Thank you for the responses regarding the hormones. It has been very frustrating dealing with this part of the diet. Tomorrow will be the start of my fourth week and I have been on my period for 2 1/2 weeks of doing IP. There does not seem to be an end in sight and I am becoming very upset and emotional by having to deal with my period for such a long length of time. It's like being on a roller coaster, the heaviness of my flow is unpredictable, so I have to be on guard at all times for anything. I keep hearing and reading that this is normal but I don like it and am very close to quitting. The only thing is I'm losing the weight which is the ultimate goal. I'm trying to remain positive but difficult when I domt have a support system. Of course my family are great in encouraging me to stick with it and telling me how great I'm doing but I don't have anyone who's going through the program and experiencing what I'm experiencing. The coach just keeps telling me this is normal and that I'm doing great. Sorry for the venting, I'm just frustrated

Jen - Only you can decide though what is best for you, but I understand and sympathize. This Friday I'll have been OP for 10 weeks / 70 days - this is the first 26 day stretch between periods I did not spot or have another period in between. I am also on the Mirena IUD, so was used to not having periods / PMS. I am sure you know this, but fat stores estrogen and as it's released it wrecks havoc on our cycles.
I am not enjoying having PMS / cramps / heavy cycles again - but know in the end this is temporary and worth the effort.

Hello
 

Hello all,
I am also really happy to find this thread discussion. Like most of you, I am restarting IP. I lost 46 pounds last year on IP. Then my old ways came back and the weight did too. So, I am restarting.

My goal is to get back down 22 pounds. I am also using Beck's Diet Solution which focuses on congnative therapy. I am working hard to not allow those old ways of eating and thinking of food to come back.

With Beck's, I have learned to make a list of advantages to being thin and read them daily and to repeat "No Choice". I have "No Choice" if I want to be thinner and healthier. And finally I have learned to give myself credit- even for the smallest successes.

Starting IP again means going through detox. I remind myself that the first week is difficult because my body is detoxing. It is so worth it. We know it works!
So thank you for starting this thread. I look forward to sharing with you all while on our journey to a thinner self. :flow1:

Third weigh in today down almost 2 ponds so almost a total of 12, that was exciting. Beautiful Spring day makes everything seem possible. Happy Day to you all!

Evening everyone! Thanks, thanks for the feedback about alcohol and Italy! I really appreciate it. I've never been but really can't wait. After planning for so long it's hard to believe it's almost here! And, it's really needed after dealing with family death, illness and the assorted "challenges" of life this year. Much needed relaxation ahead...

And yes, completely agree that I will have lots of options for healthy eating there! Hopefully I'll limit the "other stuff" to an occasional indulgence. So thanks for chiming in...always good to get some perspectives.

JenEnglish: timing wise it definitely seems like menstrual issues are related to IP but...just to throw it out there...do you think you should check with your doctor? Maybe he/she could check some labs or rule out something else?? Again, probably just the IP but if it continues (especially if it's really heavy and continuous) might want to double check....wouldn't want you to get anemic!

Last thought tonight....just tried the lemon wafers tonight. OMG! Delicious. I am a big lemon fan so that may have something to do with it but I thought they were great.

Hope everyone has a great IP day tomorrow!!

Welcome!
 

Hi Suebee! Just want to say hi and I look forward to 'talking' to you. I hope your IP diet is successful and I 'm waving my magic wand for you. I've heard a lot about Beck's Diet Solution but am unfamiliar with it. I'll have to get a copy of the book.

EatingLess, High five to you on your weight loss:carrot:! Your success inspires all of us!

hello everyone lost 5.1 lbs today. Disappointed as it should be more since I drank nothing other than lemon water all Easter Weekend was hoping for a massive massive drop but I will take this. AS long as I have another 2-3 lbs next week I'm happy. So far this restrictive diet is very very hard but my cravings are going away.

I am also restarting this week I have about 3 weeks of productleft and hopefully I can find a cheaper alternative along the way I lost 60 pounds in 6 months 2 years ago and I felt great. I have made the decision to start again adn this time complete all phases becasue I just stop I thought I would be ok and slowly the weight has come back and I am not happy. SO I will stay connected and I think with others inspiration I will be ok

I'm on vacay right now, so I will have two weeks of accountability next Tuesday. As for being on-plan while vacationing? Hard but manageable. I went to the grocery store and bought tofu, eggs, deli ham, and veggies. Subway is ubiquitous in most areas of the country (yes!) so I had a salad with double meat, veggies, oil, and vinegar. I don't know if it was balsamic or not, but I was fine with that. Some days on vacay I need an extra IP food as I'm walking a lot. Wow. Now I know why they say not to exercise when you're first starting out Ideal Protein. I only walked (not too hard an intensity), but I felt faint and lightheaded, almost like I was going to pass out. Gotta slow down. Anyway, I'm still in ketosis, so here's to staying strong! ;)

Hi, All! My name is Amy and I started Ideal Protein 5 weeks ago. I'm down 19.4 lbs total and couldn't be happier! This is my first time on IP, and although the food choices may be somewhat limited, I love the fact that there isn't too much thinking and planning involved. As a mom of a 3 year old and 3 month old boys, ain't nobody got time for that! :)

So happy to have found this thread and look forward to hearing all of your weight loss stories and encouraging one another. Have a great week!

I'm new to Ip, just 1 month and am getting frustrated because I have only lost 7 lbs including the initial water. I haven't cheated at all and am retaining a lot of water. I'm very sensitive to salty things so adding salt to my food is just making me like a sausage! When they measure and weigh me weekly, very little is happening. I only work part time for the past 2 yrs since nerve and ligament damage post knee replacement and I know inactivity isn't helping. They've now told me to only do 6 oz dinner protein and not chili, bars or chip snacks. Please help!

Cattech, I, too, am very salt sensitive. I only lost 4 pounds at my first WI and next WI is a few days off but I haven't seen my scale moving. However, I am on a modified diet for the initial two weeks of IP due to my Type 2 Diabetes. But it's tough not seeing the scale go down. My coach approved my decision to salt (using the IP salt) only meats and not veggies. Nor do I use any additional IP salt as others seem to do. This forum is full of very experienced people so I'm hoping one of them can help you! Good luck.

Nice to meet you SusieCJ - IP is going well. Today has been the best. We can do it!

Good planning, Redonkulous! Subway can be a lifesaver on IP. If you need to shake things up a bit flavourwise, you can get then to add the Frank's Hot Sauce to your salad, especially good with roast beef or chicken. :T

Ugh I feel your pain! I had a great first two weeks but on Friday my period came and it has been a nightmare ever since! I hadn't had my period since December due to polycystic ovaries and thats one of the reasons I am on this diet. Last Friday it finally came and it arrived with a vengeance! This week has been extremely hard as I have this huge craving to eat at all times. I don't feel hungry but everything I see I want to eat, I am feeling a bit down and there is so much blood I have to wash my bed sheets every morning. I am staying in the diet but this week I haven't lost much, I'll keep going but it is getting harder. I am hoping next week things will be good again.

This diet has been a bit of a roller coaster to me, one week its great the next not so much! Hang in there I think the end result is worth it.