I just watched an IP TV video about 'slips': inadvertent and otherwise.

The advice given about the 'otherwise' was to think of IP as a pregnancy.

During pregnancy -- which is short term ... 9 months -- one does special things eg, like staying off alcohol.

I not in a spot where you are right now but I wonder if taking that viewpoint might help overcome the self-sabatoge.

Also, someone mentioned looking at obesity as a disease. Because I have this disease, there are things I 'must' do. No question, bottom line, it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing. I have a disease that means I have to eat in a certain way, plan for possible emergencies, and work to navigate certain social situations.

I know that fatigue and stress are not my friends. When those two come around, my capacity to make good decisions seems to get impaired.

Planning (I hope) will help me navigate those situations a little more skilfully than I have in the past.

Annik

Evepet: Thank you so much for going before me and checking in to share your experience.

I have many eating behaviors that I consider to be "in remission" with P1. I have no illusion or delusion that they are gone forever & I'll need to continue to work to keep them in check (daily plan).

I'm the one who said I'll need to treat my disease of obesity for the rest of my life. I view it as in remission, as well.

I had not yet developed other illnesses due to my weight such as diabetes but I know I need to view my health with the seriousness of treating any medical issue, if I am to remain healthy.

Luckily, since I haven't developed medical concerns, I can still build in some more relaxed eating (fun meals).

I lost a bunch of weight once before & did not learn to maintain. I'm so glad all of you are here to learn from. I've been lurking for quite a while b/c it is never to early to start learning from those who have gone before. No reason to be trying to reinvent the wheel!

Time to get some lunch before we head off to the World Series

Thanks so much for sharing evepet, & to Annik for the tips. As a P4 newbie, I'm just starting to face these issues. It's so much easier without the social challenges. I avoided a lot of those situations on P1 because I tended to feel deprived and then would throw in the towel & cheat. Or, like you, I ate because the host would have felt badly.
I remember once in Weightwatchers the leader encouraging us to take care of ourselves first-if someone presses you to eat unhealthy food, you find a way to point out that they are in essence telling you to invite diabetes, hypertension, etc. Good luck--sounds like you have figured out the mental component, the hardest part!

Lisa, I agree 100 % about obesity being in remission but never cured. It's taken me decades & several major weight losses & regains to get it!

My IP coach is great support but inconvenient to drive to. I re-joined Weightwatchers, having been on & off since 1982. Once you reach a goal weight, it's free as long as you weigh 1/month and are within 2 lbs of goal. The support is helpful & so is the accountability.

thanks Annik for this! Its a good outlook that I would do well to adopt!

Annik. That was great advice. That is how I look at obesity also..It is a disease that will be managed but not cured.

The discussion on social eating reminded me of my son's graduation party put on by inlaws. They made 3 fantastic deserts with much effort. I told them that I did not want any. They definitely were upset. To make it worse..neither did my son nor my husband. My DIL said we spent all afternoon making these. My son said simply we are not eating them.

I remember that IP video (or one that was similar), and I also recall thinking that way during my original months of P1 dieting to goal. There were many times during those months when I ate differently from everyone else, but everyone knew I was dieting and were very supportive. There were no questions asked. Somehow, with this current effort to lose the regained lbs the feeling seems to be a bit different... hard to explain really, but while everyone is still supportive it's as if I should be able to enjoy 'treats' in moderation and not be as restricted now. I know I have to develop a thicker skin about this and just forge ahead and do my own thing regardless of the social setting and others' opinions... I guess the good thing is that at least I'm aware of this now.

That's a good way of looking at it - being in remission when we get to maintenance. Those earlier behavioural and/or emotional considerations that contributed to us being overweight are still there, unless we've done the work to rid ourselves of them. We have to remain aware and vigilant... I let myself lapse a bit, and reactivated some of the bad habits that put me in the overweight category to begin with. I remember feeling that I should be able to fairly easily continue on with these healthier low carb/sugar eating habits after so many months of IP dieting... and for a while all was ok. My experiences with maintenance have definitely been a learning experience. I'm still determined to get back to goal, but I'm somewhat humbled by the experience.

The last social eating situation where I 'caved' was at Thanksgiving. I'd been on P1 quite consistently for almost two weeks at that point. We were getting together at my sister's... and she and her entire family been very supportive all the way through the past year+ my IP dieting experience. My BIL found out he's diabetic around April, and they've been eating as prescribed by the 'diabetic specialists' etc, ever since that time. It was also my sister's birthday, and they'd taken the time to make a special lower-sugar birthday cake. This was especially so my BIL could eat some of it - and they thought it would suit me better as well. If it had been a 'regular' dessert I wouldn't have even considered it...in fact I went with the intention of saying 'No thanks' to dessert that day... but allowed myself to sample it, as I felt it wouldn't so 'as much' damage to my diet. It wouldn't have been so bad if I'd immediately got back on P1 ... but having 'fallen off the wagon' that day, it's been difficult to recommit since.

Kudos to the three of you for being firm about the desserts. I wish I'd just said 'no thanks'. Because when I allow myself to go off-plan like that, not only do I lose the immediate forward momentum of the diet, I also seem to lose some of my belief in my ability to stick with the required dieting again to get back to goal.

