**Frolicking into Fabulous February with MWL**

[mommy2princesses]

So good to see both of you Lins and Lea!! Lins - a 1/2 marathon is incredible, good for you! I am definitely jealous....I have gotten up to 3 miles on the treadmill, but only 2 outside. I can't decide if it's more in my head that outside running is different, or if it really is!

Still on vacation in FL, the weather has been absolutely incredible. It will be so tough when we leave Fri to go back home....ugh, snow and cold - yuck! Then it will just be a few quick days until my 1st 1-month maintenance visit! I have walked/jogged every day while being here, my meal & snack choices have been great....but I have had a glass of wine just about every day (and a few bites of dessert here and there!) so it will be interesting to see how it all looks on the scale.

I have to say one of the best things has been wearing a bathing suit every day....never thought I would say those words! My 5 yr old has been taking a lot of pictures with her camera and we printed some last night....I didnt even recognize myself in them. The image I see of myself in my mind or when I look in the mirror certainly has not caught up with what others see.

[Ronism]

Originally Posted by GatorEng2007

Deb, I am sorry to hear about your pains! Roni - I don't have a cat... but I do have a small (18lb) cockapoo (cocker and poddle mix)who "accidentally" falls in the pool. She loves the water and when I won't throw a ball in for her to get (thereby giving her an "excuse" to get in the water) she will mess around on the deck and eventually knock the ball into the water. Then she will get anxious and whine and act like it is a tragedy the ball is in the water. Eventually she will decide she has to sacrifice herself to save the ball and in she goes (tail wagging the whole time). Its pretty funny to watch... I don't know who she thinks she is fooling. :-)


Anyways, Lately my eating hasn't been great... a few indulgences here and there. I have been out of ketosis for a few weeks and I think that is what triggers my little overeating parties. However, I am still losing and feeling good. I have been running 3x per week with the c25k thing and playing a good 2-3 hours of double volleyball on the weekend (the boyfriend even commented last weekend on how well am moving on the court and a girlfriend called me after a game last week to tell me how I looked more and more toned each week :-) ). On weekdays I each within the calorie limits (500-700cal)and within the carb limits as though I was in ketosis (<25g carb)... I keep wanting to get back into ketosis but at the same time... I am still making progress... I am not sure if I should just keep the path and limit the carbs to <25 or go back to week one to get into ketosis. I am significantly increased my physical activity since starting Medi in November so I wonder if I can handle the week one carb levels.... I go in to the clinic on tuesdau for my weigh in (I go in every two weeks now). I know they will probably tell me to get back to ketosis...

Charlie, your cockapoo sounds like quite the character! What a personality.

Good luck with the weigh-in tomorrow. It sounds as if you've been so active and whatever you are doing is right for losing. Let us know how it goes!
~Roni

[Ronism]

[QUOTE=lins;14400390]I haven't been here in what seems like forever. It's been a crazy couple of months, some good but mostly not so good. Anyway, I went for my montly maintance check on last Friday and was up 5lbs. That's the first time I have been up, so I wasn't too bothered by it. I am running a half marathon on Sunday (totally excited but totally nervous), QUOTE]

Lins,
Best of luck in the race!
I had noticed your stats before -- we started at a similar weight, and I hope to be where you are one day soon. Thanks for the inspiration.
~Roni

[SonoRoo]

Thanks cheftrish, I really appreciate it!!!

Debbie, it is frustrating...I wish I wouldn't have slipped up, but that is old hat and I am now back restarting. Call is horrific, thanks for the prayers. Every bed at all four hospitals are completely full and the other hospital system in the city is on full divert. I went in to help the evening tech and she had 7 STATS pending. Crazy stuff...I hope you are doing well with week 1. I forgot how hard it is to get up the energy to exercise on week 1. I should just put on there "pushing 500 lb ultrasound machine around hospital".

Lins!!! I haven't been here either! Welcome back! Good to see you...

