Bored
 

Only in week two an already I am bored silly with this meal plan… the diet is working and I want to be faithful but I am so so so bored of life without carbs & variety. Seriously considering a cheat day.

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
Only in week two an already I am bored silly with this meal plan… the diet is working and I want to be faithful but I am so so so bored of life without carbs & variety. Seriously considering a cheat day.

Try to Stay with the diet, the cravings will subside. I researched this forum and found several recipe links that offer tons of suggestions for changing things around cause i needed variety too.
Those recipes provided me the ways i needed to stay OP. I cheated once and it took me a week to get back on track with the weight loss. :hug:

I love carbs, which why I ended up here in the first place - I know that. However, I would say my biggest struggle is the lunch time veggies. I am not a veggie lover… especially not raw, which what lunch usually comes down to. The restricted IP packs are pretty much all good; however, the others are mostly not to my taste.. hate hate hate the soups, omelettes, and soy paddy's and they seam to be the only real meal like food…. sorry but pudding is not a meal. I don't want to be negative and I certainly don't want to quit but I am struggling today….. big time. Fort the record, I have tried recipes - still the same ingredients over and over

You're only at week two, there's LOTS of veggie recipes :) I couldn't have covered all the recipes in two weeks.

I hated veggies too but now I love them...find it odd to be without veggies now. I hated the same packets you do, never did try the chilli or spaghetti...:)

Have you ever tried making your own salad dressing…once I found one I liked I really stuck to it, I STILL love my salad and find it the thing I look forward to when I do my phase 1 day after a ‘free day’.

It's work to go through the effort of trying a recipe and seeing if you like it, deciding not and finding another one...but its worth it in the end.

I wouldn't have a cheat day just to have a cheat day cause you're bored. You're going to set yourself back a few days and could end up struggling the entire time you're on the diet.

Just my opinion, good luck to you!

Maybe.it time to try a different diet... Try atkins or even WW...

Not going to find much if any support here for a "cheat day" have you looked at the recipes in the sticky threads. There are so many it makes my head spin every time I look. My clinic will lend out the cook book too. I would think yours would too.

Certainly was not looking for support for a cheat day or a suggestion to give up and try another diet - was really really seeking encouragement. I will ask about the cook book at my clinic.

I'm the boring type and don't need much change but if you do the cook book is awesome. Very creative and most the stuff online and on Face Book is amazing. I just don't have the creativity in me. I like it quick and simple. Let us know what recipes you like best.

JackBsMom - What kind of food do you like? Are you a chocolate junkie, or a sweets in general type? Let me know and I'll throw you some suggestions. I actually do a shake for breakfast, drink some water, shake for lunch (or use Wonderslim Chicken veggie soup poured over veggies which I love) and a sliced cucumber throughout the afternoon to snack on. I'd happily get you some awesome recipes and just make it a simple link for you :)

Oh, and a cheat day can set you back by more than a week, so just imagine going back through week 1 again, yarg!

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
I love carbs, which why I ended up here in the first place - I know that. However, I would say my biggest struggle is the lunch time veggies. I am not a veggie lover… especially not raw, which what lunch usually comes down to. The restricted IP packs are pretty much all good; however, the others are mostly not to my taste.. hate hate hate the soups, omelettes, and soy paddy's and they seam to be the only real meal like food…. sorry but pudding is not a meal. I don't want to be negative and I certainly don't want to quit but I am struggling today….. big time. Fort the record, I have tried recipes - still the same ingredients over and over

Have you tried turning the pudding into a shake and adding some spinach? The spinach will only turn your shake green, but you will not change the flavor. Get creative if you want to be successful on this diet. Also only two weeks in is not enough of an investment to really make the cravings go away. I've been on this diet for 7 months now and it is so second nature to me. Of course I miss certain foods, but I know one day they will be there again.

