Hi all - I just finished my third week of IP and I have been super excited and committed. The first week I lost 7 pounds the second week just under 2 and this third week I lost nothing. :/ I am 24 years old and my coach said I should be losing more than this. We will be reviewing a food diary in a week together, but I thought I would check here for support.

I pretty much eat the same thing day in and out. For breakfast I have the cappuccino shake, and either tea or coffee I switch. For lunch I have a salad of mixed greens with fresh mushrooms and the waldenfarms caesar dressing, 2 cups of steamed broccoli or asparagus or cooked and seasoned mushrooms or a combination of them, and the vanilla shake. For dinner I have the same salad as lunch, and either have 3 eggs scrambled with onions plus one of the veggies listed in lunch or I have tofu stirfry with onions and peppers and mushrooms and cauliflower. At the end of dinner I have my protein bar. I really have not cheated while on it, even over thanksgiving which was difficult. I did this past week have one vodka soda drink, which I know is discouraged but it was my only indiscretion.

Can anybody offer any support or suggestions. I am starting to get very disheartened especially since this is so expensive and I am trying very hard.

It's fairly normal to have a no or low-loss week around the 3rd or 4th week. Just your body catching up with the big losses you have in the first couple of weeks. Or could just be water weight, especially if its TOM. Hang in there - it will come!

PS 9 pounds in 3 weeks is great!

I didn't lose anything my 3rd week and neither did my mom. Your body has to catch up to the great losses. My regular WIs were 2 good losses, 1 small loss, 2 good losses, 1 small. Continued like this through 50 pounds. My losses really slowed the closer to goal but that is normal. You have had great losses. Relax. If you follow the sheet, you will lose.

I don't really have any advice. However, you have lost 9 pounds in 3 weeks! An average of 3 lbs/week. That is an awesome weight loss. So, please do not be discouraged. I actually had a gain one week since I have been on plan. You are doing great!

Oh, one thing I did notice is that you have stir fry onions every night. I do not think you are supposed to have cooked onions. Only raw. It seems there are different opinions on that, however, you should ask your coach.

It's normal to not lose some weeks. I'd suggest having your bar earlier in the day since its restricted and has the most carbs. Eating it before bed is probably not the best.

First, as others have said it's very common to not lose or have a very low loss the 3rd or 4th week. Your body just needs to catch up a bit after the big losses from week one and two. Next, the onions should only be eaten if they are raw. Do not cook them as they will caramelize. Lastly, I would suggest you have your bar earlier in the day as it is the highest in carbs, and when you eat it earlier in the day you have more time to burn them off. Almost forgot... no alcohol. Make these changes, and I promise you will be fine.

Like you I had good first and second weeks and then nothing. Another thought could your TOM be coming? I know for me it has impacted 2 WI so far (WI #8 tomorrow). Keep it up, it sounds like you have a good system going!!

Are you getting your oil in for the day? Not getting the required daily amount of oil can cause a stall.

Also, according to the latest sheet a the eggs should be 3 whole eggs, plus 2 egg whites. You may not be getting your full protein for the day also, which could slow the losses down.

I am having the same difficulties and the first two weeks I was eating cooked onions with olive oil because I had mistakenly thought they were on the ok veggie list. I am not getting my oil each day and wondering why that stalls weight loss? Anyone know?

Thanks,
Dawn

I thought it was 2 whole eggs and 2 egg whites?

Your body does need some fat to function properly. I don't know the science behind it, but I do know that it is essential.

Attached is the phase I sheet from June. 4 whole eggs plus 2 egg whites. I had a typo on my previous post.

Yep. I've found that I always lose better with more fat (even before IP). I almost have higher-fat meats as my protein and have the max amount of olive oil. It seems like when I have chicken and skimp on the oil, I'm 1) less satisfied and 2) less likely to have a 'great' weigh-in.

Can you post that one?

I've been going off one you posted this summer (dated 6/12/12) and it says 4 whole eggs and 2 egg whites. Luckily I dont eat eggs very often.