Help me restart!
 

I lost 75 lbs. two years ago with Ideal Protein, on my own. I don't have a center nearby. I wasn't quite at my goal - still needed to lose 25 lbs, but I looked and felt soooo much better.

I had to take iv solumedrol (steroids) and gained 25 lbs. slowly over 8 months. My appetite was out of control. I didn't go hog wild over carbs bc I have that ingrained now. But, I added lt. ranch, almonds, too much shredded cheese to salads, dk. chocolate a few times per week, occasional whole grains a few times per week. etc. I know what I need to cut and what I need to do. My willpower isn't quite there yet. I had fantastic willpower when I followed Ideal Protein principles 100%, I guess it was bc I was in ketosis.

So, I would like to lose the 25lbs. as a first mini goal and then the last 25lbs. to be at my goal. I am hovering at a little over 200 and I'm 5'8". I cannot exercise bc I'm mobility impaired, and I have very little muscle strength.

Any encouragement or advice to get kickstarted would be appreciated! I will read the threads about substitutes to save money. I use all Diet Direct products that line up with Ideal Protein nutrition, but are much less expensive... Here is my line up, I am getting ready to start up again...

2 eggs for breakfast with black coffee
Wonderslim chili or pudding/shake packet for lunch
romaine lettuce/bell peppers/onion for snack
Chicken or fish with vegetables for dinner
Wonderslim pudding/shake packet for evening snack

Well you already know that you can do it, you've proven that to yourself; and knowing where you got off track is also a big plus! I haven't heard of or used the wonderslim products, I use a lot of Protidiet and proti-thin products. Good luck to you!

You have come to the right place. There is lots of encouragement and support here. You know you can do it. You have done it before. You have already taken the first step to start your journey back.

Good luck!

You have got this!!! You know already that week one is the hardest, and that this is nothing more than a challenge of willpower and mental strength!

Stick to it and remember - eat to LIVE, not live to Eat!

GOOD LUCK!

Good luck NLC! I am restarting today as well. I was taking a summer break as we live near the shore and entertain alot during the summer. Well, I've slowly gained 4 lbs. over the last 2 months so I want to lose that and 6 more. I am using alternatives this time and am going to try to do it on my own without the coaching. Will check in here daily - all of these wonderful ladies are such great motivators!

Thanks so much everyone. I've made it through almost half of the first day back on track. I should be in ketosis in a few days and that will help the willpower a lot. :)

you can do it:carrot::carrot::carrot:Your jumping right back in the saddle and you're going to get it done.

I restarted on monday after being off IP since Dec. I put weight back on that i never want to see again! We can do this!!! We know IP works
I am using all alternative products this time
Good luck to all!

I too need help restarting. I have not been consistently on the program starting July 3 when I had a slice of a co-workers b-day cake, then my excuse was July 4th desserts, went to the state fair and had some smoked turkey leg, then turned around and ate a corn dog, then we had another cookout the following weekend not so bad not totally off, went to a few movies and had popcorn, then I went on a binge after my not so good weigh in, 4 straight days of having one meal off plan (including part of a funnel cake with ice cream), Called myself getting back on plan, but I ate some rotisserie spare ribs, threw that up because my stomach couldn't digest all of that grease. Swore I was going to get back on plan and went out to have a last meal of Nachos, followed by a McDonald breakfast of a sausage biscuit and hash brown which I didn't enjoy. Swore again that I was going to be OP, went all day 100% OP, went to the local Italian restaurant and ordered grilled salmon and broccoli rabe. Why did I eat the 3 small homemade bread rolls??? What is wrong with me? I need to get back to the place I was when I first started and stuck to the plan. I don't know how! I have had great success with the program and I know that I know that I know, once I am in ketosis that I won't have all of these cravings. Maybe I have gotten comfortable at my current weight, now that I can wear a size 14 in a regular store. I still have 45-50lbs to lose. If this plan doesn't work for me, I don't know what will. This is my last hope. I am feeling that I need therapy.

I was thinking that maybe I would take a break and then start again.

I am in this spiral of being on plan and cheating, beating myself up starting again, then sabotaging myself somehow.

For those that are 100% OP, please let me know how you do it.:dizzy:

I've only been on the plan for 5 weeks. But what I admire about your post, is just that...you posted, and not only that you included all the gory details. You can do this thing.

I do it because I committed to doing this. It helps that I want to do it, because I value my health, because I love knowing every day I'm getting my body in better and better condition even when the scale doesn't move or my clothes aren't feeling any looser. I know the loss in pounds and inches is coming, maybe in the next hour. I know I can only do this 1 day at a time, 1 minute at a time. I do not worry that in 5 minutes I will cheat. I simply expect that I will stay OP. If I have anything off program, it might be a little extra protein but then I typically work out 5 times a week, 2 of those are pretty intense and I've been exercising for a while (years) so not exercising would be difficult (have back and body injuries which require I keep strong to stay painfree or as close to that as possible.)

I think timing is important in starting a diet and being able to commit to it. If you aren't ready, you will waffle and put yourself through misery starting, cheating, stopping, starting, etc.

You know what to do and how to do it. When the time is right, do it and don't look back. Keep looking forward, expect the best of yourself, love yourself, you are worth it, but you have to believe that and want to be healthier and weigh less.

When I started, I refused to go out to eat for the first month. I would entertain at home, using a carefully crafted menu. Be careful who you hang around with, your environment - if you're not strong - can sway you easily into doing something that's not for your ultimate good.

