Hi Everyone,
Have almost made it to the end of my second week and its not so bad. I found a substitute Parmesan Cheese thats not so bad tasting and great to sprinkle on my morning eggs and can't wait till I do my miracle noodles and meatballs with it on it. Its called Veggie Grated Parmesan Flavor by Galaxy Nutritional Food and you can find it in the cold section of the fruit and veggie aisle with tofu, and vegetarian products. 2-tsp=15 calories, .5 gram fat, no carbs or sugar. I use 1 tsp and it is only 7.5 calories. Not bad.

Morning, I have tried the soy patty and did not like it. It definitley needs something to spice it up. Good thing I only bought one packet. Good luck

Thank you Dana. I will have to find that tea and see if it helps. I know I have to hang in there and will do just that and stay strong!

Thank you hmt for proving the link to that article. I will make sure to read it. I drink up to 100 0z of water a day any will try to increase it. My coach has said that the water will balance but it is difficult waiting for that.

Thanks again to both of you for the support

I make my own taco seasoning mix and put that into the dry soy patty mix and then make it as directed. I crumble it up and put it on my salad with 2 cups of veggies. I use 2 tablespoons of a fresh salsa that I really like plus 1 Tablespoon of olive oil for my dressing. I now have a taco salad...yum!

I mix the soy patty up with IP friendly taco type seasoning and then crumble it up in the skillet while it cooks. Make a taco salad out of it. I find it has a bean flavor, making it acceptable for taco salad if seasoned properly. I never ate it any other way.

I think that eliminating the salt, soups, and omelets is a great first step. Also, drinking a wedge of lemon squeezed into a cup of very warm water helps me. I do that around TOM when I am so swollen I can't get my rings on before bed and it really helps. You might also start shooting for a little more water. Personally I drink 4L a day (which I think is about 140ozs).

Congrats on getting to maintenance!! That's funny that you say that about the snacks. When I got off the program in October I found I just couldn't eat as much as I 'used to'. It's amazing how your body adapts and really does know what's best for you.

I am not intending this to come out harshly so please don't take it that way, but honestly you might not be ready yet. You aren't going to get the results you desire with little cheats here and there, and in the long term you will feel deprived and wonder why it's not working for you. I read someone post that they would not cheat unless they were willing to tear up 2 $20 bills, because that is basically what you're doing. I'll see if I can bump the "Reasons not to cheat thread" for you.

This diet is a change in mindset. As for me coming off of calorie counting and WW I had to realize that this diet is totally different, there is no room for a bite or taste of something in moderation like there is on those plans, but this is a fixed plan. You will only be this limited for a certain period of time, and then you will be back to learning how to eat for your body and maintaining the weight loss (and can have the pie and cheesecake!). I hope this helps!!

I check my weight everyday too, the key is to not get discouraged when it goes up a little. For me, I know how it fluctuates and don't worry to much, I just like seeing the number, it's a control thing.

I've never tried the flavored propel water, but I do use MiO just about every day. I try to alternate it and do 1L plain water and 1L water with MiO but that's just so I am in the habit of drinking plain water. You're in your 3rd week (as am I in my restart) which tends to be where it really slows down. I wouldn't worry about it honestly.

Don't be discouraged as I too think the program is too expensive and with 2 children in college next year I can't think of wasting money but I have done the alternate program and looked at all these posts to get great ideas,recipes and ip packet ingredients to compare to get same ingredients and I purchase from Netrition, Lindora store and get ip packets from a friend.

Chuckles, you made me laugh out loud and my DH too, because he wanted to know what the commotion was about.

Thanks NavyMommy!

Just got home from the grocery store I was SO SO excited, I got a screaming deal (basically buy one get one) on MiO so I got 4 more to add to my collection I might be a bit of an addict, I have ALL the flavors. Don't forget, MiO is a Kraft product so if you have a coupon for a Kraft product or drink mix it qualifies.

