Congratulations on your first week. I am in week four and was accustomed to eating 5-6 small meals a day. Changes to only three meals and a "snack" was hard at first and I didn't think I could do it, but I can. It does get easier and easier. When you really get into the swing of things you'll find that you forget to eat because you are not hungry. I too have an intense job and I find that the job is doing a great job of distracting me so I have to set reminders to eat. It will get better.

This diet is amazing, so glad you are in ketosis and not hungry. After a few days ketosis really kicks in and seems to have an anoretic effect and sometimes you have to make yourself eat the packets and veggies even though you are not hungry.

What are some of your favorite products so far? I like the shakes and cereal best but most of the packets I had to adjust to because they definately have a different taste than the foods I am used to.

Yup, 4lbs down is possible. Pretty cool, huh? The headache will pass shortly. Many people have a headache on the second or third day. Mine was the worst migraine of my life, even my teeth hurt. I had to go home early from work. The third day I was very tired, but the energy returned. They recommend holding off from exercising until after the third week. That gives the body time to get through the drastic nutritional change that we are putting it through. Over time you will want to exercies more and more. My coach recommended that I now exercise in a way that makes my body feel good. Don't over do it, keeping balanced.

I don't mind the puddings actually and the cereal isn't too bad with some cinnamon.... some of the drinks I really water down. I tried the soup....umm...not so great..... I really want to get down the jello and the pom/blueberry drink as I already had some loose skin to begin with. I am 34 and have two children, one actually just graduated from Gr12 so that was pretty exciting... my son is in Gr 11 this year... soon they will leave (
I noticed some of the things we can have like soya sauce is high in sodium.... are we not worried about our sodium intake?
Nice to meet you Elle12

We are not worried about sodium intake because the protein packets have hardly any sodium in them and of course veggies are low sodium too. However, our bodies need a constant supply of sodium in order to function correctly. Low sodium levels will cause headaches and muscle cramps. So we are encouraged to use our sea salt heavily and not discouraged from taking in other high sodium foods. So if you likely a food on the salty side...pour it on and no harm done. My coach wants us to have 1 tsp of sea salt a day.

Dang Girl! That's great! Can you believe how much you've shrunk in just 3 weeks? I love that you get instant results with this diet. It's so motivating! Keep up the great job.

Thanks Natchamp and nice to meet you... I see you are doing really well as well... Great! Glad to hear about the sodium since I really like stirfry for supper and like soya sauce in it... I'm happy about pickles too cause I love those.

I began IP just about 2 weeks ago. I lost 10 pounds the first week and my second week weigh in is tomorrow morning. I was traveling over the weekend and managed to stay on plan despite going out with my family. I feel pretty good though. I'm just starting to comb through the message board here because it is nice to find an active group doing the same thing.

I'm going to talk to my doctor tomorrow about the exercise thing though because they knew when I started this that I dance 3-4 nights a week and spend a fair amount of time on an elliptical every day. I've been at a slower pace lately because of an injury, but there's no way I would give up dancing for the 8-9 months I expect to be on this. Is this just because of the low calorie intake?

Marion

Yes, it's because of the low cal intake. Since you are already a very active person you probably can continue your activities without noticing a difference. Maybe just a little big sluggish. But there are many others who are not used to a lot of exercise that are seeing their bodies change quickly and it's motivating. So the first thing they want to do is hit the eliptical really hard and it's something that their body hasn't done in a very long time. Of course the body reacts and says, "OK, you are taking in very little calories and now your are burning more that normal. You need to now store every calorie you take in because I'm starving." So then you start to retain rather than burn calories.

Your routine has been unchanged and you may not be interested right now in ramping it up so you doc may tell you to just remain steady for now.

My doc asked me not to push it any further. I was already walking 2.5 miles a day. Once I started the diet I couldn't get through 1.5 miles without feeling really tired and needing to sit. Then after the second week that dissappeared and I can resume my 2.5. It's all about balance. We just can't push our bodies to do things that is it not fueled to do.

[quote=yelliemom;3394765]
Funny about the Spanx. I just wore a pair of Spanx the other day that I hadn't worn in a while because they were too snug. How bad is that when you buy them to make your big butt look a bit smaller only to have your butt get so big that you can't wear them at all.
[quote]

THANK YOU! I just got a new pair this weekend, went to put them on this morning and couldn't get them over my hips. I think I said verbatum what you said. Made me feel horrible haha. Luckily I have a pair a size bigger so all was not lost!

I started IP last Thursday and have my first official weigh-in tonight - my scales say I've already lost 6 pounds, but the last three mornings the scales have stayed at 220. Still, it's better than 226.

Hope it's not too much information, but my husband says my boobs are smaller already! He laughed and said that was an unforunate side effect!

Anyhoo, I feel pretty good - I did eat two pcs of ham yesterday between lunch and dinner, which was 97% fat free - maybe that's why I didn't show any less this morning on the scale?

Still, I'm excited to see how the weigh & measure goes tonight - wish me luck!!

Barbara

6lbs is great for the first week. Deli ham, thin sliced? Probably won't hurt much at all. I over did it once on a steak. I usually get a big stead, slice 5oz. off for myself, and then give the remaining portion to my boyfriend. Well, one day I didn't want to share so I ended up eating 8oz. Shamefully I wrote it down in my journal to share with my doc. He asked me what happened. I confessed and he said that it could be a lot worse and that it wasn't the end of the world if I cheated with a little extra protein. I felt better.

Hi everyone! Welcome to all the newbies...you'll love it here!

NSV - I returned to work today after a 2+ week vacation and the compliments have been flying fast and furious all morning. People keep asking me what I'm doing to lose all the weight and congratulating me on how great I look. This definitely makes up for staying the same this week and motivates me to stay on track and post a big loss next week!

Wishing everyone a super day!

I so jealous of everyone's weight ticker! grrr. I think mine will be activated tomorrow. Today is my 20th day. Maybe it will be activated later today. I don't remember what time of day I created my account. Hanging in there an admiring everyone elses.

NSV- with any weight loss the boobs are the first to go... DAMN...

Sweetstina- Wow the compliments must make you feel soo good! I am back to work in 6 weeks so I am hoping for a great reaction like yours as well.

It seems everyone is losing more every second week...are people loosing more weight than inches or is it pretty comparable...