Thanks so much for this advice. Since my post, I have been on plan. I think admitting my sins did me alot of good. I also ordered some emotional overeating self help books.

Hello everyone,

Everybody who is struggling to re-start like me, please join us on the thread I created "Home of the Re-Starters" where we could encourage each other.

We can do this.

Good luck.

You should also consider a little extra fat. I also am an intense exerciser, and I have found that I always have more energy and lose better when I add either more fat (ie a little extra oil or 1 tbsp butter) or ensure I eat fattier protein choices. Plain chicken breasts and white fish just don't seem to cut it.

This became even more helpful as I got closer to goal as my body fat is fairly low. I think the body needs fat to release stored fat!

I've gained back 10 lbs since I finished out my Ideal Protein weight loss program!
 

Please help! I am so discouraged with myself......I did the ideal Protein diet for 7 months and lost 40 lbs. As soon as Phase 4 started I began gaining weight back due to my own bad choices and now 10 lbs heavier :-( I really feel it and I have gone off the bandwagon terribly. I cannot afford to get on the actual program again buying the products. Any alternatives? I know the I.P protocol works but the $$ isn't in the budget. I want to get this back in control before it gets too overwhelming. Any encouragement and suggestions is MUCH appreciated. I don't want to keep taking steps backwards. Sometimes I feel like I have forgotten eveything I learned..... I am thankful I can reach out to understanding people. :-)

Are you planning on doing IP or Alternatives?

There are exercises you can do on limited mobility - here's three links to get you started. Google "exercise for limited mobility fitness" (with the quotes) and you will get pages of results to peruse:-

HelpGuide, Sparkpeople 11 minute chair exercises and 4 limited mobility workouts.

I understand were you are coming from! Let me just say this. YOU are WAY ahead of the game if you start NOW!

Two years ago I lost 50lbs on IP. I wasn't quite finished, but I looked and felt good, so I just quit. Well fast forward two years and what do I have to show for it? I have gained back all of the weight I lost + more! It took me a long time to gain the motivation to lose again, but I've started back on the program and I am already starting to feel better. I also don't have the money for "IP", so I am using a-lot of alternatives from Wal-mart. The body fortress powders are good, just use 2/3 of a scoop to make sure they are within the IP guidelines. Also, Hydroxycut makes "lean protien" bars that are so delicious!

I hope you are able to get started, summer's just around the corner if you need a little more motivation :)

Good Luck with your restart! :hug:

Twess1
 

I've been there many times myself. Something inside you has to say enough is enough. I'd hit the bottom because of an event like not being able to fasten the seatbelt on a kiddie ride when my kids were small but it still wasn't enough. My IP coach said so much of this is being mentally tough. I'm in my fourth week now on IP and believe it or not, that keeps me going. You know you can do it! Stay strong!

I am in the same boat..lost 25 pounds last year and now I am trying to lose 10 of the pounds that I have gained back. My sweet tooth is out of control!
I am starting today,alternative also. I like Pure protein bars as my restrictive,I havent found anything for my lows yet,I think I will do a Pure protein shake..although I am not a fan of any shakes.
I have started and stopped this so many times in the last few months,I am determined to stick to it this time and phase off properly.

This is me to a T. It's been two years now since I was successful on IP. Since then I have started and failed more times than I can count. Usually can't even make it past two weeks... I was one day short of two weeks on the 2nd of May, and then I slipped again. Here's to hopefully the FINAL time being on IP. Summer is quickly approaching and I'm sick of feeling self-conscious!

This is a great thread ... I am on day 2 of alternative IP. I reached my goal on IP a few years ago and over time began stress eating here and there ... my DNA is made to gain from carbs ... As I regained I felt more and more out of control.

Here I am now, only in day 2 after having started many times before. The difference is the support of the 3FatChicks forum and my coming to terms with reality. The reason IP is easy after the first few days is that it removes the option to binge and stress eat. I have been afraid to commit to it 100% because I honestly did not want to stop eating whatever I wanted, when I wanted it. This "fed" depression and made me feel even MORE tired. A vicious cycle.

To fix the emotional eating (or at least tame it) I have found some solid hobbies (writing, gym, art, movies) and oddly enough, COOKING. My Mom always said "we get to choose joy or negativity" and I know she is right. I can choose something else besides binging/debilitating myself by breaking the cycle EACH DAY. I will use this time of 100% IP to get regrounded in good health and mind.

You can do it!!
 

Hello IP friends-

I am a restarter also (this is my 3rd time around). I am very close to the end and let me tell you all, it is SO worth it. I feel great. My clothes fit. I like the way I look in the mirror. I can walk around in a bathing suit with confidence.

I have tried so many diets and this in the only one that works for me. You can do this. You know the diet so make it work for you. For me, restarting was so difficult. I had to commit 100% because the Mondays (restarts and stalls) were adding up. So get rid of the bad food in your house. Get to the grocery store and get your veggies. Limit going out to eat. Keep busy- go for walks, read a book, watch a good movie.

Hang in there!!!

So true, Bootros!! And study up how to phase into maintenance and then realize that it's for life... no going back to bad old habits. Plan & commit to staying healthy once we get there.

:high:
Liana

Liana-
Congratulations on being in maintenance since March of last year. I am looking forward to doing it right this time. Do you do a full cheat day each week? What is your secret to keeping it off?