They are nice to have around for the day after a cheat day or any time for a snack or even a quick meal with added veggies.


I answered this in another thread, but I have a different answer today. I tried on a dress yesterday that I had tried on a couple of weeks ago. I had bought it several years ago because it was only $5 and thought maybe someday I could wear it. Even a couple of weeks ago, although I could zip it up, it was way too snug in the bosom. Yesterday it looked decent enough to wear to church. So I guess the body CAN still reshape for awhile after the diet is over.

I use the Maple Grove sugar-free pancake & waffle mix even in Phase 4 when I want pancakes. They have 6 net carbs and 15 grams of protein for a serving of 4 medium pancakes. If you mix it with whey protein, you can up the protein to about 22 grams and lower the carbs to 4. Regular pancakes just don't have enough protein in them for a meal.

Well now I know where everybody went... since I came back from Italy I have been reading the daily IP and not recognizing a lot of names. Still wondering where Melissa is and Novak and some others...chaplains wifey for example. Went to IP doc today. I have lost 55 lbs of FAT. WooooHoooooo!! Pretty thrilled about that! Staying at phase 2 for awhile. Still have some pounds to go but I love reading about big breakfast 3 and then 4... something to look forward to! Right now I need to stay on track with phase 2. Cheated in Italy of course and now cheats come so much easier than they ever did before. Boooo to that.
Trying to be strong.

I sure know what you mean. I want to lose 10# more and have been doing mostly phase 1, but my coach had me do a couple weeks of phase 2 to jump start my loss, which it did. I really want to finish out in phase 2. I need to be really strict and just get done!

My thanks too to everyone for their ideas on what to eat in phase 3 and 4, esp jartiles and marypeter. I wish I could attend a seminar too.

I'm still using packets and though I have started buying RTDs from other sources, I see this as part of my "forever" life...I want to be able to have "dessert" a couple times a week, and I can't imagine a better choice than some IP vanilla and rhubarb, or hot chocolate drink etc. 100 calories and high in protein just can't be beat. And if it keeps me from going back to eating sugar, I'm all over that idea! I've looked at so many other bars, etc. but cannot find any that are as good in terms of calorie/protein/carb ratios (and taste as good) so I'll stick with IP there too.

there is a lot to be said for the convenience too. Today I was at a client meeting and they brought in lunch (pasta and plain green salad). I was able to eat the salad, and pull out a bar to fill in rather than turn to the pasta. It's so empowering to have this control over my life now! gotta' love IP

[QUOTE=BevS;3497138] I answered this in another thread, but I have a different answer today. I tried on a dress yesterday that I had tried on a couple of weeks ago. I had bought it several years ago because it was only $5 and thought maybe someday I could wear it. Even a couple of weeks ago, although I could zip it up, it was way too snug in the bosom. Yesterday it looked decent enough to wear to church. So I guess the body CAN still reshape for awhile after the diet is over.[QUOTE]
Thanks Bev. Appreciate the input
Jean

I know this has been asked before, and I've tried to search for it, but no go. Phase 4 of the IP diet prescribes a "mandatory" cheat day, followed by a Phase 1 day. On that Phase 1 day, do you go strictly back to Phase 1 - i.e. 3 IP packets and the prescribed protein at dinner, veggies other times? Or do you just cut out carbs? I can't find any reference on the IP site either.

Thanks. Just trying to figure out how much IP stuff to stock up on, now that I'm inching towards "Life After.."

You needn't use IP products... just cut out the carbs. Though you could do Phase 1 or 2, if you prefer.

You're back!!

GeeWizz...I am having a hard time on Phase IV. I am, as of this AM, up 5lbs. I am concerned and need some advise. I understand after a "cheat day" I should do a recovery day. Novac, I just read your post that said I could do Phase I or just cut out carbs. And I've read that after a "minor cheat" no problem just go back to Phase IV. I know the "definition" of the minor cheat but this is the area in which I seem to have the problem. Is a hamburger bun and a pack of M&M's a minor cheat or BIG one for example? And how should I handle the recovery?? Maybe I am having to many "minor cheats," How many do you guys have and what do you have? And how do you recover?
I appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Is this 5 lbs the only weight you've gained back? You're supposed to gain 2-5 lbs of glycogen reserves back when you leave ketosis.

My approach to phase IV may be a little different than others. I'm just eating healthy and eating appropriate portions of foods, and not worrying about following a particular protocol. I'm not eating cookies, candy, etc. so I don't know if that's considered a big or little cheat. I suppose it depends on how often you do it? If it's a one time thing I wouldn't worry too much. A single bag of M&M's won't make you gain 5 lbs. A bag of M&M's several times a week could though.

Ok, I have a question for you Life After's. I had a goal weight I wanted to reach, but also had a set date for when I would begin to phase out. I made it within 2 lbs, and am fine with that.

But, my overall plan was always to phase out, give my body a break, then go back to phase I to drop about 10 more lbs to bring my BMI more comfortably in the "healthy" range. Right now I'm at the very top of "healthy" and want a little more of a cushion.

So my question is this, I'm in maintenance now and since I had followed the protocol for phase III to the letter and have in theory retrained my pancreas, do I need to repeat phase III after returning to phase I to drop the remaining 10 lbs? It seems that since the objective of phase III is to retrain the pancreas, and I have already done that, that I shouldn't have to do it again. Thoughts?

It's not so much retraining your pancreas as re-setting it after ketosis, I think. So yes, you would have to go back to Phase III again. Just my guesstimate. Maybe one of the experts (Bev! Novak!) will chime in.

I re-read the Life After Phase 1 Sticky and found some info posted by Novak after she attended a maintenance seminar. Yes, we do have to go back to Phase 3 after an extended period on Phase 1.

Novak: "Decide on a weight that tells you it’s time to do something more serious. If you hit that number, go back on Phase 1 until you drop down to your ideal weight. Maybe it takes 3 days, maybe 2 weeks. Then do Phase 3 again. If you want, just plan to do 2 weeks of Phase 1 annually; Dr. Z reserves the 2 weeks every year after the holidays to get back with the program."

Stacey, yes it is only 5lbs after being on Phase 4 for about a month. I've gained it back alittle at a time. But then again, IT IS 5LBS...rats I've been watching some of the ladies in Phase 4 noted goal weights and current weights and it seems like theirs are staying below goal. I'm not jealous (well...not much) I'm just concerned that I will always be on this roller coaster and I want to make sure I'm doing the right things. Oh for the guidelines of Phase 1...NOT! Maybe just the security of it. LOL

Not impressed! I had my first weigh in tonight since I started Phase 3 last Thursday and I was up 1.6 lbs. Thankfully I overshot my goal by exactly that much in Phase 2. Weird coincidence, eh? I didn't cheat at all, so does this mean that I'm one of the "lucky" ones whose glycogen stores were restored? Should I be concerned? What were your experiences?