So, yesterday morning, I weighed myself, and i was down to 119. My long-term goal was 120. So, I guess since I'm one pound below that goal, I'm officially in phase 3?

But I have no idea what that means. It's all a really scary concept. I'm not sure I've lost enough, I know I don't want to gain, and I'm not sure what exactly to change to be "maintaining" rather than "dieting". I mean, phase 3 is basically the same as phase 2...just with the frame of mind to let yourself 'live life' and have that treat sometimes, right?

(but isn't that sorta what phase 2 is?)

and how do you know when you really are at your ideal weight?

i know i've made similiar posts to this before, and probably am coming off as pretty neurotic..but this is a really weird mental place for me. i was literally overweight since i was a toddler. i have no concept or frame of reference for being at a weight i want to keep, lol.

i took those before/after shots, i celebrated with a glass of merlot and a new pair of jeans...i just don't know what comes next. or if next is pretty much the same as now

Alyeditrix!

I know what you mean...it took me a while to wrap my mind around Phase 3!

Okay, here's what I think P3 means:

Continue posting in here to help those who aren't at goal yet.
Post in Maintainers and get their help on what maintainence looks like.
Add a little extra to your diet to stop the downward movement. Add in just as you did when you started P2...one thing for a week, see how you do. Your goal is to maintain, not gain. So if you start gaining, try something different.
You can also add some new ingredients to your repetoire...like phyllo dough and pomegranette (sp???) juice. Check out the recipes in the books for ideas, and see how they affect you.
I plan on having a five pound rule when I get to P3...if I gain more than five pounds above goal, I go back on P2 or even P1 to lose back to goal. That way I won't ever let it creep up on me again.
You might want to PM Sweettooth...she's been in maintainence for over a year, I think, and might have more tips.

Congratulations, hon!!!

thank you
i think i knwo what you mean...so, like, if every now and then i'm extra hungry, i can have an extra fruit, or a whole multigrain bagel instead of a half.
and if i'm out and want to splurge on a margarita every few weeks..that won't kill me.
lol, it'll take some getting used to..but it's exciting!

Alyeditrix-Congrats! I have just started so I don't really have an answer to your question but I think Laurie answered it well. I was just wanting to ask you a question if you dont mind. What was your starting weight and how long did it take you to reach goal? Thanks.
Mandi

don't mind at all! i started in may, so it's been about six months. i lost a little weight before starting the diet, but i started it at around 166 pounds

Wooo hooo congratulations.. I have no advice just praise

Yay, Congrats on making your GOAL WEIGHT!!!!!

Patricia

Congrats!!!

Glad you are feeling excited, alyeditrix! You deserve it!

You'll figure out what works for you over time. Just keep paying attention to what your body is telling you and act correspondingly. If you do have extra fruit or starches, try to combine them with at least some protein, but extra veggies would be even better. For instance, a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese or red. fat cheese and some cucumber/tomato/spinach, etc. would be better than just the bagel with some jam. Make sense?

Keep that five pound rule (or you can even do it with clothes...one of the maintainers told me that she has a rule that she will not wear anything but the size she is in. She will not buy new clothes if she grows out of these. When these get tight, she knows she has to go back on her plan to get back down to her goal weight.) in mind as you figure things out...don't be afraid to jump back on P2 or P1 if you need to in order to get back to where you want to be.

Keep us posted...it'll be great to hear about your adventures in P3-land! And enjoy those occasional margaritas!