My friend at work started doing IP with alternatives after asking me what I was doing to lose. We always discuss our diets. Anyway, I'm staying 100% OP she is not. She is losing just as fast as I am. We eat lunch together and she always has things to eat that are not OP. I said something and her remark " I know but it's just a little bit". it's frustrating because if I weren't 100% OP I wouldn't lose

That is the worst! The women I work with eat junk all day long and manage to stay slim. We've had crave cupcakes, homemade cookies/cakes, donuts, Halloween candy, pizza, and New York Fries come into the office over the past couple of weeks. It's been ****. I have still managed to stay 100% OP but feel so grumpy some days!

We all eat at the same time and I sit in amazement at what they all eat and stay thin. I work in the cafeteria at the high school. So, we get a free meal each day. Most of them snack all day on the goodies, brownies, biscuits and gravy, and huge soft pretzels dipped in a melted jalapeno cheese.

Oh man! Can't tell you how jealous I am of folks with good genes!! I will say though, as frustrating as it can be, there is no substitute for feeling great internally even if the external isn't quite where it should be.

Question-- how many grams of protein should the non-IP meal have? I have heard mixed things-- 17-20g or 40ish grams. Thanks in advance!

Omg Jemma it must be excrutiating to work around food all day long! You must have a strong will!

Hi everyone,

Fun day today, shopping with Mom. Bought the cutest 9 West winter coat for $40.00, size 14 and it has a belt! We went out to dinner too. I am getting good at dinner out. I modified their dinner to tuna seared with bok choy clean. Asked for plain soy sauce and some wasabi. They brought a sauce with soy and wasabi. I asked- Does this have sugar in it? He went to check and said it had lots of corn syrup. Asked me if I was diabetic, I just said -I can not have sugar. He went to get me plain soy sauce.

I hope that all of you had a great Sat. too!

Thanks fore the heads up about prosciutto Slipfree! I'll keep that in mind.

Donated another three pounds to my clinic this week. Seem to be developing a pattern on small loses then big ones and back to small. So I'm hoping for another big loss this coming week. My doctor have me the ok to start exercising this week. I have an elliptical so she recommended 20-30 minutes on a low resistance/low intensity setting. Said a good rule of thumb for exercising while on the IP diet is that while exercising you should be able to speak in full sentences without running out of breath. Good luck this week everyone!

Congrats Jig...great donation!!

Soooo, still dealing with the hubby in the hospital. He got released and within 24hrs, we were back. It's really starting to wear on me and I am wanting to stay strong on this program. The hospital choices are definitely not the greatest so me staying prepared is key. I did get out and go to dinner last night with my step-son. We had Mexican since it's the easiest for me to do. I did eat 3 tortilla chips...my first slip on this program. I was really bummed that I did it but they were really stinking good! I really don't want to be that person that "gets away with it" and then continues to sneak in bites of this and that. I guess I'm just confessing. Feeling a bit down and it's just really hard (but not impossible) to stay OP. I just want life to get back to normal...NOW..lol

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!!

Airportchick11. I'm sorry to hear about your husband and your situation. don't get too down on yourself about the slip, it happens. Stay focused on the positive! It's only when we face our biggest challenges that we have our greatest triumphs!

On a good NSV note. I shimmied my sexy a$$ into a pair of size 42 jeans that have been sitting unworn in my closet for several years. Move over Brett Farve and Dale Earnhardt Jr. There's a new jean model gunning for your jobs.

Congrats JIG - that is great!!!!

Slipfree-Nice job on the coat and dinner. Glad u had fun with your mom

Airportchick11-Sorry to hear about your hubby. You are human and stressed out - I would have eaten alot worse then what you did. Remember to breathe when you have a chance. We are here for you!

Airportchick- So sorry to hear that your husband is still in the hospital.Can't even imagine what you are going through. I had a slip too. Bought no carb, low fat hotdogs as a quick dinner- oops, not allowed! Bummed me out too, but I learned a lesson. Check the list first. Do not beat yourself up over three chips, learn and move on. Sending you a hug and prayers for your husband to improve.

Jig, you made me laugh out loud for real. Congrats on your NSV and your WI loss.

So Thanksgiving will be my first big trip on the IP. Going to visit the folks and I am a little nervous about staying on the plan.
I plan on bringing my stuff with me on the plane - does anyone have any tips when it comes to traveling.
I will be there for about 11 days. My family LOVES to eat out for almost every meal UGH?

I have already decided that for Thanksgiving Day I will cheat if there is something I want to eat but we will see. I am ok with this if it happens.

Luccilove, where do your parents live? Are you flying? Lots of people bring their packets and bars with them. Eating out is not that tough, I just say that I have a very restricted diet. People have been very accommodating. I try to choose restaurants with steak, fish or seafood. I ask for the protein and the veggies as clean as possible (only olive oil) I don't mind lemon on my salad but WF also sells travel packages of dressing. You can even have fajitas minus the onions.

Will your family be supportive? Some of mine are, some aren't-but I really don't care, this time my health comes first. I really do not love Thanksgiving food. So it will not be hard to stay OP. I do miss pumpkin beer though!!

I told my Mom today- 6 months then I can have a glass of wine- it will be there.

We are flying. I live in VA outside of DC and the folks live North of Boston. I love my seafood and clam chowder!

They say they are supportive but we will see. I think my mom will be bummed that we can only go out for 1 meal a day. We will see. They want me to lose weight-my whole family is overweight except my hubby who is a stick!

I do have the WF dressing packets I am taking with me. I love Thanksgiving food-one of my favorites. I dont drink wine, beer, or soda (do not like any carbonated drinks) so I am a big foodie. I only drink water or ice tea-sometimes ice coffee but that is rare.

I agree with you doesnt matter if they support me or not. I am getting old and I want my health back. I have been overweight my whole life! It is annoying already!