Week 1 done. Yay reboot! In ketosis now, headache is getting better Such a struggle, staying strong against little temptations- like a dab of plain yoghurt on my homemade salsa chicken tonight. But, I did it!

I'm here, I'm here! I check in often but don't always have much to say.

I started phasing off on Sunday from my reboot. I lost 11.2 lbs in less than 6 weeks which is awesome. All my old clothes are fitting and maybe even a bit loose. I went a bit crazy on Sunday and had a mad shopping spree at Nordstrom. It is an expensive trip when everything you try on fits and looks good. I even had to get the saleswoman to get me a couple smaller sizes. Everything was Small and X-small and some in juniors. Which made me think that if I actually lost another 10-20 lbs (which would not be a stretch), what the **** would I wear? I don't see a ton of XX Small on the racks. These teeny tiny little ladies out there must have to shop the kids section!

I had a dinner conference last night at the Miele showroom/conference centre. I was a bit worried about the gourmet meal they were going to serve us. The appetizer was red snapper on romaine, the main was beautiful rare beef tenderloin on paper thin scalloped potatoes, and the dessert was the best tasting chocolate mousse I've ever had. Luckily it was served in a tiny espresso cup. I passed on the wine and only had a few bites of the potato. It felt good to indulge a little bit and enjoy a good meal out.

Today is going to be a strict Phase 3 day to offset the bit of fun last night. I really need to find balance in maintenance. I am trying to keep those fun meals to a minimum and make them of higher quality rather than resorting to things like pizza and fro yo!

Slip, it sounds like you're doing great with your reboot. You will be so happy that you did it.

Hi to you all. Keep up the good work!

S.

Hi everyone;

It's been great to be back into healthy eating. But, the scale is literally sitting there, not moving. But, I can feel the toning happening and my energy is better. I tend to drop weight all of a sudden, so I will continue doing what I'm doing for now.

Slip; Good for you! I'm so happy that you are doing so well and the weight will melt off and you will be so greatful for your determination to look after those lbs instead of letting them pile on. You've got this.

Steph; I have to admit that I've never had the problem you have in finding smalls but I am a pear. So, when I'm at my happy weight, I do fit into some small tops. The bottom half of me is another story, I'm happy to get into 9's or 10's at my goal.

Jenny; You continue to encourage and inspire me with your exercise. I am running and doing weights. I take a day off. I can definitely feel the toning. The weight I've gained is on my tummy, thighs and butt. So, I feel all the extra when I run and literally want to kick myself for getting here. When I was at my lowest, I still kept thinking that I had to lose more. This time, when I get to my goal, I'll be content and will work harder at maintaining.

Lucci; You have done well. Don't give up. I am 7lbs less then when I started this journey right now and could easily just get frustrated and say there's no use. I totally get it. But, as long as I'm working at being healthy and losing this weight, I will get there. It might just take me awhile but I am determined. It's worth it. You aren't alone.

Liana; It's always great to read how things are going for you. I love Banff. I've been many times. The beauty of the mountains is therapy.

Hello to everyone else! I'm not posting as often but I try and keep reading as it helps in getting my mind focused on making right food choices. I keep trying and I'm not giving up. As I look back, I think I got too confident and slowly let myself slip and the lbs slowly crept back on. I'm at that, I hate how I look right now and I feel uncomfortable. But, it's up to me if I want to get rid of the lbs that I gained so I am doing something about it. Have a great day everyone! We can do this!

If you gals are not posting, I am talking to myself-lol.

Small screw up- ate real salad dressing. Need to plan better, because I just did not feel like doing any fussing in the kitchen. No excuses, but I am tired. 100% tomorrow.

Hawaii, I was starting to feel that way. 12 pounds completely changed my clothing size. But I suggest you take a picture, for a reality check. At my current weight, I actually look pretty good. But, before seeing recent pictures, I felt obese. My mental picture was out of whack with my reality. For me, it is about wearing those beautiful size 8 clothes in my closet. Also, I was starting to fall back into the same food patterns that Steph mentioned.

