Cap,
Thanks so much for all of your encouragement. I don' think an extra packet is going to hurt much if at all- they are so low calorie. I often eat more than the recommended amount of meat if I am really hungry and it doesn't seem to slow me down weight loss wise. I also feel that if you are really hungry, you should eat a couple more ounces- it helps and prevents me grabbing for the crispy creams! My idea of phase 1 is a little looser that a year ago but gotta do what works. I know I am losing because rings are super lose and clothes are getting a little more comfortable. Like you, as I shrunk, and went down in sizes, I immediately got rid of clothes so what I have are pretty tight! I am committed to get back to where I was- felt so good.

Hi all,
I read this thread often and enjoy it tremendously. I'm not in maintenance yet but learn so much here - I find it to be the most information rich thread once the IP foundation has been laid. So I come here to learn more and prepare myself for maintenance - which hopefully I'll enter in the next 2 months or so. For example, learned about the Carb Sensitivity Program here and pre-ordered the book. Also ordered and received her current book the Supercharged Hormone Diet - haven't started it yet - hope to do that later today.

I did phase off to go on a 2.5 week vacation which had a pretty big emphasis on food and wine and as of last week, am back to finish off losing. When I phased off, I did 2 weeks of phase 2, 2 weeks of phase 3 and still lost 5 pounds during that time. Went on a food and wine tour of France & Italy, gained 3.2 pounds, came back, on phase 1, lost 3.4 pounds the first week (WI was 2 days ago), so I am a convert to the IP diet now that I went through this acid test of sorts. I'm also in menopause, 55, have thyroid issues and take Armour medication for it, plus started bio-identical HRT this year.

Anyway, a friend, not on IP, sent me this link yesterday - pretty interesting - its about HCG and its benefits in weight loss and maintenance. Thought you might enjoy learning about this if you haven't already heard about it. I bought 2 bottles to try it (while still doing IP).

http://www.foxnews.com.happynews.ame...bbc-story.com/

I know I'm way behind on these threads. It has got to be so hard commuting an hour each way plus having an inactive job. My hat is off to you for even thinking about stopping at a park on the ride home to get in some walking.

I was in a position a few years ago where I needed a fast work out that I could use consistently and for me, do at home to make the most efficient use of time. I bought 2 workout videos which were amazing: Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred which is based on a 20 minute workout and combines cardio and weights. Second was the Wedding Workout which takes around 40-45 minutes but you can customize it - again cardio and weights.

Hello ladies, I am back after reaching goal Dec. 14 and then not really doing phase 4 properly. I am back on phase one and going to do this to the end. I know how good I felt doing phase 3, maybe that will be my maintenance plan with an occasional fun day and phase 1 right after it.

Does anyone know why phase 1 says to continue it until you reach 100% of your goal? That has changed twice, over a year ago it said 80 %, then 90%, now100%. Just curious.

Have a great day.

Determined - I have my before and after merged into one, one at work on my desk (small one that most people can't see but it's right beside my screen) and one at home right above the scale.

Cap - is Yoda your second name, your response cracked me up. The VIP is a rabid star wars fan (I tell him he's like Leonard and Sheldon rolled up into one).


CHLOE!!! You did fabulous on your trip!! WOOHOO for you!! Did you do a lot of walking around? Did you follow Ph4 in the strict sense or did you release the reins a bit? Please tell?

I just went to a workshop on Friday, one of the top Dawgs in Canada was there. He said that you maximize the weight loss by going to 100% of goal, Phase 2 was lasting to long so now it's 2 weeks of Phase 2 and two weeks of Phase 3. He was very specific in "two weeks of Phase 3 no more no less". So that makes me believe Phase 2 can be one week if required.

************

So I mowed the lawn and had my day, then went to a baby shower and had some goodies. THEN I came home and I was like "I'm not hungry yet", so I went for a run (loved the internal conversation to make that decision, no reason to eat if you aren't hungry). I did 40 minutes non stop, I don't know how far I went because I took too many turns (too many turns to go backwards with the car) so I just went by time...it felt GREAT! But then I came home and picked up my cheat meal...it felt SO wrong...LMAO

But 40 minutes nonstop - 50 minutes with cool down - 550 calories lost according to my heart rate monitor. Made me feel better about my cheat day that's for sure. So if I have time on my cheat day I will be running.

OOO NOTE: Today is one month in Maintenance...it's the day after cheat day so you aren't suppose to weigh and I usually don't...but I did...totally happy with seeing 162 (after a cheat day! woohoo)...I feel like I might be finding the groove (granted it's only been a month).

Thanks Ishbel! Way to go on your run! I bet you feel terrific.

