3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/)

- Ideal Protein Diet (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/ideal-protein-diet-236/)

- - The Maintainers Vol 5 (https://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/ideal-protein-diet/255998-maintainers-vol-5-a.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto2cs (Post 4307150)

I don't understand how fat free yogurt could still be considered a fat...

It very well might not be but from what i read, dairy is considered in the "fats" so at that time i just kept it in the same category even if it was fat free cause my dh gets easily confused with phase 4, lol. But if it was a yogourt with fats and carbs then its not something he could have at all beside for breakfast.

Ok, i reread the phase IV and here's what it says for snacks.

Examples:
Piece of fresh fruit (no dried fruits..too much sugar), berries, 12 grapes, an apple, orange, or a 1/2 cup of cut up melon. Go easy on watermelon and pineapple.
1 oz. of "hard cheese" (no crackers or fruit with this!)
A cup and one-half of "Air-Popped" popcorn.....no butter!
Any Ideal Protein food (the White-Choco Cinnamon bar and coffee is awesome)
8 oz. of fat-free yogurt
6-8 oz. of low-fat cottage cheese

Hopefully by the time i get there, i'll be an old pro, lol.

BEFORE I FORGET. I learned the best tip EVER for berries. Make up a solution of 9 parts water, 1 part vinegar. You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, whatever. Rinse your berries when you get them home form the store and then repackage them but line the container with paper towel. The vinegar kills any mold spores and they last SO much better. I've been buying BIG trays of raspberries, two pints of strawberries at a time. I eat berries every morning, so they don't last that long anyway, but they are SO much better when rinsed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2RIDEROLLERCOAST (Post 4294921)

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.

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.

Glad you had a good break... and sorry about your work woes... My work is super busy now that I'm back from vacation. I guess it's good to be busy, right? Means I'm needed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2RIDEROLLERCOAST (Post 4297819)

I think it is more that she thinks I have lost enough weight... but like pxlkitty says "they have not seen me naked". It was kind of a reversal as our big boss usually doesn't partake in stuff like that and eats very little.

I did tell them if I eat too much sugar I get migraines now... which can be a good thing as a very big deterant (?spell). the cake looked yummy but so does being able to wear size 8 jeans.

Good for you!!

All I have to do is thnk about how I'll feel if I eat crap... We went to a special lunch last week in Phoenix and I tried all the desserts. Not a single one was "worth it", so I simply put the fork down and decided that nothing was worth the calories. If I'm going to eat something, it had better be worth it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pauley (Post 4297838)

Hi Girls! I guess I've been gone for a while. Business travel and vacation travel has kept me off-line. We just bought a cabin at the beach and have been spending a lot of time there. It has a very nice kitchen, so I've been able to fix meals and eat healthy when we're there.

I'm still holding steady at goal and am nearly to 7 months of maintenance. Yippee! Heading to Palm Springs this weekend with my girlfriends to do a little shopping. I find I only have one pair of shorts and they don't fit very well. I need a whole new summer wardrobe. Winter lasts about 10 months here, so I'm pretty well stocked, but some shorts and cute sleeveless tops would be nice.

Congrats on the beach cabin -- sounds like a great place. I'm in month 7 of maintenance now and I finally feel like I'm letting go of some of the mental guilt about food. It's still a journey, though... everyday. I hope you enjoy your new kitchen and that you find some cute clothes on your shopping trip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpassport (Post 4298266)

Hi. I'm struggling:( Maintenance has been hard these past couple of weeks. I'm having a hard time staying in the 1400-1500 calorie per day range. I'm having a hard time not eating carbs (baked goods and sweet treats). I'm having a hard time making myself exercise. I've been going WAY overboard on my free days. I feel deprived on my non-cheat days. I was literally chasing after my toddler today and the woman I was talking to said, "I see how you stay so thin." HA! Are you kidding me? This is WORK! When do I get to the point that I am satisfied eating what will allow me to maintain? I'd like to fast forward please.

Give yourself a challenge to eat well for two days. I find that if I don't control what I eat, what I eat starts to control me... You are not losing your willpower. It's simply that your body doesn't feel in control because of the sugar/carbs that you are eating. Take control back! You know what you need to do, just do it.

Yes, maintenance is work. Mentally, though, you start to figure out what works and what doesn't. Chalk this up to something that isn't working for you, and try something else... Just don't let the old you win.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capricious (Post 4299958)

Feeling in control of what I eat and not feeling that what I eat is controlling me.

