Hi all,

Home today, still fighting this cold/flu. The weather is bizarre here in CT. Snowstorm on Friday, lowest temps in 30 years over the weekend and today it is 45 degrees with high wind and rain. No wonder I am sick.

Followed Lisa's cue and made chicken soup yesterday, but added curry and ginger. Hoping to break some of the congestion. Am not allowed to take decongestant because it affects my BP. I actually woke up feeling a bit better. :)

Steppy, congrats on wearing the old jeans again. Don't you wish you could bottle that feeling?

How do you know when you truly are in ketosis? This is day 12 for me. I'm guessing I'm in it, since I haven't cheated at all. Just not sure.

SlipFree........ hope you continue to feel better. Cold/flus are the worse!
It is really a great feeling!! My other jeans are so loose that when I put the old ones, my fiance said, "Wow! look at your butt in those jeans." I think I was walking around on cloud nine!

So cold, but made it to work.

I think I could have written your post (except about the size 6 - not quite there yet ;) ) But I also went off program for the first time on Christmas Day and NYE. I too am afraid about going off plan - I saw traces of the old carb monster return and it scared me....

I have to find a fancy dress for an event at the end of this month and I am finding 6's fit. So odd for me. But fun.

YES! It was out of control eating NYE - spinach dip with Hawaiian sweet bread, cream cheese spread, chocolate, chardonnay, champagne, mini ravioli's, crab cakes, crackers oh my - triscuits, wheat thins, yummy! To be honest, I was so full I physically couldn't eat anymore, but boy did I want to!! Been religious about IP Phase 1 since but still, very scary! I know that phasing off will help, and I am eager to start - only about 3 lbs for me so hopefully will be starting that process by the end of January. But also terrified.

I love wearing a size 6, I love the way I look in my clothes but I always have this little nag in the back of my head saying - "yeah but can you keep it off???"

I think we all have that nag in our heads. It is not just this diet, but any diet. I was on weight watchers 12 years ago and there were many, many lifetimers that came back at this time of year. The tendency to gain weight does not leave us once we are thin.

I had some out of control moments over the holidays too and resulting weight gain. It was a lesson for me - I am addicted to carbs/sugar, and even months of 100% IP protocol hasn't changed that. You're right, it is scary, but also good to be aware of. For me, I know now after this holiday experience that continuing to lose successfully and then keeping it off requires changes many eating behaviors forever, not just temporarily. When I started IP I found the protocol so strict, but told myself "It's only temporary." I'm feeling differently about that now! Lifetime lifestyle choices are necessary for me to keep that nag away.

Wow!
Congratulations to all you size 6 ers!
I'm impressed!!!!
Thanks for showing us the plan works!!!!

Starting today with a new resolve! I'm encouraged by all of your weight loss bars!

Our bodies require less when we are smaller...don't forget that!


Schnectedy..Great for you getting to your exercise place regularly so far this year! It gets easier... :congrat:and it is important for now only that you are doing it and making it part of your day. Trying to ramp up too much too soon can be a roadblock. Only after nearly a year have I decided it is time to relook at what I've been doing. Instead of 45/min a day 6days a week alternating cardio and circuit, for year 2014 I'm increasing cardio to 1 hr the three days that is all I do and adding 1/2 cardio hr on the days I was only doing the circuit. This means 3days an hr of cardio..the alternating 3 days total of 1hr 15 min doing cardio and then the circuit. The time increment is small enough on each day now that it should not impact my morning too much. I have learned this past 6 months not to think about all the other things I need to get started on...
Instead it gives me mental space :yoga:before the day begins to go over it all and evaluate what needs to get done and prioritize more accurately. Now finding it is really helping me get more done...and that start to my day also helps keep me on track with eating right...don't want to waste my earliest efforts of the day later in the day being tempted by something that should NOT be an everyday part of what I eat!!
(REGARDLESS of where the scale is!!)

That Picky Person inside me is really getting pushy:nono:! And I like her!

I'm betting you like the one who lives inside you too!!!:hug:

Good Morning IP'ers, it's a good day here in cold but not snowing Seattle. I have finally gotten clearance to restart my IP journey after 1 year 3 months off. I originally started June of 2012 and lost 70 lbs. Took a break in October of 2012 to reset my system. I found out I was pregnant in November and my little chubby guy was born August of this year. I have ordered all my blender replacement parts and have all my veggies and vitamins ready to start. I should get my stuff this week... Fingers crossed to get through those first 4 days.

Congrats on the beautiful little boy! And welcome back!

Just got back from my first weigh in since phasing off. Its day 4 of P1 and I am only up 3.4 which will come off since I am staying 100%. I was so afraid I was doomed but after a chat and some posts from this wonderful website, I am back up to speed more committed than ever. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2014