Anyone following Metabolic Research Center nutritional plan?

[rdytolose]

I did the diet 2 years ago with great success.  At the end I absolutely hated it.  I hated the food choices and the lack of conveniences.  I didn't like the way my body looked because I didn't exercise as I was losing.

Then I gradually started gaining the weight back.  Same old story.  But...I started thinking about it and the truth was I lost pretty quick and I was healthy.  I doubt I can live on this diet but I can sort of do it.  Why do we always think everything has to be black and white? or am I just rationalizing not sticking to it 100%

I found a site called dietdirect and I've been ordering what I believe to be the same product from there instead of going back to the center.  I'm trying to stick close to the plan without what I felt was the over top strictness.   In January I'll create a new work out plan and stick with that, meanwhile I'm just concentrating on keeping my steps at a fairly respectable number.

Anyone here who can relate? 

[Heybales]

My comments about ability to gain muscle was perspective of a woman. Man might do it in 5-6 weeks. Man also has right hormones to help retain it better too.

[Dominique]

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@sjr1 wrote:

I wanted to add that I am a female if that makes a difference in the weight lifting area.

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Read posts by @JenniLacey and check her profile. You'll find interesting information on losing weight and lifting, from a woman's perspective.

[rdytolose]

I was very sorry that I didn't work out as I lost.  Even though I hit my goal weight I was flabby.  Don't get me wrong I lost the weight just as promised.  I used the drinks and all the other products recommended.  I stayed on maintenance for awhile but I really wasn't happy with how I looked.

My advice would be to stick with the diet, but work out.  🙂  Good luck with your goals!

[sjr1]

O.K., by now everyone knows that I hate the time to lift weights.  What about the weights that go around your ankles and just wear them as I walk around?  Will they help?

[Lightsinger]

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@Heybales wrote:

Yep, diet without exercise, especially lifting - just makes smaller version of current self.

So if flabby now, you'll just end up skinny fat.

And lifting at the start as beginner when you actually have extra fat to spare is the ONLY time in a diet you'll be able to actually gain muscle mass.

After you've done it a bit, and less fat, you won't while in a diet, you'll have to wait until you can eat in surplus and be willing to gain some fat with the muscle.

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So those of us who have been fighting weight all our lives, and who may have yo-yo dieted many times...we have already lost muscle and should just probably give up and just be fat if we didn't start lifting from the beginning?   No other excerise makes a difference to over all health?  Geez....I hope that's not true, because I'm missing out on a lot of couch time watching television for no benefit then!

. 

[Lightsinger]

Just to clarify....I don't believe in "diets" at all.  Having tried a lot of them over the years, and having lost weight every time, I discovered that all that happened was that I gained all the pounds back, and they brought friends.  Now I eat a balanced, portioned controlled regular food regimen, and I've been doing that for fourteen years.  Don't buy fads, and don't throw good money away on "health" products that promise you weight loss -- oh yeah, if you follow their advice you will like lose weight, but it won't stay gone.  The moment you go off, you will regain the weight and start the cycle again.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I discovered that I could get to a healthy weight and stay there.  I just had to make a lifestyle change.  I'm saying "just" sarcastically, because it's not that easy.  But after 14 years, I feel great, my diabetes is well controlled, and I'm healthier than I was before diagnosis.  Aside from the pesky diabetes thing. 😉

[sjr1]

Will wearing leg weights help?

[Heybales]

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@Lightsinger wrote:

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So those of us who have been fighting weight all our lives, and who may have yo-yo dieted many times...we have already lost muscle and should just probably give up and just be fat if we didn't start lifting from the beginning?   No other excerise makes a difference to over all health?  Geez....I hope that's not true, because I'm missing out on a lot of couch time watching television for no benefit then!

. 

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No, if you received no smart advice to do it from the start and ended up still fat but healthy weight, do it now.

Where exactly did I imply give up and forget it? She is starting - why not start best way possible?

Because frankly, you should see the attitude from experience too - if someone has a motivation issue doing something now - is it really going to happen later?

And where did I say overall health? Don't get emotional over things not said.

[Heybales]

Help what?

Your leg at the bottom will be heavier, that's it.

The muscle that lifts your leg walking, hamstring, will burn slightly more calories to do so, and your calf for pushing off that extra weight too. Iliopsoas a tad for swinging heavier leg forward for next step.

That's about it. That not a big thing.

Wear a weighted vest - now you are making at least all your walking muscle work more. For a while, then it'll be easy for them.

You gotta decide what's important. Several just wanting to give advice that you are in unique opportunity to do something better here at the start that will be much harder at the end, because from experience of many you won't like the end results as much.

