Just something to consider as you transition through to the rest of your life ... If you find yourself having a hard time once again resisting carbohydrates, consider eliminating sugars, grains -- wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn, rice, sorghum and millet -- and, legumes -- soy/soya, chick peas, peanuts, black beans, etc.

The grains and legumes contain lectins which interfere with the leptin cycle. Leptin is a hormone made in our fat cells and sends the signal to our brains, "We're full, satisfied, don't need to eat anymore." Lectins interrupt this process, and our brains don't get the message. Guess what we do? Eat when we don't really need more food.

Wheat and the other cereal grains contain small amounts of opioids. Before starting IP, I was someone who ate a LOT of wheat. In the first days/weeks, I was cranky and tired and easily angered. It turns out that I was actually going through a withdrawal similar to anyone coming off an addictive substance. You probably were too! And guess what about addictive substances? Oh, right, we have a little bit, we want more and more and more. So we eat when we don't really need it. If you really want to get scared and/or prepared, read this MD's blog post about who's come up with a solution to this problem.

Sugar doesn't contain opioids but has been observed to trigger our brains' production of opioids. No wonder it feels so good to eat it and after eating it!

As if that weren't enough, one of wheat's most harmful proteins is agglutinin which interferes with the absorption of Vitamin D3, and damages the lining of the intestine. Each grain and legume has its own unique version of this.

If you find it hard to eliminate completely the grains and legumes again, then use them judiciously. Maybe none or only a little bit each day, but allowing some/more on the "cheat day."

I'm Svelting I appreciate all of the science behind your answers. Thank you!

When you said your tattoo was going to be DNR - I thought that is what you meant

I'm so happy for you and glad I was able to help!

Hey Svelting... just wanted to chime in on this... I find I feel better and function better restricting grains and sugars... even on maintenance, I get my carbs from veggies and fruits, rather than grains and wheat. I had white bread a few weeks ago ..... I didnt even realise they still make that stuff and felt horrible. Dont really care for reg potatoes anymore either, prefer sweet potatoes or yams, I think this is my body's way of telling me what is good for me and what is not . Congrats on getting to "over half way too goal" that is fantastic and getting to onelander whoop whoop.

Midlife... my prayers and well wishes go out to you, your daughter and family, keep positive, believe she is already better, enjoy every moment and laugh as much as you can .... I have many survivors in my family and that is the one thing about all of them, they live, love and laugh hard!!!

Meggie....I am so sorry to hear about your daughter...I have several friends who are breast cancer survivors...I will pray for her. Keep positive. to you and your whole family.

Gaile

Hi Girls

I have lost almost 60lbs...feeling great and so many people tell me I look great...BUT I still have at least 20 to 25lbs to go and am finding it difficult to keep at it...
I am going to do the old "one day at a time" thing...I so want to lose the last amount of weight, so if you all could either send me some of that WillPower or ButtKicks...it would be appreciated

on what you have done so far for where you still want to be. You CAN do this

Big buttkick to you Journeysend! You have done awesome so far so keep at it! If things are feeling a little drudgesome (word?) or boring then maybe it's time to read through the recipe threads again and find something that excites you.

I'm feeling the same way. I've lost 47 pounds, and I'm 3 pounds away from my original goal and 13 away from the final goal. I'm getting bored with IP and feel more tempted than usual. (I would KILL for a pizza.) I think that because it's getting cold out, I want HOT meals for lunch and it's getting harder to keep eating salads. I'm tired of cleaning Romaine lettuce and vegetables.

So, what I'm doing is treating myself to vinegar and EVOO with fresh garlic dressing like I did earlier on the program (I'm using WAY more than 2 tsp. of olive oil a day), going ahead and having a restricted every day or every other day if I feel like it, eating more than 5 oz. of protein at dinner, drinking more coffee (I love my Keurig) and generally, just trying to keep keeping on but making things work for ME.

Thanks girls...it helps to know that I am not the only one feeling this way!! Yep guess I will keep doing one day at a time. Had turnips tonight (our store finallygot them in and they were delicious. Hubby did salmon in the oven and with a big salad, supper was great!! Now just get through the evening till bedtime...Almost there!!!

I am in my second week of phase 4. I am doing very well so far and go back and forth 1-2lbs. I spent four days at my daughter's home and did not gain. I continue to weigh in every week through the holidays just to keep myself in check.

I have my same breakfast and lunch and then for dinner some carbs. I find I am not as hungry and do not really crave grains like I used to. I was fairly anxious about how this was all going to work, but as with many of the others, you just slip into the new life and it becomes routine like the other phases did.

For me it is important to weigh each morning. I have a 3# leeway. When I get up 3# I will go back to a no carb day to stop any gain. I know I will not go back to eating like I did before - ever. I too feel better not eating so much grains and very little sugar.

I did lose size all the way through to phase 4. I think that has evened off now. So far, life is good!

Have most of you transitioned to Phase 3 as described in the plan or have some of you taken other paths? The reason I'm asking is that I have decided it's time for me to transition off of my crutch of IP and start making some healthy choices on my own, not to mention I really want to be able to exercise and not keep losing muscle. I'm not too worried if my weight loss slows down because it might give my skin some time to catch up, but I don't intend to reintroduce grains.

I'm planning to use some packets, but mostly to transition to foods that I'll be able to eat for the rest of my life. I was thinking just to introduce a two-three new items a week and see how I do with them. Overall, make sure I keep my protein up, my carbs low and that my total calories consumed is less that what I expend.

I think that if you're only talking about incorporating proteins into your diet in lieu of packets (like Phase 2) then you should be fine. But, if you're going to be starting to add carbs (starchy vegetable, grains or fruit), then I think it's important to do a full 2 weeks of Phase 3, so that your pancreas can "restart" appropriately.

Although not at my goal, I phased off of IP 2 months ago in preparation for my wedding and honeymoon and did the full 14 days of Phase 3 so that I could eat "normally" while I was away. It was great. I continued to lose while in Phase 3. And, even after enjoying my wedding and honeymoon without really putting any restrictions on myself, I only gained 5lbs. The even better news is that I lost them all within the first week that I got back on IP.

It worked so well for me that I'm considering phasing off of IP for the last two weeks of December as I'll be away from home staying with family and don't want to be "dieting". So, I will probably start Phase 3 around Dec. 1st.

As a side note, Phase 3 was my favorite! I loved the big breakfast, who knew I'd missed yogurt and fruit that much?! And, I lost a few more lbs. and felt great.

Good luck and let us all know what works out for you.

Thanks for sharing this info.

What will you be using instead to get carbs, then? Potatoes? Carrots? Or do these fall into the categories to avoid?

Katie, you're welcome. It's been an engaging exploration for me and I'm gratified that my sharing what I've learned is, at a minimum, interesting for others.

I've been having root vegetables and squashes. I haven't had any potato yet and won't until I'm used to what I've added back, probably in a month or so. I've been having a sweet potato and red onion casserole at breakfast for the starch (and the deliciousness ) as well as fruit. I love roasted root vegetables -- parsnips, carrots, turnip, potato. I may cook a pan of that for next week and just toss them in a saute pan to heat them up in the morning.