Thank you!

Wildberry Muffin recipe:

1 Wildberry Yogurt Packet
1 Crispy Cereal packet (ground to a powder)
2 egg whites
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 T splenda/stevia
4 tsp olive oil
1 tsp baking powder
3 T water


- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a standard sized muffin tin with olive oil spray.
- Before opening packet, crush IP Crispy Cereal until fine (powder consistency.)
- In a medium bowl, mix beaten eggs, ground cinnamon, Splenda/Stevia, olive oil, and baking powder. Once mixed, add in Wildberry Yogurt and Crispy Cereal. Slowly mix in water.
- Spoon mixed-up batter into muffin tins. If there are empty muffin cups in your tin, fill ¼ of the way with water to allow other muffins to bake evenly.
- Bake muffins for 10-12 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Half a batch = 1 unrestricted.

I've also made this with the apple soy puffs instead of crispy cereal.

That is a good idea I am going to make muffins to take also on my trip to Europe on Sunday.:cp:

My first WI at the new clinic and I am down 5lbs :carrot::carrot: and it has not been a complete week. But today was the only day I could stock up for my trip. I think I will really like this doctor, he really went over my food journal and circled lean ham :-(. He said I was almost perfect this week with my food, I thought you could have lean ham, anyway I don't have anymore to eat. He also stresses eating in addition to your 4 cups of veggies, to get in 4 cups of plain lettuce, has anyone heard of that before? I know it is for the bulk and it can help keep you regular.

But I wish I was going to be in town more this summer to really get the benefit of his guidance, they are really strict at this clinic and structure is what I need in the beginning. So, since I will be on vacation and working out of town my next WI is in 3 weeks, so he said he will expect me to lose 6lbs. I think that is reasonable.:) given that I will be away from home base. I am going to make it work.

Question re: measuring raw spinach & broccoli
 

I have seen so many different nutritional facts on raw spinach and broccoli.

According to the website below, 1 cup of raw spinach = 30 grams (2 cups = 60 grams) and 1 cup of raw broccoli = 91 grams (2 cups = 182 grams).

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/...roducts/2626/2

Do you think it's okay to use these measurements? I have a scale that measures in grams, so I'm trying to make it easier for me when measuring these 2 veggies. ;)

Any advice would be helpful... thanks! :)

Woo - you are ambitious :) I wouldn't dare to touch Insanity at these calorie levels - even P2 levels & I though P90X was comparable (plyometrics?). My biggest fear would be muscle loss (body using it as fuel)...but yah- I'm not very well versed with P90 & really hope it works out :)

So I guess my body listened to my gripes lol was down almost 2 pounds this morning and can smell the 170's :D

I'm young (26) and naturally pretty active, so I know I workout more than most people on IP. While P90X condenses the activity into an hour with focused and frequent reps, I do typically work out at that level, just diluted over a longer time period with less focus on a single area at a time.

I make up for my working out by never being stingy with the snacks on workout days (though I keep myself in line and don't overdo it either!). For instance, when I did Plyometrics, I ended up adding a Quest bar AND a half, as well as a non-restricted orange drink, and had another non-restricted on standby in case I felt like I needed it. I also had chicken with lunch instead of a packet and fish with dinner.

I also never push myself further than I'm capable of, take frequent water breaks, and don't finish a rep if I don't think I should. If my body is telling me I should only do 60% of a P90X workout, I'm only doing 60%.

But this is still just trial and error. My knees definitely can't handle another round of Plyo, so I'm going to try and substitute it with Cardio X next week, as suggested in the P90X lean protocol.





Had an NSV today!

About 13 months ago, my friends and I went to a theme park and I didn't fit in the roller coaster seats. :( It was mortifying and heartbreaking, and I spent most of the day holding in tears while my friends went on rides and didn't understand how I was feeling.

Though I've lost 45 pounds, I still hold a LOT of my fat in my butt and thighs, and it makes me wonder if 45 pounds are enough. Theme park season is upon us... will I fit on the rides?

I was rushing this morning and grabbed a pair of shorts from my closet without a second thought and stuck them in my bag to change into after work. When I was changing, I pulled out the shorts and they seemed a lot bigger than I remembered. I buttoned and zipped them... and they fell right down to the floor.

They were the same shorts I wore that day at the theme park when I didn't fit on the rides.

Here's hoping I'll have an NSV later this summer about returning to the theme park and riding every single ride. :)

imashark - You will do fine at the theme parks. I always had that fear of not fitting too and did sit the sidelines many times. I still hesitate before choosing a place to sit wondering if I will fit. Mind games we play LOL

Had a good WI yesterday and was down 3 in spite of my weird WI time. I am happy...moving closer and closer to the 180's....somewhere in that number I feel is my goal weight....

Safe and happy travels Tarier and travelingras! I hope you come back with great memories and losses :)

Awesome NSV!! I bet you will fit in no problem :) and enjoy every minute of it!

