The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[falisamarie]

Jo where are you gonna be visiting in FL??

Lisa

Maybe I already asked this!

[DogMa]

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.

[falisamarie]

Oh Robin I certainly can't speak for everyone but I for one have read just about every post you have written and I think you are one of the most commited person on MF. I can totally understand your position and I also appreciate the fact that you ALWAYS think to put that you are not recommending it for anyone else. Having said that I do feel there is a difference in going off program for a meal for the reasons you do and for going off program for other reasons, but that is just me and I can say that for me personally (and I am sure this does not apply to everyone) I am scared that one cheat, one thing off program and I am headed down a very slippery slope for me that I am not sure I could reclimb and regain my footing and be as determined as I am now.

Robin we all love you and you are one that I look to for inspiration!

Lisa

[DogMa]

Thanks, Lisa. I sometimes feel like it DOES sound like I'm constantly cheating, when I'm really not.

[dede4wd]

Hi Robin,
I just wanted to chime in and just say "ditto" to everything Lisa Just said!!! I read all of your posts too and LOVE them. I especially how you say, "this is what works for me, I don't recommend it for everyone." I am the same as Lisa, I'm terrified of one cheat and that's what works for me. What you do is what works for you! I also can't speak for what anyone thinks, but I don't believe you're losing slower because of your way of doing things, and I DO think there's a difference between what you do to jump start a stall and other reasons for a cheat. I just wanted to say that and I'm sorry if my militant obnoxiousness got to you or anyone else!

DeDe

[DogMa]

Thanks, you guys. Sorry for getting so defensive. Back to my oatmeal (which, by the way, came out NASTY tonight for the first time ever).

[ascicles]

Well, I appreciate all of the words...but I'll be honest, I'm going to stray from the plan when I'm in Las Vegas. I may gain a few pounds and I know I'll have to deal with the 3 day period, but that's something that I am going to have to live with. I get to go on vacation once a year, and this is it. I'm not going to eat like a pig or anything like that, but at the same time, I am not going to plan every moment of every day so I can stick to the medifast plan for those four days.

This is a choice that I've made, and I guarantee I'll be back on here the day after I return from Las Vegas. I see no reason to stray from the plan at any other point. Holidays are fine. Birthdays, etc. are all easy for me...but in this case, I'm doing what's right for me.

The combination of keeping a perfect schedule along with staying completely sober, would honestly really hurt a trip that I am looking forward to.

[Pashta]

Hmm, you've only been on Medifast for a month ascicles? I'm wondering why you didn't wait till after your vacation to start. Did you want to lose some weight *for* the vacation? Just curious.

If I had a trip to Vegas planned for now, I would have waited to start MF hehe.

I bet it'll be easier to walk around the casinos and up and down the strip 30 pounds or so lighter though! Oooh you lost over 30 pounds now?? GRATS!!!

[Serendipity]

Robin,

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you and I never thought that your slower loss had any thing to do with cheating. I know that it has worked for you and I agree that each individual needs to do what works best for them. That being said, though, I worry about others playing with the program because I've seen planned cheats be the end for some people. It worries me when we tie food to fun. We've spent our lives rewarding ourselves with food and equating fun to what food is served. I'm trying to change that mindset for me. I can't speak for anyone else. It really doesn't have anything in common with what you are doing, because you aren't rewarding yourself, or caving in to cravings. You are using food as a tool.

When we are on program for awhile, we may get a little too sure of ourselves and think we are invincible. I'm just saying.....the enemy is food......that's why we're here.

[lauradr]

ascicles, I guess since i travel with my job so much and a hotel room is home away from home I forget it is harder for other people when they Travel, but I know you have to do what you think is best for you , but you will be alot slimmer walking the strip in may and please just get back on Medifast asap when you return.

[DogMa]

True, Jo. It takes a lot of discipline to get back on the program. Some people can do that, but an awful lot can't.

On a side note, I just went into contract on a house and wanted to celebrate with a special dinner even though I was at work. The first night, someone was getting Chinese food so I thought I'd get some. But the place had no steamed dishes, so I decided not to get anything. Last night, someone went to another Chinese place specifically so I could find something to eat, and they, too, didn't have anything steamed or low-fat (other than noodles, which wasn't any help).

So I'm very proud of my progress! As much as I still want to celebrate with food - and I will - I'm waiting till I can have something special AND healthy.

[ascicles]

ascicles, I guess since i travel with my job so much and a hotel room is home away from home I forget it is harder for other people when they Travel, but I know you have to do what you think is best for you , but you will be alot slimmer walking the strip in may and please just get back on Medifast asap when you return.

I'm sure if I traveled a lot, I would have a way to work Medifast in...but for one vacation a year, it's really hard.

As for the reason why I didn't wait. Two months is a long time. I wasn't specifically trying to lose weight before I went to Las Vegas, but when I found out about Medifast I was really interested. If I put it off two full months, I don't think I would have ever gotten on the program.

I know that there will be some people who think that this vacation is going to be the end of my Medifast experience, but they are wrong. I am going on vacation from Monday-Thursday, and I will be back on Medifast Friday morning. I didn't really experience any of the problems that most people have in my first three days, other than a headache on day two...but if I am going to have to deal with being hungry and having a horrible headache, I can deal with that.

My only hope is that I don't gain a lot of weight while I'm gone. I shouldn't be eating enough to actually put on pounds, but I'm not sure how the body will react when I go off of it.

[ascicles]

It worries me when we tie food to fun. We've spent our lives rewarding ourselves with food and equating fun to what food is served.

For me, I am not considering the food as a fun thing, but rather, Medifast as a deterent from having fun while I'm in Las Vegas. When I am in Vegas, food is simply something that happens when we realize it's time to eat. It isn't really something that I look forward to, or even care about that much.

[SueInSLO]

Hi gang!

I'm not taking sides here but I say each person is VERY different and can handle things as such....differently.

I had planned on staying on program while away for my honeymoon and even packed my MF goodies in my carry-on. I had completely convinced myself I would stick to plan 100%. Heck I was even going to pack my scale to weigh but I got voted down on that one!

Well, guess what??....OK, you already know...not fair.... but I didn't stick to it 100% but I knew upon my return I would jump right back on the wagon and I did. I loved being thinner and wearing shorts, I loved how I felt and I knew I wanted to keep losing!

I did find that I made healthier choices, I ate smaller portions and I still had at least one MF supplement a day.

Did I gain weight...YEP....am I back on program...YEP....and I struggling getting back on...NOPE.

That worked for me and I support each and every one of you with whatever choice you make!

Please don't call me a cheater! Please let's support one another. It's a journey with many challenges physically and emotionally and I sure need all of your support.

Happy Shakin!

Sue

[Loribug]

Sue, you will probably find that the weight you gained will come off pretty fast since you are getting right back on the wagon.