Looks like Peyton is getting his "John Elway" moment - the stalwart vs the new kid for the 2016 Super Bowl

...and can I just say I absolutely can't believe football season is OVER! I was P1 when it started and now maintaining at goal and training for an half marathon

Also, my 1 year IP / 3FC anniversary is SATURDAY! wow...

Working from home tomorrow...and depending on what we do will determine if I am going to change up my running schedule (use tomorrow as 'cross training', i.e. 2 or 3 hours of sledding / hill climbing or hit the rec center / treadmill)...saw video / pictures of people around this area running in the middle of MAJOR roadways (45+ mph highways) - stupid!
I am definitely stuck on the 'belt' for the next week...these 6 - 10' high snow piles are not going anywhere that quick unfortunately

Thanks Beth for new thread.

I was up a bit this morning and was so OP this weekend but can't expect to lose every day (Although, I don't know why not! )
Planning today for my Calgary trip. A little concerned about the flight. I have to leave the house at 4:30am. Usually don't eat breakfast until 9 but I know will get nauseated if I get on that plane with an empty stomach. My flight to Pheonix is about 5 hours. Can't take a RTD on plane so was going to try one of those shaker bottles I found at GNC and make my own. Next flight is 4 hours so will try another one of those shaker drinks. ( Aren't I going to be fun to sit beside) Was thinking I might have to have an extra (at least half) a drink before I leave. Wish those quest bars were okay I would just have those all day. Do you think it would do too much damage?
Any other suggestions? I will have my vegetables when I get there. Hopefully my DD will have the house stocked. Going to be an interesting week. I love my grandchildren but would be sooo much easier if I was home!

Beth, thanks for starting the new thread. How much snow did you end up with? My family in PA had 30-32". What fun if you're a kid, but what a hassle if you're an adult who has to get to work.

Largo, I had an all-day flight last summer. I took a protein powder shake in a shaker, like you're going to do. I also packed a container of cucumber slices and celery sticks. And I took a Quest bar. You could take Quest chips if you want to stay completely on protocol. Honestly, I don't think the extra fat in one Quest bar would be a problem - you're not making a habit of it. I also bought a salad on one of my layovers, just lettuce + chicken + a few tomatoes. I had them put oil and vinegar on it. Again, not completely on protocol, but it was the best option I had at the time. Some people get a Subway salad with mustard, so if there's a Subway in the terminal, that's an option, too.

It looks unlikely that I'll be down to 155 or lower by Sunday. This morning the scale was up to 159 and I noticed yesterday that my dress pants were tighter. Don't know if this is legit weight gain, or if my legs/butt are just bigger from all the running. But I will have to be more cautious in my eating this week. This is challenging, as I've found that more carbs in the morning really help my energy level during my run. Balance.....

Largo - I agree with HIS...even though most of the Quest bars aren't technically IP compliant anymore, having a couple around for travel / emergency isn't going to derail everything. When we traveled while I was P1 I only took RTD's in the suitcase for when we got to our destination.

HIS - I didn't measure at the house but the news has reported 28" officially but we have an 8' privacy fence and I think we got closer to 30"+ - but it could be drifting too from the winds...no matter it was too f'n much lmao
& scale issues...yah, me too - I've been way too liberal with getting into the cans of nuts - ugh they need to go but again it's one of the few things DH eats that keeps his calories up so I need to flex the willpower muscle again. Anyway, even though my "uh-oh" jeans are fitting fine, the scale touched 150 this morning so I am going to try and low carb today - eggs for breakfast, probably some protein bars for lunch (sledding ) and lamb with brussel sprouts for dinner.

Beth, thanks for starting the new thread

WOW! Indeed! So hard to believe it's been a whole year, whodathunkit this time last year that you'd be such a skinny mini, thinking of running marathons
... you've come a long way, baby (I just made that up just now ...OK, no , but it seemed to fit )

Largo - have you thought about making some Quest cookies or muffins to take on the plane?

HIS - it wouldn't be surprising that you're building more muscle, especially if you're only noticing it in your butt/legs (no belly bulge ). For runners like you, getting a good measure of BF and muscle at the beginning of maintenance and periodically after might give you some good info; better than weight.

