New and Looking for Support - Tired of Negativity
 

Hey all. I'm new here and new to IP. I'm here looking for some IP support.

I'm 27, 5'6" and roughly 271 lbs. I have one daughter and have been unable to conceive another child even with drugs to help. I have PCOS which is made worse from my weight. This combined with the fact that I can't really play with my kid because it's hard to move meant that I needed to do something.

A friend of mine started IP and just recently told us about it. He has lost 55 lbs in 8 weeks. Seeing his success makes me think that I can succeed as well so I went and signed up. Now I'm starting to hear all the comments about how I'm going to make myself sick, I'm going to ruin my hair and nails, I'm going to ruin my insides, etc.

How do you all survive this? My family is 150% supportive, but nobody else is. They keep telling me what an unhealthy choice I am making. Combine that with the impending holidays and man oh man am I having a difficult time.

Hi, Cinnleigh! Welcome!

There have been nay-sayers regarding low carb diets ever since I can remember - and that's a long time! I gave up trying to change their minds - they will have to find out for themselves.

You are not going to ruin your health. Your excess weight is what's doing that. Low carb eating is the best thing you can do for yourself. This is true for anyone - not just for those trying to lose weight. Getting rid of all the sugar, starches, and refined carbs will do wonders for every single person out there.

My advice is to stick to the IP plan and prove them wrong. Even with the holidays coming up, you will notice that your attitude toward food will change dramatically.

I would explain to them that it's more of a nutrition program than a diet. If done properly, the idea is to be able to maintain healthy eating habits by the end. Also, most clinics are run by doctors. The person I heard about this from was actually recommended by their dr. to do this or probably die (because of many medical issues). Read the information, it actually is designed to reprogram your body into a healthy state of functioning. There are a few possible side effects, but from what I've heard, they are temporary.
Make yourself informed and be motivated. That way you can succeed and be able to explain the program. But definitely discuss this with your dr first to make sure it will work for you. And once you begin, it gets easier to follow the program each day... seems your tastes tend to change. And your results will encourage you to stick with it. Even on the slow loss weeks. :)

I'm new too...just started my 3rd week and am down 14lbs. Don't let anyone talk you out of this!! This will change your life! It's beneficial for you, your husband and your child!!

Don't tell anyone about what diet you are on....just saying you are watching what you eat. I too was a nay-sayer when my friend did this diet over a year ago...now that I have been on it 2 months....I just didn't understand it...shame on me.

It is a great diet...relish it...enjoy it...YOU WILL FEEL WONDERFUL ON IT!:carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot :

I have lost 35 pounds in 2 months and love the diet. Don't look back and avoid telling people how it is you are losing the weight...I always say the program I am on.

I too have PCOS and have had much success with this diet!! Been on IP for eight weeks and lost twenty pounds!!!!
My Ob/gyn always told me with PCOS its the chicken and egg scenario. Another words what came first did the PCOS cause the weight or did the weight cause the PCOS.
Keep your head up about conceiving. I have had two children successfully with PCOS.
Those who are negative I say are only ignorant and don't know the true facts.
Good Luck in your quest, and this is a great place for support!:hug:

Hey there Cinnleigh and welcome... You will find this forum to be a wealth of information and the more you know the more prepared you are to handle the naysayers.. Dr Tran wrote a book ``The Unbalanced Diet Approach to a Slimmer You'', that explains the program beautifully and it is always in the beginning of the daily thread so my advice is to do what I did, print it out and take a highlighter as you read it and make those notes that will help answer the negative that people who don't understand the program will try to hack at you...

Try to remember that yes there are unfortunately programs that are out there that do danger but this is not one of them. Dr Tran transitions us through the program ( I don't like the word diet) so that by the time we get to Phase 4 - maintenance we are so educated on how to make the best food choices for us as well as our bodies are prepared to handle the foods we choose... I don't know how you approached the program but I did and still do pick and choose who I allow to know about how I've lost weight. It's easy to judge those that will not embrace it so for them I just say I've cut back my sugars and carbs and have focused more on veggies and protein.. I am making healthier choices and they usually let it go with that. Those that I feel truly will understand what I've done and appreciate it then I tell them you should check out this amazing program. Plus over the 5 months I've been on this program I have learnt to just say heyyyyyyyy this is about me and if you don't want to be on my cheerleading squad then I just ask you to keep that opinion to yourself.. Once the weight starts to fall off you they change their tune and yeah you still have the one who is waiting for you to slip up or put it back on but then I ask myself are they really worth the "friend" value I give them.. harsh approach but you will have to make yourself number one so that you can be number one for your daughter!!! Good Luck and remember you have gained a new sisterhood on here ( as well as some gents)...

This is all very good information. Make sure you are fully studied up on the science of the diet. Dr. Tran's book takes the boring out of reading about science. It will help you to defend you choices too.

