[shelleydar]

Well, I did OK at the dinner tonight - only thing I could eat was the chicken breast and even then I had to scrape off the gravy - but the chicken filled me up. Had lots of questions about why I couldn't eat the stuffed tomato or green beans (I seem to be doing a lot of explaining these days) but the proof is in my weight loss! The suit I wore looked much better than last time - actually a little too loose. I'm only 4 weeks into the plan and already think I could be a spokes person for Ideal

[Texas Sweetie]

Wagnomore - thanks for the words of encouragement. My plan is to start full throttle Monday (my 18th Wedding Anniv) and to really give it a whole-hearted effort next week.

Sparkles123 - thanks for the info on jeans. I had no idea that Chico's and Nordstrom's carried my size. I will definitely check it out. Maybe I'll even buy a pair a couple of sizes smaller as an incentive!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by fluffymama

what is the name brand of the coffee syrups you all are using? I looked at some at the store today and they were full of sugar. Give me some insight on a name brand so that I can look online please

I use 3 different ones. Artisan: vanilla hazelnut and coconut Da Vinci: chocolate raspberry and Caramel Torani: Irish Cream All three use SPLENDA. Make sure whatever bran you buy uses only splenda. Sugar alcohols aren't a problem if you found one with some of those in it too.

I find my syrups at: smart and final, tjmaxx, marshalls/home goods, ross, whole foods, frys/kroger, sprouts, sunflower, albertsons, cost plus world market, and the local Italian deli. That said, they are pretty readily available! I generally pay about 3.99 to 5.99 for a 25.4 oz bottle.

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by rachel13

oh, and one more thing, I've always been active and exercised regularly, since starting IP (3 weeks ago Monday) I've felt a little tired but feel better and better daily. It wouldn't hurt my progress to do some cardio and minimal strength training (push ups, thigh master) would it?

In general, coach's are allowing those who were actively exercising before beginning IP to continue. SOME are suggesting using an extra packet or protein if you are exercise. OTHER coaches prefer that the exercise be low intensity, not really raising your heart rate, not becoming fatigued. STILL OTHERS do not want any exercise during the first month because of the shock the body experiences from the carb and calorie reduction. I would say take it easy if you try and speak to your coach for his/her take on the matter.

If you do try to exercise, take it slow and ease into a level you are comfortable with. YOU WILL FEEL IT immediately if your body is unable to handle what you are doing.

Carla

[motiv8edmama]

Originally Posted by Birman

There has been a lot of talk about the expense of this diet. I agree! Using the Ideal Protein or Matol products makes the diet very expensive. But, we don't need to use the products to do the diet well, however. To my understanding, the key to the diet is not the packages. The key is the right nutritional balance as designed the original developer -- Dr. Chanh Tran Tien. If you look at his webpage trantiendiet.com/site/spip.php?article249 you will see that he says :

"- 1 protein packet (protein packets generally contain between 15 and 20 g of protein).
- OR 1 measure of protein. This option is by far the most economical if you purchase a large container of protein; however, large containers of protein are not available in all countries. The protein is diluted in water…"

So, why not just buy a large container of high quality protein, and use that instead? I use almost none of the Ideal Protein or Matol products, and I get great results. Personally I use Prolab's Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate -- which tastes great! Whey is a high quality protein. Being an isolate removes some of the fat and carbs leaving a per serving nutritional profile of: 110 calories, 0.5g fat, 2 g carbohydrates, and 24 g protein. The cost? $1 per serving as opposed to IP's $4 per serving. If one doesn't mind a bit more carbs and fat, the non-isolate version is 130 calories, 2 g fat, 6 g carbohydrates, and 22 g protein. Serving price for that is 62 cents. I don't use Matol's vitamin/mineral supplements either. I read what we're supposed to take, then get good quality stuff from iHerb, Costco, or Netrition. Netrition also has some delicious premade drinks (achievONE) with good nutritional profiles for $2 each.

If something is really important to me, I will come up with the money. (Remember, I'm the one who spent $750 on a kitten!) But… I hate to waste money. Personally I think the IP products are way overpriced, and that irks me. If someone is happy spending the money on the IP products I think that's great. Just mentioning that we don't HAVE to, to get good results, is all.

