Hi Tab, Keep up the determination. It will get there. I love lasagna and especially soda....I found two sodas that you can have....Waist Watchers (not Weight Watchers) it is made with splenda and is caffeine free, comes in lots of yummy flavors in 2 liter bottles. Check your grocery store - if they don't have ask them to order it. http://adirondackbeverages.com/?TabId=74
These sodas are 4 for 5 bucks at my grocer same as the poisons containing aspartame. I also found Boylan - just as good but more expensive http://www.boylanbottling.com/

My coach told me NO pop at all, it had to do with the ph levels in our stomaches. I wish coaches were all the same!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, You are doing great - one little cupcake won't hurt.

I know, I went through a two coaches before I was really comfortable with number 3...she listens and gives encouraging advice. I don't drink soda all day - not even every day. But a treat now and then helps me get through. I'm at goal but still in phase 2. I'm not adhering strictly to the plan but still doing ok. I fight cravings and found the soda helps keep me off the bars...I also have to use flax meal - a lot of it - to stay regular. I'm adding it to my salad it's kinda like croutons - at least that's what I tell myself. LOL

Looks like you're doing great. Keep up the good work......

After struggling with the upload of my new profile pic, I realized that it had actually uploaded and was just telling me that it had failed. Great... Wasted 15 minutes... Ugh!

I have to say, hearing that I have no business being worried about the cost of this program makes me angry. My husband is a firefighter and I'm a stay at home Mom. We don't make a lot of money so $440 a month just on little packets is a lot. If people who are doing the same program with different products aren't allowed on the boards, well I don't know what I'm to do for support. I quit my coaches because I cannot afford this program but I want to be healthy. I haven't "cheated" on this program other than extra bars. I've remade the commitment to stay OP and I have.

I guess I just wasn't willing to sacrifice my daughter's 4th birthday party or being able to afford a kiddy pool or being able to afford clothes once I've lost out of the sizes I have. My whole family having to sacrifice so I can be at a healty weight is not fair to them.

Pxlkitty-
Maybe a waist of 15 minutes, but you look Marvelous!!!!!!

Could someone from the Washington DC area PM me if they are willing to see if I can get some packets from their clinic this coming Wednesday-Friday? I found out yesterday that I am traveling from today->May 27th without coming home and I don't have enough packets that don't require cooking to make it through coming back home AND then any packets to make it to my clinc next opening on the 31.

THANKS!!!!

Edit: thanks I got hooked up with enough to get me to my WI on the 31. I stock up because of stuff like this and was only short like 5 packets :)
Thanks Pxlkitty!!!

I was bothered by it as well, but I choose not to respond. I figure in the daily thread there will, and should be a Large variety of posts. The Yay me I did it post (cuz they are having a good day), the this is a hard day for me (cuz they are having a bad day), the I have a question post, etc.

In the world of creating new lifestyles there are going to be victories and there are going to be defeats! Each need to be talked about. Because no one wins a war without a small defeat here and there! And if we aren't here to encourage and share information so that we all can win this war..why are we here?

I hope that we are all in this together, and are here to support eachother through the good and the bad. Many ppl have contributed to the alternative thread, and that is extremely helpful for those of us that need it. Just because we aren't using the IP packets, does not mean we aren't following the diet, and going through the same things.

:hug::hug: Thanks to those who are supportive! :hug::hug:

I've learned a lot, and hope to continue learning and shrinking with you all :)

Those people who were complaining are just giving their opinion. I briefly read their posts and skip over posts like that as I feel they are non-productive. It is my understanding that these boards and the daily chats are support mechanisms. If that is true, then, just like real life, we share the good with the bad. If you are having problems and seeking support this is the place to be.

Please know that not everyone feels the way some may feel. We are all in this together. This is real life. Some days will be good days; some days we need the support of others. Personally I would find it totally depressing if I was the only one having occasional problems or not able to afford all the IP products. Hoorah for those who can afford going strictly IP. Those who can't should not be penalized to put into another group, because they aren't a member of THE group.

Just my opinion. Just know that I'm here and there are many of us who are here who understand exactly what you are going through. We are friendly, compassionate, and willing to share and help.

Another lovely photo! You look great!!

I agree with you 100% April. IP products are expensive and talking about alternatives in this thread shouldn't be an issue at all. That's what this forum is for isn't it? Helping eachother through.

I do agree that all this talk about cheating is becoming a little too much. If you feel like cheating and need encouragememt to do so then please post here but if you want to tell us all that you ate this or that off plan, it should be done in the cheats thread so that people who don't want to be influenced by that don't have to see it.

thank you. and I think you Freudian slip of "waist" is hilarious.

Perfect! I will send you a message. I go tomorrow in Chevy Chase, and was just thinking that I only really need 2 boxes... I am required to buy 3 boxes each week, so it's a deal! I will pm you now. You've (almost) got mail.

Oh yes....and down 10 from my stats (because its weight at home unofficial weight because I am going 3 weeks without an official WI)

So a total (unofficial) loss of 30 lbs!!!!!

Now time to frantically do laundry and clean the house before I leave...because my husbands idea of clean and mine differ just a bit ;)

I do recall, no diet sodas and wondered how could that be so bad? However, I just realized I have to go back and get a little honest on my daily journal and add some.

I went on a blind date last night and met at a bar. I haven't drank in years, so I had about 3 diet cokes. It's just an old habit of wanting a drink in my hand, when I'm in a bar setting. I think that brings my total number to about 5 since starting IP on 12/29.