It so good to see you! I finally braved the scale this morning and it was up 7 lbs. I know I didn't gain 7 lbs of fat and I am a few days away from my TOM, but I'm glad I stepped on because now I can't lie to myself anymore.

I succeeded on Phase 1 yesterday and I am determined to get under control. I feel so much better when I eat this way. So here is to Day 2 of being on protocol.

I am not panicing, was just amazed at the amount of gain. It was 10+ lbs for a half a day of drinking and eating of burgers, no buns or cheese of course. But yes, I did indulge in the beers, many beers. Thanks for your reassurance. I was originally hoping to be done by this time with phase 1 when I started. Keep up the good work.

I expected to be done by the middle of February...my goal was 175 (which I am at today), but I have reset it to 156....

The middle of February I was 183 so it has taken me 6 or so weeks to take off the last 8 to my original goal (why? darn planned cheats...that is why I wanted to be done by then...I had several trips planned) last one is this saturday through Tuesday...then focus and no cheats and ketosis until goal...hopefully the middle of June....I am DONE done!

I think the key continues to be that we are not focused on the race to the finish line or how perfect we can be....that is not reallity....the planned cheats are more like real life....so I think of myself as having been wearing training wheels for the last few months, before they come off and I am on my own on maintenance!

I could not agree more... My inital goal was to get from 235 to 170 which was succeded by December 2009. The road from 170 to 133 was ended by June 2010. When I tried riding a two wheeler I stumbled (156) - got back up with IP (140) - tried again (after hitting 167 went back to IP) and finally feel like I am ready to test my wings again... Not at goal but with confidence this time!

Perfect....we really have to look long term and not focus on instant gratification as we have most of our lives. This has to be real and forever!

I think it is a big wake up call the first time we go on a planned break and the gain of 3-8 lbs or so in a week of fun and good times! Of course you can't really gain that much in that time frame and it is mostly glycogen and water. It does go off fairly fast if you get right back on protocol and stick with it.

When I was gone last week I was telling my SIL that I was seeing lots more bags and sags in my face, esp around the eyes, and I sure didn't like it! When I got home and back on the program, my bags and sags have almost disappeared!! It was just edematous area from eating too many carbs. I have heard that called "carb face" meaning the water weight that comes with eating the wrong type and quantity of carbs. Another reason that I feel and "look" better when on my plan.

I think the real message is that this "diet" is not really a diet but a change in the way we eat. We will never be "off" this plan. We will always be on maintenance and we will always need to monitor what we are consuming.

I was so excited when I took the 52 pounds off in 3.5 months and thought I will be done so quick. But I have learned a ton more about life-long habits the last 3.5 months when I only have lost 19 pounds. (but I hope to lose the last 18 in about 2 months).

We really have to dump the "All or nothing" mentality. This is about the lifelong changes, not instant gratification of reaching a goal. (Of course for a shopping addict...shopping for sizes 8's and 10's and smalls and mediums is WAY more fun than the 18's and XXL or 1X of before)

Your weight loss has been phenomenal!! You're an inspiration to us all!! I have to admit that I am afraid of phasing off this diet. I've been down this road 2 times before on the South Beach diet and I gained the weight back gradually. I am only 11 lbs from my goal, one more pound and I'll be ready for phase 2. I may skip phase 2 and go to phase 3 when it's time. The packets are convenient and that is what I like abou this diet.
Have a great day!!

I would love to say on phase 1 forever. lol. The packets are so handy! I am having alot of trouble eating protein at lunch. ALOT. My husband and I cut up a huge pile of veggies at the beginning of the week and then just scoop out 2 cups at a time - which is awesome. Easy. But then what do you eat for protien?! It was so easy to just eat a packet and run! Especially since I am in phase 3 and eating a HUGE breakfast, and I'm just not that hungry at lunch! Anyone have any ideas?

I am afraid of Phase 4, and thats next week. Ugh!

Couple of ideas: try smoked salmon for lunch. Not bulky, and tastes good. Get a large packet of organic chicken breasts; trim off any fat; pound them flat, like scaloppini; season liberally (Dash, onions and chives, sumac, etc.); [slow] bake wrapped in foil. Makes several meals; freezes well; easy to cut to the right weight. Ground pork, 95% fat free, made into a seasoned patty. Or one slice of IP-friendly meatloaf. If you make it in the microwave it is almost effortless. Google microwave meatloaf.

Fantastic ideas Linden! Thank you so much!!

So I just got the call that my wedding dress is in!! Now I'm 200% motivated!!! Life is great!!!

Like a dummy I neglected to add the last point: all of them are really good (or OK) chopped up and added to your salad with something like red peppers, fresh steamed asparagus (and cooled, or refrigerated until you need them), etc.

hi everyone- glad to see all the effort and dedication. it's hard, isn't it? life happens, fun things, sad things. i had a 2 week lapse. some serious emotional turmoil (dad died) (sad tears) lead to some of mom's home cooking and 2 nights with my good friend Bud.... of course the rest of the time was only coffee and dt. mt dew. i couldn't eat my tum was too upset. i am back in the saddle and going to see about this last few pounds. i was surprised at my scale tho, i am same as before. (151) it had been several days since the beers, so maybe that water weight flushed. trying to get off the dt. pop and back to the water and throw my veggies back in. we can do this!

does anybody know if you are still in ketosis in phase II