I have my second WI on Wednesday afternoon. I feel really good about the weight I've already lost (8.8 lbs.)! I'm very proud of myself. I'm sure that I've lost more weight this week too. How can you not? Here's what I just don't know...I am a teacher and will be done with my regular routine at the end of this week. I love summer time foods. Especially strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, frozen adult beverages...You know what I'm talking about.

I don't know how committed I am to going the entire summer without a regular schedule and without my beloved fruits and drinks. I don't really want to do this over the summer. I would like to take what I've already done and start up again in the fall. I will do my very best to be more conscious of what goes into my mouth...I will make good choices. I am also very worried about not exercising. I used to, but haven't started again because we are cautioned against it. I will have a conversation with my coach on Wednesday.

Any suggestions? Advice? I don't want to spend the money if my heart just isn't in it! I figured I'm not the first person to feel like this and wanted to get your take!

thanks,

deena

I feel like you either have to do IP or not, there is no inbetween. I too am a summer fruitaholic, but I made the decision to stick with the plan and do what is right for my body. Cherries will not become extinct and next year I can have them. Heck, after I get to my goal weight, maybe I will spend the $10 a pound on some imported ones as a treat! Same with the drinking. I went to a bar on Thursday night for a friends birthday and had a liter water bottle. I still had fun and was still on plan.

It is really hard to do this plan, as everyone here knows. If you want to go off plan so soon, I'd talk to your coach. You are right that it is a lot of money to invest, and it is a serious decision.

I'm very new to IP so I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as other members. But here is my advice, my clinic won't take a client unless they are 100% committed to the program. If you aren't or can't be completely committed at this point or don't think you can do it without cheating, I'd wait. I just started the program and I know summer is going to be tough (especially since I love ice cream, cookies, bbq, fruit, and margaritas) but I am so tired of being overweight and I am too young to set myself up to be overweight for the rest of my life. (I'm only 22.) So I weighed my options (no pun intended) and decided I could handle the temptations because after this program I will not only look and feel better, I will have learned how and what to eat. I say all of that to say, it's really a question you have to answer good luck in whatever you decide

Here's an issue most of us chronic dieters always face.

There is NEVER a good time to start.

It's summer, and you don't want to miss bbq's, summer fruits. Then its fall, and you don't want to miss homemade pie, and hotdogs and marshmellows around the campfire, and we're going back to school, and just don't have time to deal with it. Then it's winter which brings Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Then its Valentines day, and Easter with all the candy. We get spring fever and want to go out--not to mention I seem to go to a LOT more baby/bridal showers in the spring. Then its summer again. We can't just keep putting it off again and again.

We are women. We deal with men. We have children--not me, but lots of women do. We raise children. We secretly do all the handy work men try to do, but can't. We are strong. And we can lose the weight. We just have to want to. I want to. And if it's what you want I believe you can make it happen

Awesome post, TaylorMayde!!

Well said, TaylorMayde! I have no doubt that you'll do well on IP with this attitude!

TaylorMayde!..Fantastic post. I think you covered it all.

Swensbud...I can absolutely understand how you feel. I have been making bowls of fruit/berries for my kids and it has been really hard not to have those darn raspberries. However, I like to tell myself that my mouth has been having a party for the past 10 years, so I can handle a few months of this plan Trust in yourself, and your ability to enjoy those moments where you feel empowered by your choice to be healthy, and when you are wearing smaller sized summer clothes. Please trust me when I say that it is those little moments that mean so much more than fruit. While those things may be delicious in the moment, they will never taste the way that control over your life, and feeling good about yourself can last sooo much longer. All the best to you, and if you decide to hold off IP for the summer, I look forward to having you join us once again in the fall

I was also not sure when I started the plan how well I would be able to stick to it. I figured I'd probably blow out by the end of the 2nd week, and that would be that.

But by the second week, I'd lost over 15 pounds, and I could actually start to fit in a smaller size... and that was the motivation I needed to continue. That, and the pulmonologist telling me that my lung function was back to normal now, for the first time in 5 years. I think it has to do with the diet - I'm still on the "most restricted carb" foods on IP - so I'm essentially dairy-free, gluten-free, and alcohol-free, and low carb for the first time in years. I had some arthritic nodules in my joints that are gone now!

While I *did* avoid going to parties the few weekends on IP (I knew I was weak)... I've gone to a graduation party, a poker party, and out to the bar with the spouse, and managed to stay on track - drinking water, and bringing my veggies to snack on if needed.

If you just keep it up a little longer, you will lose enough to need smaller clothes... and in the summer? You'll be all fired up for it to continue.

And TaylorMayde - you have the right attitude! It's all will-power, and you have it in spades!