Welcome cajunladybug22! Sounds like you are having a stall. From what I have seen and heard around here, it might benefit you to move on to phase 2 for a while. The only difference is adding some real protein to your lunch (I believe), but several people can attest to it jump starting their weight loss again. Maybe they can chime in and back me up here... I believe Darbs may be on vacation, but I think she is one who has had success with this. Read back through some of the old posts here (even a few months back) if you have time and you should see several of those who this method helped. Not sure why. It might just kick start your metabolism again or just mix it up, but it seems to work. A lot of people even keep losing in phase 3. I would just say it's time to stir things up. If you aren't ready to go there, try having your protein at a different time of day for a while. Anything to get off routine. Some have also found that adding a few extra carbs in jump starts them as well. It's pretty trial and error, but you are doing so well! Keep up the awesome work and it will happen! Remember it's a marathon not a race!

Okay, it's time for a serious heart to heart with my internet peeps. I'm 7 lbs away from my goal and I can not stay focused. I'm majorly swimming upstream to finish this out I'm not sure what I should do next. On one hand, I'm a size 10, feeling good. But on the other hand, I would love to lose 10+ more and feel even better. Honestly, I'm struggling to not add in stuff here and there (avocado, cheese, turkey bacon, creamy dressings, etc etc). I've flown completely off the handle once a week for the last few. I've lost my steam. I'm considering phasing off and working out more to continuing getting my body in shape. Is this a horrible decision?? I just feel like if I were in phase 4 and, knew I got a cheat day, I could push through those other 6 days better.

What I can't stop thinking about is what I read Darbs write about how she was ready to be done in the 180s and feeling pretty good about things but pushed through.

HELP. I can't get my head wrapped around doing more phase 1 but I am scared phasing off could be the wrong decision too.

Honestly, I think you need to do what is best for you. I have pretty much the exact same stats as you (started at 244, goal of 170, 5'7" tall) and I am planning on phasing off at 177 (strange how this is all working out) and starting a running program. I will never say that eating whole foods as opposed to packages and adding exercise is a bad decision. I would phase off, then just keep in mind the scale. Just because you phase off doesn't mean you can't go back to phase 1 if you aren't comfortable yet. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

What is in your mouth in your photo?

celery

Thank you so much for this response! Your encouragement makes me feel alot better, and it's good to know that it's not just my body hating me. I need to get out of that mindset for sure! This past weekend, we took a trip to Dallas to visit friends, and I totally did something similar to phase 2. And this morning, I saw movement. Hopefully it'll translate to the scale at my official weigh in this week. Also still waiting to hear back from my coach, but I just appreciate the advice and experience here so much!

Thanks again!

Welcome cajunladybug22! Sounds like you are having a stall. From what I have seen and heard around here, it might benefit you to move on to phase 2 for a while. The only difference is adding some real protein to your lunch (I believe), but several people can attest to it jump starting their weight loss again.

Does anyone have the Phase II sheet that the coaches give out? I want to see if this will jump start my weight loss again.

Thanks,

I just answered your question in the post you made on the main page...Phase 2 does not necessarily jump start a weight loss...I gained weight in phase 2 which is fine since I am at goal... please please please take some time to understand what is going on with your body before jumping to phase 2...there are so many tweaks that you can try in phase 1 before going to to phase 2 as a "jump start" tactic as this is not the intent of phase 2 -- Good luck

The phase 2 sheet is at the beginning of this thread. But it is just the same as phase 1 with the exception of adding protein at noon.
I'm not losing anything on phase 2, you won't unless you're in starvation mode from phase 1. Experiment but don't lose control.
MR

That's exactly what happened to me! I don't know how or why, but my last few weeks in phase 1 were very frustrating...losses were .05 each week. I reluctantly moved to phase 2 and bam...back to 2 and 2.5 lb loss. I'm not finding that same "whoosh", as they say, in phase 3, but it's a bit more challenging to figure out what works and what doesn't. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hey, relax. You are doing great. It took me quite awhile to go from 182 to 165. The reason why....I planned a bunch of cheats....I planned them very carefully, but those cheats keep me going and taught me way more about my self and changing my habits than the 5 strict perfect IP 100% months.

Ease off a little and actually plan the cheats, but stick to them 100%. Then be 100% on the rest of the time. And stay on to 170. I am glad that I actually made it to 165...because the scale has gone up a few pounds....but I put it away for a few weeks because I was obssessive.

Good evening, after a scary start to the weekend and a family emergency that had me driving 5 hours both Saturday and Sunday. I am home again.
Best NSV ever, my sister just out of ICU was sitting beside her hospital bed when I walked in and her eyes got big and said... Wow Jo you look great. I started crying and told her she didn't... boy that was one way to cheer her up. She looked much better when I left yesterday afternoon and should be out of the hospital in a couple of days. Both my sister and brother were impressed with my weight loss. Now I have a question, do any of you get the following question So do you feel better? or Different? I am getting this quite a bit and lately. I tell the truth, and say I don't feel any different, I just look different.
Another NSV tried on size 10 pants today and ended up buying 2 pair.

SV - 4 lbs down today 36 lbs until my goal... very excited. Have a great night all.

Wow! 4lbs. congrats! I hope your sister gets well soon.
I get the "do you feel better" question often also. I don't know if I 'feel' better, but I do know I have a LOT more stamina and energy.
Size 10 does feel GREAT. I bought some Levi 501's. 32X32. My goal is 31X32 and then I am DONE! Almost there. WI tomorrow. Feel great everyone!

Sister is bored so I know she is getting better, broken rib and punctured lung... darn COWS...

I saw you talk about button up... do Levis still have them? I always wanted one but was too fat... I can't wait.

Very scary about your sister, but glad she's doing ok! Also way to go on the size 10's and the 4lbs!