Happy Friday Maintainers!

DD: I was thinking about the water consumption mainly because I'm so tired of having to pee all the time. But...it helps with so many other things. My skin looks better, it helps with elimination. Also, I heard a news story on NPR this morning that a study was done on school kids and it was found that most of them are in a mild state of dehydration every day. This affects cognitive thinking and overall health. So, I'll just keep chugging back the H2O and be glad I can think straight!

Mimi: I wouldn't call myself a "seasoned" maintainer yet. I agree, I was leaner when I first hit P2. Would I do what you are suggesting for the beach vacay? No. I wouldn't trade the peace of mind I currently have getting on the scale each day on not seeing the wild fluctuations that I saw when I first entered Maint. Am I a little fluffier, yes. But much calmer. I'll take that any day. I did a mini sort of reboot where I went back to P2 kind of eating for a few weeks. I saw the fluctuation and when I went back to P3 breakfasts and P4 the rest of the time, the fluffiness came back. I can live with it since I am only 2 lbs higher than when I started Maint. But saying that, I've learned that Maintenance is a time for experimenting and finding what works for me may not work for others. If you really want to try that, then do it. See what happens. Then you'll have the data from that experiment and you'll know whether it works for you.

Bootros: I don't know what the new P3 guidelines are but if that breakfast was satisfying it looks good to me. Did they cut back on dairy? Or are you just not a dairy fan?

CenTXChk: Welcome! You'll be joining us in no time. That first dinner and wine will be very satisfying. Just remember the wine will hit you hard. It did me. And you will likely be up a few lbs the day after. Don't freak out. That's normal. It will come back down.

Grateful: I know I feel better when I get my 80oz. in. I never used to drink this much before IP but now if I don't, I do feel thirsty. So I keep my water bottle with me when I'm out running errands and full glass of water on my desk at work all day. Glad you have roommates who are willing to help you.

Jenny: I like your breakfast idea. I haven't had bacon in ages. But more important: :bday2you:.Hope you allow yourself some cake and ice cream! I am looking forward to New York in August.

I had my post op doctor appt. yesterday. Everything looks good she said. But.. still can only do walking for exercise for 6 more weeks, but at least I can lift up to 20 lbs so now I can at least push around my vacuum cleaner!

I'm going to a local Farmers Market tomorrow and they are having an ice cream contest. I'm looking forward to that. I love ice cream. Just not in the quantities that I used to eat it.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Just weighing in on the water....I still drink 8-10 glasses, and sometimes more if I'm out and exercising in the heat. Then again I've always drunk lots of water since I used to be a fitness instructor and rehab physio assist. I used to schedule water pauses in my class workouts and client time so that they could learn better habits too. It also helps with mindless snacking, because sometimes when I find myself wandering around the kitchen thinking, "What about a little something?" (Winnie the Pooh reference :twirly:) I realize what I really am looking for is some water, and I will be unsatisfied if I grab a snack.

Hi CenTXChic, and welcome here! Like Andrea says, the wine WILL hit you hard. Here's the details from Notre Dame Uni.
http://oade.nd.edu/educate-yourself-...-rate-factors/

Liana

Andrea-

You were asking about dairy (glad you did!). I LOVE Greek yogurt but did not have it because I thought I might be getting too much protein with my eggs. The new phase 3 says 1 protein, 1 carb and 1 fat. It does NOT say on this phase 3 sheet how much protein, carbs and fat you should have though. Just the amounts (2 plums, 2 pieces of whole grain toast, etc.) As we all know, bread can vary in carbs. So does anyone have the amounts of the protein, fats and carbs we can have on phase 3?

Amber- I copied all of your breakfast meals and the amount of protein, carbs, cals in each. Will you share the numbers that you try to stay close to?

Yeah it's the weekend!!

Centx - welcome and congrats on all your amazing loses. You have done really well. Looking forward to you joining the thread.

Andrea - thanks for the balloons :). Sounds like you rehab is going well. Hoping the 6 weeks go by fast and in the mean time you'll get some good weight training in.

Bootros - I think I've lost the sheet with the actual amounts and would only have the one from last sept. So not sure if they have updated. I know total carb count was under 25, protein 20-25 and fibre 10. Or something like this.

Back on P1 today and tomorrow and if needed a day next week. I'm up 3 and time to get back on plan.

Thanks for this, Andrea -- very helpful. You're right that I should do my own experimenting. Quick question though: did your mini P2 reboot end you at a higher phasing off weight than when you first phased off P2? (OK, that makes no sense.) I guess what I'm asking is whether you think it was detrimental in any way -- the fluctuation you saw was temporary, right?

Jenny -- happy belated birthday! Like Amber, I did WW as well (actually paid them for years without getting to my goal weight -- I think the points system was not enough for me; I really needed to limit the carbs and add in more protein, not just eat less). Of course, now, I've made Lifetime Member in WW and do like to occasionally go to meetings -- still get motivation and good recipes from those.

Bootros -- Here are the guidelines I followed (when starting P3 in March):
Protein: at least 20-25g
Carbs: no more than 30g from grains, no more than 20g from fruits, and no more than 15g from dairy
Fat: no more than 15g
Dairy: no more than 120 calories
And Total Calories should end up around 400-500

Have you tried using My Fitness Pal to track your macros? I played around by plugging in so many different breakfast menu combinations back when i moved into P3 and, in fact, still do that for dinners when I'm trying to decide what to make for the family. It's kinda fun :)

And, Andrea, I love going up to NYC -- what a fun time you will have with your daughter! We are likely heading up in a few weeks and I'm trying to figure out whether there's a great new musical we can catch. Or maybe we'll just wing it and see what we can see last minute via the discount TKTS booth!

