I think I should start phase 2 tomorrow. I will talk it over with my coach. I didn't reach my goal yet but do you think I will still lose on phase 2? If I don't eat real food soon, I will start binge eating again. All I do lately is cheat, cheat, cheat. I fantasize about real food. I am afraid that if I don't try phase 2 pretty soon, it will get worse and worse. Any input on this? Thanks!

You will continue to loose, but perhaps a little slower. I guess my question is that on phase 2 you just get to add on lunch, but the menu is still very limited, so what would be the difference for you? I actually find phase 1 easier than when I have done phase 2 (I do that phase when traveling) because I don't have to think what protein to have for lunch. I can only speak for me personally, but if I wasn't in the right mindset to stay OP, then it wouldn't make a difference to me if I was on phase 1 or phase 2.
Whatever you decided to do, good luck and I hope it all works out for you.

Thanks for your input. I know it won't make a BIG difference but after 2 weeks on phase 2, it's on to phase 3. So I figure that in 3 weeks, I get to add more variety to my diet before there is too much damage. Also, I want to get back to exercise (P90x) and there is no way I can do that while on IP. And I miss exercising soooooo much. I guess I am answering my own questions. lol

Here's a bit of tough love...

Your time in phase 1 should change your view on what "real food" is. Meat, eggs, veggies, fish, and protein snacks are plenty real! If you did not make that mental adjustment you may find yourself "cheating" all the time when you do get to phase 4. That will just squash the hard work you put in.

Take some more time to think on phase1 and 2 to accept that whatever"real food" may really just be a "treat" after you reach goal even. Try being 100% for a while and see of that makes a difference.

Get strong and give yourself a chance to be successful! You can do it!!!

PS: please don't be mad... I just want everyone to be successful, so I know I can do this.

Thanks a lot! And NO, I am not mad and would never be mad at someone who would give me free advice. lol The thing is, the real food I crave is still considered healthy but not IP friendly. I crave yogurt, fruits, grains... I can't wait to reintroduce this healthy food to my diet. I am starting to feel deprived, it is all I think about. I have always had problems with binge eating before and I thought I was cured but lately the cupboards are calling me all the time. I am so confused!

snolover,

I know how you feel and I agree with you. I've lost 11 pounds and my goal is to lose 19 more. But I'm so bored of salad I don't know what to do with myself. I can't even make a stir-fry because all the mixes contain sugar. I came on here to look for more recipes that don't include mixing up the IP packages because they are too expensive to double up on.

As for "real food", I don't dream of cakes and cookies as much as I dream of eating a salad with kidney beans or garbanzo beans or cheese, or lentil/split pea soups which I love. Shame that these healthy things (well, except for the cheese) are no-no's.

I missed real food. I took this past weekend "off". I needed to. Mentally. I wasn't cheating before but just going through the motions, forgetting the supplements, etc.

Well after a little over 3 months "real food" doesn't taste like I remember. I found myself still wanting veggies over french fries. And the small frozen yogurt I had with some fruit made me feel sick before I finished it.

It's like the opposite of how the IP food gets better the more you eat it.

But I'm 3 days back OP and definitely back in it mentally. And ready to lose this last 20lbs

You must be doing something right. You've lost 49 pounds and you are only 11 pounds away from your goal. Keep doing your best. You will be so proud of yourself.

My meals were a little messed up today. And I have been really hungry for the last few hours but I'm not going to eat again until breakfast. I know I need to keep my goal in mind.