@Adventuregurl, I've been using Designer Whey (both RTD and powder) They are an exceptionally high-quality protein blend (enhanced branched chain amino content for better bioavailability) Soy-free, Gluten-free and sweetened with stevia.

I've also been making my own omelets a few times a week (1 whole egg, 3 whites)...seems silly to me to pay for "albumin protein" (dehydrated egg white) when the nutritional profile on real eggs is almost identical with a bioavailability of 96%!

I know Lisa and others use and are fond of the Quest bars (also soy-free, gluten-free and sweetened with stevia) Not being a big fan of bars in general...and feeling like I need to limit myself most of the time, just personally, to one "sweet" packet per day, I've leaned toward the Quest chips, which have the same qualities. [now watch me end up 'programmed' to have chips every day ;) ]

As far as the IP packets go, I do still use some of the drinks (all have sucralose) but have been mixing them with Designer Whey plain and simple (unsweetened) powder and splitting into 2 servings to reduce the impact. (my body is not zero-tolerance on sucralose)

Other than that, I've been getting creative with the GF, sucralose-free soups and potato puree--there are TONS of great recipes and ideas around here.

Good Luck--and do share your strategies as they evolve!

Good luck on your WI today ariel13! It's funny I always thought of 13 as unlucky growing up and when I met my husband he let me know in his (Italian) culture 13 is a lucky number... I sure hope so cause my wedding ring is a bigger diamond that is clustered with 12 small ones ;)
Hopefully TOM won't affect things too much for you today!
ironwoman- I noticed that we are pretty much the same height and weight right now!

Well, I had my first weigh in last night, and I was down 7.4! I'm so excited! I also got all new and different food than I had last week, and I'm already enjoying the change. I had the cappuccino for breakfast this morning, and it almost tasted like real coffee! I can really tell how eating healthier makes such a difference in my mood. I just feel better. On to week 2!

Originally Posted by PugLady:
Well, I had my first weigh in last night, and I was down 7.4! I'm so excited! I also got all new and different food than I had last week, and I'm already enjoying the change. I had the cappuccino for breakfast this morning, and it almost tasted like real coffee! I can really tell how eating healthier makes such a difference in my mood. I just feel better. On to week 2!

congrats!! what an awesome Weigh In!! Way to go!

Congratulations Puglady!!! Great loss!! :)

Originally Posted by PugLady:
Well, I had my first weigh in last night, and I was down 7.4! I'm so excited! I also got all new and different food than I had last week, and I'm already enjoying the change. I had the cappuccino for breakfast this morning, and it almost tasted like real coffee! I can really tell how eating healthier makes such a difference in my mood. I just feel better. On to week 2!

Yay Congrats on the weight loss!!!!:carrot:
:carrot:

Welcome and congratulations for starting! IP is a wonderful diet regardless of if you follow it using IP branded items or alternatives.

Huge word of advice, stick with it, the scale and measuring tape will go down. When tempted to cheat, don't. Skinny tastes a whole lot better than any food you can ever eat.

Welcome!

Originally Posted by Johnsdeere:
Welcome and congratulations for starting! IP is a wonderful diet regardless of if you follow it using IP branded items or alternatives.

Huge word of advice, stick with it, the scale and measuring tape will go down. When tempted to cheat, don't. Skinny tastes a whole lot better than any food you can ever eat.

Welcome!

Thanks for the advice! Yesterday I was bad and ate two slices of pizza, first time in 2 weeks :( I feel horrible about doing it. But I read a quote that said
"Do Not Give Up Just Cause You Had A Bad Day. Forgive Yourself and Do Better Tomorrow." So today I'm right back to my normal IP routine :smug:

- Shelby

That's a great plan Shelby. Don't beat yourself up, just get back on the wagon AND evaluate why you chose to eat the pizza so next time you can eliminate triggers to prevent you from doing it again.

Triggers
 

Originally Posted by Johnsdeere:
That's a great plan Shelby. Don't beat yourself up, just get back on the wagon AND evaluate why you chose to eat the pizza so next time you can eliminate triggers to prevent you from doing it again.

Great Advice, Johnsdeere! I've really been trying to just eat during the 4 times a day...no in between freebie food like lettuce. The reason is that I think I was in a bad habit of snacking between meals. The result: I've noticed that sometimes since starting the diet, I am seriously bored. Boredom seems to be a trigger for me. I never really felt bored because at the first sign of it, I ate something. Now I need to find new, healthier patterns.

Thanks for sharing, Shelby. You all have me thinking.

