[sfaj]

Hi all. Posting for the second time--thanks to all those who answered my last question. This is such a helpful resource--and I'm so amazed to see how well you all keep each other motivated!

So, here is my tale of woe. I had great success in May with a very clean P1--8 pounds, which is much more than 10% of what I'm trying to lose. Then, I had to travel for work and transitioned (I was staying with friends) rather quickly into whole grains, fruit, and wine. After about a week of that, I spent the weekend with another set of friends. I'm going to be honest, I let the wheels come completely off the bus. I drank delicious gimlets made with simple syrup, I ate white pasta, and, worst of all, desserts! And I did that more or less for two days straight (I felt AWFUL, by the way....apparently, SBD has ruined me for a high-carb diet...). When I got home, I could feel the puffiness in my ankles and wrists and so, dejected, I continued to eat WAY off plan. This initial impulse was complicated by the fact that now I was hosting visitors from out of town and we were eating out a lot but I was also clearly feeling that I would have to P1 all over again and that there was no use moderating my consumption of off-plan stuff when I was going to have to start from scratch all over again. Ah, rationalization.

Anyhow, after about a week of that, my partner came back from his work travel, our guests left, and we both got back OP because we both agreed that we felt absolutely awful off-plan. I had gained 3 pounds back. We started on Monday.

By Monday afternoon, it was pretty clear that I had a cold. I persevered without fruit but yesterday, out of curiosity, I weighed myself and I was back down to my pre-P2 weight. I know this is mostly water. BUT, the cravings (which are more situational than anything else--I find that don't crave bad stuff or I can fight the cravings I have unless it is right in front of me and I feel obligated to eat it) are gone, and I'd really like to get fruit back on the menu to help fight off this cold. Do you all think I can move on to P1.5 even after just three days of P1? I don't want to see the puffiness return and feel bloated and gross again but I do want to eat some raspberries and blueberries and other delicious summer fruit. And, maybe some quinoa.

Thoughts?

Thanks all for providing such an encouraging place for advice and commiseration.

[Lexxiss]

You indicate that your cravings are gone and you haven't gained any weight. P1 is so much about getting rid of the cravings. 1.5 (adding fruit and quinoa) sounds like a great plan!

[FurnaceOfAchievement]

I second Lexxiss. Plus add hot tea if you aren't already doing so. And no kidding when I'm sick I make it a point to drink 50% more water than normal - it really helps flush the cold away. For the fruit, just pay attention to what time of day and how much you're adding back, just in case you notice a sweettooth emerging later in the day...