Yeah, weighing every day can stress you out.
But you KNOW it doesn't mean a darn thing. You've been losing well, consistently, you KNOW that. So tell yourself so. :D
I know, I'm one to talk, though... I'm one of those who can't help weighing every day. But I've been doing it all along, and I've learned to not sweat the daily variations. I actually stress more when I can't weigh myself - like when my scale broke, before I got my new one. Drove me nuts!
On my scale this week so far, (daily results) I've been up .4, down .6, down .4, up .4, down 1.2.
Who knows why. Lots of reasons, we all know them. Doesn't matter, as long as I'm still moving down overall.
Try weighing once/wk, like you said...unless like me you can't stop yourself :rofl:


Beth - Great NSV's! That's got to make you feel terrific!! :dancer:

You have done amazingly well since you started, this "diet fatigue" or whatever is just a small bump in the road. You're getting so close to goal, maybe this is what happens as you get close :?: maybe it won't be so terrible to add a few extra veggies or an extra packet, there might be a reason your body is telling you it needs it. Maybe add extra protein and skip a packet. (Just no cookies, though :yikes:)

This is week 20 for me, so not nearly as long as you, and I've been thinking lately I've gotten into a bit of a rut. Haven't tried many new recipes lately, lots of same-old, same-old...and though I'm not getting the raving hungries like you describe, I'm finding myself opening the fridge or the cupboard, looking for something (NOT a good thing). Definitely like your idea to start trying some new things :)

Getting ready to head of on vacation, leaving Thursday. We're meeting up with my sister and BIL, we try to plan a vacation somewhere once or twice a year, so really looking forward to seeing them. We'll be away almost 2 weeks and I've been getting together all the packets etc I'll need. I've been away for 4-5 days before, this will be the longest since starting IP, and I sure hope it goes well. Hoping not to gain, I think I can stay OP most of the time ...thanks to everyone here who has shared lots of tips on just how to manage.

I did have my WI today (a few days early) and have a small loss 1.4
Not unexpected, I've had some RA flare-ups this week so some inflammation, and I've been feeling a bit puffy.

oh:) and I weigh myself every day, I have for a long time. It keeps me focused on my body because I have a tendency to disassociate from it and be in denial about weight gain, so for me it works really well, and it actually helps me during maintenance.
Because I've been doing it so long I can control my mind fairly well.
When I don't do it, I know I'm in trouble.

So I think each person has to figure out for themselves what works the best.
I have friends that had to throw away their scale and/or really commit to only doing once a month or once a week.
For me it's the opposite, I hate weighing and I don't like taking all my clothes off in the morning because it makes me cold:). lol

Beth, I'm experiencing the ravenous hunger, too, now that I'm within 11-20 pounds of reaching my goal. (Thinking more and more that goal should be 160, not 150.) Yesterday evening I had 8 oz of sirloin + 2 c. broccoli for dinner, which was a HUGE amount of food, and still ended up having my snack (pudding) within an hour after dinner, because I was SO hungry. My weight loss has slowed way down, too, and my energy level has decreased. I think my body is trying to tell me it's done, or nearly done.

My plan at this point is to stay on P1 for 2-4 more weeks, but I'm going to bump up my fat intake just a wee bit to see if that helps. (This morning I put 1/3 T. "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" olive oil spread on my protein pancake.) If I can get down to somewhere between 160-165, I will transition to P2/P3 and hopefully lose a few more pounds in those 4 weeks. I'm signed up to run a 5K on Nov. 21 and would really like to be eating more normally the week before the race.

Sounds like there are a few of us closing in on goal experiencing this :dizzy: My niece and I were discussing doing a local 5K on October 9 with a 10K coming up the Sunday before Thanksgiving...the 5K, with extra snacks / protein shouldn't be an issue - the 10k: I'm not sure I'll be ready for that in time. Certainly wishing you well :)

I am also a daily weigher but maybe need to rethink that right now as WL slows. The hunger / exhaustion is whats really bothering me right now though.

I remember a few months ago (April or May I believe) reading the summer 2014 starters thread and how a couple of them, all about the same time, "hit the IP wall" (so 8 - 10 months in)

I've gone through these stretches before, but never more than 2 / 3 days and I don't remember ever having the hangries going to bed. I said last month around this same time I didn't know how much more I could take

Maybe too I just need to reset my thinking - I am over analyzing and prepping for goal but just need to keep focusing on the daily...on the NOW (if that makes sense?) All this prep is making me antsy and impatient to get there, right now :lol: I've started thinking about some of the things I'll be adding back in (slowly) like avocado and nut butters (not together - although I've been hungry enough to do it recently). Guess that's enough to make anyone obsessive and hungry ;)

Amber - it was you or Liana I believe who posted the link to the website that helps you determine bone density (ie, small, med, large) and apparently my ideal weight falls somewhere between 130 - low 140's ...and I at least want meet my original goal of 145.

