[blueskiesahead]

When I come across a recipe that sounds good, I print it out and put it in a folder, to try later. So today, I was looking through my folder, and came across a recipe for ICE CREAM. (sorry I can't remember where I got it, prob FB or pinterest)
Now, I've tried the PB Quest/water/ice one and it is very good.
But this one, ...Fabulous. Rich and creamy and cold, thick like soft-serve ice cream. Seriously good!

I used Quest PB and IP Vanilla RTD. I'm definitely going to try some others!

Mix together Chocolate protein packet and 3/4 c water
Pour into ice cube tray, and freeze for a few hours.
Then put cubes into blender, add 4-6 T Vanilla RTD (and any flavorings if needed). Blend for a few minutes till creamy.

It's the vanilla RTD that makes it creamy.
This makes a BIG bowlful

[HereIStand]

I'm 1/4 pound away from my ultimate goal of -60 pounds! It's still unbelievable to me that I've lost this weight. I wonder if I'll go any lower in the next week or two?? I originally thought 150 wasn't doable, but now I think it could be. But I'm not going to struggle through two or three more weeks of P2 to find out.

Last night I tried out self-massage with a foam roller. I had low expectations, even though all the top runners highly recommend them for stretching ligaments and removing soreness. And they were RIGHT. I couldn't believe how well it worked on the mild soreness I had. I have to make that a part of my nightly routine, while I'm watching TV.

[hysteria_625]

HIS - foam rollers are awesome! I only go to my chiro once a month now, but use the foam roller at least once a week at the gym. Sweet relief!
That is fantastic on being so close to your goal! & lol - I am in the opposite boat...I am thinking of extending "P2" (ie - no P3 / carb breakfast yet) for another week and see if I can get down to 142 / 143 before I need to start P3 & finish safely phasing off so I can enjoy my one gingerbread beer.

Not sure if its really possible but I am still losing 1.5 per week averaging 1,300 k/cal per day

& I guess I know how that sounds...I could live without the beer but it is such a nice holiday treat. I feel like I should have a more lofty goal for phasing off b/c where I am at right now is allowing me to exercise how I want - but I also need to conquer my "carb-fear".

I am off the next 5 days (vacation to burn / use it or lose it) so I am going to diligently work on getting together what I want / need for my first P3 breakfast...I am just so unprepared right now. The work week will be oatmeal in a jar, I am sure - but the choices are varied and I'd like take my time researching and picking some products.

[jaimie1980]

Hey all! Wow, lots of exciting losses and NSVs!

HIS- congrats on goal, and your race! I am a little jealous of the oreo.... that is a distant future for me.

Losses have really slowed for me. Month one official total is -17.4 (10/12-11/12). I was 190.2 today.

Hoping to see 175 by Christmas. Keep up the good work everyone!

[mamacitaof2]

Originally Posted by jaimie1980

Hey all! Wow, lots of exciting losses and NSVs!

HIS- congrats on goal, and your race! I am a little jealous of the oreo.... that is a distant future for me.

Losses have really slowed for me. Month one official total is -17.4 (10/12-11/12). I was 190.2 today.

Hoping to see 175 by Christmas. Keep up the good work everyone!

Jaimie, 17.4lbs in your first month is awesome! I lost 15.2 in my first month (as a comparison).

I find that I lose slower around TOM, which is happening now. I've actually been higher on the scale this week because of it, but I know I'm retaining water. My rings have been tighter when as of late they've been lose to the point of almost falling off.

In the 10 weeks I've been OP, I've had two weeks with very little loss (less than 1lb) and 1 week where I gained less that 1 lb. It all averages out in the end.

[Kalaya]

Originally Posted by HereIStand

Last night I tried out self-massage with a foam roller. I had low expectations, even though all the top runners highly recommend them for stretching ligaments and removing soreness. And they were RIGHT. I couldn't believe how well it worked on the mild soreness I had. I have to make that a part of my nightly routine, while I'm watching TV.

