WOW! Lots of action on the forum lately, not just us 2015-ers, but lots of new starters and rebooters. Must be January

HIS love the picture!
I suspect I may have the same problem as you with peanut butter, definitely addictive for me as well. I'm starting to make a list of things to watch out for later!

jenny - oh, that would be so nice to be in 6's or 4's but I don't expect to, realistically. You must have a small frame, me not. Someone posted awhile back some way to determine based on wrist size, and I would be at least a medium frame, if not large. Size of bones. No matter, I will be happy at 8

smda - great progress, good luck with your WI. You'll be in Onederland before you know it.

Linda - I hate to hear that about P2, maybe it will get better as your body adjusts. I find it hard to wrap my head around the fact that adding 8 more oz of protein at lunch isn't going to add weight. I've read the explanation, but it still scares me. Keeping my fingers crossed that it improves for you over the next week. Look at everyone else that has done P2 and their successes, focus on that!

MiWi you're almost out of the bad part of the reboot, better days ahead. Hang in there.

mama - 50 lbs!! You'll make it!!

Beth - glad you checked in, and happy to hear all is well. Sounds like you've got maintenance figured out, so happy for you. At this stage, when I'm starting to look ahead to P2 and P3 and beyond, it's a bit scary, and I'm so glad that you and HIS and others have shared their progress/trials/errors...and success... it's going to be a big help, I just know it.
You're really getting into the running, and doing so well, congrats!! From the runners I have known over the years, they tell me it becomes a lifelong love. So glad you found it. ( must admit though, I still don't understand how running in the cold can be fun, and at my age, it's doubtful I'll ever be tempted to find out )

Busy day for me, out most of the day, tired when I got home, bit of a sore back, I may have over-exerted, so treated myself to a mid-day bubble bath...ahhhh!! Then spent some time cleaning up my desk, I tend to let things pile up for days, then it's a big mess that has to be dealt with.
DH is out for a few hours, I'm going to make him some pasta when he gets home (sauce is in the freezer, so, easy), but I can't wait that long, so a nice big omelet with veggies for me.

Blue - The omelet sounds great. It must be sore muscle day as I had sore legs today.

Beth - Good to hear from you. I know you said things were going to be hectic at work. Glad to hear that you are holding and that you have figured out a schedule that works. I just bought a head lamp to use in the morning while walking the dog. Seems to be easier to see the ice and as my husband says the dog's "pride".

Jenny / MiWji- Congrats on your first days. I find that I keep getting ahead of my self in my mind and wondering about my trip to Hawaii in May -- I find my self wondering if it will be worth the effort of restarting -- the headaches, the hunger. At this point I think I will believe that I can lose more weight than I will have lost by then. Listening to all the "starters and rebooters" this week has made we wonder if it will be worth it... I did salt licks to as I preferred that over drinking salt water.

Mama - Congrats on 50# that is fantastic. I think I do better when I walk too. I will be discussing how it has been going with my coach this week.

HIS -- you look fabulous and the others look pretty good too. Your grand kids will likely be very tall as well. It would be helpful if I could grow a little taller then my BMI would shrink

Linda - I hope that you have better days ahead on P2. It seems that the emotions are a very real part of P2 -4. The investment in this program is huge $, time and we want / need this to be different than previous attempts. Glad to hear that you are back on your elliptical. I tried mine the other day and it seemed so hard - walking is much easier for now...

Took dog on a nice long walk this morning (woke at 430)
Exciting day, we did a ribbon cutting and blessing for a new location today at work. It is nice to see the space finally able to serve the public. Had a nice spread of food, wraps, fruit kabobs, spinach triangles, crackers and cheese. I had a bottle of water and slice of a chicken wrap - minus all non IP foods. (the chicken was chunk white meat.) Had a headache this afternoon - not sure if I am coming down with something or if I am going to have a TOM guest appearance. I have been irregular for several years and I have not had a visit since starting IP.

Nice to hear from everybody.

Sue

Thank you everyone for the words of encouragement. Beth Phew! the Calm worked. I took it last night after dinner- this morning I am back down to 128. 2.2 lbs up (steady progression) since Saturday REALLY freaked me out yesterday morning. I really was freaking myself out- neurotic? pPerhaps, I don't know- it's a good thing and a bad thing? Hopefully my diligence will continue, but on the flip side (oh and staying close on this forum-yes, I believe that will happen) on the flip side- a TINY part of my brain told me, everyone is right-it's adjustment, need to have a good BM, and it's not fat-but last night (actually the past 2 days at the office even) moody :read-b*t*chy, felt FAT, discouraged, just miserable-liek here I go again....stupid stuff like that-"I better save some fat clothes" I've never been quite so -I don't even know the word to use-about my weight. I've lost this much weight before-about 17 years ago when y sister got married- and I eventually put it all back on...(didn't take a heck of a long time either- whwen I lost it it was strictly exercise and eating correctly for myself as a 34 year old.Who needs to pay a therapist when we have each other?? I don't know how I would have made it this far! Again, thank you for the words of encouragement!
Beth, congrats on the run! You are amazing!! I wish DBF liked to exercise, I'd love to have him as a partner in this. I'm sure the Christmas present is keeping you toasty in the 10 degree weather!!
Jenny-congrats on being "in the zone" again!
HIS-STUNNING!!!! You look amazing!!!
SMD-It's nice that we have the afternoon light lingering again finally. This time of year, I can be out of work by 4 which is nice- the life in landscaping....and I feel your "pain" my TOM has been all messed up for about a year and a half- and since IP- oh that's a long story....but good luck!
Blue-I din't think I would be so freaked out about it....the bubble bath sounds like heaven. Maybe I need one- I haven't had one in so long- and it might be nice to have a tubby and my belly not peer out like a volcanic island in the middle of the Pacific....
I hope that everyone has a great day today- I'm still figihting this foolish c old that started last week- between the dry cough, occassional sore throat and sinus pressure...I AM DONE WITH WINTER!!!
oh- and as an aside- I sadly listed the flannel lined jeans on ebay that I got to wear once, and was lucky enough to replace them with an 8 (yay me!! ) and I wore them to work yesterday- OMG- I wish I had a pair for every day- CO-ZEEEE - love them!! (that and the fact I can wear 8's)
Ok-time to start my day ♥ you all my 3FC friends!!!

I must be, although I never thought of myself as having a small frame before It is really such an amazing feeling to be in single digit clothing sizes and I know you will be tickled pink with an 8

blue, even with a large frame, I think a size 6 is possible for you. I'm very big boned (I wear a 7 5/8 hat - giant noggin - and can't buy bangle bracelets because I can't get them over my hands), and I'm in an 8 at 155 pounds. Of course, it depends on how your weight is distributed.

Linda, good to hear things are working on the south end and the scale numbers are better. You are right; we are so prone to mental instability as we figure out how to maintain!

smda, good work on staying compliant at your lunch function. Those were always hard for me. Yeah, I'm gonna have big ol' grandkids. My son and his wife were both 11 pounds at birth. Whoppers. I gained only 20 pounds with that pregnancy and left the hospital weighing less than I did when I got pregnant. LOL.

Jenny, you're amazing. I don't know if I could work up the desire to do P1 more than once.

Beth, thanks for taking time to stop in! I saw you posting on FB so I knew you were alive and well. Ah, your running times are so good!!

I was a total slug yesterday. I never did go out and run, or do much of anything except lay on the sofa most of the day. It was cold and wet, and my old stress fracture site (from 10 years ago) was crazy achey. I just felt.... worn out. So I ate mostly P1 and did nothing. I don't think I even got in 2000 steps. Fortunately, the scale was nice to me this morning.

It's currently pretty foggy here so I will wait for that to burn off before running. The first 1/4 mile of my running route is along a 70 mph road with lots of trucks, so I'm careful to make sure drivers can see me. Ain't nobody got time to be hit by a car!

Smda I don't recall when you said you were going on your Hawaii vacation, but IMO any weight that you can drop before then is worth the time and investment.

I started IP the first week in September. DH didn't understand why I was starting a diet when we still had a lot of time left at the lake and on the lake and with hockey season starting. We have a lot of beverages at the lake and our hockey parents like to party.

He doesn't understand my struggle with weight and it took a friend of mine to tell him that I was a strong person for acknowledging that I needed to lose weight and take steps to do so and he should be more supportive of my decision. I don't think he realized he wasn't being supportive until then. He's been very good since then and is always conscious to ask about meal options if we have to eat somewhere other than home.

This isn't my first time on IP. I did it several years ago and lost 50lbs. I did not phase of; I stopped cold and returned to old habits. I'm going to do it right this time. If I reach a point where I feel I need a break, I'll phase off appropriately and return to finish when I'm ready to reach my goal. I don't want to start all over again...and I'm done being the fat mom that can't go sledding because my snowpants don't fit. I'd like to try water skiing and knee boarding and wake boarding at the lake. I want to be able to go for a run without my hip popping out. I want to be able to shop in ALL stores, not just store that offer plus size. I want to wear a bikini again. Will my stretch marks show? Absolutely. But guess what...that's what having babies to do women. If you don't like my stretch marks, don't look at me. I'm proud of the reason I have them. I LOVE the reason I have them.

