Today is my first day on maintenance. I feel like I've graduated or something. I purchased an iPad to reward myself and it's been a great tool for me to remain connected with all of you and I've also downloaded a workout video on it. So, between logging my food and exercise in MFP and checking the threads, this has become my goto activity whenever I take a few minutes to sit down.

After all the IP food, this felt like a big splurge, but IP has taught me so many things about how my lifestyle needed to change and I truly believe I'm a better mother, friend, spouse, and sister (and employee) for it.

A huge thank you to all of you for your support and your strength in leading the way and for sharing so much of yourselves and your journeys. You've been hugely inspirational and have shared so much information and suggestions.

Jo

I also control my carbs in P4/maintenance. I eat the typical breakfast (P3) but I only occasionally eat the evening carb. I find that during the week, if I am a little bit stricter and don't eat the evening carb every day, then on the weekends, I can be a little more lenient and I don't ever have to do a P1 day because my weight stabilizes after a couple of strict P3 days.

I much prefer this method of maintenance because my week days are more structured and I am less likely to eat out or off plan. I think it is all about finding what works for you and what you can live with. I try to not do full blown cheat days, except for special occasions. Mostly because I hate doing the P1 day or 2 that follows. But this works for me and allows me a little bit of freedom on the weekends AND lets me stay in my comfort window.

[QUOTE=patns;4167800]Was it meant to be a January reboot or a once a year reboot?
I don't know the reasoning behind this either. But I'm wondering if it is supposed to be done so soon after you have lost the weight and have gone through the phases? If it is to reset the pancreas wouldn't it make sense to do it later as your pancreas should be chugging along pretty reasonably already?
Obviously I am not baseing this on any medical knowledge but just wondering.[/QUO

I remember reading in the Dr Tiens. book that he recommends a re-boot at some point once a year to cleanse and perhaps take off a few extra pounds that may have been gained.

I think a bunch of us just chose January ( I know I did) as a post holiday opportunity to take off whatever extra we put on and to remind ourselves of staying disciplined. I know I had gained about 8 lbs since maintainance last Feb. and wanted to knock it off before it got out of hand, then I figured If I do that every year, I can pretty much guarantee myself long term success. Anything's better than having to start all over again.

So...that's how I'm looking at it and I've lost the first 4 of 8 lbs I'd like to lose. I think we are all developing our versions of how we like to keep in shape and in balance. If not a re-boot, then some kind of mindfulness either in food/exercise/meditation or a combination of many different modalities. Thing is...the mindfulness. Sometimes....I just lose my mind completely...and need to know I still have "it" in me.

Have a great day everyone!

Good for you Maile for speaking up and getting the support you need at work and at home. It really is a re-education process not only for us, but for all the folks around us. Very interesting psychology involved, isn't it?
Great work!

oh no, I got an order of protein bars from Nashua...so yummy. this might be a problem. I will join the addict club, Hi, my name is Lauren and I am addicted to Protein bars, specially the sweet yumminess of anything peanut butter tasting... Why is it if I put one in the freezer and take a bite here and their I think it's okay...Obviously when half the bar is gone in one day, it is NOT okay...I have to jog today... :/

Happy Friday!

Has anyone tried Quest Protein Bars? I have heard about them being a good bar and a good alternative, so I ordered some to try. Just wondering if anyone else has heard of them or tried them?

so one had a theory a while ago that maybe the reason we are having such a hard time as we lost so much so fast or bodies still have to adjust... I am hoping that is it as I am still eating phase 1 like and not losing soooo

Maile sorry you are having problems with your boss and DH but you have to do what feels right for you. Someone said to me one day that they had been worried about me as I hadn't refit into my body, that now I look like I fit my body... not sure what that means but I think it is just hard for people to see such a drastic difference and they also need time to adjust seeing you like you are.

Oh and you know that tea, I finally found a box that will fit it, I promise it will be on the way any day now... enough procrastinating on my part.

2ride,

Have I mentioned that I love, love, love your picture? You look amazing!

Lynn

Thanks Lynn, my friend who is a photographer did it for me, she is so good, I love her very much for convincing me to do the photo shoot.

I really like happy endings. And you orchestrated this tough one so well.

And hugs and thanks to the rest of you for continuing to share.

Welcome Jo, enjoy, stay strong and eat well.

Thanks, I know if i eat the breakfast as outlined by many I will have the same experience as Linden. But if I ever crawl to the phase 3 stage I do plan to add them as you outlined Maile, adding up to the lower end. I thought you meant you cut them out all together except for the veggies of course.

Pat

Thanks Jennyand 2ride!

I think I just need to take some time and focus on this new phase and it will all work out. I have this irrational fear that once I start indulging I won't stop. The concept of a fun day scares me, yet I would like to loosen up a bit. Weirdest thing is I cannot tell you what I'd like other than a glass of wine.

DH and I celebrate 18 years together on Sunday, so I plan to wait until then, or a day or two later.... Whenever we manage to fit in time to celebrate with one another. With four teens, and their schedules, you must be flexible. Oh, and being a mind reader would help too. LOL

Question about salmon and omega/fish oil supplements. Should I only eat salmon at my meal with fat? Also I take fish oil supplements daily for my hair, should I plan those around my meal with fat also? I asked my coach, who is typically great, but I didn't hear confidence in her answer, so I thought I'd ask here. Thanks.

Had to laugh when I read this... glad that you are doing better on plan Sandy and have lost most of your gain- that's excellent news!
Maile- I was nodding along when I read your post about your husband & boss telling you they want you to stop and even taking it that one step further of calling you big boned... The point that Linden brought up about measuring your wrist- it's funny that it came up as I'd been reading about it almost obsessively last week trying to find my 'ideal' weight. http://www.healthchecksystems.com/heightweightchart.htm
First calculate your 'frame' size using the option at the top of the chart. Keep in mind you need to add an inch to your height (as this chart is based on a woman in 1" heels) and add 3 pounds to your weight (as they account for 3 pounds of clothing). My brother & sister came to visit me after not having seen me for a couple months and my brother said 'your so skinny I just want to feed you a cheeseburger'. My grandmother & aunt said that I was gaunt. And, here, meanwhile I still feeling like my thighs are about three feet wide when I sit down on the pot. There is a happy medium. And I can feel it getting closer. My perceptions and those of the people around me are starting to become more 'as one' rather than completely polarized... like all good things it seems to come with time...
Jenny- I completely agree with everything you wrote. If you're happy where you are and you're at a healthy weight there is no good reason to be on a diet. But. The mental reset of Phase 1 is perhaps the most valuable tool we have in maintenance and I think it is very wise of you to be utilizing it. Bites are a diet killer. Each one is usually 25-50 calories and they are completely unaccounted & uninhibited. Not a good combo. I was fighting them hard over the past weekend (and only winning about half the time) as I was forgoing my usual weekend free day in favor of my birthday which was on Tuesday. I'm definitely a no more than 7 days without a free day kind of a girl or I lose my stamina. My weight stayed stable (thank you exercise!) but I'm glad to be back to my regularly scheduled programming of a once a week free day and five strict Phase 4 days.
We finished building our new home and it was ready to move into for...drum roll... my birthday! So, lucky me, I got to spend my birthday hauling furniture and boxes. Yuck. I detest moving. But, very silver lining on my cloud I got to sleep in my new home and I love it. The past two days have consisted of more moving and unpacking and cleaning with a Phase 1 day thrown in for good measure (I was soooo not a happy camper that day). And, I very much missed being able to come on here...
JoLoMn- Welcome to Maintenance!!!- I loved your post- it was incredibly heartwarming and I am glad that we have a new member in the maintenance crowd. I think your reward was a brilliant one. Tracking & support are two huge blocks in a solid maintenance foundation- good for you for getting something that makes these two things that much easier! Let me know if you find any wonderful things to eat that are maintenance friendly or any recipes- they are always much appreciated!
*wrote this earlier in the day but for some reason it didn't post...