[Fit2010]

Lins, Lea, Keri, Shelley!! It's the recent "old gang"!! Just still missing Ortal and Erin! It's so good to have everybody checking in again. We need to help each other in maintenance....it's not all that easy. I've been up 10 lbs for over 2 months! Just finished day 1 of week 1 again!

[SonoRoo]

I know how that feels Debbie...started creeping into the top end of the medium size scrubs and panicked. I absolutely refuse to buy large scrubs!!! I managed to gain back 15 and I hadn't even made it to maintenance yet. I had stopped going to the clinic every week because of how much call I was taking. I sucked it up, went back last Friday and got back on my weekly schedule. It really is a lifelong process. There is no way to just do it and then go back to eating the way we did before! That is just giving up and I won't do it. I absolutely cannot bear the thought of being back as large as I was and every time I hit a 10 lb mark I try to focus and make sure to never hit that mark again. I went all the way down to 152 and then gained back 15 pounds. I freaked out the other day when I started getting into the upper 160's and said "no more"! I didn't come this far just to screw it all up!

We all definitely need support!

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by Fit2010

Lins, Lea, Keri, Shelley!! It's the recent "old gang"!! Just still missing Ortal and Erin! It's so good to have everybody checking in again. We need to help each other in maintenance....it's not all that easy. I've been up 10 lbs for over 2 months! Just finished day 1 of week 1 again!

It IS great to see some old familiar "faces".........I'm back to just "lurking" a bit more instead of posting so much. I'm following the plan to a 'T' but due to finances I'm not going to the center, so don't have access to the meds or shots, and I'm in more of a perpetual stall......it seems like nothing I do gets the scale to move more than a pound every month or so......I AM happy with how my body is firming up, and how much my stamina has improved.....yesterday I jogged part of the way UP the causeway bridge (it's a steep one that boats can go under without opening) and all the way DOWN both times......today my knees are really stiff and sore.
Deb I just finished day 1 of week 1 yesterday too.......BUT had increased total protein calories. Today I'll do the lower calories again

[KellyInVenice]

I have been having some issues lately and thought I would get some advice from others who have done Medi longer than me.

Tomorrow I go for my 3rd weigh in, so I am new to this. I just can not stand the thought of eating anymore. It is not that I am craving foods off the plan, but when I look at the chicken in front of me I literally feel sick to my stomach. I have to force myself to eat it and I can never finish my portion because it really does make me ill. I am going to my appointment tomorrow and will tell them about this as well, but I was considering breaking the appetite suppressant in half and see if that helps. I started taking the pills a little after I eat (instead of before) to keep me from getting hungry between meals. If I do this than I am at least hungry when it is time to eat again, so I can force myself to eat even though it makes me sick.

It is really discouraging feeling this way. I have only had 2 weigh in appointments so far and have lost 16 pounds, which amazes me, but I really hate feeling sick every time I think of food. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by mommy2princesses

So good to see both of you Lins and Lea!! Lins - a 1/2 marathon is incredible, good for you! I am definitely jealous....I have gotten up to 3 miles on the treadmill, but only 2 outside. I can't decide if it's more in my head that outside running is different, or if it really is!

Still on vacation in FL, the weather has been absolutely incredible. It will be so tough when we leave Fri to go back home....ugh, snow and cold - yuck! Then it will just be a few quick days until my 1st 1-month maintenance visit! I have walked/jogged every day while being here, my meal & snack choices have been great....but I have had a glass of wine just about every day (and a few bites of dessert here and there!) so it will be interesting to see how it all looks on the scale.

I have to say one of the best things has been wearing a bathing suit every day....never thought I would say those words! My 5 yr old has been taking a lot of pictures with her camera and we printed some last night....I didnt even recognize myself in them. The image I see of myself in my mind or when I look in the mirror certainly has not caught up with what others see.

I'm happy the weather has been good! We had friends here while we were having FREEZES every day, and they were very disappointed!

