I'm glad you have a helpful coach...mine is struggling with people in phase 4...

Watching a movie
They are eating pasta... Craving it do bad! Sigh

Mom does the Sobeys up there have Shitaki noodles? If not when you visit Edmonton next time stop at one or go to T & T Groceries on 137 and 97th. When I have a pasta craving I buy them, I have had the spagetti, macaroni and fettichini. I rinse them really well to get the smell out of them then I nuke them in the microwave for about 3 min.. rinse them again, then warm up what I want to eat with them, usually is it a cilantro pesto or just spiced tomatoes... it is really good that way.

Ladies I have found that for maintenance you have to figure out what is best for you. I struggle a lot but I have a chocolate issue, along with a peanut butter issue. I am usually good but, it is a struggle. I have replace my diet coke habit with coffee (this is weird as I hated the taste of coffee before) now I have davinci syrups and non fat cream in my coffee and it is hard to limit myself. I guess basically what I am saying is we all know what we have to do, it is just figuring out what our "BODIES" need and what we can live without.

People see us all differently, and they don't realize that we still have feelings. The last 3 years I really enjoyed my work as I had different management and they gained my respect and I theirs, a while ago things have changed and "old" management has been brought back and I truly think she is threatened by me and is making my life more difficult. She has back stabbed people in the past and I have to really be careful of how I act and what I say. I so want my old bosses back but it looks like it won't happen anytime soon. The nice thing is my co-workers who have never had this "management" style are not so impressed either.

My weekend was great, as I said I had a dog trial and was helping with scoring on Saturday, then today my friend couldn't make it so it was all me today... makes the day go by so fast and you don't have time to stress over the courses you have to run... Red dog was such a good dog this weekend, she has sure matured (since she is 8 you would hope so) She qualified on 3 courses over the weekend and she just made me so happy. Nice thing it also tires her out so she should sleep for the rest of the night. My friend's husband came today, and when he came in I spoke with him, and even though he answered my questions, he was acting a little strange. Like who is this talking to me. So I walked away and then came back and said to my friend he didn't know who I was did he? and she said no... it was quite funny, I forget all the time that I look different as I still feel like the fat kid my brother use to pick on all the time.

Saw some cute dogs and puppies at the trial this weekend, just about made me want to find another one for my home. Will take my time because even though Red dog is good, she is very possessive right now, so when she starts getting lonely again... Hopefully by the end of summer.

Tomorrow back to work.... it was a nice break and sometimes I wish I didn't have to go back... but bills need to be paid.

Sorry to ramble, have a great week everyone. Hopefully you all have a good one.

I don't know if I believe in it either, especially after my brief venture into it two weeks ago.

But I think this is what I will try tomorrow. I will have Greek yogurt for breakfast with a chopped up apple. I know the apple is a high carb choice,
but enough with the *&^%$ constipation!!! I really need to get some fiber in.
Is yogurt an issue for constipation? Dairy does give me sinus infections but I can get away with it for a bit.
I probably will never be able to add any type bread back but I didn't eat it for years before IP either.

I had to smile about the "other side of the issue" with the menfolk. After 41 years mine likely wouldn't even notice if I ran off with prince charming.

Cap, I'd tell your young man when he worries if people are wondering why you are with him that they likely are thinking he must be very rich!

Pat

Good luck!!! Thinking of you tomorrow.

Pat

so sorry you are having stress with the ols/new management. I have a micromanager this year too who really doesn't have any expenience in what we are about. So it makes everything so much more complicated trying to keep people calmed down and stamp out unnecessary fires

So interesting on how Red Dog is adjusting to being an only child. I had to smile that she is mayuring at age 8. Must be out of the teen years!
you are right to be careful about adding another fur young un to the home but that will be such a fun project training another one.

