I, too, was SO glad to see this. This has been one of the struggles for me - we all know whole, unprocessed foods are better for our bodies - so how do we reconcile that with being on the IP program and consuming food from 'packets'. Agree wholeheartedly that the trade-off is SO worth it when you know temporarily eating this way will get you to a better state of health, quicker. And lets face it - I would hazard a guess that most of us got to where we are (or were) - very overweight - by eating processed foods that were a lot worse for us than IP packets! You don't get fat by eating only fresh fruits, veggies and lean protein! :) I hope by the time I reach Maintenance, that I will have had enough experience (and success) with switching my eating habits to those healthy, whole foods, that it will replace my bad habits.

I know exactly what you are experiencing. I have had 2 weeks in a row that I had a 1 day "carb binge" with an uncontrollable feeling of hunger and needing to get my hands on anything and everything I could to eat! I started out by just having more IP packets - and of course, these were on the heavier carb end of IP - first the IP chocolate bar (I can't have this in my house ever again I'm afraid!) - which only made the cravings worse, then soy nuts, then BBQ chips. But that still didn't satisfy me. I had purged my house of all non-IP foods EXCEPT I had oatmeal and sugar in the cupboard because my grandkids LOVE oatmeal for breakfast when they sleep over. So, there I was, in addition to the IP packets I already added, making myself 2 huge bowls of oatmeal with LOTS of butter and REAL sugar. The next morning I was up 4 lbs on the scale. I immediately went right back to strict IP and was able to still squeak out a 1.6 lb loss at weigh-in. This week, I did something similar - again a 1 day binge, and again got right back on track, but this week was UP 0.6 lbs at my weigh in. I confessed all, both weeks, to my coach - who has been through it all on IP herself and is VERY supportive and understanding - and she gave me kudos for getting right back on and not blowing more than the 1 day, but she also said "when I see something that looks like it might become a pattern - I have to ask "how important is this to you" And it was delivered not in a punitive tone, but in an "I care about you" tone (as mentioned - the need to be gentle to yourself...). That has really stuck with me and I'm so glad that she gave me that little bit of 'tough love' because this weekend (weekends are so hard....) I've had some periods of hunger where I know I COULD have started a binge - but there is no way now that I want to have to go back in there and tell my coach I did it again! And I stop and ask myself "how important is this to you" and it stops me in my tracks. Just keeping strong and getting past that urge makes me feel so much better about myself.

As far as the 'cold sweats' - that's very interesting, because both nights of my binges, I had 'hot flashes' and 'night sweats' - similar to what I experienced early in menopause - but that I haven't had for awhile. Obviously something hormonal is triggered by all that carb-laden food.

Yes, planning and being prepared cannot be overstated! This, I recognized, contributed to my binges. I had nothing prepared to grab (other than IP packets and then the darn oatmeal!) when I had an urge.

So sorry about this. Hugs to you.

Scale Going the Right way!
 

I was down again this week. :carrot:
I had TAH on April 6th and I have been in the house, for the past 3 weeks in my PJ's moving around slowly. I was down 2lbs this week, so I decided to get out of the house (I couldn't drive for 3 weeks), and put on some real clothes. My jeans are now a little loose, and a new pair that was in my closet I can fit. :carrot: Even though both are a size 12 they are different styles and fit differently. This has encouraged me to continue the journey, it is not coming off as fast as others, but I am no complaining. I am going to keep chipping away, and increase my knowledge from this site of how to work the plan.

Has anyone tried the chicken a la king pottage? Thoughts? How have your doctored it up? Thanks!

I used to have it at least 3x per week and finally OD'd on it. I steam up cauli rice and stir it in to the pottage mix. Then cook an additional 90-120 seconds. (additional to the cauli rice, not to the soup mix) I like to add a little curry powder. Not much, don't want to overwhelm the whole thing! When available I toss in fresh herbs.

According to my IP literature, a half cup of raw kale is 33.5 grams.

That absolutely ROCKS Sue :broc: Time to find them in a smaller size!

Ever wonder what your breasts actually weigh? I found an interesting chart... I was looking for something on this for a MFP forum.
http://www.kdwb.com/onair/the-dave-r...size-12418095/
(just in the realm of 'weird things to impress others with at a dinner party', lol)
Liana

I like it as is, also with steamed broccoli in it. I like it on cold days. It's very filling

Hi all, I've been really busy with work so I've read but haven't had a chance to write in at all. I've been doing great with packets/veggies/etc .....except for Saturday. I had one beer. It's so hard with the nice weather approaching. :( Should I confess to my coach? That's what the are there for, right? ugh.

Today was dangerously close. I almost went off on a bender. Stress from work and thinking of the week to come is intense. I almost made chocolate chip cookies. I stayed OP but it was dangerously close today.

Thanks Linda and Great Dane! I found a biscuit recipe that I'm going try. I'll let you all know how it goes.

You made it though! And recognized triggers - good knowledge for post-goal / maintainenc :D sorry about the stress and hope that levels out soon

I always have been quite the purger, but I really wanted to wear these pants lol... They were a size 18 and I am out of "most" of them..I should have know LOL... And you are so right on too many clothes. I have significantly less since my start of IP and now I find that I want to wear what I have and I don't pass things over for fit because basicilly I only have things that fit. All the tight stuff is gone! Everything left fits or is a bit big. Now however I do need to re-try the spring stuff.

I am not sure how they could take in these capris, but that is actually a good idea. I am going to talk to the tailor this week. My real issue is my waist is so big on them...maybe he can make something work. College visit went well. He could commute from the one we saw today it is only 30 minutes away, but of course this is the one that he really liked the dorms! LOL.

OK gave doggie an extra squeeze, so sorry about the cat! I am often in the same delima wanting a pet and wanting to travel. I pay thru the nose to board my dog when we go away!

Thanks for the book tip! Going to find that right now on Amazon as I really feel I have not resolved that issue after all these months!

Good job! Slow is fine just look at my stats! The goal is still a goal no matter how long it takes and don't compare yourself to others...everyone has a different journey....

Monday and back to the weekday routine.....I think if I play my cards right I may be able to have a day off on Thursday.....Think I will book a pedicure...