*~* Jazzed Up July with MWL *~*

[lins]

I was stuck in a rut too and that was causing my weight loss to slow way down, but the "free" day and then 3 days of week one caused me to loose 3lbs this week. I had noodless spaghetti tonight (extra lean ground beef, 2 tbsp sugar free sauce, and 1 garlic and herb lauging cow cheeese wedge), it was sooooooo yummy. I eat the same thing I make for my family I just take out the carbs. For example I eat taco salad on "taco night" with just lettuce, taco meat, cheese, and salsa.

I also eat things like lunch meat and beef jerky the 1-3 days after I weigh-in and then cut them out the 3 days or so before way in and make sure to get the full 128oz of water. That seems to help me not be bloated on weigh-in days (except during TOM). That was a trick my clinic shared with me.

[Fit2010]

Keri - Pizza thingie: just place some turkey pepperoni on a microwave safe plate in single layer and microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, top with mozz cheese and microwave for another 30-45 seconds. Let cool a little. Eat as is or fold over.
Other idea is that you can put mozz in a sm teflon frying pan and let it melt on low, really, really melt so that fat burns off some more; top with turkey pepperoni (but I like the pepperoni cooked well so took out the cheese so it was on a plate and then cooked the pepperoni). My preference: no pan to clean...so I nuke it!

Re: turkey tetrazini....My husband made it and I was eating off plan. Don't try it. (Besides, I think it was Tuna Tetrazini from a box that he put turkey in instead of tuna--so boxed stuff).

[lins]

I zap my turkey pepperoni in the microwave for 1 minute, and then I cut up a low-fat string cheese into 16 peices (circles) and place one of those on top of eat pepperoni and cook for another 30 seconds. SOOOOO yummy!

[SonoRoo]

My big dog had a little energy spurt for the last few days but now he is slowing down and is more wobbly. He couldn't stand up on the hard wood floors this afternoon and my son had to help him up. It is killing him because Kaiso is his dog. It hurts a lot and makes me sad. He has always been such a good dog. It almost hurts worse now...I was prepared last week. I am not this week. I am heartbroken. I'll have to see how he is tonight, we may have to go to the vet tomorrow. Watching my teenage son cry is horrible. Watching my sweet dog slowly waste away is so sad.

My heart literally hurts.

[Fit2010]

Shelley - Sounds like you've made your decision, and they are helping you to know it's time.

[tydreamer]

Shelley, I'm so sorry!

[Rochelle91214]

Well I'm back to Medi after really falling off the wagon. I took a break and went on vacation and realized I had gained 14 pounds back!!! It was really an eye opener so I decided it was time to get back to business. The other eye opener was when I tried my bridesmaid dress on (the wedding is in Sept) it didn't even zip up! :blush: I had gotten really out of control with my eating and fell right back into old habits that had brought me to Medi in the first place.

I started again last week and went back to week 1. I lost 9.2 pounds - 5 pounds of fat, the rest was water. This week I added back my veggies, but now my scale at home is saying I am up 2 pounds? I know I shouldn't be weighing myself so much at home but it's just habit I guess.

I am going tomorrow for my 2nd weigh in so we'll see what the scale says at the clinic. It feels good to be back on track now. I have so much more energy and just all around feel better about myself. This board really keeps me motivated! Thank you for all of your stories and support!

[irabeslim]

Originally Posted by Rochelle91214

Well I'm back to Medi after really falling off the wagon. I took a break and went on vacation and realized I had gained 14 pounds back!!! It was really an eye opener so I decided it was time to get back to business. The other eye opener was when I tried my bridesmaid dress on (the wedding is in Sept) it didn't even zip up! :blush: I had gotten really out of control with my eating and fell right back into old habits that had brought me to Medi in the first place.

I started again last week and went back to week 1. I lost 9.2 pounds - 5 pounds of fat, the rest was water. This week I added back my veggies, but now my scale at home is saying I am up 2 pounds? I know I shouldn't be weighing myself so much at home but it's just habit I guess.

I am going tomorrow for my 2nd weigh in so we'll see what the scale says at the clinic. It feels good to be back on track now. I have so much more energy and just all around feel better about myself. This board really keeps me motivated! Thank you for all of your stories and support!

