Fall/Winter (Oct '22 - March '23) IPA thread
 

Sadly, I am making this a 6 month thread! Figured why not and hoping (and praying) for some company!! :^:

Week 1 - Day 4

Hi friends -

Hoping there is someone out there to see my posts! I am doing good and will continue as long as I can!! Wishing everyone a great day! :hug:

Week 1 - Day 9

Hello,

Hope all is well. I am doing good! Got right back on track. I have been reading quite a bit of the old posts - ones I remember from many years ago! It was such a busy place in those days. Hoping some will come back. But I will continue on!

Have a great day :hug:

Hi! I am on day 5

Hi Kayla - are you around??

Hi - if anyone is out there! I am back on track - Day 2. Would love some company! :wave: Have a great day! :)

Still here and doing ok!

Hey cactusblossom!

Well, sadly 2022 did not go well for me starting/re-starting IP all year and I only had myself to blame - I kept up the "well, I can start again tomorrow" excuse when I'd cheat then figure I'd have some wine since I was done for the day...not the right recipe! I think some post-pandemic stress eating, depression, borderline alcoholism, bad sleep habits, etc. were still hanging around. I try to have a positive outlook, but my coping strategies obviously spoke louder than my words. I'm really starting to worry about my health too - I'm 48yo and really need to take this seriously if I want to see my kids grow up (diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, obesity run in my family).

I committed to "Dry January" with some friends, which I actually plan to be a "Dry IP". It may be cliche but the NY Resolution has been a great motivator for me, especially after over indulging during the holidays (Oct-Dec) and gaining what little I had lost through 2022 (back to square one on 1/1). I'm on day 6 no booze and started IP "officially" on 1/3 and down 5lb in 3 days (I unofficially started on 1/2, but forgot to WI). I feel great! Better than I have in a while, I'm still having trouble getting to sleep on time (getting better every night though) but I think that's more due to getting into ketosis and coming off of a 2 week break of sleeping in. Previously I had a "loose" mindset but I really do feel super motivated (aka, militant - like I did the first round on IP), it's like a switch has flipped.

I spent a few days reupping my supplements, prep cooking, and bought keto sticks before starting 1/3 - I know some people say "you don't need keto sticks if you follow the plan" but I'm using them 2x/day (AM & PM) to reinforce that I'm staying true over January & February ($8.99 for 150 wasn't breaking the bank to get this kickstarted) . I'm using myfitnesspal to log EVERYTHING (I even note my keto stick time & levels daily). I "publicly" announced to my husband my intentions which also made it more official (before I would quietly start/cheat/drink/restart/repeat). I'm tinkering with 16:8 IF too (Ro22 inspired!), it's easy for me to push my first meal - but I'm finding it hard to fit all the food in because I'm full! I'm doing this DIY, but if I break ranks I'm going back to my clinic - my first 2 IP rounds (2012 and 2019) I was successful and went to my clinic - if I stumble even once DIY'ing I am going back to my coach for accountability.

If I play my cards right I can make goal by my 49th birthday in July! And for my 50th birthday, after a year of maintenance, I am getting myself a tummy tuck, never in my life have I had "flat abs" (even after reaching my goal at 38), great way to start the next 50 years!

Sounds like a good plan -- I have been on and off since 2015 when I had lost 86, and regained, and then 2018 I lost 50 and regained, and then 2021 I lost 50 and regained.... so here I am 2023 about to begin a new program very similar to Ideal Protein. There is no IP near me as I have moved to South Carolina. But OptaVia is very similar and you order the foods for home delivery once a month (about $300 for 30 days of packets which they call 'fuelings'). They have a recipe book like Janeva's with hacks for using the packets to make various IP compliant meals.
I think their support from FB private group and weekly live calls, periodic zoom live webinars, is better than IP, and I do have live coach in my same neighborhood community. I have to say that I miss the support from this forum that I had my first time thru IP. It was a daily motivator and support mechanism. I am not pushing this other program, just sharing my current activities to try to lose the extra lbs one more time... I am in it for a goal to lose 70lbs... aarrgghh!