So here I am, 3rd day on my P2 phase off. So far, so good. It's a lot of protein for lunch, but if I can't get it all in, I have a HB egg or 2 mid-aft.
I put all my cheap cauliflower that I got on sale in the food processor and portioned it out in 1c..did you know you can freeze it? Going to have shrimp and cauli-rice tomorrow for lunch. Today is cauliflower soup, I have some leftover chicken that I've cut up to put in it, with some celery, Maybe a bit of green pepper, green onion.

My weight is holding steady at 137 (home scale). My official WI is Thursday, but I find I'm not really caring so much what that number is...I'm going to have to start thinking of my home weight as my "real" weight.
Bought some oatmeal and Oikos and Alpen Muesli and peanut butter, anticipating P3 so looking forward to breakfasts!

Linda how's P3 going for you? you must be halfway through by now.

Sounds like no one had any major problems with the big storm! We have almost no snow here, and it's going to be a fairly mild week. Works for me

Have a great week, all!

Blue skies
Great idea to take muffins or cookies. I will get right on the that. Thanks for all the suggestions. I have been thinking about this for days. Would have saved myself a lot of trouble if I had asked this question before.

Hello everyone

Largo -you could also add shredded zucchini to the muffins or cookies to add to your veggies for the day. I believe this also helps with adding moisture to them.

Hoping everyone that snow is doing well. I would NOT want to have that much snow right now. I like the minimal amount we have.

Well - DD's gymnastics meet did not go so well. The mat under the beam was not appropriately sized and positioned so when she dismounted, she fell. Off to the ER we go and it's a fracture. We met with an ortho doctor today who wasn't very helpful, but referred us to an ortho surgeon. She'll see him on Wednesday. Hopefully she won't have to have surgery on it. The ER doctor didn't seem to think she did, which is why they sent us home. We shall see! Poor thing. Her first meet this season and this happens. Not how I want her to end her gymnastics career.

So last week I felt extremely hungry all the time. I thought it was because I had added more activity to my routine and even tried adding a shake, but know I'm wondering if I was knocked out of ketosis. The only thing I had off plan was Sunday lunch with my FIL for his birthday. I had fajitas and they had cooked onions. Other than that, my week was all OP. Saturday, Sunday and so far today, I'm back to not being hungry at all. The scale hasn't really moved this week either. I also noticed the absence of keto smell in my urine, which also leads me to believe I was knocked out. It seems like a fairly small trigger to kick me out. I guess a little is still too much for my body.

mama, oh no! Your poor daughter.

blue, I'm excited that you're so close to P3. Those breakfasts are such a treat after many months on P1.

Last night I accompanied a friend, B, to an intro session at the IP clinic in our town. It's run through an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic, which seems odd to me. Anyway, it was interesting for me, since I never set foot in an IP clinic until last night. The coach seemed nice and I think she'll do a good job with B, who needs a lot of hand-holding. B signed up and has her first appointment this afternoon. I'm sure I'll get 1000 questions from her before the weekend.

I had a 5-mile run yesterday that was simply awful. After the 2-mile mark, I felt like death. I really could have walked the last two miles. There were much steeper hills, and more of them, then where I usually run, so I'm sure that was part of the problem. But I didn't fuel well the night before, either. I'm struggling with getting enough calories to run but not gain weight. I'm starting to see the benefit of having a fitness coach who's knowledgable in these things.

My daughter saw the gastroenterologist yesterday and is scheduled for a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks. My husband's family has a history of diverticulosis, which can be hereditary, so the doc thinks it's a good idea to check her for that. She'll have light anesthesia for the procedure, but she doesn't have to go off protocol for it, does she?

Beth Thanks for starting the new thread. I made it through the storm and I'm back to work in DC. It took me an hour to go one mile, but that's another story!!! I hope you are making around OK.
blue So exciting to be doing your phase off. I found Phase 3 so wonderful that I did a modified version of it for a couple of months after I was finished the protocol.
LargoMy hubby flies for work quite frequently. He usually takes RTDs and wafers. He sometimes starts his morning with a hard-boiled egg. It can be done! I hope your muffins work out for you!!!
mama I hope your daughter is feeling OK. That sounded awful. Hopefully the specialist will be of some help.
HIS That's interesting you going into an IP Clinic for the first time with your friend! It's good your friend has you to ask questions. I wish her well. Also, we also have serious GI problems in my family. Doesn't hurt to get it checked out giving what's she's been going through. I wish her the best. No, I don't think she has to go off plan for an in and out procedure like that.