We had this chat the other day, but I know I have a good 10 pounds left to loose, even accounting for skin.

I am also just whining to be completely honest. I am having a super hard time focusing at work right now even though I seriously need to be keeping myself sharp. General malaise has struck the entire team, with 2 co-workers leaving within a week of one another...add insult to injury, we just found out this morning we are going to have to move the department and I (along with 3 others) will be losing our offices & going into open cubicles :( it pays the bills though...first world problems...etc *sigh*

So I am editing this with an update and confession:

Confession - I bought and ate a small haas avocado tonight with dinner - not proud but there are worse ways to 'cheat'...and was a h3ll of a lot better than the tub of cinnabon rolls I looked at :o

Update - I think...(been doing too much of that lol) I might have finally 'scratched an itch' tonight. Janeva posted a mug cake on FB earlier and I probably used way too much WF caramel but my goodness - the heavens opened and angels sang :lol:
I finally decided to order her cookbook - I might only be 6/8 weeks from goal (hopefully) but believe it will continue to be useful into maintenance and beyond

I was all set to come here today and adjust my goal to 160.... and then I got on the scale and it registered a new low of 169.25. So now I'm rethinking my rethinking on my goal weight. LOL.

Part of my issue, as I get closer to being done with P1, is that I'm sick of the food. I don't like any of the baked, bready goods (the texture makes me gag; I'm dreading choking down my pancake later this morning), and I realized yesterday I don't want any more shakes w/ spinach. I think I have enough packets to get me through the rest of my journey on P1, but most of what I have is oatmeal, chili, pudding, and some bars. I've only been on the IP protocol for 3 1/2 months. I don't know how some of you do this for a year or more. Big kudos to all of you.

I had a pretty good morning. I got on the scale this morning and I was 248.2, I was quite excited to finally see it drop below 250. And to get over the 20 lb mark. :carrot:

I discovered something new on the weekend by accident as well. I had stopped by and picked up a couple extra packets for the weekend to try out some new recipes. I was going to do a chocolate banana zucchini loaf with the pudding packets and I had also gotten some potato puree packets for dinner that night. I was running late and rushing to get dinner ready so I made up one potato puree and decided I should probably make up a 2nd packet as DH is also on IP. Without looking I grabbed the second packet and dumped it in, except it was banana pudding mix instead. OH NO! Thankfully I had some extra potato puree in the cupboard. But didn't know what to do with this mixture that I had just ruined. I mixed it up anyways and after dinner when I was cleaning up realized it actually didn't taste that bad so we put it in the fridge and made 2 banana pancakes with it the next morning. Who would have thought of mixing pudding and potatoes??

mandasquared That is one of those combinations that sounds so weird that it is probably delicious. The weird stuff always seems to taste best!


I am a daily weigh-er too. I find for me it helps to know that when i do see the slight increases, they are just temporary. I tend to look at it as a small range, and as long as the range over a couple days keeps heading down, then i am on the right track. I like the happy scale app for that as well. It shows me that even though day to day might be up and down, overall the trend is still heading downward.

My WI this week I finally hit ONEDERLAND!!! i was 199.0 when i stepped on the scale. Feels great, esp with my 30th b-day approaching, and being away celebrating that impending birthday last week, that i finally managed to get back to this point. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/imag...les/carrot.gif

Ugh - I am great with spreadsheets but not message boards

I made a collage last night of pictures - me at 220+ in October 2014, down about 40 pounds May, 2015, and then this past weekend. :) It amazing to see the progression!

manda - CONGRATS! :broc:
& lol - thats awesome. I'm not much of a cook but the pudding probably added the flavor and I remember growing up, my dad having potato pancakes for breakfast quite a bit when we went to Pennsylvania. I believe it is a German culinary thing :)

HIS - Hear you on burn-out...have you tried adding eggs (scrambled, poached, hard boiled) for breakfast? I believe the general protocol theory is if you do 2 whole eggs, it should count towards your protein for the day & as restricted - 1 whole egg + 2 egg whites is ok though (unrestricted)...and during the week, I almost always eat real food for lunch - subbing 4oz of (insert meat here) for a packet (example - 4oz of pork tenderloin = 22g protein / lean chicken = 24g) & 2 C veggies...primarily salad. I do generally eat the same lunch, prepped over the weekend, M-Th - Friday's is more of a toss up and I might have a packet / shake & salad depending on if we're going out to eat or not.
I am the opposite right now lol - just discovered the joys of 'mug cakes' and next week am planning to bring in a stock of proti-diet blueberry pancake mix to cook up w/ a cup of rhubarb compote :D Love bread-type foods

