Read my post at the top of the page, from last week. I lost weight on IP in September of 2010 (from 250 to 170, size 18 to size 6/8). I did so well at keeping it off and then bam, last 10 months got the best of me and I found myself up half of what I lost. I just finished my first week of being really really phase 1 strict and dropped 10 pounds. Then last night had some wine, I will let you know how that shows on the scale in a few days (I am out of town). Lets stay focused, I want to be down another 15-20 by Thanksgiving.

Oh how I WISH I could get a "tummy tuck"! That's always been my "problem area" .....even when I was 125 lbs (in college) I STILL had a tummy....grrr...(thx Mom)! Haha!! Hoping after the "College bills" are paid off we can look into it!!:carrot: My sister wants one as well so I keep hoping for a "two-for-one"!! :D

I was in a size 12 at 170 lbs. I was going thru my clothes last weekend and I have 16 pairs of jeans size 12's! Wahhhh!!! I haven't been lower than a size 12 since I was in College....(and I was only skinny from the age of 18-25ish - been heavy most of my life). Met Hubby at 26 .....THAT'S when the weight came on for BOTH of us LOL!! My highest was actually 253 (and can't blame that on pregnancy sadly.....it was later than that)! Took off some with Jenny Craig. Then NOTHING worked 'til IP!:carrot:
Currently I'm in a loose 16.....well Old Navy 16.....so I guess 18 really. :(
Funny how our bodies are all different. Oh how I'd love to be in a 12 right now! :yes:

Just need to stay focused I guess!! ;)

Best wishes!!:hug:

I think it's fascinating how two people can be the same height and weight and wear different sizes. I saw an article in a magazine with 6 women that wore a size 14 they were all different heights and weights. It was interesting.

I'm currently in size 14-16. Some 16s are too big on me and some 14s are too small. I weigh 206 and am 5'4 and 3/4 ;) Years ago I got down to 140 and was in a size 6, but my body seems to like size 14. I'd like to get down to an 8-10.

I'm 5'3" and 3/4. 155 pounds and wearing a 14! Some are a little loose in the butt but with my belly the size 12's usually don't fit. I would love to save for a mini tummy tuck. I carry it all under the belly button. I also find in tshirts that I still need an xl most of the time. It's frustrating. But I need to go by how I feel and what I can maintain and not worry what size I have to buy.

It really is so weird. I had a tummy tuck and thigh lift (not full one, just from bikini line up...no scar down my leg...just removed upper inner loose skin) a few years ago and it makes a huge difference in size not on the scale though. Currently my 12's are getting loose. I always go to like 10 different stores to make sure that I really am that size. In jeans I can wear 10's, but trouser work pants still have to wear the 12.

Dresses whole different story...I carry weight in breast and arms (tiny butt and legs) so I need a 14 for a zip up with no stretch dress.

darbs7, I hear you about the trouser work pants - I still have to take an 8 because they are serious heavy non-stretch twill fabric for patrol (like construction work pants, lol) even though I take 2's & 4's in other jeans. :shrug: I just have to close my eyes when I put them on and ignore the little tag in the back. Which I don't want to remove because I need to know what size the next pair to be ordered is. I have to order them in because they don't carry that ladies' workpant in a tall enough, small enough size around here.

I sometimes hate needing tall inseams yet small sizes; it seems that unless I am spending a fortune on some designer duds, all the small sizes are suitably shorter in sleeves and legs and rise :mad:.

Liana

I can't understand how weight and size works, it is so different for everyone!! When I was in the high 250's I was a size 18. Now I'm 218 and I wear size 12, which some are starting to fit loose. My friend was same weight and height as me, she was high 250's and she was wearing a size 22-24, it was a big difference! I would like to wear a size 6 or maybe a 4 :D

This issue has always amazed me too. I am at 189 and size 16. I can button up the 14 but it's tight. When I was 145 in college I was a size 10. I think I carry weight in my stomach and that is the problem.

