**Merrily Making our Way into a MWL March**

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by Kristine29

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY! I got to work out in the morning before work, Those of you in Florida can get this seasoning that I LOVE! Everglade Heat (The red bottle). It's so good, in moderation, on shrimp and meats and poultry. I highly recommend it and it isn't very hot.


Hope everyone is having a good day.

I'm having a great day as well. We got off to an early start on our walk and much to my surprise DH actually suggested we BOTH increase our walk (over the causeway, and out to the jetty and back) to 7.5 miles. It's just been me doing the extra 1.5 miles up to this point. We have to go over the causeway and back, an extra time since it's 3/4 of a mile each way. I have to say I THINK my new shoes have made all the difference in the world to my knees! I should have gotten rid of the old shoes sooner. I didn't want to spend the $$$ on new shoes, but they were worth EVERY penny! THEN after lunch I did my upper body workout (I'm a little stiff from the past 2 days workout) but it felt GREAT! I'm starting to understand what people mean when they say they love working out! I'm not totally there yet, but getting closer

I'll look for the Everglades Heat. I use the regular Everglades seasoning. Right now I'm in love with Morton's HOT Salt! It's so yummy on cottage cheese! I looked for more in the store the other day and I'm afraid they've discontinued it

It's only 1:45 and I've already had 66 oz of plain water......today IS a good day! I'm also down a pound today (I'll change my stats if the scale says the same thing tomorrow)

Today is also my only Grandson's (Ry) FIRST B-Day! We're going to Jacksonville tomorrow to spend the weekend and to celebrate his B-Day on Sunday.......we're taking our walking shoes for sure!

[losing in Ftm]

Hope you feel better soon Leslie

[Swirveegrl]

Another successful weigh in. Although my total weight changed by only 0.8lb, I lost 2lbs of fat,gained 1 lb of water. I try not to make myself obsessed with the water weight, because my clinic has done a very good job explaining that it fluctuates, and what matters is the fat loss. I had my waist measured today, and I am down 4 inches in only 7 weeks. I'm pleased with that! I do wish that my clinic measured more that just waist measurements. I will have to get the gym to take measurements for me, because I think that they are motivating.
I hope that everyone is doing well, it seems that most are. For those of you with a Kroger's nearby, the one by me has a great March madness sale going on. I got powerade zero for 50cents, Planters Peanuts for $1.49, Carbmaster yogurts 40cents, and steamfresh veggies $1.59.

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[lins]

I love Everglades heat!

[Kristine29]

Mary said:
I'll look for the Everglades Heat:

It's only 1:45 and I've already had 66 oz of plain water......today IS a good day! I'm also down a pound today (I'll change my stats if the scale says the same thing tomorrow)
__________________________________________________ _________________________________________________


HA ha...Mary I thought the same thing about changing my staats, but I too will wait till it is confirmed.

You can get the Everglade Heat at Walmart in Florida. That's where my Mom gets it for me and a friend of mine and she ships it up to NY.

Glad your day is going well. Congrats on the 7.5 miles! Yes shoes make a huge difference and are sooo important. You can really mess things up without proper support.

[Kristine29]

Originally Posted by lins

I love Everglades heat!

YESSSS!!!! I wish it was lower in sodium though...but still not too bad.

Lins: Have you tried the other ones? I only have tried the red and orange bottle.

[ericak44]

I am having a great working out week because of spring break but I think I over did it today. I did 1hr Zumba then 45 minutes of pilates. I felt fine after, added about 200 calories but totally bottomed out around 5pm. I was at the grocery store and had to buy some nuts to try to get me back up. That brought me up temporarily then when I got home I ate a serving of raspberries. I am finally starting to feel better but I hate having to eat when I'm not really hungry.

[ericak44]

I checked out the Power Crunch bars- they not only have sugar alcohol but also more gluten than some of the other varieties of protein bars mentioned. Medi bars don't actually have gluten but are processed on machinery with wheat products, Some Atkins bars do not contain gluten ingredients though they are not marketed as being gluten free. Medi is naturally an almost gluten free diet. The bloat could be because of the sugar alcohol but also the gluten. Some people find that they are sensitive to gluten without actually having an allergy or celiac disease.

[changes]

Have any of you tried Eden Organic Black Soy Beans? These look like a solution to chili and alternative protein solutions. Has anyone tried these?

holly

[Kristine29]

Erick44- Yes that definitely accounted for the bloated feeling..gluten and sugar alcohol. Last year I went gluten free for months in an effort to figure out why I can't lose weight, but it didn't prove much. I think I have a bit of a sensitivity to gluten, but I don't have to eat entirely gluten free.

