WElcome to all the newcomers and congrats on all the Scale victories and nonscale victories!!

Woot,woot, I bought several size 14 capris at garage sales and they ALL fit!!! I was totally excited because I was wearing a size 18 at the beginning of the summer.

I also got to "talk' to my son in Afghanistan on the internet and was glad to do so. He works for a defense contractor in the computer industry, (IT stuff). He was excited because after 3 months he is no longer in a barracks with 200 beds where he slept on the top bunk, but now has his own room with a fridge, tv and shower! He said that is a big deal there!! He puts in 12 hour days 7 days a week as there is nothing else to do.

Congrats to everyone os their weight losses this week and welcome to all the new Ip'ers out there.

Today I used Rhubarb for the first time
2 cups Rhubarb in pan with water and Torani sugar free strawberry syrup
simmer 10minutes till soft
1 Packet IP oatmeal made w/2.5 oz. lukewarm water added cinnamon to it
put cooked rhubarb in a single serve casserole spread oatmeal on top
bake in 350 over till oatmeal is cooked say 10-15 minutes or so
dollop a spoonful of Vanilla IP pudding on top
very yummy, got the idea off the stickys and tweaked it a bit

It turned out Yummy, Just like Rhubarb Cobbler if you will!

Ip Oatmeal Pancake
 

I sampled this the other day too it was very good1

1 packet IP Oatmeal mixed w/2.5 oz. lukewarm water
cook in sprayed heated skillet just like a pancake
serve w/WF Maple Syrup

Its tasyes even better that the oatmeal itself!

I'm starving and its an hour and 1/2 until dinner. Ughh, I am on day 4 and was fine up until now. Suggestions for legal snacks? I usually eat my snack between breakfast and lunch.

Whoosh....there it is!
 

WI 16 for me today and i lost 5lbs!!! still can't believe it! (sorry, can't remember the inches, my coach did tell me...a little distracted, me thinks)
I thought I'd share what i did this week, I've pretty much been eating the same IP food every day for 15 weeks (2 choc shakes & 1 bbq ridges), but I changed it up a bit last week:
I stopped drinking the choc shake mix, and replaced it with the choc rtd
Also changed out my bbq ridges for the sourcream soy nuts.
For dinner I ate chicken, fish or eggs (no beef, pork or lean deli meats)
No pickles or egg whites as extras (that was a tough one!)
No WF salad dressings (just olive oil/salt/pepper on roasted veggies or salads)
Upped my water to 3.5 liters

I hate to say this, but I also did absolutely nothing in the way of exercising. I usually walk the dogs everyday...but this past week I was either too busy or lazy to do it (hence the shame). Don't worry, the dogs get walked 3-4 times a day...just not by me this week!

I don't know if this info helps, but I thought I would share it.

Congratulations on the weight loss!!

Angell,

If you'll look at the sticky at the top of the page, you will find tons of recipes, helpful hints for newbies, FAQ's and more. I found it very helpful to read when I first started. I go back to it often because people add to it frequently. Good luck!

Karen

Welcome here! Doesn't matter how much you have to lose - you've made the biggest step - the first one!! Congratulations. As far as carbs go, the cravings dropped off for me dramatically by week 2. By the second month, I could honestly say I didn't miss the potatoes - I missed all the junk I put on them (butter, cheese, bacon bits, onion) and realized I didn't miss rice at all, or the breads. As the former "Queen of Sandwiches" this came as a bit of a surprise, but I can't seeing myself going back to any of it (except on a rare occasion). It's quite amazing what your body gets used to. By the third week I could barely look at a salad, and now I crave them.

Congrats Porty you have come a long way keep it up... we are rooting for you.

You are doing so well in a stressful situation, keep it up, you get through this you can get through this diet with flying colors.

Congrats, you are braver than me, I haven't stepped in a store yet... kind of scared, some day soon I will walk in and try it out.

Welcome, enjoy your journey.

Welcome, you will be surprised at how fast you lose weight. I am getting to the end of month 6 and 71 lbs... it comes off without you really knowing until your pants fall off you as your walking.

Brummie that is great, you should be very proud of yourself. Have a great weekend.

LongDiv - you are amazing thank you for sharing with us.


NSV - kind of a weird one but I will take it. I was scheduled to give blood today, and I wasn't able to. The reason, my pulse was too low it has to be at least 50. They took my pressure 4 times after the first 2 I was told to go for a walk and come back in 10 minutes. I came back and the 3rd try, the nurse finally looked at me and said you must be really relaxed..then she said You must exercise a lot to have such a low pulse. I told her I had been dieting and she told me to keep it up as it is working. So I left happy and made another appointment for next saturday... I have been keeping track of my blood pressure, before I started IP my blood pressure was 185/65 today it is 103/53. This diet works so well as long as you stay on track and true to the program and don't put your own twist on it.
I see every day the positive of following the program. It is wonderful, and welcome newbies, this diet has been a renewal of my life. I am proud to tell people how I lost (only when they really want to know) and I do like the comments now... still a little embarrassing but beginning to like it, even when I know that under my clothes there is a lot of loose skin. Have a great weekend.

I know the feeling! My 16-year-old and my husband always want my SW cheesecurls and the soy puffs. If I'm feeling generous, I give them a littlel; if not, I don't. Meanwhile, they chow down on all kinds of contraband, like the stuff you mentioned. Then, after all that, they both complain that their clothes are tight, need to lose some weight, etc. Go figure, right?? Have a great weekend!

Karen

I am totally looking forward to not having the cravings anymore...
2weeks? Thats not too bad at all. I gotta stick with it, thats forsure!

Thanks :)

Poached rhubarb in the IP jello is great. Some of us used it instead of cranberry sauce last Christmas.

I love this!!!! I gave up several of my favorite stores years ago and had fallen into the "these are good enough for me" attitude as well. I actually felt guilty anytime I spent money on myself - because I knew I was buying clothes I didn't really like. I bought them because they fit. I haven't enjoyed shopping for my own clothes in years. So far I've been getting by with old clothes in my basement that fit once again, but I can't wait to go shopping!! I really need to start a fund! :carrot:

Couple of hard boiled egg whites and a giant glass of water!

Got sprinkled on a little over here today...at least no monsoon! I hope you found a nice pair of sandals to show off that nice pedicure!