I think my mental image of myself has been skewed as well....BUT instead of seeing myself as I REALLY looked when I weighed 228.....I THOUGHT I was thinner How's that for "nuts"? I was always shocked to see a picture of myself, or to catch a glimpse of myself in a window. When I got down to about 170 I "SAW" myself pretty much like everyone else saw me. Now I'm "surprised" again at how I look!! I feel a little guilty now that I'm shopping for size 10 pants.....I feel like I'm "cheating" or something like I have no real "right" to be looking in that size. I haven't shopped yet for a new swimsuit. I bought one in a 14 and only wore it a few times before it was too big.

Have a GREAT time for the rest of your vacation!

[VElite]

Hello, I had just had my first appt at Medi. Alot of information!, Today is my Day 1....Do I stay on the "first week" thread to post comments/questions? or stay here on the monthly board?
-V

[lins]

Kelly my suggestion would be to look at the recipe threads on here for some more options on what you can eat. There are all kinds of idea, but here are a few of my favorites.

Find a sloppy joes seasoning that you like and make it with ground turkey/chicken or extra lean ground beef. Make sure to weight-out how much you can eat. And do not put it on a bun, just eat the meat with the seasoning. I like this because it has a lot of flavor.

I do the same thing with spaghetti. I make spaghetti with meat sauce for my family. I have a spaghetti sauce that I make homemade that is low is sugar free/low carb, and I put a couple tablespoons of the sauce on 4 oz of ground beef/turkey/chicen, and add a cube of laughing cow cheese herb variety, and it tastes just like spaghetti without the carbs.

I guess my point is to just look around for your favorites and see if you can make that same thing without carbs. And look at the recipe thread for ideas.

[SonoRoo]

Originally Posted by Mary T8M

I'm in more of a perpetual stall......it seems like nothing I do gets the scale to move more than a pound every month or so......

Mary, when I stalled I would have a regular day of eating, carbs and all, and I would not exercise that day. Then the next day go back to week one and exercise it would help "reset" my metabolism somehow because I would start losing again. I struggled with this several times. I am not sure how you feel about it, but it has worked for me and several others here periodically.

[SonoRoo]

Kelly, lins is spot on. You have to change it up...the first time around I literally made myself sick with tuna because I would eat the same thing meal after meal because it was easy to fall into that habit. I like tilapia filets broiled with cajun seasoning (be careful about the sodium) and shrimp sauteed with herbs, ground beef with or chicken with sloppy joe seasoning, fat free hotdogs with sauerkraut....there is a ton of things to eat. I am so sorry this is an issue, it has happened to many of us before.

[Swirveegrl]

Katie B-happy to see that you are back, I was beginning to wonder???

Seems like everyone is doing well. I'm curious if anyone had a week that they didn't lose weight? I don't seem to be losing any weight this week (week3) I weigh on Thursday. I'm starting to get nervous! I did have a good day today because I've actually had a few people comment on my weight loss!!! Is it really noticable?? Wow! I had no idea. I know my clothes are looser. I have not had any time to exercise. I'm wondering if that is the culprit? I'm going to try to get to the gym tonight, and sweat some fat out!! Any input would be appreciated

[KellyInVenice]

Thanks everyone! I think lack of variety is the problem. I am going to the grocery store tonight with a list of new things to try. I guess I did so well the first couple of weeks I am scared to stray from what I have been doing! I am doing the sloppy joe thing tonight. It sounds great and the thought of another chicken breast is just... blah!

[KellyInVenice]

Originally Posted by Swirveegrl

Katie B-happy to see that you are back, I was beginning to wonder???

Seems like everyone is doing well. I'm curious if anyone had a week that they didn't lose weight? I don't seem to be losing any weight this week (week3) I weigh on Thursday. I'm starting to get nervous! I did have a good day today because I've actually had a few people comment on my weight loss!!! Is it really noticable?? Wow! I had no idea. I know my clothes are looser. I have not had any time to exercise. I'm wondering if that is the culprit? I'm going to try to get to the gym tonight, and sweat some fat out!! Any input would be appreciated

It looks like we started the program right about the same time. I go tomorrow to my appt. According to my scale I have not lost anything this week. BUT my clothes feel looser this week and I have had more people comment on the weight loss this week! I am off to the gym tonight too!! Good luck this week!

