I have not tried the quest powder as a shake.. I am in love with the peanut butter muffins so I just make big batches and freeze them..

Snowed in today so this will be a test of will power. Ugh... Gonna keep water by me at all times... Cheryl how are you doing? DC is getting piled on too.... They upped our snow total amounts last night to up to 2 feet! Ugh.... Fridge is stocked just hope we don't lose power. If we do I have to consolidate into the garage fridge on the generator cause that is easiest to plug in...but it is also much smaller and also full ... Let's hope for the best..

Great idea regarding the muffins... why do i make more work for myself than required? i can make SEVERAL pancakes at a time and just throw in the fridge!

now i have a burning question. Since i am so addicted TO those pancakes now, is there a limit per day? one large is one scoop... is it ok to have one in the morning and one in the evening as my snack?

I often use the muffins twice a day so I don't see the pancakes being any different. ;) Eat away! My feeling is anytime I can find a chewy non restricted. I am all for it... I find myself needing somethings that I can chew.....shakes don't really cut it for me unless I am on the run in the car and I have no choice... I much prefer to have a food I can bite into....

Managed a totally on plan day yesterday even being snowed in.....We are under about 28 inches of snow right now maybe more. It was blowing around and I have been keeping a path clear for the dog in the yard LOL... Will have to clear the driveway when DH and DS awake.....So I will get some exercise today along with what will hopefully be another day on plan.

I am leaving for Dallas for business in March (4th) and I need to be back under 200. That is my goal. I have about 10 to lose before that trip, and then we are going to Hawaii in July.... I need to be at goal! I am counting on you guys to get me there LOL. We're in this together! :hug::hug:

Sue - Those are great goals! Always helps when you have something specific to work towards.

Had my hand surgery last Thurs. All went well, cyst is gone and have been in little to no pain :woohoo: One side affect has been fluid retention and a little of the big C. I was up 4lbs on my Aria in 2 days. Nearly had a heart attack when I got on the scale yesterday. My pounds of fat and bf% did not change at my Fri IP WI at least. My hands still feel tight this morning. At least thing feel like they are starting to move along elsewhere.

Good to luck everyone who got hit with snow! Hope everyone is safe and sound. To a TX gal it kinda sounds like fun though! ;)

CenTxChk -- glad your surgery is done - my hand surgery was Dec 3 for carpal tunnel and I have been doing Physcial Therapy to break down scar tissue and rebuild the use of that hand. A bit slow going but it's working I think. I hope your recuperation is full and complete. It's a bummer to lose functionality in a hand - it affects everything!

Losingforgood- I agree with Sue about multiple batches of muffins or pancakes - should not be a problem, tho I usually make the pancakes fresh. I have some leftover cauliflower to grind down to rice texture and add to the batter for pancakes. This is a great variation on the pancake for me. But freezing or refrigerating extras for later consumption should be fine, and I think many have done more that one meal with the muffins or pancakes in the same day, and done that often. You should be fine.

This is my first time emerging from the snowstorm in DC area to sit down and actually post here on 3FC -- I think we got the full 24 inches, and maybe a couple more....I am so grateful to my neighbor with snow blower who cleared our sidewalk and driveway yesterday around noon, and then our handyman/yard guy from Guatemala appeared out of nowhere this morning with his brother - they cleared the driveway, including the apron area where the plows have driven a lot more snow/slush/icy stuff.... and they cleared the one car that lives outside next to the small garage and nice paths to the trash bins.
There is nothing like the helpful goodness of friends that appears when you need it... I could not be more grateful!!!

I have been sick for 5 days - the sinus and ear infection have just settled in without much indication of moving along.... I have no voice, and I cough miserably but do not get rid of any of the gunk that's gathering in my chest. And, I am totally in caregiver mode with no help - my best helper is stuck at her other job where she is resident manager for an autistic group home - the other staffers cannot seem to get out to come to the group house, so my person has been stuck there 24 hrs/day since Friday. I need some 24 hr care for my DH so that I can spend 24/day recuperating from my respiratory thing. Oh well.... hopefully we all return to normal from this storm without too much delay.

