Why thank you! It does feel pretty amazing - I'm looking forward to seeing how I change as I get closer and closer to my goal. I feel like I'm dropping pounds but not dropping as many inches as I'd like. But I've definitely lost my tummy! I'm headed to a wedding tonight and I'm wearing a dress that I wore a year ago - amazing how much better it fits now (and how much less cleavage I'm showing too!)

Getting close! How are you? Excited? Nervous?

I am just finishing up day 4, and doing really well. I discovered today that I LOVE cabbage! I also shared with some of my family the diet I'm doing. I've done so many and never really talked about them, but I found it really helped!

I'm thinking of starting a newbie thread since there are so many of us starting out...what do you think?

Jolie

HI Jolie,

I am getting very excited!!! Reading these posts are making me want to start even more.
I think starting a newbie thread is an excellent idea since there are so many of us.
I can't wait to start posting my success on here.
Are you feeling hungry or are the packets filling? I love cabbage, too. How much can you eat?
Only 3 more days!!!
Holly

Hello in here!!

I think a newbie thread would be great!

All the IP packs I have eaten have filled me. I really like the chocolate drink.

I am on day 3.

Everything I've eating has been pleasant enough: oatmeal, chocolate drink, mushroom soup, chocolate puffs and chocolate pancake.

I am concerned about how much sucralose I am consuming. Typically, I use a "clean eating" nutritional plan with minimally or no processed food. I did not know sucralose was the sweetener of choice for IP so my first order is full of these products. I have learned that I can eliminate the sucralose by sticking to the crepes, soups, chilis/stews/spaghettis and soy products such as crisps and nuts. I was dismayed to learned that the products sold in Canada are stevia sweetened but unavailable in the US. Hopefully, that will change...sure it has to do with our FDA.

The food is filling. Yesterday, when I felt the hungriest (late afternoon), I had some pickles, per my coach's recommendation. I also tried a vegetable I've never eaten before, celeriac root. Mashed, the celeriac was a great substitute for potatoes for my buffalo roast with broth.

My head feels a little clearer today and I feel more energetic. NOT the case on day 2!

Sounds like you're off to a good start! I am excited about starting IP, I am so ready to do something for me, to make me happy and feel better about myself.
I am looking forward to trying the packets of food, everyone seems to enjoy them. What kind of pickles did you have for a snack?
Looking forward to reading about your progress!!
Good Luck!!

Pickles do make a great snack. I like crunchy dills - homemade if I can get them. You do have to be careful with them as the salt content can play havoc with the scales.

Are you aware that most of the products you mentioned are restricted? Crepes, chilli/stews/spaghetti and soy products are all to be consumed only 1 item per day and most coaches recommend not at all in the first 3 weeks.

not a newbie, but I can let you know that it's been tried and the thread quickly sinks to the bottom of the first page and disappears into the archives. I think because newbies aren't newbies for very long!
Carolyn, 3 of the products you've listed are restricted products -- oatmeal, puffs and pancake. You know these are once a day items, right? As in, only one per day from the "restricted" category.

Also, let me disabuse you about the products in Canada -- the only difference is the packaging. The Canadian packaging uses metric measurements and bears English and French information. Sucralose and acesulfame-K galore, not a speck of stevia. Nobody makes special products for Canadians when they're making a version for the U.S. When the FDA approves a stevia version, we'll get it but not before.

[QUOTE=Carolyn Pilates;3628482]I am on day 3.


I am concerned about how much sucralose I am consuming. Typically, I use a "clean eating" nutritional plan with minimally or no processed food. I did not know sucralose was the sweetener of choice for IP so my first order is full of these products. ....... I was dismayed to learned that the products sold in Canada are stevia sweetened but unavailable in the US. Hopefully, that will change...sure it has to do with our FDA.

QUOTE]

Well helllo! I am restarting again too .. I cannot have sucralose at all- triggers migraines and is very bad for the bladder ( mine anyway)
I found a protein drink "Energy First" made with stevia,, no migraines from it..
yeah!
I buy a huge canister of each van and choc. (online from their website)
And use that as my protein drinks...with the lunch and dinner plan following IP protocol.
I'm trying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You're the best trier I know.

Hi Hollmark,

I started on Dec 4th and have lost 13 pounds (even with the cheating during the holidays - which I'm not proud about but Grandma's homemade coockies could not be passed). For me, I found that this change has been very time consuming. You have to be ready to spent time checking blogs, finding recipes, shopping for veggies and thinking about food almost all day long. However, it's been absolutly great!! I've found that I was not eating nearly enough veggies. I've found that I can live without sugar and cheese and bread (althought I miss cheese). I found that after the initial 2 days of headache, I don't even want or crave sugar. I've also found that I"m pretty full all the time. I'm sometimes hungry but I think that it's normal (who knew!!) .

Anyway, good luck, stick with it and stay focused. Trust me, it will change you life!

The other thing about these is that you should not be having the chili/stew/spaghetti more than twice a week - not each of them twice a week, but twice a week total from those packets.

Hi there,
I know it is difficult with all the planning you have to do when it comes to meals. I've lost weight in the past using the South Beach Diet...it worked, but once I fell off the wagon and got back into my old eating habits the weight came back FAST!!
I dread the meal planning, but having extra weight on makes me miserable!! All the work is worth it!! I want to lose 40lbs by summer..I hope that's an achievable goal. I've done it before, the hard part is keeping it off!!
You're doing very well, 13 lbs is great!! I hope I can post the same kind of results soon!!
Good luck, I look forward to reading more of your posts..this place is awesome!!

Holly