I lost 7 lbs. my first week - my goal is 142 and I'm 5'2" and almost 60. I'll keep going - this may be just the thing. Love this forum!!

kellyrockhaha, amen. i think that many coaches warn newbies to stay away from sweetners at the beginning because in some people it enhances the cravings for carbs and sweets. i think once you've got the program under control and aren't prone to cheats too often using splenda as a sweetner everyday is fine. i use it everyday in coffee and i've used it in the rhubard recipe. i have yet to try any of the flavored splenda sweetened sparkling water or sodas because there is citric acid in them and i have been warned (i think it was carla) not to take in citric acid.

i say if you have sweetner and it makes you crave and cheat, don't use it, if you have the self control to use it wisely-go for it, it's all over the ip boxs' nutritional facts!

i've heard stevia was awful and haven't touched it, pita did you end up liking it?

Hey All! I haven't visited this lovely site in too long! I started out at 165 and have made it to 135... my goal was set at 120 from the very beginning but as time has gone on I started letting my goal creep up until I thought I was "fine" at 135. I realized today that there is no need to feel "fine" when I can feel "extraordinary" at my goal weight so as of tomorrow morning I am starting the countdown to 120 by July 15th that will be 53 days away. I'm hoping to only spend about a month back on phase one. We will see. Congrats to all of you who have reached you goal and congrats to all of us who are working our way towards one!

Hi Erin,

never got it and probably wont. don't want to jinx this BUT I am seriously showing 142, morning I was 142.4, after lunch and even now. I'll be so happy if its true...weeeee.

Jordanna- Wow that is a great vote of confidence from your Grandpa. I think you continue to make good decisions, like saving a lot of the money. But you do need some new bras.

Everyone is doing so well. Congrats to you all for a good week.

I worked hard at home today and just felt very tired. Some days are like that. My coach told me that if that happens I can have a hard boiled egg, which I did and it helped. I only do that every couple weeks and it has been okay for me.

Went shopping with my girls today . We had so much fun . I am into a size 10 almost a size 8 . I can hardly beleive it . My 15 year old wears a size 6 . We might be able to share clothes soon .LOL . Probably not but I am so excited ! 3 months ago I was wearing a size 20 some 22's . This is amazing to me . Never again will I be that size . Feels so good to be healthy ! Also my husband called this morning and is safe and sound back in Iraq . Thank you Lrd for safe travel and for your continued safety on my husbnad and his troops !

I should do spell check on my post .LOL .It was suppose to be Lord and husband .LOL

Is there any kind of gum or breath mint that is allowed?

Journeysend:
I *love* coconut oil!! Natural News is a great site for honest information. Coconut oil does help with the metabolism, for sure!! Make sure you get good quality coconut oil, though - go to a health food store for that

We can have Spry gum, which can be found in a lot of health food stores and can be ordered online. Each piece has .72 carb, but that carb is xylitol, which doesn't raise your blood sugar and is good for your teeth.

Is this like the 'carb blockers' I've seen advertised? What does it do? Kill carbs or kill cravings?

What fun that is, to go shopping with your daughters!! My daughter is on IP and we can hardly wait to go "skinny" shopping together!!!
Great to hear your husband made it back to Iraq Ok,

I am going to pick some up at our local Health Food Store on Tues. at it is in the same building where I go for my WI, can hardly wait to try it!!!

BEV S wrote Keep in mind, though, that it's possible to keep your actual carb count low (say at around 30 grams), and still side-step ketosis. The culprits? Most often it's from eating foods that contain even a small amount of "High Fructose Corn Syrup" (HFCS), which can cause a strong insulin spike and halt fat burning. HFCS is far more destructive to your health and your weight loss than regular sugar.
We may want to be careful b/c many of the Lindora products have corn syrup and I think some have the high fructose corn syrup in them.

Trident is also sweetened with xylitol. It keeps me sane