2014 Starters...September Back to School.....Back to Basics!
 

OK Hopefully I did this right and am kicking off our new thread for the month...

So much going on yesterday on the thread..

First off welcome back One!! I have missed you so.....;);) :hug::hug:

Roe good news from the Dr.

Julie - Yes I am in the same boat...Staying afloat but not moving forward any time soon....

So I think back to school back to basics for me is back to routines and hopefully getting this last 10 dropped so I can begin maintenance....

Lets start the fall out strong!

Getting so close to Onederland I can taste it. Weekly losses have really slowed as I have approached goal -- averaging only about 1.25 pounds per week.

On another note, I FINALLY got my water intake up to where it's supposed to be. The recommended amount is 1/2 fluid ounce of water, per pound of body weight, per day. For me that's a whopping 100 fluid ounces of water per day. I am sure it's helping to keep me flushed out and on that weight-loss pathway.

Yay new thread!! And welcome back Cheryl!! :hug:

Back to basics describes my week - I'm feeling stuck in the weeds, so to speak. I've been bobbling up and down 3-4 pounds since I started maintenance, which is fine - but over the weekend I shot up 5 more! :dizzy: I'm not really sure what's going on and it's frustrating - I feel like I'm following the rules, and really most of my days look more like P3 than P4 - I might add a piece of cheese at lunch and/or a small carb at dinner, but not every day. P1 after a fun meal, etc.

So I did a P1 day again yesterday, unrestricted items only, and doing the same today. Plus drinking enough water to drown a camel.

I know I'm behind on everyone's stuff - I've been pretty swamped the past couple of weeks. Will try to do better about keeping up with y'all! :)

Hi all!

Back from vacation and back to basics for me too. I am in Onederland - by a nose! Was actually 198.6 before vacation and was the same when I got back. Then in the two days home I stuffed myself with cheese, hence the 199.7. Stress eating. I must find a better way to cope. Back to basics started yesterday. Sigh.

I hope you all have a strong day!

Sue - that freaked me out, reading the old thread and seeing the quote boxes disappear! Then I realised that the thread was closed. Talk about ... duh moment! :)

Amber - Glad you had a nice break visiting with family - it's always nice for them to see you looking healthier and happier as a result of being able to take part in more activities. Hopefully we're both healthy enough to get back to our good fitness regimen again now!

Alexandra - my word, those are some phenomenal stats, lady. So proud of you for getting back on after your 75lb blip, and 1000 miles? You need a t-shirt proclaiming your awesomeness! :)

Liana - don't you dare fall off the wagon, Missus. Your exemplary patterns have inspired me many a time when I was tempted to throw in the towel. I'll make you a deal: you stop cheating and so will I. :) I watch your MFP like a ravenous scavenger. Love, love, love the dancing animations, where do you find them all?

Sue - In a way I envy you the cold weather. We're lucky to get a couple of weeks a year when a sweater is necessary, much less colder than that. Of course, being a Brit, I have lots of sweaters that just sit in vacuum bags waiting for me to visit home. Treat yourself to a luxury sweater in your new size - then you can feel good on two counts! :)

CenTX - Loving your attitude with regard to the scale number, and focusing on your BF%. That is such a good way to view it, much healthier than obsessing on a weight. I like how supportive your doc is, and I know that you'll end up where you want to be. :)

Interesting. I lost 12lbs in 9 days, but the second I had a few calories too many I gained almost instantly, so I know it isn't deep fat that I've lost. I wonder how this ties in with fast loss. You've just given me my research for the day, watch this space for details later! :)

Awesome that all your blood tests came back normal, Ro, that must be such a great feeling after the abnormalities. I am thrilled for you after the rollercoaster you've had. Way to go on the great numbers down. I think you have to look at the ketone meter as a scale. Your blood ketone level will never be constant, because the body is permanently using the ketones and making new ones. Eating regularly on a schedule will help if you are aiming for consistency, as it means your body will have regular times for ketone production between them. You may find that your level is highest in the morning as the body has produced fuel overnight during what it traditionally a "famine" time. Trying to remember which of my online gurus had the big study on ketones. If I get the old computer back online I'll find it and post for you.

