[Beachbella]

Another snow storm for NJ today that left 18 inches. Thank you Mother Nature....It screwed up my whole day. When is Spring coming again? I have my WI tomorrow and feel I am doing well, looking forward to seeing what the scale has to say. I have one challenge this weekend and it is going out to dinner and drinks with my girlfriends. We get together once a month and this will be my first month doing this since on iP. I am a little nervous. I already checked out the menu on line and decided on what I am going to eat, just more worried about the "cocktail" part of the evening. Just have to keep it in my head that a $10 Martini is not worth a $100 mess up (what I spend each week on IP).

Have a wonderful evening everyone.

[Linden]

Originally Posted by slickmouse

But I just wanted to make double sure you have a Dr (or will be looking for one) that is dosing you based on T3/T4 levels and not TSH. I firmly believe this is the most critical thing a person can do in getting their thyroid dosing correct. And I'm a firm believer in T3 supplementation for many.

No, I don't; nor did I have one on the island of Hawai'i, even through I tried to get her to read some things that seemed important. And the one before her believed that testosterone was the solution to all females of a certain age who were hypothyroid. On the other hand, I was lucky to have a permanent doctor, however overworked, highly-recommended (within the limited parameters of the recommender's experience), or initially well-trained in general a practitioner's practice. They are scarce on the ground.

I want so much to find a good doctor here. And I hope the language barrier won't be too bad. Thanks so much for reinforcing my own conclusion.

[chjsmom]

Yesterday was a horrible day. I had no energy, didn't feel like eating or doing anything. I was so depressed but I wasn't sad about anything. I stayed on protocol and made it through the day. Today is much better. I feel good! I don't know what yesterday was about. It helps so much to come here and read all of your posts. Thanks to you all!

[slickmouse]

Originally Posted by Linden

I want so much to find a good doctor here. And I hope the language barrier won't be too bad. Thanks so much for reinforcing my own conclusion.

I haven't been around long enough to PM (I don't think) - so I hope this doesn't validate rules. But there is another board specific for thyroid folks that have LOTS of info. They support the T3/T4 theory and you can post the area you are looking for a Dr and folks may respond with recommendations. I don't know if you are in the US still or not - but I think they have folks from outside the US too.

try the thyroid sub forum on lowcarbfriends site.

I'm lucky to have found a wonderful GYN who listens to my research, researches WITH me, and we dose and we try things together. She always ask my opinion about what we should do before she makes a Dx. She is also the one who told me about IP.

I would strongly advise to NOT look for an endo - but either a DO, GYN or Family Dr. Endos are mainly diabetic specialist and only a handful are versed in the latest on thyroid. This is just my experience.

[SallyM]

Linden, I am always so moved by your posts and your helpful advice to others. I wish I could help you with your thyroid issue but I cannot. But I can sincerely wish you good luck in finding the perfect doctor for you there! May all the stars align that need to so that you can get yourself to the healthy state you've worked so hard for! I'm so happy for you that you get to enjoy being in a city again!! Love that!

My status is: ugh! I've been knocked down and out with a cold that the DH brought home last week. Really bad news. I haven't had a cold this bad for years - I guess I was due! No appetite, sore throat, didn't even want to drink my water. Didn't keep up with supplements, or meals. Did however eat any cough drop that was in the house - started with the sugar free but finished those and ate the regular ones too. Took any and all medicine for colds that we had in the house. Now it's TOM - Of COURSE - on top of it all. Oh well. Life goes on. At least today I can look at the computer screen. I still sound like **** but am feeling on the mend. Haven't gotten on the scale for about 6 days now. I think I'll get back on the program and then hop back on the scale!

Good luck IPers! Thank you all for being here. Lurkers, bloggers, everyone - we are all getting healthy this year!

