Play around with it and see what you can drink. You might want to choose say wine over beer or mixed drinks. Booze has a lot of sugar in it. One of the first things many of us find out is that we have a very low tolerance for adding sugar back into our diet. This can include fruits as well.

DH always goes up when he has beer.

I used to freak over my 1lb until it moved up to 2 or 3 recently where it seems to want to stay. I prefer my 1lb but oh well. That one lb makes you nervous because you think it will turn into 3 and then 7 and so on and so on. I find things go better when I eat freer for a day or two or a few meals over a weekend and dial it back during the week. If I eat freer for longer or don't dial it back, the weight seems to stick around. I am still surprised at what I can eat and have no negative repercussions on the scale the next day. But, I have to dial it back to my normal. Otherwise it seems to want to hang on.

So try one drink. Or, try drinking for one evening and see what happens. This is an experimentation phase.

Hi Ishbel, Well, I had a confusing day... This is what I had

Breakfast P4: Whole wheat toast, peanut butter and a banana
Lunch P1: 2 cups broccoli and tofu
Snacks: Serving of nuts and protein bar (not together)
Dinner P1: 2 cups of turnips with the P1 permitted 2 tsp of EVOO.

Is this less confusing??? At dinner, basically I didn't feel like eating more protein so I "assumed" the nuts could cover what I needed...

What I'm confused about is my dinner. Is it bad that I mixed fat (the EVOO) with turnips? I know on P1 it would be acceptable.

Thanks!

purple sky -

Thank you so much for the response. You're right. It's really not that big of a deal, I just get so scared it will get out of control and I'll be back where I started. The support is so amazing. It really helps to know that others understand where I'm at.

Thanks again.
Big hug.
c

I think that's ok to put your oil with your turnips....that's like putting your oil on your veggies in phase 1.

You're doing your modified meal planning to get your 5-7 lbs off you wanted to shake right?

Yeah, I'm trying to shake those extra pounds...I was a good 15 over but a bunch of that was the typical day after "fun" day weight. I'm now officially 7 over... Soon!!! It's so much harder to have a P1 day when you're not in ketosis...

Ever thought of just doing a week of just a true phase 1 to get it over with faster....that's my plan when I'm back from Europe. Then at least you get into ketosis.

MY CHALLENGE TO ALL CURRENT MAINTAINERS:

I have been on this website for a few years and 15 months of that in maintenance. I have seen the names on the maintainer thread change about 4-5 times over that time period. Twice I got to know a group of people and both times a Facebook group formed. It is amazing to me...how many super-focused and successful IPers put all or alot of the weight back on.

I am currently up 15 pounds (happened in the last 3 months...just lost all focus) of the 83 that I lost. Do I feel that I have failed...NO! So the correct move is to regroup and lose it before it goes the other way. This is life, we will all get further and further away from that super-focused weight loss period and we have to find strategies to stay focused.

1. Weigh-in weekly NO MATTER WHAT....most the people who gained back..avoided the scale for months on end (that is the mind's way of saying...hey you are gaining).

2. Must do a phase 1 "type" day...with or without packets...I choose meats and veggies on that day.

3. stay connected on here or whatever group works

4. Find someone in your life that keeps you focused...mine happens to be hubby who is 100% on board with this "lifestyle" change.

When I stuck to the phase 1 weekly....I was able to maintain well.

But anything I craved the last two years was eaten or drank this summer....especially 2 weeks in Las Vegas, followed by several weeks travelling New England on the road with my husband.

Well ladies...tomorrow is my birthday and I am headed for one more road trip this summer...headed to western NY for a 2-day golf vacation, followed by reservations at my favorite Italian restaurant..ouch!

I return to 100% phase 1 for six weeks starting September 2nd.

have a great day!

Darbs: I like your plan. Happy Birthday!!!!! and have a wonderful trip. I was also noticing that many of the people who started out in this thread are no longer here. Are we getting to that 5 percent phase?

