[Destony]

Originally Posted by hysteria_625

Sorry everyone - its been one of THOSE days again...hungry, hungry, hangry *sigh*. There is a definite pattern and I knew I was amping up over the weekend - yesterday was hard too, but I was able to distract myself with TV, a walk, a nap...today, not so much I already had my stashed Coconut Cashew Quest bar and been eating cucumbers like crazy - I've almost eaten a whole cucumber today!
Another day or two and I should be past the worst
40 days and 40 nights - the countdown to P2 continues

P2- wow- good for you!!! I have about 10 more lbs to go - maybe I still wont feel good enough at 130 and then I can stay on P1...lol
I thought that would be me too after all the meat I ate last night- but fortunately, it's been all good - maybe I wasn't as out of bounds as I thought I might be. Smoked ribs (no sauce, but the rub did have some sugar, and smoked brisket- it was amazing....)
I actually felt full last night- something I don't feel ever since I've been on this diet.

[blueskiesahead]

Originally Posted by HereIStand

I wore my new (thrifted) Ann Taylor size 8 skirt to church yesterday and got a million compliments! Even one of my young friends, a guy who's about 26, told me I looked "cute." That was a nice NSV.

Great NSV! Size 8 is amazing! Did you ever imagine you would get there when you started?
I had a little NSV today too. About a month ago, I picked up a pair of nice LL Bean khakis at the thrift store, sz12, they were too tight then, but I got them anyway and put them in my closet. Today I put them on, and OMG, almost too loose to wear, can you believe it How'd that happen so fast?
Can I possibly be able to fit into size 10!!! That is just amazing to me, seriously, and since I changed my goal, I still have about 20 lb to lose. I could end up in SINGLE DIGITS

Originally Posted by hysteria_625

40 days and 40 nights - the countdown to P2 continues

WOW, Beth, that must feel so good to be counting the days. Sooo close


Thanksgiving dinner was really good, the cook got compliments (which is always lovely to hear ). I stayed pretty much OP, had celery root puree instead of mashed potatoes, had a bit of a slipup with green beans - I meant to keep some aside for myself before finishing them off with the bacon and pecans for everyone else, but forgot... so I had a small amount (yum!). Pretty good otherwise though. Wasn't even tempted by dessert (which my sister brought, sure looked yummy though!)
Even though it was a much smaller group than usual, it's always so nice to get together with family.

Today is a quiet day, went to Bed Bath & beyond to get a new blender, it's a bit of a drive, but a nice sunny day here today, so DH was happy to come along, we stopped for coffee along the way, lots of color starting in the leaves. This afternoon, we're watching the Jays game (Yes, they're ahead 7-0 in the 3rd ). Leftovers for dinner so no cooking for me.

Tomorrow is WI day, I'm hoping for good news. My home scale shows only about 1lb down from last week Maybe I'll miraculously lose another lb by morning

[HereIStand]

Originally Posted by hysteria_625

Sorry everyone - its been one of THOSE days again...hungry, hungry, hangry *sigh*. There is a definite pattern and I knew I was amping up over the weekend - yesterday was hard too, but I was able to distract myself with TV, a walk, a nap...today, not so much I already had my stashed Coconut Cashew Quest bar and been eating cucumbers like crazy - I've almost eaten a whole cucumber today!

Another day or two and I should be past the worst
40 days and 40 nights - the countdown to P2 continues

I wonder if there are people who don't have those hangry days on IP? I hate those days when you feel like all you can think about is food.

Originally Posted by Destony

I thought that would be me too after all the meat I ate last night- but fortunately, it's been all good - maybe I wasn't as out of bounds as I thought I might be. Smoked ribs (no sauce, but the rub did have some sugar, and smoked brisket- it was amazing....)
I actually felt full last night- something I don't feel ever since I've been on this diet.

I have a new appreciation for meat now. And, yes, doesn't it feel great to feel FULL? Sometimes it scares me to feel full; I'm afraid of what the scale will show the next day.

Originally Posted by blueskiesahead

Great NSV! Size 8 is amazing! Did you ever imagine you would get there when you started?

Not once did I ever dream I'd wear a size 8! I actually was able to zip up a pair of size 6s last week - and, yes, I had to check the tag 3 times. They were too tight, but still.... Originally, I hoped to fit into an old pair of size 12 Gap jeans that I loved. But I blew past those a month ago!

