Woolberger..I have been missing your comments also. Good for you losing that Hawaiian weight. You inspire me for my upcoming trip. I am also dependent on those artificial sweeteners at this time of my life!
You must be exhausted with all of that family..but isn't it lovely to see everyone?

Hi Sandy..Very exciting about you going down on Phase 3 and soon entering maintenance!!!!! You are doing so well!

Linden..I did not have a problem with water retention in Phase 2-4..However, I am cautious about eating too many pickles, or turkey pepperoni for that reason.Those can cause a pound increase the next day.
Are you eating enough protein and drinking enough water? Do they have those salt free herbs in Geramny..glad it is warm over there..I just remembered short days in Dec. in Germany..

Today's goal is exercise, mail Xmas gifts and get a tree!

I have discovered certain foods (especially anything from a restaurant) that causes water retention in MY body. I think it is just a matter of keeping track and noticing. If I eat: pickles, ham, hot wing sauce, caeser dressing- I am always up 1-2 pounds the next day. I cannot eat wheat, it causes SEVERE bloating and sleepiness and the scale will be up 3 or more pounds for days until it works its way out of my system.

Capricious- I tried a Lara Bar on your recommendation. O.M.G!!! Are you kidding me??? I will not be able to have these babies in my house. I will have to specifically go to the store and buy them 1 at a time. I tried the Chocolate Peanut (peanut butter?). YUMMO!

Also- anyone out there tried Quest Bars? They are only available on the 'net. They look like they are pretty good and the nutritional info is comparable to IP.

I got a free sample of Quest bars when I liked their facebook page a while ago. They are softer and more like a cake. I think if you nuked them they would be just like a warm brownie.

Thanks Jenny and Maile, a lot. See what you think? I get about 100-110 g protein a day and 100-120 lg of water. I brought 1 Mrs Dash with me and use a lot of herbs, turmeric and zatar (a Turkish mixture of ground sumac berries, thyme and sesame). Protein is fish, meat, eggs, nonfat cottage cheese and some low fat yogurt. (Turmeric and curry powder are good in cottage cheese.) Fruit primarily frozen blueberries and galia melon. Vegetables heavy on endive, spinach, cauliflower, and broccoli. No cereal. I guess I will eliminate bread for a week and then milk products (sigh) but I've had no problem with whey isolate protein. And the obvious -- don't go out to eat once a week with family even if I stay on plan, which I do. Anything you can suggest will be welcome.

Edit: I should add that I walk a lot. Averaged 6 miles a day last month. That's actual out of the house walking. Today in freezing rain, Maile.

Hey ladies....not doing well here...up about 7 pounds....I need a swift kick in the behind. I keep making terrible choices over and over.

Sorry to hear that! Are you tracking everything in MFP or something similar? I find that accounting for EVERY bite I put in my mouth is helping. This is such a hard time of year for weight gain! You could always hit Phase 1 for a tune up, either now or in January. I'm starting back in Jan for a 10 lb refresher on Phase 1 and I think a few others are as well.

Linden..Your food choices sound excellent and healthy. I cannot see any problem with them..nor your amount of protein. The only though I had about retention was adding lemon juice or vinegar to your meals to help get rid of water. Could you try eating half of the fruit or half of the bread? Maybe stay away from wheat bread and try the rye. I am eating only low carb pita bread and pancakes at this time.
If worse comes to worse you could go back on Phase 1 and try to get those pounds off..then try 4 again.
You are ambitious walking in freezing rain..6 miles is great. I am doing 4 miles on the eliptical in the heated gym. I must admit that heading off to the gym in 20 degree weather is a challenge!

Jenny..I have not tried Quest bars..but now think I should try the Lara bars!
Sandy..Your pictures looked excellent with that 50 pound loss! Wonderful. How fun that you are an elf.

Pauley..I am also trying to track also to keep focused. For some reason I am reading diet blogs to keep healthy eating fresh in my mind..during this season.

I read some interesting posts about maintenance. One had statistics that
in the first year of weight loss..85-90 percent gain the weight back. In the second year only 50% gain it back. In 5 years only 24 percent gain it back. Well..this made me inspired that all of us here are going to be in that elite 15 percent who do not gain the weight back in the first year. Of course the other key factor is that all of these people did not have the benefit of Ideal Protein eating habits and support behind them!

I am sorry you are going through a hard time. Would it help to get inspired with reading posts here or other places? Fatsecret and Sparkpeople have lots of inspirational groups as well.
This is a very stressful time of the year. We are bombarded with celebrations, social events, and memories of food in previous years.
Are you getting any exercise? Hope today goes well for you.

You're very kind and I think we may be thinking along the same lines. I've levelled off to about 35 g of carbs for breakfast; 50 for the day. And I'm going to give wheat a bye for a week. I wouldn't be in this pickle, would still be in Phase 1 if we weren't going to my DIL's parents' for 10 days over Christmas and we felt that with so many people in the house 1 person with special needs would be one too many. Still, it's good to get a feel for phasing off and maintaining until I get back. Do you think Pixylkitty is back from her cruise yet. I hope she had a wonderful birthday trip.

Sorry you are struggling. You have been such an inspiration. One thought- you used to be SO active on this site. The thing that I found to be the most beneficial about weight watchers years ago was the commeradere and support. When you were here every day, you seemed to be very successful. I know that although I don't post real often, I check in here every day and it helps. Maybe you could try to be more active on these threads for awhile and that would help. I know I sure miss hearing about your struggles/ triumphs/ fun vacations/etc. Hope to see you here more often.

Hi Guys
Sorry I've been MIA for a coupla weeks. I had a lot of work and a big show to get ready for. Kinda consumes me. I also had a hard time by missing the holiday challenge. It's very hard for me to do things from the side. One of my shortcomings. So next time we have one (New Years to Valentines Day???) I will sign up on time so I can feel part of the group. I need to be in a group, like all the time, to stick with this.
I'm keeping my maintenance weight at 127-128 but can't seem to lose these 5 lbs that would get me back into my size 4's which I was really enjoying. I've put on a lot of leg and stomach weight. Isn't this crazy? Talking about 5 lbs? I know...someone might be reading this and thinking...what the **** is her problem. Don't really know how to answer that one, except I have never had thin legs, finally I did, and I loved how comfortable and lanky it felt to have that room in the pants legs and the lightness in my walk. I'll get there. I'll just have to give it a real push and curb my carbs/calories and up the exercise.
Have a great day everyone.

Keep us posted on how it goes sans wheat. I retain water like mad when I eat it. For my carbs, I try to stick to oats, rice, legumes and sweet potatoes. I stay away from bread, pasta and baked goods 95% of the time. And I know that I need to be fully prepared for what is to come should I decide to partake. I am sure on Christmas I will indulge (the way I did at Thanksgiving) and then spend 1-2 days at P1 until the bloating subsides.