Hi Everyone,
Sorry I've been travelling and running around the last week so I haven't been very active. It's good to check in with you gals and guys and get the latest maintenance dish!
I too have found that I glance at the daily chat and spend most of my serious reading and responding on the sequel thread. That seems to be all I have time and attention span for, so I would not be in favor of another recipe thread. I think we can handle it all here. For myself... it's well rounded conversation and we get a slice of daily life from each including triumphs, slips, family/relationship issues and of course...FOOD :0), so I think that'd cover it all.
I'm still maintaining...I've actually lost another 1lb or so, so I guess my version of maintenance is working for my body.
Have a great day everyone!

Tomorrow will be my first day on Phase 3, got my info sheets from my coach, he gave me suggestions for "BIG BREAKFAST", so ran to grocery store and Bread store - think I'm ready!. He suggested - 2 slices of "Honey Wheat Bread" from a local Bread store, 1fried egg - use Pam spray, 2 slices of microwave Bacon, and fruit. Bread is toasted and spread with butter. I hope that's it, it sure seems like alot! It was kind of nice to be able to purchase Bread and fruit for a change!

Great! You will love the breakfast or at least I did.

Been experimenting and adding pasta to my dinner carb choice as of last night. I thought I might be pushing the envelope a little by doing that, but the scale remained the same this morning.
When I know I'm going to have a heavier carb load at night, I'm finding that my natural instinct is to have a lighter carb breakfast and more protein. I cut out the oatmeal, have my egg and turkey bacon, and my fruit and yogurt. Seems to be working for me.
I also find, that since I'm not always planning a free day, because that's not real life in my world and there ARE surprises sometimes, I randomly have a ph. 1 day for balance.
All of this seems to be working for me, so I thought I'd share that in case anyone out there is feeling less than, for not sticking to a strict schedule. I'm starting to understand that PH. 4, or eating for life as I see it, is a balancing act, based on science, sense and surprises :0)
Hava a great day everyone.
Sunny

Hey Guys...

Let's not let this thread fade away. I miss talking with all of you who have graduated to phases 2,3 & 4. Let's keep the conversation going!

Lynn

Hi everyoneJust starting on phase 4 and have a question.... Dinner phase 4 consists mainly of carbs. According to the book by Tran, it is stated that we should shoot for around 150-200 grams of complex carbohydrates. In order to get around 150 grams of carbs from whole grain pasta, you'd have to consume 4 servings of the pasta, which would work out to be over 700 calories (before sauce/cheese/protein/etc). Just seems like a high calorie count and a huge amount of pasta. Am I missing something? Perhaps the 150 grams is just refering to the weight of the pasta (or whatever product is being used) and not the actual carb content. Thanks for the help!

hi Mike,
just one of those weight/ measure mix ups, and you are right, it is total weight they are referring to, not to the amount of carbs.

You should have 5-7 oz of slow carb food mass total:D...considering there are 28 oz to a gram, that comes out to about 150 grams of "food mass'. So, one 5-7 oz (cooked) serving of rice or potato or pasta, etc. That is weighed, not measured. think of it as a pile of rice about the size of your protein portion from phase 1....that is a good sense of scale.
hope that helps!

Thanks for the response Rocky! That helps a lot.

Mike, this is a little off the point of your question, but you might look into sprouted brown rice. You get the carbs and a lot more nutrition. Just Google "sprouted rice".

I agree with Lynn. I still go on the daily chat, but it's not the same with all you guys missing. I check this thread almost daily and I am guilty of reading and not posting. I would like to see this thread become more active. I know there are a lot of people on phase 4. I would like to see us share info and chat like we did on the daily thread in the past. Is this possible or is it just a dream? Check back later. Judy

I check in here almost every day. Also like to look at the daily chat and the experienced thread. I've looked at some of the newer threads but reluctant to post as some people seem to take offense way too easily. I love sharing ideas with all of you.
Rocky...I thought your advice on the "I'm Mad" thread was sage. I raised 2 boys working full time with a husband who was rarely home and I fed my kids way too much processed food. We do what we have to in life to get by but if life had "do-overs", that would be one of mine. My kids are now adults and have pretty awful eating habits.:( My bad.

Lynn

Amen. Rocky, I'm so very sorry you took such a beating. I haven't seen anything like it since the attach on I'm Svelting. Terrible examples of contorted logic, argumentem ad hominem, self-justification, and just plain old-fashioned missing-the point. :hug:

I wholeheartedly agree with Linden and Lynn, on all points. Rocky, your advise is important and valued. When I started IP, I fed my family IP dinners, they never once complained. I do not go to the daily thread any longer, but I do read this one and appreciate you all.

