What timing!
Today is my one year anniversary of starting IP.
I lost 40 pounds in just under 4 months and have been on phase 4 since last August. I still weigh the same as I did the day I moved to phase 4, but I have gone up and down by about 2 pounds, which is my self-prescribed limit.
Being permanently successful on IP is all about committing to eating differently for the rest of your life. No kidding. Really. Forever.
But that does not mean feeling deprived or eating in some measly fashion. It means changing the foods that you value.
I look at it this way...we were not BORN liking pie, or mashed potatoes or bread or candy. We acquired those tastes because when we ate them we learned to associate them with being happy. Family meals....holidays...mom saying "good girl"...big desserts as a "reward"...etc. So over time we learned that we valued those foods.
IP is a chance to break that conditioning and really, consciously CHOOSE what you want to eat for the rest of your life, instead of numbly eating what you were programmed to like (and what is often not very good for you).
Mexican food? no problem...but I usually pass on the rice and beans and treat myself to more corn tortillas because I took the time to decide which of those flavors I actually liked and which I was eating as "habit".
I may have a couple glasses of wine once in awhile (which used to be more like a cheap 1/2 bottle with dinner 2-3 times a week), but I'd rather have a martini made with a high quality gin, and save the carbs. Or wait and buy a really nice bottle of wine to drink, and savor the flavor.
The biggest thing I learned on IP was how to "spend" my food wisely to be sure I am eating healthy AND never feeling deprived. It has to be both or it won't last...you can't go through your life feeling deprived. BUT you can take the time and make the effort to find out what you really WANT instead of thinking that all your old habits are the only way you will ever be happy.
I am pretty sure I will never go back to eating the way I used to, because I am so happy to be this new me. I actually prefer my celery root/cauliflower fauxtatoes to potatoes, they are lighter and taste better. If I don't have at least one salad a day, I start to feel sloggy. And I am still having fun experimenting with new ingredients and recipes (I LOVE to cook and I am a total foodie).
As you can tell, I am a firm believer in IP. If you don't hear enough folks on this forum who can attest to maintenance, it is because most of them get their wings on and fly, once they feel ready to move on. But in the 12 months I've been around, I've had the honor to meet many who have moved successfully to maintenance (and I'm FB buddies with some of them, so I know they are happy with their lives). And I've been amazed by many, many truly amazing women and men here who are smart and dedicated and compassionate who may not have gotten to maintenance yet, but I have no doubt will succeed once they do.
If you decide to pursue IP you can be sure there will be lots of folks here to share what they have learned. Best of luck, whatever you decide
PS: I'm 53 and it worked for me!
