Originally Posted by Josephine216 (Post 3867744)

I had lost 45 pounds and my body did not want to loose anymore and so I cheated a bit which made things worst. Finally after 3 weeks of not losing I asked my coach for suggestions. She put me on boot camp and I lost 5 pounds in 1 week. Boot camp is taking 5 packets per day vs 3 and losing the meat at supper time. Really lowers the amount of fat but my coach told me to only do it for 1 week, wait a couple of weeks and do it again. Worked for me.

Originally Posted by disgal (Post 3867813)

Originally Posted by Pxlkitty4 (Post 3866920)

You are always so full of wisdom. Thank you for sharing. Also, I love, love, love your new avatar picture. What an amazing before/after shot. Congratulations on everything you have accomplished!

Originally Posted by CheekyWit (Post 3867077)

2RIDEROLLERCOAST Mrs. D - what can I say but HOLY COW - unbelievable transformation. I have been inspired by you the entire time I have been on this program and have watched and celebrated from afar --you are STUNNING!!!! Congratulations to making it to phase 3 -- I hope to join you soon - and I hope you will continue to post and share- your experience and guidance are a true blessing to those of us following behind you. Congratulations and again WOW!!!!:hug:

Originally Posted by SKeeter1 (Post 3867911)

Hi All -
I've been lurking for a couple weeks so I wanted to intro myself and thank you all for being here, talking about what's real, and offering such amazing insight and encouragement.

I'm on IP Phase I - day 10, and I'm down 9 lbs and 6.5 inches overall. Week one was rough with headaches, cravings, etc. But I must say - the last few days have felt EASY EASY EASY!

I've done some crazy strict programs before without any of the convenience this plan offers. So this almost feels like a no-brainer. The little bit of prep (veggies) & planning involved seems like a small price to pay for such promising results. I've got a big goal so I need something sustainable - and this feels like something I can do for quite awhile.

Anyway - my first mini goal (on this site) is to get me one of them fancy tickers. (LOL) Next, I'd like to visit & post frequently to become part of this wonderful community. People tend to have such a negative response to this diet when they initially hear about it, so it's good to be with people who understand it and realize what it is all about. (I'm reading Dr. Tran's book right now and it's helping me put the pieces together...).

Sending my good vibes out into the 3fc universe, and looking forward to knowing you all better as time goes by.

Originally Posted by Susie_Bee (Post 3867836)

That is wonderful and very ambitious! I am so in awe of those who are on this for a long time and able to stick with it like that! You are doing amazing! My undedcuated guess would be, in that case, that this may be a normal plateau and you will just have to ride it through until your body readjusts... although maybe some of the experienced members here may have some better advice for you (I hope they do!). If you have a Coach, you should maybe discuss it with your coach. I don't know if you've been having 4 packets per day... maybe it's time to go to 3?

I really hope the "whoosh fairy" visits you soon!




Thank you for the great idea! I may just do that!




Here are my thoughts and tips for you:

If you cheated every day, I would say that you just haven't started yet... So then, what is holding you back? What are you afraid of? Why are you stopping yourself from doing this? Time to ask yourself some serious questions, maybe you can journal to get to the bottom of this.

You can lose the weight if you want to. Right now, the food is controlling you but you can be in control of your own body IF you want to but you have to really want it. If you follow the plan, the food addictions will eventually get weaker and leave you. In the last few weeks, I have finally reached the point where I don't feel deprived. I feel that I am actually chosing not to eat certain food items that are not permitted. I am chosing my skinny self over the food or treat that used to tempt me so badly. Today, is my first day of TOM and it is a bit harder but I am still holding strong.

The first few days are the most difficult. Have a plan. My Coach told me that it is important for me not to be hungry. To keep on hand: hard boiled eggs (whites only), lean low-sodium cooked ham without sugar, dill pickles, celery and use them if I need them. Have your sea salt handy, it helps with the sugar withdrawal headaches and if that doesn't work, my Coach said that I could take Tylenol and I did. By day 5, I was over the hump and I felt so much better than before I started IP real fast! By then end of my 2nd week, I was already buying smaller jeans for denim day at the office! Such a wonderful feeling!