Here's sending you lots of encouragement to keep OP! :hug:

I am a carb-lover just like you. I have been where you are and you WILL get through it. Have you checked out Finn Steven's FaceBook page of recipies? I have tried several of them so far and they are dynamite. I never liked spinach unless it was in a dip or creamy sauce. But I made his recipe the other night and loved it. Had a few times more since. Another veggie I absolutely can't stand is cauliflower. But he has a recipe on there for a "fried rice" made out of it. I'm going to omit the egg since I'm still only a few weeks in, but I'm going to make it tonight. I'll let you know how it is :D

The fact that you are on this journey, on this plan, and on this forum means that you are ready for a change. Don't let momentary thoughts of cheating mess up your hard work! You can do it!! :carrot:

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
Certainly was not looking for support for a cheat day or a suggestion to give up and try another diet - was really really seeking encouragement. I will ask about the cook book at my clinic.

Maybe say that in your post then? :) Sorry if you didn't find what you needed but you did say "seriously considering". :hug:

But I have to say that I really really had to work at finding a groove. It was daunting at the beginning when I disliked veggies...but I was determined to find something I liked. The VIP (my bf) is still amazed that I can pack away 4 cups of veggies a day. He hates veggies. It took me a LONG time, I roasted them for a while and would go back to roasting them when I found myself bored of my fabulous salad that I love. Also, cucumbers in vinegar with some dill and chili peppers is a change as well. It's worth a really good search and some planning, you could also journal your feelings towards each veggie recipe you try. THEN, in a few months try them again. I used to HATE brussel sprouts...I TOTALLY love them now! YUMMO!!

The cravings will be there, not gonna lie...it's just a heck of a lot easier to ignore them in ketosis and if you have some strategies (ie, tea/cleaning/walking/reading etc.). I once vacuumed for 45 minutes cause I wanted to eat everything in the fridge. lol

Raise your hand if you've ever stared at a box of stovetop for longer than thirty seconds since joining IP and though "Is it worth it? Am I really not stronger than a box of prepackaged dehydrated bread and sage? Really?" or similar thoughts to other ready-made carbohydrate bombs? I know my triggers, I'm not certain even once I hit phase 4 that I'll be able to eat them in moderation, which sucks-es-es-es just saying. The one blessing, chocolate is not a trigger...downside, peanut butter is...

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - you're right, I should have stated that I was looking for encouragement. 3FC has gotten me to day 10 and I greatly appreciate you all.
Can I do the spinach in two shakes a day? Can you taste in in regular chocolate shakes or should I use pudding? I really don't mind doing two shakes a day some days when I am working.
Thanks for the Facebook suggestion too - great ideas.
As for food I like that are OP - IP food wise I love the cap, vanilla, and chocolate shakes, mostly all bars, crispy cereal (& the crispy cereal pancake), oatmeal, jello, and the ridges & zippers. Don't really love pudding as a pudding but am open to suggestions for using it in a recipe. Have not tried the chilli or spaghetti. Other food wise I love chicken, steak, eggs, roast (is this even allowed?), lean hamburger (mmm, big mac salad), salmon, spinach, lettuce, orange bell peppers, dill pickles, celery and mushrooms.
With that being said I have never tried a lot of the proteins listed.

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
Only in week two an already I am bored silly with this meal plan… the diet is working and I want to be faithful but I am so so so bored of life without carbs & variety. Seriously considering a cheat day.

I just made Pankcakes with cereal and oatmeal- very good!

There is also one recipe that uses shredded zucchini that would help you get your veggies in.

Same thing with Muffins. My downfall is eating the entire tray, since a recipe makes 12 (you get 6).

Also, I turn ALL my puddings into frosty shakes. You could easily add spinach into a smoothie and blend it all up. I LOVE adding decaf instant coffee into the shakes- so yum!

