Nice to see everyone chatting. Disappointed that I can't stay true for very long.

Hoping when I return from my trip to Atlantic City (April 15-21) that I will be perfect until goal.

Thanks ladies

Hey Darbs7, right there with ya. faultered today but back on track tommorrow for a week then break then back on track ya da ya da!!!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions on the Phase II packets. I will just have to do the best I can. How funny that when I started this diet I never thought I would NOT want to give up a packet

I'm inspired by all of you and am glad that your hear to give you thoughts and suggestions.

NSV....I can get dressed just once in the morning now, I don't have to change clothes 5 times, I really do love this feeling.

Goodmorning!!! I have been lurking on this thread for awhile, and now that I am in phase 3, I need some help!!

My coach is very vague as to the details of phase 3. She only gave me the chart sheet, which has no serving sizes, details really - of any sort.

So this is what I am having for breakfast:

- 1 Whole Wheat English Muffin (Dempsters)
(130 cal/1.5 fat/24 carbs/5 protein)
- 2 Tbsp Light Philly Cream Cheese
(50 cal/4 fat/2 carbs/2 protein)
- 3 slices Canadian Back Bacon
(70 cal/3 fat/0 carbs/11 protein)
- 1 Boiled Egg
(80 cal/4.5 fat/0 carbs/7 protein)
- 1 C fresh raspberries
(50 cal/0 fat/17 carbs/1 protein)
- 1 C Yogurt
(80 cal/0 fat/11.4 carbs/9.1 protein)

I looked at Jordana's posted phase 3 information sheet, and it says:

Carbs from grains: Under 30g. I am eating 24g. Good to go.
Carbs from Fruit: Under 20g. I am eating 17g. Good to go!
Dairy: Under 15g. I am eating 13.4g. Good to go! (seems like ALOT though!)
Protein: Over 25g. I am eating 35.14g. Plenty.
Fat: Under 15g. (This is where I have trouble! This is total for whole breakfast? Or day?)
Calories: 400-500g. I am eating 460.01. Awesome.

Ok - that actually looks like it might make sense. lol. This is driving me nuts! By the time I get Phase 3 figured out - it will be time for phase 4! AHHH!!! I know this is a very important phase, and I just dont want to bugger it up!

Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thanks guys!!

I was happy to see you quoting from Jordana. She, along with other past IPers, has tons of helpful info for all of us. That is where I obtained my knowledge, and IMHO, everyone who is phasing off should read the old threads. The info is there and available for all of us and it is extremely helpful!

The 15 grams or less of fat is for breakfast only. Don't apply any of the above numbers to your remaining meals for the day. Go back to PH 2 guidelines for lunch, dinner and snack. That being said, don't skip the fat for breakfast. I choose a 2.5% fat greek yogurt in the mornings, which takes care of the dairy carbs and fat in one fell swoop. I switch to a fat free greek yogurt for my snack late in the evening. PH 3 can be intimidating, but you are doing it the right way...reading up, studying the foods, making good choices. It will become second nature soon, I don't even consult my menus any longer. I know what to eat when, and trust me, it works! Good luck!

Thanks Jenny! I think I just needed someone else to say I was doing it right. lol. You know how it gets when you get overwhelmed with counting eveything!! You start to loose it! haha!

I am so thankful for all the information and questions people post, as I will be starting phase II in 2-3 weeks. I like to be ahead of the game and have a plan of attack before I get to the next phase. All the questions and response on this forum and this thread have been so helpful in the past 7 months.

Did (again) start phase 3 today... The breakfast was ssoooo good! Have not met goal weight but as I was about to give in to all the cravings that hit me since January, I decided to phase out the "proper" way.

Your wisdom have helped me this time around - thank you ladies!

I think you're doing very well! And Jordanna had her baby (girl) March 16th.

I was going to suggest a similar breakfast in the Phase 3 breakfasts, but you beat me to the draw. My tweak: Pseudo-eggs Benedict with crumbled low-calorie feta cheese, 2 poached eggs, 2 Canadian bacon. The feta goes very well in this combination. And it's good you got an English muffin with 3 g of fiber.

All my congratulations to Jordanna!! Send her my best wishes xx

I get so mad at myself....but then I don't....life is short and I am NOT gaining...I actually net a loss after a month (only a couple of pounds, but still a loss).

I am going to be perfect until next Friday...have been perfect since Sunday....then off to New Hope for wine weekend and then Atlantic City for shopping, spa, and gambling....and unfortnately eating and drinking. But then I am committing to 5 weeks of perfection so I can hopefully lose a solid 10 pounds before the 28th of May (my anniversary). Then perfect again until June 28th (Las Vegas). The back home and I will phase off and hopefully weigh about 155 at the time.

What do you think?

Lesley,

Welcome to phase 3! It sounds like you are doing it perfectly. I got my info from Jordanna's post too. It has worked well. Best of luck to you.

Lynn

Thanks everyone, you guys are a great resource for powering through this phase!

One more question - does anyone know how much fat/calories/carbs/protein we should have daily on phase 3 & 4?? I have searched the threads till my eyes hurt. lol. Even rough guesses?

Congratulate Jordanna for me if anyone talks to her!!!!

Darbs - I don't know how you do it! Managing to have such success AND travel so much!! I'm jealous!

Lesley,

I don't think there is a recipe for macronutrients in maintenance. Dr. Tran gives us advice about not combining carbs & fats and what to do after you have a major "slip", but he says that dieting and maintaining are two different animals. He says maintaining involves "dietetics". How many carbs, fats, protein and calories you will need to maintain will have everything to do with how much you weigh, how active you are, etc. I use *********pal.com to track my daily intake. If you enter your weight, activity, etc, it gives you a target to maintain your weight. There are thousands of foods in their database including Ideal Protein products. All the stats have already been entered. I tend to eat all the calories I'm allowed but eat higher amounts of protein and fiber, and lower amounts of fats and carbs. It's working for me so far! It's a free service. There are lots of free tracking sites on-line. Hope this gives you some ideas. It is hard to give up the structure of phases 1&2.

Lynn

Well....I am not really successful at this point. I am managing to keep the weight off and lose a pound or two here or there, but damn...I have too much fun. married young...parents by 19/21....now we are just enjoying our empty nest and each other a ton.

I will have two months with no travel from April 22 to June 28 (well one overnight)...but that is manageable.

But I am thrilled to be down 70 pounds! I just wish I could focus and lose another 15 and be done.