Welcome back, Rochelle! It happenns to the best of us. When we are put outside our comfort zone and routine, it is very difficult to keep to stick to your diet. Every time when I am thinking of upcoming trips, social events, etc, I feel that I am control and will know what to do but when I get to that situation that control somehow disappears and you constantly arguing with yourself about what to do. One difference with this diet plan is that I know I can always go back to week 1 plan and start over. Good luck!

[eptexy]

Originally Posted by mommy2princesses

On the energy in/energy out thread - there was talk of "fold-over pizza thingy's" (Erin & Leah, maybe???) What is it? I tried to search it, but no luck. Also - Erin, what's in a chicken fajita salad? (Just chicken/peppers/onions on top of a salad?).

Hey Keri - I do chicken fajitas all. the. time. My family loves them and so do I. Basically I get the pre-seasoned fajita meat and throw it on top of a salad. You can add light or fat free sour cream, cilantro, a few grilled onions, etc. The boys like the meat in quesadillas too so it's easy to make dinner for everyone and not do anything (really) separately.

[taw62]

Shelley, I'm so sorry about your dog's illness. My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. Many do not understand - but any dog owner will tell you a dog is truly a family member and their illness/loss is as hard on you as it is with any family member. You and your son can comfort each other, and make make the time you have together with your dog the best it can be. It is a very sad time - try to remember all the good and happy times you had together! I've owned seven dogs (five rescues) over the last five years and have lost four. Have grieved deeply for them all but in time the hurt will heal. To help with the grief, I've made photo collages of them all and it makes me smile when I look at the photos and remember them!
Hang in there and we are all thinking of you
Tracey

[lins]

Welcome back Rochelle! You'll be back down in no time. The nice thing about Medi is that when you do find yourself out of control you know how to get control back quickly. I leave on vacation tomorrow, but I have all my Medi approved foods packed and we will be in cabins away from a town so I won't have the option of eatting off plan!

[Rochelle91214]

Thank you guys!

Lins - Have a great time! I went to Mexico on an all inclusive package so between the food and drinks, I really went overboard! But I'm back and ready to get the scale moving again.. only DOWN this time!

Shelley- I'm so sorry about your dog. Sending good thoughts your way!

[Fit2010]

Rochelle - Welcome back. If you haven't yet, you might want to look at our books and blogs thread, some of us have been studying WHY we eat. But, I agree, an all-inclusive trip package would be pretty tempting. Still, I wanted to throw that resource out to you for extra "power" next temptation. You don't want to be yo-yoing just because we do know how to get it back off with week 1 foods for a time. Listen to me talk, I'm not perfect, so I'm talking to myself here too! You'll be pulling me over to encourage me in the future....that's what we're all here for!

[Rochelle91214]

Thanks Debbie! I will definitely check out that thread! I have been reading through the Energy In and Energy Out thread as well. I think my biggest reason why I got off track back in April was because I was bored. I was so sick of eating the same things and eventually just strayed off course. I have gotten so many ideas from that thread and I can't wait to try them! It's also so motivating to read all the posts that go back to March. Your progress has been remarkable! You are so encouraging and really help me want to stay focused this time! I'm a teacher so I'm on summer vacation right now, so I really don't have any excuses not to dive right in and get serious. Although it is a little easier being at work and having breakfast and lunch packed for me. Being at home a lot makes me want to eat more, but I'm not giving in to that! I've learned my lesson!!

And you're right.. that's what we are all here for! I'll be here if you ever need a little push! This journey is so much easier when you have people to talk to who know exactly what you're feeling and going through!

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by SonoRoo

My big dog had a little energy spurt for the last few days but now he is slowing down and is more wobbly. He couldn't stand up on the hard wood floors this afternoon and my son had to help him up. It is killing him because Kaiso is his dog. It hurts a lot and makes me sad. He has always been such a good dog. It almost hurts worse now...I was prepared last week. I am not this week. I am heartbroken. I'll have to see how he is tonight, we may have to go to the vet tomorrow. Watching my teenage son cry is horrible. Watching my sweet dog slowly waste away is so sad.

My heart literally hurts.

