Awe thanks, brought tears to my eyes as soon it will be Jewel's turn to cross the Rainbow Bridge...

I think the biggest thing that I have to wrap around my brain is I haven't met my goal but SO WHAT! I have lost 93lbs (depending on the day today 91lbs) and I am a lot healthier because of it and I won't let a number on the scale defeat me. I will workout (something I don't really like) and I will lose the loose skin and I will maintain until the cows come home... wait long after the cows come home.
This Forum has been great support and I am happy being a contributing member. Thanks have a great day.

Cat I totally understand where you are coming from. When I read your post, I felt as if it was me writing it, thanks for posting it. I am also wondering if I have stalled out and maybe need to change up my diet for awhile. The mind has so much control over our body and I know my mind set is way off this past while.
I also am having an off day (my weight is going up every day this week). I also have to start staying off the scale daily. Last week I finally lost 3 pounds after having a no loss, a .5 loss, and a +.5 gain for the previous 3 weeks, and all this time being 100% on plan.I never have had the big looses like some do. I think the inches are going down, but I get my mind wrapped around the number on the scale and can't seem to see the NSV of inches lost some days. On November 14 it will be 6 months for me on IP, I originally had hoped to be in maintenance by now.
My DH, who started IP at the same time as me has lost his 50 pounds and is in maintenance. At first it didn't bother me cooking and planning his meals, grocery shopping for his foods etc. It is getting harder I think though, I am following protocol 100 %, not cheating and not loosing, I think this may also be setting my mind off too about the weight loss. Me being in phase 1, (started phase 2 yesterday) and trying to plan his meals and smell that food is getting harder every day. I know lots have had to make their families meals all along the way, but we started this journey together so I guess maybe it is also a bit of jealousy that he has made it to maintenance and I am still trying to loose.
I am going to try phase 2 for 2 weeks and see how it goes, if I don't see results then I am going to try next phase and go from there. I miss my exercising and have been scared to do it because they say you gain muscle so you gain weight. I bought a zumba wii and a pilates starter kit, I think I will be starting them soon. I really need to get rid of the lose belly skin, I live in the country so unfortunately no gym for me.
Sorry for all the venting, but thanks for posting your feelings today, it really made me look at my own feelings and help me make some new decisions about what to do. And as you said, we know we are not alone in this, we'll all stick together and help each other.IP is a great program and I am not quitting, I'm just going to try the other phases to see if I can kickstart the weight loss again. My Dr. would like me at 170 and it is just going to take longer than I originally planned to get there. I have never had the success on other programs as I have had on IP.
Good luck to you

2Ride: I'd start phase 3. You have come so far. I'm with you though. I'm bouncing between 12-14 pounds from goal so I keep thinking, why don't I just phase off now? Then I have days where I'm so not happy with where I am and want to be back in phase 1 so I can lose more before moving on. I just don't think I know what I want right now. I know I'm not happy with my weight but maybe I need to phase off and start over again later. But then I see how others struggle when doing that. I just think it's mainly because I'm up and I'm upset about it. One off track day really messed with me. I know it's a no cheat diet, I've known that all along. I've seen others do it and be just fine so I'm not happy it's taking me all week to shed the weight. And it wasn't even something I ate! I had a couple beers! So, learn from me, don't do it. I've been having a hard time with the scale this week knowing it was my own darn fault. I even did a phase 1 day today to see if I can jump start the loss again. Ugh, it's so hard to know what to do.

Oh, and if I want to start doing some crunches on my ball and stuff to tone the tummy that should be ok at this point shouldn't it? I don't want to add another packet and I won't be doing anything major, just the ab exercises for now.

Girl....I "heard" that weight droping off your shoulders while reading this. I know you have to feel so much better!!!!!!! :hug:

I am so happy I am able to express myself and even happier that that it all makes sense to someone other than myself. Thank you for letting me know that and helping me to justify my decisions.

