Whatever works for you is absolutely fine. I just learned that something later in the evening may actually HELP keep cortisol in the appropriate range and cycle, which can only help with weight loss!

Incredible. Congrats!
Be sure to join the maintainers group. They're all learning how to keep it off together!

If you're gonna do spinning (which I personally LOVE!), I'd do a packet before and one after. And (I saw your other post on the subject), keep in that beginner reference while you're on P1. There will be plenty of time to increase the intensity of the workout when you're in maintenance.

Re: dinner. Cook extra other days so that you can just heat & eat when you get home! It might also be a good day to be sure to have one of the occasional veggies

SG: You are hitting your stride girl! :carrot: Where has Kissi been? I haven't seen her post lately but I have been struggling to get on here myself since I started working my second job so I might have missed it.

Rayze: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! :carrot:

Not sure if you got an answer about this Mars but I use stevia. There are the drops and some are flavoured. I like the vanilla stevia drops, you don't need much to flavour things. I use it in my shakes in the morning and sometimes in my coffee. I also like the plain powdered stevia for sweetening. I also use the vanilla stevia in greek yogurt and fruit or oatmeal and peanut butter for breakfast. I hope this helps you out.

CenTXChk,
Such a fabulous loss! Congrats!!

Rayze,
Congrats on the 114 lb loss, so terrific!!

:carrot::hug::carrot::hug::carrot::hug: to both of you!

I've become quite fond of Slique drops from an essential oils company. I'm a distributor but I don't really advertise that here. They have a very refreshing taste & a small bottle has lasted me over 2 months! I used to be a big Mio user but I honestly can't remember the last time I used it. Besides cutting out that source of artificial sweetener, it also cut out the artificial colors.

The sweet leaf drops work for me, too. Those bottles don't last as long as the Slique does.

All of your successes are inspirational! :carrot::bravo::bravo:

I lost all my excess weight 2 years ago, gained most of it back because after some cancer surgery, which was successful, I celebrated with food and didn't stop soon enough...so here I am, on day 4. I know from experience that time does pass pretty quickly after week 2 or 3...hopefully, I learned my lesson.

Congrats to all of you with NSVs and pound losses! :hug:

CenTXChk, Beautiful pictures! Congratulations for being brave enough to post them and for losing the weight.

Rayze, :woohoo: :bravo: :yay: GOAL!! You rock :)

I hope we are all having an OP IP week ;):) Keep up the great work!

Thanks to all for the encouragement!

Congratulations to Rayze and CnTXChk! Awesome!

Staying OP. Drinking lots of water and hoping the scale goes DOWN this week. I was the only one in the class who hadn't lost during the week. Staying positive. It's better than the alternative!

I'm in the minority, it seems, and usually have my third packet around 930 or 10pm, when DH sits down next to me with cookies! I'd love to get away from this habit, however, as when I am off IP, I'd like not to eat after 8pm. Right now, since the numbers of calories and carbs we're taking in are so low, it's not bothering me so much.

Rayze -- a huge congratulations to you!

CenTXChk -- great pictures -- way to go!

YAY!!!! Wonderful!!!!
And go glad to see you are phasing off properly -- share your experience of phasing off - you will be leading the way for those of us who are to follow.

:bravo:

My head feels like its in a vice, succumbed to advil tonight. ( week 1 since the holidays and it feels it)

Thank you all for the congratulations and support. I've been lurking on the maintainers thread, getting prepared for this next step. I'm really excited that I am not too scared - yet - about phasing off. If feel like I have the right tools, support and mindset to be successful.