New Englander: I use fats at night with my veges. You should be Ok.

Chreme: You should experiment and choose a weight range that you are comfortable with. Your weight will fluctuate. Good luck.

Ishbel: I like your modfication..manage and manage and manage. It it the old people who comment..the new ones think you are normal.

Here are some ideas on emotional barbs from another blog..that I thought were useful to reflect on.


COGNITIVE:

Practice cognitive strategies to address sabotaging thoughts:

--If I hear my inner voice say, “It’s so unfair that I can’t eat what all my skinny friends can eat. Why do I have to eat like this for the rest of my life?” respond by saying: “It’s not actually unfair. First of all, most of my thin friends are runners and do watch what they eat. I have to assume that they’ve budgeted this eating, since that is what thin people naturally do. I can’t assume that thin people get to eat whatever they want. Also, I am lucky in lots of ways—in my family, my financial situation, my work, my health. This is one small way that I have to struggle, but it pales in comparison to what many people have to deal with.” Or just say, “Oh, well.”

--If I hear my inner voice say, “I’ve been so good for so long. One little bit won’t matter” respond by saying, “One little bit is never one little bit for me. That kind of eating is what got me to 197 pounds. I would rather not eat that and stay at 127 pounds rather than eat it (and others like it) and be back at 197 where I was miserable. I’m actually lucky that I have a body that won’t let me get away with eating unhealthfully, because it will keep me on track. Every time I say ‘no,’ it gets easier to do so.”

--If I hear my inner voice say, “I really want that. It will taste so good!” respond by saying, “It actually won’t taste that good. How many times have I been overwhelmed by the variety of candy in the convenience store, unable to pick out just one? Then picked out several because they all looked so good! And then gotten half way through the first one and been disappointed because it really didn’t taste that good, and neither did the next or the next. Unhealthy food never tastes as good as I think it will, or if it does, the good taste never lasts as long as I hope it will. The taste is fleeting, but my health is forever, and worth it.”

--If I hear my inner voice say, “I don’t want to exercise. It’s too cold/early/hard. I’ll do it tomorrow” respond by saying, “Remember that maintenance is really about maintenance of good, healthy habits. Exercise is a crucial part of that. I always feel better after I exercise. I can always decide to only do half an hour, but I’ll make that decision once I’m out there. I can’t afford to let my newfound fitness dissipate—I’ve worked too hard to have that happen.”

--If I hear my inner voice say, “I’m so hungry! I’m going to go into a food crisis! Where is the nearest food? I can just get something quick to keep me from getting weak and shaky” respond by saying, “It’s not an emergency. I’ve been hungry many times and the world has not ended. I’ve been a lot hungrier than this and gotten through it. This is actually my body telling me that I need fuel, but I’m not on empty yet. I can make it to my next meal.”

--If I hear my inner voice say, “I’m gaining weight. I’ve screwed up. I might as well quit now, because there’s no point anymore” respond by saying, “Is that really true?" If I had a friend in my position who said that to me, would I believe her? Or would I point out all that she has accomplished and remind her that a little blip is not going to ruin anything at all? I’d tell her to get back on track right away and not to beat herself up over it—she made a choice, she didn’t cheat.

--If I hear my inner voice say, “I don’t want to eat like this for the rest of my life. It’s too restrictive. I’m just going to screw it. Bring on the chocolate chocolate chip ice cream!” respond by saying, “That is not a choice. It simply is not. It’s fat layered on top of sugar layered on top of fat. The urge is only hard when I’m indulging in even thinking it’s an option. I refuse to give myself that option. I say no, and I’m going to go do something else to distract myself.”