Changes- I have, pre-medi, tried many of the Eden products...they are great. I liked the beans

I got back from my massage and the practitioner was saying how lose my muscles were. She asked what I was doing..so I rattle off somethings and then said I drink at least 128oz of water a day. She said, "OH that's it- it really keeps you loosened up."
All Hale Mighty Water.

[ericak44]

Rachel- congrats on your WI. I wish they wouldn't even show me my actual weight, just the amt. of fat I have lost. Water can be gotten rid of in one day.

[lins]

I am kind of dreading weigh-in tomorrow. I just don't feel like I have lost this week, plus TOM is due any moment....which doesn't help my mood. LOL UGH! Just feeing sorry for myself tonight.

[Baysidegal]

Rachel, congratulations... last week I had gained 1.5 lbs, but my fat decreased by 4 and my water was up 2. It's hard to figure out sometimes.

I started Curves today. I found a free week coupon online THEN my sister purchased a free one month coupon for $10 in the clearance section from "Wicked Deals". My nearest Curves said that the coupon is three years old and they didn't know it was still on the Wicked Deals site. Today, they said that they would honor it, so I am happy about that.

[mommy2princesses]

Originally Posted by Baysidegal

I go to the same clinic as Keri, and they say not to eat the power crunch bars because of the sugar content. The only bar I have found that is acceptable (besides Medi) is an Atkins bar I found at Walgreens. I will check on exactly which one it is and get back to everyone with the stats.

I wonder if part of the confusion between what the clincs say depends on where in our weight loss journey we are. I did eat Atkins bars through the majority of acute, and found the power crunch as I neared maintenance (keep in mind maintenance is about getting your calories in a 40/40/20 system....calories need to be 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat) and the power crunch fits that system fine. I asked about power crunch, actually showing one of them to the nutritionist when i was there for my calorimeter test and ate it following the test in front of her since the test is done after fasting) They also work for ME, my body processes them fine....honestly I eat 1 a day, and have for quite a while. (DH also eats 1 a day and he has lost 50+ lbs since the first of the year following my maintenance plan). Other than this past week's gain, which was gone as
of this morning, I have maintained my weigh (actually, 5 lbs less than my goal weight). The convenience of my daily power crunch has definitely worked into my success....whether it's my quick breakfast as I run out of the house or mylunch while I run errands....it works for me.

Lins - the first time I found power crunch was actually at wal-mart, and bought a few of them individually.

[lins]

Thanks Keri I'll have to look for them tomorrow. I am guessing they will be fine for me since I am more on a semi-maintance plan, but I'll ask to make sure. Because I am right at my original goal (135lbs), I am kind of easing back into maintance while still trying to lose another 10lbs or so, so I am currently eating a higher number of carbs, and not trying to stay in ketosis.

[ericak44]

Keri- glad your 2lbs flew the coop. You may be right about PC bars and I am glad they work for you.

I work up in ketosis this am! Woohoo. Probably why I was feeling so crumby yesterday. I also woke up, wide awake twice last night which is very unusual for me. I guess my body was sensing the change into ketosis. My person scale is also down. Working 3 night shifts this weekend. Will pack my food and when it's gone, it's gone. Should make for a good WI on Monday evening.

[ericak44]

Kristine- I found, going gluten free after my celiac diagnosis, I actually gained wt. like 30lbs in one year! Hence why I am doing medi. People are under the misconception that eating gluten free is a weight loss plan and it can be if they stick to food that are naturally gluten free. However- the processed stuff is often worse than the gluten counterparts in terms of fat and calories

[ericak44]

What kind of sweeteners does everyone use? I have been using Splenda- don't mind the flavor but hate putting all of those chemicals in my body. I like sweet stuff so I am not looking to get rid of sweeters all together. I have some Truvia but it has a carb per packet. Just wondering.

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by ericak44

What kind of sweeteners does everyone use? I have been using Splenda- don't mind the flavor but hate putting all of those chemicals in my body. I like sweet stuff so I am not looking to get rid of sweeters all together. I have some Truvia but it has a carb per packet. Just wondering.

I use Splenda and have just purchased liquid splenda (EZ Sweetz) from Netrition. It doesn't have the carbs the granular stuff does. I have also used Stevia which is a more natural sweetner (I think Truvia is at least part stevia). I know several of the really hard core Atkins people will only use Stevia, but some say it takes a little getting used to. I wouldn't worry about 1 carb unless you really use a LOT.

[sleepygal7]

Happy Friday! Congrats to all on another good week. I'm finally in the 180s! I'm motivated to make my 4th week fabulous...

[Baysidegal]

Originally Posted by sleepygal7

Happy Friday! Congrats to all on another good week. I'm finally in the 180s! I'm motivated to make my 4th week fabulous...

