Kelly: Yikes. I'm sorry that your DIL is not being supportive. I don't have a good relationship with my MIL but I wish that I did. She is similar to your DIL...a ton of criticism and negativity but not a lot of support.


SG: That is great that your mom is so supportive! And that your MIL was too!

Ariel: I had someone yesterday circle me for a second and then say "I THOUGHT that was you but had to come in closer to make sure. You did your hair differently today". uh...yeah...and I lost 90 pounds since I last saw you. LMAO.

I have JUST started to notice a little skin hang on my arms. I'm hoping that I'll be able to tone it up. It isn't a ton so I'm happy with that but still. LOL. I can't tell about my stomach because I still have about 40-50 pounds left to go...we'll see how it looks when I get down to goal but I assume I will have lose skin there. I'll give it the 2 years to see if it cooperates but I'm not against having a tummy tuck. LOL

nat1015: Gotta love the "new hairdo" comments. People are amazing at what they notice & don't. But losing that much weight HAS made your face look different, which ultimately does affect how your hairdo looks.

What I notice most about these comments is out own body image is a way bigger deal than the way others perceive us

Last week someone told me I was never "that big" and that it isn't obvious I've gained any weight. So I showed her my before pics and my pics of the 95 lb lighter me. She commented that she never thought I was that big & yes, after seeing the "smaller" pic, she can see my cheeks are fuller now.

But again, we are our own worst critics and most people are way to self absorbed to notice changes in others

Re skin:
The physiatrist (sports medicine doc) who treats my back pain has told me that he'll be able to make a case for the tummy tuck any time I want it (if I'm in normal BMI). I have the characteristic "apron" below the belly button. However, I had a breast reduction in 1999 and still remember how painful that is. I'd have to think long and hard about having any future surgery without a mighty good reason. I consider the loose skin and stretch marks "war wounds". And I'm winning this war!

I posted on another thread as well, but feeling pretty discouraged. Just experienced my first week away since I started. I tried to stay OP as much as possible, but did not have too much control over the meals that were served. A week of 3 meals a day, group meals, lots of cocktail hours. Of course, weighed in this morning and gained 5 lbs. Hoping it's temporary, but definitely feel defeated. It also made me think about how easy it is to digress when feeling like I have no control.

I know how frustrating that is - both the feeling of lack of control and also the gain. If you're like most, though, that 5 lbs is probably primarily water retention and will come off very quickly. Even it is more than water, it will still come off if you get back on plan 100%. Don't let it get you down too much and don't let it keep you from continuing. I've been through several periods like this over the past 11 1/2 months where I felt like lack of complete control over my food choices derailed me, and I'm so glad I just kept on going.

I'm sorry you're feeling frustrated!

The best advice I can give you is to start over today, right now. Because now you are back in control and can get back on program. You know it works, and I'm sure those 5 pesky pounds will fly right off!

Be happy you are only up 5 ... and not 25 or 45 or 75 !

What's that old saying, "you can only start where you are".

Just set your mind to it and start again. Don't let the bad feelings of discouragement lead to a further backslide. You are still pretty close to your old low weight.

We are all rooting for you!

Yes we are!! Start over tomorrow and stay focus on the prize!! Think WHY you chose to start this diet and WHY you want to lose weight- There are MANY diets out there, this one is strict but I think its very easy to follow- sometimes people might feel deprived with this diet. So whenever you feel like you're going to give in to temptation, remember those WHYs, those reasons might help you stay strong

nat- Wow! I mean come on, 90lbs are noticeable, GOOD for you!! Some people-females- are just jealous and rather not mention it because NOW they are BIGGER than us, and they don't want to see it or are in denial?

Now that the "haircut" was mentioned, today at work, a male coworker saw me in the morning and said to me "oh, did you cut your hair?" I answered to him that no, I hadn't, and his reply to me was "Oh, then I guess your hair is getting skinny too!" I thought that was funny, it was a good way of starting work on MONDAY!

So I feel your pain! I have been on IP for 6 months and have been to numerous events that food was out of my control. Weddings, reversal dinners, Disney for 10 days with the family, and a wedding weekend coming up in 2 weeks......listen we are human. Sometimes we have to accept that we cannot control everything all the time. We have to sometimes make the best decision we can for the moment and just pick up the pieces and start over if need be. Don't let this de rail you! Most of that 5 is probably water and if you get yourself right bank on track you will be fine. The key is getting it right back under control.

Absolutely! You won't be 100 percent perfect all of the time but the take-away here is learning to get back on program and stay there for a length of time. So, you had a bad week...just start like it is day 1. (except that you are smaller than when you first started!).

I went off plan for NYE and New Years (and probably the day before NYE). When I weighed myself I was 6 pounds heavier than before I went off plan. I was prepared for that and just said "ok...I had a few fun days, now it is time to buckle down and get back to work". On plan for 1 week and I was down the 6 pounds plus an additional 1. Most of that is water weight when you gain it so fast. You got this!

WI this week had me down 2

If someone in July when I started would have told me I would be 16 lbs from Onederland by January....who would have thought.

I'm over halfway there.....

Keep it guys....

Yay Sue! Onederland is in sight!

Way to go, Sue!!! Keep on keepin' on!!!

100 pounds to lose (at least). I don't know how I let myself get to this point but here I am. I will be starting with the IP diet this next week. I'm looking forward to it even though I know it will be difficult. I keep telling myself "This isn't just a diet...it's a lifestyle change." Hubbie is supportive so that'll help. This forum is a wonderful find!

you came to the right place! you will get a lot of encouragement and support here!!! (on the IP forum in general)

I had 126 lbs to lose. I've lost 80 so far. I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined that I would lose 80 pounds by the beginning of the year. IP works!! And you are right, it's a lifestyle change.