I am slowly catching up this week on the threads and starting to feel a little more relaxed. I've been 100% OP but gained 0.7lbs at my Wednesday WI. It wasn't a surprise because of stress.

Last weekend finished a 3 month distance ed course with a last minute three day study push. Then because I had to take a day off work, so many issues popped up at work that needed to be dealt with. My boss put the full responsibility of it on my shoulders and no one else seemed either capable or willing to step in to help. Most days I've worked 10 or 11 hours with only a long enough break to grab my lunch from the fridge to eat at my desk while working. I completely forgot to drink anything most days until I left work. Then fell into bed for a restless few nights until total exhaustion set it. I almost fell asleep at a traffic light on my drive to WI. I'm used to dealing with a large amount of stress at work but this week was too much.

On a good note, only once did I have a fleeting thought of eating something I shouldn't but about 2 seconds later I decided that I had enough stress already, I didn't need the added guilt of going off program. I know my body doesn't do well with too much stress though, it was how I put on the last 50lbs of my starting weight.

This weekend, I took Saturday to just relax. I did stuff around the house like laundry, cleaning and cooking (a clean house makes me feel better), visited some family and read these threads. Today I'm still chilling in my PJs reading, watching T.v., made a nice lunch. I should be going to work today to get a jump on what I have to get done by tomorrow but I don't know that I can handle it right now. A few more hours of me-time is key to being able to cope for another week. Hopefully this will help reflect better on the scale next week.

Salmon in a foil packet? I'm not sure what is being referred to here? Is this a grocery item?

Good Afternoon 100% OP IPeeps!!!!
It sounds like everyone is doing fabulously! Sometimes that is all about taking care of #1!
I have a question. My face is VERY dry and wrinkly. I drink over 100oz of water a day and take all of my vitamins. I am thrilled with my rapid weight loss, but would love some ideas as to how to get my skin "plump" and moist. It is particularly bad under my eyes.
Thanks everyone for your continued support and success stories, my Goodness, you are all so very inspirational! I love you all.:hug:

When I have dry skin, I just take a pea size amount of coconut oil (the kind you cook with), warm it in my hands by rubbing them together and then put it on my face. It absorbs in nicely, doesn't feel greasy or clog the pores, and does well under make-up. Works well wherever you need it. A couple of weeks ago, I had my hands in cleaning water and the chemicals took all the oil out of my skin and they were dry and cracking. I put some coconut oil on before bed and they were like new in the morning.

I love coconut oil - to use both internally & externally. I've taken to putting a little blob of my moisturizer and putting it into the palm of my hand, then adding a little blob of coconut oil ... mixing gently with my finger tip and dabbing that combined mixture onto my face and neck/decolletage area. I swear my skin is looking the best it's done in a long time. I know all the water I'm drinking is hydrating it... but I'm sure the texture and suppleness has improved since I started doing this. It's better than just the moisturizer on it's own.

Good question on the inches and body fat loss, and truthfully I don't know the answer. Will be interested on what others have to say.

As for you dinner last night, I wouldn't worry about it other than I'm sorry it hurt your stomach. I'm don't agree with low fat diets, but IP is one and I've come to live with that fact. Either way the extra fat you got last night will not kick you out of ketosis at all, so you are all good.

The problem is that IP is a low fat diet. I know my skin got really dry once I started on this diet. The coconut oil is a great idea, a good quality fish oil supplement will help (not the cheap stuff from Costco) and of course moisturizer will be your new best friend on this diet. BTW awesome WI today. Especially good since this is your 3rd WI and the 3rd week is notorious for not being a great WI. Awesome job!

I will try coconut oil : )
Have a great week friends!!!!:hug:

Yes, a little extra fat might actually help you this week. Ip is probably a little too focused on fat...

When I was getting groceries today I picked some up. It is in the grocery aisle with the canned tuna. I found Bumble Bee brand wild pink salmon 5 oz pkg, skinless and boneless. It is only allowed 1X a week. In the US we can get tuna and salmon in these foil packets. Not sure about Canada ( just noticed your location). I would think this is allowed. Can anyone chime in and say for sure? Thank you.

1.5 total fat, 0 carbs, 0 sugar

My coach said that salmon is allowed and did not set a limit on how many times a week I can have it. Lol it would be funny if they told us that here in my area! Not sure they would get many customers. :dizzy:

HAHA all I can say is -- sweet victory!!

Thanks doublebaby. I'll have to check at the supermarket. It may well be there and I've just not noticed... creature of habit. :)

....you could have lost in a place that they aren't measuring....just my first thought! I don't get my entire body measured :) but I know my wrists and fingers are smaller (they were never measured lol)

You probably didn't hurt yourself with the extra bit of fat...I always rinse my beef. My mom did, so I always have...don't think I could eat it either. :). What else did you put into the meat? I made that for my boyfriend tonight but couldn't eat any of it cause I put the potatoes on top. I'd be interested to have an IP friendly shepherds pie....could prolly use the IP mashed potatoes if I had a deep craving...lol :)

Edit: miss read opinions as onions (deleted the reference to onions - sorry!)

It's on my Phase I sheet for my dinner protein, dated 2/7/11.

LOL at the onions! :)
As for the recipe, it is an old weight watchers recipe I have for speedy shepherds pie, I just adapted it to IP.

Ingredients:
12ounces lean ground beef (I used 7.5)
1/2cup chopped onion (I substituted with onion powder)
1cup each baby carrots & peas ( I used a cup of zucchini)
1/2 beef broth
2cups potato flakes (I used 1cup cauliflower 'potatoes')
Paprika for looks

Cook the burger until no longer pink, then add onion (in this case, onion powder). When meat is almost cooked add your veggies (zucchini), continue to cook until veggies are tender. Add broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10mins. Transfer mixture into a casserole dish and top evenly with 'potatoes'. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake until heated through, 15-20 mins.
I went with ten minutes cooking time since I used less meat.
I also added sea salt, pepper and about a tsp of minced garlic.

I'm gonna have to look and see if I have any other WW recipes I could adapt!:smug: