It's hard going back to Phase 1
 

I went thru phase 1 being very dilligent, phase 2 the same, phase 3 the breakfast was awesome. Enjoyed a few cheat days in there then decided I wanted to change my goal weight. I've been trying to get back to phase 1 the last few days but it's been such a challenge for me in the afternoon and evenings. Sometimes even in the mornings because I feel so hungry. I have to get back to the mind set that of sticking to IP protocol 100%. Is there anything that helped you get back on track after phasing.

It is absolutely hard!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always encourage people to lose all that they really want before stopping. I lost to 160 and then went on Maintenance only to decide I would like to be 145 to 150. Now I can hardly get started again. I have been back on Phase 1 for 5 days now, so here is to "trying again!"

I don't have a magic answer for how to get back on the horse. My main inspiration is this website.

I wish I could help but I didn't find it that hard, maybe I'm just lucky. Or maybe cheap LOL. I know there is NO WAY I could fathom not sticking to it after spending what I do on it...

Good point about the cost, maybe that is what is making it harder now. The first time around I used only IP products and this time I am buying ones that cost 1/3 of the price. Regardless, I know I just need to suck it up and stick to it AGAIN!! I did it the first time and I can do it again. I sure do miss that big breakfast, that is for sure.

Welcome back we have missed you... You can do it, even if it is only one minute at a time. Have ham and hard boiled eggs on hand for those afternoons when you need a little something. One step at a time.:hug:

I too have found it so hard to come back. Especially when I know I left because the weight loss was stalling, slower, and difficult to stay motivated.

I'm on day 6 and have made it through but find my mind starts to wander on, should I really do this again and maybe I should try just working out. I have to constantly remind myself it never worked well trying all the other ways so just stick with it.

I do find that I am much more hungrier and think it's likely because I'm using alternatives. I have been adding more protein to make up for it. Well lets wish each other luck and support each other.

I also must say that when I first started the chats on the boards were much more strict and only people would report cheats on the oops thread. I found it really motivating to see so many people sticking to 100% protocol or at least not talking about it on the daily chat. But now I'm not as motivated to stick to 100% because I don't really see that many people sticking to 100%. Mind you I wasn't 100% my last 2 months on diet but the first 3 I was pretty strict. I have to get to a place where I can be 100% because that's where I saw the best results.

Well I managed to stay 100% OP today, day 1...again. Maybe I'll have more energy and be less hungry once I am in ketosis again. I know I would like to maintain 115 so I probably will stay on phase 1 until that is reached then jump to phase 2. Good luck to you to. Cheers to our restarts!

I feel your dilemma. I've found it nearly impossible to get back on track. I left my coach and Dr's office 2 months ago and have steadily gained since I left. I am able to go on it for 5 days at a time but by the time the weekend rolls around, I need the mental release - even more than the food. I too don't want to use strictly Ideal Protein products, not because of the cost but because of that weird soy taste that's imperceptibly in everything. Not ketosis - but if you ever left some IP beverage in your shaker cup for a day, or left it in a bowl - it just gets nasty. Like something died. I started to taste that a little bit in everything. I am trying to do the protein beverages with unsweetened hemp milk and whey protein. This diet really does work, but it is a very very low calorie way to live and it's hard.

This is me too!
 

I too am re-committing to Phase 1. I think I hit a psychological stumbling block. I have lost 30# which is the amount of weight I always used to tell myself I had to loose. I think my subconscious said "Okay, you did it!" But I need to loose about 18 more pounds to finish. It has been really hard to get back to the level of intensity I was at when I first started. It is really hard when everyone is saying how great I look and really noticing the weight loss. It helps reinforce the feeling that I am done.

My strategy is going to look at this 18# as a brand new goal. All in its own. I may also try the boot camp. I know once the scale starts moving down again quickly that in itself will be a motivator.

I am wondering if it would help if we returned to the journaling we were so diligent with when we started??? Would that help? I need to return to a strict Phase 1 as I have stalled for 2 months and then this morning my scale jumped up 3 lbs. :(

I, too, have been pondering what would get me back on track!....besides a swift kick in the behind.

Yes, you have to think of it as a new journey- this 18# journey. Take it one week at a time. Remember that the first week is the hardest. By week 2 you should be sailing along. I think once you get past the first weekend, you will be set! I know the weekends are hard. My bf puts all sorts of things in his mouth and doesn't gain weight. I had some carbs for dinner on Sunday night, which are allowed on phase 4, and I gained weight. So back to no carbs for now. You just have to find what works for you. Ok I will go update my ticker to be honest.

Also, do boot camp but think of it as following phase 1 sheet exactly. I wouldn't cut out restricteds entirely. Having one every other day seemed to help me a lot! I only allowed myself to eat them in the morning or at lunch. I would eat them if my weight loss stalled (daily scale hopper here). I also started taking long walks in the morning and added an extra non-restricted packet with 7carbs for that, (directly after walking, aka eating one breakfast before and one after!). Walking helps with my mood, makes my body feel better, and makes me think about what I put in my mouth before I eat it. I also joined the April challenge to try to lose 10 pounds in April. It helped me stick to my walking in the mornings. Now I feel tired if I don't get up and walk in the am!

I suggest walking if nothing else. Also writing down what I eat helps me but I was too busy this time around. I bet using the journal would help you! Or fitday.com
I mentally keep track of what I eat each day and when I step on the scale the next morning, I can see the results. I know that's not mentally very healthy but it has helped me this time. I also keep track of how much water I drink. The more water, the better. 5-6 liters seems to be the perfect amount. Maybe try drinking more water? I can't believe that the 8 cups on the sheet would be enough for anyone, especially in the summer.

I'm in the same boat!!
 

I never struggled staying OP when I first lost the weight (Aug - Dec). Getting started again has been sooooo hard! I literally started phase 1 again every day since I got back from a cruise in February. I FINALLY have completed my first full week OP. I don't know why it is so hard. I'm happy to be back but the weekends are killing me. I was maintaining in February to April but then this month I gained 10 pounds.:mad: So, now instead of 6 pounds to lose, I have 16! I lost 4 pounds last week and I'm happy to feel in control again. But, discouraged when I think about losing 2 pounds a week. That will take forever!

My coach said that re-starting is difficult for most people. Her suggestion was to try the alternate plan for awhile. Yes, it was more satisfying but it didn't keep me from cheating.

My hardest time during the day is when I get home from work and trying to get dinner ready. I just want to grab something like cereal, crackers, tortilla chips - anything with carbs. So, I've been looking at it like this: I need to get through one meal at a time. I know 5:30 - 6:30 will be rough, but it is only an hour, I can get through...I have a piece of gum or munch celery while making dinner. So far this is helping!

I really like this thread. Thanks Alaskaipjourney for starting it. It's nice to know you are not alone! Let's keep each other motivated!!!

I'm in
I tried to phase off to phase3 this weekend and instead had a binge weekend with visitors from out of town. I now think I should do 2 more weeks of phase 1 and then phase off.

14 days won't kill me...will it?

I already exercise every day, so it's diet or nothing...

Sigh

I figure I'm going to need to be on Phase 1 for 5 or 6 weeks to get down to 115. Plus it will take 3 days to get in good fat burning ketosis mode. After reaching 115 I will start to phase off again.

Two days down and now for day 3 of being back on IP phase 1 protocol. I slowly feel my energy coming back and have even been sleeping better again. I need to get down 7 more pounds before switching to phase 2. Hooray hooray! Can't wait to have the first week down...again, but I'll have to face the weekend headon.

Starting over
 

Hi Everyone, was happy to see this morning that others are starting again in Phase I and struggling with getting going again. We the holidays and taking a two week vacation I am starting back today on Phase 1.....so far so good. I am encouraged though that I am not the only one doing this. Reached by goal weight back in July maintained it till december......now wanting to lose more than my goal weight just to get a good balance..... any thoughts....:o

I understand, I feel you
 

Hi Alaska,
My name is Lexi and I am in week 4 of a Phase I reboot. I got down to 142 and decided to take a break for the holidays. I maintained at 142 and then re-started 100p ercent OP since Januery 2nd and I am already down to 129.5. Its been a really long hard journey for me, the past 4 weeks have been really difficult. It wasnt as bad for me the first time when I dd it from October to Novemeber 2012, I went from 154 to 142. I dont lnow if its beacuse I am at a lower weight or what.....it gets bad at certain times, mostly around 5 or 6 pm, Im starving. I try to do allot of self talk, and I also have my brothers wedding coming up so its motvating me to look good and try to get to my goal weight of 120 by the end of February:) Its going to be really tough though. I took my kids to the mall this wekend and I was really tempted to go to Auntie Annies Pretzels, but I didnt, I talked myself out of it, because.........I am starting to look really awesome:) I am in a size 6!~ and my son is only 11 months old.......
I go through some really bad moments, sometimes I cant even sleep because im so hungry:( But I have perservered, and you will too! Cheating sets you back so many days and so much $$$$$$ Ive done it so I know, but I wont do it again. I am shorter like you, I am only 5 foot, so I need to be 120 to thin out. Talk yourself into being thin, and staying OP!
Thanks for the post and keep in touch, I am in Brick New Jersey,

XOXOXOX

Hi Gooch
 

Hi there,

I am Lexi....Stay on plan, and go for your goal. I am here for you and so are all of the others on this site.....so many people have lost so much weight, its so inspiring and amazing. I try to work out also, it makes me feel like I am doing smething, I know its not advised on Phase I, but I do it cuz I feel great. I add an extra packet, and I lift light weights, do some pushups, pullups..... Hasnt affected my weight loss at all. Just know that you will look awesome when you are done, and this diet helps curb allot of the bad cravingsa, even though I still get them, they arent as bad as before. When you actually go through a few weekends OP, you feel so proud of yourself, and so motivated, its totally worth it:) good luck

Hi there, I've done mini reboots (2 weeks) throughout maintenance and sometimes I have a harder time getting through the first three days and sometimes I don't. No rhyme or reason. You just have to worth on through it, and know you can!!!

