Any Brave err Crazy December newbies?
 

So I am a total newbie. I started my journey last Monday Dec 8th at 189 lbs. I had my first weigh in on Friday (not quit a week because I delayed my start over the weekend for a holiday trip aka my last hoorah).

So far I am down 2.5 lbs. Stomach issues started Thursday night so I suspect next week will be a little better.

My inches results were pretty nice though. Almost 2.5 full inches in my stomach in just a few days. I mean, I always knew and recognized how bloated I felt after eating the junk but wow that was eye opening.

I wish I had found this forum before I started. Unfortunately I only stumbled upon it after searching for information about Perrier water and IP. But, I'm here now and I love this group and have learned so much in a very short time.

Is anyone else braze or crazy enough to start IP right before the holiday frenzy?

Yes I am just about 8 days in. I only see my coach every other week. I am looking forward to some new foods as the recipes I see on Pinterest are awesome looking.

Hi December starters! Good for you to start any time of the year. I started in September and have been thru a couple big holidays now -- Halloween, no candy for me, Thanksgiving - no mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie (didn't miss it anyway) For me, the holiday parties have not been a huge deal. I just make sure I have my IP packet right before so I'm not hungry. My biggest issue has been avoiding the alcohol! I think people have no issues when you tell them you can't have dessert or appetizers but alcohol is something they feel it's okay to "push". Or, for me it's the social part. Who knows but it keeps upsetting me and I don't even drink that much. I order a club soda and after the initial discussion don't notice that I'm not partaking. Good luck!

:welcome3:

So glad you found this forum - it will be one of the best things you can do as you journey though Phase 1, and you can see from the Maintainers' threads that the support going thru P2-4 is really helpful too.

If you all who have just started in December had delayed to January, you would likely have an extra 5-10 lbs to lose by the time you did start.... I know if I knew I was going to start in January, I would have treated the holidays as a series of 'last suppers' with free license to gorge on high cal carb laden foods with total abandon... I commend you for having good sense and acting on it!!

:cp::cp::cp:

Hi I started dec 7th so far so good I am down 5 pounds stated at 191 having lots of issues with constipation and the mag citrate doesn't work that well..other than that things seem good Barb

I started on 12/5, the first thing my coach said was "Does anyone think you're crazy for starting this just before Christmas?" Haha! I just couldn't wait any longer and decided that IP would be my Christmas gift to myself this year (and long term to my family). Also, I figured if I can make it through this time of year I can do it during non-holiday months.

I had my first WI 3 days later and was down 2.6 pounds, have my first full week WI tomorrow, hoping for another 2.5 pounds or so. My goal is 10 pounds per month.

Good luck to all of us!!

I'm not a newbie - I was on IP last year and lost 80lbs - but I did start a reboot on December 1st after I saw the numbers creeping up on the scale.

Yay and hello to everyone brave enough to start before the holidays! I went through lots of holidays last year on IP and it is totally doable - you can enjoy the holidays and lose weight.

Best tips I have is keep yourself armed with a bottle of water for sipping and if you can, find out what's being served for dinner and if it's not compatible, bring your own. I brought some mashed cauliflower to Thanksgiving last year and everyone ended eating that instead of the potatoes :D

Good luck to everyone!
Jo

Also a December starter and almost down 20 lbs already! Looking forward to losing weight with you all.

I started Dec. 7 and am down 8 pounds but that was after a "last" weekend of eating everything. Was hungry the first few days but not as much any more. Very motivating to see a weight loss so quickly.

I started Dec. 1 and am down about 7 pounds. I thought instead of putting on several pounds during the holidays I would remove several instead. Doing well so far. There are 2 parties this week.....

Sure miss champagne, though! LOL!

Oh boy do I miss the alcohol. Just a glass of wine socializing is a huge part of my job. I feel like there have been at least 2 works events every night since I started...and so many more until the end of the year.

I have been making this garlic, lime, shrimp in bulk that lasts me 4 meals. Anyone else have a fun go to meal they found for IP?

Welcome to IP... I am not a December starter, rather a end of June starter....I have survived the following so far with no issue:

4th of July BBQ - no problem
Margarita days by the pool - no problem
10 Days in Disney - no problem
5 days in Calofornia for a wedding - no problem
Halloween
Thanksgiving
And 3 work holiday parties! NO PROBLEM

You just need to arm yourself with what you need, not necessarily what is being served. Always carry a packet in your pocketbook...always always always have a water in hand at any party. You can do this.

