HMR, anyone done this successfully?

First off, just to premise, I'm not offended by your response, I know you're just sharing your thoughts, but I'd like to respond. I do have more to lose, at least 50-70 lbs, yes.  Not as much as I once thought, not then knowing my LBM was so high.  But not as much as most think because we often consider ideal weight only in terms of those old insurance charts.  I have learned I'm pretty much an exception to that rule. And you're right, two women in the challenge lost more bodyfat than I, though we three who won lost the same weight 12-15lbs.  The scientific answer about that was simply this--my body was used to such activity and their's weren't, plus they had more bodyfat on them than I, therefore the shock to their systems and the higher bodyfat gave them the initial slightly increased bodyfat loss.  But I didn't know that going in, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered participating.  (FWIW, in their continuing without me, they have not lost more weight (I have lost 12lbs) and their commitment has waned and their workouts infrequent.  I anticipated that would happen given their mindset and approach.) Ironically, I now think bodyfat loss is not about lbs as much as it is composition and fitness, so I am no longer mentally consumed by lbs and ideal weight.  I think you and I are on different pages on this, because you seem adamant in recent posts about telling me I haven't come far enough in your opinion or how much more I may have to go.   You seem to measure me against what I now consider unhealthy and unrealistic expectations.  As I read this board on occasion, many have similar expectations (as I once did) that lead them to significant frustration and anguish.  Not worth it. I now see that my 1lb+ weight loss is highly sustainable due to my increased muscle mass.  It is slower than many commercial programs might influence you to desire, but the healthy goal of weight loss is 1-2lbs a week and I've averaged 1+.  Now that I've rid my head of unrealistic,  inappropriate, and undereducated expectations, I'm happy with all I've accomplished. And what I have accomplished is more than 50lbs, it's included excelling in fitness so much that I'm being encouraged by my trainer and gym to consider certification so I can teach.  K has even asked if I'd like to teach her classes.  Wonderful compliment.

I'm glad you are not offended.  By some of your own posts, your progress, comparatively to some others, is moderate.  I understand your premise to what you are doing is the hope that your body will in turn not put it back on immediately. And I agree with that... My sole point was that by your own posts, it has been established that your body under just about any approach is not like other people's. Mine neither. There have been contestants on Biggest Loser who have amazed me at how hard they worked - exactly like or even more so than team members and their bodies did not respond. You are on your own curve, and it is is amazing and has only to satisfy YOU. If you can keep up this level of hard work and food intake, more power to you. I have to do it likewise.

"By some of your own posts, your progress, comparatively to some others, is moderate. " Actually I would disagree. Some have lost lbs faster, true, but if they lost more than 2lbs a week, they lost muscle so I'm  hardly jealous of their accomplishment.  Thank God I haven't and didn't allow myself to do that.

I don't see someone else's faster lb loss as progress, at all.  I see it as a problem actually. I would beg to differ, that my progress has been exponentially more than some people, given that I define success by function and capabilities combined with fat loss, not lbs.  I'm a 270lb woman within 5% of an acceptable bodyfat (30) range (calipers have me at 35%).  Not bad! I will reiterate...you seem bent on telling me I haven't done as "well" as others and I would encourage you to reconsider what you consider good progress as well as why you feel the need to say such a thing.

Jerz, we are officially down a rabbit hole here. I am sorry if words I chose have insinuated that you are not doing well. That was not my intention. I did not mean to put a negative spin on your journey, rather to state that it is what it is. Moderate is not a bad word in this discussion in my book.  If you go back to square one in my post, I offhandedly compared your journey to what I perceive mine is...i meant in no way to make you look bad;  I actually think you & I  are on the same path here. I agree with just about all you beleive. In trying to clarify, i think this has gotten out of control. I'll stop now. I am sorry.

