That's terrific!! :carrot:

Fantastic!! :hug: and that's incredible about your daughter and her husband!!


Hi to everyone - on Day 6 and doing OK. Struggling with cough/cold since Friday. Hoping to feel better soon!

Hope you all have a great day!!

skinnybride2be, i'm so sorry to hear that! I'm sure it'll turn up! I'm sure there were plenty of pictures captured, have you put any time on gathering pictures from family and friends and making an album?

Has anyone ever noticed their appetite growing after they eat an occasional veggie? I have started noticing the day after I eat tomatoes or brussel sprouts, I want to eat everything in sight! I woke up to a growling tummy this AM :mad:
I hate that feeling. I'm guessing it has to do with the sugars and carbs in tomatoes and brussels.

I'd probably solve the problem one of two ways: cut the asparagus so it fits into my 2 c. pyrex measuring cup or guesstimate.

I'm sorry you're having such a difficulty.
However, if we have a problem and then we eat over it, then we have 2 problems.
The only problem eating solves is hunger (true hunger).

I get that problem from Quest Bars & other restricted cravings. Haven't noticed it from occasional veggies but I really only eat them very occasionally (when we're "out" and there isn't another choice). I think it is the thing I miss most from going back on P1...having to limit veggie amounts and types of veggies. (weird, huh...not all the carby foods most people think they miss)

I prefer them over Miracle Noodles (just can't deal with the texture) They're not 0-0-0, like Miracle Noodles, so not free, but one 12 oz package has 18 calories and 0 net carbs. To me, it seems like it should be unlimited like lettuce, but I'm not a coach ;) They're flavorless like Miracle Noodles, but they definitely have a different consistency... They're more crunchy and don't really soften up unless in chicken broth or spaghetti sauce. They make a great substitute for rice noodles in Asian dishes. The cheapest price I found online is $3.09/ package on Netrition.

I do not like cauliflower.This recipes sounds good does anyone know if you can taste it.


Shared by another wonderful clinic "The best Ideal Protein dessert...EVER!"

Shred a head of cauliflower (I use my Ninja or food processor), add some of the shreds to boiling water and sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg to the pot with a little vanilla extract. Let cook for 3-4 minutes, let cool (a wee bit) and pour mixture into your food-pro and blend.

Top with more cinnamon and Walden Farms Caramel sauce.
It's kinda like a warm bowl of oatmeal with caramel--and when you've lived on IP, that's AWESOME!

(Save the remaining shredded "cauliflower rice" for tomorrow's dinner)

Thank you Lisa

Lisa: I really wanted to say thanks for all the great info you provide. Your answers are always spot on. This particular one is perfect! I often pass on your advice to my SIL to help on her IP journey as well.

Nettie: I have noticed that I get slightly nauseated and shaky after I have my morning shake. I use an alternative product and not IP, but it did not always happen. I am wondering if it is a soy sensitivity as well.

I have made several recipes using cauliflower in the past week or so, and find I can't taste the cauliflower, however i have heard that jicama is good for recipes with cinnamon and is almost Apple like. Perhaps substitute that for the cauliflower. Or just try cauliflower. It's amazing how much our tastes change when we are eating healthy!

Thanks, I am trying to eat different veggies so I don't get bored

I know you said you don't like cauliflower but have you ever tried it roasted? Tastes nothing like when you steam it. It gets crunchy and yummy!

Spread on a foil lined cookie sheet, mist with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Roast at 350* for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until it's golden brown.

Worth a try!

PS. Most veggies taste completely different once you roast them. Zucchini, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and turnips are my favorites!

I totally agree! We are roasting broccoli right now. Yum!

Yum! That's the only veggie I have roasted yet. I love it so much steamed with olive oil and lemon juice that I never bothered to try it any other way. Next on my list!

well just got back from weigh in and down another 2lbs yay, I asked my coach about feeling sick after having my morning shake and she thinks it maybe the potassium pill she wants me to try taking it later in the day. I told her that I already tried that but she just brushed me off saying it can't be the protein packs because I didn't have a problem the first 7 weeks. I guess I am going to just start phase 3 and see if that fixes my problem.

It wont hurt to try thanks for the info

Good Afternoon! I've been reading a lot of posts. I find them very encouraging.
I have been feeling a tad light-headed today..... not sure why. I can't say I like this feeling. Makes me want to eat more to make the feeling go away but I just drink more water instead. I know a loss is a positive a step in the right direction but is 1# a week okay or should it be more. Maybe I need to look closer at my alternative products. Just incase I missed something during purchasing.
I did have a question. I thought I saw a post that answered it when I first joined but for the life of me I can't find it again. When counting carbs, do you subtract fiber AND sugar alcohol? Or just the fiber?

Hope everyone is having a pleasant day.

Oh......... over the weekend I went to Sears in search of some jeans because my 13 yo daughter told me that I looked liked I was swimming in my pants. So she told me I needed "skinny jeans", I told her these ARE my "skinny jeans". LOL She's funny, she picked out a pair of jeans, size juniors 15. I thought NO WAY, will I ever fit in a juniors "skinny" jeans but they fit with no problems. Just need different shoes to make the "skinny" part around the ankle look right. I know nothing about fashion. So I now have a pair of jeans that I can strut around in and not "swim" around in. lol

Gotta love my kiddo!

Just subtract the fibre. :) and congrats on the skinny jeans!

Thank-you Susie!

Chicken broth may help being light-headed.

Regarding the lightheadedness - make sure you are getting your salt.

Regarding the 1 pound loss. Any loss is a loss. Some weeks you are not going to have as much loss as other weeks. Kind of the body's way of "equalizing things out". I don't how long you have been on IP and what your losses are for last week, but both of those are things to keep in mind.

I know when I have a larger loss, like 3-5 lbs, the next week is smaller. I have accepted that and now I don't worry about it. Also, how many inches did you lose when you l lost the 1 pound. Sometimes you will lose more inches on weeks with lower weight.

Many people have said this to me, and I have to remind myself, that we have to use other measures of our success instead of the scale. Such as: Was I 100% OP all week; did I get my water in each day; what NSV's did I have this week (like now I am in a size 14 instead of a size 16);

Keep up the good work.

It's the sodium on the light headedness. Chicken broth will only help if it's not low sodium. Make sure you're getting ALL of your salt. Some people even add a little to their water.

Net carbs = total minus fiber. The food industry tries all kinds of other hocus pocus
Enjoy the skinny jeans!

And some weeks you'll. have higher losses and some lower.

Another delicious dinner! Wish there was leftovers for tomorrow! Not sure what I will come up with tomorrow...

ShrinkingSusie-What was on the menu tonight? Mine was maple Dijon pork tenderloin, sautéed red cabbage and bib lettuce w/ lemon, olive oil and sprinkled with basil and rosemary

Chicken breast on garden salad with homemade salsa/bruschetta as dressing.

Mmm, yours sounds delicious!

So does yours! What did you include in your salsa? Have a snow day from school tomorrow, may make the cauliflower recipe that you shared with me or IP cauliflower fried rice. :D

Snow day here, too! I am afraid we will be in school till July!!! (I like the time off, but enough is enough...oh well, though, guess we can't control the weather.)

This is only our third snow day, current end is June 13th. I am okay with that. We only have one week in the spring for vacation. Last year with the hurricane and a blizzard, we were in school until the 23rd!

Hello. New to this forum. Just started IP this past Saturday. So far it's been easier than I expected it to be. The one thing I am worried about is my weight obsession. I have always been a religious weigher.
One of the main reasons it's taken me so long to start the program is because I was worried that I would still be so concerned about the number on the scale, it would drive me crazy.
I know I have to focus on the mini achievements, it's just a thing I have to learn to deal with.
Hope everyone is having a great day. :)

I used one Roma tomato that I diced, one clove of garlic chopped, three chopped fresh basil leaves, a bit of salt and pepper, and some olive oil. I didn't measure, just eyeballed it. Then I let it sit in the fridge for the day. Next time I will put onion, didn't even think about it today! Oh and a dash of white vinegar.

tinespeens: Welcome and congrats on starting! Seriously, if the scale is going to drive you nuts have someone hide it from you and only use your weekly weigh in. Fluctuations are a normal part of your body's metabolism and no need to stress. Stress can slow down your weight loss. The measuring tape, how your clothes fit and how you feel are just as important as the number on the scale.

Our weather was in the 70's today-we are facing drought conditions
We could really use some snow on our mountains
not looking forward to fire season.
on a happier note:
I received my wedding invitation to my youngest sons wedding in April-great
motivation to stick to the plan!!

Be careful of the protein drinks, many of them contain added iodine. My partner has Graves and I know she can't use the EAS shakes. I'm not sure about the IP shakes because I am on alternatives.

I'm a daily weigher as well. I told my husband to hide the scale then yelled at him to give it back to me within two days. I guess I don't see the harm in it. I know it's going to fluctuate and try not to stress about it. It just makes me feel better knowing I'm on the right track each day.

Interesting. I use IP drinks, and usually just the chocolate and wild berry ones. I do not use them a lot. I have changed to using salt with no iodine and am taking a multi-vitamin without iodine. My free T numbers were up at the end of December due to the iodine they used in the cortisone shots I had so the doctor wants me to try a few more months unmedicated. I have not been symptomatic so I am hoping no more meds.

Day 21 of my reboot. I said this earlier in my reboot but I will mention it again. When I lost my 30 pounds in 2010 I never ate restricted. I have tried rebooting since then without any success but I was having 1 restricted bar every day. This time around I am not eating restricted and for some reason the weight is coming off and it seems easier. I know it does not affect some people eating restricted but for me I do think it affected my success. Have a 100% IP day.

Welcome tinespeens! I am in the same area as you are (Ottawa Valley):wave:

Some people weigh every day, others only weekly. Since you fear your obsession might drive you crazy, hiding the scale might be a good idea.

Whether you end up weighing weekly or more often than that, as long as you stay 100% on plan, you will love the results. Just stick to it, even if the scale doesn't give you what you were hoping for every time; next time will be better!

Coffee bean-
For what it's worth, I also do not use restricteds. When I was still working on losing my weight last winter and through last summer,I 100% on protocol. IP restricted items all have gluten in them so I limited my self to IP products I was able to use and get pretty easily. (Did not order any of the online places like nashua. Although I did use EAS carb control RTD for travel and variety (also liked that the choc and vanilla drinks are 11 oz instead of 8) and were pretty close to calories/protein and pretty low carbs as IP. Never had a stall..and the slowdowns in my losses after I hit 119 lbs at the end were I am sure casued by being pretty close to ideal weight for my size and in a normal BMI range.

Some people do seem to still lose with using them...but it makes sense that once the weight loss is close to goal...every little thing can be a factor. For most people, it is a lot of little things that add weight and eventually cause a problem.

PS- I also began low intensity workouts 6/days a week in early April and never noticed any change in my wt loss pattern which was established by then.
The only variation in the diet was I allowed myself real egg white omlettes instead of IP. To mimick a packet I used 3 egg white (=under 60 calories) and added mushrooms and spinach and bell peppers to give me a few carbs (under 7-8 is in most IP food. Eas is under 4) and did not usually subtract that small amount from the daily veggie measurment. My goal was to clone the nutrition in a packet.