Congrats on beginning! I hope it works well for you!!!

My first week I almost always had celery in my hand because I always felt hungry or the need to eat (grabbing a celery stalk helps ward off the bf eating a bowl of ice cream). Now I almost always feel full and have to find ways to be able to get all my required food in. Wild how the body and mind adjusts.

As to the leg cramps and headaches... I'd suggest several things. First definitely mention it to your coach, but check the forums or even mention it in daily chat. For myself, I had severe headaches because of my switch off of Mt Dew (I usually get migraines whenever I've tried). Check your "How Your Body May Initially Respond" sheet, it covers both headaches and muscle cramps. More sea-salt and water may help with headaches. Have you actually measured to make sure you're getting enough of both? Remember that if you drink caffeine, you need to drink extra water. And for the cramps have you been taking your supplements as directed?

I was told not to exercise initially (apparently it can be counter-effective at first), but perhaps your coach instructed otherwise.

As for food, there are many discussions on flavors!!! I myself love all the puddings I've tried (sorry, haven't tried the lemon or strawberry though). They go great with either coffee or chai tea depending on the flavor. You'll find everyone's taste varies... I LOVE the banana pudding in my coffee!!! And a new favorite is the orange-mango drink with a little cold chai tea (to cut the sweetness). Hmmm... talking about this makes me want to try that orange dreamsicle combo I saw on a thread.... yummy!

Thank you WorldTraveler!

Good luck on your journey to lose weight.

I started IP about 5 1/2 weeks ago and have lost 21 pounds so far. I started the plan about 2 1/2 weeks before my 50th birthday. This afternoon when I looked in the mirror, I could not get over how much better and younger I look and I still have about 60 more pounds to go!

I was quite fortunate that the first several days of the plan I did not have any of the adverse effects. Most of the time when I was really hungry the first week, it was time to eat anyway. When I started getting hungry I had a cup of hot tea with lemon and that helped. I think a couple of times I did use a 4th IP supplement.

Now between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. I usually get very hungry. Some days I have an extra IP supplement, some days I use that time for my 3rd IP supplement of the day, and other days I have extra veggies available to eat along with having a cup of decaf tea with lemon and Splenda. My coach has instructed me to go ahead and have extra veggies to get rid of the hunger. He's not concerned if I have more than 2 cups at lunch and/or dinner either. (I don't think though that he meant on a daily basis, but I did not ask him.)

I am very grateful to have all of you for support (directly and indirectly) and I will support you all too to the best of my ability.

Mary

PS I liked the lemon pudding, but not too keen on the strawberry pudding.

Welcome!

In the past I've generally always craved chocolate, but for the past few days my first strong cravings kicked in. Its not for chocolate... but for cheese and PB!

I hear you with the cheese. I am a mouse when it comes to cheese and I miss it. I have been using the grated parmesan in the "can". It seems to help some.

Good morning!
I am new to IP, currently on week 3 day 2. I weigh in on Mondays.
week one -7.8
week two -4.2
total= 12 lbs in 2 weeks!! yeah!!

Hi there,

So happy to have found this board. I just started the on 10/15... couldn't believe the results after just 1 week... There is hope! Well just wanted to say hi... I am slowly reading through the posts trying to get a feel for the site and gathering all the great info on here.

Hi there, I posted in the daily discussion yesterday but no one responded. How can I upload a picture? It keeps telling me my upload had failed. The pictures aren't big either. Any one know? Also, yesterday was my first WI and I am down 7 pounds! I got the chocolate puffs and I had a whole pack yesterday on top of the required meals. I don't know if that's considered a cheat?? I too have a hard time with kid's food and licking their yogurt top, etc. then as soon as I do it, I wash my mouth out with water and spit it out. Habits are hard to break, so I'm getting into this new habit and hopefully I'll stick to this way of life from now on! I LOVE how my pants aren't rolling down at the waist now (only when I bend over) and that's worth it, just for that! Congrats to all, I feel your awesomeness

Amy - way to go on the 7 lb loss!

My coach told me yesterday that it was okay to have up to 5 of the IP packs a day when we are starting out.

I did that too Leigh and I feel it helped!

Congrats to all on their successes!!! So far IP seems to be truly ideal! Keep up the good work!

I really don't know about the picture, I would try daily chat again. The experienced members are usually very good at answering and they have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to help! Sorry it was missed the first time, but they truly are wonderful at helping. Remember with the soy puffs that they are restricted so just try not to have 2 restricted. I was told initially that initially an extra packet is fine. After just 2 weeks though, I've noticed that once I started getting all my salad and water in, I haven't needed extra. Making my bf's PB in the morning.... so tempted to lick the knife! (actually did a couple times the first week and felt bad). Seems to have gotten easier though as my body starts adjusting. Cheers to better fitting clothes!!!

The Walden Farms peanut spread is pretty good for PB cravings!

Thanks Leigh and 100Butterflykisses! I'll repost again. The Choco puffs are really good, so I'll stick to just 3 if I really have a chocolate urge. Thanks.

Almost to week #4 and waited too long to eat dinner tonight. Ended up eating an extra protein bar......of all the things to have a restricted was probably not the best. I was ready to dig into anything at that time. I'd already eaten a fairly big dinner. It just hadn't satisfied me.....feeling a bit guilty with weigh in tomorrow and all.
AmyonIP----I had Coco puffs at 3:00 FOR A SNACK yum, YUM!