So, I have some interesting perspectives regarding yesterday's mini-meltdown:
After dinner, I felt like I could have ran the Marine Corp Marathon, I had so much energy! Absolutely blew my mind - I went from complete zombie to feeling like The Tasmanian Devil...no joke! :dizzy:
Went to bed at 11:00 but I had so much energy, I couldn't sleep and was up until 12:15am (up at 6:00a)
WI this morning = -0.2 (so a small loss, no gain)
I still had tons of energy this morning - I actually wanted to get up, get moving...my DD10 responded positively to this change and we had a great morning!
I have had mental clarity today and actually accomplished some tasks I'd been putting off at work
I went for my 2 mile walk and did it UNDER 30 minutes
I still have energy
I am not ridiculously hungry

Our bodies are amazing machines...the reaction I had to the additional 120 calories and fat was nothing short of miraculous, imho - miraculous that I've stuck with this and am so in tune with my body that I could feel the energy. Basic science 101 - calories = energy...but until you feel something like that...I really, really need to start listening more carefully to mine...

I think this has created an even larger conundrum for me regarding my goal weight (and thank you again Amber for all of your insight).
I've set a firm date - October 10 - for reevaluation. It is marked on all my calendars.
Between now and then:
1. I am going to stay as close to P1 as I can - no more cheese :lol: or extra restricted products! And I will listen to my body best I can
2. I am going to invest in a good home scale
3. I am going to do as much research / reaching out as I can about P2 / P3 (here, my work-friend, the inter-webz, etc...).

I should be right around 150, my original goal weight.

It is a HUGE weight off my shoulders having a plan and firm goal in sight. Now I just have to stick to it :lol:

ONEDERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bravo::cp::dancer:

acidlollipop, congrats on Onederland! That's such a huge milestone.

mandasquared, go you! 20 pounds is a great start to your IP journey. I bet that in another 10 pounds, you'll really notice a difference in yourself.

Beth, isn't it amazing what a few extra calories can do? When I got home from work last night at midnight, I was starving, but had already eaten all my food for the day. I decided to have a dill pickle. Then I had another. I worried that the extra sodium would push my weight up today, but instead I had an almost 2-pound loss!

I think it's good for you to have that mini-goal/reassessment date. It gives you something to look forward to and work toward, but doesn't leave you hanging indefinitely. I got out all my IP protocol paperwork last night and re-read everything about P2 and P3. I'm still thinking I'll start my phase-off around October 19, but am willing to be flexible about it, depending on how my weight loss looks at that point.

Edited to add, Beth, you look like an entirely different person since that first photo!

hysteria_625:
"Our bodies are amazing machines...the reaction I had to the additional 120 calories and fat was nothing short of miraculous, imho - miraculous that I've stuck with this and am so in tune with my body that I could feel the energy. Basic science 101 - calories = energy...but until you feel something like that...I really, really need to start listening more carefully to mine..."

This is exactly what happened to me as I lost weight. I got to about 142 and just got stuck and felt ill, with no energy. I decided along with my coach to do the Diabetic Alternative protocol and voila, I felt tons better, and had way more energy, AND continued on to lose the last 10 lbs easily. My body just needed more food to do its job effectively. It may be something to consider, similar idea to G4H's plan. Glad you are feeling better.
Liana

acidlollipop - :bravo: Onederland! That's so...well... ONEDERFUL ;) :cp::cp:

mandasquared -You should be so pleased, you're off to such a good start :cp:

Beth - Great pics! WOW, you're looking really good in that last pic. I love those side by side comparisons, really shows the amazing progress you've made.

I'm finding your analysis of what's been happening to you so interesting...and so glad you're sharing your thoughts on it all. It sure is something I'm going to think about as I go forward, maybe experiment with adding extra calories and fat when I seem to be slowing down.
Good luck with your plan!
Anyway, thanks for posting it all, pretty good bet I'm going to get to the point you're at, and so glad you're doing all the hard stuff :D
...and also thanks to Amber and Liana, you've both been there, and it's so great for the rest of us to share in your insight and advice.

For me, that extra 1 oz of cheese (which some days became 2 oz which was fine also) just completely saved the last five months of IP - I was on for one year. My coach told me to add it.
It was like entering heaven. She told me buy a pack of shredded cheddar & shredded parmesan, and sprinkle it on a bag of the IP chips, add peppers and toast in toaster oven. I had this every single night for a while. I was like in complete heaven. I got me off the “wall” and got me through the Nov. & Dec. Holidays. Going to parties and being able to have veggies and a small chunk of cheese - it was the weirdest thing but it just kept me on track.
And also it made me feel like I could succeed in maintenance, because by adding that little extra fat and calories, I felt like I could eat like that the rest of my life.

