patns,

I had no trouble with phase III, I even lost a couple of more pounds, so don't panic (at least until you try it)

esammy - I can't get anything to work on this site, as far as pics and I had to use a different search engine for the past couple of weeks to be able to get on here and post

I've been having lots of problems too on this site. Freezing up and such. I finally started using firefox as my browser for this site and now no problems. I wonder what's up with that?

As I recall, you need to delete the code in your signature that adds the picture and not just the picture.

It's getting late here and I'm not sure I'll make it to midnight, so I want to wish you all a happy, lean, and productive new year which, by the way, I'm pretty sure it will be since we're going to make it so.

Went out tonight with the puppy for the first time in 3 days and my timing may have been off. Berlin is awash in fireworks, some of it being tossed off balconies. Scary, but pretty. (Last week after I bought some cough medicine the pharmacist gave me a packet of sparklers as a Christmas present. So different from living in states where fireworks are illegal. )

Welcome back, Ash, and Esammy, I'm truly sorry for what you've gone through this year. It's hard. You all are really welcome here. New beginnings all around.

Hey fellow re-starters! I see a lot of familiar names on here, and wish we weren't all in the same boat, but I'm glad for the company. I lost a good bit last year on IP and have maintained well, but I'm so not happy with where I stopped. Now my life has taken on a sense of normalcy and routine again and I really am ready to get the rest of this weight off! I started a new teaching job that I absolutely LOVE and I stay so busy there that I'm not even hungry. I've lost weight since starting (according to my clothes), but I know not eating is so unhealthy!
Anyway, so I'm back, and pumped up to restart! Hey Linden and Ash and Iowa!

Hey we're all gonna kick some fat to the curb this year. Let's GO!

Quiet night at my house tonight. Spending quality time with my two pups on the couch watching New Year's come in at Times Square on tv. Had a fantastic meal tonight of filet mignon with mushrooms and asparagus. For my cocktail a nice glass of water with MIO. Maybe I should of put it in a champaign glass Happy New Year's everyone!

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve at some friends home. It's the first time in many years that we went out and it was nice.

So, here it is January 1st. I just finished breakfast and I know it's time to get back on track. While poking through some of my favorite blogs, I saw that Robb Wolf (Paleo Solution author) had a 'Junk Free January' challenge on his website. I decided to make the commitment... no grains, no added sugars, no dairy, no dried fruits---and NO excuses.

His says stay off the scale for a month. I'll admit that will be tough, in part because of my weigh-ins, but I can just not look at the scale. I've said it to others, and I think it's time to put my money where my mouth is... the scale only reveals a number---it does not define me. So, I'm updating my ticker to where I was this morning and putting the scale out of sight for the month!

I should mention, that I will still be using IP as I have been, but I am going to be more careful about which products I use and what I add because of dancing.

I pray everyone is doing well and ready to commit to being the best version of themselves!

PS This is full permission to smack me upside the head if I whine or screw up. I know what it takes to succeed.

Hey yourself, JolieB. Welcome back! Lots of nice people here, getting it done -- however slowly, she said, just slightly disgruntled.

If I remember correctly, Marion, Aunt S went for months without looking at a scale and Carla had her coach record weight but she didn't look. So I guess it can be done. Personally, I like the input because it keeps me honest. But I sure can understand not wanting to look and then be ever so pleasantly surprised. And speaking of Sheshie, where are you? Where ever it is I hope you're having a great time.

I envy you a quiet New Year's eve, Iowa H. Mom. Berlin was a war zone last night and it seems to be picking up again, but just a little. And, thank goodness, I'm feeling halfway decent for the first time in about 2 weeks although it sure isn't from getting a good night's sleep last night.

At the risk of making my signature too long I've added a weight ticker back in. Goal? A healthy BMI. Anything beyond that's just a bonus at this point. I'd thought of making it 142, what I weighed the day before my son was born. But that's a long time ago and I will be awfully glad to get to a healthy BMI. Wishing you the same. Cheers.

Just 9 pounds, Linden... I have to say I'm jealous, but only of the proximity to goal, not every thing else. Sometimes I just want to be done with this, but I truthfully know I will never be done with this.

I have to wonder about my goal because I haven't seen it since I was in high school and I graduated in '84. I have to wonder if it is realistic, but then I think why not?

Why not, indeed!

And would I like to be at 124, what I was before I became hypothyroid and was told to eat carbohydrates, and more carbohydrates? Sure. But I don't think it's going to happen, and I also don't think it's a matter of will power. It's not an ideal goal but I can live with it so long as I can get below the weight, the exact weight, I've stalled at twice in Phase 1. Wish me luck.

We both have 9 pounds to go. Let's do this!!!

Pat

All right! Day 1 tomorrow! Good luck y'all!

Starting off the New Year with a bang! Back on Phase 1! Good Luck to everyone starting today! May your resolve be strong. Have a good day everyone.

I'm going to join everyone here for a week of phas 1. I have enough food (IP and alternative) to do a full week. And... Finally the rest of the world is on a diet and no longer eating for sport.