Some great stories on here day - what an encouraging thing for me to read while I am struggling to get back to losing. Haven't gained, haven't lost and working to put together some back-to-back 100% days. Big "C" issues....

Allend - what great fortitude you have shown to lose so much weight with such consistency. Kudos to you.

nolasmurf - fingers crossed that your daughter will be OK and can dance in the Sugar Bowl. We have had rounds with our sons and ankles, feet and such and I got tired of the very slow recovery. It is hard to keep kids quiet and still enough for those ankles and stuff to heal. Good luck.

aliexpat - how wonderful to approach the holidays with the nice big and significant loss behind you. Hang in there and the new year will bring more gat victories.

ecdslim - You REALLY impress me with the discipline you showed on your vacation and your weigh in was impressive. I know such a wonderful vacation would have been a real challenge for me so I am doubly impressed.

gemma51 - most everything has been said about the issue of sizes, but just to add a personal note - I am now and have been 3 sizes larger on the bottom half than the top so at some weights I can wear an 8-10 on top while wearing 14-16 below - go figure!

Allend428 - That is just amazing!! 73lbs in 14 weeks..so inspirational for me and my journey...thanks for sharing! My advise would be to do what feels right to you, but you did so amazingly well so far...why would you want to stop now? I actually asked this question a few days ago because I do not know when I want to stop either. In the end, I think it will be when I feel comfortable and not trying to hide excess lbs with clothing.

Ems70508 - I love to read and the last few I books I bought ref dieting in general have been Salt, Sugar, Fat and Wheat Belly. I like to read books that really supply the facts so that hopefully I will have an aha moment that I will remember. I will pick up the book you recommend next.

AliExpat - congrats on the 40lbs lost!!

KnitSewSpin - woo hoo!

Not sure why, but this afternoon was the first time that I had to open a choc bar and eat half because I was craving. Normally I just grab another water but this time I reached for a bar. I am going to have to watch that...

couldn't really find alternatives to the vitamins so I just bought the IP ones. I told them i was doing alternative and they told me that it's not as affective, is that true? Because it's not the actual program...has alternatives not worked for people? Im just in a financial hardship and can't spend $21 a box right now.

I've been doing the alternatives since 6 weeks in. I've continued to loose weight. The clinic told me the same thing but I truly believe that's just a party line to make you stay. I couldn't afford the $85 a week either.

About sizing - if you are muscular, you will weigh more and wear a smaller size. I am very muscular, which is why I can do that. The size 8's I bought last weekend were not a fluke. I pulled out the rest of the 8's I have and they fit!

I've done alternatives the entire 21/almost 22 weeks I've been OP. There is nothing "special" about the IP products compared to alternatives, as long as you are sticking within the guidelines of what to look for in alternative items. They likely just said that because they are a business so their priority is making money.

Way to go!!!!

I carry a lot of my weight in my thighs and calves, so I am finding a lot of my pants are loose in the waist or saggy in the bum, but just right on my legs. Hoping things balance out soon! A while back someone posted a link to a website with several girls of different weights to show how people carry weight differently and how someone who weighs more can look smaller than someone who weighs less. I wish I bookmarked it.

Shrinkingsusie:

I LOVE simply chips! They have 3 flavors. They are one of my restricteds since I went soy/gluten-free last January. All of the IP restricteds have one or the other.

IP coaches only know IP products/plan. They can't really give advice about off-plan products because it isn't in their limited training.
However, there is no magic in the IP products. I WISH they were organic or non-GMO or some other "specialness" but alas...
People I have seen go to alternative products but stick to the plan 100% appear to get similar results to people using IP (and results vary by person no matter which product is being used).

The store I got them at only had Herb flavor, but I was curious so I checked the website and saw BBQ and Chili flavors as well, neither of which I like, so I am glad that it was the Herb ones I found. Going back tomorrow after work to snag up the other two boxes! Can't beat the price!! Not so fond of the terrible garlic breath they gave me afterwards. lol I want to try crushing some up and making a "schnitzel". Now that I tried them, I don't know how I made it this far OP without them!!

I can tell that your body changes too. I haven't been this weight in 15 years, but jeans I could wear when I was 10 lbs heavier than I am now, just fit. And the fit is different - baggy butt and legs but just buttoning on my waist. I haven't had kids, and I've maintained a weight-lifting/gym routine fairly consistently over the 15 years. So I think your body just changes as it gets older. It's hard not to compare, but focus on the progress you've made, it'll happen.

Thanks guys i figured it was all about the money lol

I wish our boxes were $21!!! That's a BARGAIN compared to what we pay down here!!! We pay DOUBLE with the currency conversion!!!

omg double!! no way I could do that lol...im so sorry

I've been using alternatives from the start and seems to have similar results.

I am a newbie day 10 of ip. I love reading everything I can on this forum! I am thrilled with the plan and plan to stick with it thru maintenance. This Saturday will be my first real challenge-I am going to a baby shower for my first grandchild (a grandson) and its out of town. I can handle restaurants-what are your tips for handling social occasions at someone's home! I am committed to sticking to the plan and could use all your words of wisdom and advise-Since we will be in a hotel overnight-I know I can take a restricted bar for each day but whats easy to do that is unrestricted??
TIA-