Congrats Sleepygal7...have a good 4th week!

I had a silly question, that probably can be answered with a little research, but I'm so busy today, I hate to spend much time on the ole computer..

Is there a suitable shake out there in any flavor besides Vanilla and Chocolate, or should I just add Torini SF flavorings to the Vanilla. I am really getting tired of just the two flavors. Even adding PB2 to the chocolate is not doing it for me.

[cheftrish]

Congrats to all on Weight Loss!

I'm back from the Sunny USVI! had a great time visiting with my brother(for those who read other posts I have two and this is my "good" brother), learned how to snorkel- Did you know it burns 400 calories an HOUR??? I was wondering why I was so sore!! Came home and promptly got the flu. Have weigh in on Tuesday, not expecting much, i did eat off plan, but tried to stay as close as possible I had to try the local cuisine though! I was so active that I am hoping it was a wash. If not, well, I won't beat myself up. Back on plan for 2 days- first week. Ugh!

[losing in Ftm]

keep in mind maintenance is about getting your calories in a 40/40/20 system....calories need to be 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat[
I have never heard of this. Is this what your clinic told you to use for a reference on your mainttenance food? It makes sense I'll have to ask mine about it.

[LISAinTN]

Originally Posted by chocolatefan

Hey, I'm with you!!! In fact, now that I know the program pretty well, I'm considering only going every 2 weeks. I don't use the appetite suppressants and it seems like a lot of money to go and stand on a high-falutin' scale. Now granted, the accountability of knowing I have to go and stand on that scale has kept me honest, but part of the cost is for the prescription that I'm not using. I asked them about reducing my costs since I'm not really using one of the key things they are selling. They said no.

Chocolatefan, I reduced my visits to every two weeks as well. I don't take the shots or anything either and I did find it a lot of money to go there and weigh in. I do like the accountability though, so that's the reason I am still going every two weeks. Also, because I don't take the shots or anything, they knocked my fee down to $63.00 per week. Although, I'm sure all the clinics are different.

[LISAinTN]

Originally Posted by Paulyesthers

The GREAT NEWS is... I HIT MY GOAL!!!!

CONGRATS Pauly! That is so awesome! Thanks for letting us newbies know it can be done. Woohoo!

[lins]

Back from my weigh-in. I was down -.5lb total, but I was down -2lbs of fat, and up -1.5lbs in water (gotta love TOM). So I am okay with that. I found the Power Crunch bars last night at Winn-dixie and took one with me to my weight-in. She approved it for me since I am kind of doing a motified acute/maintance plan currently. So I ate one for lunch today, and man oh man were they good. I will be buying more of those. Thanks to whoever mentioned them. I love that they are not so thick like other protein bars.

[LISAinTN]

I just wanted to stop in and say hello to everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been contributing much. We are building a house and they have me running from sun up to sun down and I am so worn out. Anyway, I have been going to my Medi center every 2 weeks to keep the costs down. I don't take the pills or shots, so I just felt it was a lot to pay to weigh in. I don't know how other centers are, but I never get any counseling or anything so I see no point, for me, to go weekly. I am down 27 lbs. since I started Jan. 27th! I'm so happy about that. I'm nearly half way to my goal already!

On a side note, does anyone here have Fibromyalgia? It makes me SO tired all the time and I told my husband last night, I swear I am the only person on earth that can eat better and lose weight and feel worse. I even broke down and took the b-12 shot yesterday, hoping for some energy, but I didn't feel any different. This fatigue is killing me and I notice I am sleeping even worse, (if that's possible) since I started Medi. Does anyone else have Fibro?

[leslie1436]

thank you kristine29 & losing in Ftm
i am feeling much better today, antibiotics finally kicked in and my throat isn't so swollen.

i had my weigh in today and i am officially in the normal range for my BMI and fat %/mass woo hoooo!

[changes]

back from first weigh in since restarting last week - down 6.0 pounds! 4.6 of those lbs. were fat! I was happily surprised since I am only trying to lose 20-30lbs & also being a restart. I also was only taking Stay Slim this past week - this was TOUGH since I tried to adhere to 500-600 protein calories. Today I decided to buy the fat burner - now I know this is the stuff that curbs my appetite - whew! I thought this road ahead was going to be as bad as week 1.

holly

[cheftrish]

LISA, have you ever heard of 5HTP? I have a friend with fibromyalgia and she swears by it. You can read up on it and ask your doctor. It is a natural supplement that is approved for use in treatment of fibromyalgia and other forms of myalgia. I used it as a last resort for back/hip pain after having tons of steroid injections in my spine
and going to a neurologist and pain specialist. I finally listened to my friend and it helped tremendously with the pain. hope this helps!