Way to go! That was great - I hope you breeze past that stall weight. You are such an inspiration to me. This week will be a "cake walk" compared to what you had to go through last week.

Trying to get back on track. I had 2 good weeks with good losses, then went in for my annual mammogram - had to go back 2 times for additional mammograms, then had to have an open biopsy. This was a very hard thing for me to do, I just lost my sister in January to breast cancer. She was only 57. My mom and grandmother both had breast cancer. So my mental strength has been tested. Luckily my biopsy came back negative! So onward I go to loose those last 10 lbs! Only good thing - I did not gain any back while I worried!

Hope everyone has a good week and please take time to go have your mammogram!

So happy to hear everything turned out ok for you. What a scarey thing to go though. You did great by not going off plan with all that worrying. So sorry on losing your sister to that terrible diease. My sister is one of the lucky ones and it's been over 5 years for her. I make sure I get a mammogram every year and hope everyone else reading this does too. Wishing you the BEST

Cheers to you Linden I keep saying I'm going to do boot camp and then I never finish it.

That's great Linden!

I had my weigh in this morning and I'm down 1.2 lbs. All things considered, I'll take it. My mouth is finally starting to feel a little better. I still have sore spots, but they are getting better which is good because I bought a box of the new chocolate chip cookies today.

My new classes started this morning and it looks like it could be a tough 8 weeks, but they come at a good time. The first is a Sports Ethics, but the second is an Exercise Physiology class--that's the one that looks tough, but also stands to be the most informative.

It's time to get busy!

Your schedule sounds really interesting AND a lot to pack into 8 weeks. I wanted to congratulate you yesterday on getting through a salad. But kept being knocked out of my browser. I think the loss is good considering the stress coming at you from a lot of directions.

I should have said down 1.8, but it really doesn't matter. I'm not sure what my brain was thinking... or maybe it wasn't.

Here's my warning of the day... watch the Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Well I started IP a year ago and lost 22 lbs, then decided to take the summer off and I put back on about 12 pound June - Sept. So now I'm back and have lost 7.2 lbs so far, but I find that my resolve is waivering and I can't seem to stay on program more than a couple of days and then I just have to have something I shouldn't. I lurk around in these posts, but usually do not share. It does help to see that I am not the only one having a hard time.

I do think it is more difficult to restart... somehow our resolve waivers, but you can do it. We know it works probably better than most. I'm having to constantly tell myself... One choice at a time!

Thanks. support really does help. And I know I can make good choices, I just get weak and think that I can cheat, but that usually comes back to bite me in the end.

Sorry that I didn't respond to all of you earlier; just Marion. Computer AND internet provider wonky.

I didn't find it that difficult because I was getting plenty of protein. My whey isolate has 23 grams per serving. But I didn't want to get out and walk or do much of anything the last two days. Could have been weather, ennui, whatever. But I think if I did it again, it would be 5 days max. So maybe your home free, IOWA. Today I did walked over seven miles -- just because I was out and wanted to be. Big difference. But when I say that, you must realize that some of those miles were with the pup-for-life who spends the first 10-15 minutes of most walks smelling every scent and investigating about a thousand little things. Doesn't make for brisk walking. Then when we get up to speed we almost always see a LARGE dog, off leash, so there is the stop to pick up and. . . . Well it goes on. Not to mention the Frenchman who insisted on speaking to him, in French, because he said the hund would totally understand him. It's been a day.

Ruby, I am awfully, awfully sorry about your sister and the added personal pressure. If you can keep on, as you are, you'll be joining some others here who have had buckets of stress, although hardly as tragic as yours. I hope you do.

You, too, Montana. Keep remembering it's for YOU.

Linden, I'm thinking of switching to whey isolate myself. Do you like it as well as IP products? I noticed it at the grocery store the other day in the healthy/organic section. There were different flavors and wasn't sure what to purchase. One had chocolate/peanut butter flavoring. Is the one you use flavored? I started noticing that I mainly use the RTD IP items and thinking it might be a lot cheaper to try the whey part of the time. Did it change your weight loss patterns at all?

MontanaChick, welcome to our group. We are here to support you!

MarionM, that is an interesting schedule. I always enjoy my continuing education classes in ethics for real estate...you wouldn't believe some of the inputs I hear from other class members.

I think I'll have some eggs tonight for dinner. I need a change of pace. Disappointed in my small loss last week (1.4) but that's what happens when don't follow the plan 100 percent. Lessons learned. (AGAIN)

Hi Everyone,
I do find enormous comfort catching up on all of your posts. I took yet another hiatus to deal with my 5 days of no electricity from our freak Northeast Halloween snow storm, wallow in self pity regarding some issues with my son and totally not caring about anything except feeding my face.

It is official....news flash: I can safely report that stuffing my face has not improved my way of life. In fact, it exacerbates it, duh????? After 58 years of life, one would have thought that I learned that already. What can I say, I am slow

Rather than do the same thing over and over and keep failing, I decided to try cooking and making this diet interesting. What an amazing improvement. Steven Finn's recipes are absolutely delicious and I cannot wait to try more.

Montana - I suffer from the same issues and have restarted more times that I can count. However, I did get to my original goal once, phased correctly but screwed up maintenance big time. I want to feel great about my body again and know that IP is my way to do so.

Ruby - Emotional stressors are so destructive and difficult thoughts need to be controlled just as we do with our food. For me they are so intertwined which makes staying on IP a challenging path, but it can be done. Awaiting results of medical tests can be so stessful, but you made it through, you have great news and you can use that to empower you to continue on your weight loss journey.

Marionm - Way to go! You are doing fantastic! You are certainly an inspiration! Despite your "hoof & mouth" issues, work load, family obligations, you are persevering with a vengeance.

Iowahockeymom - Glad to hear that you are feeling better and that you are still committed to IP. Your upcoming trip sounds glorious and it would be wonderful if you were at goal when you went. You can do it.

Rosemary2612 - Glad to hear that you are doing so well. I can certainly relate to losing weight that you have already lost and am excited to hear that you are so positive and successful.

Linden - Fantastic job doing boot camp. I may give it a try, too. How much do I love hearing about your computer challenges, dog walking issues, and your environs. Walking 7 miles in one day sounds very envigorating especially in your climate. BTW did you ever figure out the Omron scale??????

I've been reading random threads that I've missed out on and keep finding people I remembered who haven't been active on here for a long time and hadn't phased off. I totally know it's a personal choice, but I just had a thought about trying to contact some of them and seeing if they're still OP and if not, if they're interested in starting back again. Would you have liked that or would it have bothered you to have somebody contact you? I don't know what I would've done personally, so I'd like your input!

I am kind of wondering about this ethics class because I thought it might be more of an 'ethics for jocks' but it seems like it might be a little more in depth. I think I'll enjoy that as long as I stay on top of things.

A 1.4 loss is good. We get so addicted to big numbers that we forget how easily we could have gained that same amount and more. I'm having that focusing challenge myself, but we'll get through it.

Jane, I am forced over and over to retest the theory about stuffing our faces improving our lives. Nearest I can tell the only thing that is good about it is that I get to meet nice people here! I'm slow too. I can tell you it really makes me think about rewards and consolations though--particularly with children. I really wanted my girls to know comfort in my arms and not in a box of donuts or a bag of chips. I didn't want the way I reward or console my kids to be primarily food based because I knew what that attitude had done for me.