Hi, all! I started on October 1st, so this is day #13 for me. I have been 100% OP, and strangely, I haven't really struggled with it (knocking on wood here). It's weird how now I still think about food, but the cravings aren't 1/10th as overwhelming as they used to be. I used to feel consumed by food.....thinking about it, eating it, feeling guilty about it, and then thinking about when I'd get to eat it again. It was awful. It's so nice to not have to give it much thought. I think that's what I like best about this diet (besides the weight loss of course)...the way I don't have to overthink it most of the time. I just mix up a shake/soup etc and eat it. And I love being to eat a protein at night! I tried doing the Eat to Live diet for several months, and I missed meat terribly! I was a TERRIBLE vegan! lol

At my first weigh-in I'd lost 5.8 pounds, and I go for my 2nd weigh-in tomorrow. Obviously I won't lose that much again, but I feel really really good about how I've done on this plan. I wish you all much success on this journey, and I'm so glad we have each other to make it through these first few weeks! The first week for me was rocky. THe headaches and fatigue were very annoying. But they ended for the most part around day 5 and were gone completely by day 7. We. Can. Do. This.
:)

Loving all these posts! I went to a movie today at a theater where you can order all sorts of different menu items. I won't even tell you my favorites since I am trying real hard not to romanticize foods that really aren't healthy. I think it may have been a bit too early to be at this type of theater. I did take some pickles and chopped up zucchini to snack on ( thank God!). I've read that when you are in ketosis that you aren't as hungry. I am following program to the T, including toms of water, and my stomach has been growling for the past 4 hours despite my snack, protein drink, water etc. I sure hope to get some insight with my coach at my weigh in. I don't mind feeling a bit hungry now and again but today is pretty extreme.

Hi and welcome!
Find an herb or some kind of tea you like and carry tea bags with you so you have something warm to sip until you start feeling like you have a handle of things. Not much of a tea drinker before IP but have noticed wanting and needing my herb tea at night or mid day, esp since it is getting cold again.

Think it's habit now...and a good one!

Cheers and good luck!

I've seen the tea idea suggested before, and I will definitely try it! Thank you so much for the suggestion! I am completely determined this time, I have "dieted" my whole life. I'm getting older and I'm realizing that I want the second half of my life to be a healthy one. I heard someone say once that "dieting is hard" and the response was, "being fat is hard!" I've decided to take the healthier hard road :)

Hi All!
Just wanted to stop in and say best of luck to you all! I started exactly one month ago, and the beginning was tough, but it seriously gets better! I haven't felt this great in a very long time!
As for the restricted packet, I was told I could have it any time in the day (or split it up if I want if it's something like the southwest curls that's easy to split) but as far as I understand, there are no restrictions on when you can eat any of your packets... I think different clinics may have difference opinions on some things, but do some reading on this board and you can totally get a feel for how things work best for you!
You all can do it! Don't get discouraged, and keep it up!

October 2013 newbie
 

Just started the protocol on 10/02. Had one weigh-in with a 17.4lb weight loss, and I go for my next weigh-in on 10/15. Hope that we all stick with this and do great! Here's to the rest of the Octoberlings!:D

Wow! what a great first WI loss! Keep up the great work!

Great job Kawaii!! Thanks for support Deana!

Thanks so much for all the support! It also helps that my husband and my MIL are doing it all together. My aunt and uncle have both completed all phases and they are at maintenance now. I've seen from the outside how this absolutely changes people, inside and out.. Keep up the GREAT work!

Welcome everyone!
You'll learn quickly that some coaches have "house rules" about various things.
This restriction on restricteds would be one of them
It is not an IP rule

Wow! Welcome fellow October starters.

Melissa Kate- good luck on your weigh in tomorrow. I am on day 12, next weigh in is Sat. For me.

Kawaii- fantastic loss. How wonderful that your family is in this together

The wedding was beautiful and I stayed OP. Even asked for everything plain. The waitress asked me- what is your allergy, I said sugar. My plate was temptation free. This was my fourth social event this week, thankfully nothing is planned until the end of Oct.

First WI this morning: I was down 3 lbs. and from the the waist, hip,bust, thigh, and arm-8 inches! I am so pleased with this WI! When she calculated body fat and other things, my coach had determined that it was a 2lb FAT loss! She said this was rare on the first week and she was thrilled how my body responded. Definitely makes me wanna keep this ball rolling! I'm so glad to have that first week under my belt and look forward to this week with, hopefully, less cravings.
I can't wait to hear how everyone has done.

I'm not a newbie, but I restarted a week ago and I am down 6 pounds. So excited to be back in control :)

Way to go, Airport chick!

Welcome back, Stacey.

Hi, Into my 4th day on IP, so I am very very new. Been struggling with headaches and the supplements, but going to give it an honest try. Heard such great things... Best of luck to you:)