[BevS]

Originally Posted by skittlescda

Hi All, Happy Family Day long weekend to all Canadians from Ontario too!

I've posted on this topic a few times but for some reason nobody ever responds. I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and my wellness center has really been pushing the Cleanse since the day I started up. They actually had it added into my starter kit but I asked them to take it off my bill and I'd pay for it later (I wanted to run it by my doctor first).

If anyone has used the IP cleanse (apparently recommended to start on the third weeK) can you share your experience with it. Did it help you to lose weight faster, did you feel better, what are the advantages (if any) to using the cleanse?

Your input is appreciated....I don't want to spend $55 Cdn on something that may make me feel worse, aggravate my digestive track but then if it supports weight loss for most people and is a good thing....then I'll for sure give it a try.

Thanks and Happy Valentine's to ya'll :-)

I haven't heard of an IP cleanse. Maybe it's not available to those of us in the States. I have done a couple of cleanses on other diets. As soon as I started eating again, the weight came right back on. I wasn't encouraged by that. Also, I have read that most doctors don't think too highly of cleanses. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money on them.

[wagnomore]

Originally Posted by BevS

Yes, I've had that happen. I think it's from not getting enough potassium and/or calcium. Are you taking all of your supplements?

I am taking all the supplements, water, oil and salt - I doubled up on the Potassium yesterday. Staying very true to the IP plan, even limiting restricted items. I got the cramp again this morning...I am going to see my coach tomorrow for product/weighin. I will also quiz her.

[ChelleFL]

Originally Posted by HopefulTricia

Texas Sweetie - Thanks for the encouragement -I will report back to you in early March or even from CA if possible. It seems like a pretty big temptation right now but I am so into this diet (at day three) and with at least 50 pounds to lose, I really don't want to slow my progress. Especially since that's when I get discouraged and give up. So Valentine's Day will be fine (movies and Bonefish tonight)-- a week of visiting wineries might not be quite so easy. I'm thinking I will just buy bottles of wine for the future-- won't feel deprived and will know I can have some later. This is how I quit smoking many years ago-- carried cigarettes around with me saying I could have one a little later... somehow telling me I can't have something pretty much guarantees I will have it!
Two other comments - I have no restricted foods, but I do have a food group where you can pick only one from it a day. The crisps. chocolate soy, spaghetti and stew for example, are part of that group.
Wondering about the gum? I had some last evening. Didn't realize it isn't allowed. Thoughts???
5 pounds lost. This is the beginning of day 3. Last night I made a list of all the things I want to do in about 4 months. Things I've been avoiding due to my weight like seeing old friends. Pretty excited about the possibilities.

I hate to tell you this but my coach told me that one glass of wine will set me back 3 days. I was very disappointed to hear that cause I love my wine, especially when I'm having lobster, crab,shrimp, etc... I'm passing along this information only because every time I think about what she told me, it helps me stay away from it. Somebody needs to make a wine with zero calories, carbs, fat and sugar.

I started 2/8 and lost 4.8 the first 3 days, 7.1 after 6 days. I'm hoping to reach 9 by tomorrow morning, but I'll be happy with 8.

[shelleydar]

Birman, I wanted to send you an IM but guess I haven't been around long enough...I wanted to thank you for sharing the alternative plan information. I work with a group of mostly women who make around $10 an hour and could never afford IP. Many of them are severly obese and I would love to be able to help those that want to lose some weight. I'm sure some are comfortable just the way they are (and I think that's great) but for those that have struggled to lose some weight I would like to be able to share an affordable alternative. Also, once we can IM I would love to learn more about your cats

[HopefulTricia]

Originally Posted by swilk

Those items are called restricted items. Bars, puffs, soy nuts, oatmeal, chili, stew, etc. are all considered "restricted" because you can only have one per day. I believe the spaghetti is only twice a week. There's different schools of thought on the gum. Some say if it's sugarfree and you wash it off before chewing, you're fine. My coach says NO to gum, because chewing it stimulates your digestive system and your body produces insulin, prepping for food (or something like that). We are only allowed to use Listerine PocketPak strips. That said, we're flying today, so I am bringing gum for the plane because my ears don't adjust well.

