I share your fear and I'm totally addicted to my scale, which is not a good thing. It shows the numbers going down, but no one has really noticed yet. Not even my BF. As of this morning my scale says 14 lbs gone and I'm into my 5th week. I was supposed to have a WI yesterday, but the doctor was called away, so I'm going today. I really want to strip off all my clothes and get on her scale....LOL

Goood Morning!!

Just stopping in to say Hello!!!! Hope everyone is enjoying their week and staying on plan!!!

joellio: I see we are the same height. When i was 198 it wasn't until I got around 175 that people were like wow!! It's because we are so darn short but don't worry it will happen.

Morning All! Just wanted to share a NSV with you. I've been feeling a little bummed this week as the scale has not been moving as usual but I needed a new pair of dress pants for work (the baggy butt is getting embarrassing! ) I just got a pair Size 10! that used to be my dream size! I also got a 36D bra! Feeling better about that stupid scale.

Tennessee - congratulations! I'm so happy for you!

My coach also says to avoid all aspartame. When I was pregnant I was told to stay away from it because it wasn't good for the baby. I still won't let my kids (now teens) have anything with aspartame in it.

People still won't comment to me. I've lost over 40lbs and the only people who have commented are the ones I have told about the plan from the beginning(husband, 2 best friends) The weight loss is obvious but some people just don't want to acknowledge it. I don't know if it is jealousy, they feel uncomfortable, or they are just too wrapped up in themselves, but it is discouraging. How I feel is more important then what they say.

I made it through my first WI. Minus 9! Even if it was water weight, I sure don't miss it!

This week I will move my snack between lunch and dinner. Guess I will add lettuce for dinner also. I thought lettuce ~ and the second teaspoon of oil ~ were optional, not required.

I think people are a little jealous. Especially females! Lately I have had people start to notice and say something to me. Yesterday, I had my pharmacist ask, "just how much weight have you lost"? She hadn't seen me for some time since I no longer take any meds.

I've been in that frame of mind before, when I saw other people losing weight and I would get a little jealous that they were doing it and I wasn't. Now the shoe is on the other foot!

NINE POUNDS! Awesome job! I try to eat my lettuce with two meals but don't always get it done. But, I've been told that we are suppose to. Helps fill you up and helps with keeping you regular.

I found a soda pop called Nevia at the store the other day. In was in the "health food isle" or section of the the snack isle. They were there with he Hansen's and Blue Sky sodas. I didn't get any, but I will next time.

Splenda is the brand name of sucralose with is a chemical dirivitive of sugar. Stevia is an extract of the stevia plant. They are unrelated.

amylew- the spreadsheet you are working on...is this alternative packets...not IP? I was wondering because if it is, maybe we should specify what brand they are...I order from nashua and lindora and they all have differences. If it is, I could work on it....I have quite a few boxes at home....and a few here at work. Let me know!

darn scale hasn't budged again for 4 days....I hate the nonbudge. Ugh

Went to supper last night and ordered a spicy chicken salad (it was Mexican night). It came in a taco bowl....so I dumped it out and handed the bowl down the table for others to munch on. Problem was......the salad was nothing more than a side salad with chicken. BOO!!! In my frustration/hunger, I ended up eating 2 small softshell tacos off of a friend's plate. I know, and I regretted it, lesson learned. Stick with what you know....don't depend on a salad being big! Naughty Julie!

Uh, duh....sorrry amylew....just noticed the tabs! Lol!

mama dancer: I think it is jealousy, but you also have to remember something they are jealous because of the time, effort,stress,excitement, all of that that goes into any thing in life but weight loss is a hard one.

Julie: What were you meaning by being different with the food packs? I can deal with half the price versus 90+ a week it was to the point I really couldn't afford being on the program anymore, but I do love the variety.

Hope everyone's having a great day! Linden thank you for answering about the pills. I spent way too much time trying to go back and find the post I thought I had read, and didn't want to have to try again. Oh, and thanks everyone for talking about how great the Cheese Curls are. I finally tried them last night and yum!

Always forget to ask about them, but I believe there are 3 Recipe Books. I'm sure prices vary, but at my place you can order them for $15 each.

Thanks for pointing that out! My sheet says cabbage (red, pak choi, bok choy) and I never even noticed the parenthesis! I have a head of green cabbage and no idea if its any of those. I was going to make some cabbage soup today too!

I wonder if it doesn't make people uncomfortable. My bf's family is all short, tiny women (under 120). They are very size conscious and always comment on each others gains or losses. Well, I guess he had told his mother I was dieting and she came over yesterday. She saw the box I keep my food in and started going through it so then asked if its worked. When I told her I'd lost 15 lbs she didn't even comment and instead was like oh no, they're all packets, what are you going to eat for thanksgiving? I was really bummed and confused since they all make a big deal over 2 lbs with each other. I chalked it up to the fact that it's easier for her to ignore it, kinda like how I've gained 60 lbs while I've been with him and no one's ever commented (thankfully!).

I was told to avoid carbonated beverages. Can't remember the reason why though.

The way it was explained to me is that carbonated beverages contain carbonic acid. The IP diet is an alkaline diet, and the carbonic acid diminishes the effects of the diet.