BTW many woman on these boards after being on the diet have conceived. There is actually a thread about making sure you use good contreception if you don't want to have a baby while being on the diet.

I understand the PCOS can create many problems with having a baby, but this diet seems to be a magic bullet. One poster a number of months ago reported that the were finalizing the adoption of a new baby and BAM she was pregnant too. :) How sweet.

Heh, the only problem is that I have to make and eat my lunches at work. Doesn't help that I work with a bunch of nurses.

I'm a social and habitual eater. I think that's the hardest part for me. AND my desk is right next to the kitchen. ;)

That is great news!!

The women in my office were skeptical, too. But now a few of them want to start IP after the holidays because they've seen my 46-pound weight loss for themselves. They see that I'm not sick, nor do I look sickly. They see how great I feel and look and -- well, they want that, too!

I think the naysayers actually HELP with this program, because there is such great incentive to prove them WRONG!

I eat my lunch at school (I am a teacher). I have my salad and my shake with coffee in my own mug and that helps. I always say the doctor directed program or something like that. I only give details if I feel the person can handle it.....unfortunately people can be so negative. That sucks, but I love this diet and how I am today is way healthier than how I was two months ago...so to heck with the nay-sayers. Have fun and enjoy the weight loss...and know those people are jealous....


To quote the one gentlemen on this website....

The skeptics can kiss my steadily shrinking backside....gotta love it!:carrot:

:welcome3: Cinnleigh. I was quite self-conscious about it when I started. I didn't want anyone to know that I was dieting or that I was doing a low carb, protein powder style diet. The only people who knew were my fiancé and the friends who were on the program themselves.

In the early weeks, I had my meat/fish protein at lunch with the veggies & salad some days and had the packet in the evening. In some ways that worked well for me. I was tired and hungry at dinner time and you really can't beat how fast it is to prepare a packet or open a drink box!

FYI -- you may lose hair, but not permanently. It's a condition called telogen effluvium which is brought on by stress. Going on this diet can be a shock to our bodies, which qualifies to some of our bodies as major acute stress. My nails, however, are stronger and grow faster, go figure. :?:

With people who don't already know that you're doing IP my best tip is to get good at being vague. I had a couple of coworkers comment about my soup packet when I was in the kitchen mixing it up before heating it in the microwave. I just joked "Oh well, I'll just be well preserved." (referring to preservatives, of which there are few to none in IP packets)

For those who you've told or who already know, thank them for caring so much about you and your health. Say something like, "Thanks for letting me know. It's good to know you're in my corner." and change topics. Come up with some standard responses. Practice them till you really mean it. Then, every time someone says anything negative about your choice -- thanks, acknowledge, change topics. Lather, rinse, repeat.

You HAVE found the support group you need here. I have appreciated all the posts so much and I read them all daily. My new "crack" instead of cheese :o
It is frustrating feeling like you need to defend yourself all the time. My friends keep trying to get me to have a drink with them like I used to...."oh just one" etc I read a quote on Oct 6th on this forum, my first day of IP, and it has just stuck with me "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" I have it on stickys in my lunch bag on my fridge in my truck all over
I second the suggestion of printing Dr. Tran's book I found it to be very clear why this works.
YOU CAN DO THIS!! and keep in mind you are doing for the most important people in your life....you and your daughter. Keep coming back here for support the people here are the greatest!! :grouphug:

Hey Cinnleigh,
Im a new memeber aswell, i just finished my first week on the diet and ive already lost 6lbs. Once you see how easy it is to follow to diet and you start to notice a change it makes everything that much easier. Also remember that you are doing this for your health and yourself so even if they dont agree with how you are planning to lose the weight, they must agree that you are makign a smart decision by being on a plan that will help you do that. Keep up the good work! :)

Hi Cinnleigh, and WELCOME!
I started IP in April and after losing 41 pounds, I am now in Phase 4. I can tell you that this is not a diet as much as it is a meal program. When people asked me about it I told them "its a medically monitored meal program that is addressing a number of my current and future health concerns". This pretty much shuts them down because they understand you are doing the right thing for the right reasons. If people really pressed me, I would say, "it's a low carb, low fat diet, with a carefully regulated protein intake to protect my muscles and organs. It's FDA approved for safe weight loss." And then I'd be done talking about it.

Making lunch at work: this will take you a week or two to get your new "processes" down, but then it will be easy. Make your salad ahead of time, and bring some veggies to steam in the microwave and have a bar or a shake for dessert. Can't look much more "normal" or "healthy" than that, even to a nurse!

I hear ya about the social eating, and I can tell you a big part of IP is changing those kinds of habits, not just for the time it takes you to lose the weight, but forever. This WILL be the last diet you are ever on, IF you truly commit to going through phases 1-3 and then staying on Phase 4 for the rest of your life. This allows you one cheat day a week, and a well balanced eating plan for 6 days a week. If you can truly commit to that, then you will get this weight off and keep it off, forever! GOOD LUCK!

