You're so right...the mental part and how I see myself are a huge challenge! And thanks...I did well until TOM, and now the bloating is going down slowly.


So sorry to hear about your sister. I'm sending lots of prayers for her and your family. Hang in there.

You go girl!!! Very proud of you for being happy with yourself and for rocking a bikini!


How exciting! Did you start it? I think it'll be a great way to get in your cardio. Keep us posted!

How did it go? I'll be she was very impressed and proud of you!

Great job on the 1yr, and for hanging in with P1. It's not that easy, but so worth it.

I definitely need help with mental maintenance!!!

On days where I work out pretty hard (Interval class), I add in a 4th packet (non-restricted). It seems to help. Good luck, and great work with maintenance!

Happy Monday everyone! I've decided that every day for the rest of Lent (at least), I am going to look in the mirror and point out one thing I love about me and my body. Today is that I really like the definition I'm starting to see in my arms/biceps. Lifting is starting to really pay off!

I went to P2 to begin phasing out for trip to Maui (now only 3 weeks away). Also, I thought I'd just lose my last bit of weight on P2 and P3. It didn't go well and the truth is I would still like to lose another 8-10lbs before I move to maintenance. DH is doing well with P1 and he wasn't interested in phasing out before vacation. Therefore I think we'll stay on P1, continue to exercise, continue to have 1 extra packet for exercise and then we'll do a P3/4 just for the week we're on vacation.

We still need to learn alot more about being "prepared" for life after P1. Plus we'd both like to reach "goal weight" BEFORE we phase out.

In preparation for phasing out I started tracking on MFP. I'm shocked at the amount of carbs I'm getting and wondering how in the world you keep yourself under 30 for the day when you're on P1??? My coach told me that if I went over 30 I'd go out of ketosis. Do you all agree this is true?

Maile, it's not usually that long except for long weekends/holidays. There is a great site that tells you what you're looking at for each of the crossings (there are a few options, sometimes the smaller ones are significantly faster). Search "border crossing lineups" - the truck crossing is often much quicker depending on where you're heading. AM730 radio station has border lineup updates every 10 minutes when you're in the Vancouver area.

Good luck with your trip up here!

Great to hear from you again disgal! Good for you for going after 5 pounds! And exercising regularly too- so many great maintaining tools in place! My two cents is to definitely add in an extra packet... your body will need it...
CajunLadyBug I love that you are giving yourself the gift of a healthy mentality. It's so easy for us to be our own worst critics that we forget we need to be positive to ourselves as well. Cheers to exercise- not only does it produce happiness endorphins it also gives us something tangible- muscles! Woohoo!

I don't know what you're having for your proteins on Phase 2 but if you're not losing you might want to consider fish/ eggs. I found Hawaii very conducive to a Phase 3/ 4 plan most places offer egg white omelets, or vanilla, fruit & yogurt with granola (beware the portion of granola though! I always had to dig some out because for sure there was about 3-4X too much) for breakfast and there's a million different seafood places! The grocery stores also carry a wide variety of natural & healthy products. Good luck- I'm sure you guys will do well- and enjoy Hawaii as a thin person !!(I sure did)

Okay Sunnymae for different reasons you & I ended up doing pretty much the same thing of 'intuitive' maintenance- you have to let us know how it went. Please. Pretty please. I know you're busy but I'm dying to know. Please....
pxlkitty- congrats on the juicer!!
maile- We were in Maui. I've been there several times but haven't gone to any of the other islands. Just liked it there so much I haven't wanted to fix what isn't broken. You're right about the flavors of coffee and tea. It's nice to still be able to partake in the aroma and flavor of those old sugar & fat laden stand by's without having to feel ill or gaining weight. Love my butter toffee coffee & chocolate raspberry truffle. Gotta love fuchsia! Definitely reminds me of Hawaii that color! The conversation between