Keep going!!!

Starting over
 

Glad to see this board resurrected..it fits me! I've been rebooting every couple of days since New Year's. Never had this much problem the first time around (June 2012). I'm trying to figure out why I am caving in to the cravings this time. I responded on the Fab at 50 board that the first time I avoided all IP stuff with chocolate until I was was well into ketosis and highly motivated. I haven't done that this time, but I guess after 4 weeks of a lot of false starts maybe I will try that strategy now.
Lexi- great job at not giving in to the cravings while you were at the Mall!
I can certainly relate how difficult it is to ride out the cravings. During those times I definitely feel like an addict. We Can Do This Now!:carrot:

Hi Cscape
 

Hi,

Thank you for the compliment. You have done awesome..... sometimes we are not ready....or we took too much time off from the diet and its really hard to go back to eating nothing:( But.....you are beautiful and amazing and you are worth it....for yourself, noone else:) I am having a hard time but its getting better beause I am looking better and thats motivating. I work full time and have three kids under 5.....lots of stress, and i try to do my best, thats all I can do:)

Lexi...You do have your hands full. I commend you for knowing that one needs to take care of one's self so that he/she can be a good caregiver for others. (I think I need to pay attention to this). You also hit the nail on the head with "sometimes we are not ready"...after I lost the wt and set a new goal of 125lb , folks were saying I was just right, or getting too thin (which I wasn't..there was plenty of inches to pinch). I also found that I was uncomfortable when guys would notice me. I didn't know how to react. So I think a part of my self sabatoge is from the emotional fallout with achieving goal. It forces me to take new risks..risks that at my age I never thought I'd have to worry and/or think about.

Wow...I'm in the same boat!! I went below my goal last year...then the holidays came. I've been off plan for 2 whole weeks & gained 25 lbs!! It's rather obvios that i really over ate. I am not happy with myself at all. Each day I try to start over...then I just blow it...just knowing that I'm not in ketosis...so what's 1 more day? Well those days add up! I've joined the 50 day challenge to get motivated again. What I've learned from my experience is that I'm a carb addict. I can't just stop at one.

Today I cancelled a hair appointment. I certainly don't deserve to get hilights at this point. Maybe that will be enough motivation for me! I've had it with feeling like this...time to do something about it. Like my new friend in the 50 day challenge told me...JUST DO IT! Maybe we can all do this together! :)

Ditto! Here's 2 quotes I found today on the IP boards I'm tacking onto my frig:
We do what we make up our minds to do. I've made up my mine. How bout you? and If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got.

Fit girl
 

Hi thats awesome that you got to 115! How long will it take me to go from 128 to 1115 you think? My goal is 120, but I want to get to 115 so I have room to gain when I start exercising.

DOnt beat yourself u about the weight gain, Just start again and focus. We have all been there! I have been a binge eater since I was a little girl, pretty sad. I am trying to work on it and this diet is really helping me:) I doubt you are a REAL 136.....thats impossible for 2 weeks. Im sure you will lose 10 the first week in Phase 1. I used to personal train and allot of that is water weight. Get back on Phase 1 and drink lots of water. and GET YOUR HIGHLIGHTS DONE< dont be so hard on yourself, I would never not get my hair done":)

CSCAPE,

Dont listen to other women, they are jealous. They dont want anyone to be thinner than them.....I have a friend that was on IP and she would lie to me when she reached to goal weight and tell me she was still 140 lbs when it was quite evident shes my height and she was thn, and could not have been more than 120. She would do it so I dnt get thinner than her, she wanted me at 140. Get it?
Of course guys are noticing you, you look hot.....embrace it:) and get down to the weight you look good and feel great at:)

Well said - like it!!!

Cscape - I love those quotes...especially...If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got.

LexiChanel1 - Thank you for your support! It did really feel good to be at 115! It wasn't too long ago, I WILL get back down there (here's to hoping)! I lost around 2 lbs a week the first time on IP - so it took about 6 weeks for me to lose that. But remember, everyone loses their weight at different rates...so you may lose it much faster than me! Also...I did not workout while on phase 1, which does impact the rate of our losses. I did reconnect with my coach yesterday. She was very supportive, as she's done the same thing in the past. Today I'm fully committed to my 1st phase 1 day. I will not cave this afternoon. That 50 day challenge is really driving me to stay OP today! :) Oh...BTW...I have rescheduled my highlights for February 13th. :)

good for you! Im happy for you:) thanks foe all the info!

I find it very hard to give up the feeling of freedom to eat what i want when i want. But if i can have just ONE perfect OP day - it gives me the strength to have a second perfect day. Each day you are 100% gives you more strength to stay 100% and each day you cheat makes it harder to be 100%. Just focus on ONE perfect day at a time.