I have been on IP since 7/19 and went from 188 down to 164 and down 4 sizes. My goal was to hit 145 and somewhere about three weeks ago- I broke down and cheated. It started with a stupid triscuit...just one nibble. Then since everyone was telling me how fabulous I looked- I started slipping. I ate pop corn, grahm crackers, ice cream, was skipping my veggies and wahla...I gained 3 pounds in three weeks. Needless to say- last night I had icecream with my family ( something I have not had since Julky) and it was my last horrah. My husband told me that I am not far from my goal and to just finish so today I had resolved myself to move forward. We are human- we slip, we fall and we pick ourselves up and move forward. I don't want to lose sight of my goal. I always quit things I start or lose interest- well, I am finishing this. It is my goal to eat Christmas dinner with my family. We can all do this and we know it. I am rooting for everyone of you!!!!

Ahhh, I made it to day 5 and then my DD decided to bake goodies. The last 2 days have been all downhill from there. OK, time to pull my head out of the grazing trough and get back on plan! If I could just make it through the first week...!!! I was trying to give up diet coke but I think I've gotta put that on hold for now and see if I do better with the food.

You can do this! :carrot: I love your attitude adjustment, encourages me to try harder :)

LOL! My mantra for today :D

Well look at that. I made it through my first day back yesterday without cheating and the sun still came up this morning.

I've been thinking of changing one of my habits. I'm not going to jump on the scale everyday like I did in the past. Too often it sets the mood for the day. If it's down, I celebrate, if it's up, I feel like throwing in the towel. This time I am staying off of the scale! I've even read on here somewhere that someone didn't even look at what the scale said at the clinic when they weighed in. Now that takes willpower! I wonder if I can do that or if it is wise to do so. Maybe tell my coach not to tell me until I am at goal. Might keep me on course that way. Look at me, talking about reaching goal and only been back one day. Is that positive thinking or what? :)

On another subject, at my house we always have a cocktail before supper. In the summer it's sitting on the deck and discussing our day we had. I figured out that I can be just as satisfied with a large glass of water flavored with MIO and crushed ice. Another idea when dinning out is always order water and take the MiO with me to add to it. Besides that, it's a lot cheaper!

Made it through last night without cheating. Whew. Did pay off in a half lb. loss. I can't go back to WF dressings so I've been using different Newman's types. I realized a couple days ago that I was using too much. So now I measure out 2 tablespoons of Newman's Lite. It's 45 cal and 3 carbs. Probably part of why I was losing so slowly was that I wasn't measuring and it doesn't have one of those special little tops that help you use less. (Whole Foods brand does.) I'm still considering that "on plan." I am only eating one restricted a day. I thought about eating another one last night but told myself, "Just wait until tomorrow. Go to sleep!" I don't think I could handle having anyone baking something - especially if it stayed in the house - right now when I'm "detoxing." One of the benefits to being an empty nester. I don't think I could have done this with kids at home. Maybe you could announce that for your first week or two back on plan there is a moratorium on certain things? Good job to all who made it through the day yesterday. Now for day 2!

This so sounds like me. Last week was my first week back on IP. I took a six week break over the summer. I have a goal of 155. I started at 215 and am not at 181. Lost 4#s last week and then...ate like a madwoman over the weekend. I too just want to be done. I want to eat normally on Thanksgivng! Thanks for posting it keeps me inspired.

:D

I think of all the months of reading this IP forum, this is the most helpful thread. I started IP July 2010 and lost 40 lbs of fat. I did not commit to phase 3 because I experienced a disconnect with knowing my own body as a thin person. By the time I felt like I knew my body, I had gained 10 pounds of fat and knew I needed to get on track.

I know that I am doing this for myself, and yet I find myself feeling awkward about the work of getting recommitted -- the work of letting friends and family know that I am still working on my IP.

Reading this thread has seriously helped to give me a reminder that it is my health and my sanity that matters...and that IP is for life. I think I knew this -- and that's what I love about IP...but I was still mentally avoiding the fact that all the phases are critical to successfully committing to a life of phase 4 .

I was feeling low and bummed and letting myself slide into bad health but you have all helped me to remember that ultimately no matter the stresses in life, I am still in charge and nothing can be good if I am not on track.