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - you're right, I should have stated that I was looking for encouragement. 3FC has gotten me to day 10 and I greatly appreciate you all.
Can I do the spinach in two shakes a day? Can you taste in in regular chocolate shakes or should I use pudding? I really don't mind doing two shakes a day some days when I am working.
Thanks for the Facebook suggestion too - great ideas.
As for food I like that are OP - IP food wise I love the cap, vanilla, and chocolate shakes, mostly all bars, crispy cereal (& the crispy cereal pancake), oatmeal, jello, and the ridges & zippers. Don't really love pudding as a pudding but am open to suggestions for using it in a recipe. Have not tried the chilli or spaghetti. Other food wise I love chicken, steak, eggs, roast (is this even allowed?), lean hamburger (mmm, big mac salad), salmon, spinach, lettuce, orange bell peppers, dill pickles, celery and mushrooms.
With that being said I have never tried a lot of the proteins listed.

If you like the oatmeal try the oatmeal crisp with rhubarb (that's considered a veggie too)...also make your salad with all those veggies...if you're a salad lover. I also put radishes, red cabbage, fresh parsley, red onion, green onion to make it REALLY colourful.

There is Kale Chips...didn’t find them filling but an idea when you want 'chips'. Also, Pampered Chef has a microwave chip maker you could make zucchini chips with or even radish chips. Haven't tried it but heard people rave about it….lots of options you just have to try them.

Yes roast is allowed...I googled meat rubs to keep me interested in different options for cooking meat. You'll re-learn to cook mostly! :)

Finn Steven's recipe for his meatloaf is really really really good. It incorporates a cup of shredded zucchini and you dont even know that it is in there!!! My DH wants me to make another batch to freeze so there ready to eat whenever he wants one!

It is hard to make the mental shift that food is not our entertainment.

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
Can I do the spinach in two shakes a day? Can you taste in in regular chocolate shakes or should I use pudding? I really don't mind doing two shakes a day some days when I am working.

As for food I like that are OP - IP food wise I love the cap, vanilla, and chocolate shakes, mostly all bars, crispy cereal (& the crispy cereal pancake), oatmeal, jello, and the ridges & zippers. Don't really love pudding as a pudding but am open to suggestions for using it in a recipe. Have not tried the chilli or spaghetti. Other food wise I love chicken, steak, eggs, roast (is this even allowed?), lean hamburger (mmm, big mac salad), salmon, spinach, lettuce, orange bell peppers, dill pickles, celery and mushrooms.
With that being said I have never tried a lot of the proteins listed.

You can have 3 shakes a day if you want! I LOVE them, you can't taste the spinach - but it is green. I have used chocolate & vanilla both drinks and pudding in the shake and they turned out great. I use a full size cuisinart blender, throw in ~2 handfuls looseleaf spinach, 2 cups coffee or water, 2 cups ice - blend @high ~90-120 seconds - then add in pudding or drink and blend another ~60 seconds (I pulverize spinach first then add IP or else gets too frothy for my personal taste). I bet capp would be tasty too.

You can also make pudding cakes or muffins w/or w/out shredded zucchini in the mix, zucchini apples, rhubarb crisp w/crispy cereal or oatmeal , rhubarb spread for pancakes, I roast garlic & cauliflower (w/a little celery) and blend up with some chicken buillion, salt, & pepper for mashed fauxtatoes, roasted&blended garlic-poblano-bell pepper-jalapeno w/some chicken stock for spicy veggie soup, turnip fries, kale chips.

These are all my favorites, I wasn't a big veggie eater before and just about the 2-3 week mark I needed to find ways to mix things up after "powering through" the initial hazing period!

Get some miracle noodles and make spaghetti or stir fry....we love them!

Try the wf BBQ sauce. It is also good.

Think of what you used to like and figure out how to make it low carb. I love mashed cauliflower...who knew?!

Finally, try to look at food as fuel. Every meal shouldn't have to be gourmet. It should satisfy your hunger and keep you going. Sometimes it might be boring...but a few spices, a little salt, etc can make a big difference.

Originally Posted by salmongirl:
It is hard to make the mental shift that food is not our entertainment.

Wow, that is truly a profound statement. And 100% accurate.

Since you've just started I think it's reasonable to feel how you're feeling. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right combinations of food that work for your lifestyle and tastebuds! Do you like hummus? I find it SO satisfying with raw veggies.