I was definitely a sugaraholic prior to IP and while being on the program got me pretty much unhooked I got started right back up again when the free day became regular to me. Guess I'm just one of those that has to give it up... I really do feel like it's either that or not maintain. Neither option is appealing but I will more readily give up sugar than maintenance. And I do feel much more in control, which is a sign to me that I am going in the right direction...
We'll get there... one 1400 calorie day at a time ;)

I swear that I wrote what I wrote above BEFORE I read this post in detail... Really... but you hit the nail on the head. And I feel exactly the same way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2RIDEROLLERCOAST (Post 4301600)

I really think this is normal, until you find out what is right for you and what works and doesn't work. I am still doing that and I have been in maintenance since Nov. It is a hard one to figure it out. I find life much easier by eating veggies, salads and then my main protein for suppers. I still overdue the coffee... just got new flavors yesterday, choc peanut butter, choc mousse, tiramsu, and pumpkin pie... yep tried a cup of each...

Yep, yep, yep... Have to figure out what works for you. Everyone is different. I found that I definitely have a weak spot for Mexican food! We were in AZ and the avocadoes were 3 for $1 and actually RIPE when you buy them. The only thing is... I'm still avoiding wheat, and corn chips are delicious! But, I was on vacation so I decided to live a little... Not a lot, but a little. I'm paying for it now, but it was SO worth it. I'm also very happy being back in my comfort zone (basically Phase 3), and I will reevaluate once I weigh myself tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capricious (Post 4305132)

Have to vent a bit about DH. ...

So he got the special and I got a spinach salad and he tripped out. Got mad at me for not eating. Said I play head games with myself. And that I should just eat what I want because I need to eat gosh darn it all.

...

And I know he's proud of me, just a little insecure and definitely wants his eating partner in crime back. Not going to happen. I'm waiting for him to discover that real food is the kind that's good for you. Probably going to be a long wait. But I've got time.

My DH can eat whatever he wants and not gain an ounce. He is off wheat completely now, though, because of his ADD... he's still got his medication (which he couldn't get for 6 months due to some weird drug shortage), but now he's realized that he doesn't get migraines when he's wheat free. Anyway, I digress.

I'm sorry DH is still projecting his food issues on you. I know that he is proud of you, but sounds like he is still living to eat (at least sometimes) and that he misses the companionship that you both used to have in this area. Seems like he is still getting used to your maintenance, just like you are. These things definitely take time, and food issues are seriously linked to our core personalities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by capricious (Post 4305344)

Seriously... Cauliflower Pizza Crust rocks my world!!! I will be incorporating that into my diet on a VERY regular basis... the recipe I followed...

Yay. I have to try this.

More later, everyone. I will update you on my vacation and my food struggles while gone. Gotta do some work now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Englander (Post 4304693)

You're right! I like 'em. And they seem to work for me... :)

edit: But you know...are they really that healthy to use on a regular basis? Wouldn't a piece of fruit or cheese be a healthier option in the long run?

I like bars and shakes as well, and my issue is they are filling where as 1 oz of cheese just makes me want to have more...

Quote:

Originally Posted by capricious (Post 4305132)

NewEnglander- You had me laughing playing Devil's Advocate with yourself! I'll do the exact same thing, when part of me wants it one way and part of me sees it another. The whole bars/ shakes thing vs whole foods. Maintenance is a lot to intake all at once as there are soooo many choices. And the more decisions you ask yourself to make at once the more likely you are to become overwhelmed. Pick off one thing at a time. Enjoy your bars & shakes, they are a useful tool that you enjoy and keep you from having to make an extra 2 or 3 food decisions. Right now it's more important to figure out what you can eat and enjoy long term for breakfast, lunch & dinner. If your snacks and one of those meals come from bars & shakes and it leaves you time to really focus on making the other two meals something you savor and feel comfortable with eating on a regular basis. Then you can start phasing out your shakes/ bars and replacing them with more whole foods if you wish.
Maile- your new spring wardrobe does indeed seem to be catching people's attention with the confidence & slim silhouette that you are exuding in them it is such a reminder to others that they are not where you are. And of course they wonder 'where are you exactly?'- this is the 'Are you DONE yet?' (how much worse are you going to make me feel? When are you going to stop making me feel this way?'). Unfortunately, these are questions that would be better posed to themselves BUT may as well attack you rather than themselves you're a way easier target. The change in dynamics of relationships is definitely one of the most difficult parts of maintenance as people need time to adjust to the 'new' you. And the more jealousy involved the longer that adjustment period seems to be...

