Awesome and Can't say I've had that happen in a single day!

That's great! I actually lost 2 lbs the first two days, then got the dreaded big "C" and gained back the 2lbs and 6ounces. I have been battling it, I'm guessing because I added cheese to the diet??? I have even been taking the nova lax AND Calm. I think I will give it a day's rest, then try some of my old "super cleanse"-that should get things moving again, I hope.

Phase III question. I have finished up a week on phase III...all went well ...even getting down those big breakfasts all in one go. Protocol says no more than 2 weeks on phase III - any particular reason for 2 weeks or can it be less? Just asking as I acted a bit more like I was on maintenance yesterday rather than phase III - I had some wine and a bit of pasta for supper. I think my pancreas has woken up! I can certainly do another week of phase III but think I am ready to be eating in the real world again.

My best guess: The recommendation is two weeks on Phase 3 to provide a long enough period with only the morning carbs and insulin demand/supply. You've needed and produced a lot less insulin (and other hormones) than you did before IP. The 2 weeks gives your body time to "ramp up production."

Thanks...I'll continue ramping up production. What's a week anyway?

I have a question about the Phase 3 Guidelines, specifically the statement "No more than 15 grams of total fat per day (you'll have to look at the grams of protein and dairy and add the grams of fat, you can make up the difference with butter, coconut oil or other 'good' oils -- olive, grape seed, peanut butter, almond butter, etc.])

Despite the lousy English, 15 grams of fat/day is pretty clear. How in the world one does it is not clear, not if one eats EVOO and fat linked to protein in meats, fish, eggs, etc., or if one follows the menu? Somebody turn on the light bulb, please.

He's referring to breakfast only. The line below says "These guidelines will help create a breakfast containing between 400 and 500 Kcals."

I have 4 more days on phase 3. I will begin phase 4 on Friday. I don't really have any guestions tonight. I'm just not sure exactly how I am going to handle phase 4. I am going to study my instructions tomorrow. I don't want to make phase 4 hard. Phases 1, 2 and 3 have been easy. If anyone has any comments I would appreciate them. Judy

Congratulations! I am starting phase 4 tomorrow and am feeling the same way. I have a lot of questions for my coach tomorrow and will post what I find out. I have read and reread and read again the phase 4 papers and am still confused about a few things. I am thinking that I will continue to eat the same things, just more fruit and nuts and pasta mixed in. I will watch and try to eliminate the fats from my evening meal. They stress quite a bit about how one doesn't have to have meat twice a day, but I rather like meat, so I will probably continue. I have been contemplating having my "cheat day" the day after I go on maintenance. We are leaving for holiday the following week and want to give the cheat day/phase 1 day a trial run. (Plus I am looking so forward to a few things that I froze during the holidays, just for this moment!)

Thank you both for posting. I am facing phase 3 in a week or so, and your questions, and eventual answers, help us all!

First of all, thanks Rocky for the oatbran suggestion. I"m on ph3 and have been eating it every morning for breakfast. Love it!!
I'm so glad I read thru some posts this morning.
I've been feeling depressed and weird, bad stomach stuff, more dizziness since I've been transitioning and someone mentioned the insulin production AND other hormones that we're not used to, kicking in. I think that's what's been happening to me!
Yesterday was so down for me, kind of how I was before I started ph 1. My menopause symptoms have been back in full force, so something is triggering me.
As someone else mentioned, our coaches are not all on the same page and there are certain issues, like hormones that they can be clueless about, unless you're working with a physician or highly trained nutritionist.
Thanks for all the info posted here and feel free to chime in with thoughts and suggestions. I don't want to fall off the wagon and sure don't want to get depressed as a reward for having lost 32 lbs. That would be so unkind to myself.

Hang in there! I have days where I feel low/depressed and I think it is because I placed such a high value on eating (used it for my emotional crutch) that now I feel kind of "lost" so to speak. During phase 1 I felt great most days, then when I went to phase 2 BAM! it was like hitting a wall. Even now, I get wiped out real easy, feel weak and fatigued. I'm hoping when I hit maintenance I will get some "real" energy???? I have never been a person who has had much of it anyways, so I guess I'm a bit disappointed that I don't have more now. I hate to go back to caffeine, but may need to in moderation just to give me a kickstart! At any rate at least I feel healthier @ 54lbs gone.

It sounds like there are a lot of questions about maintenance and even some fear to start. Don't!! It works, and it works even if you don't follow it perfectly. The cheat day isn't half as enjoyable as you would think and your scale will be up 3 to 4 lbs the next day, but after doing Phase 1 to flush out the carbs you will be down to your normal weight again!! I have been on Maintenance since June and kept my weight off minus a few holiday lbs that I got rid of right away. I started Phase 1 1 1/2 weeks ago to lose down to 150 and give myself a bit more wiggle room and lost 7 lbs in the first week.

IP really did their research and when they say "the last diet we'll ever be on" I actually believe it. I know I can keep this weight off forever!!!

Do you mind if I ask-do you stick to the carbs for dinner and fats for lunch? I was thinking that I would pretty much stick to how I eat now, but add in more fruit and nuts for snacks. (I SO crave both now!!). Do you do the cheat day once a week? And if you do do the "cheats" come right back off the scales after 1 day of phase 1? I have several things I would like to try and promised myself since I haven't cheated at all on this diet-starting with ice cream, lasagna, and those new mini reese cups!

Thanks for the information!

I just made sure that I had my carbs at breakfast and dinner and lean protein and veggies at lunch. I really didn't become a slave to wondering if something was more fat or carbs.

Yes, I took the cheat day every week and Sunday was my Phase 1 day. It worked like a charm. If I noticed that I had a rough day of eating that wasn't my actual cheat day then I would make sure that I did Phase 1 the next day. There did come a time when I noticed I may have a cheat everyday and then I would just make sure that I increased my protein after. It's not perfect but it works.

I would advise weighing at least once a week. I think sometimes we use the motto that "ignorance is bliss" You need to keep track of where you are because 5 lbs is so much easier to lose than 20!

Hope that makes sense!!