Blue - yes, I would consider almost 4#'s a decent "whoosh"!! You go girl!!

FM - love the moniker & welcome and yes, this is the mindset I believe we ALL need to adhere to! I am coming to the realization that I am going to have to work, probably for the rest of my life, at maintaining a healthy weight.

Welcome Wiynter I have to admit after the first 2 - 4 weeks, my mood has stabilized. I am no longer dependent on food (or BEER) to soothe my issues. That first month was tough though as I went through withdrawals from everything I'd been using to smother my feelings / stress (sugar, carbs, and alcohol). I had to adapt, and forced myself into new habits. I still have bad days and run into stressful situations, but now, instead of grabbing a six pack, I meditate, or take a walk, or listen to music. Every so often, I "feed the beast", but with healthy choices, like celery sticks - there is nothing better for alleviating aggression than crunching into celery!

Susanne - What Amber said...and just for kicks, here are my WI's for the last 10 days...all morning (between 5:30a - 10:30a), all in the birthday suit
6/29 - 177.0
6/30 - 174.8
7/1 - 175.2
7/2 - 174.0 (-60!!!! Yay )
7/3 - 173.2
7/4 & 7/5 - camping
7/6 - 175.8
7/7 - 175.6
7/8 - 174.2

Fluctuations are normal and to be expected

Question for the group - Biotin recommendation? This may be one of those 'trying to close the barn doors after the horses got out' situations, but the hair loss has really ramped up in the last month TIA

Wiynter I experienced some weepy days early in the process when I'd just cry all day seemingly over nothing (I am post menopausal). I'm now in week 25 and it very rarely happens now. I was told that as the fat is burned, hormones are released and that was the cause. Made sense to me.

Beth I've take biotin supplements since before I started IP. I get mine through www.vitacost.com . I take two vitacost brand 1000mcg biotin a day. I have only noticed a few strands in the drain now and then. I'd say it helps. I believe they are having a B1G1 sale on Vitacost products at this time.

I had a nice little NSV at my WI this week.

A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to say goodbye to some of my clothes, just couldn't wear them anymore.
I found some pants that I had packed away a couple of years ago because they were too tight then, and YES, they fit.
Well, sort of. Maybe a bit loose, but wearable, I thought.
So I was wearing these capris, when my coach was measuring me, she said, looks like these are getting too loose on you. Time to go shopping!


It got me thinking though, later. When I put them on that day, I thought they looked OK. A bit loose, but that hides things, doesn't it?
I'm so used to seeing myself looking fat that maybe I can't see myself looking thinner. Sometimes it takes someone else's eye.
I need to work on that.

Blueskies I went through a similar process at around the point you are at.
I actually had to get to know my body - I kept choosing the wrong sizes. And though my proportions stayed generally the same, they did change some. My upper torso, arms, legs are small, my hips are bigger in proportion than they used to be. I carry my weight a little differently now.
I went to Victoria’s Secret one day on a whim, I was the only customer there (it was a slow week day afternoon). The clerk asked me what size I wore and I just said “I don’t know”. She measured me and started bringing me things and that was the first time I tried on a small since I was practically a child. I would have never even tried it, and having something fit was so much better - I finally started wearing more fitted things.
Today I had a new shirt that was kind of a flowy baby doll (which used to be my favorite) and I realized at the end of the work day that I’d been feeling fat all day, and it was because the shirt was a size too big and not fitted. I felt pregnant all day. It was an inexpensive shirt that’s really cute, I’m going to give it to someone it would suit better rather than return it. I don’t want to wear things that give me a negative feeling.

So it’s a learning curve, be kind to yourself, that’s what I keep reminding myself also.

Grabbed some biotin tonight - 5000mcg *fingers crossed*

NSV - I noticed this week that I *fit* in my Honda Civic drivers seat lol That might sound weird, but I've never seen the sides of the seat & now I can...and also, I can feel the contours, as opposed to my rear end spilling everwhere. At my largest, my rear / hip actually touched the door

hysteria_625 Thank you for posting your weigh ins! That was great to see, makes the journey feel not completely alone, ha!!! Congrats on losing 60 pounds!!

Amber, thank you. I’m so glad you continue to stay on the forum, and share your experiences and advice – you’ve been where we are.
You’re right on the mark, of course. Last week, I remember one day I was feeling particularly fat and dumpy, and looking back, it was probably because I was wearing something that doesn’t fit. I’ve been so happy to actually be able to get back into clothes that used to be too small, I haven’t been critical of whether they fit the new me at this stage. It’s not easy to do, but I like your “negative feeling” description. If I wear something, and find myself not feeling good about it during the day, it’s probably because I shouldn’t be wearing it.

Actually, when I reached 20 lb lost, I went through all my stashed away clothes, really all I had were just one or 2 sizes down, so everything is in my closet now (except for only a couple that I can’t quite get into, but soon!)
So, since there is lots of summer left, I have a day set aside next week to do some shopping while all the summer things are on sale… I will follow your example, maybe go into some smaller stores that are not too busy and just ask the sales clerk to help me pick out few things.



Beth - Congratulations on the NSV.
Funny the things you notice, made me laugh.
(Why are we all so conscious of our backsides?)

Of course, you know you’re looking good, your mirror is telling you that…but now you know you’re looking good walking away!!
Do you ever notice that you're walking differently too?