[mommy2princesses]

Kelly - I agree, change it up. I would get to that point too with foods....I actually would start eating my meal, put a bite in my mouth and just feel if I swallowed it then I would throw up...and I would spit it right out of my mouth. (yeah, you can imagine how much my husband loved my doing that!). It passes after a bit, just try and find alternatives - or put some shredded cheese on it, or low-carb ketchup, ff mayo, something to alter the taste. You are certainly not alone on this one!

[KBinAL]

Kelly, YES I know what you mean. I dont want to eat and have to remember to do so. I have NEVER had that problem in my life before!! Variety does help, but I just dont want food like I always did before. Oh, and I am no longer taking the AS. I thought I would take advantage of not being hungry nor wanting food and go ahead and kick it.

I just started Jan 13 and mostly lurk and read, but I did want to pop in to update since I find all of the posts so inspiring. I weighed in Monday (week 5) and have lost 22 pounds!!! I am delighted. I have no problem staying on the diet, but I cannot imagine actually losing 42 more pounds to get to my goal; I think I will be a waif if I get that low, but I am going for it. Wont it be fun to find out!?!

I am just thrilled to have lost 22 pounds--most of which were in my mid section too which is even more exciting!!! I am wearing clothes I havent worn in YEARS and didnt even realize I still owned! (thought I had gotten rid of them long long ago)

Folks are noticing now and the most exciting comments I get are from my fellow Zumba girls. They see me in the tightest things I own and several of them have commented to me on how much weight I have lost. That is a FABULOUS feeling.

I guess Ill go back to the shadows for a while.

[irabeslim]

Originally Posted by Fit2010

Lins, Lea, Keri, Shelley!! It's the recent "old gang"!! Just still missing Ortal and Erin! It's so good to have everybody checking in again. We need to help each other in maintenance....it's not all that easy. I've been up 10 lbs for over 2 months! Just finished day 1 of week 1 again!

Girls, I am here too, reading posts and posting from time to time. Glad to hear that all people that were losing with me are still doing well, not giving up despite some temporarily challenges and fighting back the pounds that are sometimes creep up. I had and continue to have my share of challenges as well. I need even more support now as I am recovering from the foot surgery and cannot exercised and home-bound. My surgery was 10 days ago and I did well up intil today. Today I am eating non-stop, for some reason feeling very hungry.

[irabeslim]

Originally Posted by KellyInVenice

Thanks everyone! I think lack of variety is the problem. I am going to the grocery store tonight with a list of new things to try. I guess I did so well the first couple of weeks I am scared to stray from what I have been doing! I am doing the sloppy joe thing tonight. It sounds great and the thought of another chicken breast is just... blah!

From my experience, food variety helps me eat smaller portions and something to look forward too. I search for low carb recipes in addition to what we have here and on Medi website, use various spices so I can feel like I went out to eat. I also use various 0 cal sauces like Walden Farms Honey BBQ sause on chicken. It makes a simple grilled chicken dinner tastes special.

[SonoRoo]

Hey hey Irina!!! I am trying to remember everyone! Good to see you! I think it is awesome you have lost so much weight!!! I have days like the day you are having. Some days it almost felt as if it was a compulsion I had no control over. Very very unhappy on those days. I literally have to drag myself out of the house and walk some days just to get away from the food.

[Fit2010]

Originally Posted by irabeslim

Girls, I am here too, reading posts and posting from time to time. Glad to hear that all people that were losing with me are still doing well, not giving up despite some temporarily challenges and fighting back the pounds that are sometimes creep up. I had and continue to have my share of challenges as well. I need even more support now as I am recovering from the foot surgery and cannot exercised and home-bound. My surgery was 10 days ago and I did well up intil today. Today I am eating non-stop, for some reason feeling very hungry.

Of course Irina!! You have had an amazing weight loss journey! Does your mind play games on you? I'm so proud of your staying faithful with it through all these months!!

