two pounds until I am no longer obese by my BMI standards... YAY..

65-- Yes, you are correct. In my head I was combining two different thoughts and it came out wrong. Thank you for clarifying my mistake!!

No problem...I figured you knew...but worry when we don't catch those quick answers, (which we all fire off), and someone needs to do an "addendum" for readers who may not actually have mastered the basics.

Hi y'all! I know this has been answered (because I read it a few weeks ago...) but I can't find it again and I forgot what it said.

I'm pretty sure I have the flu. Body aches, chills, headache, fever (though never over 100.5?). The doc did a swab yesterday but barely entered the nasal canal PLUS it was a rapid test so it's not so accurate and it came back negative. I don't have any cold symptoms like the runny nose and such. Let me get to my actual question.....background wasn't entirely necessary I guess...

Is the IP protocol hindering my immune system in anyway? I'd really like to get better ASAP. I've stayed 100% OP since I started feeling ill but I don't know if the low calorie and carb counts are hurting anything. Thoughts?

I am so happy that the lunch worked out well. There will always be situations where one might be tempted to go off because of some reason, many of them quite understandable. But add one lunch to one birthday to one anniversary to one baby shower to one wedding to one family reunion.....one needs to draw the line in the sand!

That being said I am so proud of you sending the salad back. It is not worth going off IP by not wanting to possibly ruffle feathers. This program teaches to put yourself first and learn to stand up for what is important.

Kudos to you on all sorts of levels.

I feel your pain. My doc has been trying to get to the bottom of my stall, too.

Not everyone gets the reduced appetite from ketosis.
Usually people who weren't insulin resistant to start.
IP works for many people but it doesn't work for everyone.
There is an alternative plan that includes a dairy, a starch and a fruit every day, one in each meal perhaps you want to look into that, especially if you have already determined that this is true hunger and not just cravings and wanting to eat.
Simple answer, you might not be doing anything wrong.
But just to emphasize make sure that you're getting all of your oil, all of your vegetables and eating two salads daily. If you're still super hungry after all of that then perhaps looking into that alternative plan might be a good option for you

I was incredibly hungry for the first month. I was taking an aspirin a day and it was coated with something that I guess had carbs. Once I quit taking it, the hunger disappeared. Check your medications as well as the food you are eating.

Went for my results appointment with my doc today. She was really good to explain all the blood work results with me. Good news is my thyroid seems to be functioning normally. My cholesterol was very low. Even the good cholesterol. She said it was all so low that it matched that of someone with an eating disorder. Good thing I'm in maintenance now so I can incorporate more of those good fats back in my diet. Vitamin D is low as usual but not as low as it's been in the past. Iron was a bit low which is weird considering the amount of protein and veg I eat but hemoglobin is perfect. Otherwise everything looks good. Thought you all would be interested to know the blood work results of a recent IP graduate!

I agree with what RuthAnn posted on this topic- perhaps he has to come to terms with the idea of the changing look of your body and how other men will see you. Rape is not about sexual attraction; it is about power. Maybe have a talk with him about this?

That being said, have you considered carrying pepper spray, taking self-defense classes, etc? That might ease his mind, and would be beneficial for you, too.

This is an AWESOME tradition! I may have to steal it LOL
I have one sister, but then acquired four more sisters and three brothers through remarriages. My family is awesome! Recently, my sis and I started doing cousin dinners with my female cousins. We go once a month and catch up. I want to get my siblings together for regular dinners, too; it is so fun!

Excellent! Welcome!

Wow, glad everything worked out. Usually, most places (even bars) will have a burger you can order plain and bunless.

If I recall correctly, in the past, Lisa has mentioned that the lack of sugars in the IP protocol actaully helps in recovering from illnesses, as the viruses thrive on sugars. On IP, you are starving those buggers! Feel better soon!

I am the youngest of 7 girls. Our "sisters day" is the first Saturday after June 4th, our parents anniversary. We started it 3 years ago, after both parents were gone. No spouses, no children, just us. We have a blast. I wish we had started the tradition sooner.

Thanks! I was hoping that was the answer. 15 pounds in three weeks. No virus is going to stop that momentum if I can help it!

Wow, had no idea. Thanks!

This is an awesome tradition too! We also exclude the spouses, kids and pets! It started because I wanted a weekend to finish all the convos that we sisters had all left hanging because a toddler needed to go potty, a teenager had a fender bender, the dog had an accident on the new rug and dh was having trouble getting the grill lighted or enough ice in the cooler......and wasn't sure where the "big burger tray is..."

Yours sounds really special too...

Reenhag...borrow away!! You are young and can make lots of memories! Our spouses support this, and never felt left out because one day we won't be 5 anymore...and they know we would regret not doing this. I also host sister weekends. I have the most bedrooms in my house, and my kids are both gone...plus we have no pets...and dh goes to vist one of our grown daughters when they all come so we can have a 3 day Pj party. We try to do this about every other year...

In my 10 weeks OP there was once I thought I was getting the flu. I always take a homeopathic treatment when that happens. It was just automatic this time too. It tastes sweet and I instantly thought - carbs! Aaahhh! Nutrition data says 0-0-0 but it did have sucrose in it so I had to make myself feel better by peeing on a ketostix. The flu never did get me!

I know you do Lisa :) Some people have no idea what slow weight loss is or a stall/plateau. I am plugging along though.

I also was positive for the gluten blood test, I don't want the biopsy. She is going to do an ultrasound of my adrenals too, since my mom had Cushings syndrome. I will let you know.