DH made quinoa the other day and we ate it with tomato based meat sauce. Yummy. It filled the pasta need and was incredibly filling. Don't care for whole grain pasta or have not found one yet that I like. This quinoa thing was great. Standard meat sauce with buffalo and elk instead of cow.

Whew...that is awesome. I bet it was that pasta.

This is how I look at it sometimes. If the food has to rise or puff out, it will do the same to you. Veggies and meat shrink when cooking. Cakes and pasta rise or get wider. At least that is my logic. I don't have a theory on ice cream except that maybe sugar is sticky so it sticks around. Sorry, I know my jokes are a little lame but it sorta fits in with the you are what you eat theory.

I think I am going to try that lemon and water trick. So, you do hot water? How much? And you sip it all day.

Yes, Maile, it's those high glycemic foods. I noticed that the powerful cravings ended around the same time the puffiness decreased. But even old me used to keep a pint of ice cream in the fridge for a week.

Anyway, I am heading towards some kind of reboot. Something needs to change. I can track my downward slide It's not bad. I am still sorta within range. Well, a bit high for me but it won't go down unless I buckle down and get serious and focused again. It's little things. Like drinking less water. Blowing off veggies. Then testing the waters a little more here and there. For me, I just might do better reigning it is a little more. I was just more comfortable the first 2 months of maintenance. It's the discomfort that is challenging, moreso than a number on the scale.

Momto2cs, I hope your meal was good. We rely so heavily on good meat and veggies when eating out. Did you win?

Thanks!
The meal was delicious, but after walking and carrying my clubs for the 3 hours it took us to golf I was starving and ate some potatoes! Not my usual, but they were delicious!
I am still above my range. I will have to be serious this week!

We didn't win, but one of the couples in our 8 some did! The both got nice new drivers! I can't complain. The last Bonnie and Clyde I won a nice Taylor made putter as a door prize!

We are having a lazy Saturday. My dh is golfing 2 rounds today-he is a die hard, and the kids have declared a pj day. I am rewatching the vampire diaries. I could watch Damon all day long....sigh ;)

Momto2cs...I have read your posts a lot and it seems as if your method of maintaining is to stick to Phase 1 or 2 for the most part and then allow yourself to have a "free" day when the occasion calls for it...then get back on the Phase 1 or 2 plan. Is that right? I am trying to figure out how to maintain my loss and that seems to be working for me--the 2nd half of summer has been pretty busy with a lot of social things for me and my family and I have been allowing myself to have a "free" day when those times come up but then getting back to more Phase 1 or 2...I do alternatives for my own reasons. Once summer settles down I plan to experiment with what will work for my work week...probably stick with my spinach smoothie/protein shake for breakfast as I really like this, do Greek yogurt and almonds for lunch, maybe some protein, and then a regular dinner with protein and veggies...throw in some rice or pasta once in awhile if I feel like it...figure I will just have to experiment with what does or doesn't work. I will continue with my 2 miles of walking/running a day as well.

Busymom: That was good news about the 3lbs coming off!!!!

Swimcoachmomma: I like the falvor of quinoa also..using it with pasta sauce sounds good.

PurpleSky: You are right. It is the little things that matter..water, veges, exercise..Last night we started experimenting with fruit margaritas..after dinner..Not a good idea. Way too late to adding sugar and carbs.The result is a 2 lb up today. I am still in my range. I am going zero carb and exercising to work it off.
It is the discomfort of not being where you want to be that is unsettling!

Momto2cs: Enjoy your day watching movies..It sounds relaxing..Damon is fun to watch.

Off to walk off those pounds.

Yes. I am strict during the week and more relaxed on weekends. I always try to eat as low carb as possible, but I definitely eat enough carbs to get out of ketosis on the weekend.
This works great for me, as long as I buckle down on Monday.

Vacations take more time to get back. I should be doing phase 1 this weekend still, but a friend came by with Filipino food last night and I couldn't say no to her noodles! Ahhhh

I guess I admit defeat and accept Tuesday will be back on track (Monday is a holiday in Alberta).

Thanks for the reply or clarification.

