Make sure you are getting all your salt in. Lick some off your hand and follow up with a glass of water. Worked great for me. Most people who get that light headed, dizzy feeling need more salt.

WI last friday lost 5.8 week 6!
Thrilled. I was getting discouraged but that weigh in gave me the extra push to keep on going.

:carrot::carrot: Excellent!!!!!!

Awesome! ;) Nice reminder to us all that it will come off!

Down 32 lbs since May 9th, woohoo!

Wow RenK that's amazing! I have had some struggles staying OP 100% and so am losing a lot slower. Still happy with my losses, but stories like you inspire me to dig a bit deeper and add a few more "%" to get closer to 100 ;)

... I'm gonna go right now and restock those vitamins and refill the water bottle for tomorrow. The vitamins and water is something I struggle to get all in all the time so I'll make getting all my water in my goal this week. "Let there be pee!" (it's not a very glamorous "battle cry" but I gotta start somewhere!)
Congrats again on your great losses.

I started May 30th. I was able to stay on no problems the first week. Cheated with some chips on the second week and i felt horrible for two days afterwards, feeling very hungry. Coach said I left ketosis and was reentering.
Lost 11 lbs the first week, then with the cheating I was down another 6 the second week. Im back at 100% and hoping for a better third week.

Good going to get back on plan... best idea is to make a contract with yourself that you are going to stay 100% (write it out, sign it & post it on your fridge if you need to). You already know how a little cheat screws you up & makes you feel like crap. Why plan to do that to yourself? The firmer you stay, the quicker you get to maintenance goal!
:cb::cb::cb: YEAH! You can do this!

Liana

Hi Ladies,
I've just started Medifast, could anyone tell me why you went to IP instead of medifast. I'm wanting to give Medifast a real try but will be ready to switch when I run out of it for a change,

Thanks

Awesome. news RenK! Keep up the great work. I started incorporating walking, kayaking and biking in my routine ( which is hard with mandatory OT fight now). K am hoping it will help me w a good WI this week.

Hi Finally Thin-
I chose Ideal Protein because a fmaily member reached his goal on the program and I knew what the program was so I never looked at Medifast or any other program due to the visiable success I had whitnessed.

Im sure there are many successful Medifast people as well, I just dont happen to know anyone that has opened up to me about their weighloss journeys.

After a very disappointing WI on Monday I decided to remove the restricted item from my daily intake as I think that is why I only lost point 7 of a point this week. I guess it is a restart and maybe my body only allows me to have 25 grams of carbs a day. Also eliminating zuchini from my vegetable list since it seems those have a lot of carbs in it.
Very frustrating ....I have even started to do walking and biking last week. Guess I will stick to my kayaking to burn calories. And yes when I exercise I do take an extra packet.

2.8 lbs down! plus non victory stcale!!
 

another 2.8 lbs lighter! I am so glad because we had a family vacation, where everyone, was eating so much food and not once did I cheat!! NO ONE BITE! It took all my will power but I didn't. I was so excited...My SIL law even said on about the cake, "But see the actual strawberries?!! It is sooo good." Nope, this girl stood her ground!

Since I started out on the smaller size, I know that 4lbs loss is a big stretch, even 3 lbs so I am excited! For me that victory was the icing on the cake of my weight loss...had to share!!

I am sooooooo excited! I started on 5/8/14 at 154. For the last 2 weeks we have been on vacation in California (Disney, Sea World, etc). Weighed in today and I have lost 15 pounds in 6 weeks. I am sooo surprised! I am on plan with no cheats! None! Keep going y'all -- this works!!

6 week mark - nearly 21 lbs gone for me & 25+ for my husband. Amazing.

New to this...
 

Hi. I am new to this so I apologize if I seem like rookie! I started on IP about 2 weeks ago. This is my second go at it. The first was 2 years ago. I did great, lost 17 lbs. And the weight came back after a hysterectomy last fall. This time, the first week I lost 5 lbs and the second only 2. I have to say that my coach is not very informative. Most of the information that I have gained has been online. Also, the chiropractor office I am using (the only one in town that offers anything like this) uses Healthwise products instead if IP. They tell me that they are very similar, only Healthwise is less expensive. Any thoughts? I also use MyFitnessPal to track my exercise and food. My biggest problem is staying on track. None of my family struggle with weight so it is hard to find meals that are suitable to everyone.

I'm very happy to now be a part of this community. Thanks for you support and hopefully I can help others too!

my 5th week wi was better than expected!!! i lost 10.4lbs---this food plan is amazing!!!:dizzy:

I weighed in today. It was my 6th weigh in. I lost 1.5 this week. I have had amazing weeks and small ones. I started on May 1, and have lost 25 pounds. I was already exercising very aggressively and my dr recommended I try IP as I was not having any weight loss despite all the working out. So I have struggled since my activity level is quite a bit higher than the calories on this plan. I quite frankly cannot function on the level of calories that the plan has. My coach has had me incorporate additional proteins into my lunch meals and a protein snack. I am adding in natural proteins and not more packets although I imagine that would be okay as well. I enjoy reading the posts. We can do this!

Oh yeah, I am new and not very good at the posts yet. I tried a new exercise last night. :yoga:

WHo knew I could get so sweaty and tired moving so slowly! What a workout. My ribs were even sore this morning.

I sorta forgot about this thread! Oops :) I started 5.26 and lost 16 pounds the first week, then 1.5, then 4.5 last week. My WI is Friday. I hit 262.2 last Thursday but now the scale is stuck at 264.4 since Friday. So frustrating. But I was upped to 5 packets a day due to losing way more lean mass than I should have (my coach prefers a 2:1 fat:lean loss ratio; I lost 10 pounds of fat but 9 of lean mass). Plus, though I am 100% on plan I still get hungry a lot and feel really weak. I haven't even had any of the restricted veggies, just select.

But since I am insulin resistant my doctor said that if loss didn't go the way we expected I may need Metformin to help level out my blood sugar and help my liver. So that starts as soon as my prescription is in. I hope that helps.

Tamila, Is your doctor your coach? I am wondering how you know you are insulin resistant. I kept starting and quitting IP because I was tired and weak and foggy-headed. My coach kept telling me to eat less and after several weeks of feeling this way, would always quit then the weight came back. It was very frustrating as I know several people who did IP for a few months, lost all their weight, look amazing and it made me feel like such a complete loser for not sticking with it. I truely believe my metabolism is different than the other people who have such an easy time on the diet. I literally cried cause I didn't want to quit IP but felt so awful.

We have the same starting weight. goal, and height!! I am having the same results you are!! I am getting anxious though to lose those last few pounds so mentally it has been harder...I am just ready to get to my goal!!

Isn't that awesome! I'm pushing to get there. It's so close I can feel it!! Let's keep up with each other!

I will definitely follow you...I sometimes get discouraged because I think it isn't coming off fast enough since I started at a lower weight but seeing your numbers made me realize I am right on track!

I feel so bad for you kcandponies: Have you had your blood sugars or thyroid tested? You may need the Alternative IP Plan - that includes more food (for those that are diabetic or whose bodies do not react well to the very low calories of Regular IP Plan). It includes 1 fruit serving, 1 low fat dairy serving, and 1 starch serving. I had to use it after 3 months or so when my body was not feeling well and I had a big stall - my coach thought I might need more food, and it was just the ticket for me even though I've never had any blood sugar issues.
Possibly worth looking into...
Liana

This is not IP using alternative products, it is an actual IP Program through all phases.

Thanks, yes all my levels are normal except I have high cholesterol. I did not try the alternate plan, I didn't know about it until the second time I tried IP. I may dust myself off and try once again to get back on plan. I don't want to have a serving of bread though, and I don't like dairy. If I can use almond or coconut milk (unsweetened) and fruit, I would be fine. Maybe I can have a serving of carrots instead of bread once in a while? Refined carbs make me ravenous, which makes me think I am insulin resistant, but don't know how to be tested.

http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/blood-glucose
Description of the two kinds of blood glucose tests that you will get.

