I do hope I'm in your league (and am awfully sorry about the rotten weather). I've been in maintenance almost 3 weeks and stayed the same weight day in day out. So I'm really not complaining. Just wishful thinking. I'm not on the computer much since I cracked my spine -- just reading at eye level; not typing. But I truly appreciate the posts.

I got this in the mail this morning because I subscribe to the blog -- which I think is excellent. It's called My New Roots. (Lots of puns there). Anyway, here's the very best information about food combining I've ever seen, and by far the simple-ist. http://mynewroots.blogspot.de/. Hope it's helpful and interesting. Cheers.

Bigpassport - I can understand what you are going through...one thing that might help you is your Body Fat %. If you are in the 21-24 range which is the fitness range then you probably don't have to lose more, just need to tone up. If you are not happy with your size then you can be on phase 1 for a couple of weeks more and see what happens, what's there to lose?

The forum seems to be working for me today. Not sure what was up... every other website loaded just fine, and for the most part, I could get into 3fc, just the maintenance thread page wouldn't load.

Congrats on finally toning up. I wouldn't say that there are a few people fixated on the scale. I would say that it's most of us!! I forced myself to stay off the scale the past few days b/c I think, quite frankly, that it was totally stressing me out. I'm currently trying to find balance and feel more "normal" about food, rather than trying to eliminate every carb that I see that isn't a green veggie.

I think my body was in starvation mode. I gardened all last weekend, did a few hard-core pilates workouts, and still the scale wasn't budging from 152. I finally added back strawberries and yogurt to breakfast, but kept everything else about the same. I did have a corn tortilla last night with dinner. As I said a few days ago, I decided to focus on NUTRITION above all else. Today I'm down to 151.5... with more calories. Interesting, huh?

I think my body is just going through a different phase and the phase 2-ish style just wasn't cutting it. I wanted to eat every packet in the house when I tried to do phase 1 days, so I immediately added protein at lunch but was keeping everything else low. Didn't seem to be working, and now adding some extra (real) food seems to be working.

I also want to try to cut back on the soy products that I am consuming... Been reading a lot about soy and would rather not be ingesting quite so much of it.

ah, yes... I hit 145 and then started dreaming about what it would be like to see a number that started with "13..." We are all the same. Once we feel like we've tasted the power, it's hard to stop.

Here is my advice. Start exercising, eat sensibly, follow the rules of maintenance, and then reevaluate in a few months. You can always go back to the diet, but you also have to start getting used to the new you AND feel comfortable where you are.

I am the opposite. I love the strength/flexibility training of pilates and have to force myself to get off my booty and walk around the block. Remember my excitement about running?? I need to try that again too!! Maybe I'll try the elliptical when I go the gym next. I always feel like a hamster on that stupid thing, though... And I am a human, not a hamster.

My computer seems to be ok with the forum now. Nothing else was having problems, just the stupid site. But today is better... she says while copying everything that she typed so far just in case the stupid site crashes and she loses everything

Linden-- I do hope that you start feeling better soon. Are you wearing a brace? (you don't have to answer that if it forces you to type)... Just do a mindmeld with me with a "yes/no" response.

OK, back to work for me....

Sorry about the above normal usage of emoticons. Something got into me today.

Question to you all: In glancing at the Phase 4 stuff, which I start next week, I see that now they have you doing an IP snack once a day. I have been doing my snack at night, after dinner, before 8.

Now, I like the IP bars and some of the drinks, but they are too expensive to keep having every day. Once a week was one thing, but every day is too much long term. They aren't real specific on what is an acceptable snack, like how many carbs/protein, etc., to have.

What do you all do? Do you just aim for a similar count as what is in the IP stuff? Do you just buy the cheaper alternatives for your snacks? I guess things like ice cream will have to wait until my splurge day?

Sorry to hear about your spine. Hope you feel better soon.
Checked out the blog..awesome blog, even bought the book "PLENTY" after reading the blog. Thanks for your post about the blog.

Hello Ladies!
Things have been keeping me pretty busy and I just haven't had the time to check in. We are leaving on our cruise tomorrow, so I am already in vacation mode

Things have been chugging along in maintenance. I am also trying to not weigh myself so often and let my clothes be my guide. I am also addicted to the scale, but need to not let it rule my life.

I just placed my 1st order with Nashua so that I can do P1 when I return from the cruise. I am getting a little bit tired of the EAS shakes and Pure Protein bars as my alternative products. So I figured I would just bite the bullet and order some different products. I am also hoping that by having some different products, it will help me stay on track and do some proper P1 days.

I am still struggling with losing a few more pounds vs. not. It is a battle I have been having with myself for quite a while now. I never seem to be able to get a strict P1 day under my belt Since I know I will need to do some P1 days post-cruise, I am hoping I can parlay that into sticking with P1for a couple of weeks. Which is second part of the reason I finally decided to order from Nashua.

Originally, I was just thinking about buying IP products again, but then thought I would try the alternatives. Part of me feels like there is just something about IP products, but I don't really want to pay the IP prices. I didn't mind doing it when I was full blown OP, but now I am just talking about a couple of weeks and it is just awfully expensive. I got 5 boxes from Nashua (including shipping) for $67. 5 boxes of IP would run me $140. That is more than 50% difference. I figured it was worth trying the alternatives at least once.

Other than that, I am just trying to be healthy and mindful of my eating. Trying not to weigh myself so often and trying to manage this thing called maintenance.

I also see the fat thighs in the mirror! I think that at 130 you must be pretty thin at 5'8". I would like to see 140, but it is moving very slowly.

Have you taken a picture of yourself to try to ge an idea how you really look?

Have a great time. I will post my latest Nashua order so that everyone can see. When you get back, can you do the same??

HealthSmart Snack - Protein Puffs (1 Bag) Options: Flavor: White Cheddar - love these

Proti-Thin Fruit Drink - Orange (7/Box) - haven't tried
Proti-Thin Oatmeal - Maple & Brown Sugar (6/Box) 1 $11.95 $11.95 - great

Proti-Thin Protein Bar - Caramel Nut (7/Box) 1 $11.95 $11.95 - delicious. Like a snickers bar!

Proti-Thin Protein Pasta - Fusilli (7/Box) 1 $12.95 $12.95 - kinda strange texture. Didn't seem like it got tender like normal pasta. However, this was a nice change of pace and I enjoyed having pasta.

Proti-Thin Protein Wafer Squares - Dark Chocolate (5/Box, 2 Squares/Serving) 1 $12.95 $12.95 - yum!

Snackergy Potato Zippers - Cheesy 1 $12.95 $12.95 - ok, hubby likes these

Weight Loss Systems Snack - Cheddar Cheese Double Bites (1 Bag) - pretty good when you want something really crunchy

Check out what I just ordered from Nashua. Lots of us use their products, even if we go back and do a Phase 1 reboot.

Thanks! Great suggestions !

Been a while, life is getting in the way of me enjoying this site as much as I use to. Like every year the month of March is crazy busy and haven't had a real break since Feb. I have been forced to take a week off, which started with a weekend of the flu so it hasn't been as productive week as I wanted and of course all the snow yesterday. Man I am tired of shoveling. I have been maintaining quite well. I hope to get to the 150s this week (again) but am not stressing as I still fit into my size 8s though would like to be able to wear some of the 6s. I have been eating without a lot of shakes and stuff this week and am doing okay. Had a lot of gingerale so hoping that doesn't add up to much. I am going to try to get caught up with all before going back to work on Tuesday.

New Englander - I like you analogy it works for me.
Linden - get better soon.
Everyone - I really miss you, Jelly you are looking awesome. Pxlkitty you are my inspirations, while you hope for 140s I hope to see the 150s but I still want in my heart to be at 141 just to say I lost 100lbs... I know it means work and maybe that is what is my issue... I hate working...

This week has gone by so fast, my day starts at 730 I get up and walk Red dog at the off leash for 1 hour, come home feed the 2 cats and red breakfast, have a bowl of oatmeal. One unexpected trip to the vet, Red with bloody nose 2 days in a row. Then off to do things around the house then around 3:00 Red comes over to tell me it is time for another walk. So off we go to the offleash. Then feeding begins again. My nights are filled with babysitting/dog sitting, ceramics and agility. Yesterday it was quite an adventure driving to agility in all the snow... very icy and kind of scary driving but made it there and back... in time to shovel the foot off snow for the second time off my driveway as my Red dog barks at me to throw her toy. My Red dog has gotten very spoiled and she will be shocked next week when it is back to normal days... hopefully we will both adjust.

I love reading your stories on what is doing with maintenance. It helps me with my journey as well. I haven't incorporated bread or grains back in as I do feel better without eating them. Still do roasted veggies almost every day. I just eat better more fish, chicken, less pork. Looking forward to catching up. Talk later am off again, have Agility dog trial all weekend so need to go buy veggies and snacks for Red dog and me...

Hi all, just thought I'd check in as I've been off for a while - traveling 3-4 days each week for work which has been crazy. It's funny how hard it is to turn down fabulous restaurant meals - I find myself eating richer food more often so really have to keep an eye on things. Having fresh veggies at home is another challenge - if I cut up my greek salad veggies in bulk my week goes better because that's my favorite lunch when I'm home.