Did you ever try the proti thin pasta?
i have several boxes, they are not too bad but I'm not a big fan. I realized after I tried them I have never been a big pasta fan anyway.
they are made from pea protein. 130 calories, 2 grams of fat, 7 carbs and 20 grams of protein.
I'd like to get them out of my cupboard.
If you would like them it would not be a big issue to ship they up to you. I think i have 12 individual servings left.
Pat

Pat

Ramble on! That was a fun read. My DH and I have two dogs and no children. Love them dearly. One has an injured knee and if it doesn't heal up he'll need surgery. :( They are 10 year old chocolate labs and the poor boy is not doing any retrieving these days so I'm pampering him with SO MUCH love!!!

Before starting IP my chocoholic tendencies were pretty minimal. Now they are back as if I was a 12 years old! Maybe once I'm in maintenance and can officially enjoy chocolate again I won't be wanting it so much...we'll see.

I'm still in P3 and can't wait until maintenance. I just don't want to feel sick because I know I may overdo it the first couple of times. I'm going to spend the day and night with one of my sister's. She lives in walking distance to a cute downtown area with restaurants with outdoor seating. I love sitting outdoors eating/drinking...it makes me feel like I'm on vacation.

Today I have my doctor's today. He hasn't seen me since October (right before I began IP). He'll be a little surprised by my appearance! DH is getting out early to come with me...other than that just enjoying the beautiful weather in NE. The sun is out...windows are open (even with allergies starting up)...we may break a record of 90 degrees set back in 2002. YIKES!!! Now that I'm skinny (hehehe) I can handle the heat...though I still need to stay cool due to health issues...but it should be interesting figuring out that balance!

[QUOTE=capricious;4294421]Maile- had to smile when you mentioned 'the rest of the story'... My dh is experiencing the double edged sword as well... happy & proud of his 'new, slim wife' but very on guard against 'predators'... there are constant inquiries about who I meet, see, talk to at the gym and he is very conscientious when we are out, to the point on a date night a couple weeks ago- he commented that people must be thinking 'what is she doing with him'. Funnily

Thanks for sharing that about your husband. It did make me feel better to know that other husbands are having to learn to adjust our new clothes and being thin. I keep hoping that if they get used to seeing you they will calm down and adjust. My husband would probably like me to weigh 10 pounds more, but he at least is not saying anything.
I am glad your sugar cravings are getting better..Someone told me that you should use splenda with fiber because splenda has carbs.
Aren't you happy to have fruit again? Fresh sweet pineapple is wonderful.

When I make the steak, I also make a pico de gallo to put in the lettuce taco;
equal parts of tomato, sweet onion, cilantro, green onion..covered with lime juice.

I definitely notice less stress if I stay under my goal..then over it.

Yes, this lifestyle becomes a habit..I was just noticing the amount of time that I devote each week to staying healthy!
However you are totally right..I would rather spend my life this way than to spend it losing unwanted weight!

2Ride..I am sorry that you have a hard working situation with that new management...I have had the same experience when we changed principals. Red Dog did well at the trials! Great. That was weird about the husband not even recognizing you. You are a totally new thin person!!! Little puppies are adorable!

Mom2cs: I eat spaghetti sauce (half cup)and turkey meatballs over zuccinni slices. I know what you mean about pasta calling you.

Patns: Good luck with the breakfast experiment today..Hope it works. These husbands are amusing are they not?

New England: Your doctor will be so excited about your weight loss. That will be a good visit. Glad you have two loveable dogs! I have tons of cats.

Sewmam: good luck on your weigh in.

Did anyone ever try oatmeal with protein powder mixed in it? I'm wondering if I would taste the protein powder.
I need the fiber and thought that would be a way to up the protein.

Maile, I forgot you were a teacher too. Are you still in the classroom? that takes tons of energy. You would notice a big difference after you lost so much weight.