Cheryl - so glad you're back and I'm beyond sorry to hear about the numbness in the hands and the fall. :( Hopefully the knee will settle down without invasive surgery being necessary and that the pain will lessen rapidly.

I also love your ideas about the dinner meals and making broth from store bought rotisserie chickens. Such a brilliant idea, and much healthier than buying the high sodium bouillons. Thanks for the tips. Hope hubby is slowly on the road to recovery, must be quite a shock to have his mobility impaired suddenly.

Julie - Congrats on your 65lbs down and we're glad to share the journey with you for the next 100. :) The small cheats are the bigger problem, in my opinion. With the big cheats you EXPECT to suffer consequences and it's easier to get a grip and say "I can't keep doing this", but the small cheats are insidious and they can migrate to "I'll just add an extra tsp of this or that to the meal, it won't make that big a difference" and before you know it, you're no longer measuring.

JJ - it's just a matter of finding the sweet spot. You've got this, girl. :)

Alexandra - got my pom poms ready for the cheer section on Onerderland. Keep going! :)

Rayze - Congrats on not gaining on vacation, that's a big achievement in anyone's book! Couple of pounds up is easily dealt with, we just have to get a grip!


Sounds like many of us are in the same boat again, with small upticks or needing to break bad habits. Let's make September our "good habits" months. We know how it works, we know THAT it works, so let's get to it, Ladies! :)

PS I was just wondering why we don't have a 3FC-IP t-shirt. Any designers out there? :)

Interesting post about rotisserie chickens and the amount of saline and "yeast extract, oleoresin, sodium tripolyphosphate and other "natural flavorings" go into them.
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-rotisse...popular-179686

"Liana - don't you dare fall off the wagon, Missus. Your exemplary patterns have inspired me many a time when I was tempted to throw in the towel. I'll make you a deal: you stop cheating and so will I. I watch your MFP like a ravenous scavenger. Love, love, love the dancing animations, where do you find them all?"
Amanda: I promise to smarten up! Last night was my last Toblerone bar, the other one is staying in the freezer for DH, along with his two tubs of French Vanilla ice cream (which does not tempt me in the least.) I have to get back to posting my diary on MFP including the evening stuff. I start off very well every day (mainly because I am not all that interested in food most of the day, lol) but come 10pm-ish I change into a monster! So I suppose I could be in a worse position if the rest of my day was as disastrous. I 'google image' gifs for my posts according to what I am looking for.
We are back on the diet ninja trail, you & I!
http://orig01.deviantart.net/4ba6/f/...ja-d5mh6h4.gif
Cheryl & Ro, glad to see you back.
Howdy to all the other gals out there, sorry if I'm not specific at times but I read you all!

Amanda - I think our bodies may be similar. If I consume extra calories while doing Phase 1, I gain like crazy. Just recently, I gained 21 pounds in 2 weeks. I took almost all of this off in the next 2 weeks (hence the 18 pound loss), but I have these wild swings if I go off plan while doing P1. The only explanation from the nutritionist is that I could be super-carb sensitive and that I may have to be lower carb as a maintenance plan and that phasing is very important for me to gradually re-introduce vs what I get through "normal" eating. I will see what happens when I get to goal and phase. I never reached the IP phase off so I am hoping that is the key for me. I am hoping that takes no more than 12 weeks for me to achieve the start of P2. I know this from the wild swings...that my body goes through an adjustment after a large loss like this and for me to not sweat it if I don't lose in week 3 which has derailed me in my efforts this summer.

Thanks for the nice welcome back remarks from everyone - It is so much like old home week to be back on this thread and seeing what's going on with everyone -- I have really missed you all!!