A friend of mine recently told me that clothes today are sized about four number sizes smaller than they were when we were young, to accommodate our larger American bodies. In other words, a size 14 in 2015 is bigger than a 14 in 1965. Seems about right to me. In high school, during my fittest athletic years, I wore size 12 jeans, which is the equivalent of 8s now.

I have no doubt you'll end up in single digits. Twenty pounds is at least 2 sizes smaller!

[blueskiesahead]

Originally Posted by HereIStand

A friend of mine recently told me that clothes today are sized about four number sizes smaller than they were when we were young, to accommodate our larger American bodies. In other words, a size 14 in 2015 is bigger than a 14 in 1965. Seems about right to me. In high school, during my fittest athletic years, I wore size 12 jeans, which is the equivalent of 8s now.

That explains the size 12 Calvin Klein jeans that have been lurking in the back of my closet for 25 years!
I tried them on about a month ago, when I was in 14's that were getting loose, and thinking I could finally get into them . HA! NO Way! Couldn't figure it out. So what you're saying is, they're really size 8 and I might get into them yet.
( I remember wearing them, I had lost some weight back then when I got them. I remember wearing them on a trip to Cape Cod, felt so good to be that small. Funny that memory sticks in my head). Anyway, they've kind of been my "holy grail" during this diet, I AM going to get them on this body!

[HereIStand]

Originally Posted by blueskiesahead

That explains the size 12 Calvin Klein jeans that have been lurking in the back of my closet for 25 years!
I tried them on about a month ago, when I was in 14's that were getting loose, and thinking I could finally get into them . HA! NO Way! Couldn't figure it out. So what you're saying is, they're really size 8 and I might get into them yet.
( I remember wearing them, I had lost some weight back then when I got them. I remember wearing them on a trip to Cape Cod, felt so good to be that small. Funny that memory sticks in my head). Anyway, they've kind of been my "holy grail" during this diet, I AM going to get them on this body!

Yep, it sounds like they're comparable to today's size 8.

One of my favorite stores is Chico's, which uses vanity sizing: Everything is sized at 1, 2, or 3. I used to buy size 3 there, which is equivalent to about a normal size 16. I always figured that if I lost weight, I'd fit into their size 2. But I just bought a thrifted Chico's top that's their size 1. So I guess I could honestly say, "I'm wearing a size 1."

My C25K run started out good yesterday, but it was hot and sunny, and by the time I got done, I wasn't feeling well at all - pretty lightheaded. I came right in the house and ate a bite of the cornbread I had made for Sunday dinner. I knew I needed sugar, and fast. Then I quickly drank some water and made my protein shake with spinach and downed that. Felt much better after about 30 minutes. I've experienced heat exhaustion before (pre-IP), and this sure felt like it was bordering on that. It's supposed to stay warm here for the next month, so I guess I'd better get my running done earlier in the morning.

I gave my daughter the IP recipe for orange chicken and fried rice cauliflower, and she made it for dinner last night. She texted me a picture with the caption, "SO GOOD. Hope restored."

[hysteria_625]

Linda - yeah - I am about done with P1. I've been done since August I think but stubbornly pushed through. I said I was making a decision by 10/10, and did. Wherever I land on the scale 11/21 is IT for P1. Also, it seems to be fairly common to loose another 2 or 3 through P2 / P3 so I am expecting to meet goal. DH and I have also decided to start T25 or Insanity again in December - he wants to get in better shape to run, I want to tone & P3 calories should be ok

HIS - way to take the wind out of our sails I remember reading about that years ago though and how companies got 'smart' on marketing sizes as more and more women wanted to 'feel' skinny, even if the truth of the matter was very different.

blue - yes, you WILL get in the CK jeans! I loved mine so much...

Had my monthly avocado (energy / fat) last night with zoodles (yum) and 8oz of steak (iron! / calories) and feel like a million bucks again!

I am sure the uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep helped - I didn't even get up to use the bathroom last night . No funky food dreams either!

Because of the weird collagen side-effects, I had also stopped taking Natural Calm - big mistake! I honestly think that was a big part of the reason I was sleeping so poorly. Having a full belly probably helped too

The scale wasn't kind this morning but health > scale # !!!!!!