[Linden]

Originally Posted by Marionm

Linden, Have you thought much about how you need to eat for the rest of your life? That really helped me figure where I need to go. I have similar thyroid issue and while I haven't been as strict as you have with which products I use, now that I'm in my "normal" eating mode I am much more conscientious. I'm Svelting pointed me to a couple of books---Protein Power Lifeplan by the Eades, and Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint (available for online download). I also discovered The Paleo Diet. I'm pretty convinced that where I need to be given the thyroid, and other hormone issues is someplace between those three plans. One of the key points that I took from one of them is that if you eat the right foods for your body, your weight will stabilize where it needs to be. (I'm not always patient about figure out what that is though! )

Anyway, my suggestion is to think about how you are going to eat post IP. I knew I couldn't exactly follow Tran's diet because I can't eat grains like wheat and corn. I also knew I felt best when I maintained a good level of protein. What makes you feel good---and not an emotional feel good but a physical feel good?

Send me a PM if you'd like to chat more about the specifics. Hormone issues have been a part of my journey for about 20 years now so I've got lots.

I think your question is both wise and perceptive, and I make a distinction between the two (for what that's worth ). I have given a lot of thought, both through the process and, consciously and probably sub in the last three days. I think I'm at the point I was last June 5th when I said ENOUGH to Kaiser and all it's faults (that does NOT include Northern California) and went looking, far and wide. It's when I, comfortably, settled finally on the IP Program.

Now I'm not so comfortable. I know I need protein in the morning and, preferably the first thing. So the idea of taking the thyroid medicine at night is becoming more and more appealing. Unlike Holly, I think I do well with grains (except corn, which I'm allergic to), and fiber, but her strength of conviction -- which I truly respect and have tried to get my mind around -- has held me back a little in past thinking. I know I wouldn't thrive on the Paleo Diet. Whether or not what works for Holly would work for me, is still open for debate between each side of my (all right, occasionally muddled) brain. And that's no joke. I hate going from clear-headedness and lucidity to befuddled and distracted.

So, to illustrate my point, I seem to have side-tracked myself.

I'm really coming to the conclusion that I should branch out on my own, using the grounding I've built up on IP. Whether or not the program has worked, fully, for me, I'm happy I made the decision to join.

You're offer; it is much, much appreciated.

[showgirlaz]

Originally Posted by bulleriina

I found something good to put in my coffee since I'm not able to use RTDs..
Silk Pure Almond Milk, unsweetened. I cup 35 cal, fat 2.5g, carbs 1 and fiber 1 (net carbs 0???) What do you think, is this even better than skim milk ? and it says 50 % more calcium than milk..

On occasion it would be fine. It has more fat than you need so, use it cautiously and take it out if your weight loss slows down.

Originally Posted by CutieEli

Good morning all IP'ers!!!

I hope you all had an excellent day yesterday and I wish the same for today!!
I FINALLY got a....SIGNATURE WOUHOU! I feel official now LOL

First of all...today I am in a GREAT MOOD! I don't know why I just woke up and I had a smile on my face..lol

Last night our friend called my boyfriend and I and asked if we wanted to go on a road trip in May to South Carolina to go visit some friends!!! I am psyched last time we saw them was two years ago in Vegas ...we had the chance to meet them since the guy was on the same hockey team as our friend!!!
Anywhoooo.....WOUHOU now THIS gives me MOTIVATION to lose some more weight so I could look good and enjoy myself and not be self conscious of what I look like while being around thin / skinny hot people for a week!!! on top of that 2 years ago was my heaviest so it will be one heck of a before and after!!

One day at a time and WE CAN DO THIS
Have a great day...YA'LL (I have to start practicing lolol )

How fun!!! Road trips with the right people are great! I am so glad you have a short term motivator. That's wonderful! Can't wait to see you turn up the heat and drop some extra pounds!

Originally Posted by Addy

Good moring all.

Sending good vibes to everyone.