[Desert-Rose7]

Ya know, I try to stay in the background as much as possible these days and let our new members get the feel of the forum. HOWEVER...this not wanting to eat, being bored with the food choices, unable to eat the required calorie intake..sort of makes me wonder about something...Did you all have this problem before you began MWL? Did you have a problem finding something good to eat? Did you have an issue with feeling full after eating? I know it sounds pretty darn snarky to say this...but I really doubt any of you had these issues pre MWL..or you would not be in the program to begin with.

Many of our longtime members have talked about variety and checking out our great recipe threads that members have been contributing to for almost three years now...we have many members in maintenance/wellness who have walked that mile in your shoes. We have been where you are. As some of our long time members have said, we can almost tell who will and who won't stay with the program and who will be successful. And we are surprised sometimes too along the way.

Change is difficult and changing years old ways of fueling your body ia going to take some time. For years, I will bet that you have just been eating without really thinking about what your body truly needs in the way of nutrition. Did that box of Girl Scout cookies REALLY contribute to your overall health? MWL is asking you to look at what you put in your mouth...EVERYTHING you put in your mouth. Be conscientious about journaling your food intake, and journaling your emotional/mental stages is important too. It helps you understand some of the WHYS.

You have to realize that this program is a major lifestyle change. You will never look at food the same way again. As one of our founding members says: I eat to live, not live to eat. This program is definitely not a quick fix, a magic bullet, or a fast trip to looking good in a swimsuit or a wedding dress. This change is for life. You are taking steps toward ultimate better health for yourself, making the changes you are requested to make are the baby steps along the way. At some point all of this will become pretty automatic. You will KNOW which foods you can handle well, and which you cannot. Which ones turn on the cravings and which ones keep them away. You really must commit to MWL 100% - body, mind and spirit...the spirit is extremely important because that is what helps you make those changes stick.

I truly want all of you to be successful because feeling good and consequently looking good is pretty special.All of you deserve this for yourselves and for your loved ones. So take a deep breath, read ALL your materials, question us and your clinic till you get your questions answered (even though you may not always like the answers), and truly hang in there. You CAN do this.

....and now I shall climb back down off my perennial soapbox and put it away for another day.

Jo

[KellyInVenice]

Originally Posted by Desert-Rose7

Did you all have this problem before you began MWL? Did you have a problem finding something good to eat? Did you have an issue with feeling full after eating? I know it sounds pretty darn snarky to say this...but I really doubt any of you had these issues pre MWL..or you would not be in the program to begin with.

I have never had a problem with liking foods or being able to find something to eat. Obviously my eating habits were not ideal or I would not need something like Medi to get me back on track. I am going to talk to the Dr. today, but I am almost 99% sure this is some kind of side effect that the appetite suppressant has on me. Yesterday morning I broke it in half and felt OK at lunch and I did not take it at all the rest of the day and ate dinner just fine. I do know I have been lacking variety. I ate the same exact things every day for 3 weeks and that just sucks for anyone... diet or no diet. Going from an unhealthy diet to eating 500 calories a day plus a whole load of pills you were never putting into your body before has to effect everyone differently. It is just impossible not to. I can't speak for anyone else, but not wanting to eat the same thing every day and taking the appetite suppressant really took a toll on me and I really got some great advice on here that helped and I very much appreciate that!! Thanks!

[GatorEng2007]

Originally Posted by Desert-Rose7

this not wanting to eat, being bored with the food choices, unable to eat the required calorie intake..sort of makes me wonder about something...

