I started in September and did not cheat until end of December. I think it was the cumulative effect of the holidays (plus, we have alot of family birthdays) My cheat was to have an extra bar so not really so bad and it just stalled me (no gain). I was back on the band wagon in January but in February I started having physical symptoms which required I readjust and sometimes purposely cheat for health reasons. I was tested and everything was okay and by March I was feeling fine but I have been stalled at 5 pounds away from my goal so I decided to go into P2. I also added in some coach approved cheats (wine) because that was what was causing me the largest diet fatigue. Not being able to be part of the socializing. I add in a glass or two of wine and then switch or mix with seltzer water and it has made me feel like I can keep doing this. It has caused no gain (except one week which took me 4-5 days to get rid of) but could be the reason for the stall. So now that I'm in P2, I don't want to actually add in the food. Funny, but I would be okay not adding huge P3 breakfasts.... just wine!

CEnTxChk - I'm so glad you're taking time with your mom!! :hug::hug::hug:

Re Fitbits - I chose the Charge because I liked the watch feature and wasn't wearing one. My sis in law had the old one like Flex and didn't like that there was no display. I got my husband a One for Christmas because he already wears a watch and I thought he'd prefer the clip on. He has said a few times that he kinda wishes he had a charge - he's forgotten to put his on a few times, and if you want it to track your sleep you have to remember to start and stop it (the charge does it automatically). Otherwise he likes it fine, so I think it's just up to your personal preference.

I'm a little sore from the yard work yesterday, but I definitely noticed having more energy while we were working. Kept up my water and added a packet plus a little protein in the afternoon. We've got a bit more to finish today.

Oh CenTxChk - I feel so much for you at this time with your mom -- I did this in 2005 - my mom was ready too, and she hung on for month. We had time and she was lucid to talk right up until the end. This is among the toughest things in life. You are so in my thoughts. Hang in.

I am amazed that you are able to think about the fitbit, but since you mentioned it, I will share my recent experience - I have a One mainly because my wrists are large and I just don't wear bracelets comfortably. However, the One has to be fit into it's little skin with clip in order to wear it... it is not the like the top end variety - I forget the name (A clip version which was the original design that I had bought about 4 years ago when they first came out). The clip on the little skin that you fit the One into is very snug - you would not lose it when you clip it onto your clothes... but it takes 2 hands to clip it on, and you have to remove it from the skin in order to charge the battery. So I think it takes a bit of extra maneuvering as compared to some of the other models. The Aria is great- once you set it up, it wirelessly syncs to your computer and phone app. I wondered about the investment when I bought it, but I am very glad to have it and do not regret paying the price. And I am loving that I could connect with Briael and JJTx and Canadjineh so far on MyFitnessPal. I see that the Maintainers are copying their food diary reports to their 3FC postings - great way to work together on managing maintenance.

Sue - You are in my thoughts and prayers, too -- I just went thru a whole round of tests include PET scan with my DH regarding a couple of aneurysms. It took several weeks to get the results - in our case iit was determined that it's just a wait and watch item - annual scans to see if it's growing, and if so how fast. My DH is 83 yrs old next week - 20 yrs my senior, and quite aged after going thru cancer and medical issues over the past 13 years. We are at a different place from you and your DH from the perspective of my DH's age, but I know that fear that's inside your head and how you have to compartmentalize it as you wait for the full set information - what's the condition, what are the treatment options and prognosis. The uncertainty would be a definite trigger for me to eat my way through from one day to the next. I commend you HUGELY for hanging in there, and my fingers and toes are crossed for good news and outcomes.

Avalon - I am so sorry to hear that you have been 'gyrating in place' - I can relate completely -- I have dropped from a consistent 10lb per month loss to barely 5lbs/month, and I am hovering around 170 just not dropping permanently into the 160's... yesterday I was there, today I am not. I am still 20 from goal, so I really was counting on getting those additional pounds off. I adopted your recommendation to use the Ultimate Flora -- I did the 7 day and now am doing the daily lower volume of bacteria. I have not begun the Yerba stuff in tea yet - I should do it today. But, this has not changed my hovering state.

So... for me, it's adding in exercise and hoping that will help. I did a great dance based cardio class called LaBlast today for an hour, followed by a Gentle Yoga class that focuses on stretching and balance and breathing. It was a wonderful 2 hr session and I did not feel the dizzies until the last 10 minutes. I left class and went directly to GNC and picked up Quest chips and some bars, and a few GNC RTD's that were on a half off sale. (My clinic failed to order food in time for there to be anything but restricted stuff I don't like well enough to eat, so I was running out of food for this week.) I had quest chips in the car on the way home from class to fuel after my workout. I hope this will not produce an uptick this week.... and I hope my coach does not think I need to phase off yet.

Hi IPeeps, I hope everyone has had a great weekend. I've finished day 2 of phase 2 and haven't noted much difference. Is it wrong that I have no problem eating the required protein in one sitting? :)

So glad to hear it does not put you off to have the additional real protein serving... I look forward to having more quantity of food... it has to be more filling than an RTD or a bag of chips/crisps.... and so many people have posted that it seems like too great a quantity of food. I was feeling like I must still be a glutton.... :o

I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to you as well. I went through the same thing with my Mom recently. It was just myself and my sister (my Dad passed away almost 40 yrs ago when I was a young teen) and I moved across the country to be with her. Same situation - things change so quickly.:hug: Hold on to her as long as you can. I am so sorry. You, your Mom and your family are in my prayers. :hug:

Hello everyone, I am a west coast summer starter who went into maintenance jan 28. I mainly post in the maintainers thread.

Determined, there is no right or wrong....just listening to how you feel. I did enjoy P2 as a change up from P1 and was not overfull.

An aside...I started buying new clothes recently, and that will keep me motivated in maintenance....they are fitted and there's no room for gaining weight. :)

Hello everyone! 100lbs gone!
 

Thanks Oneuh2 for creating this new thread and bringing the summer beginners together! :hug:
Even though I have not posted in a while, I have been coming by every other day or so and I do read the daily chat posts and this thread, but I haven't had time to post because I'm super busy with work and school!

Right now it's past midnight, and I'm still working on homework :( but I took a little break to finally post something! :D:D:D

I started IP in August- August 13th to be exact- and I have always been 100% OP, I never cheated, not during the holidays, not during birthdays or parties, I didn't have cake on my birthday (past Friday the 13th) instead I had a delicious brownie :D I had always struggled with my weight, but I had never been so big as I was last summer. I guess work and mostly stress just got to me, and I would find comfort in food, specially the unhealthy ones. Last summer I decided I needed to add some physical activity in my life, but to do that, I had to quit smoking, so I could breath through a workout, so after 15 years of smoking, and several times of trying to quit, I quit one more time, but this time I knew it had to be the last time. I smoked my last cigarette on June 30th, and I've been smoke free ever since. It was a daily battle, fighting the nicotine cravings, and I compensated that with more food- In about 6 weeks I gained about 20lbs :( I felt terrible, I started getting heartburn, short of breath, I couldn't even sleep comfortable anymore, I was miserable. I told my doctor how bad I felt, and I even though about smoking again because I couldn't stop eating! She prescribed me some pills for my heartburn (which I took, omg, they were miracle pills to me because immediately the heartburn disappeared!:D ) and she also prescribed me appetite suppressant pills (which I didn't take at all) and she gave me the ok to begin the IP diet. I didn't need the appetite suppressant pills at all because I was not hungry during the diet, which was odd, since I had been hungry for the past weeks since I had stopped smoking! A month later, I didn't refill my heartburn pills because I didn't need them anymore, my heartburn was gone :carrot: Also, I used to have anxiety attacks almost daily, and I also suffered from allergies (itchy, watery eyes) and now they're gone! I feel so relieved! :carrot::carrot: I am a teacher, and I'm also involved in various extracurricular activities and I am taking classes for a graduate degree, so pretty much I have my hands full right now! That's why I really can't come to post as much as I wish, but as you can see, when I do, I write tons!

I would also like to announce to you that as of last Wednesday 3/11/15 I have lost 100 lbs. :carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:
My Birthday was 3/13 and that was the best gift I could have ever given to myself :D I went shopping for clothes to reward myself ;) My initial goal was 175lbs then I changed it to 165lbs then I changed it to 158-to reach the 100lbs- and now I don't know I think I want to lose another 20-25lbs- not really sure, I do want to be able to fit nicely in a size 4, as of right now I can wear comfortably a size 6, so I don't know how much more I need to lose to get to the size 4 that I want. In this diet we "shrink" we lose volume, so I really don't know how much longer or how many lbs. I need to lose to get to my 4 size goal, but I do know that I am very, very close to it! :D:carrot::D:carrot:

Thank you for your support, your advices, your encouragement and walking this journey with me :hug: Yay! maintenance is getting closer for us! :carrot::carrot::hug::hug:

Big Congratulations Ariel13, wow, 100 pounds -- that is a great accomplishment!

You are in my thoughts! This is so hard and I have been there 2x in the past 2 years. First with my Father in Law and then Mother in Law shortly after. Be strong and be present...that's all you can do.. :hug:

Thanks for the words of encouragement...It really means a lot from everyone. I think the inital shock is wearing off now and reality is setting in. My sister in law called from california last night and I lost it. I have really been holding it together for DH but something about her calling me hit a nerve. So we talked and she offered to come out with DH's brother, but I told her really no reason till we know what we are dealing with. DS is fully aware of what is going on. We wre never parents that kept the kid in the dark. DH is hanging in there but its really hard. Hopefully we will have some answers soon. It is killing me that I am going to Vegas on Saturday. I need to talk to DH and make sure he is OK with that. I feel horrible.... BUT I will NOT turn to food. I have come so far and I guess / think I am learning how to cope with my stress without diving head first into a loaf of crusty italian bread!

I too feel I will not have the protein eating issue LOL...

I am so happy for you.....please continue to stop by and let us know how you are doign....:)

Off to the grocery store today. Fridge is looking pretty sad LOL...Good thing mom cooked for us last night. She made a prime rib dinner. I had roasted a head of cauliflower yesterday so I brough my own veg! Golf season at school starts for DS today. I have to lug his clubs to the school at the end of the day as they are off to the driving range. At least I only have to do the clubs once a week! LOL... 2 months till he gets his drivers licence :carrot:

murrcat, that is definitely great motivation. I have been meaning to get rid of my larger sizes so I know I will have to buy new stuff if I put on weight.

Ariel13, Happy Belated :hat:, I'm a March baby too, and while I still had a great time celebrating with friends, I did miss out on the ceremony of cake, the brownie was a smart idea.

I regretted not trying one of the IP "cake" recipes. But I did try a mug cake recipe with a chocolate drink mix and some WF caramel dip this weekend. The "cake" was very dense and wet, but the taste was pleasant.

Congrats on your losses :) You are doing an amazing, and inspiring job, especially considering your busy schedule. Keep it up! Also congrats on being smoke free :)

Sgrealtor1 You are doing an amazing job of being strong and not turning to food. WTG

It is nice to read that others either had no problem with their Phase 2 lunch protein, or are looking forward to it.

My thoughts are with everyone going through difficult or challenging times.

Stay strong and keep going IPeeps!

Ariel13 - so glad to hear from you! And so much happy news -- a birthday where you stayed on program, and hitting your 100 lb milestone! Fabulous -- way to go!! :bravo:

I can really relate to your experience of quitting smoking -- I quit in 2007 using Chantix. The medication worked well in helping me lose the craving for the cigarettes, but my sugar addiction and need to eat anything not nailed down came on with a vengeance. And I felt, without the cigarettes, as if I had lost my best friend. I was depressed and using food to numb the sadness. I packed on 25 lbs over the first few months after quitting. I could not seem to halt the craziness and get into any kind of eating management routine, so my weight contininued to creep up.

So I commend you for your ability to stop smoking AND successfully take on weight loss -- that is a HUGE testament to your ability to take control of cravings and emotional stress. Having done that so successfully, you must give yourself credit - What a surge in self confidence this must be for you!

You have a lot going on and seem to be handling all so well -- glad you are checking in on 3FC when you can -- pls keep us posted from time to time - we miss you!!

Welcome Murrcat!! We have several Summer Starters who are approaching goal or just phasing off -- many of us are trolling the Maintainers' threads, including archived ones. IPeeps like you, who have made it thru to goal and already begun navigating maintenance, can really be helpful to the rest of us. Stop in and share anytime!!

Good morning y'all! :)

Ariel -congrats on your 100 pounds gone for good!! Doesn't it feel wonderful? :carrot:

Sue - glad to hear you're hanging in there, sounds like you're doing about all you can for now :hug:

Oneuh2 - great job with all the dancing classes, looks like you're finding things that work for you and that you enjoy! Also glad you will be back with your regular coach this week, I know you've been frustrated and hopefully she can make some suggestions to help you get out of your slump.


I am sore!! Two days of working in the yard was awesome and tiring, but I had a lot more energy than this time last year, that's for sure. Added extra packets and protein to compensate. We pretty much got everything done, in time for the rain that's supposed to start tomorrow. I thought I was going to die at yoga last night, but most of it felt pretty good and I did a full plank (only for about a minute), which surprised the heck out of me!

Schools are on spring break this week, so should be a slow work week. WI isn't until Wednesday on my new schedule, which is throwing me off a little. :dizzy:

Thanks, JJTx -- but I have to say - what do you mean "I did a full plank (only for about a minute)..." I have worked up to being able to do 20 seconds -- your upper body and core strength are enough for me to be envious!!!

Now that I can see your MFP status, in just a few days I see clearly and am humbled by how you have incorporated so much activity into your day to day life. YOU ROCK! and you inspire me!