Hello all! Been a crazy week for me, I have been so busy but the habits developed on P1 have made it so much easier to not give in to old habits of convenience foods. It is also my first TOM week as a maintainer, it has been interesting to see how that affects the scale, not as bad as I thought it might be. I am up a little this week, but I expect that to go away after TOM.

I using the weightgrapher.com program that Maile recommended and can't wait to have whole months to compare side by side.

I enjoy the flexibility of fun days, don't mind the P1 day follow up at all. So far it is working well for me.

Have a great hump day!

I've only been in maintenance a little over a month, but I have to say, I don't think I have ever "ended" a diet and still been under goal a month later! It was so great to get up today and weigh in and be below my goal weight.

Alison: How nice to be under goal weight. You are maintaining well!

Crystalwolf. I like that weight grapher and look at the monthly and weekly trends. I am glad your fun days are working for you!

Ishbel: I would love to see more pictures of your wedding! I totally agree with you. Everyone has their own plan and way of losing or maintaining. There is no right way or right program. The right program is the one that works the best for you. You have found excellent ways to enjoy your fun days!

Mars: Thanks for the info on d and calcium. My dr is a preventative medicine dr and has me on an expensive vitamin regime. It will be interesting to see what effects it has. I have not binged for 3 years. I have indulged now and then on a fun meal. As Ishbel says, everyone has their own success stories. I hope you are doing well on your maintenance.

65x65: It is nice to indulge in a glass of wine. At least it is gluten free!

HI everyone!

Been awhile since I could post, I read and get everyones great advice and support.
Been busy with DD college applications etc.
Cant believe I'll have two in college next fall and an emptynest, well for awhile anyways, LOL!

Celebrating 6 months on maintenance next week. Mostly following Paleo
way of eating, seems to be working for me. With alittle organic red wine
once in awhile,

Glad to see everyones doing well.
Have a happy thanksgiving! Gonna bring a safe veggie and dessert (Paleo pumpkin bread maybe)to my SIL, thank goodness for Turkey! yum!

Have a great day!

D

Congratulations on 6 months of maintenance! Your Paleo eating is working well for you. Those college applications are laborious. I hope she gets in to her choice.

My newest quote by Albert Einstein. " Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep in balance you must keep moving." This is maintenance as well.

Agreed!

Adding my congrats on the six month of maintenance!

Love it Maile! Thanks for feeding my quote habit.

Happy Friday all!

thanks all!
Great quote, So true!!
ok got some really ripe bananas gonna try a paleo bread recipe.

Have a great day!

D

Checking in, 2 weeks OP trying to get off some lbs. Not easy but an excellent reminder to maintain then have to go back on 100%.

Having a busy time with events at work, going to a conference for 4 days where they place super fattening food for B and L, and major dessert for all. I can ask for modified meals but was with someone last year and they never got it right. Kinda like I am vegetarian "I will make you lamb" from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

It is reality, have to gear up mentally for the situation and be prepared with my OP goodies. And, be willing to walk away or not show up for their meals (problem is hotel is not close to things).

Maintaining weight is much better than feeling bad about how I feel and look; I can certainly manage the emotions and situation but acknowledge this is where the lifelong struggles present themselves (for me).

Workingit, LOVE that scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding! That is a fun movie, thanks for reminding me of it!

I have been making some choices about Thanksgiving, and I do not plan to make that day a 'fun day'. I am going to make the main meal an 'added fat' meal and have gravy with my turkey and also brussels sprouts but that is it. I don't eat bread on non-fun days, so I think I will pass on any stuffing or anything, that would end up mixing too many carbs with the fat, and I know from experience last year that turkey is too dry (my parents like turkey breast cooked TO DEATH) to enjoy without gravy. Later in the day I will have my favorite greek yogurt with pumpkin snack. Otherwise it will be like any other day.

