I started IP on May 21. My weight-loss goal is to lose 30 or 35 pounds. My health goal is to lower my cholesterol and reduce my risk of heart disease. I've had good success on Weight Watchers in the past and was down to (and sometimes a smidge below) my goal weight ... and maintained for a few years. I took up running around that time, too, and eventually ran some 5Ks, 10Ks, and a half-marathon in 2013. But, I eventually let a whole bunch of life situations (surgery, foot injury, work/life stress) derail me from health. So, I decided to try IP and I hope the phases and the process and the coaching will help me learn how to maintain better. With WW, I didn't really know how to maintain ... particularly as my activity increased or decreased. It wasn't clear to me how much more (and of what type of foods) I should eat when my running was at peak - and then how to adjust when all that came to a halt due to surgery & injury.
Okay, enough history
I lost 7.2 pounds in the first two weeks ... but after the initial 5 pounds, the scale didn't move for 5 or 6 days. I was following the protocol (no cheats), so that was perplexing and a bit depressing. I had hoped for a bit more loss on the front end. I kept encouraging myself by reminding myself that the weight-loss was a healthy weight-loss (vs. unhealthy loss of muscle).
I'll also note that I was still battling a respiratory infection when I visited my health coach for the initial consultation (a Wednesday). So, she encouraged me to wait to actually begin the program until I felt better. I left with my food and wasn't sure exactly what day I would start. I decided to start on Saturday. I was still under the weather, but I figured I'd rather start it on a weekend (even if under the weather) than a workday. I didn't struggle too much with hunger ... in fact, it was quite difficult to fit all the veggies into the day. I have since figured out the best way to spread out my veggies, my own protein, and the IP products throughout the day. Now when I get hungry, it is because it is time to eat :-) I was a bit tired that first week, but is hard to tell if that was from having been sick or the program or both.
I'm really hoping this next week shows a bit more progress on weight-loss.
Oh, somewhat funny story. A week into the program, I had to mow my yard (push mow; not self-propelled; some slope). Not normally a fun job anyways, but tolerable. Except, I nearly fainted half-way through. MyFitnessPal says I burned around 460 calories mowing (which was 460 calories I didn't have to spare). I was staying hydrated, but at that point I went in to fill up my water bottle again and I added the IP salt (which I should have done with the first bottle). I also had one of the lighter IP products for breakfast. I shared this with my coach who said next time I could have an extra IP product on days I mow (or 2 HB eggs, or 3 oz. of lean protein). I did end up eating a bit extra lean protein that first day, but I was still pretty much wiped out and zonked by 7PM that night. I'm happy to report that the second time I mowed (yesterday) it went much better. I had a heartier IP breakfast (a restricted item), stayed hydrated with the salt-water (add some lemon juice for flavor), and had a wildberry yogurt shake as soon as I came in (to replenish).
I wish you all the very best and I'm looking forward to cheering and encouraging each other through progress and challenges!
You have to look at the big picture. Week 1 you may lose 3 lbs, week 2- 1 lb, week 3- 2 lbs, and week 4- 3 lbs- that averages out to 9 lbs a month, 18 lbs in two months 27 lbs in three months. Doesn't look so bad when you look at it like that!!