IP Community Chat
 

:welcome2:
Welcome back to the Daily Chat thread - post your plans for today, share what's been happening, ask questions!

Some forum lingo:
NSV = Non-scale victory
TOM = time of the month
WI = Weigh-in
WF = Walden Farms
OP = on plan

Bookmarking:
Ideal Protein Sub-forum Home page
Consider making it a bookmark or a favorite in your browser so you can come back easily to get your RDA of Ideal Protein information.

Information for newbies:
Check the sticky page (top of forum, above all the topics) for lots of good information and please read here before asking what might be a frequently asked question: Information on Ideal Protein phases (1-4), IP Ultimate List Recipes, FAQ, Newbie Guide, Exercise, and other Important Threads,
and here are the most recent Ideal Protein Protocol sheets

And before you cheat, read this thread:
The Real Cost of Cheating on Ideal Protein

Before starting new threads: spend some time reading the forum. Most new threads are duplicates, triplicates, quadruplicates. Folks who are the most successful, make time for research/reading.

Recipes Here
Ideal Protein Diet Recipes #4 -current thread open for posting
Recipe thread #3
Tips and Recipes from the Incredible Weight Loss Center
Fun with Ideal Protein Packets
Fun with Veggie Purees!
Mix'n in the kitchen...Recipes from the Rainbow
MiX'N' iN THE KiTCH'N.... Recipes from the Rainbow Volume 2
Here are a couple "older" .pdf files of many of Rainbow's recipes: Rainbowsmiles Recipes
and Rainbows IP Inspired Alternative Recipes

For those looking for alternative products
Here is a thread with tons of info. Spend some time in it. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...phase-1-a.html
And here is a link to a chart to help you choose appropriate products

Tickers and Signatures:
There are 2 requirements to have access to signatures and tickers. You must have been a member of 3fatchicks for 20 days AND posted at least 20 messages anywhere on the 3fatchicks forum. When you've met those requirements check The Ultimate Signature and Ticker Thread for more information and instructions.

Quoting:
The best quoting tip - EVER!! Thanks Rosie, aka 6710.

Searching:
If you can't find what you're looking for in this forum using the website search function, try using the "double search" using Google.

1) Go to Google.com. Search 3fatchicks by using the term site:3fatchicks.com at the end of your Google search.

For example, if you want to look for "big mac in a bowl", type "big mac in a bowl site:3fatchicks.com" in Google search. No need to include the quotation marks when you type.

2) This will bring up the page that you are looking for, now hit Ctrl+F to search on that page. Type "big mac in a bowl" and all instances of that search term will be highlighted.

Progress photos
Mini-Goal Photo Album.

Other helpful links related to the Ideal Protein Dr. Chanh Tran Tien's website
Link to a pdf of the doctor's book here.
Note: this is not the same as the current IP plan.

Constipation????
 

This just my first week and I knew it was going to come, but what are others doing when constipation becomes an issue. My coach says "Smooth Move" tea, but it is so ungodly horrible and it gripes me because it contains Senna, so I asked about Aloe Vera Juice 100% because it does not have any carbs or calories. I will be having surgery soon, and I am sure if I am having an issue now it will be worse after that :(. Any thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

I just take Exlax once or twice a week to make sure everything is moving, but to keep my body from learning to rely on them. Works for me. :shrug:

There is at least one (and probably more) thread with constipation in the title - it is good to learn to use the forum search tool to find threads or individual posts. The advanced search lets you specify more details and will be so helpful to you if you are in this for many weeks or months.

Meanwhile check out the link. Avalon recommended Ultimate Flora - I used their 7 day treatment and now take their daily capsule for healthy gut bacteria. It is working well.

Happy Monday IPeeps - I am in SC taking care of some property matters and enjoying some retail therapy. I found I am down from 18/20 to 12 Petite for pants, and size medium often for tops, band size down an inch for bra, and I found some new basics to help get me into warm weather.
I brought my Aria scale along since it is a road trip, and I am doing pretty well staying OP as I am cooking most of the time rather than full time eating out.
All is good here. Heading home tomorrow.

Hope everyone is off to a good start this week.
March is ending and April is starting - those of us in the DietBet Transformer game that began in January will be doing the round 3 weigh in... I have made my Round 3 goal and am very close to the overall 10 percent of Jan Start weight that I need to lose by June 30. I am looking forward to some good winnings to pay for my retail therapy and IP foods!

Thanks oneuh2!

