Quote:
Originally Posted by PerishTheWeight
Hi all! Checking back in at the end of day 3. So far, so good. 3.4 lbs. gone so far - at least according to the wii fit, which I've decided to weigh myself on each day at the same time so I can see any progress I make on the graph. Hopefully that will help keep me motivated. I've been pretty much keeping to the program sheet my coach gave me religiously. I haven't had any of the detox/withdrawl headaches I used to get when I used to do phase one of southbeach. That surprised me, as I was drinking a decent amount of soda and eating more junk food than I care to admit before getting on this. But I'm not complaining! I don't know if I've hit ketosis or not. Only unusual thing so far is a "yucky" feeling coating on my teeth - probably due to the protein meals, I'm guessing. I'm also aware that my weight loss is probably just water weight at this poin, but it's still encouraging. Especially since I've been kind of winging it since my coach had to go out of town for a week the day after I started this. I'm still floundering through, trying to figure out how everything works. I'll admit to being a bit confused about things. Truthfully, I didn't find the instructions all that clear - I've actually learned more from reading this board than from the papers and video they gave me. I do have a question, tho. The coach said that I should have 2 IP "meals"/day + an IP snack. Because I like to have something to munch one while I relax and watch t.v. in the evening, I have the snack then. So far it's been the cheese curl things and southwest chip things - which are restricted. My coach said only 1 restricted item per day, so I thought that was ok - but I read here how many of you are only doing restricted items a couple times a week - and not after 8pm, like I am. Am I doing this wrong? Sure would hate to "stall out" before I'm really even started! Also - is it ok to have a packet of stevia (Nu Stevia brand) with my tea in the am - and still do walden farms salad dressing in the evening? Thanks for all the support and any input - looking forward to reaching my goal!
Sounds like you're off to a good start Perish! And love your user name - that is great!
The program is designed to have 2 unrestricted and 1 restricted a day so you're fine there. Some people limit their restricted because they find the lower carbs work better for them. I personally ate 1 restricted a day the first 8 months or so on IP and have only limited them because I found myself looking forward to them just a bit too much - as I get closer to goal I'm really working on changing my relationship with food and figuring out what triggers me to start craving things. It's a personal journey and not the same for everyone.
When you eat your restricted is largely irrelevant - unless the restricteds are giving you problems sleeping at night, keep doing what you're doing if it's working for you. If you want to break the TV snacking habit, you might want to revisit that issue at some point.
In short, you have to experiment a bit. Everyone is different and different things work for them. You've just started so I wouldn't change a thing right now - see how you do and if you have to make some adjustments or want to shake things up a little you can always switch it up.
I think the Stevia in the tea and the WF dressings are fine as long as you're watching your servings sizes. Again, see how it goes for you and you can always make changes if you find something isn't working for you.
Just relax and let yourself get into the routine of IP. Nothing is currently broke that I can see from your post - you're doing great! And if your coach is unavailable, be sure to ask questions here - lots of people with experience and knowledge who are great about answering questions!