Originally Posted by karenfromtexas:
Thanks so much to whomever suggested using sugar free syrups to sweeten/flavor Greek yogurt! I just tried "salted caramel" (Torani) in Greek yogurt and it's divine. It's sweetened with Splenda. I found a few flavors of Torani sugar free syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, raspberry, & another one that I can't remember right now) at World Market in small bottles. I'm going to look online and see if I can find some kind of "variety pack" that has several small bottles.

Karen

I ordered some from Netrition.com..really like the idea of using it on yogurt or cereal. I ordered..eggnog, gingerbread, pumpkin pie spice, and hot buttered rum. My plan is to use these to get through the holidays! However, I couldn't find them in small bottles.

Originally Posted by Determinedat47:
Actually, down to goal weight today! That is crazy- the key is certainly to get right after it. Wow I guess I didn't trust it. I won't be quite so freaked about a fun or off plan occurrence in the future.

That is great that your weight went back down! Very encouraging news!

Wildflower: I want to like the noodles also..but have not tried them..Your post on the sf syrups was so helpful.

Capricious: I love garbanzo beans..thanks for the recipe. I also make humuus for my family..but someday will work on a low carb version.

Originally Posted by woolberger:
Hey Cap,

Thank you so much. I love chickpeas and am always looking for great salty, crunchy recipes. I think this qualifies! Thanks again. Sounds like you are doing great.

Lynn

Check out "health smart protein chips". I got some from Nashua and they are delish - both salt and vinegar and BBQ...

Originally Posted by Maile:
i was wondering if you knew if cooking the oil or fat counts as a fat?
If I put oil in a pancake mix, would that count as the fat?

I count everything... so, yes, I would count it if it's anything more than a spray of nonstick cooking spray. I normally cook with a spray of Pam, and I don't count that.

Originally Posted by Maile:
I ordered some from Netrition.com..really like the idea of using it on yogurt or cereal. I ordered..eggnog, gingerbread, pumpkin pie spice, and hot buttered rum. My plan is to use these to get through the holidays! However, I couldn't find them in small bottles.

Also check out nashua nutrition to see what they have in this department. I got something called "capella flavor drops" and they come in nice small bottles. Those appeal to me because I have a small kitchen. I don't think they have any sweetness, it's just more about flavor. I found a few flavors at nashua nutrition, but it looks like they have tons of flavors. They even have cranberry!!

Originally Posted by Determinedat47:
New ideal protein coach training advises coaches to not refer to a cheat day, but rather a fun day.

I'm with you on that. I call mine a free day. I like treat day too. It's a positive, peaceful image and avoids the guilt and stress producing images of "cheating" and then having to "pay" Way too much guilt for me. Who needs more therapy (at least for that) Been there done that :) Just my opinion. It may not have the same implications for others out there.

I love love the SF Syrups, current favorite is probably the Chai Tea Concentrate but I have to be careful and use them in small amounts. If I have too much artificial sugar it seems to make me feel very weak, lethargic and takes from my energy. Anyone else experience this?

I just realized I am still eating my 1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt and it is no longer required. Whoops! Hopefully the other habits I've learned along the way are all so hard to break! Also, can't decide if I will keep taking the Potassium Calcium or not, how many of you kept up with supplements in Phase 4, seeing as they are now only "recommended?" I think I will def. keep taking fish oil/omega3 and the multi.

I second the Protein Chips, I like the BBQ. I was worried about the Maltodextrin listed on there but it is probably ok since you would only have them once in a while and not everyday.

Maile - I think its good that you have made the decision and set a date to move to Phase 3 regardless of weigh in. I think that there is a time when you know you are ready and if you don't do it you will be burnt out.

3 days 'til 1st official FREE DAY! :yikes::woohoo:

Maintenance is hard! The structure of Phase 1 is so easy compared to this. Thank goodness for MFP for tracking everything or I'd really be lost. There are so many choices now, and it's so easy to rationalize a small cheat when you are basically "allowed" to have the item, it just has to be portion controlled and at the right time. I feel like this is going to be a lifelong battle and MPF and a lot of exercise will be the way to make it through.

So far so good on maintaining exactly at my goal weight, but I'm very worried about my first free day. I'm going to wait until my birthday dinner in a couple weeks. On a positive note, I will be turning 45 at a healthy weight, and back in shape!

And CONGRATULATIONS Maile on 100+ lbs! I have so much respect for you.

wildflower- my coach explained to me when I questioned her in regards to the vitamins/ supplements that I would no longer need the Potassium as I would be getting enough from my food and that the calcium could be cut in half or down to none. I take a generic multi and vit C/D mix and that's about it...
Don't know if you've ever attempted tomato sauce from scratch but it's fairly easy... Boil water, throw the tomatoes in for about a minute, remove them immediately to an ice or very cold water bath. Peels should come right off when you pick at them, put a bit of oil into a pan, simmer with onion about 3- 5 min then add garlic add the tomatoes using a wood spoon to help break them apart, simmer with preferred spices (eg basil, oregano, salt) or if you want to make it really simple and quick boil tomatoes for 3- 5 min throw them in the blender do the oil with onion then garlic add tomatoes and spices (this way it doesn't need to simmer nearly as long!). Countdown to free day is on- is it Saturday or Sunday?
pxlkitty- good for you for making it through the carb craving!