Things have been going well, dispite the winter blahs. My husband who has been in manintanance since Nov is still holding strong and has found his grove.
My sister who started IP in December had a bit of a slow start and felt discouraged at first. She had a wonderful WI yesterday, WI #4 -7lbs! I am so happy for her. I'm holding steady at aprox 3lbs/week and I am thrilled!! I love this program. I'll be honest, there are times when my will power is challenged, but all I have to do is look back to where I was 8 months and 114lbs ago, I don't want to go back there.

Have a wonderful day all
Ronda

Thanks for stopping in and updating us. I am so happy things are still going strong for you and your family. 114 pounds! Isn't that amazing! Do you ever get used to hearing yourself say "I lost 114 lbs." and not crack a giant smile? Congratulations to all your wonderful efforts!

Originally Posted by tbf410

anyone else notice that the lemon bars taste like the lemon girl scout cookies? yum!

The first time I had one it reminded me of the LUNA lemon zest bar.

Originally Posted by Lalison

Morning everyone! I have my first WI today so we will see how it goes! Even if the scale hasn't changed much (which I'm not sure how it couldn't) I had a NSV yesterday! A pair of jeans that were tight and created quite the muffin top last week are now muffin top free! So there must be some change. I'm off to try the omelet... not so sure about that one but I will give it a try!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Congratulations! I love how quickly we change and see it in our clothing too! I personally love the omelet and it can be done as eggs in the microwave. I enjoy adding some extra veggies to it or on the side as well.

Originally Posted by AvaLynn

HELLO! Happy Thursday Ip'ers <3

So............ I went for my WI this morning & I didn't lose a lb, however I did lose 4.5inchs.... how is that even possible?

Confused!

It does seem odd, doesn't it. I was told that as our skin shrinks back, tightens up, etc, we lose size but not pounds. ALSO, if you do add a bit of muscle, it might hide a lose and still, being more compact, cause you to drop some inches. Not sure which is at play or if there are other possible answers but, those were two given to me when I asked.

Originally Posted by Coloradodivegirl

Hello Ip'ers!

It's another visit from your IP'er wanna be. Decided I jump down from the rafters for a post. I am working on my grocery lists for IP. Would like to start purchasing stuff a little at a time, since I know that the week of Feb 16th (workshop day) will be a pricey one. I have two lists going. One that I can starting buying now and one of veggies that I will have to purchase the day before workshop. (I plan on starting Feb. 17th) Will take any ideas that you are willing to share with me. TIA!

To be purchase now

4 Waters (in 64oz bottles) would love to drink 2 a day
Mrs. Dash
Sea Salt (I have pepper, pepper and more pepper. I LOVE pepper)
Tea bags
Biotin (have to take care of my nails, they are my best feature)
EVOO spray
Extracts
Davinci sryup
Minced Garlic (I love garlic!)

Veggie's to be purchased later

Cauliflower
Braccoli
Onion
Green Peppers
Lettuce, lettuce, Lettuce
Lemon & Lime
Kale (kale chips sound totally yummy)
Chicken Breast & other lean proteins.

I'm curious, how many heads of braccoli and cauliflower do you guys go thru in a week?

Alsom what kind of vinegar can I use if any? As much as the sound of WF is freaking me out, do you know Amber if any local stores carry the packets of salad dressings, for eating out?

Thanks everyone for your help! Best of luck to all of you and thanks so
much for pumping me up for IP!

I love how you are preparing!!! Here are my thoughts based on your lists:

To be purchase now

Sea Salt - find redmond's real salt or a salt that is fully mineralize and has iodine/iodide in it. You will need it! Save yourself buying the wrong sea salt.

Tea bags - get a mix of caf and decaf. get herbal. get some to relax you some to pick you up. get some spicey. have a wide variety. I find I have now settle on a black tea, earl grey, chai, caramel, mint, tazo zen, fruit, and chamomile, and LICORICE. It all works at some point. I even brew some up to keep iced (mint is great or the fruit teas) for when I want something other than water that counts for water (herb teas count).

