[QUOTE=mepeterson;3387102]So today I found out that I will be having major surgery on August 12th. ARGGG

So sorry that you have to go through this! It sounds like you have already been through SO much. We all wish you much success with the surgery and hope you will keep us updated on your recovery! P.S. Montana Rocks!

I just had to post somewhere...

I just finished my 8th week of IP - no cheating, no restricteds, no nothing off plan (but maybe a little extra on the allowed veggies occasionally) - and I've lost 40.6 pounds (by their scale, 42.4 on mine), and... 40 inches!!!

18.5 inches, if you just count bust/waist/hips.

I've actually lost 1-1/2 inches from my neck!!! And you can kind of see that indentation in the front? Which I haven't had for years!!

Calves & knees? Down 1.5-1.75", too (I don't remember exactly which was which). But the ankles? Still the same as when I started - cankles.


And I just looked at my signature... and realized I'm down over 90 pounds from my highest!!!!! One hundred pounds lost, HERE I COME!!!

carla, what sorority??? i'm alpha xi delta

sandy, i never had naked girls running around, except running the the community showers in the house, lots and lots of keggers and toga parties and community service and mandatory study hours:P and yipee!!! on the AWESOME -4 lbs!!

thanks darlin'!!


i have used them as a restricted bc of the fact that IMHO they're better for you and have higher protein(and taste much better). i could never imagine eating a "regular" pancake again bc i love those so much now. i also by the maple grove farms sugar free syrup for a bit less that WFs. i only eat them once, MAYBE twice a week and i've never noticed any stalls bc of them. only stalls have been my cheating times and my hardcore plateau i hit around weeks 6-9 where i could only lose about 1-1.5 lbs a week.

oh and add cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the mix, YUUUUM!

YAYS Erin!!!! its so much better than phase I. I totally lost weight during the first 4 days and then well messed up BUT its so awesome to use the left overs from the night before for lunch...I swear I love it.

BEVS: thank you very much! I saved it up. I am thinking of ditching my clinic as it has become a money pit and this will help alot. saved up and posted on fridge. I'll start phase III whenever this last 2 to 3 pounds is gone, not in a rush but I would like to have some of the yummy fruit I see at stores

Elizabeth: not the darn shoes, I went for a walk today with other shoes and the same thing happened. It NEVER did before this diet thingy we are all doing. I am going to take more magnesium etc on a regular basis and see what happs.

AS FOR ME: just got done with running around of the day. work, home, walk to store, cook dinner, eat, clean dishes, water yard, water neighbor's yard with a very dumb hose, now waiting for a new episode of top check to come as I missed the HD version already.

Also thinking about increasing training sessions to 3 per week instead of 2, that way I don't have to worry about what exercises to do for at least one day a week.

new habit that might be the death of me: at 2 pm sharp we have started to have a single shot americano with splenda, skim milk and topped with nutmeg. way bad or just bad???

Thanks! And thanks Bev for your input also. I feel better about 150. Someone had posted on here not long ago about body frame tests so I searched for the internet and found one for an elbow measurement and one for a wrist measurement. Pretty interesting!

Hoping for a speedy recovery for you!


Had my 3rd WI tonight.. down 2.6 lbs and 2.5 inches. Kind of bummed it wasn't more, but I'm glad to be losing. Has anyone had any luck with using lemon juice to keep you from retaining water? Or does just drinking more water work best? Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the kind words and thoughts and prayers. I will be fine. I am more pissed than anything. Ever since I was injured I have always said I don't live with a disability IT LIVES WITH ME!!! Having another surgery I guess just reminds me that I am human. Not that I think I am superwoman but somedays I would like to be. I am sure I will be fine and I do hope that my body will heal much quicker this go round.
I have some great things happening prior to surgery. I am going to Denver the end of the month for a convention for my business that I own. I am so super excited. I will be able to spend time with some of my best friends. So....there is TONS to be thankfull for. I just needed to vent. Thanks again!!!

Well after a month i have lost 10.2lbs and 24 inches, decided to go and buy some summer capris............. i usually wore a size 12/13 but now.....i fit a comfortable 7!!!! i was so excited, yippeee, amazing. I do have a question, wondering if i ate all of my 4 cups of veggies could you switch your dinner meat protein for a protein pack and have 4 packs instead of 3....any responses would be helpful. It would be a once in a while thing, definately not daily.

