Yep. I guess I've been using skim vs. whole for so many years I don't even think to specify anymore. What I've been doing lately is having one cup with a splash of skim and the WF chocolate, and then any subsequent cups with just the latter. It tastes so good I could probably skip the milk altogether!

BTW, how do you all do the multiple quotes in a post? I haven't figured that out yet?

I ended up taking a break because I am traveling out of the country and I wanted to be able to enjoy the local cuisine. This was something I had planned with my coach from starting IP. However, now that I am phasing off and have had a little bit more flexibility with my food choices, I realize that I really miss the easiness of the Phase 1 schedule and I'm actually looking forward to go back into Phase 1. My coach said that if you have to cheat, do everything in one day and do not do any restricted that day or the next day. But I've found that I get headaches if I have too much sugar and it is DEFINITELY not worth the cheat afterwards. If you really feel like you need some time off, talk to your coach. That's what they are there for. But just note, that you will have to phase off the program which takes a few weeks and then you have to go back through the beginnings of Phase 1 again, which for me was no fun. Good luck!

Thanks for the Starbucks help guys

On another note, I have been getting tired of the same old veggies so finally decided to hesitantly try the turnip "fries" for lunch today...Oh. My. Gosh....I don't know if it is because I'm delirious or what, but they were amazing!!!

For me, no cheat would be worth extending my time on this diet by even one day. All of that food and drink will be there when I am in maintenance and can plan it into my "fun" days, so why on earth would I want to wait even longer for those to start??

I really think we have grown so used to "instant gratification" that we get restless when we can't just satisfy a craving. But we forget that there is a LOT to gain from waiting. The satisfaction of victory over a tough situation (which you already have once getting through Christmas!). The knowledge that YOU are in control, not the food/drink (because when you give in to a cheat you are letting that food control you, not the other way around). What do you really gain when you cheat? Momentary satisfaction, then nervousness for your next weigh in. Maybe upset stomach from shocking your system with foods you haven't had in a while, without phasing off properly. Possibly the inability to pass up the next craving, because you opened that door once already. To me? Not worth it.

Well not sure what happened and my coach can't figure it out either, but I gained 1lbs this last week. And I stayed OP over the Holidays. I should have had that piece of pie...LOL Our best guess is the oven baked ham Mom made. I had that for 2 days straight for my protein. She wants to give it another few days to see if it comes back down before getting worried. I explained I'm worried already for the both of us..!! Very discouraging when I didn't cheat at all and didn't see any lose. I went to the store to buy more veggies and WF to use in my new Actifry. She told me to start walking to see if that helps. O'well....

At the bottom of the box with the post, you'll see little quotation marks. Click those on each post, then hit reply. Many of us shorten the quotes to just the point being commented on.

She didn't tell you a slight gain is common in week 4-5 as the body adjusts?
So yours was in week 3 & ham is salty (possible water weight)
Trust the protocol. It works!
No reason to worry.

Yeah, I would put money on it that it was the ham - very high in sodium so you are probably just looking at water retention. Drink a LOT of water to get it flushed out - scientifically speaking, you have to consume 3500 calories to gain 1lb of fat, so unless you ate several whole hams it's just water weight from the excess sodium

Some veggies you may want to focus on this week, they are all natural diuretics and will help "flush out" your system:

Asparagus, watercress, lettuce, bell peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, celery and spinach

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm stocked up on veggies for the long weekend and plan on staying in watching football and actually going to learn to cook a few meals. That is - throwing it all in my Actifry and let it cook..LOL

A1Texan,
I'm sure it's water weight also, but just a gentle reminder...I read a few posts back that you eat a lot of homemade salsa. Remember that tomatoes are an occasional vegetable, in case you're eating them more often than that.

Very well put.
I need to journal and find out what's going on with me.

Good point on the Salsa. I'll watch that this weekend. Thanks!

I know I couldn't believe it either. Even my coach was shocked witht the 18.5. Little scared that I might not lose this week though

Hi,
I'm day 3 on IP. I'm op, but today I wanted to gnaw my arm off! Instead of having my snack tonight I had it this afternoon. Drinking well over 64ozs of water a day. I do feel lighter. I think I just need to make it past this initial hunger.

I'll join in with everyone else and tell you to just stick to protocol and not worry about it. I've had two straight weeks with zero losses, even though I've been OP. Part of that I know is stress (I've had a couple of very bad weeks with work and other family issues) and part of it is probably to be expected because I lost 8 pounds 3 weeks ago and my body is adjusting. After being OP for nearly 30 weeks, I can safely say there is NO rhyme or reason to how we lose, but it all evens out in the end. Just stick with it and you'll be fine. And don't beat yourself up over the ham either - if its just water weight it will come off!

Well, I weighed in today and had no loss but no gain either. I'm really hoping next week will be a "good" one. I'm staying focused. I know I can do this.

Everyone have a safe and wonderful New Year! I'm going snowboarding!