Do we not all see we are all so close to the end of our weight loss journeys, experiencing the same issues and struggling with which direction we should head towards? For most of us......what we've been doing is no longer working for us. I am so very jealous of those who have swooshed on through the program without obstacles. My coach sends out "success story" emails. One thing that stands out the most is that while all the dieters have completed all phases of the program, they have been OP for a short period of time (6 weeks or so) with goals of 20 to 30 pounds (or even less). Other than me, I have yet to see one who has lost 50 pounds. Really folks.....what do you read into that?

Look at all of us here in this particular group.....look how SUCCESSFUL we are......and look at us struggling and beating ourselves up for what?...a number we set in our head? At 5'-10, I need to get to 170 just so I will be at the upper end of a healthy BMI. But at what price am I willing to pay, mentally and physically to get there? Will I really be "healthier" than I am at this very moment?

Wow...I am really on my soapbox today. :dizzy: Guess I need to relieve this stress and at the same time, justify my decision. I am hoping Phase 2 helps me lose a few more pounds before I head into Phase 3. If not.....oh well. It's not because I didn't try and give it all I have. Maybe venting and "purging the negativity" will make the scale move down too! :D

Thanks for listening and if this helps anyone else.......I am so very proud to have done so. We should all be so proud of one another! :hug:

I only added protein when I did a cardiovascular/stenuous exercise....anything that got your heart rate elevated, produced a sweat or was done over an extended period of time. I would put crunches in the same category as stretching. While you might get a bit winded, I'm sure you wouldn't spend much more than 10-15 minutes at it....and surely not non-stop. Stretching and toning is all good especially at this stage of the game.

That's what I figured. Thanks! I will start doing that.

well I'll bit my tongue and not ask which quadrant of the city that clinic is in. But I sure wouldn't pass over another cent.

Advising you to go on the raw diet after you have been following IP for more than 10 months????? You'd have been better off if you spent that time at home playing with the skull with that cute little doggie.

You are making a good decision to phase out now. That gives you a chance to stabalish over the coming moths and if in January you decide you want to have another kick at those few pounds your body will have a break and be ready to go at it again.

As for the exercise, my coach said that the "ban" was really only for the first two weeks. After that if you were walking etc before you can start that up again. But really strenuous exercise should be avoided.

As for stalling I have not been on the plan nearly as long as many of you and my losses have been slow but I am approaching my last 10 pounds. I have actually lost better the past few days than I had for most other weeks. I think it was because I read we can have up to 8 ounces of protein at the "regular" meal. I realized I probably wasn't getting more than 4 ounces because i wasn't measuring and the mindset I had from other diets is that less is more. But I upped the protein at the nonIP meal and it seems to be making a difference already

I was up a little bit today at WI but I expected it because I feel like crud today. I was however down 1 3/4" including another inch off the mommy muscle so all in all not a bad week. We decided to start Phase 2 tomorrow. TBH my goal is/was 160 I just really "needed" a cushion but even when I start working out, I may gain weight but I won't gain size so my ego will have to be content with that.

Hello all! Interesting posts today, how we perceive ourselves and whether we should phase off. I read ALL of Dr. Tran's book 2 nights ago and was really impressed where he talks about this being a "short" program, so I don't feel badly at all for going to phase 2. I am going to being paying less money to the clinic which will be very helpful right now due to some financial straits, (new water heater, new struts in the car, remodeling the house, etc.) Determined at 47 said she loved phase 2 and lost weight on it. So I am hopeful for all of us. We will persevere and phase off accurately and successfully. We can always do phase 1 later according to Dr. Tran.

Had a good chat with my coach tonight about my frustration with my last 5 weeks of weight loss being so low and up and down. She feels I have stalled out and suggested trying the alternate phase 1. She thinks maybe my blood sugar is high and this will help reset it. This phase you have 3 food groups to choose from to add 1 group to each meal,they are carbs, fruits and fats. Each group can only be used once per day. I am going to start tomorrow, and am looking forward to trying it and having toast and fruit again.

I am going to watch you to see how you do... at least your coach had another option for you. I think I ran out of options, but totally okay, and now will start phase 3 and am going to be prepared for it. I tried on a bunch of clothing today and instead of saying I was too fat the dress doesn't zip up all the way I look at myself in the mirror and said so when I have done some exercising and tone up my chest and shoulders this zipper will zip up and it will be great to wear it. It is so scary I look forward to wearing skirts and dresses as I look good in them and I have shapely legs and can show off my puppy tattoos. I also noticed my size 8 jeans were getting baggy in the butt again... so I tried on my others that I squeezed into and they are fitting better. and they also will fit better after some toning.

This was a day of reflecting and everyone here is so supportive, you all are great. I also talked with some ladies at my other office today and one who was on IP with me has started up again and she says I am her inspiration and that makes me feel great. she also said her daughter has some shirts for me, so it is so nice to be able to wear a 20 year olds clothes, as when I was 20 I couldn't... it is great to have a plan and focus on that. I am off to do some ball work now talk to you all tomorrow and have a great night...


Pat - I can't really blame my clinic as this coach is my 3rd from there, I understand that she came in 3/4 of the way through my program and really probably can't tell if I tell her the truth or not about not cheating... she has never called me a liar or anything... which is good. and in all honesty she is probably right about me being at my body's goal even though it isn't mine. I also think she was trying to help me by suggesting exercise and if that didn't work the raw diet... which is fine but I want to complete one diet and get balanced again before trying something else. Night.

2ride I hope this works for me, but it is at least worth a try.My clinic is very supportive and always trying to help. I was on the phone for over 1/2 hour with my coach going over different things tonight.
You have lost over 90 pounds, you look great and no doubt feel so much better. I think we just have to convince ourselves the number on the scale is just that a number and if we feel good and are happy where we are at, then it is time to enjoy where we are. I think it will be easier to maintain our weight loss if we accept ourselves and are happy. I wish you continued success and I also will be watching you.. I need to keep checking your posts for the help and advice you give. You have helped me out many times with your posts and I also am inspired by you and seeing all the success you have had on IP.
I forgot you were getting a tattoo, is it a picture of Rebel and Jewel? I am not brave enough to get 1, I hate needles.
I am so thankful for everyone on 3FC, the support and help on here is so wonderful. Thanks!!

My husband and I have been flirting with the idea of each getting another tattoo and I would love to put it somewhere I wouldn't normally show off, like say, my shoulder or something. I've never worn sleeveless shirts before now so the shoulder is kind of a secret place for me. I can't wait to see yours! I can't wait for size 8s to be too baggie! I'm loving a couple of pairs of jeans I have in a 9/10 so I'm wearing them as often as I can in hopes they won't fit soon. ;) I have trouble with them being baggie in the butt but I still have a little muffin top when I sit. Not all of them but most. And they pucker in the hips when I sit too like there's way too much fabric in all the wrong places. Weird body! I used to have to wear mens jeans because I was hipless but I blamed my switch to womens jeans on having children. Guess that wasn't the case. Does anyone else have this? Tonight or tomorrow night (I'm worried about gaining any more water weight since I'm still up 0.6 from Thursday) I'm starting some ab workouts I found online last night and then some I used to do on my exercise ball in hopes to even this problem out a bit.


I don't know if I mentioned it but I finally bit the bullet and scheduled the family pictures I was waiting until the last minute to take. My fave photographer is booking fast and I really want them for Christmas cards so we took an opening on Sunday. I am nowhere near what I wanted to be but I'm also not where I was last year at this time. Not at all! We haven't had family pics taken in a LONG time because I didn't want to be in them so this is a big deal to me. I will compare them to some Photopass pics we had taken in Disney World last November and I bet that'll make me love them. :D Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't know it we've had any taken with all 4 of us since church pics when my youngest was about 9 months. That's sad!

OK, enough rambling. Good luck to everyone. I've planned a great Phase 2 day today and I'm super excited about it. I'm also excited to get tomorrow's weigh in over, good or bad, so I can start fresh next week!

