Originally Posted by capricious:
Good luck Pauley & Maile with the Christmas parties! It does seem a bit easier when I compare being able to eat 'maintenance style' at a party than when I had to eat 'Phase 1 style' ;) Would waaaayyyy rather do it maintenance style at least there are some things that are edible. I have my sisters baby shower on Friday and meeting with friends on Saturday. So, I think the shower will be a regular maintenance day and I will save the free day for my meal out with friends...
2ride- do you ever go to Costco? They have pretty good thermal underwear there as well as clothes to layer with... My brother also bought these little plastic packs of fluid that when you 'crack' a button in the corner it forces a reaction that heats these little packs right up. He keeps them inside his mittens to keep his hands warm.

I do have a card but don't go there too often as I tend to spend WAY too much money when in there. will have to see maybe after christmas as it is sooo busy now. Thanks.

Hi Maintainers -

I hope you don't mind me butting in here. If I am and shouldn't, please redirect me! I'm just trying to read how those who are doing IP are able to successfully call themselves "maintainers"...and to be honest, haven't come across many as of yet. Maybe you all can answer my questions?

I've been reading and researching IP for about 3-4 weeks and plan on starting in the new year, if I still feel I should. I am intrigued by the quick weight loss but weary about the general statistics about gaining it back quickly too.

Can you share with me what makes you maintainers different from the ones who gain the weight back after IP? How many people have you come across that have kept the weight off for more than a year? I'd like to get it straight from you guys (and not the IP staff who are naturally biased). :) Why has this worked for you and not others, in your humble/not so humble opinions? :)

Originally Posted by kiki4me:
Hi Maintainers -

I hope you don't mind me butting in here. If I am and shouldn't, please redirect me! I'm just trying to read how those who are doing IP are able to successfully call themselves "maintainers"...and to be honest, haven't come across many as of yet. Maybe you all can answer my questions?

I've been reading and researching IP for about 3-4 weeks and plan on starting in the new year, if I still feel I should. I am intrigued by the quick weight loss but weary about the general statistics about gaining it back quickly too.

Can you share with me what makes you maintainers different from the ones who gain the weight back after IP? How many people have you come across that have kept the weight off for more than a year? I'd like to get it straight from you guys (and not the IP staff who are naturally biased). :) Why has this worked for you and not others, in your humble/not so humble opinions? :)

I think that the title of our thread might be a touch misleading, as most of us are pretty new to maintaining and are supporting each other as we move through the final phase of IP. We are all working to make sure that we do not gain back the weight we lost, which is why we are the "maintainers" thread. We are technically in the maintenance phase of IP.

I do not know if there are currently any active members who have been on maintenance for a year or more and are maintaining their losses. But to me, that is a good thing, because I take that to mean that they kept the weight off and are no longer dependant on this site.

I don't think you will find anyone on here who would tell you that IP isn't worth it. I think we all pretty much feel that we have found a saviour in IP, and that nothing we have tried in the past was anywhere near effective as IP.

And for what it is worth, maintaining is just as much work as weight loss. I think the people who gained the weight back didn't phase off properly or went back to eating they way they did before. I think most of the maintainers would agree that it is every bit as challenging to stay in your weight window as it was to get there. The journey is by no means over, it is just a different one. It is a different set of rules, but there are still rules nonetheless, and they do need to be followed if you want to keep the weight off.

Just my humble opinion...

Thank you, Jennydoodle, for your insight. You bring up some very good observations.

As much as I would like to do this without signing up per se or buying the IP food, I think I personally need to pay the money and do things by the book AND have the accountability to make the lifestyle change. I'd like to think I'd only use this program for only 4-5 months but I really don't want to be a statistic....and I do want to be realistic about my expectations. It's great to see that you all are supporting each other through maintenance. This gives me hope!

Originally Posted by kiki4me:
Can you share with me what makes you maintainers different from the ones who gain the weight back after IP? How many people have you come across that have kept the weight off for more than a year? I'd like to get it straight from you guys (and not the IP staff who are naturally biased). :) Why has this worked for you and not others, in your humble/not so humble opinions? :)

Kiki I think that jennydoodle did a great job of summing things up but I do have a couple things to add. sunnymae is at her one year mark and still maintaining within 8 pounds of her goal. rockymonarch was visiting back in the summer still (before this thread began) and she, too, had been maintaining for over a year. woolberger is at around 9 months and still maintaining- she started this thread for us at her 6 month mark. If you were to go back to the first page of the first part of the maintenance thread (I believe it's in the stickies page at the top of the IP screen) you can read some of the reasoning. There is also a closed IP facebook group that has maintainers in it. So, yes, they do exist!
With any diet it takes time for your body to 'settle' in at your goal weight. And this settling is a good portion of time, I've heard it estimated to be 2 years. And recidivism is possible with any diet. It seems to me that the quicker you lose the weight the less time you have to learn the life skills that go along with maintaining your goal weight. And with IP you are given packets that take the thinking out of what you eat. In Phase 2 you go from 3 packets to 2, in Phase 3 another packet is taken away when you hit Phase 4 you are back to all 'real' food and this is more challenging obviously. I cannot treat Phase 4 as 'now I have lost all the weight, so I can feel free to eat however and whatever I want' it does not work that way. There is the free day and you can use that to eat whatever you choose but it is followed with a Phase 1 day (or 2 if warranted). This free day has kept me sane some weeks and following it up with a Phase 1 day gets my head back in maintenance mode and keeps me mentally prepped for the week to come. It has also limited my negative self talk- 'oh, well, you ate this and that and now you gained weight, bad you' rather now that weight gain is expected on a weekly basis and the weight loss that follows is also expected. It has greatly increased my trust in myself and my body. To stay at goal requires vigilance and awareness. Tracking is pretty much imperative along with exercise. Being happy and proud to be in my own skin is absolutely worth it. The IP weight loss program was a great one for me. It took many of the frustrations of dieting out of the picture. I had good, consistent losses and lost 41 pounds in 3.5 months. I have kept that 41 pounds off for an additional 4 months and will excitedly begin my 5th month soon. Good luck to you on your journey whatever you decide!

Originally Posted by kiki4me:
Hi Maintainers -

I hope you don't mind me butting in here. If I am and shouldn't, please redirect me! I'm just trying to read how those who are doing IP are able to successfully call themselves "maintainers"...and to be honest, haven't come across many as of yet. Maybe you all can answer my questions?

I've been reading and researching IP for about 3-4 weeks and plan on starting in the new year, if I still feel I should. I am intrigued by the quick weight loss but weary about the general statistics about gaining it back quickly too.

Can you share with me what makes you maintainers different from the ones who gain the weight back after IP? How many people have you come across that have kept the weight off for more than a year? I'd like to get it straight from you guys (and not the IP staff who are naturally biased). :) Why has this worked for you and not others, in your humble/not so humble opinions? :)

Jenny and Cap have answered you so well. I am new at maintenance and will be honest with you I am struggling a little... I think I am not quite in the mind set on maintaining as the weight loss was such a big thing and now it is hard to see the scale add a few pounds. We are told on this program that we most probably will gain 3 - 5 lbs back. It is the maintaining it that is the trick. Our goals are set by ourselves and sometime that goal isn't the goal your body weight should be. I wanted to be at 140, when I went into maintenance I was at 146. I still want to some day say I have lost 100 lbs.. but you know what 95 lbs is a great, and I will keep it. The thing with IP is it gives you the tools to control the weight gain. You may need to reset your pancreas once a year and that is part of this program too. I think I like this program too because it basically tells you that you are in maintenance for life and if you follow the program you "should" be able to maintain your weight.
I first thought it was an expensive program, but after being on it for 9 months and losing 95 lbs going from a size 20 pant to a size 6 or 8 and a xxl shirt to a small or medium... things have changed for me of course I am the same person I always was, I am just happier and I it surprises me sometimes the difference it make in just living your life.
Go to the progress pictures and they too tell the story. It probably will be a struggle for me to maintain but that is how I will learn what is good for my body and what isn't good. I have found that I don't miss the carbs that I couldn't do without, and actually prefer not having them every day.
I hope this helps answer your questions. There are so many before us that are on maintenance like Cap said, that can probably help answer the questions but they have probably moved on and are now living healthy lives. Here is to IP and how it changed my life.:dance::dance:

Originally Posted by kiki4me:
Hi Maintainers -

I hope you don't mind me butting in here. If I am and shouldn't, please redirect me! I'm just trying to read how those who are doing IP are able to successfully call themselves "maintainers"...and to be honest, haven't come across many as of yet. Maybe you all can answer my questions?

I've been reading and researching IP for about 3-4 weeks and plan on starting in the new year, if I still feel I should. I am intrigued by the quick weight loss but weary about the general statistics about gaining it back quickly too.

Are there statistics saying that people gain weight back quickly after going off IP?

Thank you ladies for answering my questions so directly. It has really given me insight and lots to think about. I'm 98% sure this is for me but am waiting until the first of the year when kids are back in school to start since I can handle feeling lousy better then. I'm afraid if I start now, I may also be setting myself up for failure - though I'm getting quite desperate to make a major change in my life and sick of my weight! It IS the maintenance and making it stick that concerns me...it does sound like the hard part! It looks pretty clear that one will lose weight on this program - so I really appreciate your opinions at THIS maintenance stage.

Originally Posted by :
And recidivism is possible with any diet. It seems to me that the quicker you lose the weight the less time you have to learn the life skills that go along with maintaining your goal weight.

capricious - the above does make sense! And definately my concern...but as you say - this could happen with any diet. Just trying to analyze how YOU ALL are making this happen! I'll be lurking here when I start losing the weight! :)

Originally Posted by :
It took many of the frustrations of dieting out of the picture. I had good, consistent losses and lost 41 pounds in 3.5 months.

Congratulations! This is fantasic and amazing - and I think this is what I need - taking the frustration out of dieting - I've been trying for a few years on my own and yes: pure frustration and feeling like a failure!

2RIDEROLLERCOAST - Wow! You have come a long way! And I have to agree with you that the price is minimal based on all those benefits. I long to be in that place of healthy wait again - and I guess that would be pretty cheap health insurance, really! Just reading through the threads for the beginners, I get a sense of the $$$ really impacting people and was kind of hung up on the complaints - I'm sure some are quite legit too - but I'm getting more and more to a point that this has GOT to be a priority and I have to buckle down and take this serious...and make the sacrifice!

Thanks again for taking time to answer my post. This so directly addresses my concerns - I guess I'm thinking WAY ahead of the game ! I just want to know before I take the big leap. This forum is invaluable! Again, I appreciate your kindness in responding to a 'green' future IP-er! :)

Originally Posted by :
Are there statistics saying that people gain weight back quickly after going off IP?

Not specifically IP - I'm mainly referring to the ol' adage of "if you take it off quickly, you will put it on quickly" and "It's best to lose no more than 2 pounds per week". So that mindset has been a concern to me. I have gotten that from people in the nutrition field and medical field.

Well ladies, it looks like I am in "preventative action" mode for the next day or 2 (Phase 1). I have added a couple of new items to my menu and my weight has been steadily increasing, so something is amiss. The culprits are:

-Almond Milk
- Whey protein powder
- Power crunch protein bar

I started adding these items into my days on Sunday, and every day since, my weight has jumped up about a pound. I have now hit my ceiling # (135) so I am going to go on P1 for a couple of days to flush whichever one of these foods is causing my body distress.

Trouble is, I added them all at the same time, so now I have to take them out all at the same time and then start re-introducing them one at a time and see which one is the culprit. Maybe it is all of them? Because other than these items, everything else on my menu has been the same.

I started using the whey protein powder and almond milk as my post workout shake in an effort to eliminate the pre-made shakes and start eating more "whole". And the Power Crunch bars were just a new bar that I saw in Whole Foods that I thought looked yummy, so I bought a couple.

So, phase 1 for me until I get back down into my 132-134 range and then it just might be back to EAS shakes for post workout, as I know they don't effect me.

Kiki- this is probably a really good example of how I am not going to put weight back on. I hit a number that I never want to go over, so I am back to Phase 1 strict until a see a number that I am comfortable with. That is the main idea for maintenance. :)

Kiki: The IP Plan worked very well for me with its emphasis on low carb high protein. I have done two months of maintenance. I agree with everyone's comments here. Maintenance is just as much work and commitment as losing weight. It is exciting to be happier, healthier and more self confident.
At first I was very afraid that I would lapse and regain. Now I am starting to feel a sense of trust and being very positive that I can do this. I would advise you to post as much as you can for support! You could even find a site on 3chicks now.

Jennydoodle..Good luck with the elimination. It is hard to know what causes the gains. I have increased my PB ..and now am adding legumes.

1 Party down and 2 more to go. Today is Ugly Xmas Sweater contest/party.
Should be amusing..I am taking a snack and will not eat the potluck.

Hope everyone's celebrations and socializations are going well this week.

Shannon..those liquid warmers were what I was talking about.
Pauley..potlucks seem to be the norm...and not low carb/calorie! Taking something is the way to go.
2ride..you are busy..Stay warm with those dogs!!!

Has anyone figured out Xmas day and Xmas eve? We are having two different celebrations, so I haven't figured out which one to make my fun day. This will take planning.

Originally Posted by Maile:
Kiki: The IP Plan worked very well for me with its emphasis on low carb high protein. I have done two months of maintenance. I agree with everyone's comments here. Maintenance is just as much work and commitment as losing weight. It is exciting to be happier, healthier and more self confident.
At first I was very afraid that I would lapse and regain. Now I am starting to feel a sense of trust and being very positive that I can do this. I would advise you to post as much as you can for support! You could even find a site on 3chicks now.

