That's good to hear!

For the first couple of weeks I slept like a log every night, which is unusual for me as I have chronic insomnia, and started feeling good. Then this week I've been waking up at night and dragging my butt during the day. After returning from my sister's I went to bed at 7:30 and slept for 12 hours!!! Hopefully once I return to my regular schedule things will be ok. I did have an extra pudding yesterday too and that seems to help every now and again.

Love it Ruth Ann! It's so true: when I felt blue before I turned to food to comfort me. Now what?? LOL. And I find I can't eat when my nails are wet!! Your cat probably loves the added attention now

I'm scared about maintenance. Once I taste carbs will I want to gorge myself on them?? I know, it's a ways away... I'm such a worry-wort!! Ha ha.

Based on my experience, I would not label your concern about carb gorging as 'worry wort'! My first few weeks on maintenance I didn't think I would ever care about junk food. Then, I found myself bingeing on foods I hadn't even been craving on P1: donuts, cheetos, etc. It was weird because I couldn't identify a trigger of any sort and would not have considered my self a binge eater before.

On the maintainers forum, someone recommended a book that has been a huge help and provided a plausible explanation for my experience of bingeing after a successful but long diet. Brain over Bingeby kathryn Hansen IP doesn't even claim to offer a fix for behavioral issues. They only claim that IF you follow the 4 phases, you will lose and maintain. There are other resources besides this book. You're wise to be asking the questions ahead of time!

Mars, thanks for the suggestion. I think i will look into that book. I am hoping that IP will reset my brain and habits so I can have a different relationship with food, but extra support isn't a bad thing.

Do you think your binge was more psychological or biological? How do you deal with that now?

20 pound cat! I thought mine was big at 17 pounds!

Hang in there JanMarie. It will be so, so worth it!

Good question! Maybe both. There was the biological urge that thought I was starving on my diet and so wanted to store up for future famines. (Kathryn Hansen in her book labels these urges 'neurological junk'). But also a conscious decision to throw caution to the wind and eat unrestrainedly. At that point part of it was to relieve the tension created by the urge, but part of it was also for the pleasure. The biological urge part of my brain is also masterful at coming up with rationalizations as to why it's a good idea to binge.

Boredom & stress also steer me toward food, not necessarily bingeing. Fortunately, the time on P1 provided for a lot of practice in recognizing & keeping my emotions from directing eating behavior.

Re bingeing, I would say forewarned is forearmed. I know the moment I start the rationalization of why I should mosey down to the cafeteria at work, or Costco at lunchtime (free samples), etc etc, I'm heading toward binge behavior. So, I either avoid getting into triggering situations or consciously decide it isn't worth the consequences of weight gain and sluggishness. It almost feels like using a muscle to do that sometimes. So far so good since reading the book.

LOL - my cat is in heaven with the extra attention. Funny thing about cats, the more attention you give them, the more they want!

I lurk on the maintainers thread to get an idea of what's in store for me in the future. Those are some very wise people posting there! I've gotten tons of good ideas and tips from them.

Yeah drd, he turned into a monster (in a good way). I didn't expect him to get so big (he weighed 1.5 lbs when we got him) but since we got him as a companion for the dog it's kind of nice he got so huge - they play rough!

Where's the like button for this post? You are so right that the minute you start rationalizing why something would be okay to eat you are in dangerous territory. And the "determination muscle" truly gets stronger the more you exercise it!

It's a fine line between maintaining mode & losing mode on IP. I lurk on all the IP threads for the same reason you lurk on the maintainers, and your posts have helped me a lot. Looking forward to you adding your maintaining experience wisdom. Looks like you're practically there.

[QUOTE Where's the like button for this post? You are so right that the minute you start rationalizing why something would be okay to eat you are in dangerous territory. And the "determination muscle" truly gets stronger the more you exercise it![/QUOTE]

Thanks for the validation! I like it too if I say so myself --in trying to respond to Jan-Marie's question, I realized that I need to get my mind on other things besides what I'm going to eat next. I can eat or think about eating literally all day long, even if it's IP veggies and pickles, lol! I think longer daylight will help, too. Grateful that spring is around the corner!

It's fantastic that you are so self-aware Mars! I think that takes strength and determination and I'm really inspired.

I don't know if I spend too much time on social media sites but I really wish there was a "like" button for threads and posts too!!! LOL.

I totally agree that longer days will help! Already coming home at 5:30 it's still light and it's such a joy! Hopefully I'll have more energy with the sunlight, too. I went to the mall today and was completely wiped just moseying around.

I'm really glad I found this site - you guys are such great sources of information, inspiration and support! Thank you.