I'm not sure it's a matter of allergies, it's more of being FULL. I did a bit of Googling today. That pain in my shoulder may have to do with my diaphragm being invaded and it probably stems from slumping while eating, LOL. At least that's what made the most sense. Gotta sit up straight and then go for a walk!! I'll give that a shot tomorrow.

I keep forgetting to take the probiotic. I will try tomorrow. I get so excited about breakfast, it's in my mouth before I can do can do anything.

I finally had a chance to sit down and fill out the worksheet. Thank you so much. Things finally make sense. I don't think I am getting enough calories but it looks like I am doing fine when it comes to Carbs, Proteins and Fats so I am good with that. Plus, for me I think the simplest is the best. I try too many different things and I know I will be heading into trouble. Even with dinner, it was almost always just one kind of vegetable.

I seemed to do well with just yogurt and berries. Intro to the cereal was a smidge tricky but not bad. I think I am one who has to watch wheat.

Oh other news, I am down. Saw 126 on the scale. Let's chalk it up to bathroom time. I am waiting for the big gain.

Ah, interesting. Okay, no more slumping. I have a bad habit of not sitting up straight as well. How did you do today? This is getting easier for me.

Today was much better. I kept it simple with yoghurt, blueberries and toast w/peanut butter, and I remembered to take the probiotic. My numbers were a tad low and I did a bit of a dance with the dairy/protein requirements using yoghurt and peanut butter, but it does say "X grams OR LESS". All I know is that I felt much better when I was done.

That's great! It's all about figuring out what works for each of us. At least that's what it seems to me...

Yesterday I had:
Protein:
3/4 cup Oikos greek yogurt: 6.75 g carb, 16.5 g protein, 90 cal
Grain:
1/3 c Bear Naked Granola: 16 g carb, 8 g protein, 9.3 g fat, 186 cal
1/2 c kashi granola: 14 g carb, 4.5 g protein, 1.5 g fat, 95 cal
Fruit:
1 cup frozen mixed berries: 12 g carb, 1 g protein, .5 g fat, 70 cal
Dairy/Other:
1 cup almond milk: 0 carbs, 1 g protein, 2.5 g fat, 35 cal
Totals: 48.75 g carb; 41 g protein, 13.8 g fat, 476 cal

Today I had:

1 cup Oikos greek yogurt: 9 g carb, 23 g protein, 140 cal
Grain:
2/3 c (dry) oatmeal: 30 g carb; 6.7 g protein, 4 g fat, 200 cal
Fruit:
1 cup frozen mixed berries: 12 g carb, 1 g protein, .5 g fat, 70 cal
Dairy/Other:
1 cup almond milk: 0 carbs, 1 g protein, 2.5 g fat, 35 cal
Totals: 53.3 g carb; 32.2 g protein, 7 g fat, 448 cal

Those two are what I have most often because they are so easy. I think tomorrow I'll do eggs, toast and sausages.

okay, I'm so tired from painting my back porch today that I won't stay on long, but...I just had my evening dessert/snack and had the greek yogurt with a puree of rhubarb and strawberries, plus some stevia. It was soooooo good! I can't believe we get to eat stuff like this, and the rhubarb is a vegetable!!!!

;)

Guys, I'm having a problem with phase 3. I started yesterday. My numbers of protein, carbs, fat, calories are all correct. I haven't changed anything else with other meals etc. Everything tastes great, no stomach pain etc. BUT, I haven't gone to the bathroom since Friday, my stomach is distended, and I've gained at least 2 pounds. This can't be normal for the first 2 days, can it?

VickiR, that's a tough call cuz normal for you may not be normal for me. Do you have any stool softeners or Smooth Move tea? One of those may help. And lots of water! Celery?? For what it's worth, this Phase has been better for me in that regard so I don't know what to tell you. Maybe have oatmeal for breakfast...

Yes I did. I knew before I started phase 3 I couldn't handle grains but thought I better give it the old college try and tried some Ezekiel bread. I was right. I can't handle it. I started to regain over a pound a day. I have not eaten any grains except oats for years before IP. I just don't have time with my long commute to cook and eat oatmeal in the morning.

The phase 3 breakfasts are way too much food for me and with wheat and dairy intolerances not good foods for me either.
Anyway I got back on track by focusing on yogurt and berries. But dairy gives me sinus infections so I can't do that long term either.

I was up 4 pounds and steadily going up after 3 days. I managed to get down to my goal weight after a week once I totally cut out the grains.
So I am going right into maintenance,
I'm pretty sure I know what will work for me with that so I am not unhappy to leave phase 3 behind me.

But I am pleased to see that it does work well for most people.

Pat

Vicki - are you taking either a probiotic or digestive enzyme? It could just be your body is not used to digesting all this stuff and these can help. Or, like Pat, maybe you have a gluten intolerance? There is gluten in some IP but not much, so introducing grains is a big change.

I have trouble with constipation all the time, but for many people, it actually clears up once they get back to regular food again.

You are amazing, getting all that work done! I went through a period like that when we were getting our house ready for sale and I ended up doing most of it as my husband was busy traveling. What a fabulous feeling of accomplishment.

I've said to my friends who were marveling at the amount of work done that I never minded being exhausted at the end of the day when it was from sheer hard labor. Nothing wrong with working hard, it's all good.

I have the same problem and have from day 1. I start phase 3 next Monday so have been carefully reading the Phase 3 thread. I look forward to finding out what can be done in phase 3 - should be more options.

Previous to IP, I would use Fiber 1 cereal - original version - and if needed a psyllium fiber blend from my local health food store. I'll look up the stats on both products and report back - it worked well and were healthy ways to deal with this.

Good morning Chloe, and thank you so much! I have to keep reminding myself that even if I'm slow, I am still making progress. it will get done and I will move on...

Pat,
What are you doing for breakfast for grains then? Making a large batch of oatmeal and then just reheating a portion daily?

Here are the stats on fiber 1 original cereal:

1/2 c Fiber 1 cereal (30g) 60 cal
2g prot
25g carbs
0.1 g fat
14.2g fiber

Yerba Prima Soluble Fiber Formula 20cal, 1 g prot, 5.8g carbs, 5.3 g dietary fiber, 4.4 g soluble fiber, .9g insoluble fiber, 0g fat
1 heaping tsp

Thanks, everybody. I weigh in and see my coach today. I'll ask her about the probiotics and enzymes. Sewmam and Chloe- I really, really, really, hope this isn't a gluten/wheat intolerance. I love the English muffins and Kashi waffles. The only thing that got me through phase 1 & 2 was knowing I'd enjoy these things once again. Fingers crossed something good happens today. Have a great day!

Maybe try adding some chia seeds or ground chia seeds to your milk or yogurt? They have TONS of fiber in them and almost no net carbs. Check it out!

I waited a bit to have the second part of my breakfast since the first filled me up too quickly. Getting all these calories in is hard for me. After berries and yogurt I am full. I did add cereal/almond milk and turkey bacon. Don't feel too hot. Either I waited too long to complete my meal and my insulin released twice or turkey bacon is not a good idea for me. I feel a little tired, too full and a little foggy like day 1 when I had the turkey bacon. Interesting cause I thought day 1 was the only challenge and it got easier. This is an interesting process, seeing what works for you. Going back to basic tomorrow. I will just have to be under calories. This foggy tired feeling ain't too much fun.