[blueskiesahead]

WI this morning, as I expected just down 1lb. Losses are slowing down lately, but they are still losses, so no complaints. And after a holiday weekend, I'll take it!
Although, sadly, it seems like the days of whooshes are gone!

Tried out my new blender this morning. My old one was leaking, it was just a cheapie anyway. While it was tempting to consider the Vitamix ($$$$$), I just couldn't justify it. But I looked at a lot of reviews and ended up getting a Breville. Still $$ but I do use it a lot.

The weather sure has changed from the wk/end. Much cooler this week, might be frost by the weekend. We'll have to bring in the outdoor furniture this week, wash all the cushions. And then start cleaning up the gardens. None of which I mind, because it's so nice to be outside this time of year.
And so nice to come back inside with rosy cheeks and frosty fingers and light a fire and have hot chocolate (IP compliant of course )

[Grateful4Health]

Beth can you say more about "weird collagen side effects" - I haven't heard of that...

Great work to everyone here!

[hysteria_625]

Originally Posted by Grateful4Health

Beth can you say more about "weird collagen side effects" - I haven't heard of that...

Great work to everyone here!

Amber
I started taking NeoCell (http://www.gnc.com/NeoCell-Super-Col...ductId=3704753) mid-Sept. and 1. immediately started feeling lightheaded after taking them on an empty stomach (this was alleviated by taking them with food) and then 2. about a week later, noticed the back of my throat was getting itchy / sticky / swollen.
I ignored the swollen throat thinking it was fall allergies but since I stopped taking it last Friday, the symptoms have eased considerably.

I hate it because it really did seem to be helping - my (previously) ashy arms look fantastic.

I really don't understand why I would be reacting to a 'natural' product like this...but I am super sensitive to medications in general. I have to be careful about magnesium b/c it lowers my blood pressure and iron too. But I have no issues with Biotin - go figure

[HereIStand]

Happy hump day!

I usually have to work at getting all my water in, but yesterday I was excessively thirsty all day. (Maybe a side effect of the borderline heat exhaustion on Monday?) Anyway, I drank a ton, and of course the scale went up almost a pound and a half this morning.

I'm taking my daughter and daughter-in-law shopping at one of my favorite thrift stores this evening. I really HAVE to do something about getting some jeans that fit. My 10s are baggy enough that they aren't suitable to wear to work anymore. Don't want to pay retail, but I might stop at Old Navy since their clothes are usually pretty reasonably priced. IP problems.

[hysteria_625]

Sounds like you are out of the 10's for good there HIS congrats!

38 Days!

Hope everyone is have a good IP week - scale is fluxing as usual but TOM is due today or tomorrow, depending on what kind of mood my body is in I generally have gained 2 -3 pounds right before starting so not stressing

Restarting the magnesium so far has proven to be the right move in regards to regulating my sleep habits again. I slept through again last night and feel well rested today

Almost all the sinus / congestion is gone today too

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH - This is getting so daggone frustrating with the hunger issues right now!

Felt good all day yesterday (did NOT exercise) and today up through lunch...I was feeling so good I decided to go for a quick 2 mile walk - nothing strenuous, normal pace. Stopped at HT for some spinach and Frank's Red Hot to keep at work. Ate my pork loin / 1C rutabaga with 1C raw mushroom / 1C raw spinach/mustard/hot sauce and am now starving! Just ate about 1/2 a cucumber with ACV. I am STILL hungry
I am going to go with the "15 minute" rule I read about on FB yesterday - it's a trick they give to people to overcome cravings for food/drugs/alcohol etc...but I don't believe this is boredom. Trust me, I have work to do...but I am so hungry I am having a hard time concentrating which is making it more difficult to ignore since I REALLY, absolutely, have to get things done.
I won't lie - last month I was able to shut my office door and lay down / watch You Tube / do crosswords...this month I absolutely have to be able to focus (and here I am typing out my frustration, hoping the hunger dies down so I can get back to what I NEED to be doing) Ugh!
Sorry folks - boy, I am absolutely not the IP poster-child right now

[hysteria_625]

37 days

I keep saying I need to listen to my body, but it gets so frustrating when, having been overweight my entire life, I don't trust it

Scale dropped drastically this morning (had to weigh 3 times to be sure), after yesterday's extra snack - I gave in around 3p and had a Quest bar and was able to work the rest of the afternoon w/o issue.

