Thanks Linden! I've been wondering about minerals as I'd started having calf cramps at night. Thought it might be magnesium/potassium imbalance, so I'm supplementing to see if I have some relief. Having a good food analysis will be extremely helpful.
So glad we're all back hanging out with each other. This thread is fantastic and I've been completely re-energized!
All the best

No kidding

Thanks for this great feedback Pitakitten! Sounds like good old exercise and moderation are the winning ticket after all. So glad and inspired to hear someone just doing it and not stressing too much about it. I'm looking forward to being more relaxed "life after IP"

Just a word regarding potassium. The USDA basic recommendation is 2,500 g but most well-informed sources I've found now recommend 4,700. Without supplement it's virtually impossible to get that on 800 calories a day. With it leg cramps usually disappear unless they're caused by something other than deficiency, such a a pinched nerve, sciatic nerve problems, as examples. Hope this helps.

hi, Ive been reading extensively on this thread. I just joined everyone on their battle with maintaining their weight. I hope I do very well myself. I think for me I will spread out my 'fun day' on the weekend. I dont want to have just 1 day to stuff myself silly. I feel its not about that its about eating for fun/pleasure. :) I also exercise and do cardio and weight training 4-5 days a week. Besides my birthday is tomorrow and I want to have a great dinner on the weekend with cake included :) im still a little confused on the fats and the carb separation I hope I can work it out. :/ I plan to step on the scale just once a week I dont want to freak myself out either if I gain a little too.

thank you im very happy I came a long bumpy ride but im here at last :)

My apologies to the fat secret challenge people. I don't think I'm going to be able to log my food in. I'll weigh in and report on the weekly challenges though;)

Thanks Linden. I think the extra potassium and magnesium are already helping and I agree that many daily vite/mineral requirements are estimated at much lower levels than are really needed, especially given the free radicals, pollution and genetically altered foods that creep into our diets everyday, as much as we try to avoid them.
Youre insight is always appreciated! Have a great day.
Sunnymae

No worries on my part.
It'll be good to read your diary/challenges/thoughts as we go and if you want... simply post a day of food in plain writing, no charts, right on the journal at fat secret or right here, if that's easier for you. I'm just curious about what we all eat on a regular maintenance day, for ideas, new understandings of food combining and so on.

I'm grateful for everyone who's doing this. It's helping me a lot!

Congratulations! Welcome to maintenance. I'm still pin phase 3, still learning everyday.

Don't worry. Do what you can and only do what helps you. Logging helps me.



I agree that additional minerals are helpful. I personally take a lot of vit d and my doctor is ok with that.

Glad it's helping. Maintenance is a whole different world. I'm still a little scared, but getting better with the idea as I progress through phase 3.

Wow pxlkitty, I just looked at your progress photos and I would never have recognized you from the person in the beginning photos. You look amazing. Feels good doesn't it? I am loving being at maintenance, the only thing I don' care for or that I find annoying is now there are a group of people who constantly comment that I am too thin or if a strong wind comes up, I will blow away. Not true but they make me feel like they think I am bulimic or anorexic or something and I eat a TON of food. Anyway, I just had someone make a comment like that so threw in a little rant! Keep on trucking!

I know when I first reached goal, people made the same sorts of comments. I lost weight from the top down so my face did look kind of gaunt. That was why I raised my goal weight. Now 6 months, I weigh a few pounds less but my weight has "evened out", people are used to seeing me like this and now I just get nice comments. My favorite is "You look so fit!".
Don't let it get to you. You've done a great job!:hug:

Yep....I got that too! I came to understand that the way I changed my life impacted folks in ways I could not have envisioned. For instance...my older sister has always been the gorgeous skinny one in our family and I was always the fun pudgy "interesting" one. I think I stole her title from her and actually became as thin as she was and she FREAKED. It's a button pusher for some folks for sure.
It's like we fill a position and play a certain role amongst friends and family and when we alter that dynamic, the whole tribe has to re-adjust. I find it fascinating along with annoying sometimes.
Keep truckin' Sister!!

As I sit here under my blankies because I'm freezing again, I just have to ask... does this side effect of being cold often go away over time?

Thanks Maintainers, we all learn so much from you and hope to join you soon!
Jo