The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[jump4joy]

I love reading your journal thoughts, Jen! I especially related to your topics about perception and attention. I've always been uncomfortable being the center of attention....even on my wedding day. I've been thin three times in the past ten years, and when I lost the invisibility that being heavy affords, I just didn't know how to HANDLE all the attention I was getting. I believe that was a contributor to my relapse and subsequent weight gains. I often wish that I could just quietly lose my weight and just slip under everyone's radar, unnoticed. I'm working on learning how to handle comments about my body-size or any compliments I might get. No one has said anything yet about the 34 lbs. I've lost (except hubby and kids) and I'm secretly glad. I'm very shy, though few people would guess that.....I'm getting thin again no matter what, so I'd better learn fast how to handle attention. Thanks for bringing up your topics....very thought provoking!

Joy

[sidrah]

Jen,

I was just in SD. I love it. Weather was great. We kind of went to baseball games most of the time, but we did get to the zoo and some stores. But, you probably know it better than I do. Have fun. When I went, I brought a big plastic cup at a game and carried that around with me from hotel to hotel cause I could mix my drinks in there in the AM---well, in theory that is. I never ended up sticking with it there

Oatmeal tastes great. thanks again


Have FUN!

[Jen]

Wow! Thanks for all the great comments in my journal. I love reading everyone's opinions and insights. It's remarkable how good it feels to just write my thoughts down and have people say "I know exactly what you mean". I think that too, everyday when I read journals of other MFers.

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Topic of the Day: Compliance

Now I have only been on MF 17 days so I know my opinions could be perceived as unfounded, but it seems that if you are in the right place mentally, then compliance is a heck of a lot simpler. I haven't cheated and I don't plan to, I have no urge to at all. Since I am obviously not smarter, better, or stronger than anyone else on MF, I have been thinking a lot about mindset in relation to compliance.

When I decided to start MF, I had already made the commitment to use the program as directed to achieve my goal weight. I researched it, I thought about it, I lurked on this forum for a few days. Then I ordered. If I stopped using MF it was going to be because the program was flawed, not because I "quit". Luckily, the program isn't flawed, it works if you work it.

I pay about $280 a month for MF supplements, so there is a financial investment. But that isn't enough to keep me compliant.

This forum is loaded with supportive, funny, informative people ready to help at a moments notice. But that isn't enough to keep me compliant.

I would be proud to accomplish such a huge personal struggle as losing 100 pounds (and keeping it lost!). But that isn't enough to keep me compliant.

That switch in my brain that clicked over keeps me compliant. The realization that this program will work if I just let it. I admit that I cannot get around it, cannot weasel out of it, cannot trick it, fake it, beg it, or quit it.
Eat the meals, measure the L&G, drink my water.
Repeat... repeat... repeat
It will work... it works... it's working!

It's a good feeling, better than feeling hopeless, helpless, sad, weak, tired, heavy, slow, sore, ugly, or dead.

[Serendipity]

Jen,

I not only know what you mean, if you look back at my old posts----way back, I wrote about the same feelings and same experiences you are having.

You will be happy to know that it can last for a long, long time. I've been on Medifast for almost 9 months and all the motivation is still there. It remains simple and easy. Your remark about not cheating and not planning to is me to a T.

I've enjoyed reading your journal-----think we have a few things in common, lol.

[SharonR]

Jen, that's so great, you have a talent for getting your feelings out. I can relate so well. I too know the program works, "if you work it". I just have to say it everyday to myself.

I didn't realize you were so new to the forum and let me just say, it's nice to meet you!

[sidrah]

I think that said it all. I am in the same mindset lately, so instead of writing I can sneak in and read what you write. Thanks

[Jen]

I wasn't going to post anything about this but since it is my journal and it's so funny/disturbing, I just had to record it for posterity.

This afternoon I made the biggest BM in my life. I was so busy staring dumbfoundedly into the bowl, I forgot to take a picture for the the Guinness Book of World Records. I could have been famous!! Apparently, I had an entire cat or something hiding out in my colon, because I haven't eaten enough solid food in the last week to produce something that size. That's all I'm going to say about it.

