I agree. Plus, I KNOW how grains affect me, but never took the time to single out fruit or legumes or other carbs (rice, quinoa, starchy veggies) to see if they affect me negatively. That is why I want to try the phases so I can compile MY list of eat do's and don't's.

What I found hard on IPs phase 4 is the combinations of fats carbs etc at different meals. With CPS I see what can be eaten in a day and can arrange it according to my own preferences. I know I can't handle most grains and dairy so don't want to cut out any other things if it is not necessary.

Right Jenny, it is easier to make own own personal list of dos and don'ts. I already have a mental list of don't and don't want any thing on there that doesn't really need to be.

Pat

And that's important. Really, important. That book is not available in the states yet but I did download The Hormone Diet on my Kindle. I was just talking with a friend about food issues and sensitivities. And we all have so many and need to experiment. Unfortunately when it comes to health it's not one size fits all.

Last year I lost weight and I had no idea how. In retrospect it was mostly stress. But, I believe there was a connection between my morning mango and weight loss. When I saw the same buttery manoges in the stores a month or so ago I wanted to try them. They are seasonal, not like the reddish green ones we see often. Those don't have the same effect. It was the small yellow ones. I would eat one or two every morning. They were not stingy so I did not need floss and I was just walking around eating off the seed. I think sometimes I would follow later with my breakfast smoothie but not always. Now, here's the other weird thing, some mornings I had corn. Yes, corn on the cob. Part of this was because I was staying with family and this was something a relative did and encouraged me to try. Since I did not want to waste the food I tried and it was good. Similar to the mango both were very much in season this time of year. I'll tell you this. There was a direct correlation between bathroom time and those mangoes. Sometimes I had them in the evening. All I know that over a month I lost weight without doing anything.

There are no rules out that I know of that says have a super sweet fruit alone in the morning and I have never heard of corn on the cob for breakfast. So many discourage corn for different reasons. But, that combined with stress and constantly being on the move worked. I can say when I returned home, so did the weight.

I bet there are going to be foods that every rule in the books says to stay away from and some of us will do beautifully with them. And there will be other 'good for you foods' that wreck havoc on our systems. I wish there was a blood test that spits out a list of foods to avoid and foods to limit.

I felt, all through this diet, that there was not enough fat for me. So things seemed better once I upped my oil intake and ate fattier meats. Sticking to lean meats and the required oil was just too restrictive for me. It's part of the reason why I chose full fat yogurt. It was just not for taste. I drank almond milk. Next time I will try half and half while on P1. I have a feeling it won't be an issue. Brussels Sprouts, yes. Extra fat, no. But, that's just me.

Instead of packets, for my phase 1, I use half and half in coffee. Love it.got to the point where I cannot stand the vanilla rtd anymore- od'ed on it I think. Glad everyone is finding the resources and routines that work for each individual. For me, almost all carbohydrate rich foods- grains- fruits- you name it, trigger veracious cravings for more and more and more carbs.

Guys, for those of you on Phase 4, I found an amazing recipe for a very low carb peanut butter ice cream sundae! Yum :) It's only 5.2g of net carbs and the chocolate sauce has 1g net carbs!

Here you go: http://www.alldayidreamaboutfood.com...ndaes-low.html

:)

Paulimapi: Thanks for posting that recipe. It does look luscious. It always amazes me that I love love peanut butter and never get tired of it.
I made a tofu icecream but was not too excited about it!

Spent the day moving boxes from room to room. I probably will work this weekend as I can't stand the mess I will face on Monday!

Hi all
I am back from a carb loaded week in London! It is very hard to find quick "take away" low carb food while traveling! Eventually I just gave in and grabbed a sandwich while site seeing like everyone else!
I am surprised to only be up a couple of pounds. My legs are very swollen from the long flight home last night.that is the one side effect of carbs I hate the most-the water retention is brutal.

I hope to get back to phase 1 today...although my dh does not appear to have visited a grocery store since I left, so not much choice here! Today may be more lie a higher fat phase 2 day as I try to carb detox!

Glad to hear from you. I was wondering how your trip was going, sounds like fun. And so good to be up just a couple of pounds after being away. It is all that muscle you have been building up.

My mom is from Northern England and on my dad's side we are pure Canadian Scots. I had read one time that many people whose background is from nornthern England and the border area are obese although my mom isn't. I thought it was likely genetic due to the weather etc. But then I went into a food section of Marks and Spencers when they had them in Canada.
Holy fat and carbs Batman!!!
When I watch Coronation Street everyone seems to be going to the pup or the chippy for every meal.

So if you survived eating out as a tourist in England without major damage you will do fine any place I think.

Pat

There was definitely lots of walking in London, and it was sweltering! 28 c every day. I sweated so much!
Finding a green vegetable that wasn't mushy peas was difficult, even at expensive restaurants. I don't know how everyone isn't fat. Obviously they must eat at home more! We tried to, and I had an ip packet at breakfast every day, but things take do long to get to that we usually had to eat out as my dd, who is 7, would suddenly get hungry!
We are also very canadian scot! It amazes me that until last week I hadn't had a potato for a year!

Mushy peas. :p I don't even like regular peas.

I think my waist finally came down below 29. It has been hovering around 29" or 30" for a long, long time. But, my weight might be going up. I hope that is just TOM. I feel heavy.

This is my first day on 3 chicks with IP. I am rapidly closing in on phase 2, but am already anxious about maintaining my weight loss. I have so much trouble with my carb cravings; I truly feel addicted to them. I started reading your posts late this morning, and am still sitting heard processing your experiences and advice. I was intrigued by the CSP book I saw referenced so many times. I will be ordering that asap. I am already more hopeful of being successful with so many of you to lead the way.

I found the same when I went to England..hard to find green vegetables...but those fish and chips were excellent. I am glad things went well for you and you had a good time. I am leaving for a week trip next Saturday and think I will find the same thing as your when I return..the fridge will be empty as my dh will be doing orders to go.
Hope you feel better with your carb detox.

That is exciting about your waist being below 29 inches! It is hard when you feel heavy..I often feel that way if I am too full..TOM does not help.

I am in my 8th month of maintenance..and truly was a carb addict. You honestly feel better and will have better control after doing IP. Low carb eating has helped me remain stable..
Good luck on Phase 1.

SO! I made sure I had 7 days of maintenance before I had a free day just to see what my body would complain about, I had bread/pasta/rice and managed to fluctuate within 3 lbs for those 7 days.

THEN! I had my first free day and now know what you all mean by just having a nice 'free meal' LOL. It was nice to try things I haven't tasted in over a year but I did feel like crap and it did show on the scale a day after my one day of Phase 1. So I'm doing two days of Phase 1 this week and will keep it to a 'free meal'. I'm ok with that due to the fact that I felt like crap. AND I KNOW KNOW that you all had recommended it, but hey, had to learn on my own right? :D I think it was someone on here that said "maintenance is play, review, rewind, play"...:)

What I like is that I had my free day and bam, I was done...I like that I learned "ok, it's finished, fix it". I sincerely hope that my ability to play the mental game is still strong 8-24 months into maintenance.

Will it come down more after a Phase 1 day? Can't see how it would but thought I would ask.