Maile I found that 2tsp of chia seeds works better for me as well. 1Tbls was just too much. I haven't seen a weight gain from them at this point and I have been using them for several months. I have decided I like almond butter better than peanut butter also. I try to only have it maybe 3 times a week, but really look forward to the days I do have it.

LizRR How exciting to find out you are having a baby girl! Congrats! I am SO looking forward to the day one of my girls tell me I am going to be a grandma. Neither of them are quite ready, but I sure am!!

My husband's insurance company has a multi level benefit status. Every year we have to do a health survey and then choose a 6 week program to follow in order to reach "gold" status. In the past I dreaded filling it out because it would come back saying I needed to make some major changes in order to be healthy. We have always used it as an opportunity to try and make some positive changes although I still struggled with getting the weight off. It was fun this year because my numbers, weight, etc have changed so much that the report was very positive. We opted to do and excercise program which was so easy to follow this year.
A lot of people hate this program but we have tried to look at it as a way to keep working on our health.

What do you guys do about air popped popcorn and hummus? My coach told me that hummus is a carb, but there is too much oil to make it a 'carb' food with dinner, and so it should only be eaten on a cheat day. Same thing for popcorn.

I've actually made hummus with cauliflower, so it counts as a veggie :)

Nice to see you here, Molly! The breakfasts are great! I enjoy it every single day!

Huh - I have hummus pretty regularly, with celery or baby carrots. Don't think once in a while will cause you a problem, although it probably doesn't fit with the fat/carb separation rule.

MOLLY! Sooooooooo happy to see you here! Congratulations on making goal,....how did I miss that!

You didn't really miss it. I'm not a fanfare person. Just sort of slipped in, though I did talk a bit more about my decision/struggles on the 50+ thread, which you probably don't frequent being a young child. LOL.

Molly

Hello everyone! It has been a VERY LONG time since I have posted here but I read every so often and especially when I am having a rough day. You all are so inspiring! I am doing well in maintenance. I actually just registered for my 1st 5K! I am so excited and the running is getting easier and easier. I do need to be better at separating my fats and carbs. I hope that someday maintenance gets easier for me. I am still a constant worrier but now that I am running more and more, I am worrying less and less. Molly, congrats on maintenance!!! I am so excited for you. Thank you again to everyone on here who answers questions. You all are wonderful. :)

Hi Holly, I am glad you are getting lost of running it and that maintenance is going well. I am not so exct keeping the fats separated either. I make a tahini yogurt sauce or a greek yogurt cucumber sauce that has a tsp of olive oit. It does not seem to do much damage at dinner.

Welcome Molly. That is great that you reached your goal.

Lizzy63..breakfast is often my favorite part of the day, also. I never get tired of eating practically the same thing. I am happy to be eating berries again.

Scorbette: I have been looking at cauliflower humuus recipes. Does yours have tahini?
Thanks for the info on health care. I got my information listening to National Public Radio discussing the subject. It will be interesting to see how this will be implemented in various jobs. Your implementation seems reasonable...plus I like the fact that you just have to do the program and are not penalized if it does not work.

Epaprn: I don't eat popcorn but my husband sprays his with I can't believe its not butter..I don't know if that is a fat.

LoriT: I agree. One tablespoon made me feel way to full and heavy. The Safeway brand of MaraNatha almond butter is fabulous. I make a peanut dip with it. 2 tablespoons almond Butter, 1 tsp soy sauce and 1/2 to 1 tsp sambal chili sauce. Heat butter slowly on sauce pan ..add the other ingredients and a little water.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Holly - I saw your C25K post on facebook :) Congrats on registering for a race! I will totally egg you on :) I slacked off on my runs for a bit when hubby started his semester back up, but now that I'm in P3 I HAVE to make sure to get that exercise in! Can't wait to hear how your race goes!

Molly - congrats!!!!!

I picked up the hummus recipe while in Phase 1, so no tahini but I'm sure it could be added for P4!

This was the base recipe I used, but you could adjust/add as you saw fit!
http://www.unlimitedlettuce.com/2012...ummus-dip.html

Thanks Maile and scorbett. I am going to do the Graffite Run and I am super excited for it. I figured it will be a very fun race for my 1st time.

I am going to have to try almond butter now. I am hearing wonderful things... :)

I have been on maintenance for 2 month's and i am really struggling with knowing what I should be eating for lunch, dinner and snack. Suggestions from successful maintainers would be appreciated!

Holly Way to go on the 5K sign up...very jealous...hopefully running by summer again.

Molly WOOHOO for maintenance!!! Congratulations!!

Epaprn I keep popcorn to free day...but it's more because I want more then one or two cups. :D I don't put the butter on ever only because I don't like how it tastes and feels on my fingers. I wasn't much of a popcorn fan but then I met the VIP and well, he's a HUGE movie buff so I got sucked in.

So I am a happier camper this week. I worked out 4 times last week and this Sunday I did 6km of cross country skiing, wish I could have done more but promised I wouldn't push it. My gf couldn't go so I went by myself. WOW my cardio sucks...when I go with her I have to wait for her so I get these little 'rests'. Not so much on your own. I have not had any exercise in my life that makes me feel more alive than cross country skiing...it's better then running for me. I phoned my mom to thank her for pushing me to learn a sport and be consistent in it (she put me on skis when I was 3)...she was quite pleased.

Went to see physio and my hips are better (which I expected because I'm working out 'gently') and I said "I want to run by summer" she said "that's do-able". :yay:

I'm really curious to try this. Will leftovers of this stay ok in the fridge for a day or two?

A little girl! Congratulations!

I love almond butter too - I'm looking forward to being able to eat it again soon.

When I was on maintenance briefly around Christmas, I gained about 3 lbs in glycogen weight. You're doing great!

Congrats on producing such a positive health report this year! Must have felt really good. :)

Lots of things to look forward to on cheat days.....

Hmm.... my *challenge* with that might be that I love the stuff, and probably would want to over do it. I'm not quite there yet, but have a feeling I'd better leave hummus to cheat days... or make a different variety, like the cauliflower ones.

Your first 5K! That's very inspiring too! I'm not going to run but I'm seriously thinking I should join the local walking club come spring. :)

Love your ideas re the sauces and peanut dip. Thank goodness I'm not far away from maintenance and can soon try them out.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the experienced maintainers here have to suggest. I'm not quite there yet, but getting ready and anticipating! LOL.

Fantastic! So glad to hear that your hips are that much improved. :)

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Hope you guys don't mind my hanging out here. I'm not too far away from *permanent* maintenance now, and enjoy being here, learning - and living vicariously! :D

Longer than that :) I made a big batch for the Superbowl and my MIL's friend finished off the last of the leftovers about a week and a half later. If it's in a container with a good sealing lid, the garlic will keep it from spoiling for quite a while.