So here is a question for the group...I have spent countless hours searching threads and going thru peoples posts, but I can't waste any more time trying to find this information... when you are in cycling out thru phase 2 and 3 are you supposed to continue taking all the vitamins? What about on Phase 4...when you are in maintenance? Are you supposed to go back to your regular multi vitamins? Just trying to figure out what I need to buy more of. I am starting phase 2 this Thursday!

... and that is the beauty of IP! LOL... It's funny how few calories we eat and yet don't necessarily feel hungry. For those people not staying OP however, (me included at times) as soon as I have something "carby" I could eat a horse. I love the power of ketosis -- burning the fat without the cravings. Enjoy -- it may not last. Tomorrow you may be needing that extra egg white or pickle, or an early bed time to cut the hungries.

I wish this could last forever!! Lol I had to make myself eat dinner!! That's just so not me!!

Phase 2 sheets are linked at the top of this thread. Looks like you will be using the same supplements as phase 1. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong, as I'm still on phase 1.)

Alright, since I am rusty with IP and everything... What is a safe estimate as to pounds lost per week (average) for figuring out approximate duration of phase 1? 3 pounds? I know this varies from week to week and person to person, but I trying to get my head wrapped around this and have an approximate end date in mind.

Great quote and inspiration! Thank you

Officially IP used to say 3-7 lb average weight loss per week but that was misleading so they changed it. It probably DOES average out to that but usually you'll have the first 2 weeks be larger numbers. It really is impossible to say -- some people will lose 0.5 lbs, others 1-2 pounds.... as long as the scale is, in the long haul, heading down, that's the main thing for most of us. You could use 1-2 lbs a week as a fair guideline, but just be realistic that some weeks will be more, some less and don't stress if it isn't meeting your guidelines. We do have "challenges" from time to time -- to lose 25 pounds by Labor Day, or something, but those are for fun. A lot of people will post their weekly losses on their tickers, so just look as you're reading and you'll see peoples' success rates.

Hi all. I thought I'd just jump in and say I'm back. I'm finishing my restart week tonight, using alternative products again, and it's going well. I tried to restart many times in the last year and just didn't have the will power to make it past a couple days. Getting into ketoses really has made this restart lock in. I'm sure there are other factors as well but I won't bore you with it all.

I don't want to dwell on my 2013 year of gains. Let's just say I need this to be the way I eat, no end date/weight to let my guard down. I know how to lose the weight, I can do this. I'm here starting from where I am, going where I need to be to be healthy. It's great to see friends still here. I look forward to getting to know new folks as well. I am leaving my photos from goal before there to help me vision my goal. I will get a new ticker soon.

You can always use the "food allergies" line when eating out. I've used it and I figure it's true - certain foods make me break out in fat!

Welcome back and congrats on staying OP on vacation! What a great achievement!

Yeah for clothes fitting! I love cleaning out my closet of too big clothes - gives me a thrill every time!

Excellent on the size 12s! And good work with the knife - where there's a will....

Welcome back and so glad you had a good time!

Positive thoughts headed your way - you can do this! Good for you for getting back at it - it's hard to get started again, so you've made the hardest step already.

I lost 10 pounds a month average over the course of a year but you really can't compare someone else's rate with yours - all of us have different bodies and different challenges. I know it's tempting to try to set a time limit, but your losses depend so much on your own physiology that doing so can set you up for a big disappointment.

Welcome back! Sorry you had such a rough time. But congrats on restarting - we're all rooting for you!

First week WI was tonight and lost 6 lbs! I was worried this was not going to work. I have not felt hungry, quite the opposite! Some food has be not so good but I found several I really like. I am looking forward to week 2! One interesting thing, I feel warm for the last 3 days or so (no fever). In general i feel great, especially after the first 3 days, those were rough. Excited to be here and be inspired by all of you!

Isn't it wonderful? Congrats!
I got the same heat on & off for a couple months.

I realized why I've been so active on this thread this week -- I'm supposed to be writing report cards and I'm procrastinating! I need some "tough love" myself... boot my butt back to work! My hubby always knows when it's report time as my cupboards all of a sudden get cleaned or something.

Yet another bad habit to work on! LOL.... OK... back to work I go...

I should be doing this... and this but all I feel like doing is this

My bathrooms are spotless or my "junk" drawer gets organized when I'm procrastinating...I hear ya. I have 3 IEPs to write tomorrow. But I'm going to the gym first!