I think I'm getting the hang of P3. Still seems like I'm eating a lot, but really staying under 1200 calories and around 80 net carbs. I haven't had any cravings or temptations, nor hunger. Right now my plan is to stay on P3 until I go on vacation on Valentines Day, then "keep those Mai-tai's coming". I'll try not to whine too much when I go back to P1 after that.

I posted this in another thread, but wanted to share that my office mate said she is watching me to see if, yea verily, a woman of our age can maintain weight loss. Now I'm more determined than ever.

I am cheering for you big time. I don't think age has anything to do with it. You lost it, yipeeeeeeeee!!!!! Now, like everyone, you need to figure out how to maintain. This is the rough part. You can do it- he!! We all CAN do it. And I am praying that I figure it out when I get back to maintenance ( again) good luck and gotta love a great Mai- tai.

Thanks for the encouragement, Determined. I think in every previous diet I would be thinking, "I'm done and go back to eating carelessly." This time I've learned that I need to be just as purposeful in planning what to eat as in the other phases.
See you soon in P4!

Howdy folks, I have been MIA lately. This is the week my son started his morning speech therapy for this semester and basically adds 4-5 hours to my day. I miss spending time with him, but it's only temporary. I skipped out on my 5am morning long run today, it's drizzling out and didn't want to chance a fall on slick concrete. I do plan on hitting up the "dread mill" later when gym daycare opens up at 9am. So I have time to catch up!

Also just a mini-vent....but I am EXPLODING. I heard you show earlier with a 2nd pregnancy, but this is crazy, especially this week I have really "filled out". My boobs are full and a pooch started bumping out this week...oh yeah, along with a 10lb gain! I fully admit to not sticking with 100% healthy eating with the hectic week (but wasn't That Bad), honestly when the morning sickness kicks in the only remedy is a meal. I need to be extra prepared for those new emergencies because I really don't want to let it get out of control and can't really do a P1 day right now.

Glad it went over well! I know the miracle noodles are hit or miss, but the Mac & cheese is a good mask. I could see the kale being challenging - still lol about VIFs "this tastes like REAL pumpkin pie" comment.

I ABSOLUTELY had to double down my resolve the last 2 weeks of Phase 1. Was getting loose on measuring, had a few "just a few spoonfuls of peanut butter would be okay, right?" thoughts, but am glad I stuck it out.

Sounds like Phase 4 is going great for you! I definitely did the cheat meals my first few weeks, but then the novelty wore off and pretty much did P3 with a few treats as well.

Don't you just love a challenge? I know I do!

I am sure you can maintain, although it might be a bit harder for those of us 50+. My metabolism definitely isn't what it was when I was younger.

That colleague's comment would make me more determined than ever too. I'm feeling the same, as back at Christmas as I parted from some of the relatives I don't see all that frequently, one of them said something about me 'looking great, but wondered if I'd be able to maintain it?'... it was just enough to make me even more determined. LOL. In fact that might have been part of why I then determined to lower my goal weight, get back on P1 and slim down a bit more!!

Fishette, like your comment, I've noticed too that I seem to have a different mindset about my ongoing eating habits in maintenance with this dieting experience. With past diets, I didn't even really worry about returning to old bad eating habits... I'd just naturally (and thoughtlessly) return to them. Now I don't WANT to eat a lot of the junk that I ate before - I actually find the thought almost repulsive to me.

I was just wondering if maybe those of us that are older might maintain better, as we know the food doesn't work when we abuse it? I've not hit the slower metabolism yet though, so that's an issue, I don't have yet.

I work with someone who keeps saying that once I hit maintenance, I will have no issues, as he lost 20 pounds, and he has no issues, and it's easy to maintain. I'm just thinking that he has never had a eating disorder/sugar/carb addiction either.

But that being said, I am determined to make maintenance work. I've had lots of stress, and haven't eating off plan, so I'm getting more and more confident.

We can do this, Fishette!

You'll figure all this out, Liz! You're a rock star!!! Good luck!

And OMG, I have a jar of the powdered peanut butter in my cabinet, waiting for maintenance, and boy I'm tempted to add it to a shake, but I"m not going to.

I can't say that I was less focused on the scale as I really struggled to get to 140 (was hoping to go lower). But I was very happy with how I felt and how clothes fit, and knew that once I began exercising regularly things would tone up and sculpt more. This journey is unique to each of us; we have to do what feels 'right'.

I'm with you and Lizzy - comments like that only make me work harder to succeed! You'll show her

Any other diet I was on simply did not address what do to after losing the weight. IP (& 3FC) puts a lot of emphasis on how to succeed in maintenance. A very good thing!

Liz - you'll handle this pregnancy like a champ and afterwards will get right back to where you want to be. Morning sickness is a problem, and I (vaguely) remember that having crackers even before getting out of bed helped settle my stomach down. Am wondering if you made 'crackers' out of the IP pancake mix or even a soup mix, to try first thing in the morning if this would help????? Wishing you the very best!