I am glad to find your posting and this discussion thread - and I hope cactusflower is still around -- we did this together a few years back.:smug:

One thing that I find really helpful is writing down the 'Why'. I begin the food program tomorrow and wrote my 'Why' today... I am posting it on my phone for easy reference, and on my mirror and refrigerator. here it is below. You might want to do something similar to help you stay on track, esp since you are not only changing your eating but also your drinking habits:Why I want to change.

I want to feel healthy and happy.

I want to move with more ease (without as much pain and stiffness as I feel now).

I want to be able to enjoy the many activities available at my doorstep in my new home and community.

I want to feel confident about how I look and feel - so I can comfortably make new friends and find companionship.

I am aware of my chronological age and my potential years of active life - I want to maximize the number of active years and maximize the activities I can enjoy.

I want to reduce my likelihood of falling – improve balance.

I want to improve my stamina/endurance - be able to dance a 2 minute swing or Salsa without so much huffing and puffing before it ends.

I want to be able to perform simple daily activities without struggle:

• Tie my shoes and breath at the same time
  
• Lift my knees as I put pants on without struggling to maneuver around my now large belly
  
• Sit in an armchair without pain from the arms squeezing me like a vice
  
• Comfortably sit in an airplane for 10 hours
  

I am going to Italy for 10 days in 9 months - I want to feel healthy and fit so I can walk everywhere and truly enjoy the trip - my first trip outside of North America.

Hey oneuh2! My first IP round in 2012 I lost 70lb+ in Phase 1-3 (this was after major back/knee/foot problems in 1st pregnancy & my "why" then was a healthy #2), and I actually lost 10lb in Phase 4 (started vigorous exercise routine). I ended up having TWO more babies and IP round 2 I lost 50lb and was doing great in 10/2019 - unfortunately 2020 was right around the corner and I undid it all again! It's taken me a few start/false restarts but I'm feeling great! 1 week and 1 day and I'm down 10lb! I know this first week was water loss, but still motivating to see the scale go down and knowing I'm pushing closer to ketosis.

I've heard of OptaVia before, I've got a bunch of IP alternative boxes from all my "restarts" so I'm working my way through my current stash before I go in and order more. I laid out a "loose calendar" for myself to guesstimate end-goal and it's a reminder...if I would have started when I originally intended too I'd be done by now!!!! I remember my first 2012 round I was "almost" to goal on my 38th birthday and this year will be "almost" goal on my 49th!

I'm planning to start some low intensity walking next week (after 2 weeks) and then 2 weeks after that some weight lifting. I actually joined a gym in November to "motivate" myself but then decided to take this month off to acclimate to the diet changes with such low carbs/calories. I do low intensity and I really do like to be active - might help me get to sleep faster too! I need to flip my clock back to morning person! I like the "why" statements, I had them internally but here's my list:

I want to be healthy

• I want to lower my blood pressure without medication
• I want to avoid obesity related complications
• I want to see my kids grow up and have many years with my husband

I want to be active

• I want to join my running group again
• I want to run races again
• I want to deal with stress in a positive way

I want to feel confident

• I want to fit in my old clothes
• I want to feel sexy with my husband again

I'm going on a cruise in a few months - I want to feel comfortable and at ease with my friends and family

• I want to keep up with my 3 kids for activities - on the boat, excursions, and at home
• I want to do activities with my family

I want to be healthier at 50 than I was at 30!

I'm still chugging along...made it through 2 weeks and down 14lb! 18 days through dry January and I feel great, had a bit of trouble getting to sleep last night so dragging a bit today, but nothing I can't work through. I do weigh daily, and found it funny how I saw "the whoosh" this past week, had about 3 days of no/small gain and then boom, down a little over 2lb yesterday overnight! I'm hoping to start some walking this week, ideally in the mornings before I get kids ready for school - trying to wake up a little earlier every morning until I can get a good 30min built up. So far so good! I'm staring down Week 3 and it's looking good - have a good one!

Still going at it for Week 3! I've been steadily holding out on the scale the past few days - but then I started my period this morning so I might see a small down tick, although I won't be crushed if my next WI is small/none - I figure after the big first 2 weeks things will probably settle down some.

