Good morning beautiful IP'ers!

Been reading through everyone's posts. Looks like some good losses and some good advice out there! Woo hoo!

Was happy about the cleaning NSV yesterday, but I noticed something. The more tired I am, the harder it is to chase away the craving. I'm only on day 5, so I know it is likely to get easier. But man, I even started crying last night. I don't know if it is the changes in my body or that it's getting close to TOM, but I was lamenting the hubs throwing away my "friends" from the freezer the other day. I even almost begged to go off program and get a salad at a fast food joint that I know I couldn't make IP safe. Thankfully he reminded me that I wanted to do this and gently put his foot down. I need someone to do this! On other diets I allowed myself to cheat.

I was also thinking about what some of you said yesterday and the day before about having to love yourself and not berate yourself. I think it is also important to forgive yourself. I have to forgive myself for letting this unhealthy weight get out of hand. Easier said than done, but I think I'm on the right path.

I am so glad it is Friday, Happy Friday all.
Going for my #8 WI tonight, from my scale it looks promising to be close to the onderland but that close...another week maybe two.
Really looking forward to the weekend, tomorrow I give blood and being down 35 lbs from the last time I gave I want to see if my blood pressure is down and if it is faster giving now that I drink so much water. Then as a treat my friend and I are going to my favorite restaurant "Daddeos" and I am going to have a nice catfish salad and water... can't wait, that has been my treat since starting giving blood years ago...of course then it was a catfish poboy... but I am okay with the salad...

Longdivision - way to go I am happy for you, so tell us how did your Date go?

Hollyfer - I know others have answered you about your grocery trip but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents... The nutritienists say to only shop on the outside rows of the grocery store as that is the least processed foods and where the vegetables are. Also I don't shop in a grocery store for anything but meat now. Try to find a wholesale/farmers market vegetable place near where you live. We have a great one in Edmonton and that is the only place I get vegetables. that also stops me from lerking the isles in stores to see all the stuff I considered good before IP. Take it one day at a time, you will do fantastic. For your morning headaches? I would try drinking more water just before you go to bed... if you are like me I have to get up in the middle of the night to go, but the weight loss is worth it.

TatiN - snacks - yes the bars and chips and puffs are restricted so you can only have one, but do you really think they would be offered to us if it slows our weight loss. As long as you only have 1 restricted a day you shouldn't have any problems... also there are some good snacks in the recipes. I had a chocolate pudding with a caramel faux apple bake last night and it was very good. It hit my sweet tooth spot.

Juice - have a great birthday party.

Everyone else with successes this week, congratulations if we stay on plan we can all have wonderful lifes.

Everyone who is going through a rough time, my thoughts are with you and if we all stick together we can get over those times as well.

good morning!

A lot of encouraging words for the weekend ahead. I NEED it because weekends are ****.

I sometimes switch my protein meal during my lunch so that when I get home to cook for my husband and kids i sip a shake while i cook then when I sit down to eat, I just have the veggies and my salad and i am not tempted to eat more.

I've always made healthy choices for the family (I just the one who loves to gorge on deserts...alone...hiding in my pantry...) so my IP cooking has had a ripple effect and both my kids and my husband are benefiting.

It's amazing the hundreds of ways you can cook broccoli!

Just came on to read your posts and say hello. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Judy

I can totally relate! I am also a slow loser, but, you have to think - wow- that is 14.5 gone and that is fanstastic!! People will start to notice, it took me awhile to for others to notice because I have so much to lose. Hang in there, it is so worth it and you will feel so much better!! I was so skeptical at the first meeting when the coach told us how we would feel better and have more energy. I haven't felt this good in years!

We are all friends and this is the best support you can get! Have a great weekend and keep smiling!!

It IS a very sad thing. Imagine a smoker, trying to quit, and watching someone flush all of their cigarettes down the toilet. Or an alcoholic watching someone pour all their alcohol down the drain. It's a part of you that you are saying good bye too, and it's HARD to say good bye to something that was so much a part of your life. On top of all of that, Day 5, though probably easier than days 1 through 4, is still a hard day. Quitting carbs cold turkey gives you headaches, causes fatigue, and makes you cranky, which means you ARE emotional.

WTG to your husband, though, for being caring and loving enough to look out for you and remove those temptations from your house. It's SO much easier when the others in your household aren't eating IP no-no's.

Something to look forward to: It DOES get so much easier, you'll become stronger, and you will have a much easier time saying "no" to "bad" foods. Keep up the good work, I know you can do it!!

I'm so glad you're feeling better about things today! I just read through yesterday's posts this morning, and when I read yours I could literally feel all those old feelings again that you were describing. It made me wish I could somehow just reach out and pull you through the next week or two to the place where you see & feel the difference in your body, and that becomes more real than the feelings of deprivation & isolation.

You will make it - and you'll be so happy!!

As far as the headaches go, just wondering, you're having your snack in the evening, right? Some people have found eating it close to bedtime makes them feel better in the morning.

You know, I really believe this eating plan affects every part of ourselves - physically, hormonally, emotionally, mentally, even spiritually. Feeling our emotions to a greater level is common I think. Heck, I actually started tearing up watching Dancing With the Stars the other night! I mean, seriously, DWTS?!! I've actually been wondering if, just like physical toxins that are being released and can make us feel lousy for a while, emotional 'toxins' are as well...

Anyway, I'm just so inspired by your vulnerability and determination, and, just like everyone else here, I'm cheering you on from afar! You're going to make it!!!

Try drinking sea salt in warm water. That's what worked for me.

Good Morning! I have had an incredibly stressful work week and had resigned myself to the fact that it might reflect on the scale yesterday. So it was WI#8 for me and I was down 4.8 lbs!!

This forum goes through a lot of phases based on how many experienced/new IP folks are posting. One thing that is consistent (and is out there right now a lot) is the group of us who are 'slow losers'.

For those who think of themselves as such-- TRUST in what you are doing. Relax. Throw away the scale and do what you are doing. It WILL work over time. I've had more WIs that have measured 1-2.5 lbs than ones over 4. In fact, in 8 weeks I have had 'only' 3 WIs over 4 lbs.

Remember how fleeting time really is... 8 weeks goes by in a blink of an eye. Losing 24.4 lbs in 8 weeks is, for me, incredible. Don't get too stuck in the moment on IP. Focus on the goal.

Thanks to: J, M, S, J, T, L, B, A... I don't want to write 'names' since there are too many people out there to thank for the support, but you know who you are. Your dedication to the program and to all of us you've never even 'met' is fantastic. It would be really hard to do this alone.

WOW! Amazing! Great job Lucky Chick!! I love what you said... you're so right... look at the big picture.Congrats! Keep up the good work. We can do this!!

I tried the fine herb and cheese omlet this am and really liked it! I just can't remember if it's a restricted. I dont think so but can some let me know for sure please?

No. It is not restricted. It is really good with sauteed veggies added. I like putting in asparagus since it is in season now. Yummy!

You can eat it 3 times a day if you wanted to! Lol. I wouldn't recommend it of course, since that means you might get sick of it quickly!

It's a great way for me to get a cup of veggies out of the way. I add mushrooms and scallions, sometimes leeks to mine. Mmmm. I also add a bit more water and scramble it instead. It's a bit too dry for my taste if I only add the amount of water it calls for.

Have fun experimenting!

Love this post - so true!!

Congrats on the great WI! I know what you mean; I've been seeing pretty small numbers since the first couple of weeks, but those small numbers are taking me where I want to go!