Amber, thank you for sharing all that -- I know it took a long time to write it out -- so helpful to read through the explanations they gave you and see the things they're testing and telling you to focus on. Good for you for having such positive support from them! And, certainly, great reminder re the diabetes -- yay!

As you know, you and I are about the same amount of time into maintenance, though I have stopped going to my clinic (the one that charges every time -- grrrr), so it is especially reassuring to read about all the things they told you not to get overly worried about and the things they think your body should be able to handle reasonably well (assuming all meds/vitamins are at appropriate levels). I have already been experimenting with the wine (and know I need to be more moderate than I was back when the weight was piling on, but also have found it not to be a huge problem, especially since I am so much more aware of its effects on my belly). However, I have been afraid to experiment much with other foods, especially carbs like rice, pasta and ... will I never allow a french fry to cross my lips again??! Kinda afraid to go there.... And I can't even allow myself to think about evil fat-carb desserts, such as ice cream. (But maybe that's what those cheat meals are about.)

A lot of great info in your post. Mind if I ask about one in particular? The progesterone. Did your doc attribute all the symptoms you list (the ones that led you to start progesterone last year) to peri-men? I am about your age (48) and assuming I'll be dealing with that soon. I'm not the most observant person in the world, so it might be helpful for me to start reading up on what to watch out for.

And a note re yogurt: especially if it's Greek (even nonfat), I seem to get full on just a half-cup, particularly if with fruit or something. Keeps me full for quite a while. See if that works for you.

Again, thanks so much for the effort you put into educating the rest of us :) Happy Day!

Amber, the swing of "can I do this" will even out. When I first started maintenance they were like title waves and now they are ripples. Your confidence will grow as each day passes. I did maintenance for over a year and a half and then got pregnant and right before that pregnancy they were turning to hardly a ripple lol it would spike once in a while and then I'd give my head a shake and all would be well. This said I never had to do a reboot until I needed the baby weight off. Now I'm looking forward to my old recipes...I can't wait to make a tuna casserole with greak yogurt for lunches or a pizza with a cheese crush for lunch. Both my husband and I are SO looking forward to our old recipes.

Chin up grasshoppah, the waves will turn to ripples. :D

Ishbel -- are these ripply recipes of yours on here somewhere? :)

Thank you Ishbel:) That was really nice to hear.

Mimi the progesterone I started 3 years ago (approx. age 44) the only symptoms I had that were alarming were suddenly very heavy cycles, over the top heavy out of nowhere. The doctor's determination was I likely had always been high in estrogen, but the onset of peri-meni threw it further. They said it's completely impossible to tell when actual menopause will happen, I may just have progressing symptoms for 5 to 10 years.... hard to say. Since then I've been adjusting it based on symptoms - going through P1 was trickier because of the estrogen burning off with the fat.
You might like that book I mentioned if you haven't read it yet - she talks about sugars/starches, and does emphasize that they can be pretty major triggers, and generally to avoid, so that's how I'm looking at it right now - how to find the balance. I don't need them in my day to day life, but want to look at them as an occasional treat without so much fear around them.

Happy Hump Day Maintainers!

Mimi: I was afraid of carbs too when I first started Maint. It's kind of like dipping your toes in the shallow end of the pool. Just start out with a little thing, like a mini ice cream cone. See how your body reacts. If sugar is a big trigger for you, then try the French fries. I've done both. Not at the same time, but what I discovered is at least with the French fries...Meh. They really don't appeal. Ice cream however, love that stuff. I have learned to stay away from bread, especially white or faux-whole wheat. It really makes me bloat. I've had rice, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, yams, etc. I'm in my 6 month of Maint and I am currently 2 lbs more than when I started Maint. What I am saying is experiment. You won't gain all the fat back that you lost if you have one of something. Then it can be a treat or you may find out you just don't care for it anymore. At least that is the way it is working out for me.

Amber: So glad your coach and doctor are working so closely with you and you are getting good care. That is so hard to find. Glad you are feeling better. I'm with Mimi on the yogurt. 1/2 c. is all I can handle without tummy issues. Dairy and I don't get along too well.

Ishbel: I think I may be at the ripple stage. I finally realized I don't have to be so tense about what I eat. I watch my calories, use MFP to watch out for fat grams and carbs and do moderate exercise. So far it's working for me.

Today I am having my favorite chicken/walnut/raisin/blue cheese salad for lunch. When I weighed a few days ago I was up 2 lbs. I didn't freak out and immediately go to P1, I just did lower carb for a few days and it came back down.

I made my plane reservations last night to go to NYC in August to see my daughter at the end of her internship. There will be lots of food choices that I know will not be the best, how could I go there and not get a bagel or go to Katz's Deli and get a pastrami sammie as big as my head? But I know what to do to counteract it and I'm not nervous about it all.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Andrea- Would love that chicken, walnut, blue cheese salad recipe. When I get to maintenance, I am going to want THAT!

Andrea - One more thing- it is comforting to us OP to hear that going on a trip is not daunting to you. Knowing that you can enjoy your trip and maintain is a HUGE comfort to me. It means I can do it too. Also, the more I post the more I feel I have some accountability in the cyber world for when I do make it to maintenance. I don't really have a coach.

Thank you!