I swear by foam rollers! I believe there is an ancient post in the excersise thread attesting my love for it. When I was running 4x a week, I religiously stretched and then 'rolled out' afterwards. NEVER had soreness. If I did have a day where I skipped it, I could feel it. My favorite 'roll' is for the piriformis (pear shaped muscle in the butt). At least for myself, this one seemed to give the most noticeable benefit. The most difficult/hard to massage out has always been my inner thigh - it hurts !

[HereIStand]

Originally Posted by jaimie1980

HIS- congrats on goal, and your race! I am a little jealous of the oreo.... that is a distant future for me.

Losses have really slowed for me. Month one official total is -17.4 (10/12-11/12). I was 190.2 today.

Hoping to see 175 by Christmas. Keep up the good work everyone!

Ha, don't envy the Oreo. It probably wasn't the best carb choice. My next race is in 9 days, and I plan to do a carb/protein bar before that one. Smarter choice. I'll let y'all know which one worked better for energy.

Your weight loss certainly is NOT slow. That's an amazing one-month loss, and an above-average weekly loss of over 3 pounds/week. I lost 14 in my first month, and then about 10-12/month until this last little bit, when I got close to goal.

Beth, I've read that some IP clinics actually encourage their clients to do three weeks each of P2 and P3. So if you go that route, it might make transition easier, both physically and mentally. I gotta tell you, preparing for P3 takes some mental gymnastics, especially if you don't have the foods right in front of you to read the labels. I'm going to the grocery store this weekend to get bread and I'm sure I'll be standing in that aisle for 30 minutes, comparing products. I plan to make my own yogurt, but for the first week in P3, I'm just going to buy some until I figure out what breakfast meals work for me.

[hysteria_625]

One baby step...bought Okios 0/0/0 at the grocer tonight - on sale for $.88 so grabbed the 3 favors they had: vanilla, mixed berry, toasted coconut.
Tomorrow I am going to the new organic marketplace after my morning appointments. Check out their prices, seasonings, veggies, etc...and *gasp* bread / granola / oat products
Still hesitant about Saturday BUT I started thinking about it during my walk tonight and realize I have 4 full days off to see how my body is going to react and a full day tomorrow to prep / shop / look around.
I will drop the avocado...I can have fitPB now with breakfast

I also don't 100% love this thought pattern but IF I decide I am not happy (i.e. Scale flux...) I believe I have the will power to drop back into P1 again after Christmas.
By then I should have a decent grasp on how maintainence is going to go, how bad scale flux is going to bother me, and how my cardio / weight program effects things. If I watch things carefully I may even drop the other 5ish pounds

[StormyS]

Just jumping over here because it seems like a more active thread!

It's so great to see so many of you close to goal! I didn't phase off properly last time because I was pregnant, and I feel like I am learning a lot from you all.

I am super hungry today. Usually in ketosis I'm pretty meh about food, but I have been super hungry and having cravings for stuff all day. I had my eggs and mushrooms for dinner, and now thinking about making a mug cake to see if it helps with the cravings. Would also help if my family would put their halloween treats away!

Hope you are having a good night!

[HereIStand]

Hi Stormy! Haha, yeah, we're a pretty chatty group over here.

Oof, yesterday I did something I've never done OP - two somethings, actually. I ate an extra packet. And two restricted items in one day (of the three packets). I was SO SO hungry all afternoon. I ended up eating a bar mid-afternoon, and then another after dinner. And I didn't regret it. My macros allowed for it, and all the other usual options weren't working. And I desperately needed the fiber (which worked). And then I had a square of dark chocolate late in the evening.

My scale was up almost 2 pounds this morning, but I'm pretty sure I'm out of ketosis so I'm not panicking. My maintenance goal is to stay +/- 2 pounds around 155, and that's where I'm at. I'm going out to run in an hour or two, once it warms up a bit, and hopefully will notice a difference in my energy level.

I considered just going to P3 a couple of days early, since I'm kind of not following P2 completely now anyway.... I'll see how I feel after this run. I'm starting longer runs on Saturday mornings, and if I need the extra calorie boost, I'll definitely know after tomorrow morning.

[HereIStand]

Post run update:

Before I went out, I ate half a muffin, to experiment with carb-loading with simple carbs. I had a good run, at a slightly faster pace then usual. Came home and drank a Six Star protein shake, which is low in calories and carbs but high in protein.