Well I am back to work. I made it through the blizzard without going crazy. I stuck to the plan. I made some mochas with my dark chocolate pudding which were delicious!!! Wishing everyone a great week!

Mama - OMG I am so sorry to hear about your DD hope she heals quickly and doesn't give up on the gymnastics
A small bit of cooked onions shouldn't toss you out of ketosis - generally that takes 50 - 70+ net carbs. I found stress a major factor during P1 and it sounds like you had your fair share this week. Take a breath when you can, 'k? (((Hug)))

Blue - thanks and a heads up on frozen cauliflower - about 2/3 weeks max in the freezer (unless you have a vacuum saver maybe). After that, it seems to go yellow and the taste is iffy (yes, btdt lol )

Linda - hope you guys are ok and you're not taking the Pats loss too hard <3
Enjoying P3 breakfast still I hope!

Eta - HIS, you and I were both posting at the same time. Sorry about the run and completely empathize on fueling. ugh it is such a balancing act! I was down 2 pounds this morning so know it was mostly sodium from eating out Sunday night but I am trying really hard to listen to my body. I believe I need to up protein (more shakes) and lower fat (less nuts!!!) & yesterday didn't go well eating low carb lol Fitbit said I did almost 100 floors from walking up the sledding hill though my thighs and calves were on fire after 2.5 hours

MiWi - wow - see below...I could've made it in to Tysons but...yah. Glad you guys are ok & you remained compliant! I didn't fair so well with the eating...way too much grazing on P4 things that should be in severe moderation but thankfully I burned a lot of it off

So I could have gone to work today but would've had to drive our old 4WD that's been having issues and just didn't want to mess with it. (Small vent / not IP related). I've given my all to my company for 8 years but just have a really big black cloud hanging over me for this coming year...I don't believe we are getting laid off, but changes are coming, and probably quickly - and I don't feel like I'm really being kept in the loop. My team is part of a larger one, but also separate enough we are more vulnerable. Long story short, I just don't have that "give my all" urge I normally have - the blizzard of 2010, I was the ONLY one to make it in the next day...but we didn't have laptops 6 years ago either...this year, we are 3 days post storm and I am procrastinating and making up excuses to not have to travel in.
Now, in fairness, our neighborhood roads are barely 2 way and snow packed / icy - I am a southerner and don't like driving in this cr@p - and know how other people around here drive in this junk. But I also need to get out today and restock. And I got 80% of what needs to be done at home since Friday. The work will be done...
I think too I am just tired of our departments archaic policy on working from home. Don't get me wrong, I know some people work jobs where this isn't even feasible and am fortunate - but the federal gov't is still closed, they are still asking people limit travel, and my immediate boss was kind of 'eh' about teleworking today. I want to prove it can be done!

I am also ready to run - literally lol our gym is still closed at work so DH and I are going over to the Rec center when he gets home this afternoon & hit the treadmills! My body is CRAVING a run #runnersaywha ?!

PROBIOTICS!!!
I am going to weigh in as a complete skeptic / someone who doesn't like taking pills and is very sensitive (had a problem with collagen)
I started take NOW probiotics the beginning of January and have seen a huge, noticeable improvement in digestion / issues associated with!

mama - I’m so sorry that happened to your daughter. Hope she won’t need surgery and heals quickly

HIS a fitness coach sounds like a great idea, you’ve embraced the running bug, and are getting into it in a pretty serious way.

MiWi - for staying OP during the storm

Beth – GTK about the frozen cauli. I just put it in Ziploc bags, but I do have a vacuum sealer, and will seal them up today!
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling too happy at work. Weren’t you job hunting last summer ? (I remember the cute suit you got for an interview ). Maybe it’s time to put out some feelers, make a change??