Biotin - Also get some vitamin C. you can have significantly less and, with the stress of doing a new diet and flu season, boosting this can help some.

EVOO spray - I bought a misto bottle. I fill it with my own oil and it is more economical

Extracts - I use mint, vanilla, orange, chocolate, almond, cherry, and lemon. I use the mint and lemon most often.

Davinci sryup - I started with these. The caramel sugar free is great and I still use it. INSTEAD, I now use the flavored stevia, you can use it more freely and not get the added carbs if you over use it.

Look for sweet leaf liquid stevia FLAVORED it comes in 14 flavors:mint, lemon, orange, apricot, grape, raspberry, root beer, english toffee, vanilla creme, chocolate raspberry, dark chocolate, cinnamon, hazelnut, and plain. They are great. They seem a bit pricey but you get a lot of flavor. My favorites are in bold.

Minced Garlic (I love garlic!) BE CAUTIOUS with the use of garlic. I use a lot too but, if you were to ever stall out or slow down, cut back a bit here. It has more carbs (especially in powdered form) than people realize.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (Bragg's is my favorite)

GOOD SOY SAUCE that is gluten free and low sodium would be best. I use trader joe's soy sauce. It has a great flavor.

AMINO ACIDS by Braggs. They work great and taste like soy. I add them to my salad.

Walden Farms to go packets of italian dressing or a small container that tightly closes to make and take your own dressing.

A low carb mustard or dijon mustard if you like it. I use annie's dijon and westbrae stoneground mustard. both are pretty low sodium and zero carb.


Veggie's to be purchased later

Cauliflower (I use 2 a week)
Braccoli (I use 5 or 6 stalks a week)
Onion (I only use 1 or 2 a week)
Green Peppers
Lettuce, lettuce, Lettuce (I use about 8 to 10 a week)
Lemon & Lime (I only use 1 or 2 lemons a week)
Kale ( I use about 1 produce bag a week)
Chicken Breast & other lean proteins. (I also use egg whites, fish, and red meat once a week)

I'd add:
mushroom if you like it (I go through about 1 of those small containers a week)
asparagus (I get about 2 pounds. I love this!)
cucumber (I use about 2 or 3 a week)
zucchini (I use about 2 a week)
spinach (I use about 1 bag a week sometimes 2 if I cut back on asparagus)

For kitchen tools that prove useful:
a good scale to weigh things out
a bottle to keep salad dressing in or make it in
a steamer
sports bottle for water
blender bottle or shaker bottle for shakes/pudding (they may give you one in your start up)
nonstick pan

You probably have most of those or know what to use in their place.


IF you can't find the wf to go dressing, try ordering it off line. That works for several people on here.

Originally Posted by Coloradodivegirl

Ohhhh and one more thing....

and I KNOW this is a long shot.....

any IP products that taste like red licorice?

lol!

What DOES red licorice taste like? I know black. I have never had red and so many people seem to like it. I just never seem interested to try it or forget to when I see it.

Originally Posted by Spiffsgal

That could be dangerous! I do love the lemon pudding and the banana pudding. I mix them in my magic bullet and let them sit in the fridge until nice and cold. The banana reminds me of banana creme pie! A nice treat.

Originally Posted by tbf410

That sounds good! I'll have to try the banana one!

OOOOOO!! That was the one that I thought was yuck! It reminded me of banana laffy taffy!

Originally Posted by DinobowerRN

There was some talk about a praline caramel tea. I can't remember where it was, I have been reading so much of these forums I am getting lost. What brand is the praline caramel tea? Would like to get me some!!

I use stash's decaf caramel creme tea. I add a little english toffee stevia or WF caramel dip to it. YUM.

Originally Posted by Linden

....

So where do I go from here? where can I go. I know I should be able to figure this out, and do it cheerfully, but I'm kind of mind-numb from the long trip, the unaccousstomed cold, lack of sleep and, most of all, because of the concern for the puppy with pneumonia. As things stand, I think I may be doing more damage than good. But this is about me; it doesn't negate the benefits of the IP Program.