Thanks -- I am throwing the gum away and getting the Listerine strips. I have heard before they are good for sugar cravings -- though I'm not craving sugar very much so far. (That is a miracle in itself!) Thanks for clearing up the restrictive part. For me, spaghetti is no more than twice a week. BUT, to the person saying there were some IP foods she couldn't have at all in the beginning, that isn't true for me. Some are just once a day, as you explained. What about altoids minis and are the regulars not ok? It's so great to get help here so thank you again.

[HopefulTricia]

Originally Posted by ChelleFL

I hate to tell you this but my coach told me that one glass of wine will set me back 3 days. I was very disappointed to hear that cause I love my wine, especially when I'm having lobster, crab,shrimp, etc... I'm passing along this information only because every time I think about what she told me, it helps me stay away from it. Somebody needs to make a wine with zero calories, carbs, fat and sugar.

I started 2/8 and lost 4.8 the first 3 days, 7.1 after 6 days. I'm hoping to reach 9 by tomorrow morning, but I'll be happy with 8.

ChelleFL - Oh gosh -thanks so much for this tip. That is terrible news but somehow I believe it's probably true. And, even worse, wine triggers all kinds of cravings for me.
Now I need suggestions of what to do in wine country besides visit the wineries!

[jordanna]

Swilk - have so much fun in Vegas, enjoy your "day off" for the brithday festivities!

Skittles - I only eat the non-restricted items, in fact I only eat the puddings, the cappuccino and the jello (I don't like the soups or the cereal or the other drinks). It's not so bad so far, my coach allows us to have the non-restricted items after 2 weeks but I chose not too. Starting this week on Saturday night I am allowing myself one restricted item as a treat

The way I look at it, I've spent the last 20 years indulging in whatever I wanted, I can go a few months without in order to be a healthier person in the end

[ChelleFL]

Originally Posted by HopefulTricia

ChelleFL - Oh gosh -thanks so much for this tip. That is terrible news but somehow I believe it's probably true. And, even worse, wine triggers all kinds of cravings for me.
Now I need suggestions of what to do in wine country besides visit the wineries!

You have a great idea buying wine for the future (to enjoy after the weight loss), but you are going to want to taste what your buying. Why don't you do what the experts do - swish it around in your mouth and then spit it out. I did the wine tasting trip in Sonoma 20 years ago with 3 girlfriends and had a blast. Of course I was skinny then, but I never really drank that much. The point is that they only give you a small amount to taste, so be selective about what you taste and like I suggested - don't swallow. You might consider taking a dark color plastic bottle with you to use as a spitune (spelling?).

Good luck and have a great time. The company of your friends, the views, and the experience will make it a great trip even if you can't drink. Don't skip the wineries, think of all the positives, plus some of them have tours that are very interesting and most of them have great gift shops, - not all wine.

[denialdoesntwork]

I have been on the diet since 2/11 so just on my fourth day but already feel the difference! I didn't have any of the headaches, and I haven't ever felt hungry which is nice. I hope I don't get sick of roasted veggies because I think they are the difference for me, somehow cauliflower tastes great with olive oil and sea salt when you roast it. Who knew?

I know I have already lost a few pounds, which is amazing. Just hoping I can maintain this pace. Already survived my first big "night out" fundraising banquet with friends that usually we drink wine, eat lots of carbs/desserts etc. I was able to pick out what I could eat and avoid everything else.

I was worried I would give in to peer pressure, but so far so good!

[BlueMermaid]

Originally Posted by denialdoesntwork

I have been on the diet since 2/11 so just on my fourth day but already feel the difference! I didn't have any of the headaches, and I haven't ever felt hungry which is nice. I hope I don't get sick of roasted veggies because I think they are the difference for me, somehow cauliflower tastes great with olive oil and sea salt when you roast it. Who knew?

I know I have already lost a few pounds, which is amazing. Just hoping I can maintain this pace. Already survived my first big "night out" fundraising banquet with friends that usually we drink wine, eat lots of carbs/desserts etc. I was able to pick out what I could eat and avoid everything else.

I was worried I would give in to peer pressure, but so far so good!

Great Job on resisting temptation! You will be glad you did when you go to your 1st weigh in. Keep up the good work!

