Thanks Annie. I love this website. There is so much information to be had. It is very encouraging and helpful to know there are so many people going through the same struggle with losing and maintaining our weight. I don't have as much to lose as many but it is still difficult. I feel I'm addicted to sugar and it is very hard to get through a day without something sweet - especially after dinner. I'm not even sure I should eat the bars because they are like eating a candy bar for me and it doesn't help me get the sugar urge out of my system. It's such a psychological thing.
I had asked a question on another thread that maybe you can answer. If I eat a late dinner around 7/8 - is it okay to skip my 3rd IP food. It's usually a dessert which makes me feel guilty to eat at 9pm. I do try to get it in before 8 but what is your thought on this. Also - do you think Chicken & Apple Sausage would be OP? Thanks for your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Harleygirl58:
Thanks Annie. I love this website. There is so much information to be had. It is very encouraging and helpful to know there are so many people going through the same struggle with losing and maintaining our weight. I don't have as much to lose as many but it is still difficult. I feel I'm addicted to sugar and it is very hard to get through a day without something sweet - especially after dinner. I'm not even sure I should eat the bars because they are like eating a candy bar for me and it doesn't help me get the sugar urge out of my system. It's such a psychological thing.
I had asked a question on another thread that maybe you can answer. If I eat a late dinner around 7/8 - is it okay to skip my 3rd IP food. It's usually a dessert which makes me feel guilty to eat at 9pm. I do try to get it in before 8 but what is your thought on this. Also - do you think Chicken & Apple Sausage would be OP? Thanks for your thoughts.

I would ask about the sausage on the Daily Chat thread--people there know everything! You might need to be specific about the details (how many carbs, calories, etc).

As for that 3rd packet, I know that people who have to eat dinner late due to work/school/life will have their third packet earlier in the day, like as an afternoon snack (which would probably be nice to hold you over since your dinners are so late). That way you get the right amount--it doesn't seem to matter what order you eat it in. Hope that helps!

Hi all, I'm new here and new to Ideal Protein, I started Monday and just reached Day 5. Day 3 was the hardest, headache was a killer but now I am in Ketosis and definitely feel different. I do my weigh ins on Mionday morning. I was skeptical at first because I am over 50 and weight is hard to drop, but I can tell this is different and even though I haven't stepped on the scale this week, I do feel thinner. Actually looking forward to my first weigh-in

Thanks for the welcome, Annie!

Starting today, and I feel great. Maybe I won't feel so great when the carb withdrawal kicks in, but I know wonderful things are on the other side of that :)

I'm so glad to have found this place, it seems to be the most active IP resource on the internet.

Congratulations, Kirag.
Good work.

Originally Posted by Harleygirl58:
I had asked a question on another thread that maybe you can answer. If I eat a late dinner around 7/8 - is it okay to skip my 3rd IP food. It's usually a dessert which makes me feel guilty to eat at 9pm.

I think what you are asking is, if you have not yet had your 3rd packet, and you had a late dinner, should you go ahead and have the 3rd packet, or should you skip it. I just asked my coach the same thing, because I usually leave my 3rd packet (also a 'sweet' choice, like you) to have in the evening, but sometimes I end up eating dinner later than I planned and it seems like 'overeating' to eat dinner PLUS a packet. My coach said yes, it is still important to get the 3rd packet in. Do not skip it, as much of metabolism occurs during sleep. Since you are limiting carbs, and are in ketosis, my understanding is that you need to have adequate nutritional protein on-board so you don't break down muscle to fuel your metabolic needs.

As I have a lot of weight to loose, I am concerned about skin laxity...does anyone have any good ideas to prevent sagging skin and stretch marks due to fast weight loss?

Six pounds in one week is great Oma...great job

Originally Posted by kirag:
As I have a lot of weight to loose, I am concerned about skin laxity...does anyone have any good ideas to prevent sagging skin and stretch marks due to fast weight loss?

I've read posts here about people working foods/vitamins with collagen into their diets, but sagging skin stretch marks is unfortunately something many of us will still have to face. :(

Originally Posted by rosemary2612:
Hi IdealAnnie! I am returning after 3 years. I lost 120 pounds in 7 months the first go round. Felt and looked great. I didn't finish the phases and the food eventually was in controll of me. I gained 80 pounds and my health is affected. I am going to do this because I am worth it. Thank you for starting this thread, it helps to feel more connected and not alone.

Rosemary, I am Novak and you may remember some of my posts from 2010 and 2011. Please come to the thread I started today to talk about my 5 years on maintenance and how I was able to make it work. It is hard, but so worth it. I am planning to be around for a few days, and am happy to help you in any way I can. Believe me, I have had my share of regains and restarts (and false starts), but today I am less than 2 pounds over my original target weight.

Best to you...

Thank you, I did get collagen to take, so I hope this helps...I guess sagging skin is one of the side effects of fast weight loss

Originally Posted by Novak:
Rosemary, I am Novak and you may remember some of my posts from 2010 and 2011. Please come to the thread I started today to talk about my 5 years on maintenance and how I was able to make it work. It is hard, but so worth it. I am planning to be around for a few days, and am happy to help you in any way I can. Believe me, I have had my share of regains and restarts (and false starts), but today I am less than 2 pounds over my original target weight.

Best to you...

I did go to your new thread and reintroduced myself to you. You have given me hope. It is so nice to hear from someone that I walked the path with. I was able to lose before because of everyone on these pages. I am kind of fighting it this time, convincing myself that I failed before, I don't know anyone here anymore, etc. I keep coming back. Keep talking, I am listening.

Originally Posted by Hope2015:
Hi all, I'm new here and new to Ideal Protein, I started Monday and just reached Day 5. Day 3 was the hardest, headache was a killer but now I am in Ketosis and definitely feel different. I do my weigh ins on Mionday morning. I was skeptical at first because I am over 50 and weight is hard to drop, but I can tell this is different and even though I haven't stepped on the scale this week, I do feel thinner. Actually looking forward to my first weigh-in

Hi, Hope! Welcome, and yay for ketosis! It's amazing how quickly you can feel thinner on Ideal Protein. Good luck on Monday--we're rooting for you! :cheer:

Thanks for the welcome! Very excited to be on IP! First few days were rough, hunger, headache, but day 4 and 5 were easy and great! Can't wait to weigh in!!! Hope to be able to contribute during the next year! 😃

You are right Annie, doesn't take long before one starts to feel thinner...love this diet...