Congrats and thx so much for all the great
Posts!!!
I'm near the end of my 2nd week, WI Tuesday.
We attended a bat mitzvah today, I did
much better than ever thought possible!
Had a IP bar & lots water between ceremony (2 1/2 hours long!)
and the reception, skipped hor'derves and
Pasta, had the chicken and veggies No rice!
No cake, tea with Splenda instead, stayed away from
My table when the choc cake came, best thing to do.
Had a great time, came home worked out, had a
IP shake and Sssooooo glad I didn't cheat!!
On any other program I would have had no willpower!!
Amazing just don't have the cravings!!
Well enjoy the rest of the weekend!!
Keep up all your great efforts and posts!!!

D

I have to ask.... Is anyone else having trouble with their bowel movements? I know it's not a fun topic but my coach had me do the novi cleanse after the holidays and ever since I cannot get my system back on track...I'm fine for a few days and then I'm backed up again and it's been going on for over 2 months!!!!! Help!!!! Any suggestions? I've done magnesium citrate but I have to take half the bottle before anything happens and I'm patient with it so idk what to do

Hi everyone,
I have been reading about all of you since I started IP 6 weeks ago and you definitely help keep me motivate by all your successes. This is also my first post so hope I am doing it right.
I am very happy with my success so far as I'm down 25.5 lbs and 15 or so inches. Haven't had any issues staying OP until I came to China for a business trip. I brought packets with me so I'm doing ok with those, but the meals are a challenge. Most of the time I don't have a choice of what food is ordered, but I'm making good choices when the food arrives. So far I've stayed away from fruit, known carbs and dairy but it is the hidden stuff that is scary. Language is such a barrier and even when I say plain or no french fries, I still get sauce or butter and french fries. I am really surprised by how un-tempted I am these days.
I decided before I left home that I would do the best I could during the trip and not beat myself up over the lack of control and probable weight gain during these 2 weeks. The hotel has scales in the bathroom so I weighed on day 1 and so far have stayed the same in kilograms. Some of the shirts I brought fit fine when I tried them on the week before I left, but are now too big. Maybe I'll just leave them here.
I have also been receiving the "love your hair" comments even though it has been the same color and style for the last 2 years. I just thank them and say I recently trimmed it. The people I work with here in China are very blunt with their comments and the compliment I have received the most is how I look younger than last time. I'll take that comment every day!
Enough rambling. It is already Sunday night here and almost time to go somewhere for dinner. Hopefully there will be no chicken feet on the table.

I'm not on Ideal Protein but I read all your threads as I am fascinated with the progress, knowledge and dedication you all have.

Does anyone know if the estrogen surge you get on the diet is for the whole time you are in Phase 1 or just in the beginning?

I tried to google online but got way too much information to sort through. I was hoping one of you might know off the top of your head.

Thank you!

I've been doing IP for 2 months and have lost 30lbs! I work from home so it's very easy for me to prepare and plan what I'm going to eat and when. This past week I had to go into the office for a few days for a conference, had a work dinner and a work party. Everything worked out so I thought I'd share what I did...

Work Party - I was able to bring some dishes to the party since it was at someones house so I brought shimp cocktail and a large veggie platter.

Shrimp cocktail: boiled shrimp in salted water with lemon and peppercorns. Served with cocktail sauce (horseradish, lemon and 1 carb heinz ketchup).

Veggie Platter: I made the following into stick size pieces: Carrots (which were not for me!), celery, baby zucchini, red pepper. Cut in half then diagional - english cucumbers. Blanched cauliflower and broccoli. Cherry tomatos...I made 2 dips that were not for me but I didn't mind. I could have brought my Walden Farms blue cheese dip but I decided not to, no one else would have liked it...

For lunch each day - I brought my lunch - salad and veggies (leftover from the platter) and an IP bar.

Buffett: I had salad with nothing (added some salt), chicken breast with mushrooms and string beans almondine (i just didn't eat the sliced almonds). I think that the string beans may have had some butter on them and I think that the sauce on the chicken probably wasn't 100% OP but, I figured it was small enough amounts that for this time, it was ok.

I also spoke to someone that had gastric bypass a few years ago...I asked how much weight he lost in the beginning - he lost 50lbs the first 6 months and 30 lbs in the first 2 months - SAME AS ME! IP is a wonderful choice!!

It is pretty much the entire time on IP. Your body stores estrogen in fat, so anytime you are losing fat rapidly this will happen.

The effects of the hormones varies though, and seem to lessen the longer you are on IP. I have to say that it is totally worth it. I'm feeling great, eating healthy and losing weight without feeling deprived. This has become a complete lifestyle change for me.

Down to my last 19 pounds to lose, and boy it is slow going. That scale is just not budging! My focus this coming week is on getting past this hump -- no extra splenda, lots of water and decaf green tea, trying to be very careful with everything!

WHAT A GORGEOUS DAY I woke up with a large lab jumping on the bed (me). After two cups o' coffee, I'm ready to rock it today The boys are heading to Bass Pro Shop So Mamma will be cleaning up the house a bit

: HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL :

Quick question,
When you are measuring out your 8oz protein you measure it raw but how do you figure out your portion of a roast?

If possible weigh the roast before and after so you can figure out how many oz it loses while roasting.

Otherwise you can just measure about 6.5-7 oz after cooking. It should be close enough.

Thank you, I love just putting a frozen roast in the crockpot on a Sunday for an easy family dinner. It probably wouldn't weigh properly frozen either I suspect so I'll go with the 6.5 oz to be on the safe side.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Thank you very much, Ragdoll. Very helpful.

Wait a minute!! Estrogen surges? I am missing something here.

Have you noticed if you are really irritable, overly sensitive or any issues with TOM?

Hi, everyone hope your all having a great weekend. I am at work so thought i would caught up on the boards while it was slow here. I'll have to give hot tea a try when I am feeling hungry usually I drink more water but that only lasts so long.