That's great! I know it is so bad for me... I will have to think about what it is doing to my stomach lining too! I probably had 5 or 6 cans on a regular day. So yesterday I had 3. Today I've already had 2 and hoping I can last the rest of the day without another. I can't tell you how many times during the day I think about it... I feel like back in the day when I needed a cigarette!

Room for one more?
 

I'm hoping there's room for one more! This is my 2nd day of IP. I went in for the appointment on Wed and started on Thursday(18th). Things seem to be going ok so far. I feel like I spend half my day running to the potty though!:o. I tried the vegetarian bean chili today. It was okay. I think next time I'll saute some mushrooms and throw those in.

I do have one question. Is anyone else using something to 'flavor' their water? My rep said I could use something as long as it used Splenda or truvia. I'm just afraid it will slow my weightloss down...but it does really help get all that water in.

If you check the labels some Mio and Crystal light liquids are made with splenda. I use them a few times a week, and then add lime to my plain water.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Today is weigh in day for me. Feeling rested and positive. As I am losing weight, I have to be careful not to focus on how many pounds I still want to giveaway. Trying to keep a positive mantra of "every pound gone is a blessing" but I struggle with being critical of how my body looks. It may be that I am actually looking at it for the first time in a very long time. Anyone else feeling this?

Ok, so I started today so I guess I fall in this category.

So far, it's going ok, except for the fact that I'm SUPER hungry and feel a headache coming on. I just got thru eating lunch (2 cups of veggies with unlimited lettuce, and a chocolate shake), and it's still not really satisfying. I'm trying to stick to this and not cheat, which I don't think will be a problem, but my question is, what happens when I get really, REALLY hungry? What can I have that isn't restricted?

Welcome Scottysgirl! When I am really hungry, I have a cup of decafe tea. I am pretty sure unlimited is only lettuce. My coach suggested that I have 2 oz. of protein at lunch with my veggies then 6 oz. at dinner. The hunger has lessened for me as time passed.

Welcome Givingitaway!

2nd Weigh in today for me. Worked away 6.6 pounds and 15 inches. Total so far 13.5. Really excited that my clinic will now let me weigh in every two weeks, because it will extend my coaching sessions(which cost $$)

On another note, I really liked the new unrestricted crisps. Will def. order more.

Hi everyone welcome to the new members!

The hunger, nausea, and headaches will get better after a few days. It typically takes the liver about 3 days to use up its glycogen reserves. Until then you will still have the highs and lows associated with sugar.

So last night I was really hungry so I had an extra unrestricted. This morning I had lost a pound! I think sometimes I need to feed my metabolism to seek movement. I will ask my coach about adding in an extra packet on the rare days that I still feel hungry after all my meals.

Hi all!
My name is Kelsey and I am 23. I started on October 3rd and have been trolling these forums for a while decided to join in on the fun! I am down 12 lbs so far and have my third weigh in Wednesday. I have not really had much complaints about IP yet. I have to say the no drinking is what has been the toughest which is pretty sad haha, but what can I say my friends like to drink and Ive been known to have a couple on the weekends. The way I look at it, though, my friends just got themselves a free DD for a couple months!

I think that's a great idea! I may do the same. I have occasional days where I can't seem to quit feeling hungry, too.

Welcome, Kelsey! Just think how popular you'll be with all your friends since you can chauffeur them around every weekend! :)

I started on Thursday too!

Today is day 3 for me and I'm surprised I'm not feeling nearly as bad as I did the first time I did IP. Had a successful dinner tonight with my family. I was able to order Tuna and asked them to substitute the potatoes with steamed spinach instead. I had sparkling water with Lime instead of the wine!

So happy to make it past day 3 because last time after the 3 day mark it got much easier!

Slipfree- Awesome weigh in! Congrats!

Kelsey- I'm sure the no drinking will be a challenge... but, you definitely have the right attitude about it. and it's not forever!
I have two kids and I went 9 months with each of them without drinking. I'm thinking I can do it again!

Carb counts...
 

Thanks for the warm welcomes and welcome to all the other newbies! So, I've been reading through some of threads and I have some questions regarding the IP products.

When I joined I wasn't given a nutritional info sheet on the products that some people posted about receiving. Is this something I should have received? I have just been trying my sample products and other than following the 1 restricted items a day rule, I haven't been worrying about choosing items lower in carbs because I don't know those counts. I found a nutritional sheet posted on this site but I think it's old because it doesn't have all the products on it. Anyone have or know where I can get, a newer one?