I find it helps sometimes to make food when I'm having a craving. Know that it seems completely contradictory but it allows me to think about the food without actually eating it and if I make something healthy I can still have some at the end (if I still want...). The acts of finding a recipe that include ingredients that I have on hand, preparing it and making it carry me through the tide. Or even just prepping the next day's lunch or dinner...

woolberger- when I made the chickpeas I thought of you (I know you like the crunch too ;))- Hope you enjoy them- just make sure to roast the heck out of them otherwise they're more mushy than crunchy and not as good...
The site that I dug up the recipe on is called Anja's food4thought- she had a recipe for chocolate zucchini cake that included spelt flour (gotta use up that spelt ;)). Her recipes are all whole food, reduced or gluten free and so far, so tasty :D http://www.anjasfood4thought.com/

So I have to say, today is a bit of a milestone for me. Exactly 1 year ago today, I walked into my clinic, attended the information session on Ideal Protein and signed up. I was so excited, I hadn't eaten yet so I could start that day. I remember the DC's last words were "No Cheating". I drove home committed but of course I'd been down that road before. I remember saying to myself "I wonder how I'll feel 1 week from today?". So 1 week later I weighed 5 lbs less and again I drove home thinking, "How will I feel 1 week from today"?.
So here I am, 1 YEAR later. How do I feel? GREAT!!! I can't believe how this has changed my life. I weigh 50 lbs less today than 1 year ago. I go to Pilates 3-4 times/week. My tastes have changed and eating well is a habit. I feel better about myself and younger than I did. And I have all of you to thank for keeping me focused and engaged. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I truly believe this has been a life saving change for me and I look forward to continuing our friendships.
Lynn

Originally Posted by woolberger:
So I have to say, today is a bit of a milestone for me. Exactly 1 year ago today, I walked into my clinic, attended the information session on Ideal Protein and signed up. I was so excited, I hadn't eaten yet so I could start that day. I remember the DC's last words were "No Cheating". I drove home committed but of course I'd been down that road before. I remember saying to myself "I wonder how I'll feel 1 week from today?". So 1 week later I weighed 5 lbs less and again I drove home thinking, "How will I feel 1 week from today"?.
So here I am, 1 YEAR later. How do I feel? GREAT!!! I can't believe how this has changed my life. I weigh 50 lbs less today than 1 year ago. I go to Pilates 3-4 times/week. My tastes have changed and eating well is a habit. I feel better about myself and younger than I did. And I have all of you to thank for keeping me focused and engaged. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I truly believe this has been a life saving change for me and I look forward to continuing our friendships.
Lynn

:cp::hat::cheer3::cheer2::congrat::cheer::balloons ::woo:
Happy 1 Year Anniversary Lynn!! I love your story made me feel good inside to read it- thank you for sharing. That you committed to yourself and the plan, followed through and have been a maintenance success make you such an inspiration. That you started this thread and participate so regularly- thank you :hug: It has been so helpful and reassuring to me to have you lead the way into maintenance wonderland. Happy for you, happy for me and happy for everyone who doesn't cheat on IP and ends up exactly where they always wanted to be but didn't know how to get there. You're awesome Lynn- I just want to follow in your tracks...

Thanks Cap- It means a lot to me. I love reading your posts. You have such great insights and ideas. I plan to stay on this thread as long as it exists to keep me honest and in touch with what is important to my heath and well being. You don't need my tracks. You are doing great. Thanks for your support.

Lynn

Originally Posted by Pxlkitty4:
Check out "health smart protein chips". I got some from Nashua and they are delish - both salt and vinegar and BBQ...



I count everything... so, yes, I would count it if it's anything more than a spray of nonstick cooking spray. I normally cook with a spray of Pam, and I don't count that.



Also check out nashua nutrition to see what they have in this department. I got something called "capella flavor drops" and they come in nice small bottles. Those appeal to me because I have a small kitchen. I don't think they have any sweetness, it's just more about flavor. I found a few flavors at nashua nutrition, but it looks like they have tons of flavors. They even have cranberry!!

I am smiling about the small kitchen..I am seriously wondering where I am going to put all of these large bottles when then arrive. I will look for the drops.
Thanks for the info on the fats..I will count them.

Originally Posted by woolberger:
So I have to say, today is a bit of a milestone for me. Exactly 1 year ago today, I walked into my clinic, attended the information session on Ideal Protein and signed up. I was so excited, I hadn't eaten yet so I could start that day. I remember the DC's last words were "No Cheating". I drove home committed but of course I'd been down that road before. I remember saying to myself "I wonder how I'll feel 1 week from today?". So 1 week later I weighed 5 lbs less and again I drove home thinking, "How will I feel 1 week from today"?.
So here I am, 1 YEAR later. How do I feel? GREAT!!! I can't believe how this has changed my life. I weigh 50 lbs less today than 1 year ago. I go to Pilates 3-4 times/week. My tastes have changed and eating well is a habit. I feel better about myself and younger than I did. And I have all of you to thank for keeping me focused and engaged. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I truly believe this has been a life saving change for me and I look forward to continuing our friendships.
Lynn

Happy Anniversary Lynn.. You are such an inspiration to everyone here. I had been reading your posts long before I came here and always loved to read them. It is so wonderful that you have lost 50 pounds and are keeping them off. Plus making eating well a habbit is my goal also. You are a new healthier happier person! Enjoy your celebration.

Originally Posted by Maile:
I ordered some from Netrition.com..really like the idea of using it on yogurt or cereal. I ordered..eggnog, gingerbread, pumpkin pie spice, and hot buttered rum. My plan is to use these to get through the holidays! However, I couldn't find them in small bottles.

I couldn't find them in small bottles either, but they won't go bad. I love the chocolate macadamia nut one too!