The Fitbit is an expensive "pedometer" but I like it a lot. For those who like to be accountable it is useful. For me, it motivates me to get my steps and walking in. There are also some fun challenges on Matchup and Fitbit that keeps me motivated and connected to others as well. It also syncs to MyFitnessPal, which gives an overall daily record of food/exercise.

I've had it a couple of years, and there are fancier ones out there now that have more bells and whistles. I'd do some research on what you are looking for.

In the end they are all more tools to help us keep on track.

I agree about the Fitbit Flex - I have a Fitbit Zip and it's only a pedometer, relatively inexpensive, and still syncs up with MFP just like the more expensive models. I was a bit curious about the extra features with the Flex, but the more research I did the more it seemed that the plain old pedometer model would be just fine, and a LOT more affordable!

Hi maintainers, first I want to thank all of you for the inspiration, information and motivation I get from all of you. Thanks! I'll be starting phase 3 on Jan 3 and I had a question. Is it okay for me to split my protein - have 4 oz meat protein for lunch and then eggs (1 egg 2 whites) around 4:00? I've been doing this for phase 2 but I know that phase 3 is very important so I want to get it right. Thanks!

Hi Sarag. ..

The most important part of P3 is to keep your carbs (besides p1/p2 veggies or IP products) to breakfast. I had to split my protein during p2 and p3 because it seemed like so much. You'll do great!

Happy 2015 Maintainers!
I have not been able to spend time on this forum the past few months. Yet, so much support, wisdom, shared struggles, honesty & humor from my fellow IP Maintainers has stayed with me. Thank-you everyone for the inspiration. There are too many of you to name....I hope you know who you are.

Special congrats to the maintainers who have made it through your first holiday season. That's a rite of passage and a half!

PS Ruth Ann, great profile pic.

Hey hey everyone!

lisa, scorbett does lizzRR hangout?

So good to see people I know! My little Turkey decided she was done with boobie sandwiches (tmi?...she got teeth and there was blood...TWICE!) about a week ago so I decided I was going to have Christmas and start on left over baby weight. I started four days ago (nothing like now to git r' dun!) so I will be bouncing in and out of here (as far as I'm concerned fixing this is still part of my maintenance plans). So here I am, I now can eat to lose weight and maintain the way I want too so I'm back to read and spew my frustrations and successes lol nursing only helped me lose so much weight and well I'm not going to go into ketosis while nursing either.

I look forward to getting to know people I don't and catching up with people I know.

Looks like I need to update my avatar and my signature.

Whoop whoop! Feels great to be back here! It always feels better to have and be on a plan then to be off.

Here's a pic of my turkey...sometimes I call her a Cornish hen lol (our six month "mistletoe pic")

hey lady! I do not post in this thread because I just restarted the program after a long Hiatus. but I saw your name and just had to pop in to say hello and congrats on that lil angel.. what a beauty! good to see you old friend

Happy New Year! Thank you all for the encouragement, support, empathy, and insights. Here's hoping we all have a successful happy healthy 2015. Hugs to you all!

Wow - catching up!

Promptly came down with a head cold Monday a.m. and have spent the last two days when I wasn't working in bed moaning. Okay, maybe not moaning but being miserable. Finally feeling better today but may sleep the 4 day weekend away.

Re: weight range and scream weight - I bounce between 130 and 134 pretty regularly and don't worry about it too much. If I'm at or above 134 for more than a day or two I tighten things up until I'm back under. It hasn't happened often. Some people have a bigger range but I figure I'm short and extra pounds show up on me really fast so I want to keep a pretty close eye on it. I'm still thinking of going down another 5 or so pounds but I wanted to give myself a year at this weight and see how I'm doing. Another 5 pounds would give me a little more latitude I think.

And congrats to all of us for making it through the holiday season! I think the most important thing is we all paid attention - even when we over indulged we paid attention to how it made us feel and what we didn't like about that feeling. How cool is that?? In years past I would have just said "oh, it's the holidays - go for it!" and just mindlessly ate from Thanksgiving to New Years.