Like you mentioned Beth, what about 100 calories did was all that I needed.
Interestingly enough, the main thing I craved the last two months of IP was avocado. And yogurt. I told my coach that and she told me to add an extra 2 tsp of oil a day. That also helped.
And then once I was out of P3, avocado and yogurt were the first welcome additions (yogurt was part of P3 brekkie also).

Mostly just saying I think it’s important at the end of P1 to start to trust your body in whatever way is accurate for you. Tricky slope of course toward “cheating” but even that needs to be negotiated through trial and error I think.
I didn’t “cheat” during P1 but in maintenance (by my person definition anyway) it all needed to be worked out. What is good for your body, what is OK within reason once or twice a week, or once a day, and what just doesn’t work.

Grateful: that cheese you had (omg it's been so long), was that while you were still on P1?
I find myself getting hungrier now in P1, so I've been adding an extra unrestricted. That happens a couple of times a week when I do a lot of walking. So far it hasn't stalled any losses. I can't go to bed hungry.
I finally know what it really feels like to be hungry. I used to always be eating/snacking that I never got "hungry". I always thought I was hungry but now I realize for the most part, I was giving in to cravings.

Good Morning Everyone!!! Thank you so much for the support regarding my lament earlier in the week. HIS thank you for posting the variations that you daily experience. After this week, I will only weigh myself at home on Wednesdays. My weigh in day at the clinic is usually Saturday. If I'm up, I may check it Thursday too. I knew that this was what would happen to me, I couldn't resist the temptation, it stares at me-lol. It's so pretty too- and it's new. Beth this is the one I got,on Amazon- about 60 bucks including shipping. EatSmart™ Precision GetFit Digital Body Fat Scale
BethThose pictures are INCREDIBLE!!! What a transformation!! Nice definition in your quads too!
AcidONEderland!! Congratulations! A great feeling I remember!!! Great job!
Manda Awesome job! 20 lbs!! Think about 20 grapefruits...that's what is missing from you!!! Good work!
AmberI think once I get to maintenance, I will be a regular weigher- I will have to be. I will need to be in control of things at that point. What you said makes complete sense. (Then again- I have found everything I have read from you does. You've gotten things really well put together and figured out.
Beth As usual, there are so many things you have posted about that I can completely relate to. The hunger, the fatigue, the obsession about the next thing I'm going to eat- we really do seem to mirror experiences. It's cool because you are "alternative" and I have been 100% IP until last week when I started integrating some alts. I have Janeva's cookbook and I love it. Haven't done a lot of stuff, but what I have done I like a lot. Of course, me being me, I toy with the recipes too. ;)
I've been so busy at work, I've been exhausted, and just super stressed with some family stuff- it's really good to come here and even if I don't reply to stuff, just read and gather information. I've been feasting on the information on the maintainers threads. I juts read what I wrote, I'm going to leave it-Freudian slip?? lol
Thank you again everyone for your support!!!

Sorry I've been MIA. Our doggy died last week, and I immediately got strep that didn't go away with the first round of antibiotics, but now is finally gone, thank god. And now I have to go to a funeral out of town this weekend.

I have missed a ton. Wow. I see a theme of the need to be flexible and know yourself and your body's needs. You are all becoming quite insightful about yourselves!

Some NSV's. I put on an old hoodie from when DH and I were first dating and he said, "I haven't seen you in that in a long time." I said, "I couldn't fit into it!!!" And I was leading a therapeutic class, and one of the patients who hadn't seen me in a year completely didn't recognize me. She said she couldn't believe I was the same person. Wow.

CAn you shae this diabetic protocol with me please? Ive searched and cant seem to find it. I have a friend interested in IP but is a severe diabetic. Wanted to find out more before he started it. Thanks!

I haven't been posting much lately other than in the daily what are you eating thread ...and have even missed a day or two there. I rotate my menus so a lot of times it is a repeat.
Someone asked about collagen; I've been using Neo Cell powder pretty much since the beginning. I don't know how much it has helped all I can think is if it HAAS helped I'd hate to think how saggy I would have been without it!
I order from vitacost and right now it is on sale.
http://www.vitacost.com/neocell-supe...mg-250-tablets

Beth...you are looking so good!
Everyone stay strong and IP on!