I understand what you mean here. I experienced a sort of dismorphia myself - I was 3 sizes smaller, but I didn't see it in the mirror. I didn't look different to myself, but I could see that I was swimming in my clothes. It was very strange. I too am having to recommit to living this way for the rest of my life. It's very, very depressing to think of this kind of dieting and restriction for ever. And reading the maintainers, that is what we're going to have to do. You follow Phase 4 until your cheat day, and then spend the next 3-4 days on Phase 1 to lose the weight you gained on your cheat day. I'd like to think that we lose the fat, then start exercising and eating whole foods and just maintain. That would be the dream.

On a personal note. Does anybody feel that they've missed out on some of their life because they didn't feel good about their weight? I live in Los Angeles and it's such a brutal environment for women here, just brutal and I don't go out much just because I don't like the way I'll be treated. I feel like I've missed out on a lot hiding at home. The carrot I hold out for myself is being able to feel great. I don't care what the number is on the scale - I would just simply love to look good in a pair of jeans. Anybody out there relate?

Just wanted to know what this IP Diet is that everyone is raving about? I've never heard of it before.

I vented a minor tirade yesterday on the subject of "planned cheat" so maybe I'm on a roll. The maintainers you refer to are inevitably people who have just begun to maintain; the ones who sustain surely must fit your image of the good life: exercise, healthy food, and an overall satisfaction with what they've attained. To be honest, and maybe it's because I've been around for a while, I've come to loathe the word cheat and what it stands for -- usually gorging, resulting in physical nausea and mental nausea if not downright self-loathing. And in fairness, I think those people who write about that type of experience are expressing part confessional, part embarrassment, part guilt, and part cautionary tale. They sure aren't endorsing over eating or eating garbage.

Where in the literature (and in the name of good sense, I ask myself ) does the Ideal Protein literature say that a free day has to be a dawn to dusk orgy? I ask you! Sheeze! Surely your dream of maintenance is more than a dream.

But then there are also some nagging elements of reality that color the personal experience losing weight and maintaining -- diabetes, auto immune diseases like hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia, and their attendant medications. They have to be factored in and accounted for but they don't totally make losing weight and keeping it off impossible. I had two cortisone shoots yesterday (necessary for a while if I want to walk) and yes I gained two pounds overnight and wiped out the small week's loss and then some. But shoot, this plan is the only one I've found that still works under really adverse circumstances. So. . .what's the logical conclusion? Bite the bullet (sorry, a disgusting metaphor), suck it up, and get on with it. At least that's my only solution.

I surely hope you don't take what I've said as a criticism because I think instinctually and practically you know what you need to do to be happy. I'm just trying to reinforce what you've said while embellishing the reality of the dream. And maybe say that you're not alone? :hug:

I so appreciate your gift of being direct and succinct! I have struggled with some demons in my life and have never overcome them because someone patted my hand and told me the status quo was OK. It was only when someone took the risk of telling me I could have a different life if I was willing to work hard for it, that I began to crawl out of the deep hole. Thank you for the reminders that happiness is a choice!

I'm In
 

After weeks of unconscious bingeing and multiple failed attempts of half hearted commitments to the program, I decided that today is the day to begin IP with the same resolve that I had when I first did IP. I am donning "my big girl panties" on too and am sucking it up to do IP.

In fact, I even took my measurements this morning......ugh! I was shocked. Even though I am 22 pounds less than when I originally started IP, my measurements are almost identical to when I first started. That really upset me, but I keep reminding myself that this program works and that I physically felt so much better when I was on IP. Also, I want the cravings to stop and know that once I get through these next 3 days, I will feel sooooooooo much better.

We did it before and we can do it again! :carrot::carrot::broc::broc::goodluck::goodluck:
:dust:

Esammy12 your post really impacted me on so many levels. I understand and feel your frustration. It is unfortunate that the size of our jeans can affect our self esteem. It shouldn't, but we can let it do that. Have you ever known people who are much larger than yourself, who carry themselves with self confidence and self esteem? It is an attitude and an inner self confidence, not a number on a scale.