Hello everyone else! Happy Saturday!

My new Fitbit is here, and I've synced to MFP but still trying to figure out the benefits of having them "talk" to each other.

Jenny and Mimi-

Thank you for the advice. Mimi, I just used My Fitness Pal this morning for that exact reason. I have a few breakfast combos I like now. I think I can start experimenting and see what works especially since I have the MFP to help me.

Bootros - what Mimi posted was the same guidelines that I was given and used as far as P3 breakfast. The three breakfasts that I posted met those guidelines. Have fun!

Thank you Amber. That is great to know. I am loving Phase 3!

Mimi: I wouldn't say my reboot was a waste of time, but it really didn't get me anywhere. I did lose a few pounds, but once I went back to my regular way of eating, P3 breakfast and P4 the rest of the time, the fluffiness came back. So it was an experiment. I started maintenance @ 138.7. When I decided to reboot I was up to 145. But I think that was fluctuations. I've settled around 140 and I'm happy with that.

Sweet new profile pic Andrea!

Yes Andrea I noticed your pic also, love it, so sweet and summery.

Well I’m happy to report I went to one of my favorite Greek restaurants last night with a great friend, decided to have a glass of wine for the first time in two years, and had a wonderful evening. I love their greek salad with gyro, finally got to have the feta cheese on it and a little dressing, and had a really great night. The waiter was really awesome and made a special shot he was so proud of with ouzo, fresh orange squeezed in, and wild berry liquer. He was so sweet and proud of his shot we felt like we had to let him give it to us, and then we spent about 10 minutes (out of his earshot of course) giggling because it was the worst smelling, worst tasting thing we had ever had, which we knew when he described it:). But I had a sip which was nice to just let the experience unfold on its own. And then he brought us a small dessert on the house so I also got to have my first real few bites of sugar for the first time in two years. It was such a great sweet night, the owner came out and invited us to some “VIP” after-hours events, and I felt so completely relaxed, about the whole night, and everything I was eating and drinking, and just felt nourished and fine and great about my choices - no feeling at all of “wrong, guilt, cheat” etc.

It was nice for me because in reading through everyone’s input and what Andrea is realizing and Ishbel encouraging me, I really did feel at ease. The last two coach/doctor’s maintenance visits then continue to tell me Amber, you really should be able to just enjoy life and have a bite of something or wine or special things from time to time without so much fear.

So yay for Ideal Protein, that I am starting to ease into a lifestyle that really can work. I had a really good day today, P3ish, very low carb, felt totally satisfied.

And yes, Liana and crew, I certainly was a lightweight and got plenty buzzed off that one glass:).

So a big win for maintenance!!!

And…. I’m coming to terms in a really relaxed way about my tummy which is my area that makes me feel “fat” still…. and really, it’s there, it’s going to be more bloated sometimes esp. if I drink a glass of wine, and it’s not the end of the world and doesn’t make me any less lovable or worthy or even lovely. As long as I’m healthy and keep my weight stable, it’s good.

Thank you ladies for all of your support!

Exact same weight on the scale this morning as two days ago- hooray. :) Actually down a few lbs from the beginning of the week.

Andrea -- your pic looks terrific...great smile!

Amber -- yay, yay, yay! Loved reading your happy post about your fun evening out!!! So glad able to be more relaxed and can enjoy.

We had Greek last night as well (sans ouzo :)). Had them bring out sliced cucumber for me to dip in the hummus while others enjoyed the warm, fresh-baked pita (but at least I got to have a little hummus!). The other indulgence was the flaming Saganaki cheese. Very salty, but so tasty. Doing a P2 day today to balance out. Grilling fish tacos for dinner, with lettuce "tortilla" for me.

WTG G4H! Not for not gaining but for relaxing and listening to your doctor and body. We will get to the point of not fearing food again, right? Sounds like you took a big step last night. :woohoo:

Still vacillating between the same 2lbs. G4H is helping me see this is something to be celebrating, not always stressing about. Had hoped to be in that losing during P2 group but alas, it does not appear to be.

Excited (and nervous) about starting P3 this week. My coach has been gone on vacation so it will be my first official WI in 2wks. Planning to stay P2 this week until I talk to her and have enough time to grocery shop for beakfast foods.

I have been making lists of breakfast meals I've found here and am planning to bring them with me tomorrow to discuss. I can then put together a shopping list.

Couple questions. I see many people eat Ezekiel bread or Dave's Killer bread. Is there one that is a better option? How is the taste vs regular whole wheat? Looks like both are sold at my local Sprouts. Do you also buy their English Muffins?

Do you make your own granola? My coach said to be careful about granola if I wanted to get some for my yogurt. I was looking at recipes online and see they all include some kind of brown sugar, butter honey, etc. Maybe I should forgo "granola" and just buy items that go into granola and roast them to crisp them up.

Are there fruits that are better or worse? I read on another thread that tropical fruits should be eaten in moderation.

Sorry for all the P3 questions and appreciate your knowledge and suggestions!