If any of you can see clearly, even through a portion of a solution, I'll probably be grateful for the rest of my life. And you know what, after 7 months, I'd really like to get a sensible, balanced life back. And walk for miles, and miles. I mean, I'm in a city again, for crying out loud.

Well.... you could try to find an alternate protein or a whey protein of good quality over there and then do a phase 2 weight loss process. Without the soy you might lose more quickly and because it is phase 2 you would only need 2 of the protein packets/scoops a day and it would give more flexibility.

You could do the diet with real foods as Dr Tran outlines it on his website and book.

So far... that's all I got!

[CBG]

wow a picture is worth 1000 words! you look great!

[kjw83]

this is in response to Linden and the other posts that replied to Linden....so what exactly happens or what side affects do you experience with the soy and the vegetables? (the goitrogenic?? ones)? I take a 1/2 grain of armour a day. Just wondered what I should be looking for. I feel great so far, losing weight, and lots more energy. Just would like to know what to look out for! Maybe 1/2 grain of armour isn`t really enough to mess with anything?

[Linden]

Originally Posted by showgirlaz

Well.... you could try to find an alternate protein or a whey protein of good quality over there and then do a phase 2 weight loss process. Without the soy you might lose more quickly and because it is phase 2 you would only need 2 of the protein packets/scoops a day and it would give more flexibility.

You could do the diet with real foods as Dr Tran outlines it on his website and book.

I've seriously considered both of these pssibilities, as well as doing the alternate diabetes regimen IF I can find good whey products.

AND PLEASE, Please, please, post the list of things to buy in Tips for Newbies.

I need to bag it and get some sleep so I can consider all the info. It's 2:40 am here and I just realized I'm on my last legs.

[stebwood79]

was wondering if broasted chicken was okay if just eating the insides?? Also, will medications affect results?
I have been doing Phase 1 since December 23rd, (yes I did this through the holidays without one cheat! ) and have lost 14.8 pounds as of WI on last Tuesday. I have lost more inches, too. But I am wondering if taking a pain medication ( I have 5mg of Vicoden that I take as needed) will prevent ketosis?
Next, I would like one of those little ticker tape thingies to mark my progress here...how do I get one?
Thanks for your help, I am finding that I love this site way more than my Facebook....hahahaha...my husband finds that hard to believe!!

[lase88]

Originally Posted by CBG

Roasting veggies is a wonderful change. Asparagus, peppers, zuchinni, grilled with a bit of oil and seasoning...Yum! Looks pretty too. I do a lot of stir frys too. Freshly sliced mushrooms mixed the ready to eat coleslaw or broccoli slaw with a bit of garlic, oil and soya sauce in the frying pan is my new favourite thing to do. That and I purchased a silicone steam case from Costco and use it for everything - oven and microwave.

Thanks for the reply.What is soya sauce? I read about the silicone steam case at Costco last week and couldn't find it. Maybe I will look online.

[chjsmom]

Originally Posted by juiceman11

Back from WI #3 and a 9.4# loss and 2.5 inches, Wow! Feeling great. I know this is going to be good for me in the long run.

Hope you all have great WI this week. Good luck to all staying on protocol! WE CAN DO IT!

Wow!!!! Way to go. Keep up the good work.

[jewelswa]

I am starting to crawl into the living again and find myself saturated in unwanted weight. I am thinking about the IP program and weighting the cost (LOL). Hubbie thinks I can follow the basic outline, use OTC vitamins, Calcium, and do the same.....*Good Grief*
anyways, I have got to figure out something to make me accountable, because I keep saying I am going to start tomorrow, RIGHT AFTER I finish eating the next &^*)_ whatever!!!

[slickmouse]

I started a new thread and then realized i probably should have posted here for best response.

I'm suffering from the big C - constipation.

Looking for suggestions...

I tried searching the forum but couldn't get it to work.