I suffer from the same problem. I struggle to feed my soul, not stuff my body to feel good about myself. On a final note to you, I am so surprised that you feel the way you do because I look at your fabulous picture and see an incredibly beautiful woman with such a warm and engaging smile.

Our weight is actually what is in between our ears and not what is on our thighs!

:hug:

Thank you, yes, I agree exactly and entirely. I don't want to live a life vaccilating between food orgy and ascetism. Pigging out holds no interest for me, what I'd like to do is not think about food at all. Of course pay attention if numbers start to creep up - but hopefully you would just feel your waistband get a little tight and you'd naturally cut back on fatty/carby weight gaining items. So maybe yes, these are the early maintainers I'm reading about -- still in the Phase1 Mentality and running amok. I hope so. What I'd like is a normal life. For the rest of my years, I'd like not to be plagued with "cheats", regrets and remorse over food. And for now, I'm pretty happy having a regimen that works to get me there. Although, I'm a little worried about the holidays. :)

Okay - anybody else in the foulest of moods while on this program? Or starting out on this program?? I want to break everything in the house, beat up my spouse, throw things, hear something shatter. Does anybody else experience this level of emotional toxicity? It's pretty bad.

hmmm, I haven't experienced that with IP but I have experienced the same feelings some days around my house for other reasons. :hug:

Maybe take a relaxing bath with candles glowing on the counter and turn off the lights and tell everyone to stay out of the bathroom. I also lay back and take a hot wash cloth and place it over my face and just soak. It helps. Slip into some comfy pj's and sip some hot herbal tea and read a great book in a room where no one is.

Hang in there. It will pass.

Thank you Iowahawkeymom, I took a drive. I drove down Hollywood Boulevard and just watched and observed some life going on. My husband is gone all the time, he's rehearsing a show at night, he's playing Kate Walsh's new therapist on Private Practice and he teaches at Pepperdine during the day, so he's just never here. And I'm doing a whole lot of nothing but not eating and it's hard. So, I'm dealing with a slew of emotions and food denial isn't sitting well at the moment. I went to my gym and had a swim and a hot tub, that helped. I'll try the washcloth trick. Thank you. Sometimes it's just nice not to feel alone.

I'd suggest a puppy but I'm not sure I want to think about you, or the pup, walk in the LA air. :( But if there is any possible way you can walk -- getting in 10,000 steps a day -- I can't tell you how strongly I suggest it. There is a ton of stuff to Google about its benefits. And a pedometer is probably the cheapest piece of excercise equipment around.

Thank you Linden, I own a treadmill and do a minimum of 2 miles a day. Although tonight - I walked my neighborhood in the lavender twilight just because it was so pretty. When I'm not doing IP - I do a strenuous routine on the treadmill for over an hour most nights. When on IP, I keep it to a good pace, but lower incline, and just 2 miles. I had to put my 15 year old chihuahua to sleep last month, so, no dog. But the walking is good.

I'm so very, very sorry.

esammy12....I am so sorry to hear of your dog's passing. That is so hard. I lost my dachshund three years ago during back surgery on her. I missed my Sophia Maria something awful. Took me over a year and half to adopt a puggle and it was the best thing I could of done. I swear dog's are our best friends and know just how to comfort us. This may sound crazy, but I still go to her grave site and talk to her when I feel the need.

Not having someone home is very hard too. My husband farms and is never around also. It took me years to get used to him not being around very much. It sounds like your husband has a very interesting life and I will watch for him on the show. I can't imagine living in LA with all of the excitement. Here on the farm, it is a very rural setting and not much to look at except watching the corn grow in the summer. What different life styles we all lead, but we are all together in this forum helping each other along with different struggles. I agree with Linden, walking helps so much in so many different ways. It's good exercise and it helps us cope with our emotions. Even though we don't know each other, think of all us cheering you on when you walk. We're in this together.

Day 2!!!!!
 

I can't believe that I was able to make it through Day 1. I feel so much better. I actually find some comfort and satisfaction in knowing how much and what I should eat rather than the incessant grazing which is never satisfying no matter what I eat.

It is interesting how different all our lives are, but we are united with our common struggle regarding weight. I am divorced, but am currently struggling with some issues with my 17 year old. I know that when I am in control of my eating, I am better able to manage my emotional stressors however, my first inclination is to stuff my feelings away. It NEVER works, but after 58 years, one would think that I would realize that!

