eandc2006,

I am losing much slower this time on IP, although, I was a "slow" loser the first time around. I averaged over 5 months 1.7 lbs/week. I have had some thyroid issues and med adjustments. I suspect it needs a tweek, I get bloodwork done the first week of April. I have also had 2 surgeries in the last 6 months & I think it has made me retain fluids, although for my shoulder surgery I only took pain meds for 2 days and didn't take any for my knee, other than the first day.

I am post-meno, so can't help you on the spotting thing. I have probably ruined my metabolism by dieting so often over the last 15 yrs, before that I maintained a normal rate. The fact that we all are getting older, you will have to accept the fact that that doesn't "help" weight loss.

I am just taking the "slow-boat" and not worrying about it. :) good luck

Bellamack - I have to tell you how much I enjoy your posts, you have such a wonderful attitude!

Assuming one's body is functioning normally it's not true. Either you're in a caloric deficit or you're not. Following phase 1 you're in a deficit.

Dispite what IP liturature says carbs are not the reason one gains fat nor is a lack of carbs what causes fat loss.

Well, whatever IP teaches, it was right for me. Nothing including exersize has helped me this much! I love this plan!!

I have the same problem this is my third reboot. I have to say the weight is coming off much slower 1.4 on average for me.

I'm sure there are many places one can go if they want to be critical about IP. This site, however, is for people to be supportive of each other on the plan. I appreciate all you cheerleaders out there who keep encouraging me! Thanks everyone!

Do you people work for IP? I really don't see how these comments have anything to do with this thread, at all.

If you don't work for IP, than I would really suggest you stop treating the IP diet like a religion and instead actively invest in your own knowledge. This subsection of 3FC forum is for IP support which means people support one another. Support comes in many forms, not just cheer leading. My form of support comes from giving people knowledge and facts and yes, I am critical of IP for a number of reasons but that doesn't mean I think it is a bad plan it just means I know it is not perfect nor for everyone.

Why should everyone educate themselves on the fundamentals of fat loss and not just drink the IP koolaide? Simple. The real issue isn't how to lose fat but how to maintain after you've lost it. If the phase 4 rules aren't ones you can or want to follow then you're continually rebooting and if you dont' know any better you might think you didn't "phase off" properly. If you take an active role in learning about your body and general fundamental rules of fat loss/gain you're much better equiped to find a long term WOE (Way of eating) that works for you and keeps you at a happy and healthy weight.

JohnP, what is your take on cheat meals after being on protocol for weeks and not losing much? is it effective or harmful in the long run?

Thanks Ruth Ann, I read all of your posts. You are so encouraging :)

Eandc: In the book The Plan she says you can do a simple test for thyroid. Put a thermometer under your arm before you get up in the am. If the temp is below normal, you might have a thyroid deficiency. However, to be sure, I would get a blood test. I agree with the others about water retention and potassium being factors for retention. Hope you are feeling better.

Bellamack: It was good to see how you are doing. I hope your recovery from the two surgeries is going well. I agree with you..there are so many factors that can influence your metabolism ..and age is one of them. Keep your positive slow boat attitude!

John: I read your details. You have found a healthy lifestyle that works for you! Maintaining for two years is impressive! I like your informative honest posts!

John, you give good information and generally have a pretty straightforward approach which is refreshing. I think the objection comes from phrases like "not just drink the IP koolaide". I find it offensive to those of us who stay OP because it works for us. That doesn't mean we aren't learning a lot about nutrition and what works for us in terms of food but for you to refer to IP so derisively constantly is rather insulting. We're all adults here and have made a decision to use this program. You even state it works but by belittling IP it appears you seem to think we are all a bunch of zombies just mindlessly doing whatever the program says and, for the majority of the people here, nothing could be further than the truth.

So how about giving people a little credit? Just because we chose to follow IP for weight loss and use the basic principles to maintain doesn't mean we've learned nothing or haven't done our research.

And by the way, what I have learned is that I can never go back to eating carbs the way I did before IP. In my case (for many reasons I won't go into here) I am going to have to moderate my carbs for the rest of my life and that's a challenge I can live with and do so happily if it means I stay at a good weight and am healthy.

Ruth Ann you're right that I could be more diplomatic. I use strong words because I have strong feelings. In my opinion people should be more pragmatic and less dogmatic.

Sorry if I've offended you. I certainly don't think that all people following the IP diet are doing so blindly. I do assume that people are following it blindly though when any criticism of the diet is met with great offense.

Thanks John. Like I said, you do impart some good information and the more information people have the better equipped they are to make good decisions whether while losing weight or maintaining.

Thank you all. I so appreciate all the feedback and John, thank you for the additional information. Like I said before, I really do appreciate your opinion because it is different and very informative and not a repeat of what the IP plan says (which I have gotten from my coach). In other words, I have often heard things that may not necessarily have been observed by my coach but shared with her through training and it seems very blanketed advice at times.

One question that I have is, how come with other low-calorie diets lilke WW for example, have I not been able to loose the amount of weight I do know with IP? I would love to know your position because it seems to be for whatever reason I stalled out on WW around 145lbs despite exercising.

On a positive note, the scale showed 132 this morning with only 7lbs to goal. I took the potassium on Friday evening and again Saturday and the weight came off. I really di suspect I was retaining water. Three weeks tomorrow OP. Hopefully this next 7 comes off within two weeks. I am ready to get back to my phase 3 bfasts. On another positive note, my hubby started IP today and is going to give it a shot for a couple weeks...only needs to loose 10lbs. With the way men loose, he may be done in a week.

Thank you! I think you were right about the potassium keeping me hovering at 135. I took my supplements Friday evening and by Saturday I was down to 132! What a difference a day makes. Amazing. I am always terrible about taking them. I am feeling so much better. Three weeks tomorrow OP and I think I will stay on until I get to 125...was originally going to just do 30 days but figured that since I keep hovering between 135-140 when I really would like to be at 130 max, I should just get down to 125 so I have some cushion so I do not have to do reboots as often. Not to mention I am so close. How are you?