I phased-off IP and am just now getting back using alternate products this time. If alternate products don't work by next week, I'm going back to IP products because I'm ready to lose the weight. My signature pic is my new starting weight of 173 lbs.


Sandra, white knuckle it through the temptation. Here's something to keep in mind, losing fat releases estrogen. The estrogen release may do crazy things to your menstruation cycle. See this heavy flow as an aspect of the weight loss and a symbol that you're healthier than you were and getting healthier each day that you stay OP. Stay strong!!! We're with you on this!

Sandra. why do you have stuff around that you shouldn't be eating?
Best way to avoid temptation is not to have the bad stuff there.

I know you mentioned before your hubby is very health conscious so he shouldn't mind not having stuff you can't eat in the house.

If there are things he can eat but you can't why not store them separately out of sight?


Pat

Hi
I guess I would qualify as a re-starter, I started the IP program in late May and stayed on perfectly until late June. During that month I lost 16 lbs. then we went out of town for a month and I didn't stay on plan very well. The good news is that I only gained back one lb. I was shocked and happy that it wasn't more. Now I am ready to jump back into the program and get about 25-30 more pounds off. I weigh in on Mondays so wont know until then how I'm doing.
It's great to find a group of re-starters to check in with and share the ups and downs (no pun intended!) of weight loss!

Good idea!! It is just that I am uncontrollable! I am ashamed of what I ate (and I ate a lot) ! God! I hate myself sometimes I crave everything that is bad, mostly sweets but also, all kind of carbs such as corn, potatoes, bread, etc.

Thanks for the encouragement

If anything a heavy Tom requires more red meat.
Consider doing some phase 2 days to get yourself on track and then go back to phase 1. You know this will work of you stick to it.

I agree- rid the house of temptation and refocus on the things you can have and that you like!

Hello Pat,

I am not quite sure why at some points I get so stupid and uncontrollable when it comes to food choices!!

My husband is health conscious indeed, but that doesn't mean that he deprives himself of whatsoever he likes, but he works out intensively so he burns a lot, he is so devoted to training, he is at the gym most of his free time.

Here is a picture of both of us from last Sunday while camping, you can see his muscle definition while you can see all my rolls of fat.

Welcome to the group you can do it!

Sandra, you look very toned and firm even at your current weight. You will be a knock-out at your goal weight. Keep going!

Thanks for the encouragement I really need it! This is why I cried for help, cause I really need encouragement, so big thank you

This is a great thread. I am on the cusp of possibly maybe sorta re-starting but maybe not.

I realize that the reason I would not is largely because I am not at the same point I was at late last year. Late last year and in years prior I was disgusted with myself. I had it. I was tired of feeling tired. I did not like lifting up my pant leg to tie my shoes. And I really did not like my reflection in store front windows.

Well, you shrink down, you buy cuter clothes, you start checking yourself out in the window, yes it's all about vanity. And even if you put on a little it can become easier to rationalize because you are not where you were at during that point of total frustration and total devotion and focus on getting better.

I do believe the motivation is so much more powerful when you are 123% in on this and this is all you want and you dream about it and you daydream and you window shop and you check out the mannequins wondering if... When I committed in Dec. I did such a huge food dump it made me sick but I did it and every single tip on this web site I followed. If someone said get this salt I did or do that or this. I became obsessed. I was in it. I was in it till the end.

Now, this is not my normal nature. I am lazy, easily distracted and am not big on commitment. But, i wanted this and I wanted to see it through and all the other success stories motivated me. I saw it was doable and if I followed their path I could get there.

Lately, I have been enjoying some of the good feelings you get from carbs. They are super addictive, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I rank them up there with caffeine and booze (which is a carb) It takes over. But, it's a bad lover. Don' let it woo you again and make you feel good and all kinds of things ( I want to keep this g rated...)

You have power over this but until you get to the point where you are 110% I think frustration will be the main feeling you deal with instead of the euphoria from seeing smaller numbers on the scale and trying on smaller clothes.

I hope I am not being harsh. please understand this is as much for anyone out there as it is for me. I'm trying to stop myself before I get back to where I need to restart but it's hard. It's really, really, really, really hard. Veggies. Blecht. It's hard. Water. Oh crap. Did I drink any? It's hard.

So for those of you who are 110%, do this. Grab it by the horns and do this. Make it happen. You know how. The rest like me either need to dial it back quickly or hit 100% and soon. These carbs have a way of poofing you out before you know it and stretch jeans only stretch so far.

You are really well proportioned. I have never been able to wear a two piece; not that i would at my age. But if I did now at 130 pounds I'd still expose a very blubbery mid-riff. You will lose it much smoother.

I meant to mention this in another thread. That dress looks fantastic on you, very classy with the shoes too.
Pat

Hello all, thanks for being here on this board. I want to join this board because I started IP the first time May 2008 and by December had lost 67 lbs. I too went off on a Christmas breask and never returned. I gained all but 14 lbs back. So so sad. And miserable. What is so sad id knowing how great I felt to be under the 300 mark and under the 275 mark but then, boom, it crept up on me again. And I know what to do, lived it, breathed it, etc. So now I just have to stick with it. Holidays and all. Thank you my friends for your support, I know I will get it here.

Welcome to this thread, we can do it together

Hi All - getting ready for my 2nd WI tomorrow. I so happy that I restarted IP and am looking forward to weighing myself tomorrow. Since I'm doing all alternatives, I'm tracking my own weight measurements.

Sandra - keep with this program! We know this works! I purged my house of all junk before I started this and that has helped enormously, hopefully, you can do the same thing.

Have a great Friday.