IP Weekend Chat Sat, May 3 - Sun, May 4, 2014
 

:welcome2:
Welcome back to the Daily Chat thread - post your plans for today, share what's been happening, ask questions!

Some forum lingo:
NSV = Non-scale victory
TOM = time of the month
WI = Weigh-in
WF = Walden Farms
OP = on plan

Bookmarking:
Ideal Protein Sub-forum Home page
Consider making it a bookmark or a favorite in your browser so you can come back easily to get your RDA of Ideal Protein information.

Information for newbies:
Check the sticky page (top of forum, above all the topics) for lots of good information and please read here before asking what might be a frequently asked question: Information on Ideal Protein phases (1-4), IP Ultimate List Recipes, FAQ, Newbie Guide, Exercise, and other Important Threads,
and here are the most recent Ideal Protein Protocol sheets

And before you cheat, read this thread:
The Real Cost of Cheating on Ideal Protein

Before starting new threads: spend some time reading the forum. Most new threads are duplicates, triplicates, quadruplicates. Folks who are the most successful, make time for research/reading.

More Recipes Here Mix'n in the kitchen...Recipes from the Rainbow
MiX'N' iN THE KiTCH'N.... Recipes from the Rainbow Volume 2
Fun with Ideal Protein Packets
Fun with Veggie Purees!
Ideal Protein Diet Recipes #4
Tips and Recipes from the Incredible Weight Loss Center

For those looking for alternative products
Here is a thread with tons of info. Spend some time in it. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...phase-1-a.html
And here is a link to a chart to help you choose appropriate products

Tickers and Signatures:
There are 2 requirements to have access to signatures and tickers. You must have been a member of 3fatchicks for 20 days AND posted at least 20 messages anywhere on the 3fatchicks forum. When you've met those requirements check The Ultimate Signature and Ticker Thread for more information and instructions.

Quoting:
The best quoting tip - EVER!! Thanks Rosie, aka 6710.

Searching:
If you can't find what you're looking for in this forum using the website search function, try using the "double search" using Google.

1) Go to Google.com. Search 3fatchicks by using the term site:3fatchicks.com at the end of your Google search.

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Progress photos
Mini-Goal Photo Album.

Other helpful links related to the Ideal Protein Dr. Chanh Tran Tien's website

I had a real hankering for chocolate today so I made myself the chocolate cake in a cup. I ate it for breakfast with my coffee - how decadent- That cured my craving for the day.
Onwards and upwards! Or downwards on the scale, in my case he!he!he!

Happy weekend IPeeps! Wishing everyone an OP weekend!

Happy Weekend!!! I'm finally back on day shifts starting tomorrow for 2 weeks, so I don't have to be a zombie!! :) I think my body really hates them....I've been having trouble getting all of my water on and I can feel myself holding on to weight.

On the upside, I managed to squeeze out another 0.8 lbs this week, bringing me to 148.4.....inching towards goal!!

Has anyone ever experienced struggles staying OP after being on for awhile? How did you over come those? The problem for the past week is that I feel like I'm going to cave at any moment. I haven't yet, but the desire to eat my children's food is getting overwhelming at times. They are small and though they eat a lot of what I eat they also get snacks and treats that I obviously don't. We went to the movies yesterday and I darn near at the popcorn (I've been to the movies numerous times and never came that close). One had a birthday and took cookies to school, brought home the left overs and I had a close call there. I was making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and came close to licking the spoon (I don't even really like peanut butter). It's the weirdest thing. I mean I struggled a little at the beginning but after a couple weeks and all the great progress I had few problems. Now I'm getting so afraid I'll cheat I'm hiding out in my house and don't want to go do things with my friends and family like I have been. Not to say I haven't occasionally had desires to eat things but they have been just that, OCCASIONAL desires that are easy to overcome but lately it doesn't matter what it is I suddenly have these urges and I mean have had the handful of popcorn up to my mouth... Now my dreams have gone from cheat dreams to cheat NIGHTMARES where I'm binging myself on food to the point I'm making myself sick. It is just so weird.

Amber, I'm on week 12 and this past week has been extremely hard for me. Harder then the first 2 weeks. I've been dreaming about food and also thinking and craving everything. I've been throwing a pity party for myself. It was my birthday this past week and of course I felt deprived. I rode it out though and think my state of mind is getting back to where I need it to be. We're both at a crucial part of the diet. It's where most people would give in and quit. This is where the men get separated from the boys...LOL. Let's hang in there and know that if we don't give in, it will all be worth it. If you're anything like me, getting through this will make us stronger. Hang in there and know your not the only one.

It's strange! I don't think I'm really feeling deprived. I am overly annoyed at people at work for their comments about my diet lately. I just can't believe the things I've ALMOST done and how frequently. Your right it is worse than the first two weeks!

Congrats for staying OP for so long! What an accomplishment! I'm only on week three...but I really resonate with the KIDS part of what you were talking about. It's hard to be around snack food/carbs all the time. My hubby is making pancakes for the kids as we speak. Mmmmmmm. I have had to catch myself several times from licking the peanut butter knife. It's made me realize how much snacking I've done off my kids plates! What makes it worse is that my daughter is a very finicky eater and often leaves delicious treats untouched. Bah...they either get saved for her for later or trashed.

After several days stagnate at 160lbs....I was thrilled to see the scale creep down to 158 this AM! Hoorah! I haven't been in the 150's in three years!!!! Next mini goal is 155...haven't been below 155 since having my daughter 4 years ago.

Feeling great about this weekend...beautiful weather...staying OP...citron wafers for snack. Yes!

Amber - you've done so well! Congrats on that!

I had weeks like that where I just wanted to eat and forget about dieting. You mentioned in another post that your TOM is all messed up - I suspect hormones have a lot to do with the discouraged, I want to give up, I just want to hide feelings. I know it did for me. Remember, women store hormones in their fat so as you release fat it really screws up the hormones. You're being awfully hard on yourself - this is hard work and you should be proud of yourself.

The upside is that usually after one of those weeks I would have a whoosh and down the scale would go!

In the meantime keeping going! Plan some fun outdoor, non-food related activities, take up knitting, clean something - it really does help.

Thanks Ruth Ann, I am trying all these techniques, I've been trying to focus my energy on school work, I have 5 papers left and two tests to be finished with my bachelors degree!!! I have to student teach next fall but since I already work as a teacher that's not going to be hard! LOL So I am excited about a lot of things in my life right now, but I just can't seem to find my focus on school work. So I am cleaning and getting out of the house, today the kids and I are planting our vegetable garden, it should be fun and although it's food related so to speak it will be ok. I have been cleaning but a lot of the cleaning happens in my kitchen. I will keep going, I plan to move forward and keep losing, I am just surprised at how bad I'm struggling right now. By now this should be a breeze! I hope it is TOM, I did stop taking birth control pills (tubes are tied) since they weren't helping control hormones, maybe that's got my hormones all out of whack again.

I find my eyes wondering a little. Ads for foods on tv or roadside signs and I miss some of those things. But I think it is that I am a little bored with my options. I really don't love veggies and although I'm not craving potatoes or pasta it is just so darn easy to do. Veggies are so much work and I have to keep going back to the store to buy more so they are fresh. I look in my IP cupboard and don't really want anything! If I keep eating crisps and pudding is that setting me up for junk food in the future? I love how I feel but I really wish somebody else would just cook for me for a while! In the past that would result in take out but that just isn't an option.

Ok, my pity party is over. Time for lunch.

Nutritional Yeast
 

Good day! I'm new to the program and loving it so far. I've been putting nutritional yeast on my salads but then realized that it may actually not be IP friendly. Anybody know? Thanks!

Since you've lost quite a bit of weight already, it's likely that your leptin levels have decreased to a point that they're no longer effectively inhibiting hunger. Low leptin levels are probably one of the biggest challenges to long-term weight loss and maintenance. Keep fighting.

If it isn't on the Protocol sheet, it's not allowed. So no, stop using it.

2TBSP =

50 calories
5g carbs
4 g fiber
8g protein

I have a jar in my fridge leftover from my vegan/vegetarian days.

No official WI today. Coach is out of town. Home scale says 1.4 lbs down. Was hoping for better. I'm at week 11 and feeling crabby and out of sorts and hungry for the last few days. Will just keep powering through. Hope everybody has a great weekend.

So...the cat likes rutabaga. That's not normal.

:rofl::rofl:

The cat just wants what you have, lol!! Not a fan of rutabaga or turnip although I'll eat almost anything else.
On a side note - it's asparagus season here - the time when the only vegetable we eat for a month is fresh asparagus!!! I buy 10 lbs at a time and don't freeze any of it. Bad side is pee STINKS from asparagus - I know, TMI... :dizzy:
Looking forward to fiddleheads soon, too. Right now recovering from being 'glutened.' I was out for a very busy day with a friend, and we went to my usual Japanese Sukiyaki style joint where I always order the beef & vegetables with no teriyaki or soy sauce (& sometimes no rice - carb smarter). I wasn't very vigilant about witnessing the grill clean first because I was tired and overhungry, and there was a new guy on...
Needless to say within a couple hours after I was in severe pain and my stomach had gained 10 inches (not joking). We managed to make it home before I was tied to the bathroom and my knee & elbow joints have been aching as well since then. So exhausted, sick & sore, and it will take days to recover.
REMINDER NOTE TO SELF: Never take your 'regular' restaurant meal for granted - ALWAYS check prep. :cry::mag::cry:

Too funny! Mine likes tomatoes - I seriously have to make sure they aren't left on the kitchen counter, it's the only thing he'll get on the counter for. I give him the cores for treats. Strange animals!

I feel the same. Every time I go to the grocery store to buy veg, I get frustrated that the produce section is SURROUNDED by junk food. I know why they do it, I just find it irritating. And boredom, YES. I miss my cheese! My coach and I had a conversation about it at my WI a couple of days ago. And I really noticed last night how much time it takes to prep my veg for the week! :dizzy:

:rofl:

I had a cat once who loved French fries and green beans!

I have also struggled this week. It is especially strange because it had been so easy at first. I was so surprised that I had NOT craved sweets and had found it easy to ignore "illegal" foods around me. But, that all changed this week. Don't know why... though I do have a theory. For one, I am bored with my food selections. Second, I am tired of all the prep work. Third, because of those first two, I haven't been pre-planning and pre-prepping like I should...

I don't know, really, but I'm going to take some time this weekend to think hard about my goals and try to find some ways to bring back some excitement that I had in the first few weeks.

Aww, man ... there's someone sitting next to me in my class who's eating Panera Bread, and it's making me hungry. I don't even LIKE Panera Bread! :cbg:

I've decided to splurge and buy a nutribullet. I have never made a smoothie, but I plan to use it as a way to get in my veggies in an easier way. I have been struggling with all the veggie prep and getting sick of it. Maybe it will help to get some of it out of the way by throwing it in a smoothie.

So, I would appreciate any suggestions about making smoothies.

A friend of mine buys the big pre-washed bags of spinach and kale, then puts a handful or two in freezer ziplock bags. Then, she freezes them.

I'm thinking I can put 1 - 2 cups in bags and freeze them like that. Then, I can put water, a protein drink or pudding mix, and the frozen greens in the nutribullet. I also have some Torani sugar free coffee flavoring syrups that I could add.

Any other suggestions for making smoothies??

Well this morning the scale gave me a 9lbs lost in 1 week and 2 days!!!! Woo hooooo!!!!! I'm so excited I can't believe it! I even did not give in to the apps at dinner last night, nor the dessert at parrot pete's, when my kids and husband ate it right in front of me. It's getting to be almost like second nature.

Hi everyone....

I want to start Ideal Protein, but in no way can afford the diet. Do you think this is an ok modified version?