This is really interesting to me and something I have been wondering about. Have you been doing this for long? I am sorry but this has put me into 20 questions mode!! LOL!! Do you go to a center to weigh in and did you start out on the IP stuff and later investigated to find a more cost effective route for you? I see you have been loosing weight, how long has it taken you to loose the amount you have lost? I am sure I will think of more questions, but I don't want to drive you crazy. I would love to see a sample of what your day looks like, food journal wise. Anyway, thanks for the input!

[motiv8edmama]

TexasSweetie...I have a consultation Monday at 2:00. I am going to move forward with this hopefully in the next week. I am going to do some research on ways to do this for less money, but am going to do this.
I can't wait!!! I am so hopeful that I loose inches quickly as I feel like seeing those inches role off will keep me going like nobody's business!!
**I'm so excited and I think I like it!! Join me!!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by Birman

Someone else here with a Bengal? Cool! And starting with an f1 no less -- my, Carla, you're brave! I know what you mean though, when you say "of all the cats I have had he is the absolute best!" Really, Bengals are very special. Just like yours, mine is smart, fun, and cuddly.

One problem with Bengals though -- they are NOT a good breed for a shy person. When you're out with them, people ALWAYS stop you to talk about them. When we go through the ferry lineup the booth person will call over the person from the other booth to come see Finnegan. When we go through the Taco Bell drive through, they'll call everyone over to the window to check him out -- then ask if it's okay if they give him some free chicken. When we go for walks, people are always stopping me to ask about him. Heck, if Finnegan and I are simply walking down the road, passing cars will back up and stop, to ask about him. Do you get that with Matou too?

I could go on and on about cats -- Bengals in particular. But… I won't bore the non-cat lovers in this thread. Carla, once I get up to 25 posts, and can do PMs let's share cat pictures, shall we? I'd love to see Matou!

ABSOLUTELY!! I can try changing my avatar to a picture of my babies. Maybe that would work in the meanwhile.

Your cat in the avatar, is it Finnegan, is beautiful! Matou has an almost tabby look at certain angles then he moves and you can see his stripes below the camoflauge. His biggest bengal traits are his personality and intelligence! I do get people who ask about him, Not quite as often as I did with Sher Khan though! He was crazy looking! A very wild looking head and body. I can send you pictures of him too! He is a brown marble with lots of glitter and obvious ocelli behind the ears. He has a cry that reaches everything from the sound of a baby to a "petite roar". I remember the day he started crying like a baby and a neighbor crawled the wall of my condo porch thinking I had an unattended child home!! He was shocked when I showed him it was the cat having a temper tantrum! LOL

I still have contact with the wild cat santuary I found Sher Khan a home in and sponsor him financially. I truly wanted to keep him but it wasn't good for either of us and when I found this place I didn't want to just abandon him or the financial responsibility. He is really happen where he is. He has several other hybrid and wild buddies he lives with in a mountain preserve. They have both inside and outside access. They are not caged and are fed a raw food diet which his wild digestive system needs and, important to me, there is a vet on staff 24/7! He is second in the "hybrid pride" now. He fought his way up the ranks after he arrived until he took on a 65 pound cougar. He lost to that! But now he gets his food 2nd and he is ok with it his caretaker says!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by echobaby

Do you promise that the Prolab Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate tastes great?

I just got my tax refund today and I find that I have been thinking about doing some provligate spending for the last 12 hours. I've managed to talk myself out of 2 sets of porcelain dishes, a home telephone system that I saw while flipping channels on the Home Shopping Network,(the HSN!!!How pathetic is that?), a roomba, a treadclimber, and $26.00 shampoo. Just since this morning. So, of course, you describe this protien as delicious, and what do I immediately do? go to amazon and Netrition. So, again, do you promise? Hand on on Dr. Tran's hairdo, I mean book?