Like you, Sue, I have worried about how I would do with program during the storm - for me, there was no appetite for Wed, Thurs or Friday, so I actually had a nice 3 lb drop for the week. I was more interested in food yesterday and I ate things that are OP but I did not eat all the food required for daily intake. However, I have had LOTS of water - the decongestant/expectorant meds for this respiratory thing really make me feel dehydrated. A bit of the dreaded C since yesterday, too. I have strayed more today by having a yogurt and a few almonds... for some reason I had no taste for anything else, and I have indulged.

I am doing a good job posting my foibles to MFP, and seeing the calorie and nutrient results is really helpful feedback to keep me from just taking a pint of ice cream and a spoon and going completely off the reservation.
I just look forward to a return to more normal life so I can find no reasonable excuse to stray.

I am luckily down almost 12 lbs since Jan 3rd - this reflects a terrific start as a big chunk of my regain is gone, and I already feel the good signs of no bloat and general lack of interest in high sugar items. I am amazed when I can walk past those things without having any. The best part of ketosis for me is the dulled sense of cravings.

So as Sue says - I am depending on the interaction with my 3FC IPeeps to keep me going in the right direction and to hopefully meet my goal and shift to the maintenance protocol!!!

Losingforgood- I agree with Sue about multiple batches of muffins or pancakes - should not be a problem, tho I usually make the pancakes fresh. I have some leftover cauliflower to grind down to rice texture and add to the batter for pancakes. This is a great variation on the pancake for me. But freezing or refrigerating extras for later consumption should be fine, and I think many have done more that one meal with the muffins or pancakes in the same day, and done that often. You should be fine.

Thank you for that ! Good to know. I hope you will feel better soon

Cen, wishing your hand a speedy recovery.

One, great scale results, I hope you are feeling better soon. Sounds like you have great neighbours and friends.

Sue, I agree with Cen, having goals both short and long term certainly help keep us motivated. For me I am hoping to feel good in a LBD that I bought this fall in time for my anniversary at the end of March.

I hope everyone has a great OP day! We are worth it and food fixes nothing!!

That was a popular song when I was in college..... "long cool woman in a black dress...."
:carrot:

Cheryl- I hope you are feeling better! Saw you were logged into MFP. Come say hello!

Hand is doing great and FINALLY losing the fluid retention from the surgery. Down 6lbs since Sat. Geez, I've been peeing my brains out! ;) Stitches come out Fri and planning to get back to the gym next week!

Would REALLY love to get down another 10 lbs but I miss working out too much. Plus, if I end up having plastic surgery this year, I will have several months to recuperate and P1 my heart out.

My goal is to make a couple appnts this week for consultations with some more docs. Thinking end of March/beginning of April would be a good time work-wise to be out... Who am I kidding, never a good time to be out of work. ;) Making myself a priority this year...such a change from the last 20 yrs of my life!

Cen - Glad the hand is on the mend....

Made my pilgrimage to the IP clinic that is about 30 minutes from me yesterday.. Stocked in for a good 2 weeks of 100% IP. Although I think I will continue to use the quest Peanut Butter Powder for morning muffins LOL. Just too good...

Cheryl - I will be back there towards the end of February if you want me to get you product. If you are ever on EBay they also sometimes have product. I have looked but for me since ther is a clinic 30 minutes away that I can shop at I have never bough from EBay..

Had a good day yesterday... I feel so much more in control now that I am surrounded with IP food and not alternates... Don't get me wrong I liked the alternative's, but too much LOL.. I think If I would have phased off correctly it would not have been an issue...But I didn't. I just ate what I wanted when I wanted it and hence, up goes the weight... :(:(

Live the program and Learn....

Hi 2014 IP Girls!!!!

Everyone sounds like they are working hard! We missed the big storm in STL, and even though my kids were bummed, I think it was a good thing not to be trapped inside with food!