I started maintenance in early March, and have kept at the same weight, except after my free days, when the no carb day works like a charm. I have noticed that I don't crave carbs, and have been able to add them to my dinners without issue. It is so important to follow the rules of maintenance and not to slip back into poor eating habits. Today I was extremely tired around 2 pm, and it would have been so easy to hit a drivethru for a coffee latte, something I would have done in a heartbeat before IP. I fought through it, made it back home and had by coffee lightened with almond milk, felt great and really glad I didn't succumb. I didn't feel deprived, because I have enjoyed those lattes on my free days. So for it, it is working.

Seems like a great idea to me
 

I like the idea of a Phase 3 and 4 recipe thread - that's one thing about IP - it's easy to invent great things and even more fun to share. I found the recipe for making pancakes out of the IP cereal and those are really good - and now that I'm in maintenance I want to find some lo-no carb solutions. I've also been hearing about some carb-free noodles that are called Miracle Noodles...haven't tried them yet.

I have been trying to keep up with the Phase 3 breakfast ideas thread - but it keeps getting lost in all the other little threads...:dunno:

Its nice to have people to bounce ideas off of when it comes to Phase 3 & 4, because I don't know about you guys - but I found the protocol sheets so vague & misleading. They tell you that you have to stay on strict protocol :drill: - but then don't give you all the info you need to do it! Ugh! I'm just so frustrated with all of this.

Rocky - thanks for your reply in the "Experienced" thread - I am pickling (legal) some eggs (sick to death of plain hardboiled) and hoping that will change things up a bit for me.

Aw shucks, you guys are so sweet. I do appreciate your support and I won't deny that it was frustrating and sad to get a reaction like that. It means a lot to me to get support from you guys!!:hug:

I was on the verge of cancelling my 3FC membership that night, when I was PM'd by someone (who I'll keep private in case she doesn't want to also take heat) who expressed some of these sentiments. So there are additional "cooler heads" out there, and people who do want to consider bigger picture questions about their eating habits and lives. But thanks for the ongoing community!:)

I don't want to contradict someone I admire. But truthfully, I think the support shoe is on the other foot.

(OMG, that's so bad it doesn't even merit being called a mixed metaphor. But I mean it.)

Great Group!
 

Happy Weekend Everyone.

I just want to say how much I value this thread and appreciate everyone's ideas and input. One place the Ideal Protein Program is lacking is follow up. You reach phase 4 and you are literally "Cut Loose". I've said it before...but let's keep this thread active so we all have a place to pose questions, share concerns or just "shoot the s***"!

Thanks Everyone.:grouphug:

Lynn

Lynn, I agree with you.

ok, that was so funny I got pellegrino up my nose~!:D

Had a great first day of Phase 4 today, I went back last night and read & RE READ (most importantly!!) the life after phase 1 sticky. I thought I must have missed something in there (which I was) if everyone else is doing so well on maint. and I am loosing my freaking mind! There is no way someone can live day to day counting & measuring, and STRESSING about every little thing. There is a fantastic little blurb from Novak (whom I have never met, but GREATLY respect, and whom I hope still lurks here!), which I saved, printed & plan to read everyday for the next while. We are to start living our lives in our new bodies, which today - I did. I went shopping with my little family (hubby & toddler) we had a delish breakfast before we set out of french toast, berries, walden farms syrup & yogurt. We did some running around, then had lunch at Boston Pizza (yum!) I CRAVED the crispy chicken & pecan salad, and I had it! No harm done right? No carbs for lunch. Check. Then I came home, and the weather being so nice, made up some burgers and cooked them out on the BBQ. I put my burger between a weight watchers "flat roll" loaded it up with some mustard, some cut up veggies (of my choice!) on the side - VOILA! Phase 4, Day 1 is in the books. Not everyday will be like this, I know. But I think I have the basics down. Sigh.

Well Done!!
 

:bravo: Way to go. Sounds like you've got it. I love re-reading those earlier threads too. I know which post you are talking about. You know...Novak really is a rocket scientist!

Lynn

Its funny you say that Lynn - I was talking to a friend of mine that is on Phase 1 right now, and she said "Phase 4 cannot be rocket science" and I said "then why did it take a rocket scientist to explain it to me in order for me to get it?" hmmmm....