Since the Cal-Mag capsules were the first of my official IP vitamins to run out, I've been taking Natural Calm at night. That, uh, keeps things moving nicely. :o It also helps me sleep, in a way that the Cal-Mag supplements didn't seem to. And it's pretty tasty, I think. (SERIOUSLY, though, if you buy that stuff, DO NOT START WITH 2 TSP. Start with less than one. It is VERY effective. :))

Obviously, I'm also supplementing with calcium; I went with some Calcium and D supplements, which I take with dinner. But if you wanted to be more in line with IP, you could get the version of Calm that has calcium.

I also take Ex-Lax when it becomes an issue, but here are two simple dietary tricks that may help:-

1. Increase your water consumption
2. Go for very fiber dense veggies - think greens - and salad with raw onion

If you are concerned about post-surgical constipation talk to your doctor, and see about having prescription laxatives/softeners to ease you over that recovery period. Hopefully your doc knows you're on a ketogenic diet. :)

Thanks Amanda!
I will increase my water I am getting in 110oz daily now, and I do eat a lot of spinach. Hopefully this will work. I have not talked to my Gynie doctor about this plan, she pushes another plan. ;-)

Deep breath
 

Hello everyone. I am excited and nervous to re-start IP tomorrow (Tuesday). I did IP 18 months ago, lost 9 lbs in one week - but I was miserable because of an un-dxed thyroid issue, so I quit. It was the most unpleasant way to lose weight that I have ever experienced. HOWEVER, now I have my thyroid under control, and I'm ready to go! Tonight I went to the store and got all my veggies, water, water enhancers, keto stix, pill organizer, etc. I told hubby today about me going back on IP, and he was very encouraging. And also realistic: he had concerns for me as the last time I did IP (100%) the first few days were difficult, to say the least. :cry: TAKING A DEEP BREATH. I can do this. Everyone on this forum are so encouraging and positive. Thank you for your tips, kind words of encouragement, and support. I will need it!

:grouphug:

:wave: Hypothyroid here too since 2008! Before my Rx I thought I was having a heart attack or going into congestive heart failure b/c of the palps! My doctor said this is one of the best plans out there for hypo's. You can do this!

Fair warning - and I am speaking from my personal perspective: bare in mind everyone is different. You don't detail what issues you had last year , but as a diagnosed, medicated & well under-control person with a thyroid condition, I will honestly say that the first 10 days of IP, as your body is detoxing and entering ketosis (aka keto-flu), isn't a barrel of laughs.

Some of the symptoms I experienced:
hunger
coldness
tiredness (fairly extreme)
brain-fog
ketosis-breath (metallic taste in the mouth)
cravings (mostly for chips)

Again, not everyone is the same, and untreated hypothyroid could have exasperated some of these issues.

Be sure to follow protocol and get your salt (& I also make sure to take a 1/4tsp a day of salt substitute, which is potassium).

It IS temporary though :) The worst for me was over in about 10 days - but it took 3 weeks to really feel good. Others are much faster. Give it some time - and give your hubby a little warning (mine was used to it lol).

Thank you for sharing your personal experience! For reals!! If I know what to expect, it will be more manageable for me to just plow through. If there is an end in sight for the keto flu, I can do it. It's the not knowing that I can't handle.

Basically last time I was hungry all the time, insanely tired and

LETHARGIC, cold, and depressed. And I did IP 100%- no cheats. While my body was able to get into ketoacidosis, my mental state was like being in a thick fog. Without the carbs to boost my energy, my un-dxed hypothrodic self went into self preservation mode.

I kept waiting for the happy boost that so many IPers talked about after getting into keto, but even going into legitimate keto, I was still operating in robot mode.

But oh my gosh!! 9 lbs in one week! The diet absolutely worked! It was awesome to see those results, esp. because nothing worked before. I know if I stay on plan I will lose again, too. So thanks for your very helpful share about what it's like being a medicated hypo (as now I am too) on the first few days of IP.

Morning all! I weighed in last night at my clinic and was down 2.8--which makes up for my slight gain last week! I'm now officially down just over 20 pounds!! I also have to retire the pants I wore to work yesterday, as they are just too big. That's a huge NSV for me, as just two months ago, I was squeezing into those same pants.

Redonkulous, I have no experience with thyroid issues, but I wanted to wish you luck in the first days as you get through the keto-flu! I'm sure if you can stick with it through that, it'll be smooth sailing the rest of the way :) Hysteria gives some great advice, and always has good tips and tricks.

Mimi47 - so sorry I haven't responded. I was on vacation since last Thursday and haven't been checking in here. I did the meal replacement the first week and skipped it the second week. Skipping it did not make any difference. I'm not sure their reasoning behind it but I don't feel it is necessary. Have you been using it? I didn't like the taste at all.

