bunsofaluminum - You're down 11.5 lbs for the month!
Isn't it great to feel so energetic and capable? Something to keep in mind, if that noodle dish used whole grain pasta and included an equal volume of non starchy vegetables, it could be acceptable for MWL (provided there weren't any otherwise troublesome ingredients).
birdy birdy - Nice loss! That looser fit to clothing is a fun result! Keep taking action to eliminate the remaining calorie dense foods and liquid calories, and you'll support continuing progress.
cmcavazos - 8/10! I think you are right not to be overly concerned about that modest gain, Christine. If it was due to greater than usual added salt, that seems easily corrected. Have you tried preparing your soups and stews without any salt, and then just adding a sprinkle at the table? Carry on with your diligent efforts.
texaslil - Big drop this week, Laila, and you are down 3.6 pounds overall for the month! The elimination of those calorie rich higher fat foods is definitely a great way to support weight loss. It doesn't seem to me that you're eating "too much" oatmeal; in fact, it sounds like you are following the MWL recommendations, eating the oatmeal with an equal volume of non starchy vegetables / fruit when you are hungry, and stopping when you are comfortably full. Focus on WHAT you eat (recommended foods) rather than HOW MUCH, and don't stuff yourself to the point of discomfort and you'll do fine.
Noella - Happy MWL Anniversary! Your steady, measured weekly losses accumulated and have you finishing this month a pound lighter, and 82 pounds lower than your starting point! That reliable progress based on your consistent, diligent efforts will deliver you to your goal one step at a time.
Calmly Carry On!
CindyD - Awesome results! I think it makes sense to view the big change at the scale this week as a product of your ongoing work throughout the month.
Your weekly average was a loss of 1.65 lbs, which is great! MWL works, when we work it; the recommendations are built on a foundation of time-tested principals. As Jeff has written in the past,
JeffN wrote:We are here because we are an evidence & science based program.
JeffN wrote:Remember, the program always works because it is based on sound science.
PotatoHead1980 - Down .8 lbs this week, and 6 lbs for the month, Chris! Considering that you were on vacation, I think you did very well. You came prepared with adherent food, took a pass on candy, limited the occasions of dining out, and made better choices than you otherwise might have, right? It is an ongoing learning process, so give yourself credit for your efforts, think about changes or adjustments you might make in the future to support further success, and keep making choices congruent to your goals.
chef16 - Very best wishes for your visit to the doctor! If you feel comfortable, let us know how it goes.
Sometimes that feeling of being on "autopilot" can be an opportunity to shore up the progress we have made, take a breath, and start to plan and prepare for the next steps where we want to direct serious effort. Which of the recommendations do you think offers the best opportunity for improved adherence?
Gimmelean - Don't sweat that little increase too much! I think you have it right, it might be a matter of getting clear and specific with yourself about the results you want, and why you want them, and taking the necessary, appropriate actions to adjust behaviors. That, and time, will get you where you wish to be.
Rebecka22 - I'm so glad to hear you had an enjoyable vacation with your family! And it sounds like you learned a lot about how to make MWL and travel fit together. Cheers for not going full on "vacation mode!" Since most restaurant meals are high in added salt, they can have a pretty dramatic effect on the scale in the near term, but you can reverse that - just focus on eating the recommended foods, in the recommended fashion the very next time you feel hungry (and the time after that, and the time after that . . .)
Growing a Pear - Awesome! That savory oatmeal sounds wonderful. It seems to me you are doing a great job of assessing your progress, analyzing challenges that arise, and adjusting accordingly; that is what it's all about!
So glad to hear you're sleeping better. Onward!
JaBee - Kudos! You did really great with 8/10 recommendations! If you feel like the added salt gave you trouble, or contributed to further, bothersome cravings, it makes sense to reduce or eliminate it (particularly if you didn't feel the need to use it in the past). That said, if a modest sprinkle of salt on the surface of your food helps you stick with adherent meals, rather than veering off track, it is definitely acceptable.
Belana - You absolutely posted your report correctly!
A great way to prepare for the plateau you're anticipating, and even circumvent it, could be to focus effort toward the recommended behaviors where there is opportunity for closer adherence. Enjoy the cycling! I know you set your "exercise bar" pretty high!
Moonlight - Good for you! You recognized that your pattern of behavior was drifting in a counterproductive direction, and acknowledged the need to take action. A food journal sounds like a great tool to apply, and adequate preparation of adherent foods is a key factor toward success. Make your next choice reinforce your sense of renewal, and focus on making your very next meal adhere to the guidelines. Now is always the right time!