Talking about body images we have of oursleves really hit home with me this morning. Before IP I barely would look in a full length mirror. I just didn't want to see what I had let myself become. Now, I force myself to stand in front of mine, naked, in my all in all as mama use to say, and get to know my body as it changes and goes through this process. I still am not happy with what I see (is anyone ever??) but I am beginning to see the body that I want to have as I head into my late 50s and beyond. Trying on clothes from the "other side of the store" is a new experience, one that I really never saw happening again until IP. I still feel as if someone may look at me and think to themselves "WTH is she doing over here? Surely she doesn't think anything will fit her." This is something I have to get past. I know I can fit into "normal" clothes now. But sometimes, when I look in a mirror to see if I like what I'm trying on, I still see that "biggest one in the store" lady that I use to be. It is truly a mind thing all the way around, from making good food choices, to sticking to Protocol, to liking what I see when I look at myself and truly accepting the fact that I am now a smaller person (still have a ways to go yet but I'll get there!). I, too, bought clothes to hide what my body had become but now I can buy clothes that "fit". That muffin top is there and likely will be for quite sometime but I can deal with that way. (My biggest struggle is keeping with any kind of exercise regime, whether it be light toning or ab work.) I totally agree with the "if it makes you feel bad don't wear it" thinking. My closet is pretty bare now that ALL of my "fat" clothes are gone. I still have several T shirts that fit loosely but I wear them around the house. They are all from my camping trips and fav places so I just can't get rid of them! They'll be sleep shirts soon and then dust rags once they are completely worn out! Anyway, that was totally off the subject...
carry on! And have a great rest of the week!

Hello, all! I started the IP protocol on my own on June 8, using alternative versions of the IP foods. A friend has lost 65 pounds over the last six months on IP, so I know it works. I'm nearly 5 weeks in, haven't cheated once, and have lost 17 pounds so far. I'm already one size down. Yes, I'm happy. Especially because, being post-menopausal, I've had such a hard time losing any weight at all over the last few years.

All your posts and encouragement have been really helpful as I've been lurking here for a week or two. I'm hoping to be at goal weight by the end of November, as I have a Caribbean cruise planned for December, and my son's wedding next summer.

Hi,
I started in April and envious of those who started in winter! Should have, would have, could have...
I've lost 41 lbs in 13 weeks with no cheats using alternatives. I have a 4th packet about once or twice a week as hunger dictates. It's strange, my week usually has 2 hungry days, 2 days where I have to remember to eat, and the rest are just normal hunger.
Even more than anything else, I love the way I feel. So much energy! And happier.. A strange side effect is a heightened sense of organization. I have learned to plan my whole day of food the day before. There is never any guessing on what I will have.
Travel is part of my job. I've never been in a situation where I couldn't eat, because I can always have my bar, a shake or crisps in my bag. I've learned when at a daytime business function, there may not be something I can eat, so I eat ahead of time, or know that i'll have a big dinner w/ all my veggies and a juicy steak. I often lose the most the weeks I travel. I sense it's because I eat a few more calories than the meals I cook at home.
I feel like every summer, i'd say, by next summer, I will have lost weight, and every summer would be the same. Except this summer. I love this summer!! Enjoy!!

Hi All! Just felt like responding to the discussion here. You are all doing so well!

Yes, summer is great and it's really nice not to be ashamed of my body.

I lost 80 on IP between June 2012 and March 2013. I started a little mini-reboot yesterday to take off 12 pounds that crept on. The key to keeping it off is to remain vigilant. If there is a month that I see I'm straying from the way I should eat, the scale will confirm it. I have a "barrier weight." If I hit it, I go back on P1 for a while, until I go back to where I want to be. I've decided that it's fine that way. I do not EVER want to have to lose 80 pounds again, so if I need to do mini-reboots, I will.

Anyway, the discussion about clothes and body image is a good one. Yes, get rid of the very big clothes. I gave away all of my really big sizes. I was down to 4-6-8 (can't believe that one) but if I remain 6-8 I'll be happy. Right now I'm more of 8-10. But I will not ever go back up to 22 or the X sizes. In fact, one of the main motivations for me to maintain is that I get to wear all of the wonderful new clothes that I (gradually) bought in the past 2 years.

But here's the thing: I still find it hard to believe, after 2 years, that I wear S or even XS. Even when I feel very fat, I know that I'm not as big as I was before IP.

I agree that those loose fitting tops are comfortable, but I still feel big in them. I spent so much of my life hiding behind large flowy tops. Now my shirts are more fitted and feel much better. I'm over 60, BTW, and I feel like I'm getting younger and younger!

Have a great day, everyone!

Hello and congratulations on your fantastic progress! Sounds like you have some great goals to keep you motivated through the summer and fall!

Congratulations on your success so far - 41 pounds is awesome!! I have been traveling quite a bit for work this summer and have found it challenging. I do okay with the food, but have a hard time getting my water in - I am often in vehicles with others or in meetings wherein cannot duck out all the time to use the bathroom. How do you handle getting your water in when you travel?

I don't travel for work only pleasure so I understand the water thing. I try to drink at least half of my daily requirement before I even have my breakfast packet. So by time we're on the road (usually by 9am) I have "gotten rid of" most of that. Then I try to drink at least two 8oz bottles worth over the next 3 or 4 hours (about the time we spend driving from point A to point B). Another 8oz or so with lunch then again at dinner. If for some reason I'm still lacking, I'll drink an extra hot tea or two (this water can count as long as tea is decaf) before bed. I only get up once or twice during the night to pee. That has been the norm for most of my adult life.

I am always the driver (I get carsick otherwise) so when I need to stop I don't have to wait for someone else to make the decision! I know where all the clean (and some not so clean) restrooms are along the entire stretch of IH 10 in Texas! And that is a long stretch!!!

Hello ladies,

Just coming here to share with you guys that I am oficially out of the obesity range and I am now overweight. Still a lot to go but I am quite happy to reduce my health risks. I went from a BMI of 35 to currently 29.4. I am very happy and feel proud of myself. To celebrate I am taking the rest of the afternoon off and gong out with husband to a nice day out tomorrow!!! Keep up the good work and don't discourage of your diet. Its hard but we can do it!