As far as sizes go, they really mean nothing unless you are comparing with clothes from the same manufacturer and within the past 5 years.
I have several vintage patterns (US) from 1960's and here are the sizes; they are REALLY not similar to today:
smallest was size 8 10 12 14 16 18
---------------Bust 30in 31 32 34 36 38
---------------Waist 23 24 25 26 28 30
-----------------Hips 32 33 34 36 38 40

Even when I was at my highest weight, I still had clothes that were size 4 (blouse) and 2 (A-line skirt) but I also had a vintage Chanel-style tweed jacket that was a size 16 on its tag. These days you really just have to hold it against you and say, heck, let's try that on, even if it says size 18 or 8, because you never know.

Liana

Have to keep reminding myself.....

".....it's just a number, it's just a number, it's just a number....'"

...then I cut the tag off!!;)

I did IP for about a month last year.. and lost like.. 29 pounds in 4 weeks, which was amazing to me. Unfortunately.. do to a lack of family support and funds I had to stop. I started nursing school full time while keeping a part time job in order to pay bills and I packed back on the weight I had lost... plus some friends. :P

Super excited to go back in for my reboot weigh in on Monday! This time, with family support and a bit more experience with juggling my hectic schedule! Can't wait to share with the board my results in about a week! :D

I want to say hello and re-introduce myself. I had a successful IP program which began 2/2013 and I lost 40 lbs. I did well maintaining for a short while and in the spring,March 2014 I stopped getting on the scale and could not gain control of my eating. I felt ok until clothes stopped fitting and when I saw myself in pictures, I cringed. Ten days ago I started phase 1 again. I was too terrified to get on the scale for the first 4 days but when I did I was disappointed but I faced the music. I gained 20 lbs.

I went back to my clinic and they were great. No shaming as I feared (some past tape in my head). And I feel committed again to losing. I definitely had diet burn out for some time which made for many unsuccessful starts. And, I somehow feel that once I lose weight it will magically stay off-untrue for me.

I got the Beck book from library and reading it today. I realize how important it is for me to continually commit to the process of losing and maintaining.

Glad to know this support is here;it makes a positive difference in my success.

I understand! Cut it off. I am doing the same thing right now in my "big" clothes. Soon it will all be loose and you will give it away.

I just started back yesterday! I lost 20 pounds in 2013 but got lazy and cocky and now I'm up 26 pounds�� This time I am committing to 100% OP and I am doing better planning for my success �� Because I had success before, I know I can this time too. I am also getting the Beck book to work on my attitude. PRESS ON!!

Yes, jeans and leggings are always a size smaller and some store brands and styles are smaller. I like it when every store and every size is an 8 for me.




I think my first time on IP I hit size 12 around 210 pounds...I carry weight in chest and arms, bottom (hips, butt are much smaller)



I did carry in stomach but tummy tuck changed that


YUP, it is a mental game

Welcome back ladies

BTW week two went well..down 14 pounds in my first two weeks. I am on day two of week 3, can't believe I am hanging on so strong.

WOW!! That is FABULOUS!!!:carrot: Way to go!!!:carrot:

Hi Gaining it all back......don't beat yourself up!.....Think of IP as a lifestyle change instead of a "quick fix". I realize that it is difficult when you are young, but if you change your lifestyle you will avoid years of feeling fat, thinking about fat, and attempting NOT to be fat!!! It can be consuming and can alter your life in many negative ways.....Get "back in the saddle" and enjoy the ride to a healthy happy life!

Would be nice to get a daily group going here. I was so focused the first time around and this is the first time since then (over 5 years ago) that I have felt so much focus.

With that focus goes the thought that I am so angry that I have to do this. I want to lose it and be gone with the weight. Trying to not lose patience and know that with time it will happen.

I hear you - but we can't get angry at ourselves. Our reality is that we will never truly be "done with it" because we aren't naturally thin people. BUT we have tools that work to keep that beast under control! I suspect that reboots will be a "thing" for me periodically, and I've made my peace with that. What I love is that the program WORKS, and when things do go a bit far off the rails, it's never a lost cause. I can always take back the ground I may have lost.

Perfectly SAID! I say something similar to myself every time I reboot. And I did so well for 3 years at rebooting after 10 or 15 pounds. Just angry that it was over 35 pounds this time. At least 14 is gone already. 21 feels more manageable. And I made a video explaining this to myself so I remember not to do this again.