Betsy

Betsy:

Salad recipe:

4 oz chicken(roasted, chunks sauteed, you could use canned as well)
1 oz raisins
1 oz blue cheese
1 oz walnuts chopped
1 1/2 c. spinach
1 1/2 c. romaine
2 TBSP Walden Farms Ranch Dressing
1 TBSP Light EVOO

This hits all the right macros for a fat meal.

Here is today's question: How many of you maintainers continue to drink the large amounts of water like we did on the diet? I am still downing 80-100 oz a day and wondering if it's really necessary.

I still drink between 80-100 oz a day too. The standard half your body weight puts me at less, but with exercising and soon the heat, I will continue.

Of course that's just what I'm doing, no real research or knowledge in the post, just a share :)

You ladies are good. I'm happy if I get to my 64 oz. in a day. Thank you for raising this issue -- I will make a point of trying to up this this summer.

So, I'm reading on another thread about the yo-yoing and how that's probably a no-no. We have a beach vacation coming up, and I was thinking (just thinking) about dropping into ketosis (P1/P2) the week before in order to hopefully get rid of those extra 3 lbs. of glycogen stores, plus maybe another couple of pounds. Yes, I feel good now, BUT I felt better when I first started phasing off back in March. I couldn't believe how lean my thighs looked. And my arms and tummy. And it would be nice to feel that way while on the beach (even if I'm not in a bikini). I would probably then hang out in P3 during the vacation.

Any advice from experienced maintainers on if this is an OK plan or a terrible plan? And what would happen if I went from P2 straight to a lite P4? Kinda just wondering whether anyone here has tried this.

Hi ladies,

Great breakfast posts, I will have to try some of the. It's interesting that many of us rotate between a few. I'm usually 1/3 oatmeal, 1/2 mixed berries, 2 slices Turkey bacon, 0% Greek yog
Or take out the oatmeal and add granola with added protein.

Andrea - I'm still drinking 80oz plus, mostly cuz I workout so much but also I find it helps with keeping me on track with eating and feeling good. I would worry I'd start adding in more diet pop, which I still do one a day. Your NYC trip sounds like it will be fun and I agree you have to indulge once in a while and you have the tools to re set.

Amber- sounds like you had a very thorough assessment and some direction as to where to go. My mom switched to weight watchers, I don't think she reacted well to the soy in IP, but she is eating all day long but more veggies and fruit and smaller portions. She is never hungry.

Sounds like everyone is working hard. It has been a busy week with the kids bday and then mine on Wednesday. Up a few lbs and no motivation to get back on plan but will do that starting tomorrow.

Started P2 last week and have been obsessively weighing and posting questions in the 2014 thread. Amber, DD and Zoe have been great about talking me down and I thought I should dip my toe in here and introduce myself. Many of you were hitting goal last summer when I first started. It is exciting and inspirational to see so many long term maintainers. I hope to be one of you too!

Anyway, I have lots of questions and have been following Betsy's questions closely as she is just a bit ahead of me and is asking questions I am sure I will be wondering myself.

Started P2 ten days ago and have been consistently 2lbs up since. I did see a bit of a drop today finally. Just hoping my body is finally getting used to protein at lunch.

Supposed to discuss P3 at my Mon morning WI and start shopping for breakfast foods. Of course I've been making lists of P3 breakfasts lists on 3FC all week. Planning to show my favs to my coach on Mon and see what she says. I work so continuing a morning shake would not be the end of the world for me even though breakfasts seem so tasty!

Just planned a dinner out with friends next month. Hoping to be at a point to enjoy a nice dinner and wine without freaking out. :) I have a month to prepare!

Yummy! Thank you!!!!

A BIG thank you!
 

Hello all-

I am still surrounded by terrible food but hanging in there. I have enjoyed phase 3 so much that the bad for me stuff has not been an issue.

THANK YOU all so much for all of the breakfast combos. I really need the help. The last time I did phase 3 (as I said before) it was different (and a lot more food). But I am satisfied after breakfast. I have cut and pasted all of your breakfasts into my notes for future reference.

This morning I had:
2 pieces of Ezekiel (sp?) bread
1/2 tbs. of butter
1/2tbs. peanut butter
2 eggs
1 cup blueberries

How does this sound?

Welcome to the thread CenTx:)

Bootros I'm not the P3 expert but your breakfast looks pretty right to me.


Jenny :) As seems to happen with you and I, I'm in a similar place. On a healthy program but eating a few more snacks but lower portions the past few days as an experiment - but overall ending a little high in calories ... and a little uptick. And not really wanting to do much about it as I want to ride out the experimentation, but I know in the next few days I will cut back a little and adjust. So I actually am starting to feel OK about these cycles.

Thanks also for the mention about your Mom and WW - it made me think about a few things and that was helpful. I of course have done many things including WW so I know their basic premise, and it's not a bad framework for ongoing maintenance.



Things here are good, tons and tons of rain.... my bedroom is in the basement and just as I was falling asleep last night I felt water on my pillow... thought "crap, did I somehow spill my water" and then in investigating realized the window well was flooding my room. Fun times. I live with a few guys so luckily after an hour of me doing towel duty they just took over with the pump and other equipment that another friend of our has for his business of water clean up:) and ignored my protests to stay and help and sternly ordered me upstairs to someone else's bedroom to sleep. That's the advantage of not living alone, for sure. Very grateful. Today I'm not completely wasted at work as a result, which would not have been nice, especially after a few weeks of already not feeling so great.