I'm a newbie to this community of support groups and I have a question that I hope someone can help me with. I'm on the IP diet and it's been about a month now. I've lost 8 pounds and I felt mentally strong in the beginning and during the holidays, I slipped a little and gained 2 pounds back. I want to lose the weight but I noticed that I've been cheating a little here and there still even after the holidays are now over. I feel guilty and then I feel depressed. ahhh!!! I feel like i'm on a emotional roller coaster!!

JuJu- for me that first month was a roller coaster and I started IP in September. What I have found is taking it one day at a time works beat. At this point, I have lost 44 lbs. and my DH has lost 65. IP will work for you, you're human don't beat yourself up. One trick I did was when I wanted to eat something not OP I would drink my flavored water, just keep drinking it until the feeling passes. I use the Mangosteen packets from IP. My DH goes to a clinic and gets them for me; I am on the Alternative IP.

You can do this! 8 lbs is awesome! Don't give up on YOU!

Hi juju! So many of us have been on that emotional roller coaster, so you are not alone! Please don't blame yourself. Dieting is hard work! Just do the best you can, and if you cheat, just get back on plan and keep going! I am in awe of all of you on plans without cheat days. I couldn't do it. My plan has a built-in cheat day, so that tells you just how much I can't do it. So just try to accept that you are human, you're not going to be perfect, and it's okay. You can just jump back on plan! Good luck! You can do this!

BuffieLynn thanks for the words of encouragement and support and faith that I can do this. My coach did say to me that I shouldn't beat myself up either and that we're all human. What flavored wather do you buy? Does it have the artificial sweetner in it? My goal is to be down 30 pounds by March, which is when I go to Vegas with some friends!

Jacqui D: Thanks for the encouragement ! I hope that I have good news of my weight loss at my next weigh in which is January 14th. What are some of your favorite IP foods?

Know that you are not alone and it is hard at times, but the alternative of giving up or backsliding is no good. Stay the course. It's so much worse to give up and drag yourself back after gaining - I resemble that remark ; )

Juju, I don't do IP. I am on a modified version of the Slow Carb Diet, but I've heard good things about IP, so don't give up, and good luck at your next weigh-in!