So I guess my point in this rant is that it's worth it...for all of us, regardless of the timing.

RIGHT ON!!!

mama - you have a GREAT attitude and I just know you are going to reach and exceed your goals!

blue - bwahahahaha!
I wish nope - what I am learning about P4 is that is about LEARNING and ADAPTING. It is accepting certain truths that apply to you and you alone. It is being willing to try new things - whats that definition of insanity Don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to scare the doo-doo out of folks, but at the end of the day we are all going to face maintenance alone. IP give guidelines - and that is why they are so frustratingly open ended - because what works for HIS or worked for Jenny may or may not work for me.

Some things I've discovered over the last 6 weeks:
1. P3 breakfast had to be scaled back - I don't do well (like HIS) with a King's breakfast, Queen's lunch, and paupers dinner (I'm sure I got that wrong ) I also was having massive cravings after eating so many carbs and then cutting back lunch / dinner protein. I don't want to feel continuously hungry all my life...I am currently doing oatmeal in a jar once a week (it DOES help me stay regular)
2. Fruits after lunch are a no-go - that was an obvious pattern of binge-y eating after having fruit as a mid-afternoon or evening snack
3. Thinking I am also going to have to be careful with the dairy - cheese I am ok with...yogurts / cottage cheese not so much...yes, even plain, no-sugar added (and may I add, YUK - I will find something else to eat)
4. I do well with a low(er) carb diet. When I have fruit in the morning, I try to keep it low GI (berries), I am using wraps if I need / want bread, rather than high-grain breads (even Ezekiel), I am avoiding most sugar

BUT, I am also still experimenting with the above too
The last 2 mornings have been 5+ mile runs and I've been eating 1/2 a banana before heading out and a Quest Banana Creme shake as a recovery drink (thanks Ro! Hope you are well). Then at work I have 1 egg with an Oikos 0/0/0 yogurt. Yesterday I was fine...this morning, my blood sugar dropped (I still monitor when I feel wonky) around 11:30 and I ate an early lunch.

And see, I have the other issue with the running...I am continuously having to second guess myself on how much I should be eating...& if I am truly hungry or just...(fill in the blank) - tired seems to be the worst. I am up to 20 - 25 miles a week and averaging 1,750 k/cal per day.
Tuesday night, instead of diving head first into the left over holiday cookies, I went to bed at 9:15pm. In my low carb days, you asked yourself if you are willing to eat an egg (as opposed to whatever else you may be craving at the time) - and if you are, it is 'true' hunger and you need to eat (healthy). If not, drink water or find ways to otherwise occupy yourself. Recently, I've been eating the egg(s) more often than not - so I am also still trying to find THAT balance.


HIS - nothing wrong with a rest day The picture from your son's wedding is AMAZING! So happy for you!

Linda - YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never in my life did I think taking a poop would become a highlight, but after the ridiculous and horrible IP constipation (that went on from April - November, more or less), I don't think I will ever take being regular for granted again.

& speaking of 'regular', I will end on a funny(ish), kind of gross note HIS will appreciate. I got through 2/3's of my run this morning when nature didn't just call...it SCREAMED...thankfully, I was right by a wooded area in my neighborhood and it was pitch dark at 6:15am

Mama- thanks for your wonderful post. I am going to Hawaii in mid-May (I told you I was getting ahead of myself). You reminded me that I miss water skiing. Too hard for a mid-aged fat chick to get pulled out of the water. Added that to my after I lose weight list

One- How is your husband doing? How are you doing OP?

Beth- I appreciate your P4 posts. There are times when we think P1 is hard, but if I am honest this is the easiest diet I have ever done. I have lost weight before, diet and exercise, WW, adkins, + more. I have not mastered the skill to keep it off. Your posts and those of other folks that are on the P4 journey are a reminder that my work will not end -- in fact it will begin when I graduate to P4. This is no different than life - I remember when I was younger thinking it will be easier when...(insert finish school, get a real job, etc) but it is never easier, usually harder. But it is the journey that makes life worth living. For the first time in my life this journey does not scare me. I know it will take hard work and that I need to find other ways of dealing with stress. I know I can do this.

Thought I had my WI today -- but I messed up and it is tomorrow instead. Still feel that TOM might be coming for a visit. - another headache and hungry today - I actually went to the cafeteria for eggs (at the whites only). ( I have not gone off protocol).

Sue

I didn't realize you're a hockey parent! I was too. Down here in hot Texas. My son got as far as juniors and then decided a hockey career wasn't for him. But, yes, hockey parents like their party food - and DRINKS. At least down here - the hockey parents I met in Ontario were nice, low-key folks.