Well...I weighed in at 129.1 today, so that's where my intuitive maintaining got me w/o exercise. That is an important component that was missing the last 1 1/2 with being laid up from the back/neck problems.
So...I'm really 4 lbs over my max of 125 and just started cutting back today and took a really swift walk uphill to get my heart pumping some. Going to put my order in at Nashua for the oatmeal, cold cereal, protein bars and pudding/shakes that are always on hand and help me cut down on calories/keep me from chocolate, cakes and so on. I usually alternate between ph 1 and 3 breakfasts. Honestly I'm still not a breakfast person, but I make sure to have "real" food mixed in with IP type food for breakfast. Eggs with turkey bacon, with a sprinkle of romano, etc...you know the rest!
So...I'll see how I do cutting back a bit and walking more, then do another weigh in next Monday and report in. Yeah...let's let each other know how we're doing on "intuitive maintenance" I love these catch phrases we keep comin' up with!! LOL
It ain't easy is all I gots to say! I have to keep remembering that there is NOTHING worth overeating about and then having to see it on the scale...after all we've been thru. It would truly be a crying shame. If I hang around here...that's the best chance I have of making it thru year 2 of maintenance.
OK...lemme know. I luv you guys to death...no really!!!!
Sunny

I feel exactly the same way. I started a pretty strict (not perfect) Phase 1 reboot as of Saturday morning. For example, last night was salad greens, cucumber, red peppers, and salad dressing... grilled broccolini, mushrooms, peppers, and asparagus. I had grilled chicken with a balsamic glaze. I did have a tiny glass of wine.

So far, I'm down 4.5lbs and I feel SO much better, it's unbelievable. I went to pilates this morning and realized exactly how far I've come in the past year.

People are telling me that I'm crazy to think that I need to lose a few pounds. I realized that people who are successful are always doing the little bit here and there that it takes to not get too far out of their comfort zone. My size-6 pants fit, but they were getting a little snug. Everything was ok, but on the verge of not ok. THAT is precisely the time to take action.

And, you are so right. NOTHING is worth overeating for. My food intake now is about keeping me healthy and giving my body the right type of fuel to get through life. It's much less about eating to feel good or comfort or whatever.

So, as for the new juicer... I think I'm addicted. I didn't have very much spinach in the fridge today and was rushing to get to work as I have my pilates class each Tuesday. So, no juice for me today. AND... wow, am I thinking about it. There is something to be said for our bodies craving nutrition. SO much better than the carb cravings that I had just one week ago. I'm thinking of suggesting to the cafe downstairs that they look into getting a juicing machine. Heck, if I'd buy fresh juices, maybe others would too??

Have a great Tuesday everyone. Another PHASE 1 day for me today.

Question: Do you separate carbs and fats on a daily basis as recommended in P4? Any opionions on whether it really works?

I'm still trying to decide what my P4 diet will look like (we're 2.5 weeks away from P4 on our extended re-boot).

I find all of your posts inspiring. I think we can join the 5 percentagers!!!!!!

Pixl: Your juicer is so very very healthy! It sounds such fun to experiment.
I am with you..Nothing absolutely nothing is worth overeating for and regaining this weight! Good job on the 4.5 pounds down.

Disgal: You are inspiring with a 1 year maintenance! Have you thought of joining the Diet Registry? I don't eat eggs for breakfast usually...yougurt and high protein cereal. I have been lifting weights and working out.. You could consider adding a snack when you do boot camp.

Sunnymae: You are are leader, heading into Year 2 with your intuitive maintenance!!! I love your posts. Again..you are right..nothing is worth regaining this weight.

Cajun: lad you are finally feeling better. I have been reading about emotions and maintenance and may post a few ideas.

Maintain: Good luck on Phase 1 and getting ready for Maui. I did not count carbs on Phase 1..just ate IP so I do not know if I was under 30.

Cap : What brand of coffee are you getting? Maui has beautiful beaches!

I have increased my weights and level on the elliptical. I am feeling stronger..waiting to see if there is any effect on weight.
Snow again today..in March.

I never counted carbs. I think it's impossible to get under 30. Besides, every
One is slightly different when it comes to getting kicked out of ketosis. 4cups of veggies have a bunch of carbs, but they are mostly fiber. But, even with 3 IP products, I think you'd be at or over 30.

