Good afternoon Maintainers!

My first P2 day went well. Very full feeling right up until I went to bed. Had some up pounds this morning but evemomma calmed me down over in the Daily Chat. Keep calm and P2.

I am glad I never started that Elf on the Shelf thing with my kids. Personally, I think it's kind of creepy.

Amen!!!!! ;)

Thanks Liana for the reminder re dark dark chocolate. I usually don't buy stuff like that on purpose because I know I will hoover it all up in one sitting. I have to keep anything 'fun' (like quest bars) in the freezer. The fear of broken teeth is greater than any craving could ever be. But I can buy and freeze chocolate & bring it to work - that's where all my crazy snacking usually occurs. Unfortunately, cheese & celery don't really appeal to me (cheese and crackers are another story).

And I agree, Eve, that working snacks into the plan is perfectly acceptable. Or at least I want to believe that - I may have read too many clean eating books that prohibit that behavior to ever do it without guilt. Will keep trying.

Not so frigid here today - 34F! I saw someone out at lunch time running in shorts. His legs were near purple from the cold. Made me feel better about my chilly hands.

Tyranny: I hated the taste of celery for years (that nasty metallic flavour) until I decided to bite the bullet and buy only organic. Surprise!! Celery actually tastes good... no weird aftertaste and if you are careful about the celery you buy, they don't have to be tough & stringy either. You might want to give it another try, lol. It would work with pepper strips and a dip of passata sauce - pizza style. Or if you like cukes, you could do it with real cream cheese or brie/camembert too.

Yes Andrea: keep calm & P2! :yes:

Liana

Good morning All,

My DH and I joined the local YMCA and are now starting the exercise part of our transformation.

I have a lot of lose skin from losing almost 90 pounds , my DH not so much.

My DH and I have read the books Younger Next Year ( they have one for women only too). The key they say to being younger is exercise. Six days a week no excuses and two days of strength training.

I am not going to sit and watch tv and wait for God. I am going to fight this aging body and be younger next year. With the weight off I can do things that I could not do before.

I know it takes time to develop good habits so I an committing to you all to exercise six days a week. Yesterday I did 35 minutes at the Y while my 5 year old grandson was a his preschool yoga class at the Y.

So hear we go I am leaving shortly for water aerobics and then some time on the treadmill. I will add the weights on Friday. Thursday I will be in the pool with my grandson he was swimming lessons . I have the little guy two days a week next year he will be in school full-time .

Have a great day everyone.

Debby

Andrea- love "keep calm & P2" I think this is perfect. The move to P2 and adding food can be so anxiety producing in the beginning but just like anxiety the more you face the worries the smaller they get. It all works out in the end. You are doing great.

Debby, that is awesome DH and you joined the YMCA. Exercise and strength training can totally change your body and tone that loose skin. You will be able to keep up with your grandson now. I tell my kids that I run so I can keep up with them.

Liana - ok you have given me something else to consider with the organic celery comment. I eat celery cuz it is like eating nothing and find a bitter and sometimes metallic taste. I am now going to go organic on this one for me and get the other for DH to cook with. Thank you.

Tyranny -34f!! Brrr ok that is weather I don't think I would run out in. I can't believe that guy was in shorts, dangerous.

Eve - have fun with the Christmas prep. We have started at the house but for the first time ever I am finished most of the shopping. Hope your daughter is feeling better soon.

Hi to everyone hie you are all having a good Wednesday. I find the holiday "lunches and dinners" are starting with friends and work people now. I try to eat out more or less P1 veggies and meat but am thinking of adding a P1 shake for a meal a few times in the week if needed around this time.

How are you all handeling this month and the balance?

So after two days of P1/P2 I am still sitting at 165.2. I haven't been doing so well on the water but I'm wondering if I just need to accept this and move up my trigger range. My coaches didn't seemed concerned and said it was to be expected to go up a couple pounds after my first week of maintenance especially since I didn't gain anything on P3. They said it was actually impressive that I only went up a couple pounds after Thanksgiving and traveling. So...doing a regular P4 day today with lots of water. Keeping all my carbs from veggies and fruit though, going to avoid grains for the time being. Did anyone experience an uptick after their first week of maintenance?

Good morning!

Was very pleased at my monthly weigh in with coach - down to 131! I couldn't believe I actually lost a pound over the holiday. I was up a couple of pounds right after Thanksgiving and really hit the water - makes a huge difference.

Things have been insanely busy the last couple of days. I'm already ready for the weekend.

Hawaii - love the new pic! You look gorgeous!

pishposhappelsauce - Make sure you get all your water in - I really think it is key to keeping things balanced. And everyone reacts different to starting maintenance - the increased calories can cause an really fast weight gain but you should go back down. It takes some figuring to know what your maintenance calories should be. Just stay on track and give your body time to adjust then you can start playing with what is going to work best for you.

Loved reading the great discussions this morning! Everyone have a great day!

Checking in, I haven't been around for a while! Busy busy with life, Thanksgiving, Xmas shopping!

