Maintaining
 

I'm phasing out in about a week and a half. I want to have a solid game plan for phase 3 and even more so for phase 4. I'm planning on creating a menu for my first two weeks in maintenance minus the cheat day and follow up day of phase one. I think this will help balance calories carbs and fats separation and prevent eating junk on a whim. I also want to buy a blank journal to track these things.. or use a phone app so if I do start regaining I can look over my journal and see what I'm doing wrong. What strategies did you use when first phasing out?

I'm so excited I just had to share! Yesterday was my first "Treat" (better than cheat) day and I went all out! Had saved some Halloween candy, tried things I had wanted to taste but weren't healthy for me - and finished with a family celebration at the Melting Pot - complete with cheese and chocolate. Today was the true "test" for me in my mind - could I allow myself a day of eating whatever and then get back on track right away. The answe is YES!! I actually looked forward to my phase 1 day! I had no cravings and no temptations today. I now know I've got this! I won't have another treat day as extravagant as yesterday - but I wanted to enjoy so many things I had given up for the last 8 1/2 months. I also discovered how much my tastes have truly changed. Many of the things I tasted yesterday I stopped eating after 1 bite - SO not worth it and not truly enjoyable. I'd actually rather have protein than carbs and sweets. For the first time ever I feel in control of my relationship with food! So WHOO HOO!

I found Lizz's phase 3 breakfast sheet invaluable. It was a complete lifesaver! I also found that once I got through phase 3 and day 1 of phase 4 I was good. Planning is the key - I do 5 days of phase 2 or phase 3 and then the treat day and the phase 1 day - I'm only one week in - no expert at ALL - but I think this plan will work. :). Good luck!

Good for you! Keep posting and let us all know how it goes- I struggle constantly but. Am hoping that something flips in my brain and I quit sabotaging myself. Happy for you. Stick to it! Do not let a treat day turn into more.:^:

Nope grew up in Calgary and went to u of c. Dh was a d lineman for the Dino's. not small men!
Love sports, ESP football. May have had too many red shooters and chips today..

CalgarEE, CalgarAH CalgarEE, CalgarAhAhAhAhAhAhAhAh. Whew. I went to SAIT. Which I believe is no longer called SAIT. ExDH went to Alberta College of Art. He now lives in Ottawa.

FitGirl, congratulations to your tiny self! :carrot:

I am planning on maintaining through November and then working on getting to my 120 goal. Did I write this before? I'm sure I did. :dizzy: Anyway, that's the plan. I bought a boudoir photo shoot on a Groupon (Bloomspot?) and so that is what I'll be working towards. :D

....well....go stamps! Nail biter! lol hate lions and als....grrr lol

Beautiful sunny day in PA! Two straight days of upper 60's and sunshine. We REALLY needed it!

Spent the weekend working at cleaning around the pool and WOW - I'm sore! I really need to whip my butt back in to better shape.

I'm loving maintenance and holding steady but I'm actually looking forward to January and doing Phase 1 to lose a few more pounds .. but I'll really miss my wine again :(

mom2 - sorry to hear the diagnosis. I've had arthritis (brought on my injuries) for about 8 years now and getting rid of the wheat really helped me with the inflammation. My MIL suffers from the RA and I really feel for her some days ...

loco - Cool idea for the pictures!! Hope you rock them!

Healthyangle: You sound like maintenance is going well for you! You are lucky about having the 60s. It is cold and rainy here..but the fall leaves are pretty.

Locopollo: cute idea on the photo shoot as motivation! Groupon has some good deals.

Ishbel and Momto2cs: Are these hockey teams? We have been watching NFL football all weekend.

Drakegirl: That is great that you felt in control on your first free day. I like Lizr's Phase 3 spread sheet also.

Healthyequalshappy: It helped me to plot out Phase 3 meals so I was sure I was doing the right amounts of nutrients. Planning and cooking ahead were my best strategies. I was also very cautious about adding carbs back.

CBL70: Just take Phase 4 slowly..test to see if adding carbs back causes a weight gain. Everyone has their own style of treat day. I personally stay away from my triggers of sugary items..others are fine eating them.

Hi Determined: I hope you are having a good week. Good advice about not letting a treat day turn into more.

Well, my niece and her husband are doing some low carb diet..and informed my sister that they will only eat meat and vegetables for Thanksgiving. My sister is crushed as she loves the typical high carb dishes. I gave her some of my recipes for low carb veges..but she and her husband are still upset..People do equate holidays with eating certain foods and do not like change.

I don't know if anyone here has tried golden acorn squash verses acorn squash. They are tiny and wonderfully sweet.

Yes - the warm is nice - we lost all our leaves early in storms, that is my favorite part of the fall ....

So who's doing the cooking? Your niece or your sister? I'm cooking again this year and will have the usual fare (or so they think so ...) I'll be sneaking some better options in with the mashed potatoes (turnips :) ) and some other ones.

Your niece always has the option of only eating the turkey and veggies ....

Oh wow. I went in for my WI today. Lost 1 pound, good from last weeks 2 lb gain. (I was in phase 3 last week) It was weird when my coach told me to take care and call to schedule an appointment after Thanksgiving just to check in. I am now in Phase 4! Total of 48 pounds and 22 inches lost.

I went straight to the grocery store thinking, cool, I can eat again. But, was lost as to what to get. I ended up getting chicken breasts and some yogurt. This will take some time to get used to. Once I finally get my brain wrapped around the Fat/Carb separation, I think it will be ok.

Hi all! Still hanging around but have been super busy lately so I haven't had time to jump in.

Ish- I also workout in the morning. Get up at 5:15 to be at the gym by 6, work by 8.

I also go to bed early, but some nights I really wish I had more food to eat :).

Phase 1 for me today and at least tomorrow. This weekend was a BIT out of control, so back to do damage control this week. My suspicions are that I will be on P1 for a majority of the week ;)

I have a question and I wasn't sure where to post it. I talked to my coach, but didn't really get any advice there, just do what feels right for me.

I am just under 60 lbs lost after my last WI. Initially I was shooting for 100 lbs, but now I was thinking about stopping at about 220 (down 85lbs) because I think 200 may be a bit small for me.

I was kind of thinking about phasing off starting Dec 1 so that I could be off for Christmas and New Years. But I also hesitate because I am hoping to be quite close to my goal by the. So I think I should just keep going until I get to my goal. I kind if want to get into the gym a bit more too to try and tone up.

I guess one option would be to phase off in Dec through the holidays, get into the gym a bit and see where I end up. I can go back on phase one later if I want to lose more.

Has anyone tried to go back on phase 1 after being done? I worry that this could be hard. Does anyone have any ideas or advice?

Thanks in advance.

ddd849, Congratulations on a great weight loss. Many people regularly use Phase 1 after reaching goal, to keep at goal and lose any up pounds from a free day. Some people have rebooted to a full Phase 1 for a number of weeks.
Why don't you see how you feel on Dec. 1 and how close to goal weight you are? Plus you might have a better idea of what you want your goal weight to be.I stayed on Phase 1 until I reached goal weight as I was worried about gaining weight in the other Phases. I did not gain in the P2,3 or 4.

Jennydoodle: Your day begins like mine..early with exercise. I like it. Hope Phase 1 goes well this week.

John: That is great that you lost a pound..plus you are on Phase 4. I also felt weird when I started seeing my coach less. I liked my weekly visits. 48 pounds and 22 inches gone is a great loss! Hope you enjoy Phase 4.

Healthangle: My sister is doing the cooking. I figure my niece can just bring a few dishes to keep herself on track. I am doing the cooking also for my family and most definitely am making things like mock cauliflower potatoes and string beans to keep me focused!

Sometimes trying to go back to phase one can be a mental challenge. So if you have any doubts maybe doing it all in your first shot is a better bet.