I am so glad I popped in today and could see your post Lisa. I want to add my hugs and support along with the other maintainers. You have never been a whiner/complainer. I appreciate that so much and it has helped me to strive for that same attitude. I have to admit I do gripe to myself at times.
I know this journey has lasted much longer for you than others. It is refreshing to see you maintain a positive outlook throughout. As you have often reiterated, this is a life change and so there really is no deadline to meeting your goals, because you have already made that life change, which is really the ultimate goal.
I like many others have found that maintenance is a lot of work at times and continued vigilance. I recently learned just how hard it is on my body to return to my old eating habits. During a recent road trip I just went hog wild, eating so many bad foods; namely refined carby foods like donuts, breads, pastas! The more I ate, the more I craved! I started getting bloaty and my injury prone ankle swelled up. I could feel my mid section expanding. It was awful. I was up 7 pounds in a week! Completely self inflicted!
So, Monday I started P1 again and am down 4lbs. Even though I am starting to feel better I still have pain in my joints, abdomen, back and swelling. I know eating this stuff was not good for me in the past, but I seem to be so much more sensitive to it now. I do not want to continue a cycle of constantly doing P1, because I really want to get away from processed foods. So, I am recommitting to those life changes I know in my heart are required for me.
Thanks for the updates Maile. I always feel as though you speak to the same things we all struggle with and show that we can do this.
Ruth Ann: so proud of you for hitting maintenance! What a joy to see you become so successful and thanks for sharing your insights. Even when your answers on the other threads are not to questions I ask, I find it is helpful for me to read them, and I know it must be true for others.
65: the winter has been long and Spring still seems elusive. We are hoping for a nice day tomorrow and again on Mother's Day. The rain we received yesterday was good for the crops and my yard, but gloomy weather sure makes me cranky.