Hey Claustin,

Just saw one of the lights that I mentioned in the Gardener's Supply catalog,$99.00.

Are you doing IP on your own or do you have a coach?

Happy Sunday fun day!!

Put up the Christmas tree today since I will be gone for almost two weeks and I won't feel like doing it when I come back. Been relaxing, lots of hot tea while having a chronic dry cough for the past 3 days. I swear I am ready to rip this throat out. I looked for some homeopathic remedies and the biggest one is honey...YEA RIGHT! I can't do that!!! Sooooooo hot tea and Ricola is all I got.
Watching some football, returning emails and making my shopping list for traveling.
Does anyone here use alternative products? I am seriously thinking of switching out a few products. SUPER nervous about doing it, for results and for what my coach will say. I feel like I am doing really well and I have so much support here. I just need to cut costs. I'm thinking of quitting my job after the first of the year and I need to start saving instead of spending. Any thoughts on EAS carb control and Quest bars? Favorites? Ones to stay away from?

YAY!! Can't wait for you to be in ONEDERLAND!! (love that)

Airportchick,

Thank you! I can not wait either!

I have thought of using the quest bars. From what I have read they are not all created equally. There is a thread on this board that explains which ones are better for IP. Some, number wise look unrestricted but Lisa said her losses slowed when she had more than 1 per day. Lots of people talk about Ordering from Nashua Nutrition.

I spoke with my coaches (always see a different person) and decided to have weigh in and coaching every two weeks. After 12 WI, I have to pay another 250.(not doing it!) By going every 2 weeks, it extends me until Valentine's Day. From there, they offer per diem 20.00. I think I will weigh in every month but continue to buy the food. I know that when I am done, I will need some type of breakfast drink. I have to be at school by 7:30 and I hate eating that early.

What type of job are you thinking of quitting? Will you look for something else or become a Domestic Goddess? How is your husband feeling?

So sorry to hear that you are sick, flying with a cold stinks. Have you tried a humidifier, Vic's and a Neti pot?

Hey there Slip...Vics is on my list to buy!! Neti pot, although awesome...makes me gag..lol.
I am in management. I don't think I'm a good manager, motivator yes...manager, disciplinary, and paperwork..no. I don't know what I want to do when I grow up! (I am 43)I tried the domestic goddess thing and I got a bit bored, so I would like to just do something I truly enjoy part time. I'm fortunate enough that I can do that. Hubby is doing really well! Down to one pain med a day and is getting use to how it hurts him when he does certain things. I can't imagine breaking 6 ribs in multiple places...I just can't imagine!
I think I am for sure going to use the EAS drinks. Not for all my packets but even using them once or twice a day will help. They are so much cheaper. I have been looking at the Quest bar labels. There is a crap ton of sodium in them!! I'm not too sure about that. But then again, like the EAS, maybe having one or two a week can help with the cost. Plus it will allow me to see if it is affecting me.
I didn't know I had the option of a bi-weekly weigh in. I might ask about that.

Hope you are having a great weekend!!

Saw this message on another thread. I found Onmyway's story inspiring so I asked her if I could copy it here, she said yes and that she hoped that she doesn't sound preachy.

"One thing I would add is make sure you are weighing and measuring raw. 8 oz of chicken or sirloin shrinks down to a reasonable sized portion when cooked.

Kale, spinach, collards and other greens 2 cups raw shrinks to a much smaller size when cooked as well.

Try the spinach in your shakes: it's one less cup of veggies to eat.

If you are eggs as extras its only the whites that are allowed. IP is also VERY low fat - egg yolks have higher concentrations of fat.

If you are always hungry: why not make your 8 oz of protein in the morning and eat a little of it each time you are starving during the day: by dinner you'll have hardly any left to eat.

Also no one has mentioned all the stressing you are doing: getting all worked up and constantly thinking about why you are not losing will raise you bodies level of cortisol. Research has shown that higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol make it harder to lose weight ad actually cause the body to store fat around the abdomen.

Also are you getting enough sleep?

Drink your water. It is critical to flush your body of toxins being released by the breakdown of fat and the process of ketosis.

Are you adding any sweeteners or syrups? if so - stop - recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners cause insulin release and blood sugar spikes just like real sugar.

last - sometimes at 4 -6 weeks or so your body has to readjust and most people report low or no losses on these re- adjustment weeks.

Hang in there. Make a plan and stick with it without changing it up everyday. stay off the scale between weigh ins. try to relax.

When you are in that much of a calorie deficit the weight HAS to come off.

One more thing: are you looking for an excuse to give up and let self sabotage win. The mind is the most important part of the weight loss equation. I lost my 140+ lbs in 10 months. At times it seemed slow - but I just stuck to that IP sheet and kept on going...... I had that doubt telling me it wouldn't work for me, I had health issues and required medications derail me more than once on my IP journey; I had a non supportive overweight husband feeding into my doubt; my coach accused me of eating foods I did not because she couldn't read my journal and she belittled me on a week when I had lost almost 7 lbs; my coworkers questioned my eating/not eating all the time: I had life try to get in the way everyday: but I did not let it. The old me would have given up. It would have been easier. If I had just kept on with my old ways I'd be just where I was a year ago - 292 lbs! but I stuck to it and now 1 year and 1 month after starting I am literally half the size I was and have been maintaining my loss for 3 months.

