Way to go, TOgden and MaPetiteChoux!!! Awesome first months for you! And so glad you've found a much better, more knowledgeable, more practical, and more helpful coach, MPC - that was a smart move. Get any cool new IP foods that you may recommend trying? I might need to stock up a little when I go in this week since I'll be gone a bit over the holidays.

MaPetiteChoux I'm so glad to hear about your new coach! Your last one sounded terrible!! Yay for the goal, I think that's a great one! I've set myself to be 175lbs by my December 29th weigh in. (I wanted to say Dec 31st but when I weigh myself at home I consistenly seem to be 4 lbs lighter - I do it first thing in the morning nekked and before I shower).

I have a party to go to on Wednesday at my friends house and I know it will be food galore! I'm not worried about cheating (is it weird I actually like snacking on veggies now???) but just the reactions from everyone about my diet. Thankfully my friend expressed interest in the program (she just had a baby in the summer and wants to start when she's done nursing) so I told her all about it so I think she'll be awesome and supportive.

I started IP Nov. 6th and at 5 weeks I've lost 21 lbs and 13 inches. I only have 9 more lbs to go until my goal. Starting this in november was hard since I couldnt eat for thanksgiving but Im hoping that by just after New Years Ill be at my goal and on to phase 2

Welcome, Katelyn -- that's great progress! I started the same day as you (makes today Day 40!) and have lost only 10 lbs. (not sure of the inches…will need to get that number when i go in next), but i'm feeling good. And happy. And worried about vacation next week….

kimo -- Parties are hard for me too, and it's not so much the food but the drinks. You're lucky to have a friend who already knows you're doing this -- I mostly just tell people I'm just watching my carbs, etc. and I keep sipping on m San Pellegrino with lime. They notice what I'm eating or drinking for a second but then move on. Enjoy your party!

Mimi - So far I've just had the lemon wafers and wow, they are so good! I didn't even buy that kind of thing for myself before IP. It was almost too much of a treat, and I'm not usually a big lemon fan. But they were great. I'm also excited to try the unrestricted pancakes at some point, and the cherry jello since I'd had the raspberry before and I like it. I also think I'm the only person in the world who likes the potato puree. Reminds me of the boxed kind my grandma used to serve. Grandma was NOT a cook, haha.

Kimo - I'm like you, I weigh myself in the AM before showering, and my scale seems to be about 2 lbs kinder than the clinic one. Would be nice if that was my real weight!

I will check out the lemon wafers (are they unrestricted?). And the pancake mix is pretty good, especially with WF Maple Syrup -- just had that this morning for breakfast!

Is it weird that I like these packets? So much easier than thinking about putting together my own meals!

The lemon wafers are a restricted item.

Does anyone know if the pancakes (plain, and also the chocolately chip) are restricted or not? They're not on my nutrition sheet since I think they're relatively new, and when I search online, all I keep finding is info on how to make unrestricted pancakes with the crispy cereal, which I've done and is pretty tasty.

Mimi, I tend to agree. As much as I love to cook, I've been in exam mode all month and frankly, roasting a big batch of veggies for the week and only having to mix up a packet at meal time has been the easiest, most stress-free way to eat without having to think much about it. Some article I read called IP "nutrition on autopilot", and it certainly has been for me this month! While my classmates devour entire DiGiorno pizzas because, hey, it's exam time, I think I've lost 4-5 lbs since the start of the month.

And Mini - There is usually a R on the package indicates that is a restricted item. As far as I know, Strawberry waffle is not but lemon and orange are, and packaged pudding and drinks are also restricted. I think you can also find more info on my idea protein portal.

MaPetiteChoux -- Good for you! Don't you love how great that makes you feel?!

The new plain pancake mix I have is unrestricted. I believe the chic chip one is as well.

I also love to cook, and I feel that my family is suffering a bit (though they would never say that) from my much simpler dinners since I've been on IP. I'm trying to make the same kinds of meals I'd make them before, just being much more mindful about the sauces I make, and upping the veggies, limiting starchy ones. That should all be a good thing for everyone, but my limitations definitely influence them when we think about where to go out for dinner, etc. I just don't trust restaurant food, with all the hidden sugars and sodium and fat, so I end up eating a plain salad with boring grilled chicken most of the time. That means no going to our favorite Indian or Thai restaurants for now -- don't think I could resist. Not sure where this is going . . . time to get to work!

Everyone have a willpowered Wednesday!

I agree too. I love how easy IP is! Yesterday I just did a crock pot roast with radishes and celery. Then I had 45 minutes between after work and a massage and I managed to make rhubarb with WF syrup (faux rhubarb pie filling ), garlic cauli mash, and fried zucchini. I put them in individual containers and boom! I'm set for the rest of the week! I love love love it! I was pretty good before but I would usually use the busy season as an excuse to hit the drive through a little bit, or sometimes skip meals altogether.

Have a wonderful wednesday everyone! Let's lose some more lbs!

So 4th week WI today, another 2lbs. I find the inches are kinda inconsistent depend on what you are wearing on that day. but as long as the lbs, BMI and fat percentage especially the fat percentage is dropping , I am good. My coach said 2 lbs per week is pretty good, if the weight loss stalls I can try to switch the IP food around, it usually helps. Hope that never happens.

Great weigh in Fluffy!!!

Sorry I have been a bot absent lately, I have been traveling with work and it's been very busy. I have managed to stay on track, brought all my food with me and made my modified orders at the restaurants I have been to.

I am looking forward to weigh in this week, I really want to see some results!

NSV that I'm thrilled about!

I have a new favorite food -- zucchini! I never thought that would happen, especially since my favorite foods pre-IP were potatoes, pasta, and bread. Now it's been almost 2 weeks since I've had any of those things and I'm not missing them at all. Go figure!

Oooh, yeah! I love zucchini now too! I fry it up with salt, pepper, and garlic powder..yum yum!! I never really ate it much before...unless it was breaded...haha!