I am going on vacation to Disney the week after Thanksgiving for a week, but am not really planning any fun days while I am there. I know that some people like to 'relax the reins' when they are on vacation, but I figure I already have a lot of things to enjoy and distract me while on vacation, so I am not really looking to food. The nice thing about Disney is that even if you are not being careful about your weight, it is hard to gain there because of all the walking. Also they are VERY good about preparing your food however you want it.

I have a holiday party to attend on the 16th, but that is at a restaurant that has a multitude of healthy choices, and we have the opportunity to order off the menu, so that works out.

Anyone else working out their holiday plans?

Dregan, congrats to you on 6 months! It has been 3 weeks for me but feels much longer!

I am plugging away and trying to make smart decisions. My biggest challenge is that I feel more comfortable with P2. I don't want to lose more weight but am so frightened I might gain back the weight I lost.

So, this weekend We had our grandsons over and ordered pizza. I ate 3 pieces for dinner! DH had plenty as well. This was my first pizza in 6 months. I wasn't just sick and full afterwards, I was actually in physical pain. So was DH. We decided to NEVER do that again! Yesterday was a P1 day for both of us and the Big C is definitely an issue. I feel so much better avoiding wheat and each time I have been tempted it proves again I should not have it. It is just so tempting! Why?! Aarrgghh! (I suppose one piece wouldn't have been quite so bad. Lol.)

Dak1lls: I hope you feel better. P1 should help. It is interesting that foods we used to eat may give us reactions now.

Alison: I bet you will do lots of walking at Disneyland. Last year I had one half cup of stuffing, but did not enjoy it. I am going to eat low carb also..may make the twice baked cauliflower.

Workingit 50: Good luck on those conference days. I know it can be hard as the offered breakfast and lunches are not healthy. I often leave and find my own meals, even if they are paid for. Subway salads are good.

Mars, Crystal Wolf, and Dregan: I liked the quote as it added the concept of balance to maintenance as well as continually working on it and to keep moving.

I will be starting phase four in a week and am looking for any tips from you guys. I had my meeting with my coach, but would like some of your advice. I will also be moving this week and starting a new job, so unfortunately I just don't have time to sift through all the threads.

If you can give me some hints, tips, or the one thing you wish you knew any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Hello maintainers!!

I am getting close to phasing off...and have been reading your posts for awhile now, anticipating the day that I will get to join you!

Just 1 question...did you all do 2 weeks of phase 2? Or did you reduce the time in that phase & go to phase 3 earlier? I'm thinking thru my plan of attack! I may just stay on phase 1 thru the holidays to avoid the holiday temptations...just not sure yet. That just depends on how much more I lose between now & then.

Thanks, and I hope to join you all soon!

I did 2 full weeks of P2. I have heard that others do a shorter P2 but I figured I invested a lot to get to goal by following the protocol 100%, so why would I deviate. I spent a lot of time researching tips for P3 breakfasts. I copied every single P3 breakfast recipe or suggestion I could find! I think P3 can seem complicated at first, and I don't have a coach, so I was extra prepared.

Phasing off is a time of anxiety, but planning is definitely key. Maintenance feels scary at first, but you will settle into a routine that works for you. I expressed concern about maintaining my new weight and DH said, "but you know what to do now." After he said that I felt so much more relaxed.

The biggest sign of his confidence in me came when he suggested we take my old clothes to the second hand store to donate. When I first packed up my "too big" clothes he suggested I just put them away, in case I gain the weight back. My feelings were hurt and I asked him, "do you think I will get fat again?" He said he just knows it has happenend before, and that's a lot of money to replace all those clothes. (I should mention I am married to the cheapest man on the planet, and he was absolutely right!) For him to be so confident to suggest getting rid of the clothes is the best feeling! He has bragged to others about my weight loss, and that I "never cheated once."

Wesstrom, I think the best tip for myself in maintenance is to just relax, eat in moderation and if I really want something decadent....I have it, and then do a P1 day. I do try to have my fats at lunch and my carbs at dinner, if at all, as the protocol suggests. Most of the time I do P2 with a few additions, but I am not a big breakfast person. Good luck.