Thanks for starting off the new thread, Sue! Back to School..... Back to Basics is a resounding theme for me. Like Liana, I need to get back to a good routine of posting food intake on MFP, as well as following the P1 program without extra packets and those insidious little cheats that Amanda refers to.

Big news item for me today -- my IP clinic is closing down by the end of the month and transferring clients to another clinic in Fairfax that is even further from my home. The clinic is part of an OB-GYN practice.... this implies some actual medical support, rather than the Chiro/Fitness Trainer environment I have been in over the past year..... I have to confess though that I really want to be somewhere that has strong maintenance support. So I may shift to the famous Dr. Zumbado on Maryland. She does seminars on maintenance that seem to be good -- her clinic is further away from home (about a 45 min drive), but doable if I plan ahead for it, and once I declare victory with weight loss and shift to mainenance, monthly visits will hopefully be enough.

Good part of all this was discounted food from my old clinic - I got 10 boxes of bars and some cappucchino drink mix and some soups today for $20 per box -- much better than the $28 per box price I had been paying. Everything I bought is from the packets I use regularly -- too bad they had already sold out on some of my favorites like the oatmeal and pancake mix.

The other big news item for me was the thread regarding reformulated Quest bars -- very sad news. I went to their website and sent my disappointment and appeal for return of the lower fat formulation. Then I stopped off at GNC to buy 3 boxes and a few singles of the brownie bars that have the original macros. I will treat them like gold and savor them for as long as possible.

So - a return to tribe, but some new situations to deal with. Will keep you all posted as things evolve.

Hey Ro -- while at GNC I picked up a canister of Quest Peanut Butter protein powder and will try your cookies -- these could be a good substitute for the cookies I was making from the Quest bars -- better choice as they will not be restricted.
I admire your ability to avoid the restricted and artificial sweeteners altogether - I believe those are triggers for me too, but I cannot seem to cut them out entirely. Maybe you will be my inspiration to try to do that - I am sure it would benefit my health and my likelihood of successful maintenance if I could leave those foods behind. Thanks for keeping us up to date on your evolution - I truly admire your persistence!!!

Ro22 I am discovering that I am highly carb sensitive - I had a good WI today, down 10.5 in two weeks and down 3 inches, the rest is mostly in my tummy as expected. Still up 7 inches there from my lowest - that’s bananas. Everything else went right back down to usual.
The doctor and coach both say I’m just really carb sensitive. And I had almost NO carbs to cause the gain. Very, very low carbs since finishing P1 - no flour/sugar/alcohol except a few bites/drinks here and there in July. Boo. BUT…. at least now I now, and have the tools to deal with it so I can stay healthy.

Liana I love your Ninja sooooooo much. I’m in it with you guys, fellow ninja here.

Cheryl it’s so nice to have you back.
I think you will love having a more medically based practice - it’s been so helpful to me. I have a fantabulous chiropractor but internal health truly is not his specialty, and he has been only peripherally helpful in my weight loss - mostly just a cheerleader and also of course adjusting my body as it went through it’s downward journey, and needing to re-learn how to hold all of its bones and muscles together.

Amanda a big welcome back even though I’ve said it before. It’s so nice to see you helping so many people on the different threads. I’ve been walking every day and a little swimming, and likely will get back to the yoga soon. I’m not going to go all out until the end of the month when I finish the reboot, as I am on VLCal for me, but soon will be an exercise beast with you again lol.
I would love to get back to running in October, it’s great weather for it then - that’s my goal anyway.

Good habits here I come! :) Had an excellent day. Even got a nice long walk in. September is the JFDI month for me. Time to stop prevaricating.

Ninjas Go, Go, Go! LOL

Similar in gain patterns, but not in sensitivity. I do not have the justification for that at all ... I can go up to about 120 carbs before I even get knocked out of ketosis, provided my caloric intake is within 10% of my metabolic rate. All of my problems come in with the fat storage method through excess carb intake at one meal. If I ration the carbs out over the day I have no problems at all, but as soon as I have more than my body truly needs it will instantly store. This is why I feel like the michelin man right now - the fat padding went back on very quickly (but is fortunately dropping equally quickly provided I don't over indulge!). My BF% rocketed up with the weight gain, too.