One thing I've noticed so far is I've been using a lot of "little extras"...and while they are small - it might start adding up. For example, I'm using a cup of unsweetened almond milk (30 cal/3g fat/1g protein) for my power greens shake with my chocolate drink mix, using 1 cup chicken stock for soups (10 cal/2g protein), using the whole package of shirataki noodles (10 cal/2 carb) with dinner protein and 2-3x more G. Hughes SF stir fry sauce (5 cal/1g carb/1g protein), and I've been using cauliflower for EVERYTHING (it's my favorite soup thickener)...I need to mix it up to lower the veggie carb count. It's been helping me power through the first weeks though - willpower in the past few restart attempts never lasted too long, so I'll take these as my little helpers and reevaluate them if I get stuck.

I'm tracking everything on myfitnesspal and have been staying pretty "in range" wrt overall calories and macros (750-850 cal, 50% protein, 25% carb, 25% fat). 4 more days until WI #3!

Originally Posted by oneuh2:
Sounds like a good plan -- I have been on and off since 2015 when I had lost 86, and regained, and then 2018 I lost 50 and regained, and then 2021 I lost 50 and regained.... so here I am 2023 about to begin a new program very similar to Ideal Protein. There is no IP near me as I have moved to South Carolina. But OptaVia is very similar and you order the foods for home delivery once a month (about $300 for 30 days of packets which they call 'fuelings'). They have a recipe book like Janeva's with hacks for using the packets to make various IP compliant meals.
I think their support from FB private group and weekly live calls, periodic zoom live webinars, is better than IP, and I do have live coach in my same neighborhood community. I have to say that I miss the support from this forum that I had my first time thru IP. It was a daily motivator and support mechanism. I am not pushing this other program, just sharing my current activities to try to lose the extra lbs one more time... I am in it for a goal to lose 70lbs... aarrgghh!

I am glad to find your posting and this discussion thread - and I hope cactusflower is still around -- we did this together a few years back.:smug:

One thing that I find really helpful is writing down the 'Why'. I begin the food program tomorrow and wrote my 'Why' today... I am posting it on my phone for easy reference, and on my mirror and refrigerator. here it is below. You might want to do something similar to help you stay on track, esp since you are not only changing your eating but also your drinking habits:Why I want to change.

I want to feel healthy and happy.

I want to move with more ease (without as much pain and stiffness as I feel now).

I want to be able to enjoy the many activities available at my doorstep in my new home and community.

I want to feel confident about how I look and feel - so I can comfortably make new friends and find companionship.

I am aware of my chronological age and my potential years of active life - I want to maximize the number of active years and maximize the activities I can enjoy.

I want to reduce my likelihood of falling – improve balance.

I want to improve my stamina/endurance - be able to dance a 2 minute swing or Salsa without so much huffing and puffing before it ends.

I want to be able to perform simple daily activities without struggle:

• Tie my shoes and breath at the same time
  
• Lift my knees as I put pants on without struggling to maneuver around my now large belly
  
• Sit in an armchair without pain from the arms squeezing me like a vice
  
• Comfortably sit in an airplane for 10 hours
  

I am going to Italy for 10 days in 9 months - I want to feel healthy and fit so I can walk everywhere and truly enjoy the trip - my first trip outside of North America.

Cheryl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m here…
 

Hey everyone,
I’m still around. Tomorrow starts week 10 for me.
I’ve been doing Ideal Protein style protocol that I’ve learned is a lot like PSMF in the keto world (Protein Sparing Modified Fast) and PE Diet (Protein to Energy Diet) from Dr. Ted Naiman.
I started a YouTube channel for how I’m applying this protocol to those. I’m doing a lot of recipe videos there plus I’m posting my progress etc.
I have always liked this message board for sharing over Facebook so I’ll keep posting here as long as this is active but it goes radio silent so I started doing these videos as a way to keep myself on track.
Check it out if interested. It’s Losin’ It on Keto.

I’m down 38 lbs through 8 weeks.
I’m about halfway to goal.
Feeling tremendous.
I feel strongly that I have discovered an Ideal Protein style protocol but with healthier ingredients and incorporating other learning such as intermittent fasting and good supplementation.
What I’m doing is the easiest way I have ever done this protocol. I’m doing 2 meals a day.

Rochelle

Originally Posted by cactusblossom:
Hi - if anyone is out there! I am back on track - Day 2. Would love some company! :wave: Have a great day! :)

You posted this on the day I rebooted! Going strong since the Monday after Thanksgiving, Nov 28!
Sorry, I didn’t check sooner but I just put my head down and got to work. It took me so long and so many false starts.