Shelly, I'm SO sorry! This is such a hard time. We had a black Lab named Sugar (she had been heart worm + when we rescued her, THEN she became diabetic requiring special food and insulin shots twice a day) who did some of that same thing. When I was least prepared for her to go, is when we had to make that very hard decision. I'm afraid I'll have to do it again soon as one of our other dogs is 14, and blind.
My heart goes out to you and your son.

[mommy2princesses]

Oh Shelley - my heart hurts for you too! I can only imagine how tough it is for you as hte parent too, knowing how your son hurts. I remember being about 18 years old and we had to put our boxer down - that is honestly one of the very few times I remember my dad EVER crying. A dog is a family member - we all are here for you!

Thanks everyone for the pizza recipe - sounds easy enough! Turkey pepperoni to be added to the next grocery list!

I was down 2.5 more lbs this week at my weigh-in! Interesting though, I was telling the Dr. about my hair loss and how I bought biotin this week. She said she hadn't really ever heard of anyone having hair loss - to let her know how the biotin worked so she could recommend if anyone else ever mentioned hair loss. Huh? However, she did tell me now that on days I exercise I should have closer to 600 calories of protein rather than 500 (oh great - stuck in a food rut and now I need to eat more!).

[SDC2]

Shelley,

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. My dog died unexpectedly last September and it was a shock. My 3 sons, 17, 20 and 22 cried hysterically when they said goodbye. I never expected it to hurt so bad and miss him so much. I am only just now ready to adopt another dog.

One thing that helped me with the loss was the website Pet Loss Grief Support, The Rainbow Bridge Poem, Monday Candle Ceremony. They have a story about the Rainbow Bridge, which is the place that dogs go to when they die so that they can help welcome children to heaven. There are also chat rooms where very compassionate animal lovers comforted me as I told them all about my dog. There is also a tribute page. I hope this helps some.

Hugs!

[txntv]

Originally Posted by Fit2010

Keri - Pizza thingie: just place some turkey pepperoni on a microwave safe plate in single layer and microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, top with mozz cheese and microwave for another 30-45 seconds. Let cool a little. Eat as is or fold over.

I always cook them at the same time because if I cook the pepperoni for 1 min -- it's already crispy. Add the cheese and it becomes burnt to a crisp. I guess you cook the pepperoni to get them close to crispy and then finish it off with the cheese?

[lins]

I cook the pepperoni for 1 minutes, then add the cheese, and cook for another 30 seconds. Comes out perfectly.

I have been sooooooo snacky today. I made it through the day by chewing sugar free gum (my clinic is okay with it), and drinking lots and lots of water. Then I brushed my teeth and used listerine (another trick of mine), I even broke down and crunches on ice to see if that would help me. I ended up eatting about 700 calories today, which is normal on my running days, but I ran last night, so I am not going tonight. Plus I have to be in bed early because we leave the house at 5a.m. for vaction. I hate days like this.

[Fit2010]

You're probably already headed for bed, Lins, but I hope you have a great trip! Thanks for sharing your tips for stopping eating. Sometimes I stick my orthodontic retainers in during the day (otherwise I usually just where them at bedtime a couple times a week).
That's one of my tricks!

txntv - I guess the first time I made them I cooked them (turkey pepperoni) as I described above--I'd read on the thread somewhere back in December or so that someone cooked them that long and they were crunchy then. While eating week 1 I just wanted something other than meat, eggs, cheese, carbmasters yogurt....so the crispy turkey pepperoni was a different, appealing texture! I've kept it that way ever since

Shelley - We're all thinking of you. Take care, Sweetie.

[Nance7]

Originally Posted by SonoRoo

He couldn't stand up on the hard wood floors this afternoon and my son had to help him up. Watching my teenage son cry is horrible. Watching my sweet dog slowly waste away is so sad.

My heart literally hurts.

Shelley, we are all hurting with you. Your mention of the slick floors and your son crying brought the loss of my precious dog back to me--she was my son's dog, too. I am thinking about you and feeling your pain.

[GirlInJersey]

Shelley, I can not even imagine what you are going through. Keep your head up, you have a lot of support here!

So, I haven't posted in a while. Been busy with the summer and work. I hit 80 lbs. yesterday at my weigh in. I'm so happy with that. But I feel like I'm slacking a little bit. My motivation is going downhill fast and I don't really know why. I'm not eating bad, but my energy is really low and because of that I haven't been exercising that much. I really need to kick it in to gear though because I can't stay in phase 1 forever...it's killing my wallet!!

