Just checking in
 

Hey all! I didn't realize how long it had been since I was around... things sure seem to get busy, don't they?

I seem to have gotten past my stall... and thanks to all of you and your support and words of wisdom, I've kept true to the program, did continue walking and am down to just 5.2 pounds from my goal with IP Phase 1!

It may take me until Christmas to get there, but gosh darnit, I'm worth it! (Anyone an old school Saturday Night Live fan? anybody? Stuart Smalley? :D :dizzy:)

Anyway... I'll be reading through the thread some more later... hope you all are doing well!

Micki

Hi Pamela - Don't stress too much about the next phases, you're doing great so far. I followed protocol, and did 2 weeks of P2 and 2 weeks of P3. In fact, I wasn't quite at goal when I started P2, about 5 lb away, but I was going on a month-long vacation, so I planned my phase off so I would start P4 when my vacay started. I found P2 fairly easy, its almost like P1, just more protein at lunch; and P3 was great, loved adding the great breakfasts, the key to making P3 easy for me was to plan ahead.
I did lose a few more lbs on P2/P3, and then during my vacation, lost another couple of lbs, so I came back about 2 lbs below my goal of 135. I've been maintaining at 132/133 for almost 4 months. And Yes, I've been eating real food :D
Trust the protocol, it works, and you'll be at goal before you know it.

Thanks for asking Pamela. I know I have not been posting lately but I have been reading a little. My ipad is acting up...lots of trouble navigating the site. Also I am afraid to jinx myself...but...14 days of being OP with no cheats...half way through my 30 days!!!!

I have put a counter on my phone...30 days which would get me to the end of June and I just love seeing that number go down. The numbers on the scale are OK but I just wish I could see it more in my body. Well the swelled belly has gone down a little...I read somewhere (on one of these forums) that is takes 4 weeks for you to notice, 8 weeks for friends...I think and 12 for the rest of the world? ok maybe not the best memory! lol

Have a great day ladies!

Wednesday musings
 

Today is weigh in day for me. I feel like I have done a good job staying on plan this week, but I am retaining water in my ankles like crazy! :dunno: The temps here have been steadily increasing (and it seems that whenever that happens, I retain water like nobody's business). So, I'm trying to add an additional quart of water to my daily intake to see if that will help. It's certainly hot enough for it not to hurt (I am in AZ, where it looks to hit temps in the 120* F range early next week!!!)

I find myself not prepping and planning much lately. :nono: I think if I recommit to the plan like I did in the beginning, these last 5 pounds will find their way OFF a bit more quickly. I am getting impatient again, knowing that I have to work the plan exactly as it is written to see the results I want.

I am also struggling with crazy TOM issues. :rolleyes: For my entire adult life, my TOM came on the exact date it was supposed to. Since starting IP, it has been all over the calendar. I could pretty much count on 29 days between TOM... this time it was 47 days! So, that's messing with my scale too, I think. I had symptoms at 29 days, but it never came... this time no symptoms... just TOM.

I am getting a bit nervous about transitioning to the next phases as well. :eek: I know I shouldn't borrow worry, but that is my nature.

More later,
Micki

Micki I thought it was getting hot here...nothing like you guys! Way to go staying OP! Yep that prepping and planning really do help...it takes time and energy but it does save us from going in the wrong direction.

I don't really think about the next phases because I am nowhere near the end of my journey of P1. I must admit that I often go on the maintenance threads and read what is being said. I like to read all the posts and see what is working with other.

Have a great day tomorrow! One day at a time!

Hey all,

I'm about a month and a half into the program and am losing about 2-3lbs a week after my initial 10lb first week loss. I am finding that I'm not really losing any inches, and am wondering if anyone else is having the same issue. Should I be concerned? Just worried I'm losing too much lean muscle. My coaches don't have the fancy device that some do that lets you monitor that from week to week.

Frustrated at the moment. Mainly because I'm right at that stupid 200 line and want to be solidly below. Last Friday, I weighed in at 200.2 (a pound less on my home scale) and I have my weigh in tomorrow and lost less than a half pound this week. My worst week so far in the past 7-8 weeks was a 0.8 pound loss. Of course, I could just be really good with water today and drop another pound or more overnight. I've been sticking to protocol. Also, I got rid of all my size 16's, so that's a plus. Now in 12's and 14's depending on the cut of the clothes. Just need some reminders and encouragement.

SE72, don't fret. Sometimes the body needs to catch up with what we are putting it through, lol. You may have lost inches instead of pounds this week. They don't always come together. Besides, think about other diets where one is lucky to lose a lb or two a month.... Every maintain or loss (no matter how 'small') is a step in the right direction. It's good to make up a bit of a progressive weight loss graph and get a visual reminder of how far you have come. Also don't forget your Non-Scale-Victories! Less meds, more energy, better fitting clothes (even if you aren't in the next size yet), no more seat belt extenders, being able to fit in the roller coaster seats, etc.
Not necessarily saying you were in those situations but some of the guys & gals here have posted those as NSV's. ;)
Be proud of your continuing hard work!

Keep it up you guys! You Rock!!
http://cotterthecreative.com/wp-cont...ge-300x300.jpg
Liana

I just posted in an another thread that I GAINED 1 lb this week, and I was 100% :mad::( BUT I am retaining water and constipated, and I did lose fat, so I am OK with the gain, because I am sure the scale will reflect a good loss next week. I have seen the pattern with my body, some weeks I have a big loss and some none or even a gain, but it all averages out. We got this!!

I had a lot of weeks of slow losses followed by a bigger loss, that's pretty common for most of us, but I know it's easy to get impatient or discouraged.
Liana's suggestion of a chart is a great one. When I started P1, I made one online, but found I needed something more instantly visual, so I made a nice big paper graph, with my weekly weight charted on it, I put it where I would see it every day (my home office wall) and I found it was really helpful to see that line pointing in a downward direction, especially when there were small flat blips on it.

Totally relate!
 

When I got close to 200, I struggled too... it seemed like the scale was taunting me! Just be true to protocol and talk through your packet choices with your coach. It really helped me! I have had to change up my packet choices a couple of times as I get closer to my goal... it's hard, because it seems we are all very much creatures of habit, but it can be done.

Doesn't it feel great to see those smaller sizes on your clothing? I am in sizes I haven't seen since I was 20 years younger... and hope to see a smaller size than ever in my adult life in the near future.

Keep up the good work... work the program and you'll be in "onderland" solidly before you know it! :)

Micki

Good idea
 

I'm a visual person as well... which is partly why I am struggling so much now I think. The downward trajectory has flattened out a great deal and I'm not seeing much change in my shape.

I suppose I should be happy with down instead of up, right? :)

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. That's why I joined this board, but I know things logically, but sometimes, some days, I need those virtual hugs. I'm an RN and work full-time, kids graduating, and taking a very difficult class this Summer. I'm a little... um... stressed and not much fun in my life at the moment. I know things will slow down in terms of weight loss, but not ready yet lol! I'm not even halfway there yet. Maybe tomorrow won't be bad. I find I lose more fat on the weeks the scale shows less and then the next week the pounds will drop.

Could you be more specific about changing up packets? I'm such a slow loser maybe changing them up would help. I also didn't have a big first week loss like most seem to. And I have a lot to lose.

Me too
 

Me too! So far 4th day has been the hardest!