What a painful loss, I'm sorry. But it sounds like you have a lot of spunk and determination even through the pain. Maybe qualities you got from your Dad? Hope memories of your Dad bring you peace, and know he is with you, supporting you in your journey!

So sorry for your terrible loss kalii. There are no words that help but know your loss touches us all.

It is esp hard to stay OP when something this big rocks your world, and if you can stay the course now, it is a tribute to your dad you did not use his death to go off the rails. He'd be proud and want you to stay strong. Come on here when you need a hug... or to be reminded he AND we all think you are special.

Kalii99 - just saw your post and although I haven't had the pleasure to correspond with you since I've started IP, I wanted to extend my condolences at this time. My Dad has been suffering from a horrible disease for years now and I know how it is to lose a father, as my dad is there in a physical sense but not in the least in a mental sense. My heart goes out to you and your family during this time. Sending loads of strength your way although, sounds like you've got a great head on your shoulders and loads of support. Take care of yourself especially during this time, ok?! Stay well.

ecdslim - I can't begin to guess why many of the things that happen do. Not a scientist and not a specialist, BUT you must keep going on. Yes, -3.6 pounds may seem little compared to others, but here are two points about that.

1. DO NOT COMPARE TO OTHERS - let's all rejoice or just be content in what WE lose. Over the course of the program, all of us have good, bad, slow, mediocre, surprising weeks. We all vary. I have been at a standstill ll week after gaining 3 pounds. No logic, but I am determined to stand strong. SO,

2. KEEP HEAD UP AND BE STRONG - this is a program for your health and a slow week this week does not mean a slow week next week. The reason this site exists is to get support and commiseration or whatever from each other. It is the best chance you have going for success.

A thought that I have come up with this week while trying so hard to make it work - watch very carefully what you eat, particularly when eating out. I had thought I had been perfect (imagine that) all week. We ate out a lot for business and I thought I had done really well resisting. Then as I examined why, I realized that the chicken in lettuce wrap had water chestnuts mixed in with the chicken mix. Bad thing to eat, even if by accident.

I found by examining every thing I ate while out that there had been, either unnoticed or just not thorough enough, little things to throw me off. I am now being scrupulous when we eat out to look at everything, however small, to keep 100%.

Enough for now, but just persevere - it is worth it.

Eating out also can expose you and "contaminate" you with both salt AND sugar. Some restaurants "brine" meat in sugar water to impart a lovely golden color and texture to the meat once it is cooked! It's all optics...they are not interested in your health...at all!! After I found this out... was furious! I always order my meals prepared low sodium and sugar and gluten free. (I am GF by necessity for many years now...but since IP have added the other two special dietary needs.) I salt my food myself...and am sure there is no hidden sugar this way. Also..my husband says my plate always looks fresher than his...and it is! Mine has to be specially prepared!

And ecdcslim-
....if you lose 3.6 lbs a week for the next 10 weeks...you will be down close to 40 pounds by Thanksgiving.....?? Don't you think that is amazing??? I for one did not average that...my losses were smaller. Your height, age, amoun to lose and and total starting weight all play into what your body will do...and some of the real losers here lost slower and more than the biggest losers in the initial weeks. That has nothing at all to do with long term success! NOTHING!

Welcome and good luck!

So sorry for your loss I am glad you were able to stay on program.. that shows your great commitment - wtg, you should be proud of yourself!

So very sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is very tough. Even though I don't "know" you, I am sending virtual hugs.

So sorry for your loss.

Thanks for the support, this is just hard for me, I have followed the plan religiously, no cheating, no eating out all week. I did have 5 proteins on 3 of days cause I was just so hungry but that was a week 1 deal, and I know I can 't do that after this week. I just want this to work. I'm here for the long haul .

65X65 - thanks for the perspective - I know I need to be patient and yes, 40 lbs by Thanksgiving would totally be awesome.

Kalii99 - I'm so sorry for your loss, nothing will help but time and lots of love around you.

Recently joined and just saw this thread. I started IP 8/31 & would love some extra support. I was also disappointed with only a 4.5 pound loss the first week--I imagined double digits!! LOL! But now after the third week I'm down 14.6 pounds...great thought that I might be down 40 pounds by Thanksgiving!! We can do it!! I'm so motivated by the other posts and the people who have had success with IP!! I LOVE seeing the pictures and reading such motivational enthusiasm!!

And, Kalii99, my heart breaks for you; how amazing you stuck to your goals and IP...that's an inspiration!!

65X65 -thank you so much for this explanation as it makes some real sense with what I have been experiencing lately after eating out. I thought I was being so careful with the no this and no that but did not know about the 'contamination'. I try reading the descriptions so very carefully and even then they throw in things I cannot eat - but at least I can see them and pick them out.

Last night was a very fancy buffet dinner so I felt awkward trying to "order" anything, so I just did the very best I could. I know the salad I ate was probably as issue as it was predressed, probably with an oil and vinegar dressing although there were lovely and unusal dark and leafy veggies in it to eat. I had my 8 oz serving of salmon which I was hoping was just broiled, but who knows. There were lovely fresh green beans but I only had a small bit because I could not tell what the dressing was on them.

I felt conflicted because this was my a BIG company celebration and we were sitting with some of the board members. I could not comfortably get away with eating nothing so I went with the salmon and veggies.

Today, however, I could not remove my wedding rings before working in the garden. I should not have been retaining that much but now the salt issue makes sense. The sugar brining was a BIG surprise - something new for m to learn.

kalii99, so sorry for your loss.

Had my weigh in today and was only down 1/2 a pound but lost 3 inches so im happy with the inches lost! im sure the scale will move more next week as this week was TOM, which has just been all wacky since starting ip. I love coming on this thread and reading others success stories, and getting helpful tips. Looking forward to another op week! got the chocolate shake mix today and love it added a lil wf caramel syrup and blended it up for a great afternoon treat. now i cant decide if cappuccino or chocolate is my favorite.. lol . Hope everyone has an amazing op week

I am so sorry for your loss.

Hey Everyone! We were getting close to 500 posts (and soon to be shut down?) so please use the new "Who started in August 2013. Part II" thread (started Sunday, Sept 22nd) as we continue our journey!!