Awesome WI Sue :carrot:

I hate when short work weeks seem long. I was off Monday and still thought today was Friday! I was very disappointed to realize it was only Thursday :)

I hope everyone has a great OP day!

Travelingras where are you going in Europe ? :)

Shark - sounds like you got this ;) I am just a worry wart & WOW!!!! Fantastic NSV! Just curious if the was Busch Gardens you had the problem with? We went a couple years ago when I was in the 210's and while I fit and didn't need the extenders it was a very near thing. Their seats just seemed extra small to me. Definitely want to take DD10 this summer as she's now tall enough for all the roller coasters :)

It WAS Busch Gardens. And when I realized that the seat was too small, they had another row switch with my row, and it was just as small. I had to leave the ride. :*(
I just wanted to die right there.

Hi all

GNC has a 20% off sitewide sale today, if you're a GNC shopper.
Code JUNE20 @ checkout

Shark - fantastic NSV!! :D
I've been in that same situation, last time we went to six flags hubby had to ride almost everything with our son. We are going again in September and I am actually looking forward to it!

Lisa - thanks for the GNC discount -- they have a good price on the Quest chips when you buy by the case, too. $16 and some change for a box of 8 one-serving bags.

I weigh in today - after several weeks of 0 loss or fractional upticks, I am looking for a loss today - I will take whatever I get!!!

New discovery for me is Chai Latte a la Ideal Protein --- I made a pot of a new fave this morning - Twinings Chai decaf tea - and then I mixed up an IP Vanilla Drink mix. I set up a tall double walled plastic glass, filled halfway with ice, and added a cup of the tea, about 1/3 of the IP drink, and Stevia in the Raw.

yummmmy -- and especially enjoyable knowing I have 2 more servings just like the first (to finish off the Vanilla IP drink) that I can stretch through the morning, and still be right on track with my program!!!

I also like Bigelow Spiced Chai (maybe a bit stronger flavor) also available in decaf -- it will make this iced drink very well too. And, a person could easily have this as a hot drink instead of iced.

Today is Thursday so I am off to Quickstep class this evening -- I had a more advanced quickstep class last nite, and also put in an hour at the Wed nite dance party. Some Swing, Rumba, ChaCha, Tango and Waltz -- great way to finish off hump day!!! I highly recommend dancing - it's a great stress reliever and lot's of fun!

:( I hear ya! But NO more :cheer: we can ride what we please :D

2 fantastic milestones today:
1) saw 179 on the scale! I am in the 17x world again for the first time in 10 years!
2) went into Urban Outfitters- saw the cutest dress! Saw the price tag and said "no way in :devil: with 30 pounds to go" but decided to take 5 minutes and try it on. I really teared up and couldn't stop smiling- it was so flipping cute on me! I almost went for it but couldn't justify spending $70 for a dress I might wear for a few months. I will go back when I reach goal though :D

I LOVE reading all these NSV's today!!!!! Keep it up everyone! I'm headed shopping to find some cheap summer clothes to last me until i've reached my goal! Quick tip....If you need some capri's, hit the pant clearance sales! I wanted this cute pair of capri's and they were $59.99 and then I saw this cute rack of jeans and got a pair for $7.00 and cut them off and rolled them and they are just as cute as the other jeans.

ugh. Quest products don't qualify for the GNC "sitewide" sale.
Guess its really not sitewide...

I was just in GNC earlier this week and they had the chips by the case of 8 on a deal, and the buy 3 get 1 free deal on bars.... with a GNC card, the full box of 12 has a special price too - what I have not seen on a deal is the Quest protein powders. I have yet to try the Peanut Butter that you and so many others rave about.... hoping for a good deal on the big cannister!

OMG Shark: I went through something similar years ago at 6 flags when my kids were small and I was so embarrassed. Planning Disneyworld next summer and I plan to be MUCH smaller. What an awesome NSV for you - way to go!

Also planes are so much nicer now…. a much easier trip in a smaller body….

Lisa - nice to see you around again. Any news on the interview?

Amber - I agree airlines were the worst for me. Always felt like I was 1/2 in someone elses seat and could never sit with the arm rests down...Always an issue. I have not flown in a while. Last time was January still in the 200's but it was so much better...

As for rides it seems like even at my heaviest I fit in everything in Disney World, but we did a trip to Bush Gardens and boy oh boy did I have issues...I finally just told the group I was with that I didn't feel great so I did not have to be humiliated... I will not miss those days...

I think I need to start some form of exercise again. I really am not happy with the flabby arms I have developed. Once I get the stitches out on Tuesday from my arm (surgery to remove a growth) I think I may join the gym again. I just need to see if that it the last bit of push I need for getting to goal.

Airlines are terrible!! And the fact that the seats keep getting smaller is not helping anyone either.
Great NSV today- I have a pile of pants in my closet and they fit! Suddenly my pants wardrobe just doubled in size :) It's nice having some variety in my jeans. I was being so stubborn and refused to buy any new pants (...in the correct larger size...) so I only had about two that I could rotate between. But now my options seem endless!! Great motivation for the weekend. I'm also only 5 lbs from one-derland....

