Lisa gave some great advice on this. I always plan ahead for these and it helps if I'm the one hosting so I have a little more control over what's served. But for the last family barbecue, I had lettuce burgers, a big salad and some veggies while my family had regular burgers and potato salad. My mom had brought some dessert slices so while they had theirs, I had a strawberry wafer so I didn't feel left out. It's totally doable.

That's awesome! My son and I were at an amusement park a couple of weeks ago and he had a funnel cake, pizza, ice cream...I had a big pickle on a stick

I've also seen them deep fry them for a bit then stick them in the oven, yikes! I personally think it would be okay as an "emergency" meal - just not something to rely on regularly but you might want to check with your coach.

Have a fabulous trip!

Happy Wednesday all! Stayed up late reading Margaret Atwood's new book last night <yawn>. Then my son had left the cat treats out on the kitchen island and one of our darling cats was trying to get into it at 5 this morning - make a huge amount of noise of course!

Going to WI today, only 5 days since my last WI so not expecting anything huge but I do feel pretty good. Had so much energy yesterday - finished cleaning out the spare room, moved the stuff to the basement, painted a wall, cut the grass, did a bit of weeding, sweated like crazy since it was so hot out. Oh and drank about 3 - 16oz bottles of water after 8:30 last night!

Have a great day everyone!
Jo

Good luck!! I know you have been planning this phase off for a while and I hope it works well for you. Have a great trip and try to forget about IP while enjoying French cuisine! I know I did

I totally understand what you are saying here. I think we all experience a whiney day or two on program. I know I certainly have days were I am near having a temper tantrum because I just. don't. want. to. anymore.!! I had a plan for my grand finale being in December based on my early-on weight loss (well, if I continue to lose 3 lbs. per week, I want to lose 80 lbs., that will take a little more than 6 months, so I should be at goal by December!) , but I'm realizing it doesn't work out quite that smoothly. I have to keep reminding myself (what my boyfriend says) that this is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Just keep swimming...

WI #11 down 3.6#

A total of 35 lbs and 21". Started jogging this morning, I absolutely loathe running/jogging but I am on a mission to support my kiddos in their athletic goals. I've agreed to jog, they have agreed to equaling me in push-ups/sit-ups/planks. We have a 5k in 1.5 weeks, if we all finish we'll go shopping

So glad it's not just me! And I do have a big old lady pill case, I love it!! Though, I'm thinking of converting my AM pills to little baggies, so I can bring them to work with me. (Total aside, but due to my thyroid meds, I wait until lunch to take my AM pills.)

How does chicken meat have carbs in it? If you eat the white meat, you will be fine. They are generally injected with a salt brine, but we are not on a sodium restricted diet. I buy rotisserie chickens from Costco at least once a week and it has not slowed down my weight loss. They do not deep fry them at Costco.

Sorry you are going through this...it sucks. I just recently went through it myself and stool softners didn't help. They were too slow acting. My nutritionist had me use Senna and it worked. I took 3 pills and have a BM about 8 hrs later. Good luck!

Good morning all. Hope everyone is doing well. I am working away like a fool but staying OP. I missed veggies @ lunch yesterday due to a scheduling issue so I had 4 cups of salad last night. Man, that was a LOT of chewing but it tasted phenomenal. I think I was hungry.

I am a little bit saddened by the slowing of my weight loss over the last few weeks, but am happy to be getting closer to my goal - even if at 1.7-1.8 pounds per week. I suppose that, my beginner goals, made me feel like there was a chance I would be phasing off by now, but it's all good. Just have to keep plugging away....

I have been thinking about you and am sorry that you are having some pity parties. Hugs to go and tackle those last 6 - you are awesome!

I have been battling this pretty consistently over the last few months since starting IP. I take the Cal-Mag and mirror the doses with additional Magnesium and will also take smooth move tea 1-2x per week. Seems to do the trick most of the time for me, although I am nowhere as regular as I previously was.

That's a tough convo to have but congrats on having it! I brush my teeth alot anymore (toothbrush at the office even) and bought a natural breath spray.

Congrats!!

I am also on thyroid meds for my underactive thyroid.. my coach said the AM ones were fine with my meal because they didn't have any calcium in them, so when I took the lunch ones it would be past that 3-4 hour time period and the calcium would absorb like it should. I usually take my synthroid right when I wake up. I have my coffee and usually have a late breakfast.. so far it seems to be working out well! I am waiting to buy my old lady pill case ... I think I ordered one on groupon or amazon.. and don't want too many laying around the house.. but maybe you can't have too many.. can always do a few weeks in advance!

Thank-you so much. I'm still in shock that it REALLY happened. Just came from visit with my Internist and she feels it is OK if I go on for a few more pounds to put me lower in my ideal weight range....which will give a buffer for transition to maintenance and those glycogen stores adding a few pounds back. I'll be hangin' around for a while yet!

My IP site sells them...but I believe you can find them at the drug store too...I take2 150 mg capsules ..usually in the AM. for a day or two if necessary. Usually it works same day and I only find the need to do once it every 2-3 weeks.

Well.. the Dr. visit went well...she said I can safely lose a few more pounds before phasing off. She was very supportive and happy with my success so far. She ordered PT eval for some strength training and core strengthening because there is a family history of hip problems and she is a firm believer a lot has to do with a person's core strength and the way one walks! Now that I'm thinner she wants to have me evaluated and get me on a program to develop the hip and abdomen to the fullest. I appreciate her being proactive on that!

Freezing! I am so cold today. I am sitting in my office with a blanket on! Is this normal? I am on day 11, and I am usually a warm person. Why am I so cold!!!

It took me 97 days to lose the last 12 lbs. I stopped giving myself dates for meeting goal because they were counterproductive for me. I would lose motivation as the date approached and I wasn't at goal. I never cheated, but really made things harder on myself then they needed to be.

Woohoo - down 2.7lbs and 1.75" Not bad for only 5 days! Next WI will be in 6 days and then back to my regular WI day.

My poor coach is 38 weeks pregnant and her central a/c broke last night. Really felt sorry for her with our over 100 degree feeling weather - she said she was happy to go work today!

Jo

I used the Calcium drink too and it worked wonders Good Luck

Pep talk:
The best parts of summer are NOT the food!
The best parts this year are your smaller clothes and all the things you've been able to do since losing weight.

If you have diet fatigue, consider phasing off (2,3,4) and then back on. It helped me! (of course, I did mine for health reasons, but your mental health is a health reason, too!). It might boost your speed of loss, too!

My question is this: have you just "slowed down" or are you in pain?
If no pain, I wouldn't worry about it.
We are eating a LOT less so there will be less waste.
If you are having C pain, that is the time for intervention.

Read the label! My grocery injects & it is full of sugar!
We roast whole chickens instead or toss one in the crockpot (frozen!) in the am & its ready when I get home

I use breath spray (Binaca, etc as needed)