Ok, I'm trying not to be too bummed.

WI today and wasn't down even an ounce! How is this possible! I was very good, even laid off the beef, which I love, by the way, and was exercising. Also, even FELT like I'd lost weight. After losing a percent of body fat or so a week, nada.

Couple of ideas:
Last week my WI was in the morning, today last thing of the day.
My hands do feel swollen, so maybe I'm retaining water.

I know this happens to everyone, but it hadn't happened to me yet. I honestly must have looked at him with such an incredulous look on my face, because he actually changed the batteries in the scale for me, which was a little sweet.

Looking back at my food diary, maybe a little too much oil, but I can't believe that would make such a big difference. I've also been busy at work so I've been eating really late. **throws hands up in air** Who the heck knows.

It's ok, hopefully next week will be better.

Also, am I the only one who can't make the puddings? Can't get them out of the shaker, so am just eating it out of the shaker.

WOW WOW WOW

You're so fiesty! I love it! (we Melissa'a are just WIRED differently, aren't we???)


Use more water. I use an oz or so extra and I put a plastic baggie over the shaker before I put the lid on, so that the pudding doesn't get on the lid (I just hate licking the lid!!!)

WOWEE!! Keep tearin' it up!

Way to go! So fun to shrink out of your old clothes!

May I ask what your motivation is for wanting to substitute a packet for dinner meat? Is it convenience, are you hoping for greater weight loss...? My answer might change, depending...

Did you lose inches? In my experience, if you feel like you lost weight, you probably did. So yes, could be water, could be eating late (kitchen should close by 8:00 PM), could be stress. Bottom line: don't sweat it. The scale isn't everything. Just keep plugging, and the result will come.

I never even tried getting it out of the shaker. I just used an iced tea spoon so I could reach the bottom.

Kelsey, you are much classier than I am!

That's awesome! You should be -- and clearly are -- feeling great about that accomplishment and the results. I'm inspired by your compliance to the program!!! 8 weeks of no restricted foods and nothing off plan. How did you manage that?

Love your attitude and way of thinking. I'm going to steal your saying and use it when I talk to myself about some of the biochemistry challenges I have.

That's a lot of inches and a big change -- congratulations!

Unlike Kelsey, I lick the lid! I use a fork to remove the whisk ball, and just eat it out of the shaker. Yesterday I made the pudding at home and transferred to a container to bring to work. I used a rubber spatula to get every drop I could.

Week 1 weigh in this afternoon. I should be down at least 4 lbs, given IP is a 2000 calorie deficit from what it would take to maintain my weight. Should be interesting.

I am in the middle of week six on IP. My sister joined at the same time. We are doing three protein packets a day and 2 cups of vegetables twice a day with adding our own protein usually at dinner time. So far so good. I have not been hungry and if I think I am I munch on some lettuce .

SGorny- I am so excited for you. 40 lbs in 2 months is amazing--- and almost 100 lbs is even more astounding!! Well done....
Melissapeterson -- you are one tough lady. That description was so painful to read, especially the shocks part. Hope you are all new and on the mend asap. We are pulling for you.
I've been extra busy the last couple of days and have barely gotten in my vegetables. Seem to be losing a bit easier right now.(about a lb a day for the past 3 days) Those times come and go as they wish. (more go than come!!) I don't feel like I have a lot of control over them. But now I am wondering if I should eat a few less vegetables... just wondering.

You have to be a member of the forum for at least 20 days and have made at least 25 posts to get a tracker. At that point go up and click on "quick links" on the purple bar. Then click on "signature weight tracker." It will walk you through the steps. To get the other animations, when you're typing a message, look to the right of the message square at the smilies. Click on "More" underneath them.

Yes, the regular protein at dinner is to keep us satisfied. If you're satisfied with a packet instead, go for it. And congrats on the size 7's! Woo=hoo!

Jessica, I always weigh about 3 pounds more in the evening than in the morning after all the water I have drunk and meals eaten. So you can probably figure you actually lost 3 or more pounds.

I quit using the shaker early on. I just stir everything up with a fork or a spoon in whatever container I'm eating or drinking the protein in.