We only plan on cheating for dinner the night of his birthday, the rest of the week we're staying on plan. Fortunately, his birthday is on Thursday, so it'll still be a few days before we get home and I can get back on the scale, so I won't be stressing too much I hope. I don't plan on drinking alcohol while we're there, which I think is actually going to be harder than eating correctly. My boyfriend and I actually never drink when it's just the two of us at home, but when we're with our friends at bars (or, in this case, casinos), we do drink socially. I appreciate all of the support and encouragement from everyone... deep down I know we'll do great!

Hi wagnomore,
why no brocolli/cauliflower? I used that a lot during my first 6 weeks and had no problems? But I also have a question for showgirlaz who said sort of the same thing related to hypothyroidism. (I have Hashimoto's) I had read something in one of my thyroid books years ago - can you fill me in with what your coach said though?

3 greatest insights -
Dieting is 90% mental and 10% 'doing it'
Wish I hadn't gone off IP after 6 weeks, lost my momentum
Wish I had showgirlaz's coach - he sounds awesome! (which is not to say mine isn't good, but he sounds like he wouldn't have let me get away with cheating!)

Ok, here's the deal with alcohol. We get ourselves into ketosis so that our bodies will go to our body fat for fuel first (as opposed to burning available glycogen made by carb consumption). When alcohol is present, our bodies use it just like it would available glycogen. In other words, it'll burn IT first before it begins to work on body fat. It isn't stored, but until it's used up, no fat burning will take place. Thus, much slower fat loss.

From right before Christmas until the end of last week, I have been on program every week 2-3 days, then slightly off, then full blown off, alcohol and all. Back and forth. Even though I've gotten back to my pre-Christmas weight, I'm holding here, partially because of drinking alcohol. But I think that I am sufficiently motivated again to be letter perfect now. Keep your fingers crossed, all.

And see this is the kind of stuff, I think, the oldsters didn't want to expose all of you to. Not very motivating, is it, when you're just starting out? Well, just know that this works and works better than anything I've ever tried. And it seems to be more permanent than anything else. Most of us who have been doing I.P. for months were terrified of the holidays. And most of us were sort of right...we didn't stay on plan. Many of us pigged out, and are still not quite back. But you know what? The most I heard anyone gaining was 4-5 Lbs. AND IT WASN'T FAT, because most of it came right off within a few days back on plan. So have faith in this.:smug:

Amen Sista!!:goodvibes

Hi all I'm back!!

Been doing a lot of traveling for work. Was able to stay low carb but did not always get all the packets in and ate out much to often:) Thanks to the ketosticks, I know I remained in ketosis. At any rate, I'm back to the strict plan. I'll officially weigh in tomorrow.

Welcome to all the newbies!! This is a great forum for support and encouragement. I look forward to getting to know all of you! I have a ton of posts to catch up on.

Hey toomany cats, I am also from WY. NSV is non scale victory.

Hi Mirazon, welcome back. Great job maintaining ketosis. How dark do the ketostix turn? I usually just see the moderate level.

Torchlaker - You had me LOL and practically ROTGL!! :rofl:

BlueMermaid - I like your screen name - I pictured you on one of the coasts though! I'm in Casper....how about you? Thanks for educating me on nsv!

I am in Green River, 30 minutes from the Flaming Gorge. I chose the screen name because I ride a blue waverunner.:cool:

BaseballMom: I noticed that our weight loss goals are very similar and we are similar in height, as you are a lot closer to our goal than I, I was wondering if you have noticed that it gets harder to lose the closer you get to your goal? what is your average wl per week?

The level of ketones varies depending on how hydrated I am. Usually it is a light purple (small amounts) I will admit that I am a compulsive ketones tester :) (I like the reassurance). In the morning I will usually test moderate and then other times throughout the day it will be small. I did have one day that I ate a steak and pork rinds and tested for large amount of ketones. I'm sure all those ketones were due to digesting the large number of fat grams I'd consumed. I was back to my normal pattern the next day.

FYI...if any of you are also frequent ketone testers (I'm sure there's a syndrome for this :D), cut the ketosticks in half or thirds to decrease the cost and increase the number of testing opportunities. Just make sure you don't touch the pad while cutting.

THANK YOU ECHOBABY!!! I missed you all too! Hopefully, I'll have reliable internet access on my upcoming trips. I do a better job of staying on program if I can read the boards!

i have also been using spiced teas to help me through the days...