Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading posts for a while. I've been on Ideal Protein since November 6, and I've lost almost 40 pounds; however, my weight loss has been struggling the last few weeks. Over the last 6 weeks, I stalled, lost 6 pounds, stalled, lost 2 pounds, lost 2 pounds, and this week I stalled again. I've never "really" cheated. The week that I lost 6 pounds, I upped my protein. I ate about 9-10 ounces, as opposed to 8. I tried that again this week, and I didn't lose anything. What am I doing wrong? I started off doing really great, and now i'm starting to get frustrated. I'm also really bloated. My coach keeps telling me that I'm constipated, but I've been taking a laxative that I think may be hurting more than helping. I think it's the reason for my extreme bloating; however, the laxative that he's been giving me doesn't work AT ALL. Any suggestions?

Babyjay - I am with you on that one. I had really good loses the first 8 weeks and now it slowed down. I have read that you may stall around a previous sticky weight. For me I expected it around 210 -- I think it actually was a little higher.

What are you using as a laxative? I was using senna (which is a stimulant - it works), but switched to magnesium citrate tablets (it works too) for me.
There is also smooth move tea (contains senna), calm magnesium, miralax. So if one is not moving maybe try a different kind.

Have you been doing any exercising?

Sue

Hey Sue,

Thanks for responding. I've been using Mag 07 (magnesium oxide). It's too strong, as it caused me to be dehydrated, which caused the bloating. I am going to switch to something else to see if that works.

I haven't been exercising. I do live in New Orleans though, and we just finished Mardi gras, so I did do way more walking than usual last week. I also ate at strange times.

Hey Babyjay5, In 6 weeks you lost 10lbs? I wouldn't call that a stall. And remember that you should average over your entire weight loss 2.5lbs/week. There are always ups and downs. On weeks that you didn't see movement on the scale was there inches lost? I wouldn't worry about a stall until you have lost NOTHING in the same amount of time. Just keep going and trust that the program works. It seems you are doing great!

And hopefully you can find something for regularity. I had the same issue, but found Magnesium Citrate worked for me so I don't have any other advice except choose veggies that are high in fibre and make sure you are having salad twice a day.

babyjay I hope you find something to help the big C issues; the gentler teas with senna seem to be good.
The stalls and bloating could be lots of things though - TOM, too much salty food, exercise can cause muscle inflammation. Make sure you're getting enough water. Also are you getting all your oil in, you could even add some extra. Add a big salad with free veggies if you aren't already (good fiber). Are you having too many restricteds or occasional veggies? How about extras WF, etc - sometimes eliminating them can help. Try switching meals - have lunch for dinner or vice-versa. Try adding an extra packet. You mentioned the week you upped your protein, you had a good loss ( I had a few weeks when I had steak or prime rib, I had a good loss too - so try that. Also, are you measuring? Small losses could be inches lost instead??

Good luck, we all know the frustration you're feeling!

BabyJay Just a factoid to add to the good suggestions. Constipation is a huge factor in sluggish scale numbers. A GI surgeon told me that the colon can hold up to 10 lbs of stool. I hope you get some relief soon.

Great thread! Just what I needed today!! All questions answered in one thread. Whoop!

IP defines a true stall as no weight loss, no inches lost, in one full month. So you're not really stalled.

Also, let me give you an example of how fickle the scale can be. (I'm in maintenance, just FYI.) This actually happened to me.

8:00 am - morning weigh-in at home, naked: 159 pounds
8:30 am - weigh again after 8 oz coffee, then a bowel movement: 157.5 pounds
10:00 am - weigh again, naked, after some carbs, water, and a 6-mile run: 155

That was a four pound change in two hours. Stool and hydration can greatly affect the scale on an hourly basis. As long as you are seeing a downward trend of the scale and/or measurements over the course of a month, you're doing fine.

Along with what others have said, your losses will slow down the longer you are on P1. First of all, you are a smaller person in proportion to the food your are eating compared to when you started. Secondly, your metabolism will gradually adjust to a smaller amount of food. One thing I found to help me gets things going again was to be a bit more generous with my evoo for a week or two....that usually helps with constipation, helps feel more full, AND helps remind the body not to go into starvation mode. Good luck!

While we're on the subject, is Miralax OK to take while on IP?

Amylew...I think it should be OK. I always just the Phillips caplets to help me when on P1 if necessary as it was just more magnesium.