FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Amazing how this diet makes it seem like we can actually reach our goal weight. I feel the same way too.

Keep going!!! You can do this!!

I started 1/12/13.. Also keep in mind that I lost 5 lbs before starting IP..
Its funny I felt like my weight had really stalled for a week or two , not completely but maybe .5 losses, then suddenly this morning whoosh...down to 237! Im amazed at how this plan has become second nature. I used to always be obsessed with eating, how much, when , where etc. Now I'm thinking about things other than my weight and food.
Also I love going food shopping now..my cart is filled with vegetables, and fruit for the kids..I'm happy with what I'm buying and don't feel ashamed about what Im putting on the register. If I stop and think I realize that I still look huge to others but I don't feel gross anymore...does that make sense?

You know I felt the same way about alternatives too. It was such a scary thought to make sure I knew all of the information I could to make the best choices. With IP, you don't have to make those choices since it's already done for you. I did a lot of reading on here - there's some great threads on alternatives. Once you get the hang of it, it's really so simple and actually very empowering. I mean we're on this journey to lose weight, but to also make better choices for ourself, specially once we reach goal.

Here's the summary of the items to review when choosing alternatives:

Keep calories lower, like the IP products. 70-150, but 150 is really on the high end.
Calories from fat should be 30% or less.
Restricted is 9+ net carbs (net carbs = carb grams - fiber grams)
Unrestricted is 8 net carbs or less.
Protein should be high 12+ grams. I generally look for 15+.
No aspartame!

That's the main criteria I look for.

I recently discovered Quest Bars!!!! Yum, technically unrestricted because of the net carbs lower than 8, but calories are higher so I tend to look at it as a restricted unless I get in a power walk to lose the extra calories. Also made with Stevia. No junk.

Amberjules, thanks for summarizing your alternatives criteria, it's really helpful!

Not all of them are stevia sweetened. Only the 100% natural line. Read labels carefully and watch differences in cals, fat, net carbs between bars.
The lowest bar is 160 cals, which is why they are on my restricted list, no matter fat/net carbs
They ARE good tho.

Thank you for the correction...I meant to say the Natural line is sweetened with Stevia. I don't want to lead anyone astray.

Congrats to all the big losers!!

Sure that makes sense. You must be feeling really good and when you are making proper choices then it reflects on how you feel. Are family noticing on you now? I started Jan 17th so we are close in start time. I know what you mean about the grocery cart. It's crazy how many veggies I buy now. 3 heads of cauliflower at a time amongst all the other things. I have a fridge in the garage and that's great because the veggies don't fit in the upstairs fridge. I can't believe I actually use them all before they go bad. My kids are eating a better too. Although I have allowed them to go to McDonalds for a treat a couple times. My son was at my sisters and he was whining about how long it had been since he had chips....so she hooked him up.

Thanks for adding that. I get confused easily when the products don't show the calories from fat. I know you times that number by 3 and make sure it does not equal more than total calories, but when the product does not show the calories from fat then I get confused and have to look up how to find out calories from fat. I am in Canada and we do not hae Quest bars as far as I can tell. The only ones I have found that fit the bill (I hope) are Pure Protein bars. Wish I could find the EAS advantage or Premier drinks. No Costco where I am and walmart has no EAS.

Have a question about roasting veggies. Lately I am obsessed with roasting cabbage (shredded) and very small pieces of cauliflower. I roast until very crisp and dark. Does anyone know if nutritional value is effected if you roast too long? Sometimes they are almost burnt crispies and as I sit there munching on this crispy almost nothing I wonder if any nutritional value is actually left in the poor veggie. Ideas?

You look great!

Congrats on the awesome WI!


Woot Woot! Congrats on that wonderful milestone!

Love the new pic!!!

Way to go!!!

Is there a Popeye Supplelments store anywhere near you? In my town (in Ontario) they sell some of the Quest bars.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I'm having a relaxing one as hubby and stepdaughter are away visiting his parents so I decided to go shopping for some new jeans as even my smallest pair are too big for me now. I really need to get used to needing a smaller size......I'd hold them up and think they look about right but once I tried them on they were ridiculously too large. The sales girl went to get me what she thought was my size but when she handed them to me I said uh no way....but she insisted and surprisingly that's my size. I'm still quite shocked......of course I bought them too lol.

Now that's a heckuva NSV!!

Congrats to everyone on their losses!

Amberjules-Nice work and you're so close to even more milestones...so exciting!! I love looking at your recipes and progress on your website!

IdealProteinNewbie-thanks for the tip on exercising and the water retention. That makes sense.