Hi Holly, wow it sounds like you really had a roller coaster ride on this... thanks for your honest thoughts. I am going to get all the details then decide what the best avenue will be for me and I definitely will take your experience seriously and not try to go it alone without Dr. supervision. I have had problems with iron absorption and have seen what that can do so I am very leary of anything that could cause any nutritional deficiencies...  thanks for sharing with me...

I will be interested to see what you are told at your appointment.  Please update us afterward.

The only weight loss method that has worked for me has been high protein, low carbohydrate.  I have read the South Beach Diet and the Atkins Diabetes Revolution.  Both distinguish the difference between the good carbs and the bad carbs.  Getting fiber is also very important. I use a combination of the protein shakes (like for a quick breakfast) and eating healthy meat, eggs, vegetables, and high fiber fruit like rasberries and blackberries. From what I have read lately, the sugars and bad carbohydrates cause inflammation in the body.  Arthritis, allergies, diabetes, high triglicerides, and cardiac problems can be caused and aggravated by the high carbohydrates. Both the Atkins web site and the Atkins books have a list of vitamins and supplements that are needed in order to bring your body to a healthier state.  The added benefit is that you will rarely be hungry on a low carbohydrate diet.  Several people in the OH groups have found and made really great tasting recipes for foods that can help replace the old favorites. I wish you success with whatever you decide to do.

Hi Lisa, Cheryl here! I was looking through posts and noticed a familiar term. HMR. While I don't have any graphs, charts or websites to tell you about my progress, I do have a moment to leave this message. I started HMR (btw they have shakes, meals, yummy bars and now a hot cereal) in the last week of August 07. I lost 13# the first week and continued on until I had to quit a month later(because giiiirl, it gets expensive!!). in that month I lost 21#. This other guy in the class had lost 40 by the time I left. Since then I have cut out sugars and just started to watch what I ate. I went to a diagnostic eval for LapBand Friday (still undecided about that though) and from the end of HMR to now I have lost an addit 20#...so 41 all together! The way mine worked was you have to go every week (Tuesdays for me) and they weigh you and you visit with the Dr twice a month (they also do labs at that time). Then you have the group meeting for about 2hrs. The reason it got expensive to me is that you have to buy the "prescription" every week. The Dr will prescribe how many shakes a day you are to have. Then they start increasing those to add one more shake and so on. I was spending close to 600 a month on shakes alone. No that didn't include the meals, bars or anything else. They tell you how to use this to make it work for you and at the beginning they discourage any outside food. Just the HMR meals,shakes, etc. After 6 wks you move into phase 2 where you can introduce outside foods. But they monitor that as well. The shakes are pretty decent and what I liked is you can mix them with pretty much anything without calories and sugars. My fav was the Chocolate mixed with Diet Cherry Vanilla DP. Others would use the coffee flavors that are sold at the grocery store. One guy did lose over 100lbs and he was just retaking the starting class because he wasn't ready to move on to the advanced class.  Anywho, I hope this has helped a little. I liked it but do agree that no one should live the rest of their lives on shakes! lol! You probably already have this, but if not, the site is www.hmrprogram.com . Oh yeah, you can also order these from that site so you bypass and actual class altogether, but I believe you still have to keep in touch with one of the counselors by phone.

Hi Cheryl, thanks for the info. sounds like you are kicking butt!!! I hear you on the expense! I began the diet yesterday, it is 5 shakes a day for 4 mos. then slowly reintroduce food. It is so weird how full you feel all day! I am being very closely monitored and taking all the suggested vites. I am going to up my water intake too and added more walking, yoga...

I can get through anything for 4mos I suppose, what is 4 mos. out of my whole life...

Hiya Lisa, Yeah I think I started on 6 shakes a day. When I finished I was at 9. But hey to me it was a good kick start. And thats right girl! You CAN get through anything!! Thanks for the good words, I am trying to keep it up! I tell ya, it isn't as easy as some of these commercials would like folks to believe! I wish there was a pill that would get you from plump to pumped in a *SNAP*! LOL! But we are moving right along, right! Good luck Girl and Keep up the Fantabulous Work!! Cheryl