Just a little note, folks. There is a big difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis. You might wish to google for the medical definition of the words to see how important it is. ;)
Trying not to be picky :^: but we don't want to get the two mixed up.

Thank you for the clarification, canadjineh! You're right, there is a big difference between ketosis and ketoacidosis. It is my hope that you can look past my verbal slip-up, and understand that within the given context, ketosis is the word that I intended.

"Most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice."
—Bob Goff

Lost 3.6 Lbs this week! Nice to see some scale movement. This means I have now lost the 4 lbs that I gained a couple of weeks ago plus a little bit more...boy if I could have a couple weeks like this going forward that would be great. Here's for trying to do a repeat! Even had two lows to deal with meaning extra food!:carrot:

Hi Ladies,

This question is for you. I have been on IP for 1 month now and I have always lost 3 pounds or more every week. I also have an IUD and never get my period (TOM) until this month, now all the sudden my period is back (the day I weigh in) and I only lost 1.8 pounds. My coach says that really I am holding water weight and if I had not been holding water weight i would have lost around 3-4 pounds. Can anyone else shed some light or have a similar experience? Thank you

There was a good discussion about this the other day:
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...dies-only.html

Also, you still had a loss - congrats!

Thank you and Thank you

My roommate has guests over and the smell of pizza is permeating the apartment.

40 minutes until my dinner is ready. Made myself a spinach and cucumber salad with fresh basil, olive oil and apple cider vinegar to tide me over. Delicious, and I wasn't tempted by the pizza. :)

Well, may be a little. But I over came it! :D

Yayyyyyyyy ImAShark !!!!!!!!!

L:dizzy::carrot:

thinkthin -- I do not care for the taste much either…kinda chalky. That being said, I have been using it for my second week of P3 almost every day if only because it is so much easier than making a "real" lunch for myself. We were away on vacation as well, so it's hard to know exactly where my weight will land when I next WI, due to all the meals out, traveling, etc. Will check back in and report when I do. Still seems strange that we're the only two that have heard of this!

Happy April everyone!

Week One Down!
 

My first week weigh in and I am down 4.6 WooHoo!
My micro-mini goal is to be down 8-10 before my surgery on Monday, I am hoping to have a good week. I need to get all of my water in which I know makes a difference. Not as large of a lost as some, but I will take it.
I ate pretty clean before I started IP, just could not get the scale to move. Now it is moving in the right direction. :carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:

I've been hangry since Sunday. I feel like a teenager with acne (usually never have issues, even when I was a teen!), moody...I guess I must have thrown myself out of ketosis somewhere along the way with too many little "extras" (assorted WF products everyday, stevia in my hot tea, a handful of edamame that I knew better than to eat)...BUT I still showed a loss of 2.8 lbs for the week. Skin is looser, fat rolls are softer, shirt size down from 5XL to a loose 2XL, I'm down in pants size from a tight 24W to a snug 18W.
We'll be leaving for a 2 week roadtrip through AZ and UT on the 10th and my IP foods, supplements, every day meds and about half of my spice cabinet is packed and ready to roll! Restaurants along the way have been googled and meal items chosen, hotels re-confirmed, itinerary printed out for us and the kids (just in case something happens), credit card company notified that charges will be occurring out of state...I think all I need to do is pack my clothes then get in the car! Been planing this trip for nigh on 25 years! Sort of... I always wanted to retrace part of our wedding trip and see more of Arizona & Utah. Now is the time!

I've done a quick search and didn't see what I'm looking for. Forgive me if I've missed it.

Is there a link or some type of chart that shows restaurant choices that have ip friendly food?

WTG Frawniemae on those pounds gone for good!

Also I am in awe of your super-planning, down to the restaurants and all!! That's serious "bidness" lady!! :)

WTG Frawniemae! YOu are amazing! I love watching your ticker! I hope you have an amazing TIme on your trip!

Check out the "sticky" thread:
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...t-threads.html

I had my weigh-in on Monday evening, but this is my first time I've gotten a chance to post! I had a 5lb loss. This is after losing less than a pound last week (TOM). My dad saw my DH and I this morning and said, "Wow your diet is really working. You both are looking very slim." That made me feel good. I'm still worried about my trip to the beach/music festival in May, but frawniemae has inspired me with all of her planning and packing! Everyone have a great rest of your week!

It is weird that we're the only two that have heard of this. I wonder why that is. Maybe some clinics decided not to go that route? I'm not sure. My clinic is in Connecticut -- are you from Connecticut? Good luck at your weigh-in.