I personally feel the HCG diet and replacement is a crock. Many clinics that offer ideal protein also offer the hcg diet. Really? We are going to take hcg, the pregnancy hormone? I just think that is pushing it. I know several people who did the hcg diet, lost a ton of weight really fast and have gained back every pound plus more. Just my opinion.

I am having a colonoscopy next Monday! Anyone else have one while on phase one? My directions say that I can have an ensure drink for break and lunch. Do you think an IP drink is perfectly acceptable?

Hi Ishbel,
No, I didn't follow phase 4 at all. My intention was to follow phase 3 as much as possible and so I took a boatload of bars and pudding pkts with me. However, the first night on the trip, I was in Paris and at an apartment we rented. We were exhausted and so went to a 3-4 local shops to get some food to have for breakfast and snacks plus take out dinner type food as the first night we were too tired to go out to dinner. So bought triple creme brie, pate, a few different salads (various veggie combos and two with seafood) bread, couple of bottles of wine. Also yogurt, coffee, milk (looked like heavy cream), OJ. Not good to leave for a vacation being as tired as we were but that's the way it went.

I didn't start drinking wine until the 4th night. After that had wine every night with dinner as well 1-2 wine tastings (which were quite liberal) every afternoon. I had lunch, oatmeal raisin cookie snacks, some fabulous french dinners and at that point I honestly wasn't thinking much about IP. I had just decided I would undo any damage I did when I returned. I did use the IP* bars as extra snacks and that was helpful as my hunger returned. We were on a cruise ship for a week of that time (Windstar line with finefoodandwinecruises.com as the host). Two wineries were featured on board and every afternoon and all evening there was free flowing wine (and free also, or included in this particular cruise anyway). There were maybe 5 featured wines every day and these seemed to coincide with the wine lectures they would have. My husband really loves wine, I like it but if pushed, prefer to have my food, especially dessert, if I have to make a choice. I did not make a choice on this trip - I just had it all. I did have large breakfasts as I would get up very early and be the first one in the DR. Ate yogurt with dried apricots, currants and walnuts in a greek type yogurt (it was in a large bowl, so could have been greek or french, didn't know, tasted like greek yogurt) and then when my husband joined me I would have some egg dish (steak fajitas omelet or eggs benedict) or oatmeal raspberry creme brulee and a chocolate croissant. It is a miracle I didn't gain a ton. Yes, we walked a lot.

It was a special trip - our 10th wedding anniversary, and we skipped so many anniversaries because we were working too hard...didn't take the time...

During the Italian portion of the trip I learned to enjoy biscotti dipped in dessert wine. Those are 2 things I didn't care for before, now have developed a taste for it.

I did feel guilty eating and drinking like this. Around day 12 I felt like my clothes were a little tighter. I really thought I gained a lot more. At home I work out 5X/week (2X with weights and 3X on powerplate - all with trainers so I can't slack off). So I think my body loosened up.

Sorry this is so long.

I had surgery in April and I asked for a non sugar saline solution. The one they were going to use had sugar, so you may want to check on that. My request caused a small uproar but they did honor it.

Hi Determined,
I was wondering if it was a crock...could be...I was looking for info to indicate it was a scam, didn't find anything definitive, decided to give it a try, while doing IP. I post my weight every week so when I add that, I can easily track changes and anyone who wants to watch can. If it does work, especially in maintenance, that would be a godsend.

I did buy Dr Natasha Turner's book on Supercharged Hormone Diet, just to learn about hormones and diet. Will see what she says about these hormones in HCG. If worthless or harmful, will obviously stop right away. Will let you know how it goes.

GoodEatsandWine -- I just tried this recipe and it is very good! Thanks for sharing! It is healthy too!

I was looking online at the Carb Sensitivity Program and it doesn't appear that it is available as an ebook (Kindle). But, it won't kill me to order treeware. I also see that this author has another book being released on August 7 --The Carb Sensitivty Program: Discover Which Carbs will curb your cravings and control your appetite and banish belly fat -- http://www.amazon.com/The-Carb-Sensi...tivity+program -- which can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com. Personally I battle with the belly -- even when I am goal.

Thanks for sharing this shake! I think I will try some chocolate stevia instead of the vanilla tonight. =)

Oh dear, I never even thought of the sugar in the saline solution. I am not one to cause an uproar and we are a very small hospital.

The uproar was because the 2 doctors and nurses wanted to know about IP and a couple of them were going to look into it for themselves as a result. It was a good uproar.

Also all hospitals and clinics should have this as they need it for those who cannot tolerate sugar (diabetics, etc.)

Oooooh, that kind of uproar! LOL, Ok, I will mention that I want a non sugar saline solution.