With the sun coming out it is going to be time for a whole new type of wardrobe - I only replaced my winter clothes and now I have to decide if I'm brave enough to go with shorts this summer (I've always been a skirt girl).

Keep up the good work folks!

Hello ladies! It's been a crazy busy week for me. Baseball season has arrived! I'm coaching my youngest son's t-ball team again this year and my older son is playing on a 12 year old team. I love baseball! So glad it's finally here. My oldest son plays pretty much year round baseball, but usually daytime tournaments on the weekends. Spring means being at the baseball park well after dark. I know it sounds crazy, but I just love a night at the ball park. I just wanted to let you all know that I may not be able to post as often as I have been, but I definitely will when I can.

Cap, that was a very sweet thing that you said a couple of pages ago. I also made the decision to stick around here while in maintenance so that others could see what to do and what not to do. We all learn from others' mistakes, and if someone learns something from my mistakes, it almost makes it worthwhile. I also want to contine to be here to get and give support where I can. We all share a common goal, to be successful. We may never meet the majority of the people from this site, but we can maintain this "friendship" we have forged. I miss you guys when I'm away or one of you goes on vacation.

Linden..I am sorry you are still recovering from that injury. That was a great article. I think it is definitely worth studying! Hope you are healing. Maintaining for 3 weeks is excellent..also considering that you are laid up.

Pixl; Good to hear from you. You made me laugh about the hamster on the elliptical. I really don't mind it. I am hoping to join a pilates class this summer. Maybe Spring will finally arrive so you can enjoy running again.
Thanks so much for posting your Nashua order. I haven't tried lots of those. It was funny..I had an IP bag of chips that I used to love. Now I wasn't too excited about them.

Jennydoodle..Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

2ride. I am glad maintenance is going well for you. You have my sympathies about that snow. I hit ice last week and was definitely sliding. Have you tried cutting cauliflower into bits, putting it into a bag, shaking olive oil, paremesean, and garlic salt on it. Roast them and it tastes like popcorn. I realize you are not supposed to have cheese at night, but the parmesean does not seem to hurt.

BC girl..you are busy traveling 3 x a week. I am heading up to BC tomorrow and excited about seeing Vancouver. Go for the shorts!!!!!

Paintlady: We may never meet the majority of the people here, but they are wonderful friends.

I have had a good week. My blood work was good for my dr. I am maintaining with in my range.

congrats on maintaining within your range. I'm still a little above, but will go back onto phase 1 tomorrow and see if I can break back into the 140s.

On the Nashua stuff, I realized today that I like the HealthSmart oatmeal much more than the proti thin. Just FYI. Gotta run... More later.

Great to hear from some oldtimers! Love that we have this thread to keep in touch with all the Maintainers.

I've graduated to P4! To recap, I started P1 as a two-week pancreas reset on 1/26. I decided I wanted to lose some more weight after the first two weeks, and wound up doing P1 for 4 weeks, then P2 for two weeks, and P3 for two weeks. In the 8 weeks, I lost 16 lbs (from 146 to 130) and more than 7.5 inches. Unfortunately, we didn't do measurements until I finished P1, so I don't know total inches lost. Body fat went from 21.02 to 18.42. It was a hard couple of months, but great for getting the weight off and re-learning discipline.

Today we are having a no holds barred free day. Homemade cinnamon rolls, homemade peanut butter truffles, buffet for lunch, Maui Onion potato chips, cheeseburgers for dinner and who knows what snacks tonight. I'm not completely out of control, though. I am limiting myself to only things that are 100% yummy. I hope I can remember in the future to eat only foods that are either 100% healthy or 100% worth cheating on. My new rule of thumb. For future free days, I think we will probably have a nice meal and a sweet treat but not go overboard. Free days are to be followed by a strict P1 day.

I'm looking forward to P4. My coach gave me a few new ideas...oops, I have to put my little guy to bed...I'll come back to edit this with my coach's P4 ideas...I'm back now. The first time around on P4, my coach gave me the fat but no carbs at lunch and carbs but no fat at dinner spiel (which we all know is clear as mud). This time she said for P4, eat basically like you did in P3 but for lunch add in some fat (examples: regular salad dressing or cheese or nuts) and for dinner add in some of the prohibited veggies or other carbs. She said to keep the fat at dinner limited. She suggested that whatever grams of fat from the P3 15g of fat at breakfast you don't use for breakfast you can add to dinner (this is just something she's trying, not official IP). She said not to worry about fat grams at lunch. I think these guidelines are more helpful than the first time around.

Now exercising regularly, I'm optimistic about keeping the weight off. I bought some Size 6 shorts and capris today and plan to stay in a Size 6!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!