Good morning,

Well last week was horrible, i had PMS out of this world (I hadn't had TOM since May for some reason). And i just couldn't control myself. Cheat day started on friday and ended on sunday. I was not happy with myself, especially since i'm leaving tomorrow night for vacations. I was up 8lbs and decided to do hardcore bootcamp this week (with only packets, no restricted and no meat (2packets for dinner) and happy to say that as of this morning (after 3 full days), i lost those 8lbs. Still doing it today and hope to lose a couple more but will do phase 3 tomorrow and then will definitely reboot after 3 weeks vacation (1 away and 2 at home). But i'm happy to see that i was able to do it strickly and although i am super hungry as ketosis probably hasn't kicked in yet, i don't have the headaches i did the first time around and no cravings either. I had never felt like i did last week in my 10 months on IP, all i could think about was food, my hormones were really out of control.

So i'm ashamed of the weight i put on and 8lbs when you're thin, you feel it in your clothes and i could see it on my body and i did not like it. But i'm happy to see that i can still do phase 1 without cheating and know that i'll be ok in my reboot!

Maile : Thank you for your quotes...i recognized myself in a few of those and will keep in mind your quotes.

Darbs: thank you too for your strategies, they're all so true. Congrats in maintaining for so long. Happy Birthday and its great that you have a plan.

Ishbel : You're doing so great in maintenance and have good strategies and great control

New Englander : I would do phase 1 until those lbs are gone. May as well do it the fastest way.

Alright, have a great day everyone!

Maile-
Thanks so much for sharing these! I am going to print these out and post it on the refrigerator, front and center.
So much of this journey is about self-talk and examination. Stuffing ourselves with food seems to be a less than honest way of dealing with ourselves and life...
Barbara

Darbs - I like that plan. I did perfectly in P1. I like the structure and wouldn't deviate for fear of setting myself back by falling out of Ketosis. I have a girlfriend who gained all 70 lbs lost and is back in P1 . I refuse to be that person!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Enjoy your travels!!!

Busymomx4 & Ishbel - Even though P1 would be quicker I don't want to go into Ketosis right now. My hair is just starting to grow back and I'll just go through the "pain" of doing it slowly. But I know you're both right about it being quicker...Instead I'm pulling back on my cheat day (if I even decide to have one), and kindof sticking to P2/P3. I've eliminated carbs at dinner and fats at lunch... I'm down another pound this morning (after taking of my pjs of course)!!! LOL!!! Whatever works right??!?!?!

Ishbel - Have a great time on your trip!!!

maile - awesome post...reminds me of the daily thoughts that show up in my facebook newsfeed from Beck Diet

darbs Happy Birthday, I'll be on Phase 1 to undo the damage from Scotland on starting the 8 Sept....we will be rebooting together

newenglander I lost a lot of hair too but it comes from drastically changing your diet and stunting your hair follicals (even my MD started to nod knowningly when I complained originally of the hair loss and she's not my coach) which I don't think you'd be doing now with 5 days of Phase 1. 1. you aren't changing your diet drastically and 2. it's only for five-seven days....I started losing mine about the 3-4 month mark. But you DO have to do what works for you and what you're doing seems to be working!

busymom so proud of you and your determination you're my inspiration for the 8 Sept...

Couldn't sleep last night thinking about the piles of clothes and how much or how little I must take and whether I can lift the back pack. When I helped the VIP pack for his Holland trip in June we packed a 45 lb pack and I tried it on and fell backwards onto the bed...so yes I can take 50 lbs but will I be able to LIFT it...funny how I would carry three times that much before.

Does anyone know of a good low carb protein powder?

I'm looking for something to replace the Vanilla Pudding IP packet that isn't so expensive but still oh so delicious in my coffee.

Pure Protein has a vanilla shake and comes in powder. Haven't tried the powder but the shake is yummy.

OK!

I know I'm posting a lot lately, I think I have vacation brain so I'm avoiding things and coming on here.

Check out this article!

http://beckdietsolution.wordpress.co...gaining-focus/

Ishbel - I'll keep trying what I'm doing now for a couple of weeks. Mentally, it's so good for me to have my breakfast. I'll double up on my P1 days when I do them. Before I was HORRIBLE with my fun dayS! Fun, yes!

Are you backpacking on your trip?