Well, I can't find the specifics of the challenge, but my first week of the challenge was not so great! I was on vacation last weekend, and when I got back I must have had my head in post-vacation mode. Vacations are a problem for me....

Anyway, so I exercised 20 minutes on Sunday (HIIT on a Texas hotel treadmill) and 45 minutes yesterday (Les Mills Pump). So that is not 120 minutes! This week will be better.

I ate way too many bars. I think the problem is that there is no preparation needed and they taste kind of like candy. So this week, my coach has said to repeat Phase 2 for the week, but I am actually doing Phase 1 (with an extra packet on workout days). I will do Phase 2 next week when I'm supposed to be in Phase 3. :lol: I am looking forward to Phase 3. It sounds a very "for life" way of eating to me.

I had a good long talk with myself on Friday night to get m head back on straight. I think I'm there.

I am still 8 pounds from my goal weight. There is so much coming up that it's kind of tough to think that I can do that, but I definitely don't want to just quit and gain my 15 pounds back. So for this week, I am refocused. :D

I am phone lurking as well...
Read something last night that really resonated with me... A gentleman was offering advice to a young man who couldn't quite kick his soda and convenience foods completely despite having cut back. The gentleman commented that if you are giving your tastebuds such a blast of flavor that it makes it much more difficult to fully appreciate the flavored of natural, whole foods. And that if one's intention is to embark upon a lifestyle of healthy eating that a person needs to bid goodbye to these flavor blasts because by introducing them even only occasionally you are keeping them a part of your diet and they will take over again. Made a whole lot of sense to me.
My girls weekend is finally decided. We are going to a place that offers a plethora of fitness classes and a guided hike each morning. Healthy meals are included in the room rate. I am terrifically excited all round. Love that it's going to be an active getaway with a focus on activity over alcohol.
I went to family friends for their little girl's birthday. I refused the pizza and cake and contentedly munched on cucumbers. I am really coming to make peace with the guilt my food choices cause others. I don't expect them to eat what I eat so it seems only fair that I be shown that same respect. And it is comforting that people have come to expect me to refuse. It gets a bit easier all round at that point :)
Ishbel- I hope you are feeling better...
Maile- have you tried the Braggs yet? I like to use it when I make bok Chou with peppers and portabello mushrooms. I fry the peppers in a tsp of sesame oil and ginger/ garlic mix for a few minutes add the mushrooms a bit of rice wine vinegar, the Braggs & water then throw in the bok Choy and let it steam til it's tender. It's a great vegetarian meal or throw in some tofu for protein. I just love how 'meaty' the portabellos are...
Patns- how's it going with your 4? Have they disappeared yet?
Mom2cs- you must be close to 2 weeks of Phase 1 now??
Loco- you can do it! If the bars are becoming a problem it can be better to nip it in the bud and expell them for a bit... Maybe a switch to the salty snacks won't make them as tempting for you?
Legan- congrats on no hangover! And enjoying the reunion without alcohol. It really is about the company not the food & drinks but I do find it one of the most difficult lessons... Good for you for staying on track!
I am quite content with my plan. Just happy to be exercising and eating properly...

So, I'm feeling better! Looking forward to running now that my head is less stuffed, ugh. I'm a little worried about how tough the first run will be havta admit. :/

maile Discovered braggs early on in Phase 1 and now that's the only 'soy sauce' I use.

cap I don't think I could ever get my girlfriends to have a trip like that, how COOL is their support!! Did I miss when you were going?

loco I agree with Cap, when something is a weakness get rid of them until it's easier. I got into the doritios in Scotland and now refuse to have them in my house for at least another month so I can remember that I don't need them...they are only a want.

liz how fun to go to the 20 year reunion with your sucess...I never went to my 10 cause I just wasn't 'ready' to see people. Now I think "WOW, 20 is SOON MISSY!" Can't wait to hear about all the comments.

So, this whole wedding planning is not my thing, I had a bit of a break down and said "this is SO not fun already!". I wish I could just show up and not have to plan a thing but I know that THAT won't happen. 1. I don't want to spend money on a planner. 2. There is no one I would trust LOL. I feel like it's a big test that I have study for, for the next 9 months. I keep getting ideas here there everywhere...can't imagine what will happen if I decide to get pregnant. lol So my new mantra is "what will be will be, I'm marrying someone I want to grow old with". VIP's already said "I'll plan it for you" HAHAHA...but in all seriousness I need to keep the drama/anxiety low so making sure my meals and exercise is planned and delivered is of upmost importance.

I will try not to bore you with all of that though, but it IS hard to tell people in off line that I’m getting anxious about the planning because then they think I’m getting cold feet <sigh>. (SO NOT!)

Cap: I think that concept of flavor blasts is true..if you start tastying them again, you start wanting them.
Ishbel: good luck with the wedding stress. It is a lot of work..but it is supposed to be fun..LOL. Too much input can be maddening.

1st Phase One day since getting to Maintenance
 

I have to say that Maintenance so far has been great - but I had't really gone crazy until this weekend. It was our Country Fair weekend and I ate and drank whatever I wanted and am now on my 2nd Phase 1 day.

I have to say doing Phase 1 days are not fun at all - just doing them again will hopefully keep me from overindulging too often. :o)

Hope everyone is having a great day!! :carrot:

Kelly

Morning all
This is the start of my 3rd week in phase 1. Had a bit of a breakdown yesterday and had some wine with my friend. Sigh.
I feel smaller, but a quick peek at the scale is showing no movement :( I will see Wednesday when I weigh in. Grr

Hope everyone has a great week!

Momto2cs, have you ever followed Precision Nutrition? Just wondering as I unearthed my PN stuff last night from a box (we moved a year ago). I thought you might be familiar with it since (a) Berardi is Canadian and (b) you're a gym rat. :)

I'm doing well this week. I put all the snacky foods in a different location. I will not buy more bars unless I'm traveling. For daily use, they're a no! Finishing them up, and that's that. Not finishing them all at once though!

Did a metabolic workout yesterday and yoga and abs this morning. Feeling good. :D

Locopollo: Good job on staying away from the bars and snacky foods, and being back on track! I found the closer you got to goal weight, the harder it got,a s it seemed to take forever to reach goal.

Momto2cs: Great job on the 3rd week of Phase 1. You are doing it.

Kelly: Phase 1 is not fun..but it works.

I have never heard of precision nutrition...what is it?

I start Phase 3 tomorrow, so I guess it's time I start to post here! I'm so ready to head in to the world of maintenance!

It's a nutritional program. If I recall correctly, it is five meals a day, and four of them are low carb. You get carbs post-workout. I thought I would look for some Phase 3 recipes in there. I have a couple of cookbooks and a notebook outlining the program, which was all somewhat expensive, and I never really followed it. :rolleyes:

Okay, i must be the slowest one on the block..i just discovered the exercise & diet logs in fatsecret...going back in time to fill up the food as best i can since starting P4...got the exercise logged. Getting caught up for the the challenge!

Welcome to maintenance Sewingmama. Are you enjoying your P3 breakfasts?

Liz: Glad you found the logs on the Fatsecret sites. I am tracking on another site.

Cap: I forgot to thank you for that bok choy recipe. It sounds great.

Momto2cs: I hope that scale moves for you!

I am definitely feeling stressed at work. At least I am keeping up with my exercise.

good luck with Phase 3!

Thanks everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed my first phase 3 breakfast. I've been making peanut butter sandwiches for my kids for the past 9.5 months and craving pb. I had some this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it!