I perked up, Linden, when you suggested getting a dog. I am seriously considering taking the plunge. I have been looking at miniature schnauzers and am totally smitten. I am sorry for your losses, Esammy12 & Iowahockeymom, but it is obvious how much joy a pet can bring into one's life.

May the IP force be with all of you!

:grouphug:

I am cheering for YOU!!! Yes, we can do it. I know we can!!!! I admire you so much for just getting back in the saddle. I messed up too and am determines to get it right.

I restarted officially today as well. I did well for the first 9 weeks and hit a bump...determined to have week #13 be much better. Keeping fingers crossed for all of us!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I have a miniature schnauzer named Louie and he is the joy of my life!! Take the plunge, get a puppy!!
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui....1&disp=thd&zw

Nasty is how I described my mood when I started and when I came back after 2 days of being off plan. I do mean nasty. I wanted to kick the dog, smack the hubby and beat the kids. I went to my room a lot for time outs. I am feeling better today!

THANK YOU! Today is better. Yesterday I could have happily eaten glass. Today I'm a bit more mellow and not so aggrivated.

Day 3!!
 

I can't believe that I was able to string together 3 days. I am feeling so much better and believe it or not, more satisfied. I just finished my dinner of tofu broiled with WF Sesame Ginger sauce and baked kale.

I have to thank you, Iowahawkeyemom, for the suggestion of drinking your MIO water when you get home from work. That is probably my worst time when I don't feel like cooking and want something to eat. The MIO makes me feel satisfied enough to get it together for dinner rather than grab.

To Carlasherea, I have an appointment this weekend to checkout a new litter of miniature schnauzers. How old is Louie?

We can do it!

I am just like you are feeling - I felt confy and gained back 10lb - but these last two weeks have been working on my mind, setting up my mind basically, and I feel ready - I already got my packages and have everything to start over, I decided to say good bye to food this weekend as the plan is to start off Monday - Good luck to you and don't feel embarrased, I think it is great to admit what we are going thru, we are humans and not perfects, this forum is to suport each other, I think no one is here to judge us - Let's do this, together we can!

Day 4
 

Thank you for the encouragement, foreveryoung. I wish you good luck, too. It truly is a "head" game to stay on program and requires 100% commitment. This forum is certainly my salvation and inspiration to continue to fight the daily struggle of staying on program. Can't wait to have you join me on Monday!

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I try so hard to stay on program but life sometimes gets in the way. I will keep on trying because what happens when I give up is worse.

I've got to work on my problem of sailing along fine for 3 or 4 days on program and then I fall apart. Dang it.

Of course Janedocmom! see ya tomorrow - I have a great dinner, grilled new york steak, JoJo wedges potatoes, and soda... how sounds that?! :devil: lol
and ice-cream coming in few minutes, this is my good bye till Thanksgiving day :) - let's do this together - see ya soon!:carrot:

Monday is here once again.....so that must mean I'm starting all over again on IP. I remembered something this morning that I hope will help keep me on track. Last year when I successful on IP, I kept a written journal of my thoughts and progress. This morning I found it and dusted it off to start a new.

OOOOH this is so me! I feel like a drug addict jonesing for my next fix. And the worse part is knowing that Im doing it and feeling so sorry for the people that I'm being *****y to.

To Carlasherea, I have an appointment this weekend to checkout a new litter of miniature schnauzers. How old is Louie?

We can do it![/QUOTE]

He is going to be 5 yrs old this month. I have had him since he was 4 mo. old. Best decision ever. They are so loyal and smart and he brings so much personality and character to our home. If anything ever happened to him, I wouldn't hesitate to get another schnauzer.

Hi there,
I reached my goal in June and I've been off and on IP ever since. I just have come to the realization that I will never be able to eat like I did before but I can enjoy the things I love in small doses. I try to tell myself that food isn't everything and I am positive of this when I put on my size four pants in the morning!! My weight has been between 133 and 139 since I've began phase 4. Right now I'm 136 and I am aiming to stay around there.
Hope everyone is having a great day!!