I started last Monday! I think it's going well! Except today I am filled with rage. Unidentifiable, unfounded rage. I'm not dealing with any cravings, I'm not hungry, I don't have a headache....Just feeling like I am 3 seconds away from turning green and Hulk smashing everything. I'm hoping it will pass. First official weigh in is Wednesday and I made my husband hide the scale because I may have been obsessively weighing myself throughout the day.

As you start to lose, the hormones (estrogen mainly) in the stored fat will be released into your system and voila, you can be weepy, emotional, touchy or cranky (raging ;)) or all of them at once, lol. It will pass but those hormones will be screwy for a while and may interfere with your TOM, and birth control! Forewarned is forearmed!
Unplanned pregnancy has happened on IP - so make sure you take precautions if you are of the right age. In case your coach hasn't discussed it...
Liana

I started 12/2. I blew it a bit this past weekend, but on back 100% OP today. Down 5.6. Hoping for a big, motivating loss this week. The support on here really helps me, so thanks everyone for posting and being so encouraging.

I started on 12/12/14...first WI on Thursday!

I started on 12/1 with the goal of losing 25 pounds and starting off the New Year 10 pounds lighter than I was Dec. 1st! I figured there is NEVER a "good" time to start so I just got going!

Down 7 pounds at my 2 week weigh in. No cheats. No craving for food. Great energy. I am so excited about this plan!:carrot:

Woohoo congrats!

Woohoo congrats! :dizzy:

Hi everyone! Just a helpful suggestion from a maintainer who was where you are last Dec ;). Take a look, read & post on the Staying 100% thread for help with your 'willpower muscle' lol. I know it was helpful for many of us! I stayed 100% through ski holidays in a condo, weddings and etc during that time! You can do it too!
:hug:
Liana

Day 18 today and 8 1/2 pounds lost. Have made it through 2 parties and the 15 days of Reindeer Games without a problem. I took whatever sweets that appeared in my box and just put them in someone else's box.

Was inspired by one woman in the class this evening. She's lost 77 pounds in the last 7 months by adhering strictly to the plan and losing 2 pounds every week. I can do this!

So I don't know if anyone else is on the go non stop during the day like me or not. But I work in sales and manage 2 offices and am constantly in client meetings and it has been hard to get in my 4 cups of veggies a day. I would be driving around town with a bowl of red and yellow peppers in my center console just for the sake of eating veggies.

WELL, my coach recommended blending up 2 cups of spinach and one mango smoothie and a little extra water/ice in my Vitamix to get in my veggies. OH WOW, This thing is amazing! No only is it filling and tasteless from the added spinach standpoint, but it is so much easier to get veggies in!

So far I have added spinach to:

Vanilla pudding with 9 oz water (this was too much water, 7 would have been perfect) one cup is perfect since the vanilla is so much lighter than the other flavors

Chocolate pudding with 7 oz water and 2 cups spinach and a little ice blended

6 oz keurig donut shop coffee + chocolate pudding + 2 cups spinach (This one was strange to drink because the green color had zero relation to the taste)

I'm not super creative but adding spinach to drinks has seriously changed the way I eat on this diet going forward to make it more realistic and manageable long term.

inlovewithlife14 - Before IP I used to make breakfast smoothies with protein powder, unsweetened almond milk and 2c of spinach, it was the best! I've added it to a few of my drinks on IP but some haven't turned out well (maybe the smoothie was just too watery). I'm definitely going to have to try with the puddings! Thank you!

WELCOME DECEMBER STARTERS ..... I personally began in November the week before thanksgiving but finding this site/forum has been a lifesaver. EVERYONE is so helpful and full of support. Good luck on each of your journies and stay involved on the boards.

Day 20 today. Lost 1 1/2 pounds since yesterday! Woot!

Having a tough time today, though.....don't know why, either.

May just have to go to bed to put myself out of my misery. Unfortunately, it's only 8 p.m. on a Saturday evening.

Started Dec 2 against the opinion of my councilor but Ive been down this road before and I know myself. Now at the end of week 3, don't find myself hungry just "wanting" things I can't have. No worries tho, its all good! -7 in the first 2 weeks!