SGRealtor - I think what I learned during phasing off was actually the skills to eat healthy in a more balanced way. P1 is an awesome fast-forward to weight loss, but I don't feel like IP does a great job (maybe it was just my coach but she was WEAK at anything other than P1...and even told me SHE NEVER phased off properly!) at teaching realistic healthy eating. I started using MyFitnessPal when I moved to P2, and that has been my best friend this past 1.5 years in maintenance. The times that I slack off with it are the times that I gain weight. But honestly, keeping the weight from creeping back on is hard! It's a been a bummer to accept that I COULD just eat whatever I want (which is what I used to do), even only do that 50% of the time....but I can't maintain my weight loss this way. I think I remember IP literature saying that our body wants to naturally gain about 7 lbs a year. That has certainly been my experience this year, even with USUALLY watching my eating.

My news is that I am every so slowly taking some of this extra gain off again, and doing it without P1 or drastically cutting my carbs. But it is SLOWWWWWWWWW. I'm such an impatient person! Luckily you all give me great motivation!

Keep up the hard work ladies!!!!!!

CenTxChk - you have been so stalwart with your program and have weathered many challenges along the way -- I keep telling you - you are an inspiration!

Sue - thanks for the reminder about IP foods - I will check ebay -- and either OhZoe or Ro22 posted a link to a 'virtual' clinic where you can have monthly check in's via phone with the coach and you can order foods for mail delivery. So I have several options - I am still working my way through my existing stores of IP foods... using many to make muffins.

I have been so sick over the past 2 weeks that I have really done little eating or planning ahead. Just making it through the storm with no caregiver help for my husband for a week. So now, I am trying to get back on a more predictable track. I think I am going to try to make it with the addition of some Quest chips from GNC, for now.... But as February progresses I may be back to you with an order.... :D

I have managed to drop 13 lbs since Jan 3rd - that's more than 3lbs a week, average, and I am about to drop into the 170's -- this is something compelling to keep me on track, I think.

I have been thinking more and more about the alternative P1 protocol, though. I think adding some yogurt and a piece of fruit might be a very welcome change, and I rather expect that following P1 exactly 100 percent will still be a very slow slope downward, just as it was last June.... I think I might feel a bit more patient with a bit more food variety..... just have to consider and decide.

I hope all are doing well -- I am so glad to come back here to 3FC and find you all are still present and as always - SO supportive!!!

Eve. -Thanks for the advice... I have MFP, but really don't use it. The problem for me is I phased myself off on Christmas Day with a bottle of home made wine LOL...Now I have that binge bug and I can't seem to get that back under control... I need to figure out how to deal with stress without a bag of pretzels or a loaf of bread.... But today I am starting day 3 of fully compliant Phase 1 ...hopefully into Ketosis soon and will get this pesky extra weight off and then phase off properly...

Cheryl - Hope you are feeling better... I know what you mean about the added foods. It is daunting that I need maybe 6 more months Phase 1...Ugh... I am so mad at myself that I went backwards and because I am so made I keep bingeing own carbs and sugar.... I keep telling myself I can do this...maybe I will listen this time...

My poor DS. Came home from work last night to find out his girlfriend broke up with him after over a year of dating. He is just heartbroken. After consoling him for some time we ended up going out to eat to try and get him a change of scenery and his mind off of things for a bit. He picks...Whataburger. Which is like the best burger place ever. It was between that or pizza so I was basically screwed either way. Proud of myself for going out to eat with my family and not eating a bite! Waited until I came home to cook something P1 compliant.

But then I dreamed I knocked myself out of ketosis last night and woke up this morning mad at myself. Took me a minute to remember I was all good! Hope I dreamed about eating that burger at least. ;) Can't remember the details, just knew I'd cheated.

First time this whole month I feel like I am in hardcore ketosis. Bad breath, clear skin and sleeping like a rock. WI is this morning. Hopeful to see some good numbers finally. Of course, I did over do it on the sodium last night and am feeling it in my fingers this morning. Will keep you posted!

Good job CenTxChk for staying the course!!!!!!

SgRealtor, the holidays are SO hard! I decided not to track my food from a little before Christmas to Jan 2...and I went up 5 lbs!!! Just like that...grrrr. I wasn't eating crazily, but definitely indulging and it bit me back for sure! Another month in and I still have 2lbs to go to get back to pre-Christmas weight. I did better last year when I watched more carefully. I let myself have a few days but not a whole 3 weeks. Moral of my story: start the holiday season 5 lbs down from target weight, lol!