Still plugging along on P2. Lunch today is turkey meatballs in tomato sauce. I made these last week, I was watching a cooking show, and it sounded good. Uses celery root as a binder instead of breadcrumbs. I used Janeva’s tomato sauce recipe. (I’ll post the recipe in the Recipes Thread if anyone’s interested)
My weight is still holding pretty steady, up .2 this morning. I was hoping for a bit of a loss on P2, but none so far. This morning I decided to take all my pants out of the closet to try on, and only half went back into the closet. My size is still going down, a lot of 10s are too big. I have to think about what clothes I have for Florida vacation, not much summery pants that fit, although tops seem to be Ok. Might have to do some shopping.

Hi Everyone!! Looks like everyone is faring pretty well. Glad to say that we made it through the storm. We got about a foot - but that being said, the DPW did SO much better with this storm- I think they learned their lessons last year- It's downright balmy out there today- let it melt, let it melt, let it melt!!!
Beth Thank you for starting the new thread! I love that you are "craving" a run!! I hope that that is the way I will be- ☺ I am managing...the Pats- they were outplayed and didn't bring their A-game- a lot of mistakes from the git go- but it's easy for me to sit here and armchair qb it. Oh well, 23 days till pitchers and catchers report-glad to hear that the probiotics are working for you- finally - I've felt bad with the struggle you've endured with that. Glad that you can work from home. I feel your pain with not always "being all there" I go through phases for a variety of reasons here too. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!! 1 year- that's wonderful!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Blue I don't know why I had it in my head you were leaving so much earlier for vaca- congrats on the clothes!! So awesome isn't it?? Then it becomes a PITA when nothing you own fits anymore...lol- thank gawd for e-bay. I have done pretty well, I have so much more to list- I admit though- I screwed myself on shipping on a bunch of stuff- so I actually lost money, but que sera sera- lessons being learned. I made meatballs last night, I just mix the heck out of them -salt, pepper, garlic powder, italian seasoning and onion flakes and they seem to hold together fine.
Mama-I am so sorry to hear about your DD, how awful, poor baby. I hope that she heals quickly. I don't think that a few cooked onions would have knocked you out. I had cake a couple of times and I'm pretty certain it didn't knock me out- I actually had great losses which shocked the bedazzles out of me. You may be getting to the point where you actually need to add a packet, your body needs more fuel (go figure) the smaller you get- I went through a phase towards the end of P1 that was similar- hungry hungry growly belly-
HIS Oh dear, I hope that your DD is ok. I had the pleasure of my very first colonoscopy within the first 2 months of being on IP- I made sure I told them and my coach- so- there were a couple of supplements that I had to stop for (i think it was) 5 days, the Omega and I can't remember what the other one was, other than that, I just followed the instructions for the procedure the next morning. I stopped eating as instructed, had a bunch of low sodium College Inn chicken broth and it was all good. (well, as good as it can be as the "magic potion" takes effect) The next day I was back on it after my procedure. I hope that your friend has a good coach- that makes so much of a difference -my coach is awesome, my friends coach s*c(s by all accounts and she has struggled so much- between October and about 2 weeks ago she went off the rails, put about 42 lbs back on and now shes back in the saddle, but just went to the clinic for the first time since sometime in October. I'm sorry to say, I don't think she'll do well in maintenance, she thumbs her nose at a lot of things- like keeping the journal, eating what she should-basically making excuses. No matter how much information I share with her, she just blows most of it off- even arguing the point of what's considered restricted when I share alternative information with her to try to help her expense wise. But, whatevs, I digress.
I know that there were things from the other thread that I wanted to make mention of, but I can't remember what they were... I'm so proud of you all for your accomplishments, NSV's, SV's and such.
Okay, so, can I just say- the past week and 10 days have been amazing!!! Breakfast is like - oh, I don't know....making it one of my top 3 things in the world....OIAJ- ok, it's good- not my first choice, but I'll work on it and hopefully I'll enjoy it more as I tweak it. It's pretty much been 1/2 c old fashioned oats, Oikos 0-0-0 some flavor-fruit or vanilla, 1/2 c of fruit and some toasted coconut/almond milk. I know some people add Stevia or whatever to sweeten it, but I don't want to do that. Mostly I have an egg or 2, over easy or scrambled, oikos 0-0-0, a piece of toast, and a wedge of LC cheese or a tablespoon of some type of nut butter- my favorite is Justins Vanilla Almond- depending on what MFP says, I tweak amounts. BUT- ladies, this morning....I had THE.MOST.AMAZING of all breakfasts so far-took the bread cut it in half (schar's deli bread) egg wash, made french toast, 1 egg over east, vanilla oikos 0-0-0, then I stuffed the french toast with vanilla almond butter and banana topped with WF maple syrup. I'm going to have it again tomorrow- it was so darn good. The only thing I am going to do differently is to use egg white for the french toast. Came in overall at 480 calories, protein at 32g (a little high) and fat 15g (which is cap) so egg whites will bring those 2 down. 4 more days on P3, then I go out in to the big scary world....it's funny, I don't have as much time to check in here- I mean, I come in and read - but to catch up with everyone - the logging of the food takes so much more time, as opposed to just jotting it in the log. I mean, it's totally worth it and I will keep doing it-
The scale, it's been fine (knock on wood) for the most part- I am staying between 125 and 127.6 - I am fine with that. With all the shoveling and stuff, I am usually closing the day with still needing to eat more calories. I'm trying to build my regimen of exercise, need to develop that habit- I mean I do some, but not enough. I will admit, DBF baked chocolate chip cookies on Saturday- I had a small bit of one Saturday and Sunday- I logged them-lol- MFP says 14 calories- they were delicious! So, I bought a couple of the No Cow bars- a peanut butter one and the mint chocolate. I had high expectations when I unwrapped the chocolate one yesterday- SO disappointing. No sir, I didn't like it at all. I had read you either do or you don't. So, the other one- that'll be an emergency stash one- I also bought 2 Mission bars, the chocolate brownie one and the cookies and cream one. I have the brownie one for this afternoons snack. Macros are about in line with IP brownie. The other one is 200 calories so I will save that one for a higher activity day. Can you tell that my boss has been out of the office for a bit today?? I hope that everyone is doing well- and keep up the great work!!!