Take it or leave it, be motivated or not. If you truly want to do as little hard work as possible, if that's how you are viewing lifting anyway, then you'll have some interesting times ahead trying to reach goal.

[Lightsinger]

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@Heybales wrote:

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@Lightsinger wrote:

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So those of us who have been fighting weight all our lives, and who may have yo-yo dieted many times...we have already lost muscle and should just probably give up and just be fat if we didn't start lifting from the beginning?   No other excerise makes a difference to over all health?  Geez....I hope that's not true, because I'm missing out on a lot of couch time watching television for no benefit then!

. 

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No, if you received no smart advice to do it from the start and ended up still fat but healthy weight, do it now.

Where exactly did I imply give up and forget it? She is starting - why not start best way possible?

Because frankly, you should see the attitude from experience too - if someone has a motivation issue doing something now - is it really going to happen later?

And where did I say overall health? Don't get emotional over things not said.

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Emotional?   I simply believe your comments could have a deleterious effect on those people who haven't been lifting from the beginning.  And I believe that suggesting that they gain weight again in order to regain muscle to start over with lifting might not be a great strategy for some people. 

[sjr1]

where would I find a weighted vest?

[Dominique]

Search "weighted vest" on Amazon.

[sjr1]

Will this help my abs and waist also?

[sjr1]

which one would be best?  I think a light one to start but what do you think? And which one on amazon would be best?

[Heybales]

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@Lightsinger wrote:

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@Heybales wrote:

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@Lightsinger wrote:

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So those of us who have been fighting weight all our lives, and who may have yo-yo dieted many times...we have already lost muscle and should just probably give up and just be fat if we didn't start lifting from the beginning?   No other excerise makes a difference to over all health?  Geez....I hope that's not true, because I'm missing out on a lot of couch time watching television for no benefit then!

. 

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No, if you received no smart advice to do it from the start and ended up still fat but healthy weight, do it now.

Where exactly did I imply give up and forget it? She is starting - why not start best way possible?

Because frankly, you should see the attitude from experience too - if someone has a motivation issue doing something now - is it really going to happen later?

And where did I say overall health? Don't get emotional over things not said.

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Emotional?   I simply believe your comments could have a deleterious effect on those people who haven't been lifting from the beginning.  And I believe that suggesting that they gain weight again in order to regain muscle to start over with lifting might not be a great strategy for some people. 

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The comments in context have NOT been about someone that hasn't been lifting from the beginning, they are specifically in context of someone starting the whole diet and maybe exercise thing, at per the question that came up. 

I'm still not sure how it could have any negative effect on someone that did lose muscle though.

Hey, you did it, get over it, don't keep doing it, don't do it again, and perhaps help others not to do it when they start. As several in this topic have attempted to do.

There was no suggestion to gain fat to gain muscle - that is just stating fact.

If you want to gain muscle, you'll have to accept the fact that you will gain fat at the same time.

It is the ONLY strategy if you want to regain muscle you've lost.

Hence the strong encouragement that I and others have posted about starting resistance training from the beginning of the diet. Those facts makes it might hard to do later at goal weight, and why lose an opportunity to do both at first?

But guess what you can now do easier with more muscle that you are using daily - lose just the fat this time around.

Called cutting and bulking - body builders do it all the time. Nothing new there.

[Heybales]

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@sjr1 wrote:

Will this help my abs and waist also?

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If you do situps or planks with it on, sure.

[Heybales]

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@sjr1 wrote:

which one would be best?  I think a light one to start but what do you think? And which one on amazon would be best?

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The one you can add weight to later as you lose weight off your body.

[RachelJackson]

I am struggling to loose the last 10-15 pounds of baby weight from my second child.  I start the 'conditioning' step of the program tomorrow. I am very excited.  I am ok with the maximum of 4 hours per week of exercise. I have a desk job 40 hours a week and teach one yoga class per week.  I am very active and I enjoy spinning and running as well.  I feel like 4 hours of exercise per week is doable (apparently that is the max during the first couple of stages) - and should eventually be a minimum requirement once I get to the maintainence stage.  I am looking forward to getting started and seeing results!!!

[sjr1]

Hi Rachel:
Unfortunately I have quit the plan and my Fitbit.

Sent from my iPad

[Southasianstron]

It’s great that you’re reflecting on your past experience! Recall that adaptability is essential.

Rather than following a strict diet, think about implementing a balanced strategy that incorporates healthy foods and frequent exercise. It can be sustained by combining some of your favorite foods with nutritious ones.

Another helpful strategy is to gradually increase your activity level and set reasonable goals. You're not the only one who has success striking their own equilibrium! Continue to prioritize progress above perfection.