Cheryl, that would be a short cool woman in a black dress..for me! Your losses sound great. Sorry you were without help for your DH during the bad weather.

Sue, it is so very hard to start back up. The important thing is that you don't give up and keep working on you!

I struggled the month of January to get back at it. But it's day 5 now and I think I am ready. After 2.5 days of migraine and being bed ridden I don't want to go through that again anytime soon by getting out of ketosis and having to get back into it! I just have to accept that to get where I want to be I need to stick with it for the next 3-4months (I'm only 10lbs from maintenance now, but want to lose an additional 20).

We definitely have to research and understand what we need to do in maintenance while in P1. Because we don't need to take time to calculate and figure out what we can and can't eat in P1, we have time to figure out how we can eat in P4. IP certainly doesn't provide you with menu plans and specific macros and it does take work on our part to figure out what works for us.

I had my first client phase off recently, this is his first week in maintenance. It was pretty sudden as he was going to be travelling, and without his wife to make sure he ate what he was supposed too! He did phase off properly with two weeks in P2 and 2 in P3. I gave them the Maintenance package when he started P2, and kept at them about going through it and doing the exercises, but while they provide some good general information it's certainly not tailored to an individual. I told them to use a calorie counting program. Figure out BMR, slowly up calories to figure out specific stable range. Work out a dozen or so daily menus that follow carb/fat separation and calorie goals. And don't make the mistake of eating everything you haven't been able to in P1-3 in the first 2 weeks of P4! Which is easy to want to do. Other than making up menus for them I'm not sure what else to say. And I'm not doing that, he's a super picky eater!! But they know if they want to bring in the menus with macro info I will look it over with them...

Cen, it's funny when we have dreams of cheating and feeling badly about it! I've done that before. I hope your DS doesn't hurt for too long.

Thanks DD, I hope my DS heals quickly too. He is going out with some friends tonight. Keeping him busy!

I lost 5.2 lbs for this week. Mostly fluid...in fact, I didn't lose any fat! I was adding in some to much fat that I quickly got used to in maintenance. Not all about the carbs people. Tweaking my plan for the next week to see where I can end up and decide where to go from there.

Congrats Sue on day 3!! And Cheryl I keep seeing losses on MFP. So proud of you girl!!

So glad to see everyone on our 2014 starters thread!

I weighed just below 180 this AM - so thrilled to be in the 170's that I ate all carb today. Being my own worst self saboteur!

But, I posted in MFP anyway and held very lose to 1000 calories total. Could have been a much worse binge. Back to Day 1 tomorrow....

This is hard - but I am in for the duration! Don't worry Sue - I will be here with you for the 6 months.

CenTxChk - you continue to inspire me!

So Sorry for DS..... :D On the food dreams. I have had them too! LOL

Yes that sounds like a plan. I was so strict last Christmas and didn't have a bite of anything.....This year my neighbors brought me a bottle of homemade wine and I started with that...then the cookies I baked called my name, then it was carb load city from that point out... I couldn't keep my hands of anything. Stuff that never tempted me before I craved... So dang annoying... Had myself up to 215....which was 20 up from my lowest in August..... Ugh.. Back on track now...will feel good when I am back under 200

No I am not giving up.... I refuse to ... And Everything in my closet is size 14 LOL. I am not buying new fat clothes...:o:o. Although I had to wear a lot more stretch stuff last week. I think that may have been what finally set me straight is that I have 2 pair of well fitting work pants now and I leave for Dallas for a work convention March 4th... I need pants for 5 days of meetings and workshops LOL...

Cheryl. - Thanks my friend...I know we will do this.. Congrats to getting back in the 170's...


So I think I need to change my stats to match what I truly am.. I had gone up to 215 during this holiday binge...fun is over and back to work....Totally IP compliant since Wednesday now and I feel so much better.... I had been feeling bloated and off... My system is welcoming back the good eating habits. LOL and I am down to 211 so I am happy.... Think I will make Monday my official WI day. Since I don't WI at a clinic anymore. Also I did get rid of all my Non IP foods that I felt were causing me to binge.... There are a few quest bars I kept for the occasional quest cookie...but I am counting them as super restricteds since the formula change...Only treating my self to them once in a while.. It feels good to be in control and have the pantry full of items I can eat...