[denialdoesntwork]

Originally Posted by BlueMermaid

Great Job on resisting temptation! You will be glad you did when you go to your 1st weigh in. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for the will power dust! Love it. I will keep that image in my mind until my first weigh in. I know people who are on this diet, and they can't believe how well they are doing. It's hard to explain so I now know what they meant. So glad to have found this site....I think it makes it easier to go through something like this with someone else, even if you have never actually met.

[Birman]

Originally Posted by denialdoesntwork

So glad to have found this site....I think it makes it easier to go through something like this with someone else, even if you have never actually met.

I so much agree!

[Birman]

Originally Posted by HopefulTricia

Last night I made a list of all the things I want to do in about 4 months. Things I've been avoiding due to my weight like seeing old friends. Pretty excited about the possibilities.

I think that's a great way to help stay motivated, HopefulTricia. I know exactly what you mean about avoiding seeing old friends due to weight. I'd love to contact my old friends again, and not be embarassed.

Originally Posted by wagnomore

Has anyone ever woke up with muscle cramps in your legs - kinda felt like a "charlie horse" kind of cramp in the calf of my leg this morning.

Wagnomore, low levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium have all been linked to leg cramps. You might want to up your magnesium in particular.

Originally Posted by WannabeIP

I have a question, has anyone noticed that they take longer to heal on IP? Cut your finger and it seems to take forever to heal completely? Thanks

WannabeIP, the IP diet can be hard on both the liver and kidneys. The liver is very involved with wound healing, so you might want to mention your healing problem to your doctor or coach.

Originally Posted by showgirlaz

Your cat in the avatar, is it Finnegan, is beautiful!

Yup, that's him -- his "baby picture" when he was only 5 months old. (He's 10 months old now.) I loved reading about Sher Khan. That's really something about your neighbor thinking it sounded like a baby!

Looking forward to when I can do PM and see pictures of Matou, Sher Khan, and your other past and current furry loved ones.

Originally Posted by shelleydar

Birman, I wanted to send you an IM but guess I haven't been around long enough...I wanted to thank you for sharing the alternative plan information. I work with a group of mostly women who make around $10 an hour and could never afford IP. Many of them are severly obese and I would love to be able to help those that want to lose some weight. I'm sure some are comfortable just the way they are (and I think that's great) but for those that have struggled to lose some weight I would like to be able to share an affordable alternative. Also, once we can IM I would love to learn more about your cats

Shelleydar, yeah, in ANYTHING in life it's nice to have alternatives….choices. If you recommend this to your friends at work, perhaps encourage them to read Dr. Tran's book so they properly understand how it works -- stuff like that it's important to be sure it's high quality protein, and what kind of supplements to be sure and take.

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by BlueMermaid

I don't think I am in ketosis and that is part of why I have been hungry the last 3 days. We had been on vacation and indulged in extra protein at dinner but stayed on plan the rest of the day. I have the ketostix and they are not changing color at all. My scale has been flat since last Tuesday when I got home. I have been eating a restricted almost everyday since I started the plan but I think that may be too many carbs for me now. I don't weigh in until Tuesday so I think for the next 3 days I am going to stay away from the restricted. I was really hoping for a good loss this week since last week was small.

Here is how my weeks have gone.

Week prior to ideal protein I did Atkins and lost 5 lbs.
Week 1 IP- -5.4
Week 2 IP- -3.6
Week 3 IP- -4.6
Week 4 IP- -1.6 weigh in after vacation and tom

My coach won't let anyone use the restricted items until they have lost AT LEAST 70% of their weight goal even then he prefers his clients to wait until they are at 85 -90% before they begin using them. He has had multiple clients who start using restricted 1 per day and the chili or spaghetti 2 per week and they can't stay in ketosis. It seems some people are VERY sensitive to the carb levels. You might try backing down and to the strict diet for about 3 days then, when you add restricted only add a couple per week at first and spaced apart then as you add one or two more you can see the impact of the added carbs and at what point your body says "OH NO!"

Carla

[showgirlaz]

Hello Everyone!

Well, weigh in is tomorrow. I will let you all know how it goes. This week has been ok but, I am approaching TOM and know I am retaining water.

I had a few off days this week. I don't think I ate enough veggies and I had some very hungry evenings. I even think I over ate on protein one night when we were out at friends. Hopefully, I haven't done anything too terrible.

I hope everyone has a happy valentines!

Carla