We've just got to find what actually works, what the ramifications of eating certain things at certain times are, and build our future based on the outcomes we anticipate for specific eating habits, I guess. :)

Have you tried any of the HealthSmart bars? I used to think they were pretty heavyweight in comparison to Quest, but with the advent of change in formulation the HS bars are a perfectly acceptable alternative with lower values (albeit a smaller bar). The rockie road one is superb, and sliced onto parchment paper and tossed into the oven makes nice cookies, too. So far haven't really come across a bar that I don't like, but I have adapted to the sweeter taste of the artificial sweetener in bars, and don't find the regular candy bars sweet enough.

Are you having lots of fluid? I ask because if I don't get my 72oz in I start retaining water and it gives a false gain. I am very prone to dehydration as I don't have a very strong thirst drive (think I may be part cat in that respect! LOL) and it makes more difference than I ever realised. It also means that I bloat quickly and the tape measure isn't kind. Of course, our weather has been sitting in the low 100s for the last 3 weeks so I should've upped my water ration in any case.

Amanda, I am drinking a ton of fluid, but I think in July I was down on intake, and I do think that was part of it, thank you for reminding me.

Good morning ladies! So after 2 days of strict P1 some of those crazy up-pounds are gone - flushed away? I was able to get in and see my coach this morning - it's been a month so it was time anyway. And I have to say thank God for fancy scales - my weight gain is muscle! Fat % was lower than ever too. Whew!! I'm not sure how that happened since I haven't been working out, but my coach said it's pretty common because people are more active. She did tell me to start getting in some regular exercise - interval walking and yoga, and we'll see what my stats are like in a month.

We talked about my eating habits, and she said I'm on the right track as far as following program. Updated her on the celiac too, and that my husband and I may end up going that route. She reminded me to watch the labels, especially on snacks, to make sure we weren't getting too much junk, sugar, carbs, etc.

Definitely glad I went in - I feel like a "weight" has lifted off of my shoulders.

Good to see you back, Cheryl!
I think the Quest powder will be the trick for you if you want to cut extra artificial sweeteners. These powders are plenty sweet as is so I don't add any extra. Make sure you mix in enough water or they could come out dry.
I also make muffins with them.

I have a frustrating new health ailment I am dealing with. Just as I turn a corner on one, I get hit with another. I have an MRI in the morning for my back. My Dad fell a few weeks ago and my brother and I picked him up and my back has been bothering me since. I golfed on Sunday and Monday and now my back has me in agony. I got into see orthopedist today who prescribed Medrol dose pack and Norco. He said he can alleviate the pain but he is worried about my feet weakness so he fears and suspects a herniation - this has happened twice before for which I have had to have surgery each time. I would think pain could cause weakness but he didn't mention that - I hope there is a simple answer to this.
To make matters worse, I read on the dose pack that it can spike blood sugar for diabetics. I wonder if if will knock me out of ketosis. If it does, I will stay strong - it is only a 6 day treatment. I dread driving with this it is so painful and I know it will be that way after laying in MRI for an hour. I am dreading tomorrow but maybe my first day of meds will kick in some by morning.

It's late and I have to get up and go downtown to the office tomorrow (I am down to doing this only one day a week), so I am just making a quick stop by this evening.

Ro- so sorry to hear of your back problems - I can certainly relate - the idea of more medical problems to deal with when what we really want to do is to take care of our eating and work on our fitness is very aggravating.
I go to see the orthopedist on Friday for a report on my knee MRI... the fact that I need to come back to see him to discuss it sounds like the news will not be so good. But you inspire me with your persistence - I am in for the duration and will do what needs to be done.

So glad to see the thoughtful posts by Amanda and GrH, and Jen!!! So glad to see you posting here with the 2014 Starters - you have not abandoned us for the Maintainers!!! Way to go on the fat percentage, too!!