2 Quest Bars/Day
8 oz of lean protein
4 cups of veggies
Lots of water throughout the day
Multi Vitamin

I am getting the quest bars tomorrow morning. I can't wait to lose this weight! As a college student though, I need to be able to do this on a budget. What do you all think of this plan?

Just enjoying a beautiful Saturday outside with the family.

I agree, the prep work gets time consuming! Mostly the need to go to the store every couple of days for fresh veggies. I do love veggies so it's not the end of the world. I haven't had green beans on this diet, maybe I'll have some for dinner tonight. In all honesty I'm not even craving things I normally crave, I just want anything but what I've been eating lol. Craving cheese and peanut butter, neither of which I'm a huge fan of. I mean I eat those things but definitely not binge foods. A little peanut butter on an apple sometimes, and cheese in things.

WELCOME and KUDOS to you as a college student for taking control NOW!!


Do you have the Phase 1 sheet? You will see you need three packets per day... two unrestricted and one restricted. You can't shortchange that because as the plan is designed you will get 800-900 calories and need every bit of the nutrition from those three packets!!

Quest bars are for most people restricted (a couple are on the border, but usually treated as a restri8cted items so only one per day.) You can get EAS CarbAdvantage shakes four for $4 at Walmart/Target etc. And the Pure Protein shakes four for $8 (they are a little richer, a little bigger and in my opinion worth the additional cost, but I also use EAS).

Have you red through the Alternative Products for use in Phase 1 thread?? It is a MUST READ for those doing OP with non-IP alternative foods. The second post shows the nutritional information you will need when selecting alternative products.

Read the Alternative thread and ask questions there or here on the Daily Chat.

You CAN do this at a significant cost savings and be successful!!!

FYI - SOMEONE with the SUPPLEMENT INFO jump in here as I don't have it at hand... You will need more than just a multi-vitamin because you will not get everything you need from the packets, veggies and meat.

To college student
I followed a similar diet except that I used whey protein powder instead of Quest bars.
I am down 30 lbs since mid November.
I always had boiled eggs ready in the fridge and used frozen vegetables and they were the least carbs eg cauliflower,broccoli.Always had chicken breast and fish as the meat protein.
I sometimes made a stir fry with a couple teaspoons olive oil.
The whey protein powder was my snack.I usually added water to it and it is 110 calories.
Most important of all was my food scale and measuring cups.
After about a week of stubborn whiteknuckling determination the hunger subsided and I am now maintaining at 138 lb.
It absolutely can be done and not be very expensive.
Good luck

Measuring question for all of you very knowledgable folks: when you use store-bought salsa, how much do you use? I found some with no sugar in the ingredients, 2g carbs and 1g sugar (presumably from the tomato.) My coach said that sounds fine, but I forgot to ask how to measure it. I used 2Tbsp with my fajita chicken last week because I wanted to be conservative in the measure, but I might have shorted my veg that day as a result. I want to stay under the equivalent of 1c. I have no problem weighing it if that's the best measure. Thoughts?

FearciuilI didn't even know we could have salsa! Sorry, wish I could help!

I went to carnival today and regret it big time. I'm usually a huge fan of any ride!! I don't turn anything down. However I went on a ride that went side to side, really high, while spinning you and I instantly felt sick. It had been over an hour since I ate so I thought it would have been fine. Then.. because there was no line (slightly raining), the man decided to let us go again. I mean, it was nice of him I guess, but he didn't ask and I really wanted to get off. This was about 5 hours ago and I still feel nauseous and my head felt like it was under extreme pressure. I'm guessing rides are not great while OP. It was weird for me, never experienced that after ride. I hope I feel better in the morning!

MellyIP, yep. Count it as part of your tomato ration.

Sorry your ride made you sick, and hope you feel better in the morning!

