65, Ruth Ann, schenectady and getnlean, I am number 4 of 5 sisters as well! We stay in close touch with a daily ongoing 'group texting' (Hawaii69 is number 3)

How wonderful! I can't imagine not having my large family. The holidays are a crazy chaos that I love, but it is so nice when just the 7 of us get together. Awesome that you have family support for I P too!

Thanks! I got another NSV today, too: one of my MALE colleagues (the art teacher) told me that he could tell I've lost weight.

I had a male collegue mention my weightloss today too.... isn't it wonderful?? I know some people get uncomfortable (and I have too on occasion) but when its just a sincere complement I eat it up!! Okay, you would think by not I wouldn't use the word 'eat' like that!! Still learning apparently.. LOL

I haven't caught up to the end of today so maybe people have answered these all but I think
1) you're starting to look smoking hot and your hubby is noticing and thinking everyone else is thinking your as hot now too! (= compliment in a weird way)
2) As someone said, he may be feeling self-conscious about himself. Validate that you appreciate his worries, and that he's right - his wife IS smoking hot -- but isn't he a lucky guy that your eyes are only for him
3) I liked all the other advice given about safety precautions to go over with him to show him you're as prepared as you can be.


I would buy a shaker at Walmart (cheaper than IP) and leave it in your car with a powder packet. You can get a bottle of water at any store/drive through/vending machine to have a cold refreshing shake that won't go bad. I tried adding the powder to a water bottle and made more of a mess than it was worth. Lol (or get a funnel at dollar store -- that would work too)

I'm not sure about "wrong" but you do have BBQ chips for breakfast snack and then an Caramel Nut bar for pm snack = 2 restricteds. Turn one of those into boiled eggs or celery or something. A shake can be much more filling too if you add the ice and make a smoothie. I get 2-3 servings of thick liquid from one shake pack. If the taste is too diluted you can add a shot of a flavour liquid like a DaVinci syrup maybe? Finally, loads of people have mentioned to make a large salad. At work when I make my salad people at first questioned "Is it staff lunch? Are you making that for all of us?"... Nope people -- get your eyes off my prize!

My thoughts are that when I'm on IP I'm taking more vitamins and eating more healthy food than I ever have before so I can't see that hindering your immune system. It is a brutal time of year for illness and tons of people are sick right now. I have all of the above, including sinus and sore throat - we all just keep getting better then giving it back to each other. Just remember to avoid cough syrups etc. that are loaded with sugar

The BBQ chips aren't restricted, they just taste like they should be!

Just a note: BBQ chips are unrestricted

Great minds Hiker! And I didn't realize you and Hawaii were sisters - how cool!

Ruth Ann we must have been typing at the same time! Yes Hawaii has been inspiring me to keep going and her workout schedule will be tough to keep up with when I start maintenance!!

Hello, I M new to this and have been on ideal protein for a month. I am close to my goal weight now because I only had 20 pounds to lose but have not lost much since the first week. I lost 12 pounds the first week and barely 2 since then. I am a bit frustrated. Has this happened to anyone else out there?

Thanks for updating me. I haven't been to a clinic for many months so I didn't know we had BBQ chips! I just have the "ridges" and they were restricted. I'm using up old IP products and most of mine expired Sept/Oct 13. I guess I need to make a trip to a coach soon if there are CHIPS available! LOL

12 pounds the first week is amazing. However what is typical is big loss week 1 and maybe 2, and then it evens out to much smaller numbers. Part of the 12 pounds is glycogen or something (I forget) but as soon as you go off this diet, you will probably put 3-5 pounds back on as soon as you start eating carbs regularly again. (Don't want to scare you -- it's just the chemical reality of how this diet works)

Yes gaining bAck is easy for sure but fortunately I'm not a big carb eater but I do have a Sweet tooth that has always been my problem which of course is where I get most of my carbs from. Hopefully this time , will stop eating before it get back to where I began.

Whoa wait what? The bbq chips are unrestricted??????? IP BBQ chips? Um... if it wasn't so late I'd go get the box but I'm already in bed.

Excellent! I love the PJ party idea! And after losing my brother in 2012, I know that one day we won't all be together, either, and that it can happen anytime. (One big motivator for starting IP!) I love my big, crazy family, and treasure making memories with them, as silly as they may be!

Awesome!

Too funny! Night!