I don't like milk, but did/do use greek yogourt and cheese for my dairy. When I want milk I use Almond. You could try it, making sure that the alternate choice has similar nutrient levels as milk - calcium, protein, fats - like skim.

Liana

I had the a1c test and landed in insulin resistant / pre-diabetic range. It was really hard emotionally, as I have been KILLING myself trying to lose weight for 4 years. But I do feel light headed and crappy all the time. If the Metformin doesn't help I may need to talk to my coach & doc yet again. I just feel like I am always the exception to the rule and it is so frustrating!

Tamila I certainly understand your frustration with feeling like no plan or diet rule makes the difference.

I have always suspected insulin resistance/sensitivity but my doctors would never test or talk about it because they deem it "sub-clinical".

I dont know if your doctor has any insight on natural support for insulin, but I have been hearing great things about cinnamon bark but it can be overused so I would like to talk to a doc before I use it.

Right now I'm pairing the IP and Metformin; we'll see if that levels out the blood sugar and helps with the lightheaded and dizziness. If not I'll see what steps she wants to take next.

Had 7 week WI last week and dropped another 2.9 lbs. not as great as the wk prior with 5.8 but I try to think of the total ! 25 pounds down and will WI again friday. One if my favorite quick veggies is endives. 2 cups sliced with salt a tsp of olive oil and cider vinegar! Delish! If you haven t had endive before they are a tad bitter. I myself love them.

Congrats! I also had a 3 lb weight loss this last week. 25 in 6 weeks ain't bad! I just wish every week was at least 6 lbs.

yay
 

Just had my weigh in, started May 29, week 1 -6.2lbs, week 2 +0.8 week 3,-3.3, week 4 -3.4:carrot::carrot:
Has any one had a problem with palpitations or increased heart rate on IP?

I have a heart condition for which I take medication to keep my heart rate steady, so I haven't experienced the increased heart rate. However, I do experience the palpitations - in my case they are PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). My cardiologist told me that since they are often caused by hormones you can experience them more when losing weight (when your hormones are in flux), just as I feel them more during TOM. She's told me many times to try to ignore them (Ha!).

I'd suggest talking to your doctor about it. You might end up wearing a heart monitor for a few days but when you get the results you might be more relaxed knowing it is all normal. Your family doctor can probably do this, you don't necessarily need to see a cardiologist.

Another cause of palpitations is also thyroid problems, so that might be something to look into as well.

I hope it all turns it out well for you. I understand how scary it can be.

7 week weigh in - down 5.8 lbs - total 35.6 lbs and 18 inches. Feeling strong and determined as I enter a week of vacation and TOM. Go May starters!!

Congrats on all your losses!! WI week 8 -2.1 ;). 27.1 total. Hoping for a big loss next week. Seems to be a pattern for me...2 weeks lower loss one week big. Just how my body works I guess.

I am just devastated! I only lost 0.6lbs...no cheats at all! I just got over the TOM so I was really expecting a good loss - at least 2 lbs but I didn't even make a 1 lb loss...I am so close to goal and I am feeling like I am not going to get there...It is getting really hard for me, esp. since i have my husband saying "you look amazing! Phase off" (great I know, but I really want to reach the number I had set)...mentally I feel like I have jumped over the cliff... really bummed!

I had gained a pound last week and was also frustrated. I think that it is often fluid and I had drank a lot of liquid before I weighed in so I decided to just ignore that and keep following the plan because I know I am going to see it in other ways, even if it is not on the scale.

Dnthomas no worries...I had that twice in s row with no cheats I was very fustrsted...just keep swimming!

I had my tom start stop and start again the following week. Anyone else experience this? My coach says it is normal

We are in the same boat. I lost 0.8 pounds at weigh in. Don't be discouraged. I had no cheats and the scale barely moved. I lost 2 inches off my chest. If we stuck with it, we will be at goal within the next 6 weeks. (Losing approx 1 pound a week) the last few are the hardest! Keep going!