Too funny how a lot of us have the problem with baggy butt pants. I notice that on mine but then in front a muffin top! Gotta go weigh in, hoping for a pound.

Good luck! I deff will not be rocking this week's weigh in.

The Tattoo shop and SCARS (Second Chance Animal Rescue Society) were doing a fund raiser for SCARS and they would do paws. So I stamped both of my dogs paws on paper and so I have each of their paw prints on my calves... Jewel's is special as she only has 3 toes on one paw. and Rebel's is in Red because she is my red dog... it was the first time for me and it wasn't too bad except for their names they use bigger needles for writing... yikes and it took no time to heal... will see if I can post before class today. Some day when I am rich I want to do one of Jewel coming out of an agility tunnel, the picture is gorgeous, yellow and blue tunnel, green green grass, blue sky and black happy dog... would kind of like to get one where Jewel is coming out one end of the tunnel and rebel out the other side, but that would be really expensive... My friend just had a head shot done of one of her dog's and it is beautiful.

I had a hard time deciding where to put them, I figured the leg but wasn't sure I knew I couldn't put them on my arms too flabby (probably hurt less but..) and I wanted to be able to see them so calves it was. I hate needles so this was kind of a big thing for me, and it really wasn't that bad a little painful but not bad at all.

Good Luck Sandy

Paws! What a great idea. I think I remember reading something about that before on one of your posts but I forgot. I have a frog, yes a frog, on my right ankle. I got it at 17 and was totally into frogs. I still love it because they were such a big part of my life and something I was "known" for. I still have people give me things with frogs even though I've grown out of it. I also have a flower with my oldest daughter's name above it and my youngest's name below it on my wrist. And my biggest one is my "tramp stamp", as many people call them, right above my butt. It's a big blue nautical star in the center for my hubby and a smaller pink and purple one on either side for my girls. There's some fancy design wrapping them all together also. I love it. It's getting smaller and smaller since the small of my back is shrinking. ;) I kinda think I want one on the back of my neck, just a small one. But, like I said, I really think the shoulder would be neat too.

Woohoo, 2 pounds gone and 1.75 inches. I'll take it. I am definitely phasing off now , so on phase 2 officially. I just make extra for supper and take that for lunch the next day. It is working for me.

So excited for you! It seems like forever since I've seen a 2 something.

Oh, and speaking of baggy pants....

I tried on a pair of dress pants I brought up from the basement about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I was so bummed because they were a 12 and they were too tight. Well, today I pulled them out and put them on and I really shouldn't have worn them. The butt and thighs are way too baggy and the waist is loose so I'm losing them as I walk. I will put these in the sell pile when I get home, that's for sure! I know when I go down to meet my husband at break he's going to say something. He hates when I "look like I"ve crapped my pants". (His words!) So even with the slow month, this is something to make me smile.

Congratulations, great loss!! Wow, 7 more pounds and you are at goal, good luck in phase 2!!

2Ride your tattoo with your dogs and the agility tunnel sounds like it would be beautiful and a great memory for you. My daughter designed 1 of her tattoos (she has 3) and it goes from shoulder to shoulder and about 6" deep at the center of her back, it is gorgeous.

ItsAboutTime, good luck on your weight loss and phase 2. It is great when you put on clothes that it shows the inches are coming off even though the scale isn't showing a loss. I was the same with pictures, hated them taken because of my size, but now years later, wish I had taken them. You look great in your picture on here, and definitely will notice the difference with all the weight you have lost. Enjoy the photo shoot with the family.

