emsmom97-I agree and understand totally.

Another tip that seemed new to me and I have no idea why I didnt think about I got from a coach on Monday.

I will be gone for 11 days for the Thanksgiving break and he said if I have to go out for lunch - eat my packet at home and for the 2 cups of veggies - order a salad when you are out. It was like a light bulb came on. So mentally I am getting my mind ready for this. It is my first time going away while on this plan. He also said you know what you can and can not eat at this point. Dont stress - relax- enjoy family and friends and eat out - it is ok to do this.

We will see...

Great tip! I'm packing all my food for that week (we're going to Chicago to visit family). It's my first trip since being on IP. Doctor told me the same thing...don't stress. Funny, but stress can make you put on weight. Think I might need to do some "therapy" while there. As in shopping therapy! CHARGE (it)!

So....I Did It....I gave in to my cravings, bad mood, scale upset....I cheated.... :( nothing much just a few mouthfuls of things I shouldn't have. And today I feel so stupid for giving into food!! How much control does this have over me!! Grr. Anyway. Its a new day. Starting fresh. going to get in twice as much water today to help flush out whatever I can. And you want to know the sad part? the stuff I ate wasn't even worth eating. I mean how does that even make sense??? Frustrated over the lack of weight loss so lets eat and get fat??? Stupid sugar brain!

Back on track. Ready to tackle this! I WILL MEET 20 BY CHRISTMAS!!!

Great attitude! Power through and you will get there.

emsmom97--

last week I shipped all my food, salt, blender shaker thingy, counted all my vitamins to my parents house. I really dont want to think about it too much. I am actually proud of myself that I did this--I pre labeled everything all in ziplocks-stuff for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, I put all the vitamins in ziplocks for B, L, D, snack as well.

At my house the writing on the packets are so small for me to see when I am looking for something (and they all look a like) I take a permanent marker and write what it is and then if it is restricted I write that on there as well. Then I put them in clear plastic shoe boxes (no covers) 1)Breakfast and Lunch 2)Snacks and overflow 3)Vitamins - it works for me. I leave it on my dining room table where I keep my journal and blood sugar stuff. So far it is working.

I also made a list of what I need to get when I get off the plane for grocery shopping so I dont have to think--the key for me is not to think - I know that might sound weird but I over think and over react then get stressed out-that is not the goal for me.

I already told my hubby he will have to help me Thanksgiving day - we are trying a buffet this year and he might have to make my plate for me so I dont put everything on my plate.

don't stress yourself out. what's done is done. all you can do is get back on plan. you're doing really well. i did a similar thing this past weekend except i went totally off plan for 2 days and ate all the things i'm not supposed to including bread, pizza, birthday cake, and a bagel. and i drank. sunday night i got back on plan. yesterday was rough but i feel better today. i don't know why i do this. when i'm doing well i sabotage myself. we can both do this. at least we are recognizing it and getting right back on instead of just going totally abandoning the diet.

Thank you! Your words are always so encouraging :hug: I sabotage myself as well. I have so many goals and know how I look and feel at 130 and have a full closet full of size 6 clothes waiting to be put back on. But then I get in these funks and try convincing myself "it doesn't matter what I look like my husband/family/friends/kids, will love me regardless" ect. and start thinking about the food I'm "not allowed" to have and then I convince myself I am miserable on this diet, which 95% of the time is so false! I love this diet. Love how easy is it, how convenient it is (although I could use more lunch ideas lol) and how fast the weight comes off. But that split second of doubt is all it takes for me to derail myself and end up in a head on collision with my own self! I just wish I had the self control I had the first time around. I did 5 weeks 100% no cheats, no temptation, no giving in. If I would of stuck with this Oct 21 I would be in my forth week and that much closer to my goal. But I had to go and give in and in what should be 30 days I have only done 17 100% on plan. That in itself is hard to hear.

I know what I have to do. I have to get out of my own head!! I have to stop thinking and worrying and planning and just DO IT. Just do meal for meal. One meal at a time. Instead of trying to plan out my every move. I am defeating myself.

