by DogMa » April 1st, 2006, 7:46 pm
OK, as one of those who has had small cheats, I just want to set the record straight. In the beginning, I followed the program EXACTLY. I lost more slowly than just about everyone else, but I lost and I was happy. Pretty soon, though, despite sticking to the plan, I stalled. I stalled for several WEEKS.
I didn't want to give up, but I knew from experience with low-carbing that an occasional cheat meal would often kick-start things again for me. So I had one off-plan meal. And lo and behold, I start losing again.
From some of my posts, it probably sounds like I'm ALWAYS messing with the plan, but that's not the case. I follow it quite strictly for weeks on end (I don't even eat pickles or bouillon or other snacks, let alone bars), but when I see my weight loss stop again for more than just a few days, I have one off-plan meal (and generally off-plan only because it's a bit higher in fat and calories, so that I remain in ketosis). Without fail, a day or two later, I start dropping pounds again. I've tried waiting out a stall instead; it doesn't work for me.
So as I say in just about every post, I don't recommend this to anyone else. But I know what works for me and what doesn't, and I know that if I just stick to the plan as written and never deviate, I will stop losing. My body adjusts to a low calorie level far too easily, because it's very used to it (after 10 months on Medifast AND countless years of eating very few calories and very few carbs). I don't cheat because I'm craving a food or I want to celebrate with food or any of those excuses. I cheat because it helps me lose weight.
Sorry to be so defensive, but I KNOW some folks probably think I'm a slow loser because of the occasional cheats. And that's just not the case.
Robin
203/130/130
Reached goal in August 2006
Added BodyBugg in May 2009
New ticker: 136.6/123.2/130