36lbs?!?! Your kicking my butt!!! At 12 weeks I had lost 33.2 lbs. So your way ahead of the game. Keep up the great work. Feels wonderful doesnt it?

Well I made my 50lbs and stocked up with my 50% off on my plats bars and shakes ;) Love those bars! lol. I have been behaving. My celebrating for making it was simply being bubbly for the day, and telling EVERYONE I saw that I had made my 50lbs so they could be happy with me and for me. That itself is a kick arse feeling. Dont get me wrong.. Id love to go have some pie or ice cream.. but breaking habits here. Keeping busy instead of sitting to eat to reward myself...



WHat do you ladies think?!?! My goal date isnt til Aug 17. But I only have 5.8 more lbs to go. I havent plateaued so I think my body so far is still good with me losing weight and going lower....
Now I still have 5.8 to go mind you... I could still really stall anytime between now and then. If I DONT stall do you guys think I should switch my goal to 115?!?! Remember Im only barely 5'1" So that lower weight is still very healthy... but... ah what do you guys think?!?!?

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I know mine will be busy :)
I cant wait to see the loss of lbs on Monday Ladies :)

I only have a second and it is to gripe. WHAT A RIP-OFF! I only lost 1.9lbs this week! What the?!? I am annoyed because I have been good. Granted, I am back on my pain meds for my back and even within the name it is called 'sodium diclofenac' or something like that. I'm sure I'll be down more by my Tuesday wi... and to be fair, I haven't been able to exercise this week. Either my kids were sick, I was sick, or my back was acting up. Oh welll.....

I'll be brief now and say I am rooting for everyone of you at any stage you happen to be at. I don't know about you but I feel great already!

Dria...thanks for the Welcome.

Regarding the pill intake...there is 2 that (4 pills) I take 30 minutes before each meal and one that I take (2pills) with my meal.

I don't know what to tell you regarding the lower weight of 115lbs, do you think it is a weight you are going to be able to maintain easily when you are all done the program? I am a SHORTY also...as I am 4'11. I have my goal weight set at 137.5, I will most likely be in the same situation you are when I reach my goal, or get close to it, but I also want to be at a weight that is a maintainable one, for me personally, I think 115lbs is too low, I think I may go to 125, but that would be the lowest for me. But everyone is different. No matter what you choose look how far you have I bet you look and feel amazing....have you ever posted before and after pics? Would LOVE to see them if your not to shy to post them...:)

MEME...sorry your loss wasn't as much as you wanted it to be, but I am sure it could be from the sodium medication....did you ask them at the center if that could be why? Best of luck to you this week...I am sure Tuesday will bring you great numbers!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope everyone is having a great weekend, mine is going well...hoping this rain stays away, but right now it is not looking to promising, yesterday it was terrible for the rain:(

I have to share this with you guys and I sure you have all experienced this as well during your HM journey....so I had my menu all planned out for yesterday, then my cousin calls and asks me to go out of town with her for a couple of hours, I take a snack along with me because I didn't want to mess up on my first day. SO I grabbed a cup of baby carrots through them in a ziplock and away I go....well that decision, made a mess of my menu for the rest of the day. I don't know what I was looking at when I looked in my book for carrots, but my portion should have been 1/2cup...not a cup. Messed my whole menu up....LOL Good thing I chose to write in pencil because I had to redo lunch and dinner....LOL...guess you learn along the way...:p

I did find I had a hard time trying to get in all the food as well, does anyone have that problem? Also had a HUGE headache lastnight and when I spoke to my mom she did as well...I think it is might be lack of the BAD CARBS?? I have done low carb diets in the past and I know that the headaches in the beginning are horrendous!! I am used to eating bread 'atleast' 2 times a day...so 4 slices, plus all the other crap. 3 starches is NO WHERE near what I would have eaten on a regular day...which is why I am where I am.

Okay one last question for you guys....sorry to bombard you, do you guys spread everything out for your food? 3 meals and 3 snacks? This is what I had in mind to do, but I found I still had to eat at like 8pm lastnight, not sure about eating that late??