Cheryl - I’m looking to lose about same as you - halfway there in 8 weeks. I’ve heard of what you are doing so hope it works for you. I’m doing my own version of IP. I explain in post below. Whatever one does, I just say have a positive outlook about it.
I’m dealing with a bit of negativity from the keto community about doing Ideal Protein protocol because I get comments how we need fat but I’m not letting that second guess me. I know the protocol works but given I’m about to start week 10, I just got bloodwork done and I’m getting my RMR tested Tuesday (resting metabolic rate) so I can counter the keto people telling me I’ll ruin my metabolism. I don’t get upset with them because they just don’t know any better. I know this is the best I’ve felt in a long time and I just know this protocol makes me feel the best including tons of energy! I’ve run out of cabinets, drawers and closets to clean/organize lol!

Hey Ro! I'm almost done with Week 4, I had a few slip ups this weekend (our 17th wedding anniversary), but have tightened up today. I took a page from your book and try to keep things in an IF 16:8 window - it helps to cut down on my late night snacking urges. For some reason myfitnesspal account isn't working today....I'll go check out your YouTube channel tonight!

Originally Posted by Ro22:
Hey everyone,
I’m still around. Tomorrow starts week 10 for me.
I’ve been doing Ideal Protein style protocol that I’ve learned is a lot like PSMF in the keto world (Protein Sparing Modified Fast) and PE Diet (Protein to Energy Diet) from Dr. Ted Naiman.
I started a YouTube channel for how I’m applying this protocol to those. I’m doing a lot of recipe videos there plus I’m posting my progress etc.
I have always liked this message board for sharing over Facebook so I’ll keep posting here as long as this is active but it goes radio silent so I started doing these videos as a way to keep myself on track.
Check it out if interested. It’s Losin’ It on Keto.

I’m down 38 lbs through 8 weeks.
I’m about halfway to goal.
Feeling tremendous.
I feel strongly that I have discovered an Ideal Protein style protocol but with healthier ingredients and incorporating other learning such as intermittent fasting and good supplementation.
What I’m doing is the easiest way I have ever done this protocol. I’m doing 2 meals a day.

Rochelle

Originally Posted by LizRR:
Hey Ro! I'm almost done with Week 4, I had a few slip ups this weekend (our 17th wedding anniversary), but have tightened up today. I took a page from your book and try to keep things in an IF 16:8 window - it helps to cut down on my late night snacking urges. For some reason myfitnesspal account isn't working today....I'll go check out your YouTube channel tonight!

Hi Liz!
This is a test as I responded to you twice last night and encountered errors both times ugh
I don’t know what’s going on here. I’ve now tried 3 long responses to you and all 3 encountered an error!!! I don’t know if 3 paragraphs is exceeding some size limit or what but how frustrating!
Anyways, Congrats on the anniversary and congratulations on getting right back on!

Finding my way back - is anyone around?? :smug:

Originally Posted by cactusblossom:
Finding my way back - is anyone around?? :smug:

yep, I’m here.
week 11

Hi Ro - it sounds like you are doing great! I have been on and off for a while, thoug have kept off most that I have lost. All alternatives. Getting back on tomorrow, 2/10. I will try to post daily - at least to check-in. Would love some company!

Take care. :hug:

Ro, Liz and OneUh2 - hope you are all around! I will private message just to let you all know that there is someone here and I would love some company! Come on - we can do this!! I remember when this was such a great, busy group!! :^:

Originally Posted by cactusblossom:
Hi Ro - it sounds like you are doing great! I have been on and off for a while, thoug have kept off most that I have lost. All alternatives. Getting back on tomorrow, 2/10. I will try to post daily - at least to check-in. Would love some company!

Take care. :hug:

Good for you! Wish I could say the same!
But, no, my weight continues to wildly swing; always tied to orthopedic injuries/surgeries. I’ll get to my goal and I’m feeling this time will be the last yo-yo. But, not thinking about that much right now as I’ve got months to go before I reach my goal. Losses have slowed the last 3 weeks but did bloodwork and it shows an infection as well as Vitamin B deficiency. I immediately started supplementing for the B deficiency but not sure about the infection. I have a doctor looking at the results and hoping when this gets addressed I’ll start to see the 3+ pounds per week loss I had been achieving for first 2 months.