Good luck!! :)

my favs:
 

I've never posted--hope this works, trying to answer "bored" :)

you can take the wild berry yogurt mix it with crushed crispy cereal, add 1/2 tsp of baking soda, [divide mixture in half and save for another time] add 1/4c [2] egg whites and some water-cool in a pan-it makes a yummy pancake with the Walden Farms syrup and it's non-restricted!

Also--roast cauliflower with olive oil/ spray salt and pepper 400 for at least 40 mins I love it brown...

Cut turnips [hated them before this recipe] into fries, sprinkle with olive oil, salt/ pepper roast for 40 minutes - you will never want a regular french fry again!

I cheated - don't do it!

Thank you all so much.
We're not allowed hummus are we?

These are great thoughts (fromsalmon girl and mom2cs)to get me through the parties, bbqs, and happy hours-- think of food as fuel; and food is not for entertainment. I am going to be contemplating these thoughts as I host yet another dinner at my house.
The best tip of the week for me was everybody's suggestion to turn the puddings into shakes (I haven't tried the spinach yet, just adding more water). Wow, do I love these. It's like a rich and creamy milkshake--and filling too. Also, to alleviate boredom I suggest trying all the different products.

We are not allowed hummus (wish we were). I'm not sure about the other phases, but not in phase 1.

Originally Posted by TurboLaura:
Since you've just started I think it's reasonable to feel how you're feeling. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right combinations of food that work for your lifestyle and tastebuds! Do you like hummus? I find it SO satisfying with raw veggies.

Good luck!! :)

We can have hummus - on Phase 1? If so I missed that - cause I love hummus and definitely would look forward to having some.

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
Thank you all so much.
We're not allowed hummus are we?

Yes, if you make your own (commerical brands have tons of additives unless you can find hummus that would be IP allowable )
You just need....Roasted egg plant, roasted garlic, a little olive oil, a little lemon juice and a bit of sea salt....blend/puree it all together in Food processor and it makes for a wonderful veggie dip (remember to count the dip as part of your veggie allowance)or a spread for crepes. I've even stufffed a pork loin with this dip (roll/butterfly the pork loin out, spread dip on it, roll loin back up and bake) :dizzy: ...Yummo!!!

is that faux hummus then? because hummus is made with chickpeas which arent allowed on phase 1.

JackBsMom- I totally understand how you feel. I myself have had a hard time on this diet. In fact, i cant eat the packets mostly, because of all the artificial sweetner so my choices are even more limited. So....i totally understand...however.. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not cheat....I did it the first time i tried this program and not only regret it but it made it that much harder to stay on the program any other time. So far it has taken 6 times around before i have finally been able to make it this long without a cheat...I dont plan on cheating anymore...

Originally Posted by Porthardygurl:
is that faux hummus then? because hummus is made with chickpeas which arent allowed on phase 1.

JackBsMom- I totally understand how you feel. I myself have had a hard time on this diet. In fact, i cant eat the packets mostly, because of all the artificial sweetner so my choices are even more limited. So....i totally understand...however.. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not cheat....I did it the first time i tried this program and not only regret it but it made it that much harder to stay on the program any other time. So far it has taken 6 times around before i have finally been able to make it this long without a cheat...I dont plan on cheating anymore...

Yes you are absolutely right. It's called baba ghanoush. I've been making my own for years and DH refers to it as Hummus that I actually forgot...:o However, since Chick peas are not allowed this is actually a great substitute and fabulous for a pot luck!

I'm so sorry - I didn't realize that you weren't allowed hummus.

Roasting Cauliflower is a terrific way to enjoy it! I use a little cooking spray and salt and then into the toaster over for 15 minutes...it's fabulous!

