Quote:
Originally Posted by WorldTraveleronIP
Wow, LizRR, you look amazing and it didn't take you very long!! Do you have any words of advice or tips for me? The first time I did IP, I averaged 12 pounds off/month, but I was in school and working and not sleeping...this time around, I am only working, so I'm sleeping and getting to be active. Thank you for your help! How is phase 4? How often do you allow cheat days?
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It took me 6 months (5 months of Phase 1, plus the month of P2&P3) - and they flew by! In Phase 4 you have a mandatory 'Cheat Day', once a week, that MUST be followed by a strict Phase 1 day - which is why I am so p*ssed at myself over not noticing the jerky, although I tried to make up for it by running 5 miles when I got home. So it's always good to keep in mind that Phase 1 is truly 'just for now' - you can have the old favorites you
think you miss - because I'll be honest - my cheat day last week was sooooooo disappointing and I felt miserable, physically through the ringer - I couldn't even order the drinks that I had saved up for that day. You know it's bad when you can't even have a drink for fear of passing out from lethargy...and I was "allowed"!!!
As far as 'tips' - I will just tell you what worked for me:
1) NO Cheating. I did not have anything off the sheet - there were times where I probably had more meat & veggies due to 'loose measurements', but I stuck to, and continue to, stick to the 3 meal + snack schedule (bfast@8am, lunch@12pm, snack@4pm, dinner@8pm), which consist of lean meats and Select Veggies. I tend to shy away from the Restricted Veggies.
2) I eat every 4 hours, and I don't eat after 8pm, I do have bedtime ~10:30pm though - so keep my schedule in mind when I say that. Everyone has different schedules, bedtimes, and activity levels. Also - I am a recovering late night snacker - so I REALLY don't want to get back into that habit - and I really do need that snack at 4pm to get me through the afternoon, because we do eat a late dinner as a family at 8pm.
3) In Phase 1, I kept my exercise to LOW INTENSITY and I added in an extra unrestricted IP + 2 egg whites/day on those days when I did workout. My first 8 weeks it was a very slow 2-2.5 mile walk, week 8 and beyond it was weightlifting (at 1/3-1/2 of what I was lifting previously). In Phase 3 I upped the intensity and am now in 'full blown' workout mode in Phase 4 - seriously, I was very slow, low intensity in Phase 1 - it is not designed to handle working out if your focus is seeing losses - however if you are determined to workout at a higher intensity - be prepared for scale stalls.
4) No Cheating. I restress this because getting through Phase 1 quickly was a top priority for me - you can always jump back on the horse - but I was 100% committed to this, and going back to old habits is not an option for me.
5) I drink a ton of water, plain water, and a lot of it. I would guesstimate ~12-16 8-oz glasses/day.
6) I kept my 'extras' to 6 servings or less a day, per my coaches advice - this includes Splenda, Stevia, Walden Farms, Miracle Noodles, etc. Everything has 'negligible' carbs & calories that can add up if not taken in moderation (example: 1 splenda packet = ~4 calories, ~0.9g carbs).
7) I planned my day - I visit the 'What Are You Eating Today' thread every day and list out my meal & activity. And I also check out others plans for ideas and inspiration.
8) I eat ALL my food - and I am 100% completely open to trying new vegetables & recipes. I am NOT a salad or 'raw veggie' person, so these recipes and ideas were an eye opener for me. I make Cucumber-Lemon Ice Cream - my husband demands it...and Cauliflower Pizza....all of it was 100% OP for Phase 1, and I continue to carry on the eating habits in my daily Phase 4 menu.
I will say that I think my Phase 4 is turning more into Phase 3-ish menu (but I am keeping the unlimited Select Veggies!). I truly don't miss the carbs and I proved my body just really doesn't appreciate being subjected to crap.