Hello IPers!

Beth and MiWi, glad you are digging yourself out from all of that snow! I think it definitely would be hard to stay OP when your stuck inside and you just want those warm comfort foods. Great job staying OP!

Beth, HIS and Destony, thanks for the input on Ketosis. I wouldn't think that some onion would through me off either. I have been adding in more exercise, so maybe I need to add a small calorie packet into my day.

Question for those that track in MFP. I have my daily calories set to 700. Some days I reach it, some I go over and some I don't. Since I've been adding in more exercise, I've noticed a lot more days have calories remaining. Do you focus on that at all or do you just pay more attention to the macros? Should I be consuming an extra packet if MFP has extra calories?

My big losses finally caught up with me. A 0.6lb loss this week. Still a loss, so I'll take it. I'm just 3 itty bitty lbs away from my next goal! NSV for me as well. I was trying on jeans that I haven't been able to wear in some time and they fit! Finally!

Mama Since you are still in P1, don't pay too much attention to MFP. It's good to get in the habit of using it for the future, but it can be misleading with respect to P1 needs- most often when I would list exercise-anything more than a half hour, my coach said an extra packet would be a good thing- so your body doesn't start trying to eat away at muscle. When that was the case (needing an extra packet) I stuck with a lower calorie option, like orange drink packet or blueberry drink. Also, in reference to my comment about being closer to goal and needing an extra packet, I should quantify (qualify-I get the 2 mixed up) I was within about 5 lbs of my goal when my coach discussed the possibility
Congratulations on the loss! You're right, a loss is a loss is a loss. YAY on the NSV!!!

mama - Be careful, 700 sounds too low to me, especially if you are also exercising.
Definitely add that extra packet if you are.
I'm pretty sure Ideal Protein minimums are 750 cal, 100g protein, 25g Fat (including from fish oil supplements) and 30g carbs. (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
I think most people try for 800-900 cal...have my MFP set to 900 and tried to stay below that for P1