This is my motto from now on.

schenectady , way to go! I like how you have continued to make changes in order to accomplish your goal... I too had gotten complacent and am now relieved to be focussed once again... For me I know this will be a life long battle whether I'm in maintenance or not... I will have to reel myself in and get strict with myself when I stray for the rest of my life if I want to stay healthy.. sounds like your strategy of a new coach is just what the doctor ordered! You've been an inspiration for me, thanks for being cadid and sharing your challenges with us!

I've often said I have the disease of obesity which I have put into remission but I'll have to remain diligent to keep it there.

Anyone who thinks IP is a short-term solution & goes back to the same 'ol lifestyle is doomed to repeat history. I'm always amazed how many people are lamenting what they "can't have" & how soon they can "have it again" rather than learning how to eat. The change will last a lifetime.

We went with some friends where there would be LOTS of munchy-crunchy eating going on. I knew it going in. So I took a soft-side cooler with sliced cukes, celery sticks and sliced red pepper. I can munch, too. I just need to be choosy what I munch on! And at the end of the day I'm not as bloated as I'd feel if I'd indulged in junk.

I will be sooooo happy when I can fit into my clothes again!!!! I am tired of wearing the same two pairs of pants and three black shirts!!! I have more clothes that fit, I'm just not comfortable in them. I know I'm weird. 10 more lbs and I'll have a whole new wardrobe! I have a good array of sizes to wear as I lose weight.

Where's that like button?

I have found that in my short time in maintenance that I pick my "occasional" foods carefully, thoroughly enjoy them and then back to my eating plan. I like eating in a way that maintains my weight and health. I've learned to make good choices and so much about what my body needs food-wise. Like you said, "The change will last a lifetime."

Totally on the same page - this is lifelong, not just a temporary thing to get to a certain weight, and then go back to bad old habits!

Liana

Me too! I have a lot more clothes to wear about 15-20 pounds from now and I am excited to get them back out. I decided I would absolutely not buy more clothes at my current size so I am looking forward to growing back into what I have.

My DH was talking about a time in the future and where we would live and all the great restaurants and I actually felt panic I told him that I can't eat like that anymore and he said "you won't eat like this forever". I didn't want to get into it so I just said that maybe once a week I could indulge.

Although I do think about my future fun days I am definitely different than past diets when it was a countdown. I understand so much more about the permanent changes I will be making.

I am on a diuretic for acne. I think that makes it worse. My bp is normally low anyway, so it's probably tipping it over the edge. Fortunately i like salt, a lot Which will be a problem one day I'm sure.

I am trying very hard to adjust my mindset to match the idea of a life long change. I know that's the only way to have success in the long term.

I feel the same way! I know right now that I do not have a healthy relationship with food. I get the panicky feeling when I think of permanently increasing calories, fat and carbs back into my diet. Luckily, I have 35-45 pounds left to loose to figure all this out... Reading lots of books and of coarse, the maintainers thread. I do want to be able to go out and enjoy dinner with friends again but I NEVER want to get this heavy again....

I agree with Lisa and Ruth Ann, it is a change in mindset for LIFE. There is a life of moderation out there when we are done, but healthy food choices will always need to be part of our lives. Spend some time reading the threads. Early on, I realized that many people shared their experiences of regaining when they returned back to their old eating patterns.

For me, knowledge is power. After reading these heartbreaking posts, I began to change the way that I viewed Phase 1. I stopped looking forward to what I could have when I was at goal (except wine, I still really look forward to having a glass, lol). I began to experiment with packet recipes and a lot of different dinners. My focus is now on making the best of what I can eat. And... I like eating this way. The mindset change, did not happen overnight. The first months are filled with learning, adjustments and to be honest challenges. But, the information and support is available right here to help us. I tell myself, the plan works, when we work it.

I had the cauliflower fried rice that I found on the recipe thread and I was once again dumbfounded by how much I enjoyed it. It was great! I really recommend it for anyone looking for a change. And as always, 3FC is a lifesaver- if it wasn't for the resource I don't know if I could do it!

Great Job Lisa plannig your own snacks. I could not agree more with your comments, IP has been so helpful getting the weight off and learning more about what to eat and how to eat. In maintence it is comforting to now that IP will be a tool I can go back to if I go outside my 3-5lb window of gaining but at the end of the day the way I ate before can not return or else 125++lbs will return.

I heard a health talk at the gym on the weekend and the person was saying how not to worry all thoughs foods -cookies, pasta, heavy sauces etc.. will be there when you have lost your weight. I barely contained myself from standing up and yelling "have you lost your mind!" That was what added the weight in the first place. It is not to say you can never have a cookie but you need to plan for it and watch that one cookie doesn't become a cookie every day.

schenectady- Sounds like a lovely weekend with your son. Congratulations on finding a new IP coach and renewed motivations.

My coach assures me that "we will be seeing a lot of each other in the next year" as I move to maintence. She says I can keep seeing her for as long as she is open for business. I find that a huge comfort.
I ran 9.5km this weekend and it felt great. I my fisrt "woosh" in a long time on the scale and woke up this morning 2.5lbs lighter

Hahaha! I'm good, thanks! Actually, it's a beautiful day here in Central IL & I decided on yard work instead of housework