Amber, oh that's a great idea with the cheese! I love cheese all by itself (I come from a long line of dairy owners); I wonder if I could have an ounce of cheese in the evenings when my hunger is just crazy bad? I haven't looked at the nutritional analysis of a hard cheese - is it mostly just protein and fat?

MiWi, you had a hard week. :( So sorry about your dog. Kudos for staying OP in the midst of everything.

The next couple of months are going to be challenging for me. Our son moved back home yesterday, to save some money before he gets married in December. He's 6'9" and eats everything in sight, AND manages a Mexican restaurant, so there will be lots of food here that I don't normally buy. And my Couch-to-5K running is ramping up; I was looking forward to the winter running season, but found out yesterday that my husband will probably be having a big back surgery (his 5th) in late December, which will really cut into my running time, as he needs a lot of care after these surgeries. I'm nervous that if I can't run, my weight will start to creep back up. He was in a serious motorcycle accident 12 years ago and broke some vertebrae (also fractured his pelvis and shattered his jaw), and he now has rods from his neck to his tailbone and lives with chronic back pain and limited mobility. One of my motivations for losing weight was to be healthy enough to care for him as we age. I really need to keep this weight off!

I started typing out a response and then accidentally closed my browser :dizzy:

I see it was meant to be though

Thank you Linda, Frawnie, everyone for the compliments :^:

Linda - Was thinking about you this morning! Not sure about the quads ;) I have to laugh a little b/c the shorts I wore last weekend were literally falling off of me! I couldn't walk more than a slow gate, or they were going to end up around my ankles! I finally had to tie a hunk of twine from a hay bale through the belt loops. Sorry about the family / work stress - I totally empathize though. Wish there was some 'easy button' to resolve the exhaustion.

Liana - :hug: you rock - I've considered P1-alt diabetic too...but am SO afraid to add in carbs (its basically a few more calories & a fruit if I remember correctly)

HIS - you're ahead of me ;) I have P2 / P3 protocol sheets in my IP photo folder on my phone. For P2 I know nothing changes, except the additional protein at lunch on P2 - pretty easy ;) & wow - sorry about your DH's on-going health issues :( we got your back lady! & yah - if that was my son, I'd have to ask him to please leave the leftovers at work.

BTW - regarding additional exercise - I saw some posts on FB this morning about when to add packet(s):
General rule of thumb - 1 packet for every 1/2 hour of strenuous exercise - strenuous meaning anything that raises the heart rate - with the caveat of "listening to your body"

blue - Sometimes I feel like I am 'bothersome' with my novels so its reassuring that they may help others. We are all on this journey together & what was successful for one may (or may not) be successful for others. Obviously we've all found great success with the original program :)

Amber - Your post got me thinking...so 1oz cheese is 110 cal, 9g fat, 0 carb. 1/2 of a medium avocado is 130 cal, 12g fat, 6g carb, 5g fiber (http://www.avocadocentral.com/nutrit...th-facts-label) - not a huge difference, and while cheese is certainly great for flavor, imvho, the avocado would be a healthier choice...I also thought at some point there was a conversation started about IP opening the door / discussing adding 'healthy' fats into the program??
Anyway, just my long-winded way of saying I'd be more inclined to go with an avocado - especially after that great "power-up" I experienced :D


...the effects of which are wearing off - but yay me, I was 100% OP yesterday and scale was down -0.6 this morning & if my body cooperates TOM should start in earnest tomorrow.

I know I am not alone with this slow down / reassessment and its great to know there are things I can change and experiment with.

Busy weekend ahead - DD19 has moved her b'day party back up to tomorrow now that her partner is well again. Saving my Ansi cookie dough bar for the firepit while they enjoy chocolate bday cake and smores :) Then we are going to go to the Maryland Renaissance Faire over the weekend! Figure we will take the cooler (so I can pack a bag of veggies and bars) but given that "real" medieval food choices should include fire-pit chicken / beef, I should be fine ;)

Hi Guys,
I love reading about how you are all doing. Seeing some of your pictures are great inspiration. I have been seeing some of you mention collagen in a few of your posts. So how does it work? I know there are the IP collagen jelly packets, which I have on occasion as my snack but don't always want to use one of my 3 packets a day on a jello. So how have you worked it into your routine and how has it helped?

I know this is my 2nd post today, but I just had to share this NSV somewhere. Hubby & I are having a meeting this afternoon to refinance our house, so after my 3 mile walk, I showered and got ready to go.... And discovered I now fit in the smallest clothes in my closet - size 10! I think it's been 20 years since I could wear these clothes. I was going to reward myself with a pair of size 10 Gap jeans when I got to goal, but now I'm thinking I'll need a size 8!

:bravo::cp::cp:
AWESOMESAUCE!!!!!

:cheer: HIS !!!!!