I went to a very fun Texas 2 Step class tonite - thought of all you Texan ladies as I made my way around the dance floor.... quick-quick, slow, slow - with a turn, some promenade, a turn into a 'cape' move -- what a fun way to move and get exercise!!! I had a full hour of smiling that left me energized!

But time to call it a night - be back to you guys tomorrow!

Breathed out, more than flushed out. Burned fat is converted to CO2 and expelled. :)

Glad to hear your up pounds are gone and that you are feeling better for it. Sounds like the clinic visit was just what you needed. :)

So sorry to hear this, Ro. Hoping that it's not as serious as it sounds. Try not to overdo it when the painkillers kick in, and I hope you're on the road to recovery very soon.

Cheryl, please take care of that knee! Honestly woman! LOL .. can't keep a good woman away from her dancing, eh? :)

Ro -So sorry about the back...hope you get some relief. I had that stint with the ear infection this summer that kicked me out and it was seriously annoying LOL.

First day of Senior Year for my son....OMG where did the time go? Cannot believe this is my last day seeing him off to school....:(

In other news belly dancing class tonight LOL!

Met with a new clinic yesterday. Did weigh in and measurments, but there measurements are totally different than what I was getting and their scale was way different but I also weighted in after lunch which I never would have done before....So I accepted their weight even though it was high and moved on .. only to get on my scale at home today and have a mild heart attack! Ugh I have to get back to basics... She also took me off my 4th packet a day. She said under 200 it should go away and since by some stroke of luck I was still under 200 ......bye bye 4th packet LOL.

Thanks everyone for your sympathies and well wishes. I know this is a bad one. I have had 2 back surgeries for herniations at 2 different levels, and this is the worst one yet in terms of debilitating symptoms. I got up a little while ago to use the restroom and had to twist just a little to get up and just about passed out from the pain and immediately got sick to my stomach. I am pretty sure that was additional disc material coming out of the disc. I took the pain meds after that and they are helping just slightly. Unfortunately, no position is comfortable now. Before laying and sitting were the problem and I would get relief by standing but after what happened this morning, even standing/walking is difficult.

THIS SUCKS!!!!!!! Sorry, but I just had to get that out.

Maybe it won't be that bad but mentally, I kind of know and am preparing myself for bad news. We are flying tomorrow night to Memphis to spend Labor Day in Tunica, MS - it is kind of like Las Vegas of the South. My brother and sister-in-law turned 50 this year and it is their 25th wedding anniversary so this is my present to them. They wanted to see Gary Allan in concert and he is playing at one of the casinos there on Saturday night. I'll have to manage this trip on Norco the whole time. I hope the prednisone kicks in soon too - doc says it would take a day or two - for that to help. I have no idea how I will be able to sit or get up in the plane seat, but I can't let them down. Good news is that the plane flight is only like an hour from Chicago.

Ok, I can't sit and type any longer. I did this to distract myself from the excruciating pain I am in. Sorry, I couldn't respond to everyone individually. I'll keep you guys posted but this isn't looking good. :(:mad:

Ro - sending you all the healing thoughts I can - that is miserable and I am so sorry :(

Ro, I am so sorry. That sounds dreadful. I hope you get some relief soon.

Ro, I hope you have a distracting Labor Day with the friends, anything to take your mind off the pain, even for a little while.

Sending you healing thoughts and hoping you get some answers and effective treatment soon!

Ro - So sorry to hear this...I hope you get some relief soon..

I made it thru the day yesterday without my extra packet :carrot::carrot: LOL

Chemo day today so I need to run to the store this AM and get lunch stuff for DH and me. DS is working after school so I think I will throw some shrimp and chicken on the grill for DH and myself...

SIL and BIL are coming in this weekend to see DH... I am so looking forward to that...gonna be a great weekend

Ro – I am SO sorry about your back! Back issues are no fun!! I hope you get the best possible news on your MRI and are able to enjoy your trip this weekend. Take care of yourself!

