Thanks for posting this IPN--wish I'd tuned in before I just made jicama fries this am.

Someone else posted that he coats his veggie fries with a little egg white to crisp them up. Can't wait to re-try with the microwave idea.

ssubert thank you for your kind words about my weight loss so far. I am so revved up right now I am pushing for hitting half way for weigh in in a week. I only "need" 2 pounds more for that.

I will follow you 1)because you area about the same height and 2)your goal is close to mine and I will be curious as to how you feel at the weight and 3)you live somewhere in the Pacific NW, like me.

Today, I am in HEAVEN. As a treat for finishing paint coat #5 on paneling on the staircase (argh!) I decided to take some extra time making my breakfast. I took my blender and water, ice, Starbucks Via package, a Nashua Nutrition Swiss chocolate pudding/shake package and a dollop of Walden Farms marshmallow crème. I feel like I am being naughty - it is that good!

Virtual is its own reward but man, this drink feels like one, too!

Thank you for the nice compliment!

Hello to you all! I'm new to IP and have lost 5.8 this week, plus I had a super stressful Friday and didn't eat my emotions! I want to say I read your posts and you all have helped me navigate my way in the past week. Thanks for all the help and inspiration!!!

I just googled homemade sauerkraut when I first did it.

Dak--congrats..a feather in your cap to have led the way for those you love. What an inspiration yu must be for them...and how happy YOU must feel in seeing them also on the way to being happy and healthy!

Maybe you should open your own IP site!!

Thanks Lisa, I'll look into it!

My doc just called with blood work results. She was so impressed with the incredible difference! I was borderline insulin resistant (low and scary moment in my life) and now i'm in the normal range. No more metfornin!!!!! What a relief. What a blessing.

Thanks for the tip! I never thought to microwave first… and the rutabaga fries always come out a little too hard, even though they are delicious.

One more tip, try to cut as uniformly as possible.. if they are all different sizes they cook really differently! Enjoy!

Welcome, Annie! Congrats on getting through the stress and staying on plan, and congrats on your success so far! :carrot:

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I needed some. I don't want to leave the program...just wish the reward would come faster. Do you mind me asking how long it took you on phase 1? You look great and are an inspiration.

Thank you for the encouragement. I really like the pre-made chocolate drinks. (I put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes before i drink them and then use a wide straw. Yum!)They work well for the time I have to spend out of my home/office as well. They are the only thing i really like, or would consider buying more of, other than the restricted items. I'm sure this has been a topic before but could you give me some ideas if there are any chocolate prepackaged alternatives out there? Thanks.

Also, Virginia girl, any chance you are in the Tidewater area? I visited one of the clinics in that area and would like to talk more about it if you use that particular one.

Thanks again.

Feel better! Loving the book nook idea! What a great little treat for yourself.

This made me smile. Way to go! It seems like a neat way to be creative. Are you going for it?

Congrats! I, too, struggle with stress eating. Recent issues really started pushing me back into old habits, but I have grabbed the reins again and am in control.

Congrats! What good news!

Ems70508- that is wonderful news! So happy that your health is improving and that the results were excellent. Yahoo!

My official weigh in was 7 pounds. But my nice new scale at home reads 10, and I like that figure much better.:D Love how all these scales give different readings.

Do your coaches charge you to see them/weigh in? Mine didn't today. Maybe she charged me upfront.

I have to say, she is nice about everything. I didn't have to buy whole boxes of food, and she has let me trade back a lot of items. But wow, $4.50 for one packet. That is nuts!!!!

Not sure how the turnip fries will taste, but they smell delicious! I bought a clubhouse seasoning spice called Parmesan and herb which is 0/0/0! I put some on my "fries" and roasted bell peppers!

Lesson learned: when you're on a diet that requires you to drink large quantities of water, do not buy pants that have a hook and eye closure, a button, a zipper and a belt with a 2 loop thing... It makes for interesting "dance moves" in the bathroom stall :D

Jo

Thanks yall. It really does help to see those results! Susie, I love turnip fries! The first batch I did, I cut too small and they shriveled to like...nothing. Lesson learned. I like to eat mine with WF bbq sauce! Enjoy!