My plan was to do a choc shake every morning but I read on here that the choc shake has a pretty high carb count. :(

My coach told me to have two unrestricted packets and one restricted packets a day. And 8 ounces of lean protein at night as well as 4 cups of veggies split between lunch and dinner. When you say chocolate shake are you referring to the ready to drink chocolate drink? That's an unrestricted item and is actually quite low on carbs with only 4 grams. Best of luck to you :)

Wantanewme, I am doing the same as far as 2 unrestricted, 1 restricted, veggies, and protein dinner. When I asked for a 'shake' to use for breakfasts they gave me a box of choc drink mix, which I think has 8 or 9 carbs. Its not a horrible amount but I feel I can def choose something with a lower count. I've been googling the nutritional data so I can make better decisions. I feel like I was just given a bag of food and told to eat it! Lol.

Thank you Mpfskinnyme, I really appreciate the support.

Kelsey, I miss the social ritual of wine with my friends too. It is an adjustment. My birthday is coming up and we are all going out to dinner. It will be a struggle-but I have a plan and I will prevail!

Has anyone had the chocolate pancake? For restricted product, I am not a fan. Although, it was bread like in texture.

I LOVE the chocolate pancake but I don't eat it as a pancake. I have it every day for breakfast and just cook it for like 1.5 minutes in the microwave and it comes out like slightly raw brownie batter! Sooooo yummy and it really makes me feel like I'm starting the day off with a gooey treat!

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the chocolate pancake is being discontinued. Stock up while you can!

How do you know when something is being discontinued? Is it online or is your counselor that tells you? Just curious.

Going for my 2nd weigh in tom. Dont feel like I lost anything we will see.

My coach got an email from IP headquarters.

I am starting tomorrow so I'm just making the end of October. I'm glad to have found this site, because I could use the support. I have a couple friends who have done this diet. So, I have them. Then I also have dear friend who is just going to kick my butt.

Chubbysister- I think I just like some of the other restricted choices more. Glad that you found out in time to stock up.

Luccilove- Good luck tomorrow!

Madi100- Welcome. This is a great place for start up info.

As for me. I am stressed -decided last week to refi my mortgage. Now the appraiser is coming. Spent the last two days reorganizing the house, trying to tame the Fall Chaos. Still have not started on the garage and it looks like a wilderness. I keep waiting for that IP boost of energy but so far it has not shown up.

I am tired too. By 8pm I am done. I also have some trouble sleeping.

What happens if we go over the EVVO amount? Is that super bad?

What is the max salt you use in a day? Just wondering...

I find it is tough when I cook some stuff different for my husband because I either want to taste it to see if it is done or cause it is there. That is my little cheat

Welcome Madi100 and good luck with the WI in LUCCILOVE! I'm not sure if going over the EVOO amount is really bad, but I can't imagine that an extra teaspoon or 2 will derail you since we are allowed to have like an extra packet/shake which has more carbs than EVOO does.

As for the salt, I really, really hate salty food. I find it difficult to add 1/4 teaspoon to my dinner since I feel like I'm eating food coated in ocean water but I've noticed I do get a bit light-headed in the afternoon so I've been trying hard to add extra salt to my lunch as well. I try not to eat more than 2500 mg of salt a day since that's around the recommended amount (the ideal salt has 250 mg/ 1/4 teaspoon).

Slipfree good luck with the house/waiting for the boost in energy! Maybe try going for a short walk to boost energy/clear the mind? Exercise helps me when I'm stressed even when I feel like I don't have time for it.

And IdealProteinNewbie, a little part of me just died on the inside.

Thanks! me too!! Congrats on your loss at your weigh in too!! I have my first one tonight and since we don't have a scale at home I have no clue where I'll land... my gut (no pun intended!!) tells me minus 5, but we'll see!! Pretty excited to find out the results of this first crazy week!! :)

I started Oct 15. First weigh in tomorrow..scared but hopeful!

Hi Kelsey! What a great way to put a positive spin on things. I too have become the DD for everyone. I discovered that one way to feel "included" is to have a diet tonic water with a lime twist in it. People don't know if you are having an adult beverage or not. I used this technique in the past and it really helps take the "pressure" off of you to drink. My friends used to think I was having a Gin & Tonic when really, I had zero calorie water with a twist.:)

Ha! The first IP food I tried was the chocolate pancake and I was so turned off I wasn't sure I could do the diet! Thank goodness the other foods aren't as bad. That one is horrible lol!