Tomorrow I'm doing a 4 mile run, and I'll eat half of a Combat bar before I go, and a protein shake afterward. With the number of carbs I'm eating now, I decided I may as well move to P3 for breakfasts, at least on the days I don't run (about 3 days/week). So I'm heading to the grocery store for some yogurt and bread. Excited but kind of scared!

[Ro22]

Originally Posted by HereIStand

Post run update:

Before I went out, I ate half a muffin, to experiment with carb-loading with simple carbs. I had a good run, at a slightly faster pace then usual. Came home and drank a Six Star protein shake, which is low in calories and carbs but high in protein.

Tomorrow I'm doing a 4 mile run, and I'll eat half of a Combat bar before I go, and a protein shake afterward. With the number of carbs I'm eating now, I decided I may as well move to P3 for breakfasts, at least on the days I don't run (about 3 days/week). So I'm heading to the grocery store for some yogurt and bread. Excited but kind of scared!

Congrats! You'll be fine. I am curious to know if you tried the Combat bars and what you think of the taste.

[jennydoodle]

I love the combat bars too. I was on a kick where I was eating one every day! Obviously before IP...

[hysteria_625]

Hi Stormy! Welcome! Please come on in Relatively speaking we are all at different stages of this journey - some newbies, some "vets"

Yay HIS!!! We are moving into P3 together Woot woot P3 breakfasts!!!

I made it to MOM's Organic and got a good hour to look around, read labels, etc...kind of too pricey on most regular things for my tastes, but they did have:
Make-your-own-nut-butter machines - grinds it right there, you can decide how much you want too - so I got a 1/3 # of fresh cashew butter. Can I tell you how HARD that is having in the house
They also had a terrific selection of the Ezekiel Breads - I decided on the 7 Grain.
Was very underwhelmed with their yogurt selection (dairy) - tons of soy / almond milk / kefir products...I will be curious to see how I react to dairy over the next couple days.
I was shocked to find someone is making almond milk "cheese" products now...
I also picked up some cashew milk - unsweetened / 35 cal. Just curious if I can drink it...I will need it for the oatmeal in a jar
Interestingly enough, the coach I met with (who, for full disclosure, NEVER did IP herself), actually said she was more for using almond / cashew milk (unsweetened) as opposed to skim milk and had "ok"'d it for use...I didn't need it though
Oh - and I got steel-cut oats and a bag of paleo-granola...this stuff looks SO good but such a small amount = 205 calories!!!! Figure I will mix it up with a yogurt one morning or use it with oatmeal in a jar...maybe - might be too much total carb...

So breakfast tomorrow morning looks like this:
2 scrambled eggs
1 slice 7 grain Ezekiel Bread
1T cashew butter
Okios Toasted Coconut
1/2C raspberries
Black coffee
470 k/cal, 34g protein (30%), 18g fat (35%), 43g carb (35%)

...and my PDoc was SO PROUD! Told me I was one of the most successful IP'ers she's seen and how I am an inspiration to HER! Wow

We'll see Monday how the blood work comes in - but she looked at my labs from 2 weeks ago and said everything looks great. As long as I am feeling good, she is ok with my TSH and not at all concerned with the iron.

I am SO stoked for breakfast tomorrow...guess we'll see how well I sleep tonight

Had cabbage steaks today for the first time:
Word of advice - DO NOT CORE the cabbage! Lesson learned
I think I ate way too much - over 1/2 a small cabbage but omg - it was delicious!
Cut cabbage into 'steaks'
spray with EVOO
rub with garlic (real or powdered)
salt / pepper
pre-heat oven to 400
cook on one side for 20 minutes & then flip - 20 minutes on the other side
Mine fell apart and were all over the place but tasted AMAZING!!!!
I also used parchment paper and no sticking

[Ro22]

Beth - I have never eaten cabbage before. What do cabbage steaks taste like? Is it a flavor you can describe?
Sounds like you are all set for tomorrow morning - good for you!
And, that is great news from the doc!
Did you review your bg numbers with the doc? Any feedback?