Steph- your shopping trip sounds like so much fun. When the smalls tops in my closet stopped fitting, I had my wake up. Better to take care of 12 pounds, than wait for 90! How is your clinic doing?

Hawaii - I am a total pear too. I should clarify that the small and x-small clothing is mostly tops. I am in a 6-8 in the nether regions. I was just thinking of a lady I used to work with who is shorter than me and probably weighs 100 lbs soaking wet. Where the heck would she find clothes?!

Slip - The clinic is going well. Funny you should mention the out of whack mental picture. I have dieters who think I look thinner in person than in my "after" photo that I have posted in the clinic. The reality was that I was almost 12 lbs heavier than in that photo. So weird.

Steph... the camera REALLY does add 10 lbs. Scary thought, lol.

Glad you all are keepin' pretty well on plan. I had a 'moment' last night and ate hunks of cheddar & blue corn tortilla chips (but at least limited the chips and didn't eat the remaining partial bag.) Just the stress of moving MIL. We leave this afternoon and DH is not used to pulling a trailer, although this isn't a huge travel trailer, and that will be stress enough, . Then added to that is the uncertainties of packing stuff into said trailer (how much is there?) and being able to maneuver and park for overnight before we pick her up and drive back. How will the 6 hr drive go? Will she be able to handle it w/o too much trouble, how often will we need to stop? Will we able to coordinate with our volunteer friends that afternoon to move her in? Will I make it on time to work that night (when I'm taking a newbie for her first patrol run training)? I also have an event the following day I need to be at (personal reasons - not work) followed by work again that night. So, really, 47 or 48 hrs w/o sleep...
AAARGH!

Liana

Oh Liana, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping your journey goes as smoothly as possible.

Steph, can not tell you how many people have told me that I look better now, 10 pounds up. Too bad my clothes do not fit at this weight. Glad that the clinic is going well! Teaching people that this is a lifelong battle is vital.

Liana - Good luck with the move. I hope all goes well!

Slip - Yes, I am always learning more about maintenance. My coach who has a few years experience under her belt is now telling all her maintainers that they should expect to do about 3 reboots a year. I guess that sounds about right. I think those of us who have weight issues will always have to work hard to maintain our weight loss. Old habits die hard.

My biggest issue this summer with maintenance, was not cooking. I get so sick of the prep and clean up. But, when I eat fresh homemade food, I am reminded that it tastes so much better! I also think that this reboot is giving me an appreciation of foods that I ate reg. on maintenance, like yoghurt, avocados, and cheese. I was becoming bored with these foods, but I miss them now!

This is my first reboot in a year and 5 months, other than a few days to make up for vacation up pounds. When I stopped separating fat and carb meals this summer, I went off the rails. And you are right, it will most likely happen again! This 5 week reboot, just proves that We have the tools to use. Thanks for sharing your reboot, because you made it seem possible. Especially, because I could feel my self sliding further away from my goal and good health.

Hi everyone -

Steph, I had a similar reboot, my 5 weeks ends next week and I am going to go over to P3 on Wed. after my WI regardless of my end weight. Lost 12 lbs, hoping to get 1 or 2 more in this week before I end.
I can tell my body doesn't want to do this any more, so I need to go to P3 and stabilize there for a week or so, and then see how I feel. I might do 2 weeks.

And yes, Slip, I miss all those same foods! It is nice to do a reboot and get excited again about the yogurt.

Slip/Steph, I am starting to see for myself that I need to do a reboot every four months or so, which sound like what your coach is suggesting. I get low energy during P1 so I want to schedule it when I have not much to do. I am planning to do my next one in January. I am hoping if I do them a little more regularly I won't have to go 6 weeks - I would rather do two weeks of P1 and one or two of P3.

