What you describe is the normal pattern.

I lost 10 pounds my first week, 3.5 the next, then averaged 3 pounds a week until I got closer to my goal... or I should say, the goal I revised downward by 10 pounds to achieve an "ideal" BMI of 22, rather than my arbitrary first goal. The last four weeks in Phase 1, I was averaging about 2.5 pounds a week. Over the entire weight loss period (Phases 1 and 2), I averaged about 3.1 pounds weekly. So for me, it didn't pick up, although, as I've reported, the inches and clothing sizes certainly picked up later in the diet.

Brilliant!

Fortunately, your feet probably won't get a lot smaller on the diet! (Are you going to post a photo?)

It does take some adjusting to get used to the new size. You get a picture in your head of your body and the clothes that fit it... then that gets completely skewed. But you'll get used to it... I'm still just getting there myself. That's one reason why I changed my avatar -- so I can keep reminding myself that I look different now.

Ha! I noticed this on the Metro... the seats aren't nearly as comfortable as they used to be! (But I also don't overflow into the next seat. )

Thank you Novak! I had a feeling this was normal. I need to focus on how great I feel on IP (no indigestion, no cravings, etc...) and that a loss is a loss and it is that much closer to my goal! Which like you, I have a feeling I will be changing my goal weight as I get closer to it. I am short, but have quite a bit of muscle, so I will gauge this as I get closer. My biggest thing is that I want to be able to wear a size 6!

Well, I made it through yesterday's stressful and trying day. First, I had an interview with about 25 citizens at 11:00. Then, at 3:00 with the board of education. There were four interviewees. We are suppose to find out Monday evening who the successful candidate is. I know I gave it my best shot...
Also, yesterday evening we went to the wedding reception I talked about. I made it through it too.
There were cookies, sweet breads, cake, ice cream, fruit, and many other "no-nos". I did not have any of them. I did have to have 2 restricted IP products to help me make it through.
I am going to avoid the restricted items for a few days and maybe that will help.
I wish everyone a wonderful IP week!

Way to go. It takes work to stay away from temptation. Good luck.

Good for you!!!

I will post her answer..

ok good to know,, and Thanks Carla for the helpful info adding flavored extract to puddings/etc.. good idea!!!!

Oh I can't wait to find ribs under my rolls!!!

Congrats to all of you such wonderful encouragement! I have to check this site 2x a day for the just that! Been feeling very sad again and went to bed at 8pm.. I think it's my fat punishing me for having to 'move out'... I dreamt I ate baked fish ( with butter and bread crumbs ) and french fries!!! Then I asked to see the dessert menu!! I woke up in a panic thinking I actually ate it!! WHEW! To my relief, no cheats yet.. weigh in tomm at 8:30am.. week 3 weigh in..( I had to move my fri weigh ins to monday morning, this way I won't be tempted to cheat weekends..)

Lisa,you started a day after me and are doing great, I lose pounds SLOWLY, but the inches are melting off.. Reading Carla's postings of her weight journey has been so helpful to me.. Carla are you a Nurse??
Ate there any nurses on this board??
I am a hairstylist, many years, working part time, economy is slow and people do cut back on their appts. I do understand.

There was sweet pizza in my house all weekend and I didn't touch it..
OH it was hard.. It was calling me.. My daughter had a group of friends here, so I helped her prep the veggie tray and she did the rest..last night before bed I opened the fridge to get a bottle of water, and 2 pieces of sweet pizza were left on a plate,, I actually talked to the pizza ( am I going crazy?) saying" I'm so mad I can't eat you, but then if I do eat you I'll have to WEAR you on my thighs!!!!" hey it worked.. I shut the fridge and walked upstairs.. a little crazy goes a long way...
( Til I dreamt of food and woke up in a panic)

I'm new at this thread thing and don't know where to find the recipes for certain IP items. Specifically vanilla pudding recipes. I've been just mixing it with cold coffee (more than it calls for) to make a very tasty coffee drink for my morning out the door drink.

ON EBAY THIS MORNING I FOUND SOMEONE SELLING IP FOOD PACKETS-


http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=ide...286.m270.l1313

I haven't read the posts from yesterday and today yet, but I thought I'd send this out first. On Friday I got extremely hungry in the afternoon at work, so I ate the emergency IP bar I keep stashed in my purse. Went ahead and had my regular dinner and IP snack, so I ended up having 4 packets that day rather than 3...better than cheating I guess. Same thing happened to me yesterday. We were at a birthday bbq lunch (for which I brought my own IP-friendly salad) all day and I once again got extremely hungry in the afternoon. I had forgotten to replace my emergency IP bar, so I ended up eating about 15 tortilla chips. Not good. Has anyone else had this happen? This wasn't about giving in to a craving, it was more like hunger shakes! This is the first time I've had this happen since I've been on IP. So weird!

Lisa, you and I are similar in our weight, height, starting IP, etc. My week 2 was only a little over a pound lost, and I was getting somewhat discouraged, but now, I'm toward the end of week 3, and the scale is going down daily. I'm trying to focus on a 3 pound a week AVERAGE in order to get to my goal. So some weeks may be 5 pounds and some weeks may be 1 pound. It's helping me look at the long haul so much better!

Weigh-in #3, down 5.7! That's 14.8 lbs in 23 days. I've lost at least an inch on the bra band and maybe 4 off my waist. (Clothes I wore for initial weigh-in are at dry cleaners, so I can't do an exact comparison)

Color me convinced -- I'm hooked on IP!

Always measure veggies with a measuring cup.

The nightmares are back. I was dreaming about eating food again last night. I hate that! I always wake up thinking I really did it. I wonder if that will ever go away?

Anyway, heading to Goodwill today with my first big load of "loser" clothes. I hope someone will enjoy them because I never ever want them back! I intend to keep getting rid of everything I can. As soon as it is too big it goes in to the Goodwill tub. I guess you can say our "losses" are someone elses gain.

New week. New Month. Over 500 posts. Time for a new thread.