first time on MWL & i need your help :)

[bella star 00]

hii everybody
tomorrow will be day 1 on MWL and im kind of nervous yet excited at the same time. i gained 35 lbs over the summer and would love to get rid of atleast 20 if not more by may..i have exactly 2 months!! o boy...has anyone lost about 20 lbs if not more in 2 months?
i have a few questions about the program.
are we allowed to eat Dr. Mcdougalls ready to eat soups on the maximum weight loss program? Has anyone tried them?

Are we allowed to have salsa on MWL? and if so, what brand do you guys use?

any good tips i should follow?

im not too crazy about the oatmeal in the morning bc im used to eating flavored oatmeal! but i guess ill have to suck it up if i want to win at this!

help!! i need the extra motivation
wish me luck

[kirstykay]

hii everybody
i have a few questions about the program.
are we allowed to eat Dr. Mcdougalls ready to eat soups on the maximum weight loss program? Has anyone tried them?

Are we allowed to have salsa on MWL? and if so, what brand do you guys use?

any good tips i should follow?

im not too crazy about the oatmeal in the morning bc im used to eating flavored oatmeal! but i guess ill have to suck it up if i want to win at this!

help!! i need the extra motivation
wish me luck

Welcome!!! Sounds like you're highly motivated and you'll do great. My biggest "tip" is to make a commitment to yourself that you're not going to go off plan no matter what for the next 30 days! No "cheating," no "oh this little bit won't hurt." Every time those thoughts enter your head, tell yourself "NO"-outloud it you have to. You have ambitious goals and they are only possible if you are really commited to this. I think you can do it.

Here is a reminder of the MWL plan:

Program outlined in the MWL book, page 60.
1. Eliminate All Animal Foods
2. Eliminate All Oils
3. Eliminate All High Fat Plant Foods: Nuts, Nut Butters, Seeds, Seed Butters, Avocados, Coconut, & Olives.
4. Eliminate All Flour Products
5. Eat Whole Grains and Potatoes
6. Eat Legumes
7. Make Green & Yellow Vegetables One-Half to One-Third of your meal
8. Eat Uncooked Foods
9. Restrict Fresh Fruit to No More Than Two Servings a Day, and Avoid Dried Fruit, Fruit Puree, and Fruit Juice
10. Use Simple Sugar Sparingly

Guidelines for Healthy Eating in MWL book, page 67.
1. Eat until you’re satisfied
2. Graze
3. Allow time for digestion
4. Chew foods thoroughly
5. Restrict variety

Weight-Losing Reasons To Exercise. MWL book, page 100.
1. Exercise burns calories
2. Calories continue to burn after exercise
3. Exercise counteracts plateaus
4. Exercise suppresses appetite
5. Exercise reduces insulin
6. Exercise protects and increases muscle mass

Exercise you can live with. MWL book, page 106-107
Aerobics: The best kind of exercise. Walking, running, cycling, & swimming are not only enjoyable but highly efficient ways to lose weight.

Benefits of weight training:
Build a stronger body
Build a shapelier body
Strengthen ligaments
Improve bone density
Help prevent musculoskeletal injury
Elevate metabolism
Increase stamina
Elevate blood levels of HDL cholesterol

Your New Daily Exercise Plan: MWL Book Page 109
1. Get up half an hour earlier each day, or skip a TV program to do a specific exercise.
2. Make exercise a part of each day.
3. Choose an activity that you have always enjoyed and do it at least four times per week
4. Sometimes purchasing equipment helps to motivate…
5. Invest in a membership in a YMCA, YWCA, or health and fitness club
6. Ask a friend to become your exercise partner
7. Go dancing, a great aerobic (and romantic) exercise
8. Join a walking or hiking club.
9. Check with your local adult-education program for exercise programs.
10. Keep an exercise journal.

Establishing a healthy way of life from page 127 of the MWL book.

Step 1. Be Goal-Oriented
Step 2. Acknowledge Your Willingness to Pay the Price
Step 3. Educate Yourself, Become an Expert
Step 4. Visualize Yourself as Healthy
Step 5. Make a Commitment: It’s Magic
Step 6. Ensure That Your Environment Supports Your Goals
Step 7. Alter Your Coping Mechanisms
Step 8. Join A Support Group
Step 9. Reward Yourself
Step 10. Keep It Simple

Answers to your questions: yes, you can have the McD soups. I've never tried them, but people seem to like them. If you're concerned about sodium, you're better off making your own soup. You can make a big batch once a week.
Yes, you can have any kind of salsa that doesn't have any oil added-check the labels and buy what you like
If you're looking for recipes, there is a list of clickable MWL recipies on the "Food and Recipes" feed. There are lots of choices other than oatmeal for breakfast. If you find things you really like, you're more likely to stick to the plan.

Good Luck to you, and keep us posted with your progress!!!!!

[bella star 00]

thank you so much
im going to jump on the scale once a week. so ill let you know what happens next friday!

thanks again for taking the time to answer all my annoying questions!

[Kime]

20 pound in two months is a lot especially if you only need to lose 35 pounds. I did lose just barely 20 pounds in 2 months, but I needed to lose 40 pounds and I started off with a week of raw fruits and vegetables followed by 2 days of a water fast because we were having a fast at our church. The short fast made it easier for me to make a clean break from my old eating habits, but it isn't for everyone.

My advice is to stick to it 100%. Little cheats cause big problems for me.

[bella star 00]

thank you! i wish i only had 35 lbs to lose.
i have a total of 60 to lose. however, ill be really happy if i can reach my first goal of 20 by may.

[Faith in DC]

Two things. You want motivation, well, like Kime I think your goal is a bit high and setting you up for failure. At least when I use to think that way I always failed.

What would happen come 8 weeks from now and you only lost 10? That's more than a pound a week so even that is high. Would the world fall apart? Remember you have the rest of your life. Live each and don't worry about a number. Make your goal to eat healthy for those two months and see what happens. It's easier on the nerves too.

On the soups - some have noodles and pasta and those are not MWL legal. I guess the pea is ok and black bean. Your own vegetable soup would be healthier. They are for quick meals when you are stuck.

[bella star 00]

o i def wouldnt be upset if i only lost 10 lbs in 2 months...a loss is a loss right now.. for me, it pushes me harder when i give myself a lil bit more to work with..i work out harder and etc...everyone is different. and if i lose 10 lbs in 2 months then its 1o lbs less from where i started. the main thing is not to go up! lol

[Faith in DC]

Good deal. Sometimes those set numbers can throw a person a stray.

You'll make it your aiming to keep it going. Life changes are what works.

[kirstykay]

How are you doing?

[amyla51]

Bella-

A tip about the McDougall soups: most of them are very high in sodium. Dr. McD suggests, not adding the whole flavor packet that comes with it. I use only half a packet, and that is perfect for me.

Amy in NH