You look fabulous!! Baggy is definitely in! Revel in how great you look. :)

Yep. I still get lots of that. I had a big discussion with my Pilates instructor about this yesterday. She was recently diagnosed with Celiacs Disease (allergic to gluten). She gets a lot of the same "how do you not eat bread?" comments. We had a good conversation.

5-6 weeks???? Wow there really needs to be a straight forward program. Every place is soooo different.

We had restricted once a day starting day 1.

WOW!! Lots of positives today, love ending the week on a high note with everyone.
WI#11..........3 lbs gone with 5 more inches!!!:carrot:

Started doing gravity pilates this morning, oh my, love it! Never met this trainer before and at the first rest she looked at me and said "holy muscle mass".....pretty much just made my day!

The office treats are crazy where I work too. They put out M&Ms every day and cookies, cake, etc a few times per week. And then there are the potlucks! I just plain decline those invitations. I don't think I'll be participating in the office potluck even when I'm on maintenance. I think I will want to save my "cheat" meals for something better than that!

Oh, and I had a dinner of shredded cabbage with chunks of chicken tossed with WF sesame ginger dressing for dinner last night and it was quite good and easy to prepare.

I also face office treats in the staff room. Why do people think a breakfast of muffins and donuts is a healthy begining to a day? I am going out to lunch with friends today and hoping I can find a plain green salad where we end up.
Down a pound..finally. I am going to try a day of no restricteds to see if that kicks up my loss. We were allowed restricteds from Day 1.

Have a great Friday everyone.

I think this is the actual program. Most places say 1 restricted a day right from the beginning.

The IP protocol sheet for phase 1 is included a a PDF in the sticky (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...et-phases.html) It says that restricteds should not be eaten for the first 2-3 weeks for maximum results.

My office is loaded with treats too. We get a lot of sales reps coming in and just about everyone of them feel the need to bring cookies, muffins, donuts, bagels etc... I never really indulged in them, even before IP because I was always conscientious but now that I am on IP, it seems so much worse ;)

I just sit back and let everyone else eat them and then listen to them complain that they need to lose weight. Another thing I now notice is how little protein people eat! I don't ever say anything, but all the same people who indulge in the treats at work are also snacking on pretzles, crackers etc... And then eat a lunch of pasta or rice. It is crazy!

I also did a closet purge and got rid of anything that had a "12" in them. My 10's are starting to get loose, so I figured anything with a 12 had to go! :) I haven't really had to clean out many tops because they are all still fitting fine. Which I am totally ok with, because I have always carried my weight "low"- pear style.

I too was allowed (1) restricted item everyday since day 1. I don't know why it varies from center to center, but it does. I know my restricted item keeps me sane because in my opinion, they are the best tasting products.

It seems like there was something else I wanted to comment on, but can't remember what it is...

Found it ;)

I have found that I am much better off not weighing myself everyday. I do not stress about the ups and downs and that way it doesn't ever put me in a bad mood. What I have been doing the past couple of weeks is as soon as I get up, I drink a big glass of water so that I cannot step on the scale and see an accurate reading. It is definitely been a great deterant to stay off. I am much happier just letting the program do it's thing without worrying about. Sometimes I will allow myself a "mid week progress check" but most of the time I just wait until WI day.

That's a great idea! I might have to start doing that, thanks and great to have to get rid of clothes too big, i can't wait to be able to do that!

Thanks everyone for the nice compliments!! You're all so sweet!! :hug:

Woot! woot!! Congrats on your promotion!! :carrot:
Heehee!! Thanks for thinking of me anyway!!! LOL!!!
Haha!! I had to laugh when I read this!! When I was at the gym this morning on the treadmill, I was scanning all the TV sets and came across an infomercial about weight loss!! I thought the same thing as you!!! WE HAVE FINALLY FOUND THE ANSWER!!!!:carrot:I have also had a restricted since Day 1....don't know what I'd do without them!! ;)

You look great, awesome job, keep it up!