I also miss my wine (usually had a glass every night, 3 or 4 out with my hubby and friends on weekends) so it's been a big adjustment. My coach is an RN and the IP program is run through my cardiolist's office, so they tend to give a lot of medical "WHY" and "WHY NOT" when they tell us rules, and one thing that's helped me is they said that on this diet your body literally is unable to process/filter alcohol, so that even one glass would result in a BAC above the legal limit and put you at risk for a DUI... that was enough to scare me!!:tantrum::tantrum:

I have yet to try the chocolate pancake as my office is always out of it.

I did try the new garlic and herb crisps and I really enjoy them. Gave me that salty, savory crunch I've been missing. I'm not crazy about a lot of vegetables, but I used the crisps essentially as croutons for a spinach salad with just a little walden farms dressing.

I also like them just lightly dabbed in hot sauce and forgo the sea salt with lunch. (My IP coach said a little hot sauce such as tapatio, crystals...is fine as long as the recommended serviing size is followed). Plus the crisps are unrestricted. It's my new favorite snack!

So excited just came back from my 2nd weigh in- lost 1.5 lbs and 1 inch of my waist at weigh in--I thought I gained. I have to stop checking myself on the scale-it is driving me crazy.

pamperedKate-where are u from and what IP clinic you go to? I am in Alexandria, VA and go to the Cardiologist specialists on Kenmore Ave. Sounds like you might go to the same one?

I am not a big salt eater either-the first couple of days I did not like using the salt but now I try to put it in stuff I might not taste it.

Woo hoo! Great success. Congratulations:carrot:

I go to Lansdowne - but I know the cardiology practice has offices all over so they may be related! I love that they have a separate IP "room" for us, and a swap basket -- lots of people buy just 3 boxes but stick 1/2 of it in the swap basket, so you can get a good variety by swapping out things in your own boxes. It definitely helps with the variety :)

Congrats Luccilove!

Thanks for the info. The coach did explain the whole liver/ toxin/no ketosis thing. I shall have to whine about no wine. He tried to tell me that birthdays were not about food and wine. He obviously did not grow up with my family:D:D

The dang appraiser is coming tomorrow at 6:00. He obviously does not understand parent conference week for teachers. Irritated by the whole thing, I just went for my refi meeting on Thurs. I straightened out the garage, now I have to do three loads of laundry, vacuum the whole house, wipe down my cupboards and wash the kitchen floor. I am not loving Bob the Appraisal guy.

Good luck PamperedKate with your weigh in.

Thanks for all of the welcomes :) this week has been tough for an unknown reason, i know the third week is tough a lot. thought about giving up and going to a less restrictive plan but think I will just keep powering through. Hoping for a big weigh in Wednesday but my at home scale shows only a 2-3 lb loss so we will see.

Oh no! I'm about to enter week 3...week 2 WI is tomorrow morning. Power through. Remember, you've LOST weight. No matter how small or large, a loss is a loss. I know it's easy to say, but we really need to focus on the fact that we are losing weight. And don't forget about the inches too! Hang in there!!!

I had to sign a form that said I would not drink any alcohol. I'm not sure if that is at every clinic or not. I didn't have to last year when I started IP. But, they told me that a guy from the clinic had one drink and passed out and ended up with a really banged up face- so now they make everyone sign the form so they are sure to not be liable! And someone else they learned about at a conference actually crashed their car after a drink. Very dangerous indeed!

I know what you mean about family... I will join you in whining about no wine!! Cheers... with my seltzer!

Thanks so much. This place is good for support

Hi Ladies (and any gentlemen) I am hoping to join this forum :) I have done IP this Past spring with great success :) Lost 26 lbs in 5 weeks and 16 inches. But instead of phasing off I just quit. So needless to say, I put back on that plus more over the summer. It has taken me this long to mentally prepare myself to start again. I have spent the past 2 months attempting and I have even completed 2-3 days then would slip and quit again. But today I am determined im in this till the end. I am fed up with how I feel and look and trying to get dressed in the mornings :(

Good luck to all you wonderful IP'ers!

Welcome Back!! Don't quit, commit to seeing this thing through...all the way through!
That's what I tell myself periodically...I have to. I have to change the way I THINK about food or this will never work for me. I have to recognize my wants and needs. Trust me I WANT a diet coke so bad, but just what if it took me out of ketosis (the argument is still out on that) JUST IF...is that diet coke worth $85 dollars to me? That's how much I pay a week and if it throws me out, and then it takes me a couple days to get back into it, well, I've thrown away $85!

I had my week 2 WI today, down 3 lbs! woot woot!!