I have stints where I get a little bored, but that is only because I cooked the entire package of chicken and put it in the fridge for leftovers every day that week... I have to say though that I eat more of a variety of foods (with the exception of the best snack in the world... string cheese) than I did before Medi. Before I didn't cook much and when I did it was the same couple of things. Now, I am always looking for new recipies and it is interesting. I may not always be hungry but I eat the meals and required amounts and enjoy the taste of the foods without feeling guilty for eating them. For example, If I have budgeted a tasty sauce into my meal (like a yummy balsamic dressing over a caprese salad) and portioned it out correctly.. you bet your behind I am going to make sure to get every drop of that sauce/dressing off the plate even if I have to use my finger when I run out of the actual food that was under it... Why? because it tastes good, its good for me, and I don't feel guilty about it. Previously I might do that but to a much worse extent, and then feel like a glutton. Now, I enjoy it more. Some might see me cleaning my plate entirely as though I haven't changed from my previous habits... but to me the change is HUGE. Yes I do eat to live, but there is nothing wrong with enjoying it (in moderation, and under control of course) :-)

[GatorEng2007]

And here is my weigh in update (I weigh in every two weeks):

down 5.6 lbs (most of which was fat, the rest was water). I did not lose muscle despite being a little sketchy on the ketosis deal... I told the clinic I was not in ketosis that much and they were not that concerned...probably because I didn't lose muscle.

however, I am back in ketosis now... so the point is moot... lol. This should also help the hunger I have had lately.

I am down a total of 41.4 lbs since starting on 11/15/10.

I have uploaded a new progress pic (from roughly 3 months on medi 2/15/11):
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/me...35lbs-lost.jpg

I also have a screen shot of my progress to date (I like data....lol):
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/me...34-2-22-11.jpg

[alexabexa912]

Hey guys- I have been on medi for 5 weeks now and lost 16lbs I am only 4 lbs away from goal..AND unfortunately I have an infection and have to start antibiotics, I am on cephalexin for 7 days...I started the antibiotics last night woke up this morning and it kicked me out of ketosis apparently I just cant believe this I dont understand BUT even though tomorrow (thurs) is my weight in I cheated and weight myself and saw that I dropeed 2 pounds from the night before, which means the antibiotics did not make me gain...I need advice I cant stop the antibiotics because my infection could get worse..but at the same time I just cant imagine starting week 1 over again when I have come this far...why would antibiotics do this to me? someone please help

[irabeslim]

Originally Posted by GatorEng2007

And here is my weigh in update (I weigh in every two weeks):

down 5.6 lbs (most of which was fat, the rest was water). I did not lose muscle despite being a little sketchy on the ketosis deal... I told the clinic I was not in ketosis that much and they were not that concerned...probably because I didn't lose muscle.

however, I am back in ketosis now... so the point is moot... lol. This should also help the hunger I have had lately.

I am down a total of 41.4 lbs since starting on 11/15/10.

I have uploaded a new progress pic (from roughly 3 months on medi 2/15/11):
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/me...35lbs-lost.jpg

I also have a screen shot of my progress to date (I like data....lol):
http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/me...34-2-22-11.jpg

Congratulations on your progress! Great picture. No need to hide from the camera now!

[SonoRoo]

Just for motivation to those who feel frustrated (me too!!!) I'll post a pic of the 44.5 lb weight loss and what a difference it makes on someone who is 5'1".

I am 199.5 lbs in the before pic and 155 in the after.

Shelley

[Charlene4]

Originally Posted by Desert-Rose7

Many of our longtime members have talked about variety and checking out our great recipe threads that members have been contributing to for almost three years now...we have many members in maintenance/wellness who have walked that mile in your shoes. We have been where you are. As some of our long time members have said, we can almost tell who will and who won't stay with the program and who will be successful. And we are surprised sometimes too along the way.
Jo

I haven't been posting much lately but had to say something about this...with risk of many people disagreeing...The comment about who will and won't stick with it, I find to be incredibly judgemental. I don't think judging people or bashing on them for sharing their honest feelings is helping anyone. This is one reason I don't post much anymore...because I see other peoples honestly being criticized. It doesn't matter HOW LONG you've been doing a particular program, no one is an expert or NONE of us would be here in the first place. Maybe everyone on here doesn't want to live the way you (or other members) live or eat what you eat or NOT "cheat". I also sense (and I may be wrong) a kind of feeling of being superior from some of the people who have done this program a long time ago...well, not everyone knew about it or maybe, like me, not everyone had weight to lose at that time. Everyones life is different and I thought we were all here to learn from one another.