I feel good about my habits the last 6 months in maintenance but in July stretched it a little too far, I wanted to test my limits but now I know.

Liana - just wanted to say hi, nothing smart to say other than good luck with everything.....

Hi,

Survived happy hour with 4 pizzas on the table! Just had ice tea. Still fun. Tired, hungry and fighting off a cold. TGIF!

Amber, I am not even weighing myself. Just sticking to Phase 1 for 5 weeks. On the 19th of Oct.,I will do the quick phase off- no matter what my weight is. I am measuring it by my clothing fit.

Hi Amber,

Yes, our reboots are quite similar! I started phasing off this past week doing Phase 3 with a couple little treat and I still managed to drop 0.8 lbs and some body fat too. Yippee! I agree that a reboot will probably be in order for January and it would be much more tolerable to do Phase 1 for 2 weeks rather than 6.

Slip - Good job on passing on the pizza. Usually I would be craving pizza like a fiend but it's not on my mind lately. I'm finding that the Quest bars are curbing my cravings for junk.

Ladies you are all so I sparing and motivating!!

Steph - that is an awesome reboot so proud of you.

Slip - you are oozing willpower! Great job resisting pizza but even more impressed that you didn't do the small dab of yogurt. I hear you on how hard it is to eat on plan when you don't prepare it yourself and it is a lot of work. I treat myself to those bag salads and use my own dressing but depending on what phase you some of the toppings.

Amber - you did a great job sticking to your reboot and listening to your body when it seems time to get off.

Hawaii - this is such a learning curve for all of us. It is hard to change the mindset and previous pic of ourselves in our heads and replace with leaner healthier versions. You are doing great with the exercise and toning and stay the course, you'll have a drop soon.

Liana - yikes that is a busy 48 hours. Will be thinking of you all over the weekend. Is MIL moving in with you? The film festival looks really good.

DH got a job The offer came in this week and it is in North Tawnawanda - Buffalo. It is a shorter commute than what he was doing before. He just needs to apply for the Visa yo work in the US and shoukd start mid Oct.
I got the firm warning from my coach to get my act together and need to actually commit to full P1. I'm going to do it and just wi once a week till I'm at goal which needs to be 6 less
Have a great weekend

Jenny - so happy to hear your hubby got the job! How far will his commute be? I'm glad to hear your coach is giving you a kick in the butt. 6 lbs will come off quick.

This reboot has taught me some ways of how to manage struggling dieters at my clinic. One lady I have in mind keeps coming back to restart and fails and gets frustrated and complains about the cost etc. I told her yesterday, after she came in for what seems like the 4th time in the past 6 months, that I want her to do a strict 100% Phase 1 for 6 weeks and phase off no matter what the scale says at that time. I think it will be much easier for her to do if she has a short term goal to work towards. She really only has about 15 lbs to lose so I think it will be good for her.

Thanks to all of you for your insights!

Jenny!!!! So happy that DH found a new job close to home! No major changes for the family. As for the coach butt kick, better to take off 6 pounds rather than 12! I think it will be easier for you, now that the job stress is over. We are human and often turn to food for stress relief, but addressing those sneaking in sugar habits is necessary. Sugar was becoming a go-to for me again. But, to be honest- it was not working as a panacea for the headaches, my body just felt swollen and puffy. But, did I stop- NOPE! Darned inner brat got me again, lol.

As for oozing willpower, in my head- 5 weeks is nothing compared to almost a year and it is working.(perfect advice for your restart lady,Steph) Oct 5 will be two years since starting IP. As I begin to reflect on my journey, I know that somethings need to be consistent in my life to keep the weight off:

cook 5 night a week- be creative
drink my water
save fun foods for outside of the house
Limit carbs
Weigh in once a month
Be physically active
Talk to all of you for accountability.

I am proud that even during my slide, I was honest with you all. Denial and avoidance would have sent me over that slippery slope to 250 pounds. Thank you all for hanging in. We are stronger with each other.