March 2015 starters (and restarters)!
 

Hello, fellow newbies! I notice there are a bunch of us, so I thought it would be fun to get to know each other here and follow each other's progress.

As for me, I'm Annie. I'm Mom to four kids, including one with severe special needs. They keep me hopping!

Finishing up day 2 on IP and so far so good! Looking forward to raspberry gelatin for my snack tonight, and then I can call it a perfect IP day. I know, I know, it's just the second day. But I will celebrate every victory along the way!

Excited to take this journey with you. Here we go!!!

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.

First Time
 

I go to my first consultation meeting tomorrow with the plan to make this happen. I'm doing it because I'm way too big to be healthy, and I have PCOS and metabolic syndrome. I want to be here for my little buddy when he grows up and to be able to have a little sister for him in the next year or two (we've been trying for 2 years).

I think my biggest problem is going to be the lovely lunches they have at work and the fact that I have a little 2 1/2-year old that needs his snacks (animal crackers, bananas, grapes, apples, oranges, regular unsweetened cheerios, crackers), none of which are on the list, but I can't keep them out of the house either. Oh, and he really loves to share his snacks w/ mommy and daddy. Not excuses, just obstacles. :D

Now, how are the IP food packets? I usually make everything at home, like ranch dressing mixes and pancake mixes, etc. I'm not used to packaged stuff. Is it OK to improvise with the packets as long as you stay on plan?

Wow! 120 lbs in 7 months! That's amazing. Looks like we're starting at the same weight, by the way. It will be fun to do this together!

Hi there, friends! :)

You moms are awesome. Good luck to you- I don't know how you do what you do!

I was on IP two years ago and loved it- I had started working out 4 times a week, lost 30 lbs in just a few months, and was excited to reach my goal.
But then I fell waaaay off the wagon. I would eat out a lot- I didn't have a kitchen and it was the only time I would see my friends- and the day finally came that they picked a restaurant where I had zero IP options and couldn't reasonably ask the kitchen to make enough alterations. I figured one meal couldn't hurt... The next day I figured if already ruined the week, I may as well just restart the next week... Or the week after that...

Now I have a kitchen, I live with friends so I don't have to go out to eat to see them, and I'm ready to meet my goal this time!

Also... started yesterday and got IP's Week 1 headache... definitely a "welcome back" that could've held its tongue. :P

marshacup, I hear you on the kids' snacks! As for the packets, some are great, some not so much! Haha. But everyone seems to have a different opinion on them. I would suggest buying a variety. It would be awful to have a bunch of one flavor that you can't bring yourself to choke down. It's all DEFINITELY an adjustment at first!

ImASharkIPromise, your screen name is awesome. Haha. Ugh about the headache. I guess it means that you're doing something right though, right? At least we know it goes away soon!

Hello all,
I have restarted the IP protocol. I began my journey with IP around this time last year to lose weight for my wedding. Once I hit my weight, I stopped as the big day was quickly approaching.

I gained it all back. This time I starting over to lose weight to achieve a healthy BMI, as my husband and I plan to start a family soon. I'm about 15 pounds away from the top end of the healthy BMI range, but I want to push myself to below that.

I'm looking forward to having you all to help hold me accountable along the way!

Welcome, MrsG5! Yay for accountability! And I can't imagine a better motivator than starting a family!

Hi All! I started this month last year and have had a 5 month stall out. I am "re-starting" at my stall weight to try to mentally push on into the second round with a new outlook.

I wonder if there are still old March starters out there?

I am starting this month with a 30 day yoga plan (one week in). Fingers crossed.

any suggestions along the way are welcomed!

Oooh, tell me about the yoga plan! I know some people have mixed feelings about it, but I'm all about exercising while on IP and I love knowing what other people are up to!

Hello. Day three newbie here, and total newbie to the forums. I've been struggling with my weight for umpteen years and I've run the gauntlet of diets--calorie counting, Atkins, South Beach, Paleo, Weight Watchers, etc., etc. Never had any real success, even in conjunction with regular, strenuous exercise. Just kept gaining. Gradually at first, but then had my gallbladder removed and had to give up exercising so much thanks to health issues. My weight shot up almost overnight. Gained 40 of these extra pounds in about 6 weeks.