Men are just not naturally caregivers, and that comes to being supportive in weight loss. I think my DH's philosophy is, "I need to buy her stuff that makes her happy." So sometimes he will ask if he can take me out to dinner and can I eat there, and other times (like yesterday) he brings home donuts that I like. I haven't eaten any, BTW.

Oh, gosh, the running + poop dilemma. Who knew?

I have to agree, P4 seems to be one very long experiment. I have settled into somewhat of a routine that's working, at least for now.
- I have coffee and about 100 calories of something carb-dense first thing in the morning. Sometimes that's a South Beach bar.
- Then I run.
- When I get back, I have a protein shake w/ spinach. Or if I'm at the gym, I finish with an EAS shake or a protein bar.
- Mid-morning, I have a snack of trail mix or some almonds.
- Lunch is protein + veggies. Sometimes just tuna and an egg on salad.
- Mid-afternoon snack is celery + PB2, or carrots + hummus, or an apple, some combination of those things. IF I'm still hungry, I might have cheese.
- Dinner is protein + CARBS. I'm sure a coach would wig out at the amount of carbs & fat I'm eating for dinner, but I've found I have to lay off on veggies at dinner because the fiber kills me the next morning when I run. Last night I had a turkey casserole w/ cheese, and two corn muffins with butter. And, yeah, dinner is my biggest meal. Totally not what IP teaches.
- Evening snack might be anything from sugar-free pudding or jello (with sugar free Cool Whip), to plain fat-free yogurt flavored with WF jam, to a couple of pieces of dark chocolate. I can't really do Quest bars at night anymore because of the fiber.

My FitBit says I'm burning about 2,200 calories a day, and my calorie intake has been running about 1800/day. The weight is slowly coming off, but hunger seems to be my constant companion. You're right, it's about finding the balance.

I don't think I've mentioned that my husband is apparently starting to have some low blood sugar problems. He had a couple of incidents that were identical to what you described, so our doc prescribed a glucometer and he's monitoring himself. He's had a couple of days where he was down in the 70s, but hasn't had an episode yet to check how low it gets when he has symptoms. His diet is TERRIBLE. He hates almost all veggies except corn and peas, eats mini donuts for breakfast and Hot Pockets for lunch/dinner when left to do the cooking himself. And he snacks on junk food all night at work. UGH.

Gotta get off here and go do my long run. Just 5 miles, since my 10K is next Saturday and this is the beginning of my taper week. I have two goals for the 10K race: 1) finish in under an hour, and 2) not have to poop in the middle of the race!

Ha-ha! I have to admit, that starting back in Oct. for my reboot was a lot easier than restarting again after the holidays This week has been a struggle, but I have stayed OP.

I think the hardest part is because I had already lost almost 17# before the holidays so I am looking (IMHO) and feeling good, so it has been really tempting to just be satisfied with where I am and not continue on P1. Deep down I know that I am truly not where I want to be (back into the 130's) which is why I have been powering through P1 this week and hoping it will get easier.

Believe me, there is no "desire" involved

YES!!!

This is very similar to what I found that I am going to need to do on maintenance. I have found that I can't really tolerate grains, period. They will need to be saved for special occasions. My main sources of carbs will be starchy veggies and some fruits. I also have a hard time with dairy. I can handle a sprinkling of cheese, but no milk, yogurt, etc... It makes me very bloated and retain water.

Before I started this reboot, I had pretty much worked out that 135-150g of carbs per day are what my body feels best on and that no/limited grains and no/limited dairy would be my day to day "diet". AND to eat carbs early in the day (Breakfast & Lunch) and just save "unrestricted" veggies for my evening meal. Here is a sample of what I was doing:

Pre-WO: 2 eggs whites, 1/2 banana, 1/2T. Almond (or Peanut) butter
Post-WO: protein shake, banana
Breakfast: protein source (sometimes eggs, sometimes a turkey burger), a fat (either almond butter, or egg yolks mixed in with the whites) and either a piece of fruit or potato
Lunch: protein source, sweet potato or beans, salad with unrestricted veggies and 1T olive oil dressing
Snack: protein shake or bar or chips
Dinner: protein source and unrestricted veggies w/ 1 T. olive oil or butter

This is exactly what I plan to do for my maintenance plan. It worked really well for me and I felt really good on this.

Good Morning IPers!

