Thanks! I got it! I know I was kind of over-stressing about this. I know the guidelines, but there's always one thing or another that I'm not sure if I'm doing right or not. For example, I wasn't sure if almond milk is considered dairy.. and that or soy milk is what I drink, also for some reason I wasn't sure if turkey bacon was allowed. Anyway, I read and read threads, and finally came up with some menus, and then reading the ones that you sent me confirmed that I was doing it right. Thanks again!

Thanks for sharing your phase 3 staples! and definitively good luck in phase 4, I'm sure you're going to do great. You've definitively shown you have steel discipline :)

Happy Wednesday, everyone-

So I was shopping at Kohl's this afternoon and I came across some black, fine pinwheel corduroy pants (Chaps by Ralph Lauren) on sale. I have been wanting some black cords, as it happens. Anyway, they did not have a size 8, so I took the size 6 in the dressing room thinking, "Oh, these will never fit but what the heck." Well, I was shocked because they did fit! I haven't bought anything in a size 6 in almost 20 years! So, of course I bought them. ;)

I couldn't be happier about maintenance. So far, it has not been hard. I only weigh once a week (on my "free" day) and my benchmark is 2 lbs. So, if I have gained 2 lbs or more and it does not go away the following week, I do phase 2 for a few days until my weight goes back down. It always seems to work. It is so gratifying to know I have finally learned how to maintain my weight loss after so many years of failing at this.

Karen

I had a great supper tonight. Safeway had freshly made salmon burgers at the butcher case and ate it sandwiched between the lowest fat/cal (2 slices 2g fat/110 cal) that I've ever come across... and it was soooo good! Put a couple spinach leaves and some mustard on too.
This morning was a dead run out of the house as I had to be in town for 8 am (we're about 20 min out of town) and had to have a 6, 2 &1 year old plus the dog in the car ready to go by 7:30. So I ended up buying breakfast on the run. Which I've only ever done once since being on maintenance. And opted for the breakfast sandwich from Tim hortons (ham, egg, cheese, english muffin). Higher sodium that what I would normally have but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the calorie count/ fat count was 300/ 12 which is considerably lower than my average breakfast. Wouldn't do it every day but it's good in a pinch!
As the American Thanksgiving approaches I was thinking about how it might be nice for us maintainers to offer up what we're most thankful for in maintenance so far...
I'm thankful this thread is so alive... thankful for the maintenance challenges... thankful for maintaining my weight for three months!

Don't you just love surprise, they will never fit and they slid right on... I bought my first size 6 pants this week as well and was shocked that they fit, but it isn't surprising as I had some size 8s with me and they didn't fit... all in the designer's decision on what size they are going to call things... but I am proud to wear a size 6.


Things I am thankful for - finding this IP program, having friends online and off that are very supportive, being able to afford to see it through to the end. Thankful I have a house, my dogs and cats and heat and light and all stuff with this. Thankful to live in the country I live in. And thankful I am no longer caring an extra 95 lbs with me every where I go.:hug:

Such a lovely relaxing morning here in wonderful northeast Montana. Relaxing, watching Macey's Thanksgiving day parade and enjoying coffee with half and half, Greek goddess plain yogurt with a cup of fresh blueberries and whole wheat/sunflower/ flax toast with peanut butter! Am going to MIL house so only have to bring a side fish. Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving all!

Things I am most thankful for- my husband and children, other family, wonderful friends, great jobs, the health of myself and my family, losing 50 pounds, and the safety of living in the USA.:)

I am thankful for finally finding the person I am meant to be..one who is happy and thin. I am thankful for finding Ip and this support group. I am thankful for my family and my health. I am thankful that I have maintained for over one month.

I am pleased that I did what I wanted to. I stayed in control while enjoying Thanksgiving. Today is off to exercise and maybe shop. Hope everyone in the US had a good holiday. Canadians, are you getting the Xmas sales pitch as well?

Linden..I like both of those recipe ideas. I just made a low carb crab cake similar to your tuna cakes.

Karen.that is exciting to fit a size 6! I am wearing 8s but haven't tried a 6 yet.

Gika..I drink soy and almond milk and consider them as a dairy..do not know if that is right..but it seems to work. Also turkey bacon and turkey pepperoni are legal. I was stressed also about changing Phases..but really it is not difficult..and you start liking all of the new foods!

2ride..Hope you find a new tea. My tea collection seems to be growing as I keep experimenting. Tea is wonderful! I actually have to measure my peanut butter to keep myself on track. It is too good.

Yes peanut butter could be my downfall... I so love it. will have to wean my dogs and me off of it. spent a good time today looking at a keurig or tassimo... can't decide on which but keurig has way more flavors... and does iced coffees so it is winning out for that.

Now this may be tmi but I need help ever since starting phase 4 I am gassy, is it the yogurt or what? Thanks.

Have a nice weekend all

I am thankful that today is my birthday and I am fit and fabulous at forty and no longer fat. I am also thankful for everything that I have learned, maintaining my weight for 2 months, and meeting all of you along my journey.

We leave on our cruise tomorrow, so today will be full of laundry and packing. I've never been on a cruise, never been to the Bahamas (or the caribbean). So I am also thankful that IP helped me find a person who wants to wear a bathing suit and enjoy life.

Have a good day everyone, and a great week ahead. I won't be checking in much while I'm gone.

We have a keurig and we love it. I highly suggest getting one.

Try PB2 peanut butter. It's powdered and doens't have too much fat.

I hope that "someone" doesn't jump on me, but I too got gassed up and I eat what you do for breakfast. I think it is our bodies adjusting to the lactose and carbs. It has settled to a "normal" amount now. I don't know about you, but I was never gassy on IP and I had the "c" issue, which I never have had my whole life, so I reported to be "happy & gassy" and someone said it was TMI, but I feel like to know these things for when they phase off. YOu are doing great, you have been one of my biggest inspirations. I am eating a modified phase III for the most part, a big breakfast (phase 3) and then phase II lunch and dinner, I haven't added the carb at dinner. I still want to lose, so that is what I am doing for now. My first "cheat" (phase 4) was Thanksgiving and I didn't do too bad and now I am right back to my program.:D

Happy Birthday to YOU!

I bought hubby a Keurig 5 years ago and he uses it everyday, he loves it and it has held up well.

2ride. I have never heard of keurig..but wow what flavored coffees. Have you tried any of them?
You know it is too bad they don't make Peanut Butter tea so we could assuage our PB flavors.
As for Phase 4 and gas, I have not experienced a great deal of that. Can you correlate it to a particular meal? Could it be a wheat or milk intolerance? I find that brussel sprouts and tomato sauce cause that in me. Also in your complex carbs, are you eating high sugar at all? That might cause it.
Pet your doggies for me. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIXLEKITTY! Have a wonderful cruise to the Bahamas. How fun that you are going thin and enjoying wearing a swim suit.

Bellamack.. I am glad your health issues have improved and that you are feeling better. I am glad your Thanksgiving went well and you are back on track. I do think our bodies need to adjust to the added carbs. I also am doing a Phase 3/4 ..sometimes I have a carb at night..I am quite leary of adding carbs.

Question on Phase 4: Are you guys measuring your vegetables still and are you really eating any vegetable?

HI Maile,

I do still have my 2 cups of veggies at lunch and dinner, it is probably why I haven't added in a carb, I am pretty full. I still have a high protein snack between 7 -8 pm too. My breakfast is non-fat greek yogurt, either 10 frozen cherries in it or blueberries, 1 whole grain lite English Muffin with 1 T peanut butter. Hope you are doing well :) you are always so kind.