When I started IP again last month I actually thought about making a video so I would NEVER FORGET!

But I didn't....:( ....darn!!

That's so great you did !! :carrot:

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who needs a "reboot". I spent the summer training for a 10k run and basically ate my face off. I always thought if I was a "runner" I could get away with eating whatever I wanted. No such luck. Unless I plan on running 10k 5 days/week. Not going to happen. My 10k race was on Sunday so here I am, back on the IP wagon. My coach suggested starting on Phase 3 and working my way backward if I need to. This way I can continue running a bit. Can't wait to shed some of this weight before Christmas!

Welcome back. We are all in this together. I am day 3 of week 3 and going very strong. I will not let myself fail at this.

How was your 10k? I know I had hoped with running I could eat more but no such luck. I run about 5 days a week, different distances but one 10 and then a longer run as I have a 1/2 Marathon in less than two weeks. I pretty live on P3 in maintanance now with the odd carb at night. I ran while on P1, just add the extra protein and if your running over 10 consider adding I piece of brad with IP pack before your run ( that's what my coach and I came up with that worked)

I'd like a piece of brad too, but I don't think Angelina would be OK with it... ;)
just joking I know it was supposed to be bread.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Too funny ladies!

But seriously, how is everyone doing? I am holding strong. We just booked a last minute Saturday night at a casino (we are empty nesters so we do this too often), but anyways I will have some wine but 100% on plan otherwise. I did this two weekends ago and still lost 3 that week and stuck to diet 100% otherwise (except skipped the bar to compensate for wine, will do again and got 10 mile walk in instead of my daily 5 miles)

Hi Jenny, my 10k was awesome. I had only run as far as 8.2k prior to the race so I was a bit worried but I was able to run the whole thing :) I'm just doing a recovery week of running now. Did 15 minutes yesterday on a slightly hungry tummy and it wasn't much fun. I find I push myself to go faster when it's a shorter distance. I will have to try running after my big Phase 3 breakfast instead I think which will only happen on the weekends since I start work so early during the week. I won't be one of those crazies running in -20C at 5am!!! WTG on the 1/2 marathon! That is incredible. My running partner is starting training for that but she's on her own. I need to get my weight back under control and I'm impressed I was able to get to 10k to begin with. I have a coworker who's doing a 1/2 in Vancouver this weekend. She is pretty nervous but will rock it. She's one of those young super fit girls we all love to hate :P

Long time, no post for me. I did IP alternatives the summer of 2012 and lost probably 20 pounds and have gained all of it back probably over the past 2 years...I have also been battling a GI issue for over a year that finally resulted in a diagnosis of collagenous colitis. All things considered nothing too serious and not related to diet or stress. Who knows. Currently I am focused on trying to figure out my medication to keep my symptoms at bay...just saying running to the bathroom 10+ times a day/night was horrific on many levels. But I am not gluten intolerant and have no dietary restrictions. So here I am trying to figure out how to eat...not sure I can stand another egg no matter how it is fixed and while lo-carb was like magic the 1st time around, it hasn't taken hold again like it did the summer of 2012. Hmmm. I am trying to do the old WW points because that worked and I truly missed my yogurt in the morning and while not a huge fruit person, I do like my grapes. Trying to decide if my body is just meant to be about 160 at 5'10"...not bad, just hard knowing I got down to where I was rocking size 8's. Lots of soul searching and trying to decide the best path. Actually just tired of thinking about what I do or don't eat all the time. Best of luck to all of you rebooters!!

Swerdna59, you can still do IP - just do the diabetic alternative plan with 1 fruit, 1 low fat dairy and 1 carb starch per day. You will still be low carb & fat, and will have more food if that's what you feel you need right now. 160 & 5'10" is in the healthy range, I don't know if I'd stress much about losing 20 lbs unless you are modelling or regularly on TV as we all know it adds the appearance of more pounds.
I'd work on finding what helps your GI tract mainly. You may have to do an elimination diet to do that. Are you sure you aren't gluten or lactose intolerant?? Mayo Clinic quote:

Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff


It's not clear what causes the inflammation of the colon found in microscopic colitis. Researchers believe that the causes may include:
•Medications that can irritate the lining of the colon
•Bacteria that produce toxins that irritate the lining of the colon
•Viruses that trigger inflammation
•Immune system problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis or celiac disease, that occur when your body's immune system attacks healthy tissues

You also might want to take a look at the medicinenet.com site on lymphocytic and collagenous colitis. http://www.medicinenet.com/lymphocyt...is/article.htm
Some of the patient comments are interesting, too.