Sue – Have fun with your BIL & SIL this weekend. It will be nice to spend the holiday weekend with family. GL on 3 packets a day too. After eating a certain way for so long, it can be a challenge to change things up. But you got this!!

One – So glad to see you back girlie! You’ve been missed. :hug:

JJTX – Love that you are rocking maintenance! And good for you for nipping any gains in the bud! Going back to P1 is tough after maintenance. But it sure does feel good to see those lbs going away.

Rayze – Hope you had a great vacation and CONGRATS on Onderland!! :carrot: So proud of you!!

Avalon – Waiting to see your Onderland post. Any day now! I am so excited for you!! :D

Continuing to work out at some level nearly every day. Been going to the gym with DH and even got him to go on a walk around the neighborhood last night. Really starting to see a difference in my muscles. NSV!! People, I planked this week….for the first time in my life…for a whole minute. :woohoo: The last time I tried planking was pre-IP and I literally could not get my hips up off the floor. It was a huge moment for me physically. My body is changing and it feels great!

One thing with all this working out is my hunger is out of control in the afternoons. I think I need to find a more substantial snack to tide me over between lunch and dinner. This is where I keep slipping up. A 100 calorie packet of almonds or IP packet is not really cutting it for me. Any ideas of a better/more filling snack? Or maybe I need a bigger lunch? Hmmm…

Lastly, I made a consultation appnt with a plastic surgeon. It is purely a fact gathering mission. The earliest I could even consider something like this is maybe 2016. I just want to start meeting with doctors, finding out about options, costs, recovery time, etc. My PCP recommended the first guy I am going to. One of his specialties are people who have lost large amounts of weight.

Ro :hug: hope you enjoy the weekend, and get some relief, back stuff is no fun!

CenTxChk - Are you a yogurt person? I like Wallaby non-fat greek (we've found it at Sprouts and HEB) - lots of protein and only like 6g sugar in a whole cup. Sometimes with berries, or granola (the lowest carb one I've found is Bear Naked Triple berry or vanilla, also HEB - cereal aisle)


Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend! :D

CenTX - awesome, way to go on the planking. Something I never tried for the very same reason! :)

On the food front - how carb sensitive are you? Yesterday I had some leftover stewing beef, so I sealed it in a tbsp of butter (for 2 of us) then had it in a Tumaro's low-in-carb white tortilla with some lettuce and a sprinkle of cheese. Doesn't seem to affect my loss in any way (down 1.2 overnight despite being 1200ish calories) and was so very filling. They came in at 12g carbs for 2 wraps, which is impressive (and marginally lower than one of the restricted bars I would normally have for supper or breakfast).

I also love the protein yogurts. So many good ones out there now, just keep an eye on what they sweeten them with. The sweetener combinations are actually harder for the body than sticking with a single source one. I've noticed that some of the protein powders are now using combos and have deliberately phased away from them (leaving hubby to finish them out). :)

In maintenance I also like Wallaby also but just eat the plain,and if I need some flavor add my own vanilla or cinnamon.

I like your ideas Amanda.

Sue, I've had a successful little P1 reboot but yesterday had an extra two packets and today am headed that direction..... I have a really quiet weekend and no excuse for needing extra food so I'm making a commitment to you for the next three days to only strict IP. I would love to use the weekend for R&R and drop down a few lbs in the process. I don't want this reboot to go on forever because I keep adding things:)

Great job working out...maybe I need that too... I am so scared to talk surgery, but wonder if I will ever be happy with the excess skin....:?:


I am trying so hard this re-boot but slipped last night and ate a bar after dinner. Dinner was early, and I got it in my brain that I was hungry and needed something Ugh! At least tonight dinner will be later.