Pat

I'm back!! My weekend in Pennsylvania was filled with lots of fun, food, and grown ups drinking too much alcohol. It was great! I didn't weigh myself this morning, but by the bloating and puffy fingers, I know today is phase 1. I will weigh myself tomorrow to see how many days I have to eat this way, lol. It was so worth it. My BIL flew us to Penn to surprise his wife for her birthday. He also flew her best friend from Dallas and my other SIL and her husband. So, it was Surprise! You have 5 fun guests for the weekend! Happy Birthday! She was so happy and excited, she cried. The girls spent one whole day shopping at the King of Prussia mall, where I scored some great deals on shoes and clothes. Now, I just have to get these few extra lbs off so I can fit in them comfortably again. I am so glad to be home and settling back into my routine. Most of all, I missed my babies. They were so happy to see Mom and Dad last night.

Just went for my weigh-in and I lost another pound, despite the incredible food I've been eating, and my derailment on the nuts last week! I'm so deliriously happy!!!

Patn - I throw a scoop of a soy protein powder that has no carbs, into lots of things. I make old fashioned oatmeal for breakfast often, and sometimes I'll throw a little of the soy powder in, or a little of Bob's Red Mill fiber hot cereal, or flax/hemp seeds for the Omega 3's. Tastes great...

My next experiment is going to be to make the flatbread thing, with soy powder and egg whites, but instead of the cauliflower rice, I'm going to try grated zuchini. I made a sweet cauliflower version with cloves, cinnamon and stevia and it was really tasty. You still taste a little of the cruciferous in it, but maybe a little more cloves will mask that. At any rate, I eliminated the cheese so now it is a pure guiltless but protein rich snack.

My grocery store stopped carrying the 'no oodles' noodles made with yam flour, but I did find an alternative shirataki that uses tofu and yam flour, so will see how that tastes...

2ride- many congrats on the dog trials... and on being an unrecognizable version of your prior self! You know you've come a long way when! You're right about trading a habit for a habit (the diet drinks to the coffee with sugar free syrup)... I've been working on weaning myself off the coffee as well. Only having one cup in the morning with a bit of almond milk or a splash of 1% and so have been trying to replace the rest with tea. Nothing added. My favorite by quite a bit is Starbucks Vanilla Rooibos. I also like my David's Tea (from WEM) Mint Chocolate Rooibos & Coconut/ Walnut...
patns- you honestly made me laugh out loud with the 'rich' line! Thanks!
One thing I've discovered from my own very subjective viewpoint mind you* is that dairy has to be tiptoed around very carefully. It is higher in sugars and most of us are at least somewhat intolerant to it... You know this already though... just if yogurt doesn't work out for you maybe consider cottage cheese? On a side note... I know that you mentioned goat's milk yogurt... I live on an acreage and we just got a couple of milking goats because I have dreams of making goat's milk cheese & yogurt... seeing as how they will more than like be producing copious amounts (4 L each per day- yikes!); I will be more than willing to share my bounty with you if you'd like... I probably won't have any until end of May/ June but let me know if you want it and we'll arrange it...
How is your husband doing?
paintlady- that sounds like an awesome weekend away. Nothing says 'I love you' like tears of joy!
Sewmam:bravo: Another pound!! Good for you!! So rewarding when you start eating 'real' food and still lose weight!
mom2cs- definitely agree with you that some are meant for a higher fat/ lower carb diet. And some are meant for even and some are meant for higher carb/ lower fat. Just takes time to figure out where you fit in- but it's great that you have found- and accepted!- your niche...
maile-How is the new strength training routine going?
I overdid it on the fruit today. And the nuts. It was not a proper phase 3 day. In trying to pinpoint 'where did I go wrong' I would have to say it was not eating soon enough after working out and having fish oil in gummy form rather than pill form. But I did not have any 'added' sugar or processed carbs. This is still progress.
Have to go make my carne asada marinade now... thanks maile! And I will definitely be adding that pico de gallo!

Not eating at the right time is always a problem. Convenience foods are never the ones we plan to eat! I find this especially hard on the weekends, with kids activities, etc. if desperate I try to get to a grocery store and get those peeled hb eggs from the deli.
Yes, every day is a bit of a food experiment! Sometimes I wish I could just have poutine...