You might want to compare with fresh tomato at nutritiondata.self.com and just count an equal carb amount of fresh tomato. That shouldn't be too much - it shows as a little less than 1/2 cup of fresh tomato chopped or weight of 2 oz (56g) when I looked it up. I used fresh salsa as I felt I got more bang for my buck and more veggie for the carb count. Very easy, you just need fresh tomato, a bit of onion white or green, a tiny bit of fresh chilies or chili powder, a bit of lime juice and cilantro if you have it. Just a minute to chop up and mix but tastier if it sits for an hour.

Liana :chef:

Day 7 of reboot with coach. Feeling motivated and full of energy. Looking forward to being able to get back into my smaller size clothes. Refuse to buy a bigger size.

Going back to my coach has really motivated next. I did really well the first time around because i felt like I was in control. I was accomplishing something. It gave me a feeling that I was over coming my excuses of not being able to lose weight. I wanted my weigh in to be positive. I wanted to show my coach that I can do this. I will be 60 this year. I thought I could lose the weight on my own since I knew the diet. My excuse there is always tomorrow to start. I can see where that got me 20 pound gain over the last 4 years. Until last year I was able to stay within 5 pounds and then I do not know what happened. Tuesday is my weigh in and I want to walk in the clinic with my head held high and know I am in control.

Good Morning Everyone!

I have been "lurking" on these threads for the past six weeks, as this forum has been such a huge wealth of information and encouragement! Everyone here is so supportive, honest and encouraging. I started IP at the clinic 8 weeks ago, due to my MIL losing quite a bit of weight through this diet. 3 weeks in, I had to leave the clinic and go to alternatives, due to a change in income. Ever since then, I have seriously struggled. OP for a few days, then off...then back on...ugh. I finally identified my issue, I am not even hungry, I am emotional...and I eat. I'm talking happy, sad, angry, bored, depressed...you name it. So, thanks to all the wonderful advice here...I have started reading the Beck Diet Solution book, so I can effectively deal with emotional eating and get rid of this weight, forever.
One of the suggestions in this book is to utilize a diet coach. I don't have anyone to ask, so I have decided to be accountable to this forum. This is the best group of "coaches" anyone could ask for. Today, I start am starting fresh and looking at this as a lifestyle change, not a diet. Thank you to everyone for sharing your honesty, struggles, and rewards by changing your life through Ideal Protein.

Sarah

Slsnow82
You have come to the right place. So much support and knowledge on this forum. You can do it. Stay strong

Congrats on restarting coffeebean! I totally understand you on the "always tomorrow to start." I used that excuse for many, many years - "I will lose weight after X Y Z happens" "I can start eating healthier when the weather's better" - I'm sure I'm not the only one who came up with a gazillion reasons why I couldn't do it right now. Funny how we trick ourselves into thinking that X date would be a better time to start!

Having a good, motivating coach is essential for some people. I needed the accountability and support (I have a wonderful coach). I admire people who do it on their own, that is true determination!

You'll do great!

Hooray Sarah for figuring out the emotional eating! One thing I love about IP is that it really made me look at the reasons I was eating. Had conversations with myself that went:

Little voice: I want to eat something
Me: I'm not hungry, I just ate - drink some water
Little voice: No, I want to eat some XYZ
Me: Why do you want to eat? you're not hungry.
Little voice: But it's cold, rainy and I'm tired and cranky. Food will make it better.
Me: Food won't make it better. Let's go take a bubble bath and then go to bed with a good book.
Little voice: Well, okay. But can we take some food to eat in the bathtub?
Me: No, but if you don't shut up I'll drown you!

You get the idea!

Using this board for accountability and support is a great tool in your IP arsenal - best bunch of people you could hope for! Looking forward to watching your progress.

Good morning!
Just hopping in to quickly mention a deal that I found. I didn't see it mentioned yet, so please excuse me if this is old news. :D

I know that some others use Premier Nutrition shakes from Sam's Club as a soy-free alternative RTD. I just noticed that they have a $3 coupon for use in grocery stores, and a $4 mail-in-rebate for use at Sam's or Costco posted on their website. Link is here.

Hope this helps someone!