Could all the walking / gym-ratting be paying off? Am I actually building muscle that is helping me burn more fat/kcals so even a walk is using more energy than say, in July...? This is where I wish I had access to those super-scales with the BF%, hydration, etc...(although I still wonder about their accuracy)

Is it the "no pain, no gain" mentality that's so prevalent in society? Have I come to a point where I believe if I'm not uncomfortable, I'm not losing weight

I am also starting to have the body image issues. I am still starting P2 11/21...but I find myself happy with my sideways view but ugh about my wide upper thighs / hips. Chayote shaped indeed ! I also still have quite a bit of flop around my belly. Then I feel guilty and wonder how I can still see 'imperfections' after losing 86 pound and getting into a size 8?

The end of this journey has mentally been more of a struggle than anything in the first 7 months, combined .

[HereIStand]

Originally Posted by hysteria_625

I keep saying I need to listen to my body, but it gets so frustrating when, having been overweight my entire life, I don't trust it

Scale dropped drastically this morning (had to weigh 3 times to be sure), after yesterday's extra snack - I gave in around 3p and had a Quest bar and was able to work the rest of the afternoon w/o issue.

Could all the walking / gym-ratting be paying off? Am I actually building muscle that is helping me burn more fat/kcals so even a walk is using more energy than say, in July...? This is where I wish I had access to those super-scales with the BF%, hydration, etc...(although I still wonder about their accuracy)

Is it the "no pain, no gain" mentality that's so prevalent in society? Have I come to a point where I believe if I'm not uncomfortable, I'm not losing weight

I am also starting to have the body image issues. I am still starting P2 11/21...but I find myself happy with my sideways view but ugh about my wide upper thighs / hips. Chayote shaped indeed ! I also still have quite a bit of flop around my belly. Then I feel guilty and wonder how I can still see 'imperfections' after losing 86 pound and getting into a size 8?

The end of this journey has mentally been more of a struggle than anything in the first 7 months, combined .

You - and some of the other ladies here - have really had a lot to process, mentally, through this change. I think it's good that you verbalize it and get feedback.

As someone with a degree and work history in exercise physiology, I don't have any faith at all in those clinic scales that allegedly can measure BF, water, etc. I know that there are gold standard ways to measure those things, and a scale you stand on is not one of them.

Yes, you are most certainly increasing your muscle mass. At the very least, your muscle/fat percentages have changed, so more muscle is being used for metabolism. Keep walking! It's one of the best exercises for decreasing fat and toning your midsection. Are you ever going to have a supermodel's body? Probably not! But make your unique body the healthiest it can be, and learn to be thankful for strong legs that can walk for miles. Positive self-talk!!

_____

Well, I did it. I bought new size 8 jeans at Old Navy. Unbelievable. If I lose 10 more pounds through running, I might be in a size 6, but I'm not counting on that. I will be very happy to stay in 8s in maintenance. I don't have those lean legs that many runners have. I have naturally large calves and my thighs are still a couple of inches bigger than I'd like, but I look proportionate for my height and bone structure. Most importantly, I feel better than I have in years.

After seeing the scale drop a bit more this morning (I was up 3 times to pee last night!!), I'm feeling confident that I will make my goal weight by Nov. 2. If I lose a little in P2, that will be a bonus, and will help my running pace. Tomorrow, I will be 2/3 of the way through C25K, and I'm still kind of shocked that I can actually do each day's running and not feel like I'm dying at the end of it. (Side note: I downloaded an app called "Happy Scale" which can give you different predictions on when you'll reach certain weight milestones. I like it and wish I had known about it sooner.)

The girls & I stopped in Target last night and I found the much-coveted cauliflower crumbles, so I'm making fried rice tonight. YUM. It's another warm day so I'll be out walking my 3 miles soon.

[Grateful4Health]

Beth - remind me - you don't have a coach, correct?

I hate to be the bearer of news you might not want to hear, but your body might be at its goal weight, and/or it might be "done".

I've been through what you're going through twice now - at the end of P1 in a big way, and then at the end of this last little mini reboot.
I want my goal to be 140 in my mind, but my body wants to be at 160. I got down to 150 for about three days at the end of P3, so in my mind that's where I'm always trying to get, but realistically my body wants to stay around 160, which was my original goal weight.

