Erin, congratulations on the size 6 skirt! Like PP's have said you must do what ultimately feels right for you. We all think you look beautiful and moreover you are a beautiful person always giving inspiration and help to those of us on the board. I understand how you feel but only you can truly answer this question yourself, don't let anyone's opinion factor into your decision, do what makes you happy. As a wife and a mother I know that is a foreign concept to us.

You are only human and you made a mistake just jump right back into the diet you have come this far you are almost at goal so you know you can do this!

I'm glad you mentioned PB2 - I have been using this for years now when i was weight watchers, I just happen to be house/dog sitting for my parents and this morning as I was getting ready to head to work, I noticed they had some in the cabinet - (my dad loves it on his vanilla ice cream) i read the label and thought, why can't i put a teaspoon in my chocolate pudding shake this morning, so that's what i did - I'm actually enjoying it now!!! They actually came out with a chocolate PB2 in the past year or so...

Congrats on the size 6! You are pretty tall and can carry more weight than a shorter person. If it were me, I'd probably stick with a weight in the higher normal BMI range. Since you keep most of your muscle on this diet, you're going to be able to fit into a much smaller size even though the number seems high. The last time I fit into my current size I weighed 110. My husband would freak if I considered going any lower right now. Don't give up your womanly curves. They are a part of who you are. You look great!

Hi, CW, You have done so great! In Phase 4 (maintenance) we're supposed to have a day every week where we eat what we want. The next day we're supposed to eat like in Phase 1 without fear of gaining. So just pretend like you're in Phase 4 and don't beat yourself up.

That's so great! Clothes shopping is so much fun now, isn't it?

Okay, so I had to "adjust" my mini goals. They were just not obtainable with the 2 week set back from the cruise. I'm feeling a little crumby about it, but hey, I'm trying to be realistic as to not continue to feel as though I let myself down. I just dropped the numbers a little bit here and there and extended my final goal out 2 weeks. Who knows I may be like others here and not even feel the need to be that weight once I actually get there?!?! For now though, I'm moving forward! I'm still up a pound from meeting my 30 lb goal by May 28th, but in a day or 2 I'll have that one! (BETTER LATE THAN NEVER).

NSV, losing 30 lbs (almost) makes a real difference when your shave you legs, paint your toes, put on your socks etc. I didn't realize until this week how much difference it makes! It's so much nicer not having that extra fat get in the way.

Oh and bought a new scale. It does the .2 increments, so I love it! I have to get use to it, but so far I like seeing the numbers move down little by little.

***POLL: Do you guys adjust your trackers according to your own scales (daily) or only once a week after weekly WI with IP coach (or on your own if you're not using a coach)?

I went to Kohl's to try on swimsuits - pretty brave, eh? I like the one piece, and although I am 5'2" I like the long torso sizes because more room for the butt! I'm not back to having my hourglass yet, but I can see there's hope! It wasn't such a horrible experience and I will be shopping again today so I have something to wear in Orlando with girlfriends next weekend.

Hope everyone having a nice long weekend!

My new best friend is the neighborhood Asian grocer - just bought dried mushrooms and dried algae. The husband and wife owners told me how to make a cabbage salad. I've been eating seaweed also at the Chinese buffet. Then I realized I might be overdoing the iodine!! This is not a normal part of my diet and I am hypothryoid - so don't know if this is a good thing or not. I guess back to "eat a wide variety" of foods. That is rather difficult on IP Phase I, and I'm trying to keep a balance of trace minerals and vitamins.

My coach substituted vitamins from her health food store to use with the program, but I'm scared to use them because they are unlabeled and I have no idea how much Vitamin A and other in them! So I stick with Centrum Silver (that advises right on the bottle NOT to take any additional Vitamin A supplements with Centrum), and Citracal. I'm just not into health food store products - unregulated and scary to me! One of the pills I received was called "Old Amish" vitamin - one can only guess!

So today is a new day. I am another day closer to starting my IP journey. I am really excited.

I am thinking about trying some of my IP packets before Thursday just so I know exactly what to expect.

Keep up the good work and have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Thanks everyone for your encoragement and advice . I was feeling to horrible last night about my mess up . But ready to start a new day with a fresh beginning . Im thinking when I hit 160 Im going to go ahaead and start phase 2 . My coach says if I want to go to 150 then I need to be at 155 before I start but Im ready to move on . Not sure what Im going to do yet but Im ready to moving on with this . Its been almost 5 months now on phase one .

Everyone is doing so great ! I am so proud of you all . I love hearing everyones victories and happy clothes shopping stories . Keep up the good work !

carla!! this is wonderful information! thank you so much! my body fat has gone from 34% down to 30% but i honestly thought that the body fat numbers had the same guidelines as bmi! i was trying to get to a 25 bmi and thinking i needed to for my body fat percentage, wow was i wrong! i am technically 10 lbs from being in an acceptable BMI and am already in the acceptable body fat percentage, crazy and fabulous news! i think i may go for another month and see how i feel, i haven't been in the 150's since my senior year in high school and we'll just see how i look and feel. i was NEVER expecting to be in a 6 EVER, the lowest i have worn since middle school is a 7/8(i'm 25) i know that right now i can see my ribs when i put my arms over my head which i think is gross. again, thank you all for all your thoughts and info!! i am doing this for me and will continue until i am undeniably happy

WOW...everyone has been so busy and active on here it took me forever to get caught up!!

It appears we have had lots of losses, new sizes and other NSVs. There has been such good information to read as well.

Welcome to all the new peeps! This is an amazing eating plan and you will love it and find success.

I have noticed some hesitation on certain foods and newbies wondering if this "diet" will really be worth it. I wanted to share something I heard once that has helped me at times. When thinking of food, consider it medicine for our bodies. The good food is what our bodies need to be healthy, the other foods cause our bodies harm. Consider Sassy and Novak, they each had other health issues, aside from their weight, which have greatly improved while on IP, they were eating good foods, giving their bodies good medicine, if you will, that in turn improved their other health conditions. How AMAZING is that!! So, I challenge us all, when we are considering eating something that we are not so sure about, or that we know we shouldn't, ask ourselves if this is good for our overall health, not only our weight.

Have a great rest of the weekend all!

I'M ALIVE!

Sorry I have not been here in a bit but I am alive. Been SWAMPED and completely off IP but even after the ridiculous eating from yesterday (cheese burger and fries- not fast food but the best place on earth for that, The Counter) I weighed myself today and only gained one pound...yes I would rather not have gone up but considering all the craziness of the week (Birthday, graduations, etc) and that the TOM is around the corner (being diverted by Birth control hopefully for the wedding) I think it's all good.

Will be full phase one again Tuesday on till wedding ...then all bets are off until my return from the honeymoon...wish me luck!

Elizabeth, one pound is not so bad when you've been running around like a chicken with her head cut off. This will be here when you are back, and so will we. Slow down and enjoy your wedding and honeymoon! I can't wait to see pictures of you in that beautiful dress. I've been thinking of you lately, hoping you are not too overwhelmed by last minute stuff. Take care and have a good week.

Hugs!!!!

Awww thanks.. not overwhelmed now but do have lots to do and people coming in from over seas and all... it will be a fun week for sure ;-)

Trying to enjoy to the max my last weekend with my fiance....since next weekend he will be my HUSBAND lol

Then you'll really be able to boss him around!! JK!!

HAHAHA I think he already kind of does LOL


Sorry being Latin kind of makes us do that HAHAHAH JK