Sorry to ramble, but I do tend to do this....LOL

Have a good one!!

Hello ladies...................

Well my weigh in sucked a expected....I was down jsut 1 lb........im sad:(

I did lose 6 and half inches across which made me a little happy but the 1 lb loss was upsetting. No more dinners out till I reach my goal now....

I have a questions for all of you, how many of you take the fat blockers and sugar blocker pills and what are they? Do they help?

Well, the weekend is over and I have to say I did well, for the most part. Too much going on, too much eating away from home. I'm starting to understand what you gals mean about not wanting to leave home because you're not in control. Went to my husband's family picnic and was a little overwhelmed because of the temptations. I did well overall, but I didn't write anything in my food diary....wouldn't know how to begin to journal what I ate. I guess I'll know how well I did tomorrow - the scales don't lie. Tuesday will be one week that I've been on the plan and I'm hoping for a decent loss (6lbs total ?) and am curious to see my measurements.

Better Life - welcome. I've only just begun my journey and am trying to figure how to stagger my meals and snacks. I think you just have to experiment to see what works best for you.

momof5k - Yahoo!! You go girl. It's seems like you are really committed to the HM program and working out and it shows in your results.

meme - Your iced capp recipe looks great. I could really use one now. Problem is I don't have any ingredients on hand except the ice cubes! I'll have to try these VHP shakes you gals keep referring to. So far I've tried a few of the bars that were in my welcome kit and can't say I like any of them yet. I've tried the caramel nut and the chocolate fudge and they don't do it for me.

Chantal - Happy Belated Birthday! Hope you had a great day.

My oh my....
 

Ok I was up last week by 0.4 June 16th I was 206, June 19th I was 206 and today I still am 206. Considering the food court, birthday party and going to the Mandarin for fathers day, I am not upset. I took my products faithfully and I drank alot of water so I have to put my #ss in gear and be down to 204 this week. I also was slacking on exercise for the last 2 weeks to.

This weeks challenges to fill my bingo card are... to visit the center everyday which I need!!! LOL, drink 12 glasses of water for one day... which will be todays challenge to flush out all my sodium from the weekend!!! loose 2 pounds this week, I have no comment on this one I have no choice this week at all. And the last challenge is to eat all white meat as one of the protein choices, no beef this week at all, or pork, just chicken and I guess tuna it will be.

Great job Dria.... only you can decide what weight you want to be, and what you can comfortably maintain.

Chantal Happy birthday once again I hope you had a great day!!!!

Congratulations to all those who have lost at the scales this week and last week!!! I am bad at names.. so do forgive me!!!

And if it wasn't for the HM bars I would not survive my night shift!!! Tim hortons is right across the street!!!


I will keep plugging along with my food.... 6 pounds and they take away some food!!!! YIKES I am not looking forward to that part.


Take care everyone


lee2lee

Hey ladies.

Well I had my first weigh in this afternoon, was down 1 3/4lbs...sitting at 207. I am very happy the scales moved but since my Mom was down 4lbs, and she has 35lbs to lose it kind of makes me feel discouraged. Although I am having a problem with being bloated and I was started on the enzymes today and hoping that they will help things and I will have a better loss.

I also feel like I am eating WAY too much food...I am having a hard time right now, especially that I am off work until next Tuesday....hoping once I go back next week things will be easier for me, because right now for the first time in my life, I DREAD EATING!!!

Enough about me, hope you al had a great weekend!!

MMMMK W.I went well today.
Last weeks stats.
June 15
w.i 127.4 1.8lbs down 48.8 lbs lost total and 62" gone

Today June 22
w.i 124.4 3.0 lbs down (YAY 3 LBS WEEK GONE!!!! If I can do that this week Ill only have just over a lb to my goal next week I cant even believe it lol)
I have lost 51.8 lbs total and lost lots of inches this week. 65,5: total lost.
leaving me with 4.4 lbs left to lose to my goal and Im just starting week 20.

So I was very happy with my weeks progress. I plan to be super good this week and have another big weight loss this week!!!!
Hope all is well!!