For the last week my scale wasn't moving (weight was up and down for 5 weeks) and also showing I had stayed the same or gained all week. I was hungry all the time so, I added a 4th package for 4 of those days, exercised a couple of days, put a phase 2 day in a few times, and ate 2 restricted 1 day, all this because I was hungry and didn't want to cheat. I was frustrated and didn't know what else to do, so instead of cheating I added more IP foods and the extra protein with phase 2. I weighed everyday only to find the scale staying the same or going up. Well this morning was weigh day and it showed 2 pounds down. Now that should be proof enough to me to stay off the scale everyday and only weigh on weigh day. It just plays havoc on my mind seeing it go up or stay the same. My coach suggested the alternate phase 1 for me to go on because she thinks my blood sugar is high and this is why I am so hungry.Now,after weighing today, I'm not sure if I should do that or continue with phase 2 for another week. I am leaning to the phase 2 since it did show a loss. Phase 1 alternate has fruit, fats, and carbs (bread etc) in it and I'm not so sure if my body is ready to bring that back yet as I still have 13 more pounds to loose. I think I am going to continue with phase 2 and stay off the scale for this week, and see how it goes

Good luck to everyone on their weigh ins and have a great day!

Well, made it to Phase 2! Today is officially the day I am phasing off. :) I am so super excited to be in P2. Also had a really good WI- 2# down bringing me to just about 90% of goal. Hopefully P2 will treat me as well as it has been treating some of you. I am hoping to get to 131-132 so 135 can be my maintaining weight.

I also just wanted to share some of my successes. In 5 short (and sometimes not so short!) months, I have lost:

35 pounds
My waist went from 33" to 27.25" (5.75" lost)
Hips from 43" to 37.5" (5.5" lost)
Thighs from 26" to 21.5" (4.5" lost- EACH)
Arms from 14" to 10.5" (3.5" lost - EACH)
Stomach from 39.25" to 32.5" (6.75" lost)

I went from a tight 12 to a 4 in most pants, sometimes 6.

I think I will post this in the daily thread so maybe some of the newbies will see it and see that if they just stick to the program, it will actually work. ;)

Thanks for letting me share this with you and I am looking forward to joining you on P2!

Congratulations, Jenny. You must be flying. ;)

Good for you! Good luck on phase 2! My hips, thighs, and arms are the exact same as yours!

Morning!!
Figured out why I felt like crap yesterday but it makes no sense... I'm spotting a bit and cramping today, TOM is supposed to be a week away yet, WTH???? It's been a weird month anyway with losing hair and now this. Craving chocolate like a b$%^& today and with all the halloween candy hanging around its not a safe place to be. I guess if he's coming he dang well better hurry up and not drag this out until next week. GRRRRR!!

congratulations! I am SO happy for you. Welcome to the next stage. You'll be in maintenance in no time. And, please do post in the daily thread. It's great for motivational stories to make it over there.

I can't find jeans that fit either. Baggy butt and no room to spare at the waist. In the interest of trying to appease my daughters' admonition to get rid of my "mom jeans" I'm looking around at how other women wear their jeans. When I see someone whose jeans fit really well, I really want to ask, "I see your jeans fit really well in the butt. May I ask what brand they are?" So far, I've kept quiet. Not sure how that comment would be received. Ha ha!

I started losing more hair than normal in the past few weeks. I've always shed pretty bad but it's A LOT now.

If you ask, let us know!;)

Loving your picture itsabouttime! you are too freakin' cute!:D

Well, jeepers. Blushing. Thanks! :o

When I got home I checked my stats to make sure I wasn't lying about having the same measurements and I was! Here is just one example of how different bodies are. (Jenny, I hope you don't mind me doing this. I just want people to see how people carry weight so differently.)

Your waist 27.25" My waist 31"
Your Hips 37.5" My hips 36.5"
Your Thighs 21.5" My thighs 20"
Your Arms 10.5" My arms 10.5" (So I wasn't lying on this one.)
Your Stomach 32.5" My stomach 34"

My waist is a lot bigger than yours and my stomach is bigger. I want to wear a size 6 (or I'd die if I could fit in a 4) so bad and I think my legs and hips would fit fine so this goes to show I have got to get going on those tummy toning exercises. It's no wonder we get saggy butt disease in our pants. I also weigh over 20 pounds more than you so maybe if I drop that I'd fit in those sizes. ;)

Thanks Jenny for being my example. (And giving me some figures to look forward to!) Now my goal is to get at least a 27" waist and a 32" tummy like you. :D

Hey all!
Not sure how many remember me but I was a pretty active member on the daily thread from February until about June. I recognize some of the names in here and want to say hello to everyone :)
After much too long off the program, I'm back at it and feeling really good. The summer months proved to be very difficult for me with work, parties and my husband's mom passing away. I watched the scale go up and finally got my **** together about 2 and a half weeks ago. I will get to goal this time and plan to come back to these boards as often as possible for support and to lend some where I can.
It's nice to be back and I look forward to catching up a bit!