Am with you on the slower metabolism Lizzy...we just have to be that much more determined (stubborn?!).

Fishette and Evepet: You are going to make those people eat their words! As people at work have seen me lose and regain weight before, I know I am being watched. Someone asked me if I think I can keep it off. I am with you. I cannot return to the mindless eating habbits that caused me to gain weight.

Determined, Lizzy63,Starshine..I am in the 60s plus club. My metabolism has sped up with the loss and exercise. I am more energetic than I have been in years. Age is not going to hold us back from maintaining! I honestly didn't have the energy when I was overweight to do all of this cooking and shopping and exercising.

Lizrr: Take care of yourself and eat what you need to stay healthy !

Greeniris: I am grateful to Ip for having a good maintenance plan.

Ishbel: Are you filling up Goose? Cute name.

Off to Costco to get lots of vegetables and fruit! No ice.

Thanks. I use Nashua products.

And hate to tell you all it is even worse at 60+. All those doctors over the years who told me I should be doing weight training were so right! But they didn't tell me how to fit it into my hectic schedule.

I don't want to fade away from here lke so many others but the problem is I don't fit into any of the sections anymore.
I am up 15 pounds that I totally have to get off, so can't say I'm maintaining.
I don't fit in the reboot because I am trying something different to get it off this time.
I could post in the 50+ but don't want to scare people about maintaining while they still are in phase 1.

My problem was that when I hit 130 everyone suddenly were very concerned about how much I was losing. I could see why because it was all coming off my top half and butt. It just would not budge around my middle.
The big problem was I kept losing lean body weight and fat% would not go down.

So I phased off and found to maintain I needed to be at a very low calorie level, I have always watched carbs very closely so that wasn't an issue.

After I came out of ketosis I was always starving on the small amount I could eat to maintain. So when I went out to a social event I always went overboard and of course the Christmas season really didn't help.

I got an elliptical for a boxing day "present". I really like it to my surprise and is a godsend in our bitter winter.

I had a brainwave the other day about what my problem is with the hunger, I still have very limited fibre in my food. So I am using a plan I have had here in a book for years, called fibre 35. I was always afraid to try it because I was scared away by the higher carb count. Then my DUH moment; I had forgotten about subtracting the fibre.
'So I am trying that plan to see if I can get the 15 off because my other sudden insight was that if I lose a pound a week it will be 15 weeks before we can start peeling off all the extra layers of clothes we need in our extreme temps. Also the soups and salads with beans for fibre are perfect for bitter cold weather.
So I will see how I do after a week or so.I don't want to have to stay in ketosis while relosing because I will have the same problem when I get to goal again.

So long ramble to say I have not given up the war, just waging a different type of battle.

Pat

Hi Patns. I'd been thinking you hadn't been around as much lately. Missed you. I'm glad you like the elliptical. It's one of the few exercise routines that I will actually do on a regular basis. Glad it's working out for you. The Fibre 35 idea sounds interesting - I hope that it works well for you, I know you've had your struggles. Keep in touch, and let us know how things are going for you. If you want/need someone to commiserate with, feel free to PM me.

Liz Hey there mama, my sisters said the same thing about their seconds...I got nuthin' for you other then "you're my hero"

maile yuppers, the big goose is getting filled...slowly but surely! We don't always go to costco only because you can't walk out spending less then $50 and I'm not finding the meat is all that cheaper then the butcher shop here.

patns Hey there girl, I noticed you weren't posting too...I'm glad you have a plan. Keep posting, I enjoy reading all your posts!

Fishette sometimes people should keep their comments to themselves...show them how much grit ya got!

On a lighter note, the hips are feeling better...I've been approved to bike and do some cross country skiing, just not allowed to go 'balls to the wall' with it. SO! No running...yet! I don't think it was the cortisone shot that helped...I think it was the prescription anti-inflammatory pain 'gel'.

So I made my famous pot roast tonight. I always cook the roast very slowly in a pot full of beef broth. When I tasted it I thought it was really salty - and I'm the kind of person who really likes her salt. I thought surely the family would declare it too salty to eat, but they said it tasted just the same as always to them. Maybe 5 months of IP has broken me of my salt fetish!?! I didn't think anything could do that!

I love reading what you all have to say! I am so encouraged when I come here. I went to Les Mis tonight with my sister. We LOVED it! I've seen it a few different times, including the broadway version, but this was my favorite. It probably helped that I had good seats, unlike when I saw it live! LOL!! I had popcorn...with butter... Every week I say I'm going to have a good eating weekend, then every weekend I blow it and have a phase 1 day on Monday and phase 3 days the rest of the week until I get back to my goal weight... Oh well, another week of being careful, at least I know what to do to keep it off!