I have had restricted bars since day one and has not affected my losses at all

WOOHOOOO!!!....new hair do....make sure we see pictures!!

yes it is friday and after a 3 day work week I am ready...
 

Bling, apparently mornings aren't good for me... I read wrong a lot... I read yours as you are going the the NFL as in National Football League... instead of Newfoundland... Have some fresh fish for me too... have a great week.

Congrats on the promotion, I sometimes wish we get promotions but we have to compete for our promotions and usually the testing doesn't get the best person for the job just the one that tests well... and with no promotions we get no raises either, just found out today we also will be downsized by another department soo kind of scary... and the double search tip is great thank you.. find things so much easier on this forum now. I am also having problems with shorts, I bought a 14 that was tight but my friend said they would be too loose in a week anyway so buy them... well I wore them once... now am into size 8 - 10 depends on the brand. I have one pair that fit and 2 that can fall off if I am not careful... just like my capris, luckily the 2 I have have a string as a belt and that keeps them up. Will have to go this weekend and look some more for work capris and shorts... next week it will finally be warm of course the weekend is forcasting rain... sigh... Have a great day and thank you for all the things you do for us here, the spreadsheets , advise and all. Have a great weekend.

Yes I do the same thing... even the silly ads on this forum...

Welcome Nelle, isn't it great that you feel full? that is one of the best things, you lose and still you are full most times. When I started I got a 10 day supply and in them I found bars and snacks that were restricted and the phase 1 sheet at that time said wait 2 - 3 weeks so I did... but then I asked my coach and she said no you could have them right from the start. I didn't and am glad I didn't because I feel I would have craved the bars if I had them right at the start... didn't really have any bars until about 2nd month. Please read in the sticky section lots of info and I go back there all the time to verify and remind myself things. Have a great weekend.

Jackie I had problems when I started too and I am suppose to be an IT Tech... anyway once you click the mulit quote thing, then click on the left post quote and they should all come up. hope that helps.. I agree it is expensive but you are also right you are saving by not buying the junk you did before... I very rarely go in the store anymore, just to the meat and the condiments & spice section and that is it. very fast shopping there.
You should be able to do 50 by Christmas that gives you just about 6 months. Have a great day. I like that your coach cares that much for you that she controls things... she may become less controlling a little later you are in the program...:hug:

[QUOTE=coliep;3974828]Good Morning Everyone! I love reading about everyone's victories, but sometimes it is bittersweet for me. I am progressing at a decent rate (average of just under 3 pounds per week), I am fitting into smaller clothes, I can see more muscles in my quads, arms, calves than I could prior to IP BUT my measurements aren't really changing.

QUOTE] They will just have faith... I know it is hard to do but when it happens you are like wow when did this happen... I actually lost my butt and didn't notice until I found I could sit in chairs better... oh and now it is a little bony so it hurts to sit too long... I remember as a kid my mom use to always say that when I was sitting on her that I had a bony butt, to think I have it again makes me happy....:D

I must say I do have it easy living alone I don't have to cook different meals. One suggestion is to cook the same thing for you as your family... cook the veggies and your protein and that is what they will eat as well then you just have to add whatever carbs to feed them.
Yes the nestea splenda is okay, I also buy the arizona tea powder with splenda as that one has 0/0/0 and I think the nestea has 5 calories... which isn't bad.

Disgal - I can't wait to go home and look at your pictures... work one doesn't allow pictures....

Have a great weekend everyone, I am going to try to give blood again this week... my pulse was too low last week....

Does anyone know if there are any health concerns if you have a low pulse? The nurse I spoke with last weekend didn't really say other than it had to be 50 to give blood. Anyway I will let you know how it goes.
My friend (who I got all my clothes from) emailed me and wants me to come over and she wants to do a Hoochie mom makeover on me... sounds kind of scary... but she has more clothes so I may need to go... when I first met her I thought wow she has such nice clothes and now she shares I love Her!!

Have a great day and weekend all. going to try and mow my lawn before the rain comes tonight... hopefully...:hug: