I just looked up one of my own recipes in the Recipe Search section ... "How DID I make that Iced Vanilla Latte??"

This week one of the clients in my HMR by Phone Class told me that she gets on the site EVERY DAY!!

This got me wondering...

FOR OUR CLIENTS -
--> How do you use the HMRdiet Community?
--> How often do you visit?
--> What sections have you used?
--> What has helped you succeed?

FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS -
--> How does the Community support you personally?
--> How are you using the site to support your clients?

I wish I could say that I was part of the HMR team that created this site, but I wasn't. I am, however, extremely grateful to the group. I believe that they would LOVE to hear our candid thoughts about how the Community us in the short time it's been up.

Further. I am convinced that in sharing how we are personally supported we will learn more effective ways making use of the tremendous resource that we've been given.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING DR. LARRY STIFLER & THE HMRdiet TEAM...
...AND IN LEVERAGING OUR STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS.

I only started HMR at the end of January and I check the site couple times a day. It seems to be a great resource. I only check in at the clinic once a month so it is nice to read about everyone else. The clinic I use doesn't have weekly meeting etc. I have learned a lot already from your site.

This is really terrific, PALS65! Congratulations on getting started, and it's great to know that the Community is a daily support to you. May I ask what parts of the site (besides the forum ) you've been finding helpful since you got started?

Thanks for sharing, and best of luck as you continue. Do keep us posted, okay?

I think this site is fantastic. As a health educator and someone who tries to manage weight this site has been invaluable. i love the blogs, the recipes, the forums and of course all the amazing success stories!

I CHECK THE FACEBOOK WALL SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND READ THE FORUMS AS SOON AS THEY R SENT. I USUALLY SEE SOMEONE POST AN INSPIRATIONAL POST THAT HELPS ME. LOVE THE DIFFERENT RECIPES. I HAVE NOT LOST FOR 3 WEEKS AND HAVE STAYED IN THE BOX. IT ENCOURAGES ME TO READ POSTINGS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST WEIGHT. I WANT TO SUCCEED SO BAD.

Hi Oatmeal!

Wow! I'm SO glad the Community's here to support you right now. It's just so, so difficult to be working hard when the scale doesn't budge. I wonder, are you working in a Clinic or HMR Class by Phone or are you doing the HMR at Home program on your own? If you're hooked up with a health educator either at the clinic or over the phone, I'd sure talk with him/her about your situation. I'm certain they'd have some very useful personal suggestions for you. In the meantime, I would suggest increasing the number of Meal Replacements (Shakes, Cereals, Entrees) that you're using, (and if you're doing Healthy Solutions, FVs, too). I know it seems just way too counter-intuitive, but I've seen my clients succeed with this strategy too many times not to know that it really does work. We have just got to be putting enough volume of healthy food for our bodies to lose weight efficiently. Another thing, remember that "More Is Better" relates to More Volume and More Variety are better, as well as More Numbers of the foods that you're eating.

Again, I say talk it over with your HE. If you're on your own keep asking questions here for sure. There are a ton of experienced Health Educators here. Helping you succeed is what we love to do best.

I AM DOING THE PROGRAM ON MY OWN BY ORDERING FOOD. I TALK WITH COUNSELOR SOME. I EAT 2 ENTREES, 2 SHAKES AND A CEREAL, AND ABOUT 6 TO 7 FRUITS AND VEGGIES AND A PEANUT BUTTER BAR MOST DAYS. DO I NEED TO EAT MORE THAN THIS? I WRITE DOWN WHAT I EAT AND THE CALORIES ADD UP TO 1500 OR 1600 DAILY.

Peggy,

I like the forum and the recipes but have been all over the site. I have lost 7.4 lbs so far.

Wow PALS65! 7.4 lbs is terrific! I know you must be a happy camper right about now. You keep right up with the good work, and we'll keep looking for your updates. (Oh and by the way, be sure to share your successful strategies that work. Other HMR dieters are looking on and will learn from your success.)

I looked at the site extensively when it first came out. Now I go to it when my e-mail tells me there'e a new topic of interest. I used it a lot for Thanksgiving and holiday challenge. Those were lifesavers! I also look at the Facebook posts several times a week. I like sharing about my successes, hearing other people's successes and seeing strategies other people use.

Hi April!

Getting alerts is a great way to stay up with things you're interested in. What parts of the Community are you subscribed to, if I might ask? BTW - I think HMRdiet on Facebook is terrific, as well, although I've sort of gotten caught up over here. Do let us know how you're doing. I agree that sharing our successes helps all of us to stay in the Success Cycle.

I have been on HMR at home for about 3 weeks now and have lost 15 lbs. I look at the site several times a day. I use the site to educate myself by seeing what others have posted and the responses to their issues they are having. Reading about others success also gives me motivation to continue pressing forward myself. I feel that without this site, I would not be as successful as I have been. I have tried the various tips given by everyone in making a variety of shakes. The tips have enabled me to have a wide range of flavors and has helped keep me in the box and satisfied. I have never gotten hungry yet on this dies and I give credit for this to all the dieters and educators that post on this site.

