I'm wondering who else is having success in maintenance by watching what they eat and exercising?

I loved the plan for losing the weight (I followed it strictly), and have been able to stay at goal for 4.5 months by tracking my calories in MFP and adding exercise. I don't separate foods or avoid carbs, just track and weigh regularly and adjust calories as needed. I am far more conscious of what I eat than I was before, but I eat what I want within the calorie range (approximately 2000/day before exercise - more if I've worked out)

I see so many maintainers going back to phase 1, and I'm wondering if that's the pattern?

HI BCGirl, what are Matol products and where do you get it?

I only go back to P1 when I've had those "stinkin' thinkin'" phases -- you know, when I've convinced myself that I can eat 'normally' now (which always translates into sugar!!) The most successful route for me is to do a restricted for breakfast, a large salad with WF for lunch, an RTD for mid-afternoon snack, a normal dinner and another RTD before bed. And, NO SUGAR! I am totally addicted and can justify and rationalize ingesting sweets until the scale says, "no more." It helps that I like the choc & the mango RTD's and the pb bars and the soy puffs. They're more like a treat.

Sounds like your maintenance plan is working. Good job!

Matol is another version of this plan. I believe you have to get the products from them. I have not been able to find them anywhere except on thier website.

thanks Rissimo

I'm glad to hear maintenance is possible by watching what you eat and keeping your calories in check. The thought of seperate carbs & fat sorta stresses me out. Like no apples with peanut butter?! Ack! That was a favorite snack of mine!

I started IP in September2010...strict strict strict...lost 60 pounds in 5 months...then a modified version with alternatives for another 3 months and lost another 25 pounds. I maintained from Memorial Day 2011 until Christmas of 2011. Since Christmas (9 weeks ago)...the scale won't budge...up 10 pounds....2 vacation (Austin Texas and a cruise)....I was an exercise freak and a calorie counter for 5 straight weeks (exercise 2 hours a day and 1400 calories)...did not budge a single pound. New goal...don'tgainanother pound!

But I did maintain very well for 7 straight months by just staying in control and nothing too strict....phase 1 day here and there.

I am trying Somersize for a month....I would like to lose 5 of the 10. If not...I will go back to IP.

Thanks for the feedback from others, I don't want to feel like I'm on a diet for the rest of my life as opposed to healthy eating. I also don't want to be tied to buying "diet" foods now that I'm at my healthy weight.

Matol is a program with the same foods as IP - my sister lost 45 pounds with them so I signed up and did the same (well just under 35). It's a direct sales company.

So great that you've been able to stay at your goal weight by tracking and adding exercise! IMHO Phase 4 is simply one way to maintain. There are other techniques for maintenance. I personally think tracking is critical because it keeps you mindful. Everyone has to find what works for them, whether its P4, low carb, counting calories, etc. My maintenance is a combination of all 3. A lot of Maintainers on this board have gone back to P1 (1) to quickly take off holiday weight gained, and/or (2) for the recommended annual pancreas re-set.

Keep in touch with how you are doing ok?

I totally agree. Personally, I started eating Paleo (no grains or processed foods) and it works wonders for maintaining. Getting your carbs from fruit and sweet potatoes, not sugar and wheat. Also, exercise certainly helps- but it doesn't have to be killing yourself on a treadmill. Just moving around. I also like the natural and evolutionary approach to nutrition that is Paleo.

That's just what seems to work best for me!

How long have you been maintaining this way?

I'm worried because it seems like on the maintainers thread most people are back on phase 1 even after being really focused on phase 4 then going "off plan" sometimes for a very short holiday etc.

Thanks so much, it just seems like the maintainers thread is all about phase 1 these days .

I went back to P1 for my pancreatic "reboot". Plus, I had gone back to eating the way I ate before going on IP, so I started putting on a few pounds and wanted to nip it in the bud. I did well on maintenance for quite a while, but again, I got lazy, quit tracking and bringing in healthy snacks, and would eat Oreo balls, rice krispy treats, and whatever junk food was in my face.

There...I said it...I got lazy and am trying to learn my lesson for good from that.

That makes perfect sense to me!

The strange thing is I'd rather eat "normally" but consciously 320 days a year, and "reset" annually if I end up 5 or 10 pounds heavier than being perpetually on a diet or feeling like I can't enjoy food without guilt. That may not be functional (I'm not talking about going crazy), but the gift of IP is that we all know how to drop a few pounds if we end up on an upward swing over the long term.