After years of going to doctor after doctor, finally found an endocrinologist who went beyond basic tests, found I have thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). Combined with other health issues, the result is my metabolism moving slower than a snail. Did lose 20+ pounds after starting thyroid medication, but stalled out to my current weight. The endocrinologist recommended IP, so here I am. Doing okay following the program so far (not like I don't have plenty of experience with diets), only having one real "side effect," nausea. I'm hoping that means I'm in ketosis?

Woke up this morning feeling rested and far better than usual, so that's a definite plus, but I'm determined to hang in there regardless. Desperate times, desperate measures. :)

Good luck to everyone in reaching their goal.

Hi everyone! I am back after about a 1 year hiatus from IP. I first started in May 2013 and quickly lost 70 lbs. I was about 20lbs from goal when I started to lose sight and slowly quit (without thinking I quit, just fooling myself into thinking I was still on plan). I gained about 40lbs back on and am ready to get going again! I restarted yesterday and so far so good! I am getting married in September, so my goal is to be back where I was by then (if not more!) I too have the Week 1 headache/lightheadedness, but I know that once it goes away, it's smooth sailing! Keep drinking water, spacing out your packets, and we CAN get through this!!! Good luck to us all!

Jonquil- Welcome! I too have Hasimoto's and have found that this was the only eating plan that moved my weight...keep me updated!

ImASharkIPromise- I didnt work out much at all for the first 8 months, which was a departure from working out 3 + a week before and not losing at all, so I kept not working out.

I decided with the plateau that maybe it is what my body needs at this point in the journey, so I am back at it. Going for 30 days straight, 1 hour a day, doing power yoga (so in a heated room incorporating cardio and ab sculpting in to the hour routine). Ill let you know what the WI brings.

I do so much better when I am being held accountable. When I lost all of that weight I never cheated, not once. Never made excuses why my situation was "unique", and held myself accountable to the friends on these pages. I only went to the weight loss center for a few months and then used an alternate product. I ran in my pool everyday during the summer, but other than that I did not exercise. I am going to do a little weight training for my arms this time. I am on this and I am so happy to see so many people posting to this thread. We are all special in our own right and we can do this if we stand together.

Joined March 1st.
 

I am new to the IP diet. I have a lot of weight to loose. I feel confident this diet will work for me. All the best to all the newbies out there

My IP coach had her thyroid removed altogether and nothing else worked for her, either, but she lost 55 pounds on IP. Really, really hoping this will be the one that works for me. Keeping my fingers crossed for my first weigh in Saturday.

As far as exercise goes, I'll be starting doctor prescribed warm water therapy this week (basically water aerobics in a heated pool). Even if it's not strenuous enough to help much with weight loss, having to show myself in public in some sort of swimwear will serve as motivation to stick with the diet. :)

Wow, this diet really seems to work. I have not met anyone who has done it, but it is encouraging to find others here in the same place as me trying to lose weight

Glad you are here. It does work if you work it.

Back for a third time, hope this time I can stick with it more than a couple weeks and actually see results. Started IP on Saturday - first couple days were good, now today, that's another story. Slight headache most of the day, lethargic, grumpy and hungry. Tonight, was feeling a bit better and then about 10pm the really bad headache set in. Ate some celery with salt on it and took an Aleve, so far no relief.

Last time I tried the program, the coach put me on the Alternate program that allowed a few carbs. That seemed to help keep the headaches at bay, but of course, slower weight loss.

Any suggestions to help get through the headaches and to not feel hungry will be appreciated. (I don't like a lot of the veggies that are unlimited - or course I could eat carrots, corn and green beans every day!).

hi :) i am on day 1 and definitely on the honeymoon trip with IP:) i am very excited! i am a mommy of 2, 40 years young, i weighed in at 198 pounds, and 5'6". i am really happy to have found this page :) thank you!

i have a question, am i allowed the IP barb q sauce and dressing in 1 day and how much of each for each day? i am planning on burger and caeser salad IP style for my supper:)

I am starting today! Today is exactly 3 months until my 45th birthday! I am REALLY hoping to get to my goal for my birthday!

This is my third time trying the plan. First two times I lost 12-15lbs in 3 weeks! Hoping for the same results this time!

Today my food was good. I am still having carb withdrawal and my stomach feels like my insides are tight. Almost like someone squeezing my sides. I have done well for my first four days. One Day at a Time.

Good job, Rosemary! You're so right--One Day at a Time. I'm on Day Four too, which I've heard is the hardest day. So if we could make it today, we can do it tomorrow too, right? :carrot:

We can do this. I am making the decisions about my food now. I am sick of the food controling how I feel, when I eat, how much I eat, and controlling all aspects of my social life and beliefs. We believe we can do this, that is a triumph. Have a great food day on this cold Thursday.

How is everyone feeling? I am doing well this week (100% OP since Monday!) and feeling good. :carrot: I have noticed that when I get hungry, I need to eat RIGHT AWAY or else my sugar plummets and I get dizzy. :dizzy: So far I have been able to manage it without too much issue. I am dreading the weekend. That is really when I struggle and fall off the wagon. But not this weekend!

Day five on IP, first timer. The last couple of days were hard, feeling tired and lethargic...but today I feel much better...getting a hang of the diet makes life simpler as well

Feeling good on day 4!

First day of splitting my dinner protien between lunch and dinner- had scrambled eggs, and made "home fries" (aka roasted turnips). Not bad, definitely feels like I'm eating a starch! Gonna continue trying out root veggies to sate my starchy cravings...

Hi all, I'm another restarter. I originally started IP in 2011 and lost 60 lbs. Didn't phase off correctly and didn't watch what I ate and gained it all back. Restarted IP several times since November 2014 and haven't been able to maintain the commitment I had before. Here I am starting again, hopefully this time with the help of this tread I will have the support I guess I need.
These threads have a way of fading so lets try to keep this one going because I certainly need the support and accountability. Wish us all great success whether we are starting for the first time or start over for the umpteen time.

Welcome back, Happy! I'm returning as well, and hopefully together we can find victory! You've done it once, you can do it again! :)

Congrats, everyone, on another good day! We've got this! Today was tricky for me because I'm just a little under the weather anyway (cold, sore throat) and I was so crazy busy that I sorta forgot to eat a couple of times, so naturally I was quite light headed and weak. So I'm sitting down to all four cups of veggies and all 8 oz of meat tonight. Wish me luck! You're all doing so great!

Good luck! And sorry you're feeling under the weather. :/ I've started taking Airborne to build up my immune system, cause I'm ALWAYS sick, and just replaced my chewable vitamin with a tablet.

Great, another pill to swallow. >.<

Haha @ "another pill to swallow." I so hear you.

Also, is anyone seeing any body changes yet? Cause I am!

I finally decided it was time to try IP again because my spare tire was starting to develop a spare tire, and I wanted to die I was so mortified with myself. :/ But I noticed today that the second spare tire has conceded defeat! I love how quickly IP starts rebuilding my confidence. :)

slowly but surely, the pounds are starting to move...

Your sidebar shows that you've already lost 8 lbs!? Awesome!!! :broc:

This made me laugh out loud. Congrats on defeating that second spare tire! Haha. Awesome.

I haven't noticed any real changes yet, but I know I will. I'm trying not to weigh myself (I'm a scale addict...) till Sunday.

How are all our fellow March starters doing tonight?

Thank you for writing Happy! I am here for the support, too. It is totally a mind set for me. Trying to change that.

Did they change the meat to 8 oz? When I left a couple years ago it was 5oz. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better. Being sick really throws me off balance. I hope tomorrow is better for you.

My husband and I met my son and his two children for dinner. They wanted to go to a buffet. As I walked by the tables of food I could hear it calling me. On several occasions I had to tell my "eager eating dysfunction" a big fat "NO". I ate a salad with approved vegetables, 1/2 of a baked chicken breast, and a small slice of roast beef. As I was leaving I lightly laughed at the food that was still trying to call me. �� goodbye my old friends on the tables. I can do this. YES!