YaHooo for you, ljones! 15 pounds is terrific weight loss for your first 3 weeks.

I'm just SO glad that you came here so much and found what you needed to be successful. I totally agree that the "community" that we have here is an incredible resource and support.

Congratulations on your terrific progress, and please do post often to let us know how you're doing.

I use this site almost daily. I use it to ask questions that I feel shy about asking in class. I learn a lot from other posters and I love the recipes. I also watch the facebook page but don't post there. Keith and Jenny always answer fast and helpfully. If I was going to ask for something... maybe a section talking about the basics of the plan. Like something I can refer to when no one is around. Ie... what do to if you hit a stall, if you are on decision free this is what you should be getting / doing. Sometimes I forget these things. Maybe that is already there but I haven't seen it yet.

Hey there Losingin2012:

For some help with the basics of the program, take a look here:

http://www.hmrdiet.com/Succeed...egies/Stay_on_the_Diet

and here:

http://www.hmrdiet.com/Succeed...Quick_Start_Strategies

Of course, don't hesitate to ask *any question you'd like* on the forums. We're here to help.

I have been reading the site for a couple of days, as I learned about HMR and wondered if it would work for me. I decided to go with the shakes plan and ordered a few entrees as well, to see if I like them.

Right now, I'm doing regular protein shakes from the store a few times a day and 1 meal until my box comes. And this morning, I got on the scale for the first time in over 2 years because I need to know where I'm starting from. I wasn't surprised at the number, which I guess is a good thing. At least I didn't pass out from shock. : ) Now I just need to work on weighing less.

I think the forum is a great resource, especially for those of us doing the plan on our own. I've been checking in a few times a day as I read through all the previous posts.

Hello Della!

Welcome to HMR! I know you must be excited and anxious to get your supplies and get going. I'm glad that you've been studying the site ahead of time. Have you taken a look at the Getting Off To A Quick Start and Staying On The Diet links that Keith posted directly above? They are a huge help. I always direct the clients who are beginning my HMR Classes by Phone groups or HMR at Home to study them prior to starting the program.

Good luck! Please do return here often and keep us posted about how you're doing.

I find the site very helpful and informative. I get on it about every day.

Hey KY Keith!

I've seen you about. Love that little boy in your pic! Thanks for your participation and the support that you give to your fellow HMRdieters. I'm really glad the site is supporting your success.

Hi Oatmeal:

You are meeting the basic 'prescription' for the diet - good for you! Should you be eating more? The answer depends on if you are ever hungry.

The 3 shakes + 2 entrees + 5 servings of vegetables and fruits are *minimums*. Just like you are taking more that 5 VF a day, feel free to take more shakes and entrees as well.

Hope that helps

I want to thank the HMR National Training Staff for out-doing themselves with a TERRIFIC HMR National Training Conference this year. All ya'all who are clients of HMR clinics might just as well watch out. Us HMR Health Coaches are coming back so revved up that you'll hardly be able to stand us. A big Wooo-Hoooo and Thanks A Ton to Dr. Stifler and all of the HMR Staff!!

I want to add to my posting about the recent HMR National Training...

One of the things that the folks in my HMR Classes by Phone groups always ask when I come back from training is, "What does HMR feed you?"

Well, I'll tell you ...

It all starts with Breakfast at 7:30 AM ...
Keith Van Gaskin and Steve May are the Smoothie Chefs. I think they make 700+ Strawberry & Banana Smoothies over the course of 2 days.

There's a PUDDING BAR out all day long. Instead of bagels, danishes and donuts we nosh between sessions at the snack table set with:
****Plenty of Vanilla and Chocolate 70+ Packets & Iced Water
****Large pans of Defrosted Frozen Dark Sweet Cherries
****Defrosted Frozen Strawberries
****Canned Peaches &/or Pineapple
****Assorted Sugar Free Puddings, Syrups, Extracts etc.
Yumm! Can you spell HMR PUDDING SUNDAE, anyone???

Then there's the HEALTHY SOLUTIONS LUNCHEON. Yep! You heard me right. They feed us In The Box for lunch!! Here's the menu we had this year ... Entree choice(s) of:
****Turkey Chili
****Vegetable Stew w/ Beef
****Cheese & Basil Ravioli
****Chicken Pasta Parmesan
****Chicken Creole
****HMR Chicken Gravy made from HMR Chicken Soup

To go along with it ... All you can eat of:
****Baked Potato
****Baked Sweet Potato
****Yellow Corn Niblets
****Steamed Red Pepper Strips
****Stewed Tomatoes
****Carrot Slices
****Green Beans
****Broccoli Florettes
****Grilled Portabella Mushroom Strips
****Black Beans
****LF Sour Cream
****Salsa

Oh yes, and perhaps most important of all --> A Very BIG Plate!

Mmm-mmm! Those HMR folks do know how to PARTY!

Wow, I feel full just reading that list!

The secret is out now, Peggy! We really do practice what we preach. I too am thankful for the hard work that goes into the National Trainings. We always come away with even more ways to support people to live healthier lives.