I'm hungry today. It's 11:10 an my stomach is growling already. This is not usual for me. Typically it gets to 1pm and I realize I forgot to have my shake for lunch. I know it has to do with my supper meal last night. I had traditional mild wings. They are higher in fat (and calories). Though it didn't hurt me on the scale this morning (down again) I feel that's what is contributing to my bowl growls today.

I'm also trying to drink more water. I've been getting in the recommended amount, but I haven't been drinking as much as I usually do. I typically drink 100-120oz a day and the last week has been borderline meeting protocol.

We have a big game for our local football team tomorrow. NDSU is playing in the FCS championship game in Frisco, TX. This is the 5th year the team has made it. I'm very nervous for this game. They play Jacksonville Gamecocks and they are very good. Bison are going to have to play hard for this one if they want the win! They are typically a second half team. If they are going to pull a win out, they need to be a first half team also. Not attending any viewing parties. Just watching it home. DD has gymnastics and DS has hockey tomorrow...they keep us busy!

hadn't thought about the fiber - but thankfully, the Combat bars don't seem to be causing an issue. I am still having *some* residual bathroom issues ('roids - UGH!) so using the Natural Calm daily too...but I did have a lot of veggies with dinner Wednesday night, compared with homemade sweet potato fries on Tuesday night.
Truthfully, I knew I should have waited a bit longer Thursday morning before heading out, but have to get to work at a decent hour too, so it was just a risk I had to take - I lost that bet . I was just praying no one was walking their dog that early

DH & I got Fitbits after Christmas - having fun with them Told me yesterday, with the exercise I did, I could have 2,800 calories!!!!! I have been averaging 2,200 burned also and generally coming in daily around 1,700 - 1,800

Saturday night, before the 5k Sunday, I ate a fairly fibrous dinner - lamb and brussel sprouts...but made it home before I had any issues

My diet is still changing but I'm sticking to the macros I have set in MFP (25 carb / 35 fat / 40 protein) and coming in 1,500 - 3,000 under calories over 7 days.

We cycle dinners - fish, chicken, ground turkey, and once a week, a red meat (lamb, bison, or beef). 2 / 3 times a week, I am adding high carbs veggies - butternut squash, sweet potato...going to branch out a bit more I think and try a lower carb veggie with a serving of black beans or quinoa...see what the scale does / how it effects the morning run

I am still experimenting with breakfast and haven't found a go-to. I guess it really depends on what's happened the night before (ie, last nights 'splurge')

I do seem to need a 1/2 banana to get things revving the mornings I run - I see so much conflicting information about how much pre / post-run fuel you need for x(xx) mileage...tomorrow morning is my long run - 80 minutes / 7 - 8 miles so will definitely be doing a 1/2 banana and taking a couple GU's for the 30 & 60 minute markers.

I think I also need to be more vigilant about making sure my calories stay even to prevent binges. Wednesday I ended up under 1,500 and yesterday, I got ferociously hungry and had the low blood sugar episode. I made up for it having 2 high-carb, high-fat snacks last night (Ezekiel bread with cashew butter and then Schmidts low carb bread with low fat cream cheese).

Needless to say, I feel like a million bucks today (my glycogen stores are replenished!) but the scale was up +2 also

To offset a bit, & since today was cross training (no running), I ate low carb for breakfast

I also did a quick weight / bf assessment. A little disappointed in the results though - bf% down 0.3 (28.8 to 28.5) and muscle up a tick 0.2 (31.4 to 31.6)
I know the impedance scales are fairly unreliable, and I am happy both numbers improved, regardless...but would be lying to say I wasn't expect a little bit more...

jenny, it's so interesting to see what works for different people in maintenance. I haven't really gone back to grains in P4, other than an occasional corn muffin or the oats in OIAJ. I haven't really longed for a sandwich at lunch or even a bread product for breakfast. I guess I don't miss grains that much, at least in that form. Still love pasta, though!

I envy you and Beth having bananas and nut butter, though. Both seem to give my system trouble when I exercise. And I have a hard time stopping at a normal serving of nut butter.

Beth, it's amazing what filled glycogen stores can do. LOL. After my carb-y meal last night, and then a few carbs pre-run and a wee bit of gummy candy mid-run, I felt GREAT through my run. I even ran the last half mile at an 8:05 pace and felt wonderful.

Re: BF and all that... I'm 1/4 pound under my goal weight, so the additional carbs don't seem to be hurting me as far as weight. I'm going to see if my gym has an impedance scale I can try out next week. I really have no idea what my BF% is. I measured inches last week and nothing has changed since I left P1. I really thought I would have lost a bit in my legs or hips with all the running. Do you think the changes just come a lot slower in maintenance? As in, do we have unrealistic expectations, because we were accustomed to such big body changes in P1?