Heading out today to get my hair cut and a pedicure. The haircut is just because I need it and the pedicure is to treat myself because I saw a number yesterday I haven't seen in at least 2+ years. I still have a long way to go, but I am making progress and that's what matters.

Hope everyone has a great OP day!

1FineChick - I bumped the cheating thread for you.

I am also in week 3 and I have been struggling myself. I haven't cheated but I am finding it so difficult to stay OP. There are nights I lay awake thinking about what I am going to eat when I finish this program! However, I agree that it is too expensive not to be serious about this diet. I also believe that since I have tried every other diet out there and failed, that if I don't stick with this one, I will always be overweight. In 3 weeks I have lost 18.5 pounds and in the past it has taken me 3 or 4 months to lose that much. I think we have to try and find strength anywhere we can get it. If I didn't have my WI this morning there is no doubt in my mind that I would have given in and had a slice of pizza last night. Friday night is pizza night in my house and always difficult for me, but knowing that scale was waiting for me stopped me. I hope I have given you some inspiration not to give up. These boards have been a God send to me but this is my first post. Good luck

good morning, hope everyone has a great OP weekend.

1finechick - Don't give up. It is hard to retrain our thoughts and behaviors. This is coming from someone who would eat a tray of pizza for breakfast - now i'm having a SHAKE. Your mind body and soul has to want it. My wake up call was a trip to the doctor almost 4 weeks ago, when they told me i have to see a cardiologist to check for heart blockages - I see this cardiologist on this tuesday. I am 26 years old. i thought to myself, something HAS TO CHANGE. I am slowly committing suicide each time I put something unhealthy into my mouth.

Being overweight, is not simply out of a bad habit, it's a lifestyle, its unmanageably when it comes to food. I felt out of control, i had to start looking at food as an addiction.

just keep your head up... you will have your wake up call too

Very well said MrsMurphy, when I went to the Dr for my hip and he told me he couldn't do a hip replacement because I was too big and if I didn't lose the weight I would soon be in a wheelchair. I did not want that. When I went see him 3 months later I was down 60lbs, he could not believe it. I just went see him 2 weeks ago and he was amazed at the progress I have made with 114lbs gone at the time. I am walking with barely a limp now and he said I more than likely will NOT have to have that replacement now. He said I am his FIRST patient to FOLLOW his request and I should be his poster child as to if you follow a correct food plan you CAN LOSE THE WEIGHT! You have to have it WITHIN YOURSELF, you have to find that Inner peace with yourself. ONCE you do that, you will kick this in the tail. Remember eating this way is only for a period of time...NOT FOREVER!!!

After all the talk on here about MIO, I had to go get some. I had a glass last night and it was so yummy. I am feeling a little guilty because that is my first non-water or IP drink in 4 1/2 months. Maybe I should just stick to water. My question is: why is MIO allowed (sucrolose) and some say no to Crystal Light or anything with aspartame and why is Splenda and stevia ok? Anyone know?

While I will agree this program is a little more costly then WW (however they have weekly meeting dues) The IP package is $4.00/meal. For those who eat out one or more meal a day, it is less expensive then a Big Mac, fries and a coke, or a Grande Starbucks coffee or even soup and salad at Panara or a salad or sub at good ole healthy Subway. You must be ready. My hubby and I started on IP on the day after Thanksgiving and many thought we had lost our minds. I am still OP (AND LOVIN IT) and hubby is not. I do agree with you that if you are not committed to IP you are just being unfair to your body honestly. One day you restrict it and then the next you cheat. It is a mind set and a real committment to yourself. Only you can decide when you are ready to change your life. IP really is a life changing journey! I have had issues with weight since I was 8 and know it will always be an issue and the older I get the harder it becomes.

Dont be hard on yourself, maybe it really is not the right time. But you are hear and hearing the good and the bad about one way that you can break the yo yo diets and lose the weight for good. I wish you much success in whatever decision you make.