How do I get motivated again??

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

[Ortal]

hi everyone

long time no talk. its been a busy few weeks. I am going to weigh in tonight and ithink im down, but I know i cheated here and there this week.... I need to get re-focused so these last 20 lbs come off in a few months not another year.

Saturday i was at an awesome birthday party on this amazing lake, and we went swimming with some friends. great exersize, but when we got back on the boat i was FAMISHED and all they brought out was chips, dip, and pretzels (and beer...) I caved and had some pretzles and water. first real cheat since I started but I keep telling myself that a year ago i woulda a) eaten a lot more b) not been out there in my bathing suit to begin with. Then at night we partied till the weeeee hours of the morning and I ate all protein (i had a finger-tips-worth of frosting lol) and a lot of water and diet coke. Even the diet coke wasnt good for me, like 5 cans in 8 hours, but it was that or beer.

Ive been trying to drink more than the usual amount of water since then, as well as eating cleanly and watching the salt. I found some great 1oz packs of unsalted almonds and Cashews so those are awesome.

Im going into weigh in tonight expecting a pound or two at best but thats okay. Im enjoying my summer and thats what matters. Im starting to slow off the appetite suppressent which is a scary thought. Ive also stepped up the exercise, tried a Zumba class, and just all around trying to stay happy. Ijust havent had a laptop the past few weeks at home and its been crazy at work. Ive also been nibbling on things i shouldnt. a triscuit here. a crouton there. just one but still i dont want to start a pattern.

*goes to read other posts and see how everyone else is*

Heres a picture from the party:: dont i look cool with my beer? oh wait thats a diet pepsi shhhhhhh

[Fit2010]

Hi Ortal! I've missed you! You do look good in the photo...I'm glad you shared it! Wow, you had wonderful restraint at that party to just have pretzels, water and diet Coke. I'm so happy for you! And you made a really good point about being in your swim suit this summer, compared to last summer. You are successful!

We're the same weight now...I'm aiming for 10 lbs more to lose. Though I'm older we'll probably reach goal about the same time. Want a contest? Nah....but it will be good to cheer each other on.

GirlinJersey - Welcome back! You've lost an incredible amount of weight...is that just since March 2010 when you joined here? I think we're finding it's taking a while for our heads to wrap around the idea that we can really, really meet goal and to think of ourselves as a smaller version of our former self. You might be interested in looking at our MWL thread for Books and Blogs to see some good reads/CDs to help you change your thinking. This WOE is a process. Hoping you're getting plenty of water to drink also....sometimes when we have decreased energy our body is telling us it's thirsty. Also, just read the other sites like Energy In/Energy Out for ideas of what to eat (though it's not all perfect....it's an accountability thread)....

[Ortal]

lets not call it a contest, lets call it motivation Im a competitive person so that kinda stuff inspires me.

I havent forgotten about your pants. they are in my car.... waiting to be mailed. Ill make it a point to do it tomorrow at lunch time.

[Fit2010]

Hi Ortal! No hurry about the pants, working with students doesn't begin again for about 5 wks. And thank you again! Glad I motivated you....I'm a competitive person too, but have so many "issues" going on right now (described in Energy In/Energy Out). But, I need the motivation for sure!! I wanted to be understanding/started on maintenance before school restarts in 5 wks and hoped to be doing abd/arms/glut focus as well as increasing my jogging intervals. I don't want to hold back now!

[tydreamer]

Hi all. I'm getting really eager to hit goal and get into maintenance now. I'm about 6 pounds away and I REALLY want to get there soon so I can start learning it before school starts and it gets crazy again. I read the posts about starches and I feel lost. I'm SO good at this Medi acute stuff and know calorie totals and portions, etc., but then we add more veggies, more fruit, x amount of starches, and we need to stay under y amount of fat grams, and on and on. I want to be planning NOW what I'm going to be eating in a few weeks. I'm kinda anal that way.