Oh gosh - I hope all is well!

Originally Posted by cactusblossom:
Oh gosh - I hope all is well!

Thanks!
I consult with a dr on Wednesday so we’ll see what he says. I’m going to guess my Vitamin B supplementation is working as I lost 4.9 pounds last week which was Week 11 for me.

Oh that's great news!! :cheer2:

I have been hoping that LizRR and OneUh2 come back!! :^:

I'm back...apologies for the absence... Well, I finished my dry January (besides anniversary), and then - we got ICED IN for a week!!! Literally we couldn't leave the house and I got a little triggered/bored/etc and went off track for a little over a week, slowly corrected course a few days ago and I'm back to "IP baseline". I updated my signature to track my swings (you can see my week I didn't WI), I guess it's "good" I only managed to gain +1lb in that time (WI was yesterday). I want to keep that as my running tally and update at least my weekly Tuesday WI's.
One thing a little different is that in the past I would have thrown in the towel "for good" and gone on my terrible way, but I'm finding resolve to get back on the horse and tighten my belt again. Back to keeping everything logged on myfitnesspal to keep myself honest...and it's a good meal planner (and I do like to plan!).

I like your "breakfast sausage spice mix" in your Breakfast Scramble video - I use fennel, sage, garlic, thyme, s&p for "sausage" flavor too...funny thing happened a few weeks ago - I went to sprinkle on fennel and the cap was undone and I spilled ALL my fennel seeds in the pan!!!

Originally Posted by Ro22:
Hi Liz!
This is a test as I responded to you twice last night and encountered errors both times ugh
I don’t know what’s going on here. I’ve now tried 3 long responses to you and all 3 encountered an error!!! I don’t know if 3 paragraphs is exceeding some size limit or what but how frustrating!
Anyways, Congrats on the anniversary and congratulations on getting right back on!

Originally Posted by cactusblossom:
Oh that's great news!! :cheer2:

Thanks!
Yes that was great news - I had been having conversations with myself as a pep talk to not let that get me down and glad I did! I’m still ahead of my goals as I had Feb set for next “decade” and hit that on Feb 13 so I have a chance to hit March’s goal in Feb if I lose a total of 5.2 lbs over the next 2 weeks.

Originally Posted by LizRR:
I'm back...apologies for the absence... Well, I finished my dry January (besides anniversary), and then - we got ICED IN for a week!!! Literally we couldn't leave the house and I got a little triggered/bored/etc and went off track for a little over a week, slowly corrected course a few days ago and I'm back to "IP baseline". I updated my signature to track my swings (you can see my week I didn't WI), I guess it's "good" I only managed to gain +1lb in that time (WI was yesterday). I want to keep that as my running tally and update at least my weekly Tuesday WI's.
One thing a little different is that in the past I would have thrown in the towel "for good" and gone on my terrible way, but I'm finding resolve to get back on the horse and tighten my belt again. Back to keeping everything logged on myfitnesspal to keep myself honest...and it's a good meal planner (and I do like to plan!).

Wow - that would have made me go stir crazy!
I agree with you that weighing having gone through that is a good accountability tool and without it, it would have been easy to throw in the towel. Now, you have your data and in a week or so after you lose, you won’t give that week any attention as it will have been just a blip so way to go!

Originally Posted by LizRR:
I like your "breakfast sausage spice mix" in your Breakfast Scramble video - I use fennel, sage, garlic, thyme, s&p for "sausage" flavor too...funny thing happened a few weeks ago - I went to sprinkle on fennel and the cap was undone and I spilled ALL my fennel seeds in the pan!!!

Thanks!
I love fennel!
I just ground a bunch of it as it called for ground fennel and now my grinder smells like black licorice - a smell I don’t mind lol!
I love doing the videos as they are keeping me on track, a catalyst for creativity and something that struck me this week - a foundation for maintenance as I am acquiring quite a collection of recipes that I have in my binder which I will leverage in maintenance mode. This is a very different journey that I’m taking this time with this protocol and the key was recognizing PSMF as similar so it opened my eyes to what is possible with this protocol. I’m really enjoying this and feeling great - crazy that after starting this 9 years ago, I find this now and enjoying it! I seriously think this path has solved my maintenance issue. I have a video that will publish tomorrow on Salisbury steak which is something I have never eaten before (maybe those TV dinners as a kid) but it turned out great and definitely now a go to recipe. That’s happening again and again and way better than all the fat head dough and other keto recipes with dairy, higher in fat etc. My meatball sub is so delicious that I don’t consider that a “diet meal”. Im really enjoying this. Thanks for watching the videos!