Lol! I can relate!

Great news!

I just made turnip fries for dinner last night - so delicious. I'm totally going to keep eating them instead of potato fries once I get to maintenance.

Tights, tights
 

The lesson I learned was not to wear tights! The motions needed to get those off quickly are nearly fatal......and I am nearly 60 so it is worse!

They were delicious, I didn't see the advice about cutting them the same size, so some of the smaller pieces burned and some of the bigger ones weren't crispy but they were all good! I bought the smallest turnip I could find but won't do that next time. Does anyone prefer rutabaga fries over the turnip? The turnip looked less scary to me than the rutabagas lol

This had me laughing so hard cuz I have DONE that dance!

Just starting my 4th week and I made my husband hide the scale. I am a daily weigher and it finally got to be too frustrating. My weight loss this past week was 2.4 which is great but I can't help but think I did something "wrong" or it would have been higher. Time to change my negative thoughts but it's hard!!

I had rutabaga fries for dinner tonight, I just love them & so does hubby.

Had to laugh at the poster with the hook & eye, button, zipper, etc. I have done that :)

Have a great night and keep warm.

Vippysue...trust me...your day will come! If anyone had told me last New Year's Eve I'd be wearing skinny black pants and a glitzy gold turtleneck this year...I'd have teared up, and sworn at them under my breath for making fun of me and my dreams.

I began reading about IP , lurked 3FCs forums and went for the intro session on Dec 10 of 2012 but started cutting back carbs prior to the Christmas Holiday (of 2012 ... using some EAS drinks at lunch or breakfast) and on Jan 10th of last year began 100% IP. My goal was to lose 65 lbs by August 26th (my 65th B-day) and I hit it...in fact was 0.5 lbs under...on 8/19/2013! It was an amazing journey..average was losing 2.8 lbs /week for about 5 months. After that it slowed a bit, and was erratic with a week or so of 3lb losses and mostly around 1.5 lbs a week..and finally in August those last 5 lbs came of ever so painfully slow! It took being on board 100%... and not deciding to deviate. In fact I was afraid to start adding food once it was time, but that is normal. I am gluten free, have been for 7 years so that makes it easier for me now I think. Not looking to figure out how much bread or noodles or cookies my metabolism can handle. By choice I am limiting my GF starches and instead get most of my carbs from vegetable/high fiber foods. Added nuts and berries to my day...but I am not a fan of juice or a piece of fruit that is nearly 10% of my daily calorie allowance. My age and height have given me some sobering realities to deal with..being older and smaller...my caloric needs are less. My BMR is not going to allow me to increase my caloric load by more than about 400 calories over what IP daily intake is! All together probably lost 70-75 lbs because I am not sure what I weighed/lost prior to Jan 10 IP start. I was afraid to get on a scale. I was 187 at one point and I know that because when I went for a dexascan in April...they had my prior weight...and were alarmed I'd lost a lot of weight! I assured them my Dr was aware, and it was all good. They noted it on the report though, and the same thing happened again when I had a virtual colonoscopy in July....the radiologist noted" significant decrease in adipose tissue and body fat" since the last scan on the final report! LOVED it!

I began exercising the first week in April. I do circuit training at an all women's fitness center 3 days a week..(45-60 min circuit) and do about the same amount of time on cardio the alternating 3 days. I usually go first thing in the AM and am home by 8:15. Then rest on Sunday...read the paper and drink coffee in my jammies in the winter...sit out on the porch in the summer and enjoy NOT doing it that day as much as I have learned to enjoy it the other 6 days. It's important to start getting in the habit before you have too many other choices to make when you transition. When you have adjusted to the IP protocol..it is OK to exercise at a low-moderate intensity. You are not to train for the Olympics! Many use the early advisement of IP NOT to exercise until your body adjusts as permission not to have to exercise the entire time you are on P1. That is NOT what is really encouraged. The sooner you start thinking about your necessary lifestyle changes and begin to implement them, the more likely you will be successful.