The cauliflower bread sticks sound awesome. I'm going to try making the cauliflower pizza tonight (finally!)
SaraBean-:welcome3::balloons: Congrats on maintenance (and your first glass of wine in forever!). There's lots of experimenting in maintenance but embrace it with the same fortitude you did to lose the weight and it will stay off! Please, please post any recipes you come up with (Maile & Sewmam I love you guys for this- it's so much easier when recipes are shared!)...
I had a recipe from my eat clean stripped this morning for breakfast... There's more to the recipe (flaxseed, protein powder, almond milk that I opted not to put in) "Tropical Oatmeal"... 1/4 C Rolled Oats...1/4 C Oat Bran... 2 oz cut mango...2 crushed cashews... 1 tsp coconut. Cook the oats & oat bran in a generous 1 cup of water. Add the rest after it's done cooking. Yum!
SewMam- I have to agree with Lee. It's not about the serving size for me as much as the components and how they fit into my day.
I had a great time in BC. The weather & scenery were beautiful, my children were remarkably well behaved for being cooped up in a vehicle as long as they were and it was great to have a change of pace for a few days. I did come down with a horrendous chest cold on the day of our drive home that put me out of commission yesterday as well but I'm feeling better today (yay!).
Have to vent a bit about DH. We went out for supper one night to a diner and the special was 8 oz prime rib with mashed potatoes & yorkshire pudding. I love all of the above but haven't had any in a long time. I mentioned that it sounded good to DH (but I had no intention of ordering this- yikes- carbs, carbs & fat, fat, massive serving of fatty protein). DH said he was going to order it and I better order something that wasn't a salad (which only made me want to order a salad even more just to be difficult ;)). So he got the special and I got a spinach salad and he tripped out. Got mad at me for not eating. Said I play head games with myself. And that I should just eat what I want because I need to eat gosh darn it all. I explained that I'd had a veggie sandwich for lunch, oatmeal with fruit & cottage cheese at breakfast, snacked on nuts & fruit- not exactly starving to death here you know? Well none of this is 'real' food in his books so he readily discounted it.
Then our meals came. Never in my life was I so glad that I ordered a salad. There had to be at least two cups of gravy on top a yorkie that was almost twice the size of my fist at least two cups of mashed potatoes and a huge chunk of meat. I ate my salad and loved it. Tasted great and I came out feeling good. I know I would've felt like garbage if I'd had that special. It's so habitual though when you see things you used to really like (a massive pie, or cake with lots of icing or the comfort foods mac & cheese, mashed potatoes etc) that for a moment you think Oh I want that. But then the reality of it is that it is going to make me feel awful. Mentally & physically. So no, I don't want it. It almost felt like I led DH on by mentioning the special and then not ordering it. Ahhh well. He got over it. And I know he's proud of me, just a little insecure and definitely wants his eating partner in crime back. Not going to happen. I'm waiting for him to discover that real food is the kind that's good for you. Probably going to be a long wait. But I've got time.

your oatmeal sounds wonderful, there is no doubt that this diet changes our thinking... it just doesn't change the thinking of people around us. I know I need to lose more, and people are still aren't you finished yet... it surprising when you try to eat healthier and have salads people don't think you are eating...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sewmam (Post 4305441)

When I started Phase 4, I kept seeing 'serving' on the protocol, like 'have 1 serving of a complex carb,' so I asked my coach what that meant and she said whatever the package says, which I think is defined by the government standards. So, when I add a complex carb to dinner, I add that 'serving' size. Same with anything else. Yogurt, fruit, etc., all have serving sizes listed on charts. I have not been actually counting carbs except at breakfast, because I use the breakfasts I came up with for Phase 3.

Another question - I love popcorn and would like to have it as a snack now and then, but I don't see a way around the number of carbs it has. Even if I forgo the butter and just put salt on it, it has carbs. Do any of you have popcorn?

I love popcorn but I just can't get over how many carbs, I like Cap have gone to the chickpeas I love them roasted and now I am making my own hummus so I know what is in it.

Maile: great article that sums up life as an maintainer for sure.

our 2 days warm weather is over and now rain for the rest of the week... and looking at some snow on the weekend... yahoo more snow! just got my sandals dusted off to put back in the closet..
Have a great day, off to walk in the rain to my other office.