So glad you are both here - would love for OneUh2 to find us again! Fingers crossed! Keep posting - it helps so much!! :grouphug:

Originally Posted by cactusblossom:
So glad you are both here - would love for OneUh2 to find us again! Fingers crossed! Keep posting - it helps so much!! :grouphug:

Thanks, same here! And, I agree with you - it does help.
I starred Month 4 today. Halfway or so to goal. Did something I've never done before which was to take and document progress pictures. Quite telling! So happy to be where I'm at and out of all the times I've yo-yo'd I am the strongest I've ever been at this stage. I'm really enjoying what I'm doing and making videos is a fun hobby that is helping tremendously.

I lost 1.5 lbs last week for a total of 46.4 lost in 12 weeks. I have a shot at achieving my March goal in Feb at my next weigh in on the 27th. That would be cool!

I never took beginning pictures this round, but did my 1st go round and it WAS very telling - maybe I'll go grab some today (evenc though at Week 7). Speaking of which - I've been keeping at it after my brief 2-week "blip"...22lb down in 7 weeks, almost 1/3 of the way there - I'm not going to skip over my setbacks, but want to keep up my progress and remember what my successful formula is. And I'll be honest - I've got a 7-day cruise coming up in 2 weeks (my first one) and don't expect to stay on it - so expect another "big X" coming up, I plan to stay keto - but I do plan to enjoy myself and won't be monitoring myfitnesspal or portion measurements, but also won't "go crazy".

Ro, you are doing awesome! I enjoy your videos and it's a great encouragement for post-IP in the future. I'm still using packaged soup, oatmeal, and vanilla drinks with my 6oz protein + veggies, but it's easier for me to meal prep/plan and I'm needing simplicity for the moment. I look forward to your posts and your will and motivation are a great encouragement! My meals are pretty boring now, but I like it, it's easy to prep, and that keeps me motivated!
Breakfast: 1/2 Vanilla Premier Protein + 1c Power Greens + 2/3c Almond Milk + Coffee + 1/2tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder + SF Vanilla Syrup
Lunch: ProtiDiet Creamy Tomato Soup + Pureed 1c Riced Cauliflower & 1/4 Red Bell Pepper + 1c Chicken Stock + S&P/Garlic/Cayenne
Snack: ProtiDiet Banana Nut Oatmeal + Pureed 1c Riced Cauliflower + 2/3c Almond Milk + Collagen
Dinner: 6oz Protein (Chicken, Shrimp, Scallops) + 1c Veggies (Mushrooms, Zucchini, Broccoli) + EVOO

cactusblossom, thanks for the encouragement to come back and post. I like our little mini-support group. I'm not on a whole lot, but I do plan at least weekly to keep up my weekly WI at least (update my siggy too).

Originally Posted by LizRR:
I never took beginning pictures this round, but did my 1st go round and it WAS very telling - maybe I'll go grab some today (evenc though at Week 7). Speaking of which - I've been keeping at it after my brief 2-week "blip"...22lb down in 7 weeks, almost 1/3 of the way there - I'm not going to skip over my setbacks, but want to keep up my progress and remember what my successful formula is. And I'll be honest - I've got a 7-day cruise coming up in 2 weeks (my first one) and don't expect to stay on it - so expect another "big X" coming up, I plan to stay keto - but I do plan to enjoy myself and won't be monitoring myfitnesspal or portion measurements, but also won't "go crazy".