Meeting SIL and BIL and my nephew & his wife and my new grand niece tonight....so excited they are all flying in from CA to see DH since we could not get there this year. DH really needs it this week...it was a hard chemo day yesterday...they could not get a vein and then when they did it was an uncomfortable one and then one of the chemo meds was burning slightly going in..Ugh...I was a wreck as was DH so its no wonder I was off the rails after dinner last night.....Back on track today...I will not give up!

Oh Sue, I’m sorry. Be gentle with yourself. I think the fact that you are maintaining is a huge win.
My body wouldn’t sustain only doing 3 packets a day for very long, I think my blood sugar just wouldn’t tolerate it much. I still allow myself an extra packet on long days if needed.
Because I am on a short reboot I am shooting for 3 a day. I have to be careful though to leave one for the evening because if I go longer than 5 hours I can’t sleep without at least having a drink packet. The blood sugar drop gives me a headache.

Keep trusting yourself and taking care of yourself during these hard and challenging times with your family.

I saw this article recently on the internet and thought I would share ...

It's A Water-full Life. Water is great!

In April of 2002, researchers at Loma Linda University found that people who drank at least 40 ounces of water daily were about half as likely to die of coronary heart disease as those who drank less.

A few correlated studies have shown that individuals who consume 64 ounces of water per day enjoy the following health benefits:

- Reduced risk of Colon Cancer
- Reduced risk of Urinary Tract Cancer
- Reduced risk of Urinary Stone Disease
- Reduced risk of Salivary Gland Disorders
- Reduced risk of Obesity

Water carries many other benefits:

- Drinking plenty of water may help relieve headaches. (The most common headaches are due to dehydration)
- Proper hydration will help keep your joints and muscle lubricated so you're less likely to cramp or sprain.
- Drinking water improves the vitality of your skin. You will look younger if your skin is healthier.
- Drinking water regulates your body temperature.
- Drinking water helps fuel your muscles and helps with muscle growth.
- Proper hydration makes it easier for your heart to pump oxygenated blood to cells and vital organs, which reduces fatigue.
- Water helps flush out the toxins and waste products from your body.
- Water helps to keep your colon functioning normally and relieves constipation.
- Water helps with weight loss (fat burn).

Remember to drink 1/2 ounce of water, per pound of body weight, per day. (For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, drink 80 fluid ounces of water per day.)

https://mindstar.com/scratch/Evian.jpg

Thanks for the H2O reminder Alexandra:)

Hi everyone - looks like we all had a busy weekend and no time to post, I hope that means it was good for everyone:)

Sue, I ended up still doing 4 packets this last weekend most of the days, I think for me it's what my body needs as I still had a loss - but when the loss slows down I'll look at changing again.

I just posted a little update on another thread but wanted to write it here also since it has stats so Alexandra will be very happy lol:)
-----
Hi everyone.

Down 3 lbs on the third week of the reboot, that's awesome as I expected to be more like 1 lb a week - last week it was just 1 lb after the first week whoosh. So yes, I"ll take it.

I've been having more like 1200 calories a day this past week, 900 to 1000 seems to make me starving by the end of the day, so usually another packet or drink comes before I go to bed. It appears, at least last week, that it's actually accelerating the weight loss rather than being a problem, so I'm glad about that.

I read a good article about the amount your metabolism goes down without movement/exercise, and I played around with my BMR to see how it affected daily calories. It helped me because I realized when I pulled the muscle that after a few days, I likely needed to bring my daily calories down about 200 a day until I recovered. If I exercise 200 calories worth I will raise it (for me that was about 1900) and on days I am not exercising I go about 1700, but if I stop for longer than 3 or 4 days for some reason I think I need to go down to 1500 until I'm moving again. So that is a good learning curve.

1200 is causing a loss, and I am walking but not increasing muscle, so it would make sense that 1700 would be about right.

I'm going to keep working it , as far as how many calories seem right for my body - after I finish the reboot so I can stay on track.

It seems a key element for me to work out is the fact that my exercise and activity can vary quite a bit on any given day, and figuring out how to give my body what it needs without it being too much or too little.

Been stuck between 200.25 and 201.75 for a week -- but started to move down again past few days.