Welcome :) this forum is very encouraging. I've been on the program for just over 5 weeks now and down 17 lbs! I have low estrogen and haven't been able to lose weight on any other diet, so yay! Hollar if you have any questions or concerns, the message boards are super helpul!

Illegitimi non carborundum

Do it for yourself. No diet is perfect, most typical ones lose a lot of muscle from starvation. Low carb diets can be bad if you over-do it on protein. The diet is very manageable and you'll start feeling better in the first week.

I know exactly how you feel. I have friends and family that are super supportive then ones that aren't. Some of them have come around as I am now in maintenance but some haven't. I have found that the ones that are criticizing either have never had a weight problem or do and don't want you to do good cause they feel bad about themselves. One of my best friends keeps talking to my other friends telling her that I must be having a life crisis and I am getting to skinny and have no food in my house. Yadda, yadda What ever I have tons of veggies and healthy foods in my house, no cream and super fatty foods in my house. I feel better then I have in my entire life, I have been on diets my entire life. Weight Watchers at the age of 10. This way of eating has finally made me discover that I am super carb sensitive, I have never felt great after eating potatoes, pasta etc... but didn't really even realize it. I was always, always tired and now I have tons of energy!!! I feel so blessed that I found IP and learned how to eat a healthy way for me! It is not for everyone but it is for some of us. I agree with the other posts just tell them you are on a healthy eating plan and losing weight. The ones that you trust can know totally what you are doing. But please don't give up!!!! Do this for yourself and your family!!!:hug: I wish I could give you a real hug!

Hey RM...I LOVE....LOVE...LOVE how you put this, if you don't mind I am going to use this quote when people ask me what IP is!!!!!

Gaile

Hey Cinnleigh...1st of all :welcome: This is the place to be for tons of IP info, support and friendship from all of us here. I have found this forum to be the MOST IMPORTANT TOOL for being successful with IP eating program. Please invest time to go through the different "stickies" and threads, there is soo much to learn. Come to the Daily Chat...we are here to celebrate, encourage, and support each other. You can do this:hug:
Gaile

Cinnleigh-

I was in the same boat as you were 7 months ago! I started out at 260lbs and now I am at 175 and everyone at my work place was always like, yah I have heard of that its hard on your body, it is not healthy, your going to gain it back blah blah blah.

Do not let them bring you down! You have to believe in yourself, only you can decide if you want to take this journey or not and trust me the payoffs are HUGE when on this diet. Take one day at a time you will not be disappointed! If you follow step by step of what your DR is telling you, you WILL see results trust me and when you do start seeing the big results in a few weeks the people that were bringing you down and telling you such negative things will come around and tell you how wonderful your looking. The reason I say that is because I too heard the same exact thing and now everyone is complimenting me or pissed because I have succeeded in what I set out to do. Good luck on your new adventure, your going to do fantastic!

I've been accused of being a gentleman before. I can assure you that's simply not the case. ;)

The best thing you can do is stop caring what others think or say -- whether to your face or behind your back, as that's a really paranoid way to live. I'm on IP because I want to change. I'm doing it for me. There are others, like my wife and children, who will benefit from what I'm doing. I have more energy, can be more active, and hopefully will be around a few years longer than I would have if I'd kept up my old habits. So ferrets and goats beware.

When you've lost 135 lbs., people notice! Everyone notices! And everyone is curious. They ask questions. They're skeptical. But I'm living, breathing, moving proof that IP works. And now I have their attention...even the skeptics. They're still welcome, of course, to pucker up and smooch away! :o

Have you considered posting progress pictures? Your loss has been amazing and a great inspiration.

PLEASE? in a speedo, of course. ;)

I third the request! But not necessarily in a speedo. Just some nice jeans. :-)

He has posted progress pictures, but nothing recent. Use your search ninja skills and you'll find them fairly quickly. There's a clue on where to look in the first post of every chat thread. :D

You can post in the thread where they're located to have it show at the top for more people to see!

Found the pics. Lookin' good salesgod! ;)

:hug:I am a social and habitual eater, too. I love and am addicted to food. I came to this diet with a history of bulimia, diabetes - insulin dependent, high blood pressure, 145 pounds overweight, and I had so much pain I could hardly walk. I started 1 pound heavier than you did, but a lot older than you. When I was 27 I was overweight and without all of the above health issues. Because I had always lost and regained, the health problems continued to increase. I have lost over 100 pounds in 6 month - you can, too. Not only has my weight went down, but my health issues have decreased. I am barely on insulin, I have cut out one of my blood pressure pills, I had surgery to correct a disc in my neck and I can walk, run, and jump (I had to lose some weight first), and I am learning a new way to eat. People all have their opinions and want to share them. When people who have opinions share them with me, I just smile because I know the truth. This diet has saved my life and some people I choose to share that with and others I don't. It can save yours, too - do this plan now and don't wait until you are 59 years old. Get motivated and don't worry about what people think!