Frawnie - So I found Neo Cell super collagen +C supplement at our big wholesale club - but to get the full daily amount it's 6 pills?? Is that right? I mean I am willing to give it a go - it was on sale too and I get 360 tablets - so a 2 month supply...but is yours the same? Feel like I am becoming a pill pusher :lol: the top of my microwave is full!

I started asking about the collegan protein because my clinic recommended the IP jello. I agree with the comments though that it's not really filling. I did some googling and see this protein is really beneficial for skin, bones, hormones etc. So worthwhile to do some research and add.
I find I'm having a 4th packet on the days I have jello.
Happy Friday all!

HAPPY FRIDAY :D :D :D

Today is co-workers last day and the department has been given permission to all go out for a luncheon! So he choose Maggiano's (ugh) - I've been there for a handful of occasions and never been overwhelmed - but his choice. The lunch options are super-limited so its going to be a salad with plain salmon..& everyone will get to hear how crazy-picky I have to be when I go out to eat too :p

+2 on the scale this morning, but TOM arrived and based on prior history, the # should be much better by Sunday

Also, as much as I love the new found recipe for mug cake, I may need to restrict them, like Quest Bars, due to the high carbs. :(

I was so excited about those size 10 jeans yesterday, I didn't take them off until bedtime, even thought it was warm here. :) What's funny to me is when I look in a mirror, I still see myself looking the same as when I was in size 16s. Weird.

I read through the Maintainers thread yesterday and it really scared me. Most of the posters there are struggling with regaining several pounds only a few weeks/months into maintenance. I don't want to be there, too. I'm wondering if staying on P3 indefinitely is doable? I could eat protein + veggies for lunch and dinner, and have my carbs at breakfast. And then a protein snack in the evening... I'm also researching ketosis for athletes, to see if I can stay on a low-carb diet and do this running thing. I was hoping that running would be the magic solution to keep my weight down, but I suspect the reality is that, at my age, strict diet management will forever be part of my daily life.

So funny, I did the same thing when I got in to my 14 Carhartt jeans-it was warm, but I was so happy to be in them! I don't think there is anything strange about still seeing yourself as the 16- I still see myself as I was, not as I am. We had a big discussion about this months ago. Body dismorfing I believe. I can't remember which thread it was, but there's lots of us out there.
I've also been spending a lot of time reading the maintainers and the "back again" threads- yes, they scare the CRAP out of me. I don't want to be one of the bad statistics, I want to be the success story- like my coach is. 3 years of maintaining. I had this discussion with a friend, I am going to have to be very attentive to what I eat and keeping my journey close to the forefront of my mind. I have resigned myself that I will never be able to let my guard down.

Happy Friday,
HIS and Linda: Gals, I have been maintaining for 5 weeks now, and I am still amazed when people stop me and say, "Hey skinny!" or "Hey you really slimmed down!" Is it weird that I still feel heavy? It's going to take me some time to see me in the mirror the way others see me in reality.

HIS I have also read about the maintainer's struggles...I have had strep so I haven't been able to eat more than yogurt really, but next week I'm back on what I call modified Phase 3 (Phase 3 during the week and open on the weekend). I need the structure. I don't think I know how to eat right without the structure. The structure is eating right to me.

BethGood for you for planning your order. Italian is the worse for IP but you are making it work! Good for you. Rock on!

Have a super weekend. I am going to a funeral in Florida, but I am hoping to get back to my routine next week.

Right? It seems like the P3 structure is a great eating plan. Plenty of calories in the morning, and fewer carbs for lunch and dinner. I'm afraid if I start routinely having even a small amount of potatoes for dinner or a sandwich for lunch, the pounds will start sneaking back on. I like your idea of strict P3 during the week and a bit more freedom on the weekends. Please let us know how that works for you.

Hope the strep runs its course soon. Seems like there is a lot of illness going around in my part of the country.

It's OK, HIS... take a breath :bubbles:... most of us maintainers on that thread have been there for a year or more or close to it. And yes, if we get cocky and go back to old habits the weight will creep up. That's why we are getting our few up pounds off right away. We are NOT DISAPPEARING and hiding our heads in the sand. It is normal to actually gain a bit as we age, but we all know how to take care of this and are following the plan. You will do fine... the trick is to appreciate that we can never revert to old habits. Just something to get our minds around. And even though our bodies will be working better at our maintenance weight, they will always have a tendency to want to add fat if we were once fat in our lives. Maintenance is a game where we get to experiment and find out just what our healthy limits are for carbs, etc. Experimentation means 'things' may happen, but then you just get back to a bit of being strict and you've learned something about your body chemistry.
One step at a time, ;)

Liana

Happy Friday afternoon my friendly IP-ers ��

Hope everyone is feeling motivated going into the weekend, I always find weekends the hardest! Had my first weigh in, and was pleased with results considering I was sick with head cold and wasn't eating enough- this next week will be 100%OP
On a side note- what does everyone use for breath mints or gum? I can't find anything that is 0/0/0

It took me a couple of weeks to get into an IP rhythm. I bet you will find the 2nd week easier than the 1st - especially if you're feeling better!