Well, maintenance has been going well. I am still cooking in much the same way, but have added a small amount of dairy/fat. I have been cooking some paleo recipes and having a few desserts instead of protein bars. I tried some creamier, fatty salad dressing and found I prefer my homemade Italian dressing. I am up 3 lbs, but not concerned. I will be extra careful this week and limit the baked goods. While paleo may be healthier, I can't eat unlimited amounts of baked goods! I think I got it out of my system now though. Lol.

My first fun day was pretty much allowing myself to have cocktails at a going-away party for a co-worker. This was a really bad decision...which I determined the following day. I spent the day recovering and DH was very kind and did not remind me that he had "told me so".

Here's to a new week and good decisions. Good luck and strength to everyone today.

Thanks for sharing this...DH has said recently. "More than 1 drink at Thanksgiving and you're going to be under the table..." I believe he's right!

Good incentive...to tread cautiously with the holidays!!! No desire to go there...

Hey Hey Everyone,

dak1lls & 65X65 Sorry for smiling...you're booze intake will never be the same but it never stops you from actually 'testing'. Enjoy the ride and try to recover as easily as you can. LOL

evepet I'm with you on the social situations. I have been reduced to just saying "no, sorry" and even though I still feel guilty I no longer feel AS guilty as people are just used to it. In fact at one of my TOPS meetings a lady suggested that another TOPS pal order a cheesecake and push it around on her plate. I said 'nope, I'd say no thank you and order tea, if I did that I wouldn't just push it around I'd actually eat it'. I was avoiding social situations but that has lessened. I think you just get more comfortable saying no when people are used to it. You're doing better then you think you are, I know it. Don't forget to be kind to yourself.

Maile Way to go on the team effort. When I get pressure like that it's tough but next time they won't put so much effort into it and you won't have to be as firm. They will just 'know'.


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Lots of buzz about this in my circles of "anti sugar".

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/201...crets-of-sugar

Thought I'd share Have my young 21 year old cousin on the bandwagon of watching his sugar intake. Wish I had been that smart at 21.

Later skaters!

I have been eating whatever I want on "Fun Day", except that I no longer eat potatoes or pasta, but I do not do just one Phase 1 day the next day, I usually do more than that. I was on a business trip to Texas and actually did FOUR phase 1 days after I came back because of the water weight from flying. But you know what, it does not bother me to go back to Phase 1 for a few days. I did a Phase 1 day today and will weigh myself tomorrow to see whether I want to do another one or maybe a Phase 2 day. This is something different from any other diet I have ever been on. Usually once a diet was "done", I would find it hard to go back to a diet.

Hi--been off the grid for about 6 weeks in a frenzy life/work pace. Did a get vacation in a couple of weeks ago and need to get back to my structured eating plan and getting support from IPers. Gained 5 lbs and today marks day 1 of P1.

Like so many others, once I get some carbs/sweets it starts to take over. Been reading recent posts about social events and triggers that sabotage eating plans. I made the choices to have the breads/desserts and go off plan and can see that it becomes unmanageable in cravings for me PLUS weight gain.

So back in the saddle as someone suggested to evepet. Back to weekly WI at my clinic, and getting my mind in the game!

Yikes, maintenance is a wild ride! I've been coasting on the momentum of P1 for my initial 6 wks---minimal interest in carby, fatty foods after 8 months of IP. In fact I've had to watch to make sure I get enough calories. Today was a P1-after-fun day and all was well until I encountered leftover pizza in the work lounge. I had forgotten my snack and knew I would be starving by the end of my shift, so I had a smallish slice. And spent the rest of the evening longing for more more more! Thank goodness there was none left when I went back to indulge (having convinced myself that I could handle a fun day-and-a-half). Temptations that I haven't anticipated and planned for can really undo my resolve--very humbling. Back in the saddle!

Mars735..It is those times when you encounter the unexpected and may not have access to your healthy food, and you are starving, when things get rough. I keep 100 calorie packs of nuts in my purse for the unexpected. Have a great day back in the saddle.

Workinprogress: weighin in once a week and going back to your clinic will keep you on track. I checked in quite often on my first year.

Alison> I agree. IP is the first program that has ever offered tools for maintenance. The others have not offered the tool of P1 which is so helpful.

Ishbel: Yes, people get used to you saying no. However, this holiday season I am going to remind my DIL that we do not eat deserts so she can pass the info on to her family ahead of time! They are those skinny people who love to bake sweets.

dakills and 65x65: I found that alcohol affects me much quicker now. Drinking lots of water helps.

Evepet: It is humbling to realize that those habits that put you in the overweight category are lurking and need to be managed. It is not easy. I hope you are doing well. I like Beck's comment about developing that muscle of resistance..making it stronger!

All of the talk of obesity being a disease which has to be diligently managed really resonates with me. I always stuck to my guns pretty well while I was on the diet regarding what I would and would not eat, but now that I am dealing with Celiac and Crohn's disease I'm much more particular about what goes into my mouth since it has such serious and immediate consequences. There are no 'second thoughts' about having even a bite of French bread or birthday cake or anything else containing wheat, etc. I've gotten used to interrogating restaurant staff about what is in menu items and how they are prepared. Bottom line whether you're dealing with a weight issue or allergies or digestive diseases: Only you can make the choice regarding what goes into your mouth, and only you are responsible for being aware of what is in food prepared by others - and deciding whether or not to indulge and bear the consequences.

Thanks, Maile!
bubbleblower: spot ON!