Originally Posted by Lose2Win2014:
Great Advice, Johnsdeere! I've really been trying to just eat during the 4 times a day...no in between freebie food like lettuce. The reason is that I think I was in a bad habit of snacking between meals. The result: I've noticed that sometimes since starting the diet, I am seriously bored. Boredom seems to be a trigger for me. I never really felt bored because at the first sign of it, I ate something. Now I need to find new, healthier patterns.

Thanks for sharing, Shelby. You all have me thinking.

I have the same problem with boredom!! I find myself watching Cake Boss on Netflix when I'm having cravings. Horrible I know, but if I watch it instead of eating it I feel like it helps. And when I get a little craving I drink a bunch of water and wait like 10 minutes and it goes away. It works for me not sure if it will work for others..

-shelby

Originally Posted by RefreshingMe:
Good luck on your WI today ariel13! It's funny I always thought of 13 as unlucky growing up and when I met my husband he let me know in his (Italian) culture 13 is a lucky number... I sure hope so cause my wedding ring is a bigger diamond that is clustered with 12 small ones ;)
Hopefully TOM won't affect things too much for you today!

Hello and Welcome RefreshingMe :) Lol, I know the #13 is unlucky for many, but for me is also a lucky number, plus, I was born on March 13!:D Nice to have you with us, we will finish this journey!:carrot:

I guess my TOM didn't affect my weight loss much!! First WI I lost 11 lbs. and 9 in. :carrot::carrot: I was 100% OP and I plan to stay 100% OP this week too! :carrot::carrot:

Originally Posted by PugLady:
Well, I had my first weigh in last night, and I was down 7.4! I'm so excited! I also got all new and different food than I had last week, and I'm already enjoying the change. I had the cappuccino for breakfast this morning, and it almost tasted like real coffee! I can really tell how eating healthier makes such a difference in my mood. I just feel better. On to week 2!

:woohoo: CONGRATULATIONS PugLady !!!!! I also have the cappuccino for breakfast, and the strawberry banana drink too! Now that you mention it, my mood has changed too, but OMG when I'm hungry I get very anxious, and can't wait enough to start eating my veggies...which I'm enjoying now :o Good luck this week!! Remember, WE CAN DO THIS!!!:carrot:

Originally Posted by Johnsdeere:
Welcome and congratulations for starting! IP is a wonderful diet regardless of if you follow it using IP branded items or alternatives.

Huge word of advice, stick with it, the scale and measuring tape will go down. When tempted to cheat, don't. Skinny tastes a whole lot better than any food you can ever eat.

Welcome!

Thanks Johnsdeere for your wonderful advice, it is really appreciated :) And I LOVE that "Skinny tastes a whole lot better than any food you can ever eat"! Thanks!!! :hug:

Originally Posted by ShelbyLynn8:
Thanks for the advice! Yesterday I was bad and ate two slices of pizza, first time in 2 weeks :( I feel horrible about doing it. But I read a quote that said
"Do Not Give Up Just Cause You Had A Bad Day. Forgive Yourself and Do Better Tomorrow." So today I'm right back to my normal IP routine :smug:

- Shelby

Good Job on getting back on the diet ShelbyLynn , and just think about today, yesterday is the past, and tomorrow is not here yet, so why worry about it?! :carrot:

Originally Posted by Lose2Win2014:
Great Advice, Johnsdeere! I've really been trying to just eat during the 4 times a day...no in between freebie food like lettuce. The reason is that I think I was in a bad habit of snacking between meals. The result: I've noticed that sometimes since starting the diet, I am seriously bored. Boredom seems to be a trigger for me. I never really felt bored because at the first sign of it, I ate something. Now I need to find new, healthier patterns.

Thanks for sharing, Shelby. You all have me thinking.

Lose2Win I would always eat out of boredom, happiness, sadness, anything, I'm an emotional eater, so this week, I felt good to turn to food! I hope I can do the same this week, as I did last one... Has anyone here read the book "The Beck Diet Solution" ?? I've read in the forum that is a great book to read when in a diet, I borrowed it from my local library, I should start reading it this weekend. :carrot:

Originally Posted by Ariel13:
I guess my TOM didn't affect my weight loss much!! First WI I lost 11 lbs. and 9 in. :carrot::carrot: I was 100% OP and I plan to stay 100% OP this week too! :carrot::carrot:

WOW!!!! That's awesome! :bravo::bravo::bravo:. What a great start to this journey.
My baby girl was born on March 14...

Hi all !!

I restarted 8/2. Last time I did IP I loss 25lbs. I am so looking forward to doing better this time. My losses so far, mimics my last time doing IP. Frustrating, but any loss is better than a gain. I'm keeping my head up. Some days are better than others that's for sure.