Hi, I've been a lurker for a long while and have found these message boards to be invaluable. I am currently 4 pounds from my goal, and am staying OP. But it is so strange, I can not get the scale to move. I didn't go weigh in last week because I just knew that if I waited a week I would be at my goal. But then the scale has actually gone up a pound (TOM this week). ugggh. I was wondering if any of you maintainers, or Phase 3 folks have experienced the same thing and if you suggestions I am all ears.

Are you in phase 3? Some people gain a few pounds in phase 3. If your goal is to weigh 170...stay in phase 1 or 2 until you are about 167. My goal was 170 and I went to 165...settled around 167-170.

Are you in P3?

Darbs7 is right on. I wish I went below goal...I'm maintaining just fine BUT it would be nice to have the built in cushion.

Remember, too, that the closer you get to goal, the slower the weight loss. If you are in P3, the goal of P3 is to stop losing weight, so as NE said, you will need to be in P1 or P2 to keep losing.

I am still in Phase 1, OP and it has stopped moving. My coach and I decided to go ahead and get to goal, and then bypass Phase 2 since it really only adds protein. The funny thing is I really feel good at 173, but I set the goal at 170, but it is playing mind games on me because in my past weight loss experiences, I have quit a little early. I guess I am just surprised, given the numbers that are typical weekly losses, that it has slowed down this much.

Perhaps it is important to get to the goal you have set, even if it takes a while. Not because of the number, but because of the "mind games". If you stop now, you may view that as a 'failure' of sorts and not feel the VICTORY that you really should feel. You have scored a HUGE victory already, so don't let a few weeks of slow/no losses stop you. It may just take a bit to get over this bump in the road. You are doing great!

I made it to my goal during the one week of phase 2 I did. I kinda wish I had time to do the proper 2 weeks because then I could have gotten a bit below my goal. i'm in my first week of p3 right now and havent had the 2-3lb gain yet. And i'm obsessing about it! I do NOT want to see the scale go above 120 and I'm trying so hard by exercising so I don't gain those few pounds while phasing out. I want 120 to be my ceiling weight and now it's going to be really hard to avoid those few pounds. I think it would be better to get a bit below your goal weight so you dont have to be so paranoid about it like I am..

Also, it seems like having a new decade be the ceiling/maximum weight seems easier to deal with in maintenance. I dont know.

The scale will probably go down after TOM. Then decide when you would like to phase off. You will still continue to lose in P2 though it could be at a slower rate than P1. In P3 they suggest being prepared for a 2-5 lbs weight gain, which some lose in maintenance.

Also remember you can always stay on P2 till you are at or below goal.

The scale might even move tomorrow.

Do NOT skip a phase!! It is protocol that you do all phases and shame on your coach for even saying it. That being said, have you tried to do 2 restricted one day and the next all non-restricted? Or if you do a restricted every day take it away for a few days than have it one day and take it away again. The last 10lbs you need to shake up what you are doing. Stick with it.

I know how you are feeling. When I originally had to pick my goal weight, I arbitrarily picked 125 because I thought it sounded like a good weight for my height. However, once I got to 135, I was really happy with how I looked and felt and decided to phase off.

I was kind of tired of P1 anyway and talked to my coach about it. She was the one who recommended phasing off at that point. She told me to phase off and maintain here for a while and see how I felt. So that is what I did. I have been maintaining at 135 (ish) for 5 months now.

I have just made decision to go back on P1 and go to my original goal. I have been very easily maintaining 135 and feel like I can lose 10# more and maintain it. I am very happy with the decision I made because at the time, I was in need a break from P1. And now I am totally in the right frame of mind to "finish" where I definitely wasn't before.

Also, keep in mind that there are some people who lose in P2 & P3. Unfortunately I was not one of those people so I know I need to be in P1 to lose. But sometimes the change up works to your advantage. Sometimes taking in a few more calories or altering your carb count "shocks" your body and the scale will start moving again.

Anyway, my point is, sometimes we just pick a number because it sounds good. If you feel good and like what you see, be happy with that. And, P1 will ALWAYS be there. You can always phase off, take a break and see how you do maintaining your new weight.

If you don't have any trouble maintaining your new weight, you can always go back on P1 for a month or 2 and lose a little more. Plus, it would give your body a break and would probably start picking up the losses easier. It would be a "shock" to your system and your body wouldn't be perceiving those last few pounds as the "last few pounds" because it would be in maintaining mode by then going back into weight loss mode.

Just thought I would share my experience and thoughts

Knowing what the right final weight is is very hard...jennyd is giving excellent advice.

Thank you!

OMG jennydoodle that's great advice!

That was really really well said Just letting you know