Thanks Coqui: I have noticed that my goals are set higher... rather lower, than everyone else. I do feel amazing thank-you for the encouragement. I will go on Phase II. I must read up on it. I think you just replace one of the pkg. with a protein at one of the meals... and then I guess there are more types of vegis allowed. .. I will do some research... And awesome for you to be under your goal. kudos to you. with thanks..

I have switched to phase 2 as I leave for Mexico on the 26th. I will start phase 3 on Sunday so I have a couple of days before we leave to get used to it. I don't normally gain weight in Mexico as I have a sensitive stomach so I'm cautious about what I eat and with the warm temperatures I drink more than I eat. Also we do a lot of exercise like walking, snorkelling and this place we are staying at has bikes as well. I just want to maintain and then get back in high gear when I get home to finish the last few pounds that are left.

Week 2 on Phase 2 seems to work as good as phase 1. I'm loosing more!! My next WI is Saturday, but my home scale showed a 2 pound lost this morning. I still want to wait to see what the scale at the clinic shows. Regardless I'm moving on to phase 3 for 2 more weeks, then I plan to stop going to the clinic and monitor myself. I tried some alternate items and they are not as tasty as IP, but for phase 4 I think are okay for the one day after the cheat day. We'll see! How is everyone else doing? Please post!!

That is wonderful!!! One of the former members, NOVAK, use to regularly mention how she continued to lose in phase 2. She even lost a bit in phase 3 before stabilizing.

Good luck to you! I am so happy it is continuing to work!

Carla you were one of my top motivators. I'm so glad you are back posting. Your messages and your progress pics kept me going more than my IP coach. I thought about leaving the clinic and do it on my own, but then the food wasn't so great from other companies. Nevertheless, here I am at the end of the rope and very happy I made the decision to follow this porgram.

Aww. I am glad I was able to help share your journey. I am very glad you found your way and stuck with it.

The program is great but, learning you could set the goal and meet the goal seems to have as much value when it comes to weight loss. It really does help us to feel accomplished and less defeated. Knowing you have the tools to lose and keep it off is.... empowering!

This will be my last week on phase I, then on to phase II!! I am also a little nervous and glad you made this thread!! I can't believe that for lunch I will have to eat 5oz of meat as well as my salad! Seems like sooo much!? hehe I am hoping to still loose the last 10lbs I have, we are planning on going to Mexico in March and I'd love to be at goal for that!! I'd also love to be at phase 4 by then so I can enjoy my first all inclusive trip!!!

Good luck to you on phase 2. You should be able to continue loosing!!

I was hoping to start Phase 3 today, but my coach is a bit concerned about it. She thinks I should reset my goal to 135 because I didn't loose as much on Phase 2 ( 3 pounds in 2 weeks). Her rationale is that between Phases 3 and 4 some people might gain up to 5 pounds due to the body's reaction to the change and it's adjustment to glycogen levels. As a prevention meassure she thinks if I go on Phase 3 at 137 and gain 5 pounds I will be above goal. For my age and height I should weight no more than 140. So I think I will do it for another week and see what happens. If I survived 14 weeks without the big breakfast (no bread , no fruit, no dairy), I can survive another one. I have to be positive and think that Phase 4 is around the corner. I can do this.

My coach said the same thing, you tend to gain about 5lbs in the transition, so she also wants me to get 5lbs below my goal. The only reason I am going to phase II now is cause I am going to Mexico in the begining of March and want to enjoy it!

I think you can do it... seems like you have a good outlook!

Thanks for the motivation. I really need it this week. I am starting to get tired of no bread, no fruit no cheese. I shouldn't be complaining since there is a lot of people here on phase 1 for a lot longer and are still persevering. I need to to stop whining and stick to it a little longer.

A couple of questions:
When do you stop taking the IP supplements?
Does Whey Protein Powder work as a breakfast protein, by chance?

According to the Phase 4 sheet you are supposed to take them forever. I just think they are too expensive, so when I phase out I'm changing to other brands. I found that Centrum Performance are very similar to the IP ones. I also check some Nature Made for calcium, magnesium and potassium and the are comparable as well. As for whey protein, I used to take that every morning with my smoothies, but I think the IP shakes have other nutrients you won't get with just whey protein. I plan on taking my whey protein when I phase out as well. I can't afford IP products for life. I'm not an expert, but I'll suggest you do that.

So I was thinking that it is going to be really expensive to be eatting 10oz of meat a day! What are some other 'protein' choices? I was thinking hard boiled egg but can't remember how many equal a protein? I also saw that at costco there was precooked turkey strips, could you use these in a pinch? I didn't look at the nutrional values.

Based on the Phase two sheet. The options for protein say 2 eggs, 5 oz. fat free ham. I don't know where I read it but it is also suggested for ham free of preservatives/nitrates. As for precooked meats, watch out for hi sodium content, this could slow down weight loss.