Starting December 29
 

And looking forward to it:-):carrot:

MizBeadz
 

Hi, MizBeadz. I added you to my buddy list because I am also a teacher in Texas who is five feet tall and starting IP in December. I could totally relate to what you said in another forum about getting candy from students as Christmas gifts. Keep up the great work. I am rooting for you:cheer2::broc:

Loving the Green Smoothie Recipes
 

I will definitely be trying these. I have been searching for good IP green smoothie recipes. I have a feeling that I will be defaulting to them a lot [hugs blender].:lucky::broc:

Sweet Release, how do you add people to your Buddy List? Thank you for the support!

Rough evening yesterday but feeling MUCH better today. Had a dream/nightmare I accidentally put something "bad" in my mouth and spit it out as soon as I realized it. LOL!

Feeling good today because I'm wearing a cute dress and tights that I haven't worn in a year because it became too snug. Not snug at all right now! Do not know how many inches I've lost. Will be measured the week of New Year's Day. Getting excited about it!

Wishing everyone LOTS of success today!

Buddy List
 

You press on the person's profile. In the purple line below the pic, it gives you options including adding that person to your buddy list:-):yes::yes:

Hoping everyone can make it through this Christmas week. If we can get through this, we can get through anything. :carrot:

How's this for crazy? I have been off IP for a year...jumping back on the plan today...the Monday before Christmas. Pretty sure I'm a crazy person. Just thinking this will help me eliminate some of the damage I would otherwise do over the holidays.

Went in to pick up my product before the holidays. They weighed me even though the last time they weighed me was at our Thursday meeting. Lost THREE pounds since Thursday! I'm a HAPPY camper.

On another note, my oldest daughter who is visiting said she thought my goal weight was WAY too low. She said a few other things that kinda burst my bubble. Well, when I was her age (29), I weighed about 110. I'm going for 120. She's about my height and weighs between 127 and 135 (that's her preferred range). When I was 140 (post partum depression after baby #2), the doctor was after me because I weighed so much. Confused about what my goal should be.

Still happy, though, that I've lost 11 1/2 pounds in 3 weeks! :-)

It is hard to determine what we should be weighing. When I was in my 30,s 129 was my breaking point. I am now 65 and if I weighted even close to 129 I know I would look seriously ill. My goal is 170 but may go to 160 depending on how I feel and how my close fit and look. I want to be healthy and fit not skinny.

I'm thinking I'll go to 130 and see how I look and feel. I know I'm a lot older now, but I have a small frame. We'll see......

There are a lot of discussions about goal weight here on the IP forum -- my conclusion is to try to find the weight that is maintainable for me. The desired weight charts show a range of 125-145 for me -- I only got to 140lbs once as an adult, after losing 35lbs on Nutrisystem at the age of 35. Now I am 63.... I am aiming for 150 but I may find that 160 is more realistic for me to maintain over the long haul. And for me -- maintaining at comfortable weight that is low enough to enable me to exercise regularly to maintain fitness and thwart arthritis, and a weight that looks pretty good -- that's the outcome I am looking for.

I wouldn't worry about her opinion MizBeadz... She's probably so used to seeing you at your heavy weight she couldn't even begin to imagine you at 120. She also might feel a little 'competitive' with you and not want you to weigh less than she does - "FOR GOODNESS SAKE, YOU'RE MY MOTHER!" ;) Also your weight is dependent on how much muscle you carry. If you train with weights you will take up less space for your weight meaning you might take the same size as another person who weighs 10 or 15 lbs less, so it's possible you may weigh more.
When you get closer to your goal weight you will be better able to judge and adjust if needed.
Congrats on your losses so far!

Liana

All of this weight talk is very appropriate for the feedback I'm getting too. I have gotten suggestions of 145 from the scale/bmi/body fat reader projections and my clinic's Dr. says I really could be at 135. I haven't been that weight since I was 16 and am excited by the loss I'm seeing and projections. However, friends and family not so much. According to them I should be doing another diet or trying for like 170 as a goal weight...everyone is an expert you know.

I am down 8lbs in 16 days and am feeling healthier, less bloated (from food at least, still working on the big C), look better in my clothes and am staying motivated because of the results. But everyone is a critic so aside from on this site I can't really share my excitement. :/