Sorry to get preachy but my point is: IP WORKS! If it worked for me - believe me it will certainly work for you: You can do this!!! Just stick to the sheet -"

Hi everyone. Just wanted to check in. Had a good, busy weekend. Lots of shopping for Thanksgiving and doing stuff with the kids. Very excited for this week. Thank goodness I have my WI on Tuesday. I definitely won't want to be weighed for a few days after th holiday! Lol.
Have a great night. It's hard to believe we will have to start a December thread soon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slipfree

Kawaii, where are you? Thought of you today when I went in to pick up my food. The people at WNL are the nicest people! Hope your week has improved.

Slip,

I'm sorry, been lurking this week. Here.. reading every day, just not really talkative. I've cut out all "allowed" stuff like milk for coffee, WF sauces/torani syrups, etc this week.. going to kick that scale in the TUSH next week if the numbers aren't good still..

Been really frustrated and dealing with lots of mood swings. I went from having my "TOM" once every 3 months for a day or so, to having it every month, and it's been a full 7 days now.. still going (Sorry Jig, WAY TOO TMI I know)..

Yay Kawaii is back! When do you WI? I weigh in on Sat. Yes, 2 days after Turkey Day. Did it on purpose, so I can stay on track.

Some weeks are easier than others for sure. I was pretty crabby last week. Time had been flying by, but Nov. seems to be going on forever.

I am really not a fan of many of the WF products, only like the Thousand Island Dressing, do not like: peanut butter, apricot fruit spread, bacon and ranch dressings. Only have the torani once a day in my coffee.

Sorry about TOM. definitely a side effect of the hormone release. Think it would be better to vent your frustration rather than let them build up.

Missed you here on Newbies.

Slipfree: Thanks for sharing that post, I actually saw that post and was glad when you asked to share it. Now I know where to find it when I need a little kick!

Kawaii: Hang in there! You are doing awesome!!

So I made a HUGE pot (way too much) of vegetable soup to get me through the next couple days. I freaking forgot to put it in the fridge last nigh and it sat covered in the pot ALL night!! Do you think it is safe to eat? No meat, just veggies.

**Nevermind** just found a 'scientific' article. It's a keeper! After I re-boil it and refrigerate.

I try my hardest to try new things now so that I don't get burned out. This weekend I fixed very thin strips of steak...I guess like what you put in a fajita. Cooked that up in a skillet with 2 cups of chopped red, yellow, and orange peppers. By itself it felt like it was missing something even with all of the seasoning so I put hot sauce on it and voila it was pretty amazing. I ate it for two nights and was sad I was out of peppers to make it again. lolol.

Last night I fixed asparagus. I roasted them and they were pretty good but bitter. What cuts the bitterness in them? I heard lemon juice does but I didn't have that at the time.

Hello Claustin I would love to email you once a day. I think that would help me stay on track....I struggled this last Sunday but feel alot stronger today. Get me your email address and I can keep in contact with you.

Slip,

I weigh in on Tuesdays, so tomorrow is the big day.. I'm dreading this weigh in more than my Day 0 weigh in where I knew the numbers weren't going to be kind. Talked with my counselor quite a bit about my relationship with food, (thank goodness I'm finally at the place that I can say I need the help with that). Since this last weigh in I've been feeling very out of control, and it's been leading to very drastic up/down mood swings (Being that TOM didn't help any either).

My method of feeling better, rather than food has become organizing. I've spent the past three days organizing all my bead stash. Size, color, type of stone/crystal, and then creating a spreadsheet to track inventory, cost per package, and cost per piece. Just that activity has made me feel like I can do this. Does it have ANYTHING at all to do with food? Nope.. but it made me feel more in control. And that is what I needed. Having these epiphany moments more often about where I'm at, and what I really need.. Most times it's either water, movement, or a feeling of being in control (gotta love anxiety disorders)

Thank you for everyone's support, it really does mean quite a bit to me. I don't think I'd be as successful if it weren't for all the ladies (and my bread brother Jig) that are here cheering me on when we have good WI's and holding our hands/shoulders when it didn't go as expected. I am immensely grateful for this forum. You are all stars in my book!

Hi! I will pm you my email address Thanks!

I have a few wonderful ladies that have been emailing me this weekend and I must say, I feel special It really does mean a lot to have someone personally in your corner, backing you up and cheering you on! Especially when it feels like no one in your home life cares or understands. You ladies are awesome! (and you too jig lol)

After a horrible weekend of binging, I feel like I am back on track today. I feel undefeated. I gave in this weekend, and really did eat everything I had been craving. Today I feel like I got it all out of my system. I have come to the realization that it is the week before my TOM and that, to me, explains the constant hunger, cravings, mood swings, depression setting in, ect. But it usually only last a few days, hence todays good mood. I have been 100% OP today and have it set in my mind to stay that way! I am going to start prepping my lunch, supper and snack now as well. I think if I portion everything out and keep it all together per day I will not feel the need to wander to the pantry as much. Anyway, wish me luck