I am so glad to see you are still here SG! I ordered from Nashua and back on the plan. I fell off the wagon. Gained some back but not all, thank goodness! That whole throwing away larger clothes helps me because I realize the error of my ways when my pants are tight. I fit in my 16 pants but not my 14. But I didn't stop until the 16s were tight. I'm NOT buying 18s!!!! I have been crazy busy but I'll try to stop in from time to time to check in! You can do this! Set backs are just mistakes. We haven't failed until we stop trying!

You ladies are so smart. While I've gotten rid of most of my larger sizes, I still have things left. In fact I have a pair of 16's tucked away in a drawer I can't seem to part with. Heck, I still have some size 22 dresses. I really just need to get rid of those things.

You know, I still haven't resized my wedding ring either. Shows how confident I feel about keep my weight off, huh?

Inching closer to goal. Maybe this week! Of course I leave for Mexico in 2 wks so I am sure I will be P1ing it again soon. ;)

Hey DeterminedDieter: There's a bunch of us who posted tips and our whole day's food plans & menus & macros copied from MFP on the Maintainers P4 What Are You Eating? thread.
Maybe it will give some of your clients some P4 menu ideas...
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...g-today-3.html

Liana

Thanks Liana, that's a great idea!

I made it through a week! Hoping for smooth sailing from now until goal. My sister wants me to start an exercise video program with her, even though we are provinces apart, but I am concerned that it will show slower losses on the scale and that will be discouraging... But I feel like I need to do something, feeling the winter blues. Maybe I should just get more fresh air. I have the gear to be warm in pretty cold temps. And it's actually supposed to go up to 1 degree Celsius today!!! Weird for here, we've actually had a mostly mid January with only a couple of really cold but normal days.

I hope everyone has a great OP Monday :)

Nat - we can do this! It really did help tossing the big clothes...Its so much easier to reach for something that fits then to wear the tight stuff and realize the error of your ways LOL.... I still am getting my 14 jeans on although much easier this week after a almost a full week on program. Even thought the scale was up this morning, the bloating seems to be way down... Makes a difference in the clothes...

Forgot how fast I go thru veggies when I am 100% on track...back to the store today for some lettuce LOL....

Happy Groundhog's Day!!!!

Boy do I feel it (well, the movie anyway) since I was back up to 135 yesterday. But low and behold it is my TOM...I am down a little today to 133.4.

Talking about getting rid of bigger sizes....I was SCARED to get rid of my large jeans when I lost weight initially. But I'm glad I did. I think the biggest reason that I realized I needed a reboot right now was that I only have two pair of jeans that fit!

WTG on eating on plan SGRealtor! It is a LOT of veggies and meat for sure!

Have a great day all!

WTG Sue! So proud of you for staying OP. Keep it up!

I think my goal this weekend will be to have an honest conversation with my closet and finish clearing out the old clothes. Once I wasn't restricted to plus size stores, I may have gone a lee-ttle crazy shopping. Now I try to make sure I love something before I buy it. So I have sizes from L to size 22 I really need to go through. Would love to wait for our community garage sale but kind of want the stuff out NOW!

So today I made a couple appnts with plastic surgeons. I met with one a few months ago. Today I made an appnt with a couple people, one of whom is Dr Kerr who recently has been on the TLC Skin Tight. Since I was shopping around I figured "why not?" He certainly deals a lot with patients who have lost a large amount of weight. His office was the only one to ask me specifics about my weight loss, how long I've maintained, etc before agreeing to schedule an appnt.

I found a couple blogs of women who have gone through a circumferential abdominoplasty. Two very different takes. One that was a piece of cake and the other almost talked me out of considering this entirely. But I do think it's given me more insight and helped me be better prepared with my questions.

Cen- Good luck with the surgery shopping ;) Sounds like you have done your research. I am still scared to death of surgery and probably when I get to goal will just deal with it... I have had my fill of hospitals this last year with DH and we are not done yet.....Ugh.

So the scale has been up for 2 days and it's not budging...I cannot let that discourage me...Need to just keep going....it will happen.