Wish you the best...it is a very do-able task. Commit yourself to the process and do not be afraid to put your goals first. Others should understand and support you..and if they do not, you need to let it roll off you. It is the year of you! GO FOR IT!!DO IT! Next year at this time you will be a new person. You are already on your way. One more thing...start to scope out the consignment shops...and treat yourself to clothes that fit on the way down. Do not wear big clothes as your body starts to shrink. You will find you need to reinvent your fashion self. It is fun...and you deserve it! Keep us posted on your progress...you can do this!!

I TOTALLY prefer Rutabaga over turnip! To me, Turnips are bitter and Rutabaga more mild.

Rutabaga - often called "Wax Turnips" look way scarier than they are. A good peeler will go right around the outside wax/skin and take it off easily. Use a good sharp knife and some muscle to cut in half then work with the smaller halves to cut down to size. I usually look for a large softball size and share with hubby. I don't get the larger ones because as an occasional veggie I usually only have once a week. Sometimes I can,t find a small one so only peel half and store in a ziplock in the fridge. Keeps nicely.

YUMMMMMMM!

Does anyone have a gefu spiral slicer? I'm wanting to get one to make zucchini "noodles" but saw mixed reviews on it.

65
You have the most inspirational story I have heard yet! Reading it brought tears to my eyes! I think we have all been through the ups and downs that you describe but your words brought the pride to life for me! I look forward to next year at this time and will look back at this moment and remember when. Thanks again for your words of wisdom for all us newbies!

I have one and I'm not a fan. Besides the core, it leaves a good inch or so cone on the end that can't be spiraled. I came across something similar, but more versatile, for the same price on Amazon. I feel like there's less waste and my wrist doesn't bother me after using it like the gefu. Here's the link... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just watched a video on YouTube, that looks way easier! And I like that you can fit more vegetables in it like onions! Thanks!

Hello Fellow IP'ers!
I weighed in this morning and lost 3 more pounds! I was shocked since I had a big number last week. The weekend was tough since it was my mom's birthday party! They had Italian catered! I did not touch the pasta, instead I went for the antipasto salad. The dressing was on the side, which was great! I picked off all the cheese, and just had a teeny bit of the Fat-free Italian dressing. It may not have been 100% IP approved, but I didn't have a protein shake and all went well.
PLUS.... my Denver Broncos are going to Superbowl!!!! HOLY MOLY! My hubby thinks we should have a slight cheat day, but I don't want it to set me back too much! My mini goal is to get to 20 lbs (7 more in the next 2 weeks) and then I'll allow myself a cheat. Hmmm...

Great Find
 

Can't wait to try these; their website is fun!

I'm curious, how does everyone incorporate pickles into their mesls. I can't imagine eating 2 cups at a time...:dizzy:

65x65...Loved your experience! Thank you for taking the time to share.
I will draw from it regularly!

YUM - thanks for posting about these pickles. Never heard of them and now I can't wait to try.

My thought about eating lots of pickles is slow eating while at work, like a snack at lunch time and beyond. You could eat a cup, and a cup of something other veggie…

Boarshead makes a good pickle too but I need to check out the label to see if it's IP a protocol.

My coach gave me a weeks worth of samples of a product called Natural Calm Magnesium Citrate Powder. Has anyone tried this? I take the calcium/magnesium supplement every day as the IP protocol instructs but I have a history of insomnia/anxiety/pms etc and this supplement might help. Apparently it helps with the big C too.

I have this and I love it.

So glad you find something you can use in how my year went. No two of us have exactly the same journey...
But no matter your challenge.... Someone here can relate and share how they faced it. The hope is at the end of the day, we bring each other along to a happy successful end. Then you pay it forward.

Bluegingham I don't necessarily eat an entire cup of pickles either. The bubbies are small and I only eat 2 or 3. So basically when I measure my 4 cups of normal veggies, I do just under a cup each time. I feel like that evens the game up a bit!

Stephaacope I took calm for a while. The only symptom I was trying to fix was the big c. I warmed up some water, added the calm to it and then added ice. Calm is best mixed in hot hot water. There was a time period where I got sloppy with measuring and took In wayyyy to much. It was not fun! Make sure you ease into the powder and don't do too much! They have a Rasberry lemonade flavored one that I like!

Thanks for the feedback. I just took the single serving packet. I hope it's not too much! Hoping that it helps me sleep better.