Jennydoodle..Good luck with the elimination. It is hard to know what causes the gains. I have increased my PB ..and now am adding legumes.

1 Party down and 2 more to go. Today is Ugly Xmas Sweater contest/party.
Should be amusing..I am taking a snack and will not eat the potluck.

Hope everyone's celebrations and socializations are going well this week.

Shannon..those liquid warmers were what I was talking about.
Pauley..potlucks seem to be the norm...and not low carb/calorie! Taking something is the way to go.
2ride..you are busy..Stay warm with those dogs!!!

Has anyone figured out Xmas day and Xmas eve? We are having two different celebrations, so I haven't figured out which one to make my fun day. This will take planning.

Well for the Christmas, it depends on how you celebrate, can you go light for xmas eve? maybe have a big salad and meat, and then have your free day on Christmas? I am thinking that is what I am going to do. Not that I have plans Christmas eve... but I am basically on phase 1 until then so am hoping to be low enough to have a few goodies then.

Jenny - when you go back to phase 1 do you then do the phase 2 and phase 3 again? Thanks.

Originally Posted by kiki4me:
Not specifically IP - I'm mainly referring to the ol' adage of "if you take it off quickly, you will put it on quickly" and "It's best to lose no more than 2 pounds per week". So that mindset has been a concern to me. I have gotten that from people in the nutrition field and medical field.

I was wondering about the stats because with IP once people reach their goal weight there usually is no ongoing contact with the clinics so those stats would be difficult to gather.

As for the conventional wisdom of not taking it off quickly, I am a "victim" of that thinking.
For much of my adult life I have been very overweight 200+ at 5'1". 10 years ago I went on a plan GNC had based on protein drinks. I very quickly lost 40 pounds and felt great, I know now it was because wheat reacts very badly with me.
I got huge flack from family members about my "unhealthy" diet although I had energy for the first time in my life. Everyone thought I was doing damage to my body by not eating real food.
So I went on all the conventional diets such as the everchanging WW plans. Following WW exactly results in my gaining a half a pound to a pound a week. I have spent the past 10 years yoyoing up and down between 160 and 190.

When I started IP this summer right away the coach told me when I was finished the program I would always have limit grains and fruit to several servings a day. I had been eating a large amount of healthy fruits. In my case I know the servings of grains I have can't be wheat.

I am close to goal now and know I will have to carefully follow the steps to get to maintance and then the steps for maintance for the rest of my life.

If I had ignored all the warnings about losing weight too quickly 10 years ago I would have enjoyed the energy I now have much sooner.

So that is why I was very curious about stats saying Ipers rapidly regain what they have lost. Thanks for the clarification.

Pat

I commented in the Experienced thread about resolving, I think, the food reaction so I won't repeat myself here. But I just wanted to thank all of you again for ALL of your support.

Linden- I am soooo jealous of your bread and cheese right now. It has almost convinced me to make the hour long trek to the city to buy real German bread from a real German bakery...
Maile- how ugly is your sweater? I've never been to one of these parties and I'm dying to... Will maybe have to consider hosting one myself next year :D Sorry I didn't realize what those little heat packets were called...
2ride- I hear you about spending way too much money at Costco. I have had to have a stern talk with myself about not going into the 'frivolous' items aisles and buying so many things that I didn't know I needed until I laid eyes upon them. I think I love granola the way you love peanut butter (although that's a fave for me as well) and I too have had to forsake my granola after coming to grips with the fact that when I have it I want more of it and I want it now! That gets to be a bit too much of a downward spiral and fighting myself every morning, ahhh, had to let go of it especially when I investigated it on the net and it was absolutely thrashed by a site saying that it's base is sugar and fat then add in grains. Hmmmm.... maybe not something someone who is carb sensitive should be having? Think I coulda figured that one out a bit sooner :dizzy: Have you ever tried almond butter? Similar texture to peanut butter, slightly different taste. It might be enough of a change to satisfy the craving but also be something you can resist.
jennydoodle- I feel terrible for you right now. There is nothing worse than stepping on the scale expecting what you deserve and having the number tell you otherwise. It hurts so much more when it isn't justified ;) You've got it right Phase 1'ing it til you get back within range. Even Phase 3 will work for just one pound but if you're looking for 3 pounds, well, obviously Phase 1 is the quickest route...
woolberger- are you out there? When is your fairy godmother coming to change you into a princess so you can hang out with us again? Is she saving it for Christmas?