Except that I can't stop laughing when I think about it.

[Prancer]

Jen I was reading your post in the weigh in and it hit me again how close you and I were to start things. Similar age, heigh, weight and start date. I find myself keeping track of your progress like it was my own, lol.

great job!!

[Jen]

Well, San Diego was fabulous. We didn't do too much touristy stuff in favor of lying on the beach and playing in the ocean. I haven't been in the ocean for about 15 years. I don't think we could have had a better time.

I am proud to say I was 100% compliant on our vacation. I didn't expect it to be a problem, but I was really surprised at how much more difficult it was than being at home. I thought about some reasons and here is what I came up with:

1. We don't go out to eat much EXCEPT for on trips, so that was an adjustment.
2. I did OK for the first time, but next time I will be better prepared to have enough water available.
3. We don't watch TV at all so all the food commercials at the hotel were jarring. I don't even like Olive Garden, but seeing those breadsticks?? Oh my.
4. It was strange sitting at a restaurant with Everett watching him eat lunch. I wasn't hungry since I had my supplements, but it was different.
5. Not having the old rituals.... Togo's sandwiches for lunch in Indio, toffee peanuts at the Love's at the CA/AZ border, chocolate milkshake from Baskin Robbins on the way home.... thought about it, but didn't consider cheating.

I am taking another trip in August with my sister and nephew, and now I know better how to pack and what to bring. I also know I can stay compliant AND have a great vacation.

[Arklahoma]

Sounds like you had a great time!!!

[sidrah]

Welcome home...Good for you. It was also good that you experienced the "outside of home" world again. Now, you know you can do it.

[dede4wd]

Jen,
I'm SO GLAD you had a good time! I definitely agree that MF is different away from home, but you did SO GOOD! You are determined and have no choice now but to completely succeed on the program! You dunn good girl!

DeDe

[Jen]

I've been away from the forum for a few days, life has been busier than usual. Things are going great except Everett is in Seattle for 4 days which is sucky. My folks are going to be here from Monday night through Thursday morning so there is no hiding MF for that long. I was hoping to keep it a secret since I won't see them again for 3-4 months and now I will have to give the weekly weight loss "report" when we talk on the phone. I am thinking of telling them I don't use the scale at all to avoid that scenario. I know they will be supportive, almost too supportive if you know what I mean. UGH, the whole situation is annoying to me.

OK, enough with the negativity. I am really excited to see them and my sister and nephew are coming for 2 weeks at the end of July so there is good stuff on the horizon.

NSV. A couple of days ago, Everett said my upper arm looked a little "lumpy" and we concluded that it must be changes from fat loss.

Time to start toning up a bit!

[LovenElvis]

You are doing such a great job. I can relate about the support! My grandmother is WAY supportive...I do tell her that I don't weigh myself, that I let my clothes do the talking If I told her that I weighed myself then she would hound me as well! Then all my aunts, then cousins would know and next thing you know they would have a flyer on me :)

Keep up the great work.

Laura

[Lauraly]

I understand just not wanting to get into explaining the Medifast thing, especially with your parents. I told my Mom, and now I give a status report every week. My Mom also needs to lose weight. She'll ask about how I am doing and then spend several minutes telling me why it would not work for her. (Even though I have not even suggested it.) It's irritating.

I work in a pretty large office and people see me with the packets mixing them up in the kitchen all the time. Unless I am close with the co-worker, I use a variety of offhand explanations when questioned on my food:

1. "Yep, quick cheap packet soup" (For the soup)
2. "I don't have time, this is quick"/"I'm too busy to go out for lunch"
3. "This is what I grabbed walking out the door, it'll do"
4. "I'm getting over a cold, this is better for my stomach"
5. "My teeth are killing me from the dentist, I need soft or liquid food for now!" (This one is true in my case)

Could you use maybe one of the last two excuses while your parents are in town?