Thought I would share to those on stabilization and maintenance the following. I have found for me the following works to keep me at goal.

At every meal I try to have 6 ounces of protein or more if I am real hungry. It is always lean protein. I have some real good carbs, I never measure or count calories,so just how I feel when I am eating is the amount chosen.
A minimum of o one cup of veggies( non starch) and I remember to have approx.2 tsp or so of a good fat.

If I have snacks,I may have the following

Baked oatmeal,with a with yogurt. If I eat baked oatmeal every day Without the FF Greek Yogurt, or FF ricotta, I gain.

If I have fruit, I have it with ff Greek yogurt,or fat free cottage cheese,or some nuts or some had boiled egg, the whites only.

If I eat out, I do take a fat and carb blocker, especially if having a glass of wine with supper, and if I gain the next day, do the green menu for one day,or until weight stabilizes.

I eat anything I want in moderation. Somethings make me gain weight and I put them aside and try again at a later time.

I journal every day.

If anyone has anything to share on their success, I am most interested.


Patzi

Am interested in any recipes anyone wants to share relative Easter or Passover menus.

Patzi

You know, I think when someone is asking you how you are and you say "tired, retaining water, irritable, and defensive" that this would be a major note of AVOID UPSETTING THIS PERSON. But apparently not. I just went to my weigh in and after asking to see my food diary the counselor I was talking to started chiding my like a small child for going off plan for one meal earlier in the week. She actually seemed to think I should feel guilty. Why would I feel guilty, my success or failure in this is in my own hands and I don't like someone treating me like a juvenile if I screw it up for a few days. I could not help myself, when she asked how I felt about eating off plan I told her I enjoyed it.

Now I know I cannot do that every day, I should not even do that once a week, but if I need to break down and eat off plan to stay sane and stay on plan as a whole I don't want someone telling me how I should feel...now I am just mad. Hey guess what anger is one of my eating emotions. Dammit.

I need to go pet a cat before I eat my husbands entire Easter basket just out of spite.

Oh, and I have not lost any weight since Monday, but considering the whole water retention thing, I really am not surprised.

Galadreal -

Hang in there ... go pet that cat! (Gotta say, this even made me smile today - you truly have a gift, my friend).

I think it depends on the counselor. I have one that is VERY strict... no eating whatsoever off plan. And, one that is more laid back... she says if I enjoyed it, great... learn from it and move on. Just make sure I'm aware of what triggers my off-plan eating (stress, lack of sleep, lack of planning).

I also think it depends on the patient. Some people are more receptive to harsh coaching and "chiding" (believe it or not) but some aren't. I think they may be used to people who don't really pay attention to what they eat or take responsibility for their actions, you know? Just a thought.

But, you're right, as long as you're aware and they know what you need to do and you need that off-plan meal or so, just go with it... I think the counselors often err on the side of caution, so to speak...

By the way, you'd LOVE Zumba. Our class has all different sizes and dancing talents (ahem). and we have a ball. I have one instructor who is probably a size two and another who is around a ten or twelve... My cousin, who started me going to Zumba, is around 240 pounds... (I was 220 when I started).

I was so intimidated before going... I had never done a group exercise class. But then I realized that most people were just watching the instructor to learn the steps and weren't paying any attention to me, which is nice. Also, I just love the ladies in there... they're so positive and helpfu.

I put a recipe in the recipe forum.. My friend sent me this recipe and I tried it and it is very good.. A change around from my egg muffin quiche recipe I had given you earlier.

Patzi

Weighed in at lunch. Gained a pound, but given the week I've had, it's not surprising. My nephew is still in the NICU, but is doing great and it looks like they'll release him tomorrow. :) I've been at the hospital almost every night this week. I've eaten take-out every night since Monday. I kept it simple and ate grilled chicken salads, staying on plan food wise, but had no control over the way it was prepared.

Also, I woke up Wednesday morning to major back pains on my right side that have calmed down, but haven't totally gone away. Therefore, no running this week.

Hopefully all will be better soon.

All things considered, you are doing excellent. Virtual hugs at you and hope you feel better soon and your family can get back on their feet as well.

[QUOTE=Galadreal;4282412] I just went to my weigh in and after asking to see my food diary the counselor I was talking to started chiding my like a small child for going off plan for one meal earlier in the week. She actually seemed to think I should feel guilty. Why would I feel guilty, my success or failure in this is in my own hands and I don't like someone treating me like a juvenile if I screw it up for a few days. I could not help myself, when she asked how I felt about eating off plan I told her I enjoyed it.

I need to go pet a cat before I eat my husbands entire Easter basket just out of spite.

QUOTE]

DO NOT let this counselor get you off track! You (and the cat) can do this. Maybe she thought she was being helpful, or maybe she was just having a bad day - who knows, but it doesn't matter. Do what works for you!

Oops, sorry - my first attempt at including a quote in the message....

JenB-
I agree with Galadreal. Given the week you had, you're doing great. Prayers and good thoughts for your family and your back! Have a great weekend!

No worries, it is all good. And I keep on keeping on. The cat is (mostly) fine...as fine as he ever is. Odin kitty has problems. But we are all good. have a great weekend everyone. I have already mowed and done the yard work so I can spend the weekend inside relaxing with video games or a good book...or a drooling cat, which does not work so well for the book, but is fine for the video games. :D

according to the Wii, I lost 3.3 pounds last week. HA HA HA, point and laugh and the rude counselor. Hope everyone has a great Easter, Ostara, or whatever else you might celebrate.

On another note, we tried buffalo this weekend, got some buffalo burger at the neighborhood market, and I was just really unimpressed. It did not have much flavor at all. Maybe I got bad buffalo, I don't know. But now I think I will have to get some from the butcher, just to try it.

Good morning all!

New week! New Start! Weighed in on Saturday and I was down another 1.5 pounds! A half pound from 70 lost... really? It's taken FOREVER to get that off, but oh well... keep on keepin' on.

Ate waaaayyyy too much at the in-laws for Easter. Fried fish and hush puppies... tried to get in my salad and drink more water. Had a few little chocolates (I know, off-plan, but I had a good time)... then went for a nice 3 mile walk with the hubster and older daughter to help curb some of the fried-fish-and-chocolate coma... ugh. Definitely DO NOT like how I feel when eating off-plan... and it does seem to cause a slippery slope with me.

By last night, I picked up a wrap on the way home (lack of planning) and had a few more Easter chocolate minis (waaayyy bad) before bed. Then I stayed up late and just couldn't settle... again, ate off-plan and paid for it. I hope I remember how crap-tastic I felt yesterday to keep me motivated not to eat off-plan again. Got rid of the rest of the Easter chocolate (cannot have them in the house) and am moving on this morning... Extra exercise tonight and maybe some extra elliptical time to undo some of the damage and onward and upward!

Goodbye Easter and all of your tempting candy!!! I really don't have another serious holiday candy temptation until Christmas now (peppermint bark/ chocolate Dove candy)