I also have two children (ages 5 and 8). My kids eat the way we eat. They always have. They eat meat, healthy starches and all kinds of veggies... and the occasional treat! One trick I had, was to always put a little bit of everything we were having on their plates. I never forced them to eat anything and I never argued with them about food. If they don't like it, they don't have to eat it, they could just leave it on the plate until the meal is over. Young children don't like anything "new". So putting something on their plate over and over again makes them familiar with it and eventually they will try it. They will still have their likes and dislikes and that is okay. You eventually will know what their true likes and dislikes are. My son will not eat potatoes or sweet potatoes. My daughter won't eat tomatoes. Both kids dislike cooked mushrooms, onions and peppers (I think it's a texture issue).

Now that I am doing IP, I have cut out carbs and sugar for me. My family eats what I eat + I serve them a portion of healthy starches with their dinner. There are a few treats around the house but not too many and they are only for dessert and not to eat all day every day. I encourage healthy snacks (fruit, vegetables, healthy starches high in fiber or dairy products). I am okay with that although I am really looking forward to having some of those things again in phase 3.

Note that a very important thing to remember is that this is not a forever diet. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. You are not depriving yourself. You are chosing to forego certain foods for a certain amount of time in order to rest your pancreas and allow your body to relearn how to process these foods properly. Once you have reached your goal, you will reintroduce your favorite foods again in a healthy way.

If you have not done so, please read the book, available as a free PDF, by following the link in the introduction of each daily chat threat. It will explain everything very clearly and I am sure will help you to decide if this diet is really for you or not.

If you decide to join us on this journey, there is lots of encouragement and support on this board!

You can do this!

Originally Posted by 2RIDEROLLERCOAST (Post 3867592)

not to be rude, but...
this may not be the plan for you if you can't stick to it the first week, I would think real hard maybe there is a more flexible diet for you. I hope you continue but really there are NO CHEATS on this diet, it works if you follow it. There has been way too much talk about I cheated here and I cheated there. This protocol works when you follow the guidelines, if you can't it may not be right for you. It is a hard diet if you make it a hard diet. There is also the money aspect in it, it is not a cheap diet to be cheating. Also there is a health issue it is not good to go into Ketosis and out of ketosis this is hard on your organs. I know you aren't in ketosis yet, which I guess if there was a good time to cheat...but maybe write down on a piece of paper the pros and the cons of this diet and if the cons out way the pros than not for you. Now if the PROS outway the cons... then post this list where you are likely to see it when you go in search of a snack or whatever you are cheating on. I know it is hard when you have a family that is eating differently than you. My first day a friend had sweet potatoe fries and dessert right in front of me... and when we go out still that happens. I needed this diet, and if you do too nothing will stop you. I bake all the time for the office and yes it is hard but it took me a long time to get FAT as well, it will take time to lose the fat. This is a journey and not a sprint.

I hope I didn't hurt your feelings but someone has to say something. With all the encouragement that is on this forum that should give you motivation and just wanting to lose the weight. Welcome and hope to hear of your sucess.:hug:

Originally Posted by Susie_Bee (Post 3868048)

You are most welcome! I just hope that it is helpful to you.

About kids and food: I forgot to mention, I normally do not make separate meals for my kids (except the odd time that they really don't like what we are having). We have a rule at our house: if you don't want to eat what's for dinner, you can have cereal. It is a complete meal and they won't go to bed hungry. I think I've served about 5 bowls of it total in our life as a family. If it happened more often, I might reconsider but it works for us!

Also, on my second day of IP, I wanted to quit. I was scared about ketosis and about this being unhealthy and I was panicking! My husband was so supportive and told me to give it two weeks before deciding. I also decided that I know how to listen to my body and that if it made me sick beyond the first week, I could quit at the first signs of something being wrong. I am not giving up my own free will. I need to give it an honest go!