My wi was also pretty good today. Down 1.2 since Friday and 3.5 inches since last Monday.

Not bad! I am closing in on 40 pounds (2.4 to go!!) so I hope to get there this week.

Let's keep going everyone! Summer is finally here :)

Oh yes and Dria...WTG!!! More than 50 pounds in less than 20 weeks!! That's awesome!!

better life: I know it's hard but try not to compare your numbers to your mom's. You each have your own path to walk and any loss along the way should be celebrated!! 1.75 pounds GONE!! Yahoo!

lee2lee: You are so close to Onederland...I know you can do it! I am still dreaming of that goal (although not looking forward to the additional food restriction) as it is a way off but..Go for it girl!! Perhaps this was the kick in the rear you needed to keep going (I know I need one once in a while)

Your right!! I guess it just kind of discouraged me...but I am SOOOOO over it now. I am now 69.5lbs away from goal...:carrot:

I can tell you this much, I hope that the enzymes don't take too long to kick in I cannot handle this bloated feeling....:(

WAY TO GO ladies on the losses....you guys are such an inspiration!!

:hug:
Kim

hello ladies,

Wow this is an active group I did not go on one day and had to go through 3 pages to catch up......

Can anyone tell me more about the fat blockers and the sugar blockers? I wanted to buy them but I wanted to find out if they help......

Great losses everyone...........My WI on Friday was 1lb.....but I know I'm due for my monthly pal this week so I am hoping my body retained water or something :D

Sorry Aditi for missing this question before.

I have purchased the sugar blockers but haven't really used them much so I can't really say.

Perhaps someone else can be more helpful!

Way to go on all the losses ladies!

Sorry, I don't know about those products at all.

I am struggling. I gave into temptation last night and ended up having 2 Free Exchanges. My body is really reacting to my back pain meds and I am retaining water like crazy. I am doing lots of research about how to counteract this.

thanks mememe for reposting the recipe! I'm going to try it TODAY:D

I didn't weigh in today, but Tuesday I'll be in the centre bright and early. The Relay for Life was sooo tiring and they had A LOT of off program food there. I have no more events coming up so this should keep me pretty focused. I find it hard to eat properly when I'm away from my HM.

CONGRATS Dria on the huge success! Why not challenge yourself and go to 115?

Hello ladies, I've been away for a few days. Had a "girls" weekend, sooooo fun!! Managed to stay on program food wise, but had waaaaay too many beverages! I drink about 3 times a year so I'm not too upset about it. Looks like the scale has remained in the same place so far, but we will see. Looks like you girlies have been doing well. Way to go Dria, so exciting!! Congrats to all the rest of the losers aswell. Welcome all newbies! Won't be going into the centre 3X this week as I have my niece until Sat, who has Cerebral Palsy, so I am unable to lift her from vehicle to wheel chair etc, etc, considering she weighs about 150, so I hope the centre understands. I will call them this a.m. Well, must go, have a great day girls!!

Ok so I weighed myself at home this morning and the scale showed me at 168, which is 2lbs lesser than I wsa on Friday :carrot:.......as much as I want to believe that it is going to stay that way I don't wanna get too happy :D

Ok so has anyone used the fat blockers/sugar blockers? If yes how does it help if it does that is........

I wasn't able to go in today as planned but I did however call in and talk to the girls there. Choosing what to eat has become that much more challenging as these meds are wreaking havoc on the old bod... But I learned something that I thought might be helpful to share:
(Reminder - I am counteracting a medication that causes fluid retention)
1) More fibre (Bran,etc, Veggies from the 1 c serving section)
2) Choose Potassium rich foods (I googled a list)
3) Increase water intake to 12/day
4) Be stingy with the spices

THEN I spoke with one of my Doctors and he said to:
1) Have 3 fatty fish servings / week
2) Limited red meat and dairy (No prob with HM)
3) Take vitamin D (2000mg at bed time)

So now I have to think HARDER than ever about HM before every meal. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Anyone smell smoke from all of the brain action going on over here? :)