Of course I don't mind! I think it is good for people to see how we carry our weight differently because sometimes I think we get caught up in comparing ourselves to each other.

I think you are also several inches taller than I am. But even when I weighed much more before (long before IP, I weighed over 200#) I have always had a smaller waist and larger hips. I tend to carry my weight in my lower half. AND the other thing is, I was always a "medium" top. I am now in smalls and extra smalls, but I never really carried my weight up top.

I definitely do not have "butt sag" :) I've got myself a nice round booty that fills out pants and jeans- sometimes too much :D I usually have problems with too much room in the waist.

ladies there is a jean that a lady from work and I really like and they seem to fit reallllly well. They are called French Dressing Jeans. If you google them there should be stores near you. I have been fortunate to find them at a good will and they really do fit. Have a go ladies... hope you have good luck as well.

I carry all my weight out front in what I call my "pooch". I am 5'4" so not too much taller. My almost 9 year old is almost already my height, it's kinda funny and sad all at the same time. ;) I have been getting medium tops myself and I like how they look on my waist but I hate how they bunch at my pooch. Tummy toners start tonight! I'm actually kind of excited to be doing some sort of exercise again. Too nervous to actually really exercise though. This just shows that no matter what we do, we all still have things we'd like to change. So glad you didn't mind my comparison!

Today was my week 19 weigh in. I am down 1 pound. I'm happy with it considering I was still looking at a gain yesterday! I had a little pep talk with my scale before stepping on that it had to be at least down 0.2 so I didn't have a stall or a gain. It gave me a little more than I asked for, which was sure nice. Hubby said I was peein a lot last night and I told him that was good and maybe I'd be down a little today. So, of course, this morning I had to be sure to tell him it worked. ;)

I truely think I got this pound because I got right back on track after a bad moment. Believe me, I sure would've liked to dig into the girls' candy when I stepped on the scale day after day and it wasn't doing what I wanted. I didn't though, I kept trucking. This does make me wonder if I'm not super carb sensitive though because I've seen much worse cheats on here where people lose more than that. :(

I didn't lose any inches this week at all. I hope to see that change next week with these tummy toners I'm going to start. :carrot: Does anyone do just toning exercises without cardio? If so, does it work? I sure hope so!

I'm 1.2lbs from that massage! I'm crossing my fingers I can schedule it this time next week! And grab myself another lil dancing monkey! (It's the little things.)

Oh, and I wanted to punch fat secret in the face today. I entered my weight and it said, "at this rate you will be at goal in 3 months." Shut the front door! 3 months! I know Joanne said the 150s were like quicksand and hard to get out of but 3 months! I might go outside my mind.......

Good morning, yes for me the 150s is H**l as you can see I was at 150 again on monday... not to worry though that is better than 155 when I weighed myself on Friday... and that is why I do not weigh myself every day... too stressing and I have other things to stress about... like how to do crunches on the exercise ball without falling over? or how to do reverse ones where only your feet are on the ball without crashing on the floor and having your dogs look at you like you are nuts! Now that is stress... did get my crunches in eventually but not to steady on that ball yet.
I had a wonderful NSV yesterday, I was at the downtown office for training and I had emailed one of my friend's that works in the same building to meet me for coffee. I was sitting with my group and she kind of walks over to us and I could tell she was looking for me, she couldn't find me.. so I waved and you should have seen the look in her eyes... needless to say she was very impressed and even emailed me after coffee again and said how wonderful I look. I am thankful for all my accomplishments so far on this journey but am still focusing on the big picture... Have a great day all.