Does anyone use My.Fitness.Pal to track their daily food intake?? What do you set your "nutrient goals" to? (for Phase 4)

My Fitness Pal
 

I do use MFP but I don't remember that question. I put in my weight, my usual activity level and said I wanted to maintain my weight. It gave me my nutrient requirements. Where was the nutrient goal question?:shrug: I'm going to have to go back and look.

Lynn

Lesley,

Congrats on getting the first day of Phase 4 under your belt (so to speak)! Your first day sounded perfect! It is an adjustment from strict rules to rough guidelines, but it is doable. Once you have a few more days, it will become second nature and you won't stress so much. For the first week or so on PH 4, I consulted Dr. T's book, and the phase sheet daily. I finally put it all away awhile ago...you'll get there.

I used fitday to track my eating and activities. But things are going so well for me, I am not doing that any longer. I weight myself every day. I need that to keep things in check.

I was glad to see you read the old threads. There is so much info contained in those stickies, I hope everyone who phases off does the same. It is ok to ask a question or two, but the information in the 'life after' threads is vital to success, IMHO.

Good luck!

Lynn - There is an option to set your nutrient goals, but I ended up just saying I wanted to maintain & went from there, like you. Thanks!

Jenny - I have made somewhat of an IP "Bible" and consult it daily...lol Including some of the old threads that I printed out :) Its good reasurance!

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Ah! I found this thread on the second page! Nooo!! BUMP!


What are your favorite things to eat for supper?? I rediscovered Egg Noodles and a simple tomato sauce! I love how you learn to love "real" tastes again on IP.

Dinner
 

I had some time this morning before Dad got up. I made chicken nuggets using the Southwest Cheese Curls and dipped in the WF Spicy BBQ sauce. Really good and totally guilt free! Not really the answer to your question...but yum!

Lynn

Sounds yummy!

Well I did it I have officially started phase II I. Know its not much different than phase I but it makes me feel good to have reached a goal & I am 2.8 lbs past my 90%

Ok, so this coming week may be my last one before going to phase 2. Will definitely happen in the next couple of weeks for sure, but there's something about the convenience & 'safety' of the lunch packets that makes me wary of it.
Can some of you tell me what your lunches usually are & how it's working out? I've never been a big meat lover so there's not much appeal for me in making the switch, other than saving some money & hopefully boosting the weight loss by changing things up.

What a lovely picture! I'm sorry if I'm just now noticing it. You look great!

Thanks Linden. Actually, I just changed it last night. Had to get dressed up for a hospital function yesterday. Thought I'd be brave.

How are you? We all seem to be posting less & less. I miss your great insights and advice. I have to admit that I think about you every time I put vegie sausage or vegie burger in my mouth. I know you are right and I read those articles but it's just so good and easy. At least I'll die thin!

Happy Easter,
Lynn

Congratulations! Look how far you have come! You will do great on phase II. Glad to have you here with us.:hug:

Lynn

maintenance
 

I hope everyone had a nice holiday!

I want to share my 'free' day and recovery experience with you 'life after' folks. We had our Easter dinner on Saturday. We had a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. I did not go overboard, but I did enjoy dinner. The next day I was up 3.5 pounds, I suspect from water retention, etc. I stuck to the no-carb protocol for the recovery day, and those 3.5 pounds are gone...in one day!

Usually, if I am up a pound or two after a free day, I loose .5 pounds per day without any special effort. This is the first time it was all gone in one day.

So keep the faith, I have been in maintenance for about two months, and maintaining very well.

IP rocks!

Thanks for the encouraging words, JSP. I'm on my first week of Phase 4, and I had my cheat day on Easter also. Brunch after sunrise service with church friends (fresh fruit and a piece of french toast). Then my family's favorite dinner (cheese fondue with steamed veggies and wheat french bread) along with a glass of wine and a little chocolate. Up 2.5 pounds Monday. Had an IP drink for breakfast, phase 3 lunch and dinner. Today down 3 pounds. So the cheat day followed by low carb day really worked.

Thin is gut. ANd thanks for the kind words. I got my 1-year residence visa, hurrah, hurrah, so I'm planning to enjoy spring, summer, and fall in Berlin and other places. Winter? Done that. May go back to Hawai'i. But the opera is better here. :D

Just wanted to update - started phase 4 last week. It feels kind of strange eating so many different foods that I have avoided for so long! So far, so good. I'm maintaining my current weight! Big test this weekend - my son is getting married, so we have rehearsal dinner, wedding reception, etc.. So I'll probably have a cheat weekend, and do phase 1 one Monday!