I hope you can figure out something soon, it isn't good to have GI issues, I've been there and it goes downhill extremely quickly for me if I eat the wrong thing again.

Liana

Hi All,
Last week was not so good. I usually have travel in the bag for staying on plan, but this last week's work travel just was an off week for me. This trip they brought in breakfast, lunch, and snacks - and we were not allowed to leave the building. Basically we worked through all of these meals. I'm not beating myself up over this past week - part of this whole different weight loss journey for me, is learning how to not be a "all or nothing" dieter. Getting back on plan and sticking with it is my win in the scheme of things. I'm still here, back to kicking the carbs to the curb and seeing if I can get into the next size down by Christmas.

My diagnosis came after numerous or should I say endless tests, labs, and procedures and everything came back negative until I had an upper GI and colonoscopy with biopsies which confirmed the collagenous colitis. I am on medication right now that controls my symptoms and have figured out the lowest dosage which keeps things calmed down but the medication is not a long term solution. I am actually seeing my GI doctor this week to see about my medication. I actually don't feel that badly about where my weight is right now and getting healthy is my focus at present, I still take walks almost daily so try to keep exercise in my life as well. I will check into the IP alternative plan for diabetics and see what I think. I appreciate the input! The past year has been a challenge for me in terms of health and I am someone who faithfully goes for annual physical exams, to the dentist twice a year, and so on but last year was an endless round of clinic appointments. There were periods of time when all I would eat was eggs and then plain chicken and veggies and my symptoms persisted. There isn't anything that triggers my symptoms either and my GI doctor did not indicate any dietary restrictions. With microscopic colitis (either lymphocytic or collagenous) there is no visible inflammation, things look normal so the biopsies are the only way to diagnose the condition.

Sounds like you already did a type of elimination diet, lol. At least you found something that works to control symptoms presently, but I'm sure it's always a worry that the body might decide that that solution no longer works, as it has for some others. Hopefully the IP Alternative Plan will help you be more comfortable.

Liana

How is everyone doing? I am at the beginning of week 4. I lost 10 week one, 3 week two, and 1 week 3. I am staying off the scale until Saturday morning. I had wine again this past weekend so I am interested to see what affect it has on my week four weigh-in. But food wise, sticking to the plan 100%.

Not even tempted.

Do other people notice changes in sleep patterns while losing? Specifically not sleeping well?

I am experiencing this and don't recall this before when I was on IP.

Hi There - This is my 2nd time around - I started my reboot on Saturday, so I have been OP for 4 full days. Should I be alarmed that when I step on my scale (i know i shouldn't but i need to see the progress - that it's working) that I have not lost anything? Day 4 - seems a bit strange.. I'm going to try more water. I just don't know what is up this time. My first time, I lost 8lbs the first week and it was so exciting.. Perhaps my body isn't yet in ketosis. Regardless, I'm staying focused and OP. :sunny:

Don't worry, this is all part of the process and it will make you stronger in the end!

Instead of focusing on the past and using willpower to force yourself into following a diet, cultivate habits that will last a lifetime.

Willpower is finite and used up during the day between work and the stress of life.

Habits, once cultivated, are done unconsciously. Once you create habits with healthy eating, you can mute the internal battle between food choices!

I have more tricks and tips on the relationship between habits & willpower on my blog, bethleahnutrition.com :)

Well said, BethLeahNutrition!!!! Can't wait to visit your site. :D

Yes, whenever I am restarting and begin Phase 1, I know I am in ketosis because my sleep becomes very light for about a week. I attribute it to the extra energy I am experiencing from the ketosis. Feels kind of like I have had some caffeine before going to bed. It usually gets back to normal after a week or so when my body becomes more efficient at burning those ketones.

I'm sure it will get better for you too.