Thank you for the encouragement. It really means a lot. I have good intentions, but no drive anymore. I really have to refocus. I have to get out of my own head and stop worrying. I have to straighten my back and take control of myself. I know what I have to do. Just wish I had a second me to make sure I am doing it lol

Today has been much better. I haven't been hungry at all. I have had 3 bottles of water, 2 egg whites and a hot choc. all day (its 1:50pm here) and I am not hungry. Which is ok with me. I have my chicken cooking and I already am planning what to go with it. I will have 4c of veggies with my supper so I am still on track with my food. I have figured my stresser is being alone. When I'm alone and feel like I am accountable to no one. I convince myself to cheat because no one has to know. But I know, and I feel guilty and disappointed in myself. Which I think is worse then if someone knew.

Anyway, enough random thoughts lol. I am back in control. I am aiming for a 100% OP week. I got this :sumo:

Emsmom: Congrats on your donation! I also like what your coach said about relaxing. That is the attitude I plan on having, and like you said, I am planning so I don't have to think about it too much. I find if I am prepared, my chances of success skyrocket! I am flying in to Chicago late on the night before Thanksgiving. I have already emailed my aunt who is hosting Thanksgiving and explained my goals to her. I didn't want her to be offended and told her that I rely on my family's support heavily that day.

Claustin: You do have this and you know it! It helps to 'come clean' with a cheat and get your feelings out about it. Just think about what you can do next time you have that feeling. It may be corny, but try to write yourself a letter of encouragement, like you would a friend. When you start to get that feeling, tell yourself that if you still feel like cheating after you read that letter to yourself, you can. Most likely you will light a fire in yourself to do the right thing FOR YOU.

Luccilove: You are wayyyy organized and I love it! Maybe someday I will get there!!

I have had an amazingly stressful day. I could not even stop for water, bathroom or even lunch today. I am exhausted and am chugging some water right now. I had errands to do and told the step kid it's up to him, I'm done for the day. Surprisingly, he's doing it. I told the boys I am not responsible for their dinner tonight, they need to figure it out. Feels kind of good :) Having my go to dinner, big mac in a bowl. It's quick and easy and that is exactly what I need. Life is good....just a bit worn out good this eve.

Wantanewme and Claustin: you are doing it, you haven't given up. You just had a slip. Both of you have refocused that is the important part.

Luccilove and Emsmom: I am with you. I do not like Thanksgiving food that much, so I am staying OP. If I can go to a gourmet restaurant and eat 3 scallops served with steamed broccoli with capers thrown on, (Messed up request) while everyone else had wine and raved about how delicious their food was... Thanksgiving will be easy.

Luccilove: you can even use 2 ounces of protein on your out to lunch salad.

Not sure if this is TMI but ever have a day where you're not drinking any more water than usual but your trips to the bathroom triple? My bladder decided to take a day off apparently.

Jig, I definitely have days when I use the restroom more! Sun. hardly at all, today every couple of hours. Who knows why? My body retains water when I eat pickles, capers even low sodium soy sauce.

That's not TMI! You're talking to a group of women who spend half their time talking about TOM! Lol :) did you happen to drink more coffee than usual?

Slip free,
Thank you for the encouragement :) I really appreciate it.

Claustin,
The way I see it these slips aren't bad in the long run. We want to lose the weight but more importantly we want to keep it off over a period of time. Hopefully for ever, right? That means we have to learn self control and to manage our feelings when we do fail. If we just give up when we act human and get off track then it will be a self fulfilling prophecy and we will end up right where we started. I know for sure that I won't eat 100% healthy every single day but if I have 10 great days followed by 1 or 2 bad ones then I'm better off than I was 2 months ago when I had a bad day every day. Sure my losses won't be as quick as if I were 100% OP but I'm leaning a valuable lesson about not giving up and also forgiving myself. Does that make sense? So I won't beat myself up today. I had 2 bad days. But I've had 2 great ones since and all I can promise myself are 8 more great days before Thanksgiving!

I end up doing this once or twice a week and it hasn't impacted my losses. It just helps take the edge off if I'm feeling nauseous from not eating enough. Usually I'll have a chocolate or vanilla drink which are two of the lower carb items and 100 calories each.