You might also check some nutrition stores in your area that carry prolab. I think they should have the individual size packets that you can sample. IF NOT, try contacting prolab and ask for a sample. They may be able to accomodate you!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by swilk

-Had my first "dinner out" tonight. Met my friend at a local mall for some shopping and the Valentine's Day movie (pretty good, but very cheesy and not at all original... perfect chick flick), and we ate in the food court. I knew based on the food chains available at that particular mall that I wouldn't be able to find anything to eat, so I brought my own salad with chicken. I felt kind of silly pulling out food from home, but I was really proud that while my friend ate her pizza (and then her candy at the movies) I stayed completely on plan AND felt full, satisfied and proud of myself.

Cheers to that!

GREAT JOB!!! WOO HOO!!!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by Tuesday925

Echobaby- LOL! you are too funny. "hand on Dr. Tran's hairdo". good thing I found this thread before I saw the cover of his book-- I might have judged incorrectly.

NSV for me I lost 13.5 inches since 1/31.

THAT IS SO AWESOME!!! WAY TO GO!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by shelleydar

Well, I did OK at the dinner tonight - only think I could eat was the chicken breast and even then I had to scrape off the gravy - but the chicken filled me up. Had lots of questions about why I couldn't eat the stuffed tomato or green beans (I seem to be doing a lot of explaining these days) but the proof is in my weight loss! The suit I wore looked much better than last time - actually a little too loose. I'm only 4 weeks into the plan and already think I could be a spokes person for Ideal

I love those "educational moments"! You did great! I take a small container/ziploc baggie of veggies with me now when I go out. It has saved me many times when I couldn't even get a salad made of anything more than a bowl of romaine!

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by Texas Sweetie

Wagnomore - thanks for the words of encouragement. My plan is to start full throttle Monday (my 18th Wedding Anniv) and to really give it a whole-hearted effort next week.

Sparkles123 - thanks for the info on jeans. I had no idea that Chico's and Nordstrom's carried my size. I will definitely check it out. Maybe I'll even buy a pair a couple of sizes smaller as an incentive!

Yeah!! Texas Sweetie is coming on board! You won't be disappointed and we will all be here for you through the adjustment and beyond! You're gonna LOVE this!

[echobaby]

Originally Posted by Tuesday925

Echobaby- LOL! you are too funny. "hand on Dr. Tran's hairdo". good thing I found this thread before I saw the cover of his book-- I might have judged incorrectly.

NSV for me I lost 13.5 inches since 1/31.

Way to go!!

[Texas Sweetie]

Originally Posted by showgirlaz

Yeah!! Texas Sweetie is coming on board! You won't be disappointed and we will all be here for you through the adjustment and beyond! You're gonna LOVE this!

Hi Showgirlaz and Motiv8edmama,

I am growing more and more excited by the day, esp. when I see all of the successes (both scale & nsv). I've already planned my rewards: new stuff! My girlfriends and I have decided to plan a trip to wine country (CA) this summer, and I have already started my "dream board" of clothes, handbags & shoes I'll be wearing. And you want to know the great part? I have already began to imagine myself as that thin girl I'm taking this as a good sign that my mindset is switching over.

Yeah me! Thanks again for all the encouragement!

[echobaby]

Originally Posted by Texas Sweetie

Hi Showgirlaz and Motiv8edmama,

I am growing more and more excited by the day, esp. when I see all of the successes (both scale & nsv). I've already planned my rewards: new stuff! My girlfriends and I have decided to plan a trip to wine country (CA) this summer, and I have already started my "dream board" of clothes, handbags & shoes I'll be wearing. And you want to know the great part? I have already began to imagine myself as that thin girl I'm taking this as a good sign that my mindset is switching over.

Yeah me! Thanks again for all the encouragement!

Not to pile on with the encouragement, but TRUST ME, if I, and the various people who populate this board, who've all given testimony to having tried and failed before...either in the LOSING of the weight, or the keeping off the weight, can do it...you will do it too. You just have to make sure you believe and are committed before you start.

Best of luck to you. And I know you have it hard...my parents are from Louisiana and I was raised in Texas, the capitols of hospitality and FOOD! They'll get over it and the food will still be there when this is done. As long as we know how to deal with it.