My doctor and coach kept telling me over and over that the rest of the weight I was trying to lose was skin, not fat. I still have trouble believing it. When the glycogen comes back my skin fluffs out about 7 lbs, so 150 or even 155 isn't really sustainable or healthy. And everyone around me tells me I look much better with the "fluff" - without it I am gaunt and have no butt or boobs.

It is a kind of body dysmorphia (which I'm told most people have to some degree these days). I still am working with my negativity toward my stomach and thighs.

Good luck, just wanted to offer my experience. Learning what it feels like to sustain, maintain and stay healthy and have the lifestyle I want - I'm very active - and the "runway model" look and resulting low food/calorie/energy intake doesn't really allow me to function well in my life. The extra carbs and glycogen and extra 5 lbs actually allow me to do what I want to do.

You are doing great!!!

[hysteria_625]

I know that there are gold standard ways to measure those things, and a scale you stand on is not one of them.

I think you may have mentioned it before (forgive me) - would you mind posting (again....?)

At the very least, your muscle/fat percentages have changed, so more muscle is being used for metabolism. Keep walking!

Absolutely! I am addicted and looking forward to doing more exercise using body resistance and cardio - it's frustrating though that right now even walking seems to be working against me getting to my goal (ie - the hangries / eating more)...and I will touch more on that below Amber's quote...

Originally Posted by Grateful4Health

Beth - remind me - you don't have a coach, correct?

I hate to be the bearer of news you might not want to hear, but your body might be at its goal weight, and/or it might be "done".

I've been through what you're going through twice now - at the end of P1 in a big way, and then at the end of this last little mini reboot.
I want my goal to be 140 in my mind, but my body wants to be at 160. I got down to 150 for about three days at the end of P3, so in my mind that's where I'm always trying to get, but realistically my body wants to stay around 160, which was my original goal weight.

My doctor and coach kept telling me over and over that the rest of the weight I was trying to lose was skin, not fat. I still have trouble believing it. When the glycogen comes back my skin fluffs out about 7 lbs, so 150 or even 155 isn't really sustainable or healthy. And everyone around me tells me I look much better with the "fluff" - without it I am gaunt and have no butt or boobs.

It is a kind of body dysmorphia (which I'm told most people have to some degree these days). I still am working with my negativity toward my stomach and thighs.

Good luck, just wanted to offer my experience. Learning what it feels like to sustain, maintain and stay healthy and have the lifestyle I want - I'm very active - and the "runway model" look and resulting low food/calorie/energy intake doesn't really allow me to function well in my life. The extra carbs and glycogen and extra 5 lbs actually allow me to do what I want to do.

You are doing great!!!

Thank you so much Amber

Correct - no coach. But I go to my PDoc regularly for blood work ups (last time the only concern was slightly elevated iron) and they know about IP / have been supportive...I don't track my sugars / bp though and sometimes think I should.

I hear you...at least I try to listen and glean what I can out of all the advice...and then come on and b**ch about the same problems...what's the definition of "insanity", right? I think what really gets me is that I am 99.9% convinced this is more hormonal (PMS) than the diet. For the last 3 months, I've really struggled, BUT been rewarded for my perseverance on the scale.

I saw a great meme the other day & am no good at posting images here so:


"Your healthy body weight is one that you can maintain easily whilst eating intuitively and being active, NOT dieting or exercising like mad."

I completely agree with this statement.

What makes it SO incredibly hard for me is that at no time in my adult life have I been below 158 pounds (2004) - and I have NEVER maintained a weight below 170 for any length of time. Most people have a healthy adult touchstone to reach for - their weight in high school / college / wedding day, etc...I have nothing...

My weight was 148.6 this morning - a number I can't remember EVER seeing on a scale because I was +200 by the time the doctors got involved when I was in middle school. Maybe I was in 5th grade? Idk

So, keeping that in mind, I have absolutely NO idea where my body is going to be comfortable. Maybe you are right and it is desperately trying to tell me it's time to stop but, otoh maybe it's just being stubborn and fighting b/c it is outside of anything its known for almost 30 years...

Right now, this journey feels like it has become a mental limbo of "how low can you go"? I've set a firm date (11/21), I am sticking to that date, and baring any mental/medical issues am planning to push through.

Also, at the end of the day, it is SO hard to "give up". Food / salt has always worked - I should know better than to keep working out (even walking) while PMS'ing...I just keep (stupidly) pushing my limits.