I am curious what people eat for lunch in ip phase 4?
Also, I was back looking at dr tines website and he recommends 2% cottage cheese. It has less carbs than fat free...

I have been considering what I might eat if I was to branch out into real food and accept I won't get to 140...although I have committed to 3 more weeks of phase 1 with dh starting Monday (for him, I still eat phase 1 most days).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto2cs (Post 4307827)

I am curious what people eat for lunch in ip phase 4?

I have been considering what I might eat if I was to branch out into real food and accept I won't get to 140...although I have committed to 3 more weeks of phase 1 with dh starting Monday (for him, I still eat phase 1 most days).

I usually have a lunch very similar to phase2. A nice salad w/ tuna or hard boiled eggs. Some days I find it easy to eat one of the IP soups along with my salad. It is an easy way to get enough protein in at lunch for me.

I never made it down to my goal weight.... I am a few pounds shy, but I'm ok with it. I bet you will make it to 140 if you stick with phase1 with the hd for a few more weeks:) But if not hopefully you will accept your weight like I did and start enjoying some real food!

GOOD LUCK!

I like my soup too. I just can't imagine the effort of making 2 real meals for the day. Unless I tries chili, etc and made it in advance for the week...
Breakfast will become egg and cheese omlettes, maybe with vegetables.
I never ate much fruit, so I will just add more veggies to fill out these meals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto2cs (Post 4307863)

Sounds like you and I have very similar ideas of how to make this work for our lifestyles. It is really hard to make two full meals a day. and there is only so much tuna / eggs one can eat!

I maintained all last year on a low carb diet like this, but let too many free days pile up in December.
I sometimes feel sorry for myself when I watch others eat thinks that I don't think will ever be part of my diet again...although they are almost always bigger than me, so at least I have that...

Sigh. I see lots of chicken and asparagus in my future!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto2cs (Post 4307827)

I really do what I did in Phase 2, but add a little 'real' salad dressing and/or cheese, since we can have fats with lunch. So, I have homemade vegee soup with some meat thrown in, and a nice big salad with more vegees like spinach, brocoslaw and maybe some real ranch dressing or grated parmesan thrown in. I'm a creature of habit and that got so quick and easy to make that I stuck with it. I did have the cauliflower pizza once, and every now and then, I'll just have an IP soup for the protein instead of meat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto2cs (Post 4307827)

Hi there, I'll tell you what I've been eating BUT I've yet to confirm it's on target since this is my first full week in P4.

I've had
* egg whites with cheddar cheese (missed the veggies).

*Salad with sliced turkey, 1/2 avocado, slice of cheese, and mixed veggies with a tbsp of homemade oil based dressing.

Turkey and cheese Rollups (again, no veggies).

I'm not a big eater (like sit down at one meal and eat, eat eat) but I love grazing...

Hmm. I have always had real salad dressing with my lunch salad! I can't stand how lettuce squeaks on my teeth otherwise.

Maybe I will focus on changing breakfast first and just leave lunch as is..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momto2cs (Post 4307863)

I've got a pretty good system to make lunch easy now. When I make soup for dinner (about once a week) I make a huge pot and put it in lunch size tupperware bowls in the freezer. Same with chili, or baked chicken with broccoli... whatever diet friendly item I'm fixing. Make a lot and put portions in the freezer for lunches. Then you just grab one and go. I often buy a pre-packaged vegetable tray once a week too and portion that up to go with lunch. I has to be easy or I will end up at the cafeteria!

My Palm Springs trip was awesome! Vacation with girlfriends is so relaxing. So diet friendly. They were all about broccoli slaw, greens and no carbs (except the wine of course).

Yep, I make pots of soup too and freeze them, same with the meat.

I got some dried chickpeas today - can't wait to try making 'cornnuts' out of them!

Confession...I spent a lot of time walking (at a good pace and incline) on my treadmill BECAUSE I slipped and had candy after my breakfast...I think the five miles burned a good amount of the calories from the candy...I swear I will remove all candy...soon, very soon!!!

I have 11 nieces and nephews and have been giving it out to them...I have been giving them their favs...I just haven't seen them all to give it all out... My DH did put my favs in his safe...

Honestly though if working out in excess helps with my slips I'll do it...weigh in tomorrow. :)

Wish me luck!

My personal experience is that exercising excessively does not make up for anything except minor slips! I am known to go 2 or 3 hours and could lose any weight until I found ip!