Easter was the first time off program since January 3! So I jumped right back on program the next day and weighed for the first time today. Down 2 pounds. Whewwwww!!!

I did really good over Easter staying out of the kids' baskets. Mine was full of bars and shakes! We host an Easter party at our house every year for the whole family. I love seeing all of the cousins out running around like crazy! Since it was my function, I was able exercise some control over the menu. We rotisseried a turkey, had greek meatballs, deviled eggs, a veggie tray, roasted Brussel sprouts, and had a rhubarb compote over on the dessert table. The guests all brought a side, but there was plenty there that I could eat so it was easy to abstain from the fruits and pastas.

I also went out of town for a wedding this past weekend and was able to stay on plan. We drove (12 hours) up Friday, went to the wedding Saturday, and drove back Sunday. I had prepped some zucchini chips and kale chips to snack on in the car. I brought lots of water, shakes to mix with Starbucks (a little treat for me), and bars. The only struggle was Friday night. They had a little meet & greet function that included food. I had assumed I would be able to find something there, but it was all off plan. When I got back to the hotel that night, I just had a couple hard boiled eggs left over from Easter. Not exactly ideal, but because I planned ahead and brought lots of portable options, I was able to enjoy myself without stressing over food all weekend!

Happy Tuesday!

Busy weekend for me. Included running to another Ideal Protein Clinic to pick up my beloved vanilla squares and OMG! This clinic has a supermarket sized variety of foods! And tons of boxes on the shelves. I questioned the owner and she said they always keep it well stocked and they are thinking of expanding their store. Well this got me a little annoyed with my clinic. I realize they don't have the space that this clinic has but my coach waits until they run out of something before ordering it in. Frustrating. And seeing this place was the last straw so I am switching clinics after this week. Not really sure how to tell my coach as she is nice and has been helpful. I have guilt! Lol my best friend currently goes to the other clinic so I know I will like my new coach. It is just a farther drive. My clinic is literally five minutes from my house. But being so limited on what we can eat and what I like I just really want the food in stock.

At weigh in I was down another pound. I seem to have a pattern of one big loss and two weeks of little losses. I also started a workout program yesterday. I know a lot of people say their weight loss stalled with adding it in but I need to tone up. I am noticing some loose skin and need to take care of it sooner rather than later.

Sljumper- way to go!!! Both Easter and an out of town event!! How do you make your zucchini chips? No matter how I try they are always soggy. I still love them but are yours crunchy like the kale chips?

Donna- way to go on the loss! And good for you for jumping right back into it!

Greyfaery- way to go on resisting temptation!

Mezmerelda- woohoo 4 lbs is fantastic!!

Positraction- so sorry to hear about your hospital stay. Hope everything works out for the best and you can join us soon. Sounds like your weight loss is going great! Sending healing vibes!

Neriss- awesome job! Feels so good when you see the difference in your clothing!

Thenewme- try not to get discouraged! A loss is a loss! I have averaged out my losses and with me big loss and then two little it's about 3 lbs a week. So you are on track. My coach said that too much cauliflower and broccoli can sometimes cause bloating so if you are going heavy on them maybe switch it up to something else.

So proud of all of us!! :carrot: off to workout some before bed! Have a great day ladies!!

Hi ladies,

I'm a new IP starter. Today was my 1st day of P1!

I've read about alternatives and was recommended to not try alternatives from my coworkers who are also on IP. But I noticed Quest bars - and I LOVE those. lol! The only issue I have with IP is that I'm afraid I may not be able to afford the IP packages for an extended period of time. I am trying to save up now while I can and I price match and budget when I shop for my vegetables and protein sources.

Quest bars are no longer protocol since they changed the recipe, just letting you know! Also, there are a lot of us out there that use alternatives and lose just as much weight! There are threads for alts on this site, and there's also a group on Facebook called "Ideal Protein Alternatives" that is super helpful.

This is the end of my 3rd week. I have lost 13 lbs total. Today is the first day someone stopped me and said "Are you loosing weight?" What a great feeling. You may also want to look on ebay for Ideal Protein. I have purchased a few boxes for less money than where my coach sells them. You also get free shipping. Welcome to the program - you will love it after a few weeks. Now that I am in the routine - it is pretty easy to follow.

I think it's official - I have become a victim of the wacky TOM experience. Things were ok the first 3 months - better than normal even. But this month, I'm 5 days early, have cramps and feel like poop when I am normally fine. Oh well. It explains to me why I felt stagnant with weight loss again this last week.

I have only about 7 weeks left before I need to phase off. I am not going to go to some planned events while on IP. Since I thought I was in a rut, I have taken this week and done non-restricteds only to see what would happen. If I can sneak a few weeks of those in before I phase off, I think I'll be good. Down about 33 pounds total, with 10-15 to go. Maybe more.

Happy Friday!!

Well I broke up with my coach lol. She was super sweet about it and gave me my chart to continue on at the new clinic. I was down 2 lbs too. Which was a surprise to me as my scale was actually reading a gain. I came home and weighed again and it was 4 lbs off. DH thinks it might need new batteries? Who knows. I am curious what the scale will say at the new clinic on Thursday.

Workouts are going well. I signed up for Fitnessblender.com they have tons of free videos on YouTube but if you go to their site you can pick a workout plan for however long you want for cheap. I am doing the low impact 4 week (bad knees) and it was only 10 bucks. I think after this I will try a harder one depending on my knees. I am hoping as the weight comes off my knees will feel better but my whole family is cursed with knee problems. Yay!

Angela- Welcome and good luck! How are you feeling? The switch over to Ketosis can be rough and I was knocked out for one whole day due to a headache but it passes!

McLennan- wtg! 13 pounds is excellent!

mezmerelda- home stretch! Can't wait to be as close to goal as you!

Have a fantastic weekend all!

Happy Thursday!

Wow suuuuper quiet here lately! Hope everyone is doing good! I had weigh in and down 1 lb. and can officially say I have lost 40 lbs!!! I went to the new clinic and like my coach a lot. They only take measurements once a month, so that was different. Oh and she wants me to start journaling. My other coach never mentioned it but when I was on WW they make you log what you eat. Do any of you journal?

Been super busy pricing up the girls old clothes for our semi-annual used clothing sale put on by our local multiples association. Part of the proceeds go towards our clubs activities for the kids and the rest is put towards our fundraising for the NICU at our hospital. Most of the twins in the club spent time in the NICU before they came home so we like to give back. Our eldest twin spent 7 hours in NICU but was reunited with her sister quickly. It is a ton of work setting up and tending to the sale floor so I am going to be logging the miles on my pedometer for sure!

Anyone try any new recipes?? Any non scale victories to cheer about? Hopefully no struggles but that's what this board is good for!

4/13 starter
 

Hi all!!! I'm on day 2 (well almost 3 as I'm about to call it a night)!!! So far so good. No crazy body reactions, hungry but snack on cucumbers around 10:30 and 4:00 to help.

I weigh in 1 day early and need to place my order in the day before. I've enjoyed the pomegranates, cranberry mix, the oatmeal. I had the chicken noodle soup today (not bad) and am taking the Chicken a la king tomorrow for lunch (to go wit my veg). I got the Chocolate Peanut bar, not great, but fine.

what are everyone's favorites?

My first day I had that fruit drink mix (mentioned above). It was delicious, but is that really a good lunch packet choice???

Would love to hear everyone's days/menu picks!

Thanks!!!

Hey there, Regina gal! Congrats on the 40 lbs! Measuring once a month is perfect as you can really see the changes and it's encouraging. Journaling is actually quite important. You can look back on what you ate and how you felt at the time, when and what are your stressors, and it helps to write down your successful coping mechanisms too so that you can look back for ideas when you need them. I did a paper journal the whole time and for quite a long while on MFP in maintenance. If things seem to get really out of hand and I start to creep up weightwise again, I go back to strict logging and it helps keep me accountable.

Bubsalub: I liked the mango drink for breakfast or if I needed something soothing & hot, the broccoli cheddar soup. I have to be strictly gluten free and there were not many choices for me at that time, drinks, puddings, a couple of soups and the omelette packs and that was about it. I did the dark chocolate pudding with lots of cinnamon in it or sometimes sea salt crystals with chili powder (both Mexican style because the puddings were so bland).
Choose whichever packet you feel like for whichever meal you like. No difference. If you feel like something hearty then go for a meal type packet, but if you are craving something sweet make a regular 2c veggie dinner and have a 'dessert' type packet like pudding or a tropical drink to follow.

Liana

I do journal, but not in the one my coach sells. :) I did for a bit, then moved over to a spreadsheet. She wouldn't look at it unless I printed it, which kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion. I found a notebook in my desk and started using that instead. More room to put everything in it, which was a definite problem with the little journal they gave me.

I have some favorite packets, so I tend to rotate through them. I like the maple oats, vanilla squares, chocolate chip pancakes, and mug cake. The chocolate drink mix is pretty good too, but I grew tired of them quickly. On the restricted side, I tend to go for a few of the protein bars or the brownies. It must have chocolate. :)

I was out at my mom's this week. She's never been super supportive of anything diet related, but now I think she's jealous. When I was out there a month ago, she told me it didn't look like I'd lost much, even though I was down over 20 lbs. Now it's over 30, and she says I'm skinny and look tiny. She also says I look short, which is amusing as I was wearing heels that had my over 5 feet 8. The smaller jeans I bought a month ago are too big, so it's time to drop a size. I had to pull old bras out of storage to have something that fits. Almost done!

Thanks!!!

Thanks!!!! I have about 4 drink mix left, mushroom soup,pancakes, and omlete....and 3 RTD shakes.

I felt the oatmeal kept me full the best. It is nice not to use 1 of my 2 splendas and instead mix my coffee with a powder drink mix (choc/cappachino). I'm not sure what I really want for lunches. ...I'm a salad eater for lunch so sometimes the soup is nice. ...


So many choices!

We'll WIN #14 was less than fantastic. -0 but at least no gain! Bad news and good news though. My clinic is closing. They are running out of products. The nearest clinic is at least an hour away, probably more. The good news is my coach is a nutritionist, and she is moving to my town to practice with her husband. I will be following her program now with the help of some alternatives and whole foods. I've known this was coming and have been upset, confused, and scared of what to do. I feel better now that I've made a decision, but believe this is the best choice for me at this time. I plan to stick to Protocol has much as possible but will slowly transition to hers through the summer. Wish me luck fellow IPers. I love all the support and encouragement that I have received. Good luck to you all as well!