I gained about 6# over the holiday by way overeating sugary things. Just reinforces the belief that the sugar and white flour mixture, like in baked goods and cookies, is very addicting to me.

I just got back on phase 1 and have already lost 3#. I will be down by my checkin next week. I have been on phase 4 for a couple months, but still check in every week or two just to keep on track. Going to maintanence over the holidays was a little challenging, but then every day will have some challenges.

I have just decided that I am going to make this work, and NOT regain my weight. It really just comes down to that mental process. You have to want to keep your weight off more than you want to eat what ever you want.

I have printed out several posts that are helpful and motivational to me that I regularly reread. It helps center me and keep me focused on what I really want. Also I look at some of my older "fat" pictures and that is a huge wakeup call that I don't want to ever go back there.

Have a very Happy New Year to all.

Hi Everyone!!!

so it totally worked for me for months and months BUT I have just recently gained 6 pounds in say 8 weeks. You know why?? it actually had nothing to do with having carbs for lunch AND dinner or anything like that. I gained nothing by doing that while I kept my workouts in check and my sugar intake in check. It went all very bad once the Xmas cookies and pastries and cakes came into play. I went through a full binge and this happened and it really had to do with excessive calories and sugar intake.

regardless and I don't really care that i gained 6 pounds as it is not the end of the world, I am going to do IP for about 3 weeks starting tuesday.

I figure its good to do it every 6 months anyways and since I have been in maintanance since august then i am cool with it.

I'm going to Mexico on the 26th of January and want to start phasing out before my holiday. I would like to stay on phase 1 to get back on track after holidays and I want to minimize how much time I spend on phase 2 and 3 so I'm on 4 when I leave. I plan on going back on phase 1 when I get home. Any suggestions on how I should do this. thanks
Paula

Hi Paula, you don't say how long you will be gone, and I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but I would definitely not go off. If you're staying at a resort that has one of those fat-laden breakfast smorgasborgs, likewise lunch and dinner, you are not only going to annihilate your gain, but your could do real damage by shocking your pancreas and other organs -- the reason so very many people who went off IP for the holidays reported that they felt totally rotten if not downright ill. And you should never abbreviate Phases 2 and 3.

We aren't staying at an all inclusive. We get breakfast which sounds like a phase 3 and probably will do an ip for lunch or something light and then have supper. We are gone for 19 days

It sounds like you intend to follow a mostly phase 3 eating plan while on holiday. If that is the case then count backwards. Plan to start phase 3 a few days before leaving, (give yourself a few days to learn what works for you), start phase 2 two weeks before that. It is better for your body if you phase off as opposed to cheating. Your body can slowly adjust to carbs rather than being shocked each time you eat off plan.

Sounds like a lovely trip. Just please beware of anything with corn, cheese, and corn meal + meat stuffed things -- staples of Mexican cuisine. IF you get as far as Guadalajara or stay on the coast, there are some lovely fresh caught fish dishes.

bump

bumppy

Hi everyone! I started this program in March of last year...I have a few questions for someone experienced on this diet...
I have not had a cycle since September 7th, this bothers me very much. I am on phase 3 right now and haven't lost any weight. My original goal was 140 lbs but have recently thought of going down to 130 lbs. On phase 3 can we have apples baked in the oven with cinnamon, nutmeg and splenda?? I read somewhere on here that was ok. Then I was talking to someone who said, the apple turns to sugar...I freaked out, had it this morning with my phase 3 breakfast. I would appreciate any knowlege anyone might have on these topics!

Baked apples are fine. But if you want to save time and money, wrap them in microwaveable plastic wrap so the moisture can escape a little and microwave. They are done in no time. And you are sure you're not pregnant?

Menstrual period: What has your coach said? Your doctor?

Goal weight: How tall are you?

Apples: Apples like most fruit get the vast bulk of their energy (calories) value from carbs. One of the major carbohydrate components in fruit is fructose, a sugar. Even some diabetics eat limited amounts of fruit (2-3/day maximum). As long as you're having the phase 3 breakfast amount of fruit and the other foods with it, there should be little impact on your body.

I stopped having my TOM, too. I went from Sept 1 - Jan with nothing. My coach said that she didn't have anyone else that has happened to (my coach is in a large OB/GYN office). But, last week, I did have my TOM. I wasn't too worried because I have never been regular. We know it affects your TOM but how it affects you is different for everyone. If you know you're not PG, I wouldn't worry about it.

I also think how your body adjusts to the new phases is different for everyone. I was on phase 2 for two weeks and only lost 1 pound but when I got to phase 3, I lost 2.5 the first week and I think I'm down 1 -2 this week.

BTW, those apples sound delicious! I think I might have one tomorrow!

Hi everyone. Happy New Year! I was horribly bad in December...took a break from IP and let myself enjoy all the holiday sweets and drinks to the max. My first weigh-in of 2011 on January 5th was rough...5.4 lbs over my goal weight. However, I'm back on track and doing a Phase 1 detox. It's working already! I'm feeling so much better and have already lost 3.6 lbs!! I'm going to do at least one more week of Phase 1 to get back under my goal and then I'll do a week or two of Phase 3 before going back on maintenance. Must say...I love IP! It is so awesome to have the tools and the knowledge to be able to get back on track so quickly and relatively painlessly.

Hope you are all doing well! :0)

Hey Tina, great to see you!

You're 100% right -- it is AWESOME to have the knowledge and the experience to get back on track. I just say to myself, "Make your next meal from healthy choices" then after that meal, I feel somewhat better and I repeat! It doesn't take long to get back "in the saddle." Small course corrections are soooo much easier than the big one, i.e. Phase 1 for weeks/months, we've "been there, done that!" Congratulations on being two-thirds of the way back to your goal weight!