Ugh! Why is it so hard this time! I was doing so good, but then today I am spotting and super tired and want to eat EVERYTHING!!! So I ate crackers! I mean really, crackers? Saltines-what a waste of a slip! And why did I even do it!

Determined Dieter....darn those saltines! I remember pretending to lick the peanut butter knife that I used to make my kids' lunches when I was on P1 and accidentally taking a few licks. Oh well....we're not perfect, right? Saltines aren't going to be the end of you. You can do it!

Hang there 2014 friends!!!!!!!

Determined I so hear you ... Mine was a slip with the cupcakes from the Super Bowl party....at least I only ate the icing...but from 2 of them:(:(. Then yesterday I could not stop picking on everything and anything..Ugh... Reboot today. I am so mad at myself.

OK I need to dig deep to find that strength I had last year to do this. I am so aggravated that I blew it yet again. Ate fine all day of super bowl, but then left alone in the kitchen yesterday I ate anything I could get my hands on ...

Day 1 again today.... :?::?:

Thanks Ladies, I'm back on track again! Unfortunately it didn't end with Saltines! Sue, I hope you are were able to get back on track too!

I hope everyone is doing well in their journey whether the losing or maintaining stage. We can do it!

Hi Ladies,

2014-2016 Wow! Just proves that this is a life-long journey. But, you know what? We are winning. It may be a struggle, but we have not given up. We have all, picked ourselves back up and are moving forward on our quest. "Fall six times, get up seven"

Determined, I am glad that you are back on track, it can be so hard to stop a slip from becoming a slide. Go you!

you know what is great about this site? is once in a while, you will find a thread like this one, where EVERYONE just owns up to their 'slips' and in return, everyone else supports them, and encourages them to get RIGHT BACK OP... I just love to see that. Don't need any of that 'holier than thou' stuff, especially when you are feeling bad enough about yourself as it is. :)

Yup!! That's how we roll LOL. :dizzy::dizzy:

I myself have had a decent week food wise, but wrenched my back on Monday to the point of not being able to function Tuesday & Wednesday. Found a new chiropractor on Thursday and I am finally getting some relief. In the meantime the weight has remained the same, but I am OK with that. I am sure I am retaining fluid and the systems are not working properly right now (ugh!) so I need to get that figured out. I remember back to those first weeks OP and the bathroom issues I had, just need to get something working and stay with it. Just a few short weeks till my trip to Dallas! Yikes!

sue - sorry to hear of your back injury - back pain can really be tough.

I have been absent dealing with another hospital trip with DH. We are now dealing with congestive heart failure - not sure of exact prognosis but I believe it is grim. He is so weak already that I doubt he can fight this. I am eating my way back to the high 180's dealing with the stress. Cannot even think of cooking healthy meals. I will keep you all posted and try not to be so absent.

Cheryl - Stay Strong and hang in there. I know that you have a long road ahead. Take care of yourself and check in when you can.

I am still plugging away. Train falls off the tracks once in a while, but trying to get my head on straight. Only 2 weeks till my Texas trip.

Cheryl - I am so sorry and my thoughts and prayers are with you and DH - take care of you :hug:

Sue - the last time I wrenched my back, my chiro had me purchase a foam roller. It is amazing! and I haven't had my back go out in almost a year. I would talk to her about it next time you have an appointment.

Hi All,

I started in March of 2014, got to goal by Dec. 2014 and maintained really well (within 5 lbs of goal) for all of last year with a small reboot right before the holidays. Right up until Xmas. Then I packed on 10 lbs. Have been doing P1 for a month with a few slips and not doing as well as I had hoped. It's really hard going back to P1 and not working out after a whole year. Also peanut butter. Ugh. I'll keep on keeping on.

Cheryl: So sorry to hear about DH. Be gentle to yourself.

bumping this thread up......

On day 13 of the reboot. Feeling hungry today, but staying OP.

Hi Guys...seems like forever since I have been here. ReBoot after Texas trip starts today. I feel like a stuffed sausage in my clothes and my spring wardrobe is feeling a bit tight....time to reel it back in and get on track. Next photo op will be DS's High School graduation and I WILL be in those photos....