Good luck and keep at it! :)

Originally Posted by JackBs Mom:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - you're right, I should have stated that I was looking for encouragement. 3FC has gotten me to day 10 and I greatly appreciate you all.
Can I do the spinach in two shakes a day? Can you taste in in regular chocolate shakes or should I use pudding? I really don't mind doing two shakes a day some days when I am working.
Thanks for the Facebook suggestion too - great ideas.
As for food I like that are OP - IP food wise I love the cap, vanilla, and chocolate shakes, mostly all bars, crispy cereal (& the crispy cereal pancake), oatmeal, jello, and the ridges & zippers. Don't really love pudding as a pudding but am open to suggestions for using it in a recipe. Have not tried the chilli or spaghetti. Other food wise I love chicken, steak, eggs, roast (is this even allowed?), lean hamburger (mmm, big mac salad), salmon, spinach, lettuce, orange bell peppers, dill pickles, celery and mushrooms.
With that being said I have never tried a lot of the proteins listed.

I tried the spinach in a shake today!! I put one cup in the blender with a vanilla drink package, water, some ice and just one drop of mint extract. I could not taste the spinach at all so I added a second cup of spinach and still drank it down to problem it was very filling too.

I had never been a fan of cucumber but it was a very easy veg so I decided to give it a second chance I cut it into spears and shake just a little sea salt on them and now its my favorite snack.

On days when I am more hungry (usually right before TOM) I will eat my restricted in two parts so it feels like I am having more, this works especially well with the zippers.

A typical day for me is crispy cereal for breakfast, dill pickle zippers and a salad for lunch (cucumbers, red & yellow peppers and lettuce with a dressing made from half white vinegar half EVOO) then for supper it could be steak, chicken, pork or salmon with stir fried veggies (peppers, mushrooms, some times zucchini) or steamed broccoli and/or cauliflower.

I have a shake either around 4 in the afternoon if I'm working and having a late dinner, or around 8 or 9 if I'm off and can have dinner earlier.

It took me a long time to not want to cheat. Hang in there it will get better/easier. I feel great and I'm having so much fun shopping at the "regular size" stores... it makes it all worthwhile


Good Luck!!!:hug:

Hey there! Saw your message from an earlier thread...

I started IP the second week of march and hit my goal on May 18th! I started IP having lost 10 pounds on my own over a year ago. I am currently entering my second week of Phase 2!

You're early into the program, so give yourself some time.

There is no reason to get bored. Every week, try a new vegetable, a new IP packet, a new recipe or a new spice. Add fresh parsley or cilantro or basil to all kinds of stuff. There are tons of recipes specific to using IP packets.

Remember, there is still alot you can do with the stuff we are allowed to have. One thing IP forced me to do was get back into cooking from scratch. Ironic, considering we eat packets everyday, but...you are forming long term habits and tastes that will serve you well the rest of your life. Even when you phase off IP, you'll need to eat carefully, or you'll end up right back where you started, so embrace this and be creative!

Good luck and never give up!

I know that this isn't really IP-ish, but there are a few alternative companies out there that sell VERY similar products and it can help change it up a bit, they even have a candy bar that is a -mazing, restricted but an awesome treat to have once and a while. The thing to remember is, ONCE in a while, not TWICE, I sometimes forget the not twice part because it's so good.

Originally Posted by staceyjblack:
Hey there! Saw your message from an earlier thread...

I started IP the second week of march and hit my goal on May 18th! I started IP having lost 10 pounds on my own over a year ago. I am currently entering my second week of Phase 2!

I just want to say: you look FANTASTIC!!! Feels good at goal I bet!!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...x-finland.html

Check out this thread.

Seems like you have been given some great suggestions :) I really hit the boredom point as well for me what has helped the most was : Kale Chips when I need something salty or just an easy veggie to get in (I actually do a lot of kale because its so easy and non-veggie to eat) ... Love the mugcake recipe that is on here using the chocolate drink - felt like a cheat and honestly broke up my routine quite a bit ... and the cauliflower "fried rice" is SO YUMMY - and you can get all 4 cups of your veggies that way easily I throw in whatever stir fry type veggies I have and left over chicken - yummy and easy ( much easier than it seems it would be). Those 3 are my go to foods when I feel I am all saladed out lol!

Originally Posted by mompattie:
I just want to say: you look FANTASTIC!!! Feels good at goal I bet!!

Thank you! It's taking a little while for my brain to catch up to what my body looks like- but I'm starting to get there. I feel fantastic!