[tydreamer]

Okay, so just since I posted a bit ago, I have raided the cabinets. I HATE feeling this out of control. Healthy for the first part of the day. Chicken for breakfast. Chicken for lunch, 10 cherries, s/f jello, cottage cheese. Then a few almonds. Then a few more. Then the rest of the 100 calorie pack. Then 70 calories worth of this dark chocolate peanut butter that I found at Walmart yesterday. Yum. Then about 70 calories worth of the new mini turkey pepperonis crisped up in the microwave. THEN a few spoonfuls of peanut butter. I'm gonna guess about 300 calories worth. So I've already eaten about 1,000 calories so far today. 900 from protein. AND there're pork chops brining to be put on the grill for dinner. I HATE these moments of weakness. Healthy choices? Yes. Healthy amount of calories? Maybe, tho over the recommended. Healthy mindset? Absolutely not. I feel like crying.

Some days when I'm reading these posts and I see that others are struggling, I wonder why on that particular day, I feel so strong and my calories are right on target and I have energy and determination and 100% committment and am sure. And other days when I read about everyone else's successes and resistances, and accomplishments I wonder why I have to feel so weak and still so wrapped up in my eating disorders. And even tho I'm only SIX (6) pounds from goal and have lost almost an even 60 pounds, I'm still miles away from being "cured" in my head.

I saw on the wall at the clinic that there's some special counseling for those who feel they need some additional attention. Has anyone taken advantage of this at their clinic? Has it helped? What is wrong with me?

Thank you, friends, for all of your support.

[Nance7]

Originally Posted by tydreamer

THEN a few spoonfuls of peanut butter. I'm gonna guess about 300 calories worth. So I've already eaten about 1,000 calories so far today. 900 from protein. AND there're pork chops brining to be put on the grill for dinner. I HATE these moments of weakness. Healthy choices? Yes. Healthy amount of calories? Maybe, tho over the recommended. Healthy mindset? Absolutely not. I feel like crying.

Some days when I'm reading these posts and I see that others are struggling, I wonder why on that particular day, I feel so strong and my calories are right on target and I have energy and determination and 100% committment and am sure. And other days when I read about everyone else's successes and resistances, and accomplishments I wonder why I have to feel so weak and still so wrapped up in my eating disorders. And even tho I'm only SIX (6) pounds from goal and have lost almost an even 60 pounds, I'm still miles away from being "cured" in my head.

I saw on the wall at the clinic that there's some special counseling for those who feel they need some additional attention. Has anyone taken advantage of this at their clinic? Has it helped? What is wrong with me?

Thank you, friends, for all of your support.

Oh, Lea. Nothing is wrong with you! You are human, that's all. We are all struggling with these same issues, or we wouldn't be here. I look at your picture and your "numbers" and see how far you've come, and I think you are just beautiful and strong, even if a tiny bit of the time, you feel weak and out of control.

Is there any way that you can get out of the house when you are feeling like this? Take a walk or a run or a bike ride, or just drive and/or walk around in stores? Maybe look at clothes that you can now fit into, that you never imagined yourself wearing? (Don't have to buy them, just feel really good about yourself because you can fit into them. Look in their mirrors a lot. )

What helps me (and realize that I've been doing this for only 7 weeks, not nearly as long as you have) is to realize that, no matter how much I could have of the foods that I love, it will never be enough. I could eat an entire vat of ice cream, a store full of cookies, etc., and I would still want more. Somehow, that keeps me from getting started.

I think that what you're going through is just a blip on the radar, a reminder of why you are doing this plan and how you got here. You're so, so close! Don't let this one day set you back. And that's all this is--JUST ONE BAD DAY.

No, I haven't heard of the counseling at my clinic. I think that, if they have it, you should definitely take advantage of it.

[Nance7]

Originally Posted by Ortal

Im going into weigh in tonight expecting a pound or two at best but thats okay. Im enjoying my summer and thats what matters. Im starting to slow off the appetite suppressent which is a scary thought. Ive also stepped up the exercise, tried a Zumba class, and just all around trying to stay happy. Ijust havent had a laptop the past few weeks at home and its been crazy at work. Ive also been nibbling on things i shouldnt. a triscuit here. a crouton there. just one but still i dont want to start a pattern.

Heres a picture from the party:: dont i look cool with my beer? oh wait thats a diet pepsi shhhhhhh

Welcome back, Ortal! Glad you're having fun. Thanks for the picture--you're beautiful, and look how far you've come! How's the guy?