During the work week I can be pretty faithful and strict--I am a routine type of person so I just need to figure out what to do for lunch once school starts and I'll be fine. I do not want to give up having foods I like when the opportunity or occasion presents itself either. I also don't like to use the word "cheat" that is tossed around on here a lot. I would rather think about choosing what I will eat and when I will eat it and making the best choice for a particular day and time.

This is the first time I have ever been as aware of what I am eating and how it impacts how my body makes use of it. I love how a few very strict days can get one back on track almost immediately.

I started eating this way to take off about 8-10 pounds I seemed to be bouncing around in for the past couple of years and found that I was able to take off a total of almost 25 pounds and dropped down to a size 10 and even some 8's depending upon the style and cut. I typically could wear most 12's but found the past year that I was moving towards having to either buy all new slacks in size 14 or do something so my 12's would fit...now all of those slacks and skirts have been taken to the consignment shop and I am slowly replacing them with mostly 10's and some 8's.

I think I will always have to watch what I eat but this lo-carb plan seems to be very easy to follow and works, I'm sold.

Yes, once you figure out new ways to eat (like lettuce wraps instead of bread etc) it is pretty easy. And most of the time I feel way better than I used to. No bloating or heartburn!

I am generally a size 6. I can pretty much buy without trying on, as I can generally tell looking at clothes if they will fit. My legs are quite muscular, so I look for wider cut pants. I am definitely a small top. Any cleavage I used to have pretty much disappeared with the weight!

At my low I can wear some size 4s. Maintaining that weight is definitely harder. I have 1 pair of size 8 pants that warn me I am in the danger zone and need to get serious!

The holiday weekend has prompted me to have an impromptu BBQ this afternoon. Burgers and salad and whatever else people bring! The wine is already chilling. I guess sometimes life takes over! I will forgo the buns today, but it will definitely not be phase 1! There always tomorrow!

Enjoy the BBQ, sounds like fun. Today I went shopping and it was size 8's instead of 10's...I'll take it. Have a great night!!

Swerdna: Isn't it fun to be buying size 8 clothes instead of 10s? I find the low carb eating is an enjoyable lifestyle. I am happy using lettuce leaves as tortillas like Momto2cs said. Some people call it a fun day..not a cheat day.
I tend to stick to low carb all the days..and once in awhile have something higher carb for a meal.
As for school lunches: I make the lunch the night before..or even a couple of days before. I make salads ahead and dump in leftover veges or fresh ones.

Momto2cs: Have fun at that barbecue! We have been grilling vegetables like crazy..but the 100 degree heatwave has stopped us.

I am back down the 2 pounds and happy today.

Our house backs onto a golf course and I am always amazed how few people walk when playing golf. seems like an excellent opportunity for enjoyable exercise and more than 95% of people use carts.

I agree. They offered us a free power Carr on friday and I declined. Might as well get the walk in!

It has been great shopping for new clothes and still find myself staring at the size tags...I am tall, 5'10" and never thought I'd be able to get down to where I could wear certain styles of khakis and so on. Plus, there are a lot more things on sale in the smaller sizes or so it seems! Today I tried some lo-carb tortilla wraps, only 3 net carbs each...they actually were very good but to tell you the truth, I am happy without them too. I made my eggs & veggie scramble and had a wrap but frankly, it was fine without the wrap too...nice to know there are decent things out there though.

My husband is a golfer and always walks..However, there are many cart riders.

It is nice that more food is being offered low carb.

Last night I took a bite of my eggplant parmigiana..cheese at night. Fortunately it did no damage!

This is how things are different in maintenance. It is harder to say no to people, especially those who have been supportive all along. But now that we look "normal" people think we can eat like a normal person does.

I'd be OK with the meal like this, it would be that amount and then it's finished.
But what I have a tough time with is alcohol. Not the drinking as much as a glass aof wine turns on a switch in my head and then it's all about relaxing and socializing and nibbling on whatever I am used to with having a relaxing evening.

Hubby has been very supportive while I was losing weight but really likes being back to "normal" and having a glass of wine with dinner on the weekends, and I can't resist. Then it's back to being really strict for the rest of the week to stay a goal level.

Re your Fillipino noodles, that is what I just love about this area. With the job boom so many different cultures are here and everyone loves to share what is special to them. This results in some wonderful meals and socializing.