Good luck!

I'm wondering if I should have a forth packet tonight. It is currently 9pm here and i am craving really bad. I input all my food into my fitness pal and it says I have only eaten 576 calories today. That is incredibly low!! But whenever I have had a forth packet I have stalled in weight loss. But on the other hand I don't want my body in starvation mode and not lose weight either...... HELP?!

Hi everyone!! I am not on IP yet but went to the free class yesterday and have my consultation on Tuesday! Weird, random question, but do you wear normal clothes for your consultation/weigh-in? Mine didn't say anything about clothes. But --- totally humiliating -- I am down to 1 pair of jeans that I can squeeze myself into. It's pathetic. And they are SO TIGHT I have to keep them closed with a rubberband LOL (Reason #754 why I am starting IP...)

I literally have no other pants right now and do not want to go buy new fat pants if I'll only need them a few weeks. I'm mortified to get measured wearing these pants as I am sure the tightness makes my waist/stomach way fatter than it really is.

First weigh in and I'm down 11.2 pounds in one week!

I completely agree about being an addict. The main reason I decided to start IP was because I was so out of control with my eating. I thought about food all the time and had no self control with eating. I was even eating a lot in secret. I was more miserable over all that than I was over my weight. It feels so nice to not think about food all the time. Yes I still think about it, and sometimes the cravings hit me out of the blue.... But for the most part, in just the 3 1/2 weeks I've been OP, this diet has really simplified my relationship with food. It makes me nervous to think about maintaining this self-control once I'm done with phase 1.

Hi, and welcome! I did the same rubber band trick with several of my pants, too. I wore jeans the first day. I don't think you need to worry about them seeing your rubber band. I'd bet these coaches have seen and heard things we can't imagine!!! And just think how good you'll feel once those jeans are BAGGY!!!!

itzroxy814- my clinic measured over my clothes. Just wear a shirt that covers the button.

Melissakate- I was using sugar to medicate my emotions, in particular my stress.
Without that crutch, I had to deal with a coworker situation head on. Thankfully, taking a stand has made the situation much better for me. Would not have done it,without my IP crabbiness at the beginning.lol. As for food, I think about it in terms of planning now. I did not cook a lot prior to IP now I am cooking every night and trying to be creative. Overall, I just feel like my body is cleaner. I am not bloated, my skin looks better(must be all the water) and I feel like I am taking care of my health. You are right, feels good!

Giving it Away- Wow! Fantastic loss.

Claustin, my clinic said to have the extra packet. if you were starving. Sounds like you were. I think that I struggle with the idea that this is a race to lose, but you know better than anyone that there really is no end. We have to permanently change our relationship with food. That is why I have not tracked the calories and keep a written food diary, I am just blindly following the protocol. I figure if I follow it, the weight will go in its own time. As for the Halloween parties, bring your own snacks. I have to go to a Charity Tea(scones, cookies, little sandwiches) on my birthday(family obligation) . I am bringing the strawberry wafers and the new soy chips.

We can do this! Our health and spirits deserve it. Plus, we are going to look so gooooood.

Thanks Slipfree I get fixated on the numbers. From doing other diets (I have never been heavy, I have a solid/thick/muscular build so extra weight just makes me feel like a football player or really huge) I have to stay between 800-900 calories a day to loose weight. And unfortunately for me if I eat pasta, breads, rice I can gain a pound a day easily, and those are my weakness foods (besides chocolate anything lol) So I have done low carb diets my whole adulthood. Keeping track of the numbers helps me stay on top of my food habit. Well most days anyway. I wish I could get rid of this Sugar monster once and for all. But it has only been 6 days. I just have to take control of my thoughts and cravings. I WILL HAVE THE UPPER HAND!! 100% OP this time around. FOOD WILL NOT DETERMINE WHO I AM OR HOW I FEEL!! We got this!!

(ps. your last line made me smile )

I learned this trick years ago to quit obsessively thinking about a subject matter. I find it works for food. Whenever you start thinking about food force yourself to think about something that makes you happy. Immediately redirect your thoughts. For me, as dumb as it might sound, I would put on coconut hand lotion and think of the beach and the sun. Sometimes all you need is a distraction to get you through the next 10 minutes.

I've been on the program for 3 weeks and the results are great, but my stomach is growling. I haven't had this problem, is this normal 😐😒

Yup, 3 weeks for me too and my stomach growls. More later at night. I just drink more water.

Good day All,
I've been on IP for three weeks now ad feel awesome! Three way in's later I'm 15lbs lighter and can feel the difference, still have a long way to go but feel motivated at this point to keep on going 100%

Hi everyone!
I got off track for a day but I'm back and ready to be 100% OP today. The funny thing, nothing was quite as good as I had built it up in my mind over the month that I was OP.
I hope everyone is having a good morning.

Was just thinking about that. Feels good to have survived the month. It is getting easier and less tempting to "sample" foods.

Good morning all. Had an incredibly busy and tiring Saturday. It was homecoming here and since my daughter is a cheerleader, we were in charge of it all. Had to get up very early yesterday to help decorate and set up at the school for the dance, then had to chaperone last night. Hubby and I were there the entire time. Afterwards was clean up, then some of the girls (and boys) came over to our house to watch a movie. Thank goodness the boys left at 1:30am (more like I kicked them out so I could go to bed!) Anyways...with all of the excitement, I was able to stay 100% OP! Even had pictures at our house where we offered the parents wine (I'm trying to get rid of the open bottles from book club last week). I'm very happy to say, I didn't have any. Just kept sipping my water....all night. Another NSV for me! Who knew I could have 2 in one week?!?!

Agghh sooo many congrats on pounds given away and nsv's!! So proud of all!! We have a friend from out of town and I haven't been able to get on for a few days. They were going to have something that I really wanted so I just declined to go. They begged and I begged them back reminding them of my goal and that this particular place would be entirely too hard to be there with only 3 weeks under my belt. I feel they understood but I just feel the need to have my boundaries. I wanted them to go because it's a great place, I just don't feel it's a safe place for me yet, as they only serve one item I could eat.
I'm getting nervous about staying on this for 9 more weeks before the next phase (if all goes well). I am fine with breakfast and dinner. I am having a real hard time with lunch. I am so tired of the vegetable choices and I'm really trying to mix it up. I know myself, and I know I will not eat over cheating. I know that is not good either. I just am taking a promise each day to eat my lunch, but it's getting frustrating. Is anyone else having this issue? Like I said, everything else, I am happy with...it's just the dreaded lunch.