Amber, nice statistics -- a really interesting read.

I totally agree about the impact of exercise on calorie budgets.

Hi Ladies! Hope those in the US had a good Labor Day weekend.

G4H – Interesting idea on your calories and work out days. I am very impressed that you’ve calculated it down to a fairly exact number of calories. I feel like I need more calories on work out days but never got as far as determining exactly how many. Instead, I get ravenous and overeat the wrong calories! WTG on a much more scientific approach. ;)

Good weekend with family coming to visit us. My dad, sister and niece and nephew were here. My dad is doing well since my mom passed in April. He took a 35 day cruise from Boston to Europe and back again….and even met a lady who’s DH passed in March. It is new territory for us all. They are just “friends” but have planned to meet on another cruise later this year. I am glad he is happy.

Food was a challenge with so many people around, eating out, college football on tv…I did P1 yesterday and again today. My indulgences this weekend appear to have resulted in multiple P1 days to get back down. But TOM showed up today so I may be battling more than one issue this week. In talking to one of my co-workers, she informed me that’s how a lot of “thin” people live. Strict during the week and relax on the weekends. I just hate the scale rollercoaster.

Another NSV. I went through some of my drawers this weekend cleaning out too large winter clothes (that only lasted one season…but that’s okay!). I ran across a pair of pre-IP jeans that I’d held on to. O. M. G. I couldn’t get over how BIG they were! I stared at myself in the mirror and felt this welling up of emotion that come flooding out as a downright ugly cry. My DH wanted to take a photo but I just couldn’t do it. My sweet DD just kept hugging me. I literally can’t believe I used to wear those jeans…and I thought I was so sassy in them! I think I might bring them to my WI on Fri and share it with my coach. I really need to get her a gift for being such a support to me. Some days I just can’t believe I did this!

CenTX my calorie counter (I use another app other than MFP) tells me how much to compensate for exercise, so that works pretty well.
What I haven't been doing is that if I am not exercising for more than three or four days, I need to actually reduce my daily calories (I think) because my metabolism (BMR) is lower.
I think.

I'm still just figuring things out for myself on how to best maintain.

And yes, the more I talk to my friends, the more they assure me they are always going up and down within a 10 pound range. Not necessarily over a weekend but just generally - based on life circumstances, holidays, injuries, menopause, what have you. What I have noticed though is they usually feel relaxed about what caused it, and trust that their weight will be back down when they correct whatever caused it.

Sorry, sorry, still here but have been stupid busy lately. Trying to declutter the house, pack things in boxes ready for the entire house (minus tiled areas) to be hardwood floored. So, I'm floating in and out, but just reading unless I have a cuppa tea in front of me. :)

I think school going back, the end of summer, people getting back into routines can be overwhelming and we just don't have the time to hop onto the boards as often.

Down a fraction, but nowhere near where I should be. Good days and bad days. Need to get a grip. It'll happen at some stage.

CenTx - I know how you feel about the Pre - IP clothing making you cry.... Sometimes this can be so emotional...

Was really busy these past few days with DH's brother and family in from CA. It was great to see them and I think my SIL is now going on IP. LOL She was so amazed with how I look and feel.

I have WI today and my home scale has me up this AM...didn't really eat off plan so not sure what that is about...

Good morning!! Holiday weekend was busy, and yesterday was "Monday on a Tuesday" :dizzy:

CenTxChk - wow on the pre-IP jeans, I can totally relate to that - although I'm glad I didn't keep any of my before clothes!

A friend gave me a bag full of clothes that are practically new, and most of it fit! One of the dresses was a size 6, I couldn't believe it fit! :D It's such a weird experience, I've never been able to "swap" clothes like that before. Her work is doing a charity clothing drive, so the items I'm not keeping will go to that, along with a few more items I've culled out of my closet from the spring that are too big. That makes me want to go back into my winter clothes bucket, I kept a few things last year but I bet they'll have to go now too.