Ro, you are doing awesome! I enjoy your videos and it's a great encouragement for post-IP in the future. I'm still using packaged soup, oatmeal, and vanilla drinks with my 6oz protein + veggies, but it's easier for me to meal prep/plan and I'm needing simplicity for the moment. I look forward to your posts and your will and motivation are a great encouragement! My meals are pretty boring now, but I like it, it's easy to prep, and that keeps me motivated!
Breakfast: 1/2 Vanilla Premier Protein + 1c Power Greens + 2/3c Almond Milk + Coffee + 1/2tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder + SF Vanilla Syrup
Lunch: ProtiDiet Creamy Tomato Soup + Pureed 1c Riced Cauliflower & 1/4 Red Bell Pepper + 1c Chicken Stock + S&P/Garlic/Cayenne
Snack: ProtiDiet Banana Nut Oatmeal + Pureed 1c Riced Cauliflower + 2/3c Almond Milk + Collagen
Dinner: 6oz Protein (Chicken, Shrimp, Scallops) + 1c Veggies (Mushrooms, Zucchini, Broccoli) + EVOO

cactusblossom, thanks for the encouragement to come back and post. I like our little mini-support group. I'm not on a whole lot, but I do plan at least weekly to keep up my weekly WI at least (update my siggy too).

Thanks, Liz!
That's awesome progress through 7 weeks!
I'm glad to read you have a process that works for you!
Keep going- you are doing great and I encourage you to get progress pictures because after seeing myself, I am not going back there!
That's a great plan to do keto on the cruise - it's a great way to live life but in a more healthy way than the carb load. You should have an easier time of it coming back but that doesn't seem to be an issue for you. It always was for me - once I opened that door it was so hard to close it and restart.

Looking forward to continue sharing results and support!

Hey Ro - Don't give me too much credit for "getting back on the wagon"...I did it this last time, but honestly in the past I threw it all away after so many restarts! I think starting off with the new year helped, and it's good timing as far as being on track to get near goal by my birthday. Even with my 2 weeks that were backpedaled I'm pretty happy with my 7 week progress!
My husband got interested in keto stuff and bought a breathalyzer a few weeks ago - between that and my keto sticks I've been having kind of a weird fun time monitoring my ketosis...it's oddly satisfying to get keto readings!
Unfortunately this week my sinuses have decided to explode - I feel like hot garbage, but I guess the "upside" is that my nose is so stuffed up I can't smell anything and that's pretty much killed my appetite. I'm forcing myself to eat - which is a new thing for me. I'm not really very active and just completely stuffy...Sudafed, take me away!!!!

Originally Posted by LizRR:
Hey Ro - Don't give me too much credit for "getting back on the wagon"...I did it this last time, but honestly in the past I threw it all away after so many restarts! I think starting off with the new year helped, and it's good timing as far as being on track to get near goal by my birthday. Even with my 2 weeks that were backpedaled I'm pretty happy with my 7 week progress!
My husband got interested in keto stuff and bought a breathalyzer a few weeks ago - between that and my keto sticks I've been having kind of a weird fun time monitoring my ketosis...it's oddly satisfying to get keto readings!
Unfortunately this week my sinuses have decided to explode - I feel like hot garbage, but I guess the "upside" is that my nose is so stuffed up I can't smell anything and that's pretty much killed my appetite. I'm forcing myself to eat - which is a new thing for me. I'm not really very active and just completely stuffy...Sudafed, take me away!!!!

Feel better, Liz!
That’s cool about your husband. That would be awesome support for you if you guys did a program together!

WhooHoo! 8 weeks and 25lb down! I've been pretty good this week, we had dinner at a friends over the weekend and had marinated chicken , gave the skin to my kids with a few almonds on the side (better than the side which was rice!). I leave for my cruise on Saturday,.so look for another Big X next WI...I'm so looking forward to it, this is our first cruise and me and my husband have a balcony suite alone. I won't be surprised if I gain some coming back, I'll just have to get back to what works!

Last week at a school function one of the mom's commented on "my workout routine", so it's becoming noticed by others. Hopefully in another month (after my cruise) I can start hitting up the outskirts of my smaller clothes. I haven't been exercising at all but I do want to incorporate some walking/light weights soon, maybe a week on the ocean is just the chance I need!

Hi everyone -

Sounds like things are going well! I got caught up in a work situation the last few weeks but I kept on to my program and I'm doing super well! Really excited this time and looking forward to great progress. Will check back a little bit later and write more because I'm doing this on the tablet! Have a great day and take care. Keep up the great work!

Hi all,

How is everyone doing?