When I was first in maintenance, I followed this advice very closely and did really well for several months. Then December happened. I had a few 1.5 cheat days in a row, the. Started picking at things during the week and got a little more relaxed. I got to the top of my comfort zone, and kinda just hoped the weight would go away. So... Back to phase 1 for me this week then I plan to follow the rules again. When I trust this diet and do exactly as I'm told, it loves me back. When I got relaxed, it slips.

I have been a avid exerciser for about 3 years. I can honestly say that I have not been able to use exercise as a weight loss tool. I went through a phase where I did p90x in the mornings and another 60 min class in the night.
I has lots of muscle, and was very fit, but was still fat.

I think tosca Rena has it right-it's 80% diet, 10% genetics and 10% hard work.

Diet is where you get the real results. Exercise enhances the final product!

Maintenance worked for me with a 4-5 day phase 1 or 2 a week and 2 or 3 days off plan, but mainly low carb. I will resume that once my dh finishes with phase 1. I hope to lose 6 more pounds and be at 140 for a bit! Oh, and I do still work out mist days, but try to keep it to an hour!

Good morning ladies. I'm down to 152.0!! I'm almost back into my comfort zone. YAY! Hard work is paying off.


I read somewhere that you should use diet for weight loss and exercise for fitness. I think people think they can eat like crap when they are working out. Also, I read something in a recent Health magazine that just thinking about exercise makes you more likely to snack and increases your calorie intake.

Lee. In phase 4 you can add carbs at night..but then you are not supposed to have fats..ie oils and he mentions cheese/dairy. Well..I have continued to use olive oil at night and also have made vegetables roasted with parmesean cheese and olive oil. Sometimes I have beans at night.
I am not exactly following the plan..but I have not gained.

Pixl: You are doing it. Way to go.

Momto2. I agree with you..genetics and hard work are right in there with diet. Your maintenance is going well, with your exercise.

Well I had a maintenance meltdown last night. I came home late from work and really thought I could convince my husband to order take out..as I was tired and not in the mood to prepare anything. It turns out he had eaten a cheeseburger and fries for lunch and was wanting healthy food..So..despite the fact that I did not want to do the effort of making vegetables..I made my favorite Indian green beans and curried eggplant with cilantro sauce.
Part of me was thinking..am I going to have to keep cooking healthy foods, keep going to the grocery store to keep stocked up on healthy food, keep making meals ahead for work, keep exercising every day, keep up all of this effort for the rest of my life? Having been reading articles on maintenance, the mistake that people make is that they ease up on the very things that made them healthy..exercise and eating healthy..So yes I am going to continue to have to do this..Pity part was over and I am getting take out tonight!

I am far from being on maintenance, I still have quite a bit I want to lose. However, I really enjoy reading this thread as it helps me to prepare for my own maintenance. I was just saying to my DH that it seems a lot of people think they can reach their goal and go back to their old eating habits and not gain back what they worked so hard to lose. That's just crazy to me. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences and insight. I know I will have to find what works for me once I reach maintenance but it does help to see what has and hasn't worked for other people.

Mustang So glad this thread is a good resource for you! You are exactly right to be planning not to go back to your old habits after the "diet" is over. You will be successful with maintenance if you keep planning.

Maile The first time around on maintenance, for a couple of months I was diligent about keeping up with the veggies at lunch and dinner. Then I got lazy. It is hard to continually buy fresh produce, prep it and cook it! But that is when the other bad habiits started creeping in...not tracking food, a cheat day stretching to ancheat weekend, getting fast food. I agree with you, to be succeessful on maintenance we will have to keep doing the things that got us down to goal in the first place.

Mom2 I wish I had the dedication to exercise you do. I did an 8 week challenge with friends, that goot me exercising 45 min 5 times a week. My next goal is to complete the Couch to 5k program. There is also a circuit training class I like at the gym. Funny how exercise impacts weight loss. My thought now is that regular exercise generally keeps the metabolism up, but exercise is mostly for toning and cardio health rather than weight loss.

Pxl Thanks for responding to my question. My experience is the same as yours. When I stuck to P4 like glue, the weight stayed off. I don't know why I'm trying to recreate the wheel this time.

Everyone else...great posts! Love that this thread has been so active!