I use Spry mints. I believe they make gum, too. You don't have a lot of options because of the sugar substitutes that are used in most gums and mints.

I completely agree with everything Liana wrote. I have been at approximately the same weight for about a year. A lot of what we are sharing about in the maintaining thread is just everything we are learning about the same five up-and-down pounds. Don't worry. And, anxiety and fear unfortunately I think is part of the transition into maintenance, for some people, because the statistics are against us in maintenance. I had to struggle through the challenge of the anxiety, and still do, that is why we continue to share with one another.💋😋

Thank you, ladies. I will try to calm the heck down. :)

I decided this morning to change my goal weight from 150 up to 155. I weighed 145 when I was a high school athlete, and I think it's unrealistic to expect that I can get close to that weight now, some 40 years later. 155 might still be too low, but I'm not completely mentally ready to settle for 160. I do know the scale has practically come to a standstill, so obviously I'm getting close to where I need to be.

Today is supposed to be my long walk day (4+ miles), but it's drizzly and cool outside so I have to decide whether to walk in the rain - not my favorite - or just let it go for today. Yesterday I had to run in 95 degree full sun. Texas weather is bipolar.

Edited to add: I walked. Decided I wouldn't melt in a little rain.

Omg - survived the MD Ren. Faire but it was:
1. HOT (90+)
2. Crowded - really crowded.
3. A drunkfest :/ I was just walking and a drunk guy (who was running) plowed me to the ground :( I've got a nasty bruise on my shoulder
4. Too many temptations and I got the hangries :( everywhere we walked smelled like sugar - it wasn't just me, even DH commented on it

i was good - shared a turkey leg with DD10 and had a steak on on a stake for dinner with a Quest Bar for snack - but most of the day it was just too crowded to be enjoyable :( hate sounding like such a downer but gosh when you have to wait 45 minutes to get to an atm...ugh

The jousting was cool :D & saw a couple cool exhibits / plays

Going home to make a blueberry pancake mug cake and have a cup of Chai

We are planning to go to King Richard's Faire in October, it's usually a little cooler by then, and almost their last weekend so it;s not quite as crowded. I hope your shoulder is ok. That really stinks. Glad that there were things for you to eat. I never payed particular attention to the healthy options, mostly the "crap" is what we ate, and I was a little concerned what I could eat other than some of the turkey. The jousting is fun to watch. The capped our day last year. The "littles" had a great time on the rides and the one where they get on a "horse" and try to grab the ring with their "sword" That was probably the biggest hit. I loved the costumes and said that someday I'd like to do it dressed up- though my boyfriend will never go for that.

HIS I am one of those people that Amber (I think it was) alluded to. I can't weigh myself daily. Last week made that very evident. I will drive myself (and everyone around me) cra-cra . I am like you though, scouring the maintainer threads, trying to learn and be aware of all the struggles they face and how to handle them. I like to think that it is because I'm committed to making this the last time I have to lose weight. That the yo-yo has been put on the shelf not to be seen again.

Happy Sunday one and all!!:hug:

Confession timeSo, I went to a cookout yesterday afternoon. My plan was to eat things that I knew that I could and have 2 bites of the cake- like I did at DS's wedding. I told my coach and she said no problem, you'll probably knock yourself out of ketosis for a couple of hours- but you will be fine. (She is the coach I love and trust, she scours my journal, lets me know what is good, what is bad-little tips and tricks-shes maintained her weight for a couple of years now)
Well, that plan went straight to **** in a handbasket. About the only things I did right were to not eat chips, dips and potato salad. I did drink a TON of water- Probably 6 of those big solo cups (blue not red-lol) of water. I know some of the stuff is fine- BUT some of it totally harmful - not only to my body, my journey but also my psyche-
I ate an oyster on the half shell with some lemon, -the only reason I didn't eat more was because I got some shell, and that ruins it for me- then there were chinese link sausages, I had a small bite and handed rest of to boyfriend (b/f), then linguica-same thing, I noshed on the veggie tray 3 cherry tomatoes, some celery a little broccoli. There were steamers, cherrystones that were steamed, potatoes, onions (I stayed away from that stuff because the cherrystones I only enjoy raw with cocktail sauce and steamers need to be drenched in butter, the onions and potatoes, no biggie not eating them. Next round main courses-I had a hamburger with mustard and I put a slice of tomato on it, some romaine that had croutons and shredded cheese- I separated the croutons out and as much of the cheese as I could, though I got some. No dressing, though the ceasar looked amazing. b/f gave me a lobster clar, they were small, probably 2 oz at best cooked- no butter, Then they came around with chicken breast, they were small tender like pieces that had been grilled so I thought ok, the burger was only about 4 oz and the tender is probably 3 or less before grilling. I think it had been marinated in some sort of italian dressing- (not the end of the world)
The clean up and waiting for a few more guests to arrive and then the cake. I gave b/f the ice cream that was on the side, and started to have my little nibbles...it was so good - and I know that there were a couple of people watching (the family cookout was at my bosses house for his parents 50th anniversary-who we are very close to-the dad is like a dad to my b/f) One bite led to another, then another, I thought about handing it over to b/f, but then would have another bite, my boss laughed when he asked if everyone had cake and I a little too loudly said yes. They all joked with Tony, I'll probably be like a 5 year old on a sugar high it's been so long. It was like I was in this frenzy. <-scary part #1.
Scary part #2 is that in my head I kept telling myself that I needed to stop, I needed to hand Tony the cake to finish, thinking how I felt wearing one of my most favorite outfits from about 15 years ago last night, how much money I have sunk in to this diet. I rebutted that everyone does it, things like this happen, I can get back on the horse tomorrow, I'll get myself back in to ketosis by Thursday, I never cheat. I made every rationalization in the book to keep eating that frickin piece of cake. Even going as far as figuring it to be an inch or less wide by about 6" it was 3 layers and white frosting-thinking that based on the wedding cake I had eaten this probably would have been about the same as a little more that half of that piece.
THIS lack of control is what scares the sh*t out of me for maintenance.
I start my 8th food log tomorrow, and I still have almost 20 lbs. to go. I just don't want to be in that place I always get to and say "good enough" I am really good at beating myself up over stuff like this.
I'm putting this out here for one reason only, and that is to be accountable. If I don't, it's just my little secret.

Destony, honestly, until the cake, I think you did okay. You probably had a little more protein, fat, and veggies than a P1 or P2 meal allows, but they weren't totally terrible choices. Even the cake wasn't that big of a piece. As I understand it, in maintenance, that would have been an indulgence day and you didn't go way off the rails.

But I get what you're saying. It's not necessarily about the cake - it's about your inability to stop. I have to start every day thinking about how I'm not going to let food rule me that day. But, boy, when you're standing in the midst of a bunch of tempting dishes, sometimes its hard to have a clear head. It makes me realize that food really is an addiction for me.

Linda - :hug: I agree with HIM - and I don't think you have anything to worry about. You are recognizing the behaviors and can plan for future situations. Fwiw - sounds like a great get together and you did really well!
Your Faire sounds great too! :) Lol - I've been dieting so long / off and on my whole life I've passed most fair foods - except funnel cakes ;) and I really don't like those...but 2/3 years ago, I tried a deep fried oreo. Insane...

NSV - went to the thrift store - all size 10 slacks for work :D & a SIZE 8 pair of jeans! A little snug & some muffin top, but zipped & wearable! Amazing!!!! Also got a couple M blouses - had to put one back b/c of my shoulders - fit through the waist but no give up top.

So, the more I keep looking around, the more I am coming to the realization & I am 95% positive I've knocked myself out of ketosis :( *sigh* I am sticking to the lower carb scale of veggies / products for a couple days and power back through the keto-flu (yuk!)

I saw some hard core IP'ers saying that a 4th packet will knock you out of ketosis :??: but extra packets are encouraged if you exercise...?

I am also making peace with this slow down in WL. Linda - I want to put the scale away so bad, but then I think about the fact that if I hadn't weighed yesterday, today's weight would have disappointed me even more...

That said, still haven't seen "healthy" BMI weight yet (155) - bouncing the same 2 pounds still (156 - 158)

A thought I've had that is giving me a measure of peace & patience with this though is that I've never been below this weight in my adult (18) life...and truthfully, probably since I was 8 / 9 years old...30 years of my life +155.
I am starting to feel like my body is holding onto everything it can for dear life. It doesn't know any better...I am down to a point where I am getting rid of fat / fluff that has been there for 30 YEARS!!!! Of course it isn't just going to go away without a fight.

I also wonder about having gotten so large at such an early age and if my body just thinks 15X is where it's supposed to be...and if this is the case, what, if anything, can I do to reset this...? I even wonder if issues like this have been looked into...