Maintenance has been going well for me although I was up almost 4 lbs the day after Thanksgiving! I actually had 2 free days the week after Thanksgiving because we celebrated with 2 parts of our family on 2 separate days. I was able to do a P1 day the day between my 2 Thanksgivings and a P1 day the day after my 2nd Thanksgiving. I swear I think the key to success on P1 days is not only the food, but getting in lots and lots of water! I am back down to 131.4 today so I am good with that.

Sounds like everyone is busy getting ready for the holidays! I love this time of year!

I also wanted to say that I have had a hard time with getting all of the food in. I have decreased portion sizes in order to get everything in. I am probably right around 1400-1500 calories. I am going to slowly be uping that but it is a challenge. Also, I have a bit of hard time on my free days....because I have no control it seems! My mind thinks "well, since I am cheating today, might as well have that or some of this!". I am so good on my normal days and don't find it hard to stick to my plan but man, those free days I feel like I lose all of my willpower!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Doing this on my phone...please forgive errors in advance!

Happy Weds All!

Sent my daughter back to school today...now at work but dealing with some cancellations from sick clients. Ah well!

Slipfree....hope you're having a good week!

Hawaii....I noticed your new pic also. Love seeing your lovely face!

Liana....How 's your day today? A little P1, P2 & P3, lol! You could call it P-Liana!

NotSoFatAnymore....Congrats on the y membership! We have a great y here!

Tyranny....I am always in appreciation of total clean eating!

Chip n Dip....How's p4 going this week?

Jenny.....i'm WAY behind with Christmas. Not stressing YET though!

RuthAnnn....I bet you keep going down as your body continues to heal!

PishPosh......What is your caloric goal right now? Our metabolism slows down on P1, and sometimes easing into your ultimate caloric goal can help rev up the metabolism. I am at 1700 (not counting exercise calories) but started p4 closer to 1400 and slowly moved up.

I hear my next clients. Hi ho hi ho...back to work I go!

Hi all,

Home sick today, headache and nausea, Ugh! Did get to sleep in though. Keeping the food light. Falling in the middle of my range right now, can just feel the water retention in my hand and ankles. Am going to try to push some herbal tea to get my water in.

Ruth Ann, awesome weigh in!

Pishposh, a number is just a number. How do you feel?

SallyE, sounds like a fun holiday.

Andrea, trust the Phase off process. As Eve said, it is a very individual process.

Jenny, the holiday social swing has begun. I have decided that I am not going to sweat it. If something looks amazing, I am going to have it. If it is just average, it will be a no go. To limit alcohol- I usually arrive with a coffee at parties, no one even blinks an eye anymore. Just think, last year-we ate and drank zip off program and survived.

Thanks all for the encouraging words. Today 1.5 lbs gone off the scale so back to 143.0. Happy dance!!

I have a company Christmas party on the 13th. I went dress shopping last night and found a lovely Ralph Lauren wrap dress that is form fitting and I think it looks amazing on me. I was convinced I would need Spanx to pull off something like that but NOT!! Control top panty hose will do the trick. I'll post a pic from the party. Considering an updo for my hair. I haven't worn a dress to an event for years because my thighs rubbed together and the pantyhose made that swish swish sound.

This morning a coworker told me I needed to go off plan with food and alcohol at the party. Not even considering it.

Question: On the water after a fun day: Same amounts as while on P1 or more? I have a minimum 96oz each day now.

Sally.....My appetite is still not huge, but has slowly come b. k the longer in p4. You can choose calorie dense foods like cheese and nuts to help up calories. I call them "fun days" to retrain my brain away from "cheating". I still record everything in MFP on fun days....that helps me track my calories and accountability. The more fun days I do, the less I feel like I need to make up for anything.

Catlady....Your dress sounds awesome! Can't wait to see pics! Even on fun days, I only drink water (and some coffee). I usually don't get in as much as normally mostly since I drink less on weekends. I do try to keep my protein up on fun days. Good for you for not going off plan for one night. You have many more fun days a-coming!

SLip, I'm feeling ok, clothes still fitting fine but I do feel flubby...or something. Time to work on toning up a bit.

Evemomma, my calorie limit is 1780. MFP initially gave me 1890 but my coach came up with the 1780 number so I'm sticking with that.

Hi everyone;

Ruth Ann; Thanks for the compliment. I decided to be brave and put a picture of myself! And you go girl with the maintenance. I so admire you!!

Eve; Thanks for the compliment as well!! It'll be almost a year that the picture was taken and I'm at the same weight, so happy about that! And you are a rock star in maintaining!

Jenny; My knee seems to be better, sometimes it will get sore after running for 30min but went for 50min on Sunday and didn't feel it. I would love to be able to run like you do! I'm so jealous! hee hee

Slip: I hope that you are better soon! And good for you in your maintenance as well. You always know just what to do.

My exercise and eating have been good this week. I wholeheartedly agree with you water drinkers. I drink about 2 litres a day, sometimes more. My body is used to that now and I can always see a difference in my skin. I am making borscht for supper tonight, I crave the vegies and meat. The weather has really warmed up. Only -1C today and beautiful blue skies, winter is much more fun when the weather is like this! I've been reading everyones posts! Always interesting stuff on here. Have a great day!