That's a great tip asmuir, thanks for sharing :)

Sue, that's great that you are thinking about exercise now, it's a great tool for maintenance, just prepare yourself for possible slower losses once you start exercising. I'm sure that's partly why mine slowed, as while I pretty much got to goal I still had/have more that I can lose and still be within my height/age range.

Great NSV jinelson!

I hope everyone has a great OP weekend :)

**Where should I post this question so that someone will reply???**

I have seen so many different nutritional facts on raw spinach and broccoli.

According to the website below, 1 cup of raw spinach = 30 grams (2 cups = 60 grams) and 1 cup of raw broccoli = 91 grams (2 cups = 182 grams).

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/...roducts/2626/2

Do you think it's okay to use these measurements? I have a scale that measures in grams, so I'm trying to make it easier for me when measuring these 2 veggies.

Any advice would be helpful... thanks!

Here is a sheet that someone gave me with all of the veggies and their grams and ounces. In the group, it seemed to be universally agreed upon. I hope this helps!

Thank you! :)

Guuuyyss. Today was my first day. It's been rough mostly around ppl eating pretzels and eating pieces of cakes. The hardest time was 2-3h after lunch. I was hungry and only had lettuce to snack on since I used my bar the morning. Tomorrow is baby shower so I expect a lot of cake but I'm going to eat right before I go there to be full. Way the force be with me :)

Hang in, Celia - there will be many showers and cakes and celebrations of food over the rest of your life - you can afford to be especially picky about how you spend your calories and carbs, but wait until after you reach your goal.
All those folks at the shower may try to entice you, or convince you that you can have some of those 'off program' foods, but inside their heads, they will be admiring your ability to show restraint and to choose to do what is good for you.

Hang in - you deserve to treat yourself well.

I don't know who said this, but I ran into this quote recently - it's appropriate for this situation --

"Do not reward yourself with food. You are not a dog."

Always here to help me Oneuh2
Thank you again :)
I decided actually not to go. I wouldn't have had much time to stay there and I rather not take any risk. I am not really close to the mommy and a lot of ppl are going.

I do have one question. I saw online a way to make garlic spread by roasting in the oven for 45 min a bulk of garlic cloves with a little bit of olive oil on top. It looks delicious but is that allowed ? Since onion turns into carbs while cooked, would garlic do the same ?

I have been following a sheet like this throughout and find it very helpful and I feel more accurate than trying to fit a bunch of asparagus spears in a measuring cup :):)

Yes, that sheet is very helpful, and I'm glad jlnelson provided it for me :) I just wish the IP sheets had listed veggies in grams or ounces instead of cups ;)

Quest Chips Deal
 

Groupon has a deal on Quest chips - box of 8 packages for $19.99. I'm not sure how great that is since I haven't bought them (others like them) but this deal is only available in the US :(.
Time limited offer though, so jump on it. I've bought lots of Groupon coupons for hotel stays, activities, massage, facials, meals etc and there is NEVER any problem.
https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-8-b...9c5_0_20150620

Liana

If you have a membership at GNC you can buy a carton of 8 bags of Quest chips for $16 and some change - I just bought some on Monday.

Hmmm... maybe the price they gave me is the CAD price and not the USD price, but in the fine print they can't ship to Canada (as well as some US PO boxes, Hawaii, etc). I should just bite the bullet and buy a membership at GNC because whenever I go there, I pick up Quest Bars, but it's in a neighbouring city and I'm not there that often.

I have had lots of good deals from Groupon too -- don't get me wrong -- I love Groupon and Living Social and a few others!

I have found GNC to be a good source for Quest bars and chips, and I find their stores everywhere I go, so the membership at GNC has turned out to be quite useful for me. Definitely better prices than my local health food store.

Hey guys! I'm still trying to figure out if whole bulk of garlic drizzled with olive oil and roasted for 45 min is permitted? It's like a garlic spread. I'm not sure if garlic turns into sugar like onions once it's cooked.

Garlic is actually quite high carb (ever notice how sticky your fingers get if you clean a bunch of cloves? That's the sugar). Although it is not on the approved veggie list, it is ok to use a little as a spice in a recipe.

If you don't have a P1 sheet, listing all of the approved veggies, there is one in the FAQ thread.

Thank you Lisa :)
I wasn't sure whether or not it was allowed. I might make the spread and just use it as flavoring like you said. Thank you again !!

Second time on IP
 

Hello!
I did IP 5 years ago and lost about 45 pounds. Unfortunately I quit after phase 1 and gained everything back. One thing that discouraged me was the loose hanging skin. Also the negative comments from coworkers about how quickly I lost weight and questioning if I was ill. After trying many programs I've come to terms that nothing is going to work as effectively as IP did for me. I have set my mind to ignore comments and to avoid the skin issue I also joined Curves.

So here I am on day 2. One thing that helped me get through was this forum. I look forward to meeting new people and getting support and great advice.


Ana