Well, wouldn't you know, aside from the weight loss, I've seen a drastic reduction in my anxiety (I've taken a total of 3 sedatives since being on IP - one was the day of a death in the family), a reduction in depression, a disappearance of my insomnia, my complexion has cleared, my seasonal allergies are far less (I usually get really sick around the month of April and I did not this year), I deal with stress much better and I am far less overwhelmed in general (particularly with the children: one is ADHD and the other has a Sensory Processing Disorder and is at risk for ADHD but is too young to diagnose at the moment but is showing signs of it). These were very happy surprises for me! ...but now I wonder if I don't have a gluten and/or sucrose intolerance (I am already lactose and fructose intolerant). I will have to see what happens when I reach the later phases and reintroduce certain foods.

If I do have additional food intolerances, I will have to look into them in my children too as they may have them too and it may be causing some of their issues (or making them worse).

Originally Posted by AprilH3 (Post 3867658)

I accidentally put myself in starvation mode yesterday. We made an unexpected trip out of town to go camping with my parents and sister and I didn't realize it was 5pm when we left! I usually eat dinner between 5:30 and 6pm. I stopped at 8:30 to pick up food for the girls and got a water since I know that place puts sugar in everything. I didn't get to eat until 9:30pm. By then I was feeling pretty sick as I'd only had breakfast and lunch packets, no veggies even. I tried to eat but threw up. Bummer. Today is much better thankfully!

I really feel like I got my focus back after seeing that 168 on the scale. As hungry as I was and as bad as the somach cramps were, I didn't want to sabotage myself. I was 100% OP but I didn't cheat either. I'm 100% back in the game!

Best part is that I'm only 4 lbs from weighing less than DH!

Originally Posted by MInewgoal (Post 3867739)

Kids need carbs. Their bodies are just balls of energy..constantly moving and burning, and their brains are growing and carbs are the easiest form of nutrient to be processed for the brain.

I too have a home daycare. I have 4 kids of my own plus 3 more. I am around food constantly! I am more important then a taste of their snack!!!!!!! I made this decision to lose weight. I've worked hard to get where I am, and I am keeping my eyes on the goal.

As the saying goes: Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.

I am in this to win. I can not be the heavy, unhappy person I was before.

Each day I start the day with the goal to better myself.

My decisions are my own, no one else can make them, or do this for me.

Originally Posted by proudmommy09 (Post 3867446)

Hi all I PLANNED on starting Tuesday but I cheated everyday since!! So Im really gonna dig my heels in, buy all the veggies and protein supplements to do this RIGHT with no cheats!!! Im so inspired by all of you.... I hear the first week is the hardest so I can get through this week I should be ok. I have two small children and theres always food around so this is gonna be tough but Im so tired of this weight and need to make a change. I need to not look at what Im giving up and look at it as to what I will be gaining....

Originally Posted by bahecasmart (Post 3867032)

Well, I did my first "official" weigh-in today. I'm doing IP with some alternative products. I "kinda" did it for about 4 days before "formally" starting last Friday. It's been a tough week, particularly with the long weekend thrown in, but I did it! And the results prove it.. I'm down 6.5 pounds! :hat:

DH started on Tuesday, and it is so much easier for me now that he and I are eating the same things and having his support is priceless.

Ladies, can I ask you to send out some prayers, or whatever good vibes you believe in? I work at a High School in Ottawa, and there was a terrible accident at one of our sister schools yesterday. An 18-year old student was working on a project in shop class when an oil tank exploded. He had no vital signs at the scene, was resucitated, and then passed away last night. The teacher, as well as a few other students were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. As you can imagine, it's been a devastating blow to the school and the community.

Originally Posted by alally (Post 3867891)

Thanks for the words of welcome and encouragement. I met with my coach today and she is awesome! I'm feeling very psyched.

Ann

Originally Posted by darbs7 (Post 3867327)

Hey lady...very exciting about your opening. The personal trainer that has been working with our small work group since January does a "hottie body" type bust your butt workout.....I can't believe how muscular I am after 24 weeks without missing class (2X a week)...very proud of that accomplishment. Well, I am enjoying phase 2 and actually losing...so that is very awesome. Stay well....may be flying into San Antonio at some point to see my daughter...if I do...I will check out your new clinic.