Hope everyone has a wonder New Years!

ok, so I've put on 3lbs over xmas week (aaahhhh cookies and ham), anyway when I went into Maintenance at the end of November my coach said don't mix fats and carbs but breakfast is a free for all (huh???). So help....this is what I eat: breakfast = 0% fat plain greek yogurt with 2 slices of sugar free whole grain toast w/ a tablespoon of organic sugar free peanut butter per slice. Mid morning = large cup decaf coffee with skim milk and stevia, Lunch= chicken with 2 cups of either cauliflower or cucumber slices, or if I eat out, a cesaer salad w/out the croutons, and Dinner = protein with a fresh salad (olive oil and vinegar home made dressing) and 2 cups of veggies. Snax before bed is a Quest bar, along with 2 liters of H20 per day. This has kept me solidly at 140 lbs since I've hit maintenance (of course not this past week so I'm back on P1 for a while). Any advise on what I'm eating and if I'm doing this right....thanks for your help.

Hiya, Stanski... you could even go for some fruit in that yogourt if you like or an apple with your peanut butter, or do the ham n eggs type of breakfast with hash browns or toast. French toast is good. Use a sugar free syrup though if you can or use fruit yogourt on your French toast or pancake/waffle.

The rest of it looks a lot like P2 or 3?? You could expand your fats to cheese, sausage, avocado, nuts... at your 'fat-meal'.

'Carb-meal' can also have rice or pasta or potato or sweet potato or corn or quinoa...
Get creative it's all good.

Liana

Happy New Years!

I've enjoyed catching up on all the posts. Sounds like everyone survived the holidays and are back on track. Eve that would be a very difficult phone call to receive and it sounds like a complicated relationship. Thinking of you during this challenging time. I liked your review in the Fitbit. I'm not so interested in the Fitbit but would love a more sophisticated running watch than the one I have now.

Nice to see so many new people that will soon to be joining this thread.

Andrea - re scream weight - like the others I set a 5lb range from my lowest which I got to in P3 - I never really had the regain. I try to live in a 3 lb range but like eve said it does make me a bit

I'm 2lb over my scream weight and hope to have those off my Monday. Last night I stuck to P1 90% and drank Perrier and kept telling myself to not sabotage. Would like to get an extra 1-2 off after that.

Hi all,

Well...thanks to the ham and(wine), I am up 4 pounds within a day! Water weight I know, but it was a shock. Clean eating day today and I am going to push the water. One more big food/wine event tomorrow and then back to my peaceful routine.

My New Year's Eve dinner turned out beautifully and having guests really made me get the whole house in order. Lot's of work but worth it! (Picture of the table attached)

After our dinner tomorrow night, the rest of the weekend is going to be veg. in my jammies.

Ruth Ann, I am so sorry to hear that you have been miserable sick Hope that you feel better soon.

Jenny, way to go with staying Phase 1 on NYE! I am also 2 pounds over my scream weight today. No worries, we know what to do

Eve and Scorbett, thank you for the Fitbit review. Guess I will skip it.

Vachinyc- Happy New Year to you as well!

Saharag- welcome to Phase 3! Definitely my favorite phase, all the foods taste so fresh and new.

Stanski, you will have those up pounds off in no time!

Ishbel, welcome back! Your daughter is adorable.

Happy New Year, everyone!!

Sounds like lots of positivity & determination, heading into a new year.

Ruth Ann - I hope some lazzzzzzzy days get you well & back on your feet. You know how to be kind to yourself!

Jenny - stay strong - and calm lol. Those few pounds will melt away, with no stress to keep them around.

Slip - beautiful table! Wow!! Your family is very lucky & you are very generous & talented!

Eve - sounds like you are back & strong & on top of your game - yahoo!

Welcome to folks catching up, returning & new to Maintenance.

My Up weight is slowly falling away & I am trying to focus on water & low carbs & (right now) rest - love the prescription Kristin, I know what you mean about changed tastes. Today I was rejoicing in how fresh & crispy celery really is! Wish we had a dancing celery!!

Andrea - love your new photo!

New photo for you too, westwillow! You have a lovely thick head of sparkling white hair and suit it very well!