I am on phase 3 for another week, but I am going to lurk here to prepare for maintenance. I look forward to all of your advise!!!

Originally Posted by NOVAScents:
Ladies, I need your input. I'm technically on Phase 3, but I've had two cheat days which were disastrous... Not because I gained (I didn't), but because I got SO sick. My cheat day last night I over did it so bad I was vomiting and having diarrhea at the same time- it was HORRIBLE!

So, my question is this... I don't think I can have a cheat/fun day. I cannot overcome this "Fatten up for the famine" mindset. I KNOW I don't need to eat 3 blueberry muffins, but I do because I know I have a week before I can have another. So, I'm thinking I need to just push myself into this maintenance healthy eating for life, where if I have a muffin FINE and if I want one tomorrow, FINE, I just don't need to eat all six today.

I'm that kid who when you tell them not to try something because X, Y, and Z will happen I HAVE to try them out to prove you right... its so insane, but I'm finding the more I tell myself to wait the MORE I eat.

Am I crazy??? Is this something everyone goes through at some point?

I've always had a pretty healthy eating style. I gained my weight with a pregnancy, so I know that my cooking and habits are good (and have improved with IP!), I just need to get my "rituals" down.

Everyone has their own way of maintaining. For me, I need to stay away from sugar and eat low carb. This keeps me stable. I do not have fun days. I might indulge in a treat once in awhile...I have binged my entire life and cannot return to uncontrolled eating..which for me could easily happen on a cheat day..

Others here can handle the free day and enjoy it! I would keep experimenting on what works best with you.

Mooselover: welcome to maintenance! i hope you are enjoying Phase 3.

The cauliflower rice is easy and good. I like the idea of putting it in a bell pepper.

I ordered the packet from the National Weight Registry. I am excited about being in the maintainer data!

I seem to be doing ok (so far) with a fun day. I do notice that within the last month I'm not constantly planning on it and most of the time I really enjoy just relaxing on the rules, ie having a chunk of cheese with a bowl of fruit. In fact, I usually go shopping on Friday to stock up on fruit so I can have some of the items I don't have during the week as I usually stick to berries during the week. Then I usually just have a meal that doesn't follow the rules, that might have a bit of carbs and had some fat in it.

I also find that my excersise is a useful tool to keeping my weight in check. I am aware that I am using it for stress relief and fitness but if I really buckle in and up the distance it will show when I want it to show. This past weekend I had two nights of drinking, first night I stuck to my guns with the food, next night was fun night so indulged in rum. The scale was up, I did a few extra runs this week and it's back down....and now I know how much work two nights of drinking will be. Probably won't do it for a while lol.

In general I stay away from sugar, the rum was the first rum for over a year (all sugar for those that don't know)....anything I choose is low sugar or no sugar and most of my snacks are laced with protein in some way.

I am nervous about my trip to Europe and have actually thought about taking my scale with me hahaha, it was a fleeting thought as I know I have to divorce it while I'm across the pond and trust the program. Also there are enough people (myself included) that have gone on vacation and nipped it in the bud as soon as they are back.

Inspiration
 

Maile, you are an inspiration, I have been following you and it's amazing how you are maintaining in the 120's. I started IP in Jan this year and lost 30 lbs by April. Phased off in June. Maintainance in July. Restarted Phase 1 in August to lose 10 more pounds. This time it's been difficult and have not been 100% OP. Plan is to give myself 2 months to lose those last 10 lbs. Hope I can do it.

Originally Posted by Maile:
I ordered the packet from the National Weight Registry. I am excited about being in the maintainer data!

What is the National Weight Registry?

Summer is a tough time to lose weight. I just think there are so many temptations around. In the winter it is easier to focus and buckle down. My weight used to always go up in the summer. Then I would bring it down a bit in the fall and then back up again over the holidays. Rebooting is hard.

Ishbel: I think exercise is the key for me to keep my weight off. I do it almost daily. Europe sounds wonderful..even if you have to leave your scale behind. I am sure you will just keep making the healthiest choices you can.

Desperatetolose: Thanks for the support. I actually have never stayed this long in the 120s in my life. I have been surprised that I seem to have stabilized. I keep to a 3 pound range under 128 my goal. I do eat very low carb and exercise everyday. I hope you reach your goal of losing that last 10 pounds.

Purple Sky: The registry is for people who have maintained weight loss for a year or more. I will post the link. It studies maintainer's habits and produces studies on successful maintenance. Periodically you fill out questionaires on your lifestyle.

Off to move my son. It will be a long day of packing and unloading.

Good morning,
I was wondering if you give me some advice, I was away on vacation and I started maintenance the day I left but did slip when away and are now up 7 pounds, what would you sujjest I do to get the extra weight off?
Do I have to do phrase 1 again, or would it work if I followed the phrase 3?
No matter what though I will use alternative products again....

I would phase 1 until it was down again.

Ok thank you, would you phrase out all over again or just go straight back to maintenance once the 7 pounds is off....

Your choice, I think people here to both. Personally my plan is if I go over 7 days I will do a mini phase off of 2 days each of phase 2 and 3 and I might include those days as part of a plan to get it off...mit be part of a total 10 day reboot....make sense?

I'm sure others will chime in on the phasing off, but I wouldn't wait and jump onto Phase 1 immediately to lessen the overall damage.

Definitely get back on phase 1 or 2. A short vacation gain should come off easily. If it was longer (like a month) it can take quite a few weeks to get back.

Slow down weight loss?
 

Hi everyone, my boyfriend has just started Phase 2 and will continue to lose weight during this phase. He actually would like to slow down his weight loss during this phase but wants to still stay 100% on program. Is there something he can do to slow it down but stay in ketosis?

Any insight / ideas would be appreciated.

Kelly

Is he already at his goal weight? Some gain on P3. He could also put it back on once he gets into maintenance. The weight loss in P2 and P3 does not happen for everyone. Some gain.

But, I don't think you can slow down weight loss once it starts. Some start P2 a few pounds shy of their goal. Some don't lose anymore during P2 or P3. Some gain in P3.

KChapman: Maybe eat more of the restricteds or eat higher fat protein.

Here is the info:

The National Weight Control Registry

How to Join

Are you eligible?

The National Weight Control Registry is a research study that seeks to gather information from people who have successfully lost weight and kept it off. The registry would like to hear from anyone 18 years of age or older who has:

Lost at least 30 pounds, and
Maintained a weight loss of at least 30 pounds for one year or more
How it works

Individuals enrolling in the registry will be periodically asked to complete questionnaires online about their success at losing weight, current weight maintenance strategies and other health-related behaviors. There is no cost to join the registry and compensation is not provided. All names are kept confidential.

It is open to people outside of the US. You can learn more about it at their web site.It is a research organization with doctors and scientists.

Well.my last day of freedom..back to cooking ahead and making lunches for work! I seriously am hoping that people at work are used to seeing me thin and will not feel the need to give me advice!