It's on the June 2014 protocol sheet here on 3FC, I saw it but I'm not using the coach at the clinic, just doing it all on my own so I just ignored it. It didn't make sense to me and I didn't really like the meal replacements or any of the drinks in general.

Our local coach lets my mom have them on Phase one for lunch and tells her to still have two cups of veg like all the other drinks, but I don't think that makes sense either.

They definitely need better information on the meal replacement packages, and the beef stroganoff and chicken dijonaise (pardon my horrific spelling). I think they need to explain how they are different than the regular packets for people like my mom who don't know the difference when they are buying it, and maybe coaches are missing explaining it.

Today is Fake Friday for me as our Inuit government recognizes Maunday Thursday (don't know what that means, but I'll take it) so I have another nice little 5 day weekend ahead :)

I am only days away from Phase 4. And while I think the scale will reflect a few pounds gain, and am a little terrified, I am still looking forward to it, and will just have to work them off on my own!!

Congrats on all the losses, and NSV including resisting temptation. I hope everyone has a great, and OP rest of the week.

Thanks, thinkthin! No, not from CT, from DC. Grateful4Health posted on the "New Announcement" thread that last month she heard IP was suggesting the meal replacement shake be instead of the real breakfast in P3, whereas my coach just vaguely said it should be once a day. Sure would be ironic if they switch to those instead of the fancy breakfasts just after I spent hours and hours over the past few weeks analyzing, calculating, and experimenting on MFP to come up with the perfect breakfast combinations for myself! (Of course, in the end, I've gone with pretty much one very simple menu for the entire two-week duration of P3.)

Unclear whether this is all part of the upcoming possible changes…. TBD, I guess!

So I've been sick-ish since Friday - sore throat and now a regular cold has appeared. I did take Nyquil the first couple of nights to stop my coughing. Lousy WI on Monday and IP coach said probably the Nyqui. Now I am just living without it. Getting my water in, eating 100% but feel all puffy and large guts. Think this is still the Nyquil in me? Any suggestions to feel less puffy? Thanks!

A lot of cold medicines have lots of sugar...it's silly! So that was probably the reason for your lousy weigh in. But it's a new week! You'll do great! As far as the puffiness all I can say is water water water! Flush that cold and that puffiness out of your system!

week 1 and no weight loss, ready to throw in the towel...to much planning and feeling like crap and hating what i eat to lose nothing! Help me!

Help? You posted yesterday that you've just bought a months worth of Nutrisystem - not sure how that would work with IP...good luck!

I am doing IP right now, I ordered th Nutrisystem but am not sure If I am going to try it or not. I was just feeling like I am sick of all the organizing of meals and wouldnt mind doing this. I did IP a few years ago and it worked. Now I go the new orint out, started it in Oct and did it for 2 months and only dropped 10lbs so gave up. Started again a week again and feel like its worthless and thats why I just ordered Nuutrisystem. It wont even ship to me for days so I am staying on IP for now and if it would work I will stay....

ps. I rather no do the Nutrisystem....I just had a moment of weekness

Maybe you should look over what you've had to ensure that you are 100% compliant? Did you take all of your supplements? Drink enough water? Are you weighing your portions? Are you using approved spices, etc? If you're using WF products maybe you should cut those out for now as some people don't tolerate them as well as others? I'm not trying to say that you cheated or anything but the little things can make a difference.

I shared a link but I forgot to mention that I hate the taste of Smooth Moves, too... but I find it's tolerable if I brew it with a Constant Comment Decaff tea bag -- that's a Bigelow tea variety that has nice spice flavor and it kind of overcomes the flavor or Senna - I might like it with Chai also, but I have not tried that.

Howdy IPeeps! It's April! YAY! Spring is gradually taking over the weather forecast and I am so glad to see it!

I posted my official weigh in for the 3rd round (that's the month of March) for my Diet Bet game today - I am just one tenth of a pound away from reaching the full 10% weight loss goal that is to be done by June 30 -- once I lose that final tenth of a pound, I need to stay focused to keep those pounds off through the end of the DB game, and continue my IP journey to goal and on to phasing off.

My guess when I began IP was that I would reach 150 in April 2015. I think it may take a bit longer, given current slower speed of loss, but I am in for the duration, no matter how long it takes!:D

Next official weigh in for IP is tomorrow. Due to travel I missed my regular Thursday WI last week, so I am anxious to see the official scale numbers tomorrow. Per my home scale, I am down 2.5 lbs from the 'at-home' weigh in 2 weeks ago on March 19. I hope that loss (or more) will show up at the IP Clinic tomorrow!