Thanks, Cheryl! I won't be able to attend as I am in Chicago suburbs but I would love it if you could post what you learn.
I don't think my clinic does a workshop either.
I find it interesting that Dr. Z is still doing the workshops because I think that posting was from 2011 or so and if I recall correctly, I think Novak had said she had lost 90 pounds through IP so good to know someone who is keeping it off long-term (I think I recall that correctly).
I am not going to do Phase 2 - I am going to go right to Phase 3 so I am only a few weeks away.

Brilliant news on both fronts. I should think it feels like Christmas in your household today. So happy for you, Cheryl.

In case anyone is interested, I have included a link to a recipe booklet I put together as I prepare more for life after phase 1. Plus, I was looking for a bit of variety as I have been cycling through same meal options for 7 months so this really helped this week.

The booklet is in 2 sections right now - Recipes using IP products and 2nd section is from Quest Nutrition Cookbook as I definitely see myself incorporating these into maintenance.

I hope it is ok to include even though I didn't cite the source of the recipes.
If we all add to this, we could really arm ourselves with quite a collection of recipes and keep in our kitchen with other cookbooks we may have.

So as I prepare for life after phase 1, I have 2 tools in addition to this forum - my Excel food journal/IP to alternative comparison (for which I included a link to in this thread) and this recipe booklet, which I will continue adding to (I find it easier to have a hard copy when I am meal planning vs searching this forum)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7J...ew?usp=sharing

Thank You Thank You! I am on my iPad this am and I don't have time to look, but will open later on the laptop and check it out.....I'm pretty good with excel! Actually before real estate I was an executive secretary to the VP of international sales for a chemical company....picked up a few skills there lol....- wish I had saved that wardrobe...had some really expensive suits and such ~ obviously pre kid when I had money to spend on expensive clothes lol....

Screw that! Just remember In a month they will have all their weight right back on because they have learned nothing! And you my friend will, continue to be the winner!

We have been on quite a few cruises and I think your best options as some one mentioned are the sit downs for dinner. Buffett for lunch you can load up on veggies and have a bit if chicken. I have gone and used red wine vinegar for a dressing at restaurants and on vacations with no significant issues. Personally am not one for carrying dressing around...I make due...just be concious of your choices and you will do great.

Cheryl - such great news all the way around! Yeah for DH and your new job.

Well we had about an 8 inch snow dump when all was said and done yesterday. DS and I shoveled 2x. Today I am picking up my client at 10. It's freezing out and there is plenty of ice....hopefully it will start melting soon. Warmer days are coming I hope....

Oh forgot to mention that I finally made my chyote last night! OMG I am in love....it's like cinnamon apples. So delish. Too bad I have only found them at whole foods which in not that close to me, but certainly now worth the 20minute drive....I'm in love lol...

Maybe you can ask your local grocer to carry them. I know ours will bring things in on request if they can.

Sue - what is that - can you share more about it? I am planning to make baked cinnamon "apples" tonight with dinner using pre-cut jicama I got at whole foods - as you note, a bit further drive but getting the jicama peeled and cut, SO convenient!

Sue - you are welcome. Let me know if you have questions. I think it should be easy to use with your working Excel knowledge. I think the main is you will need to add foods you use as mine tend to be fairly narrow lol

I know what you mean about the business suits - I am a software executive and as I was preparing for our user conference, I got out my more expensive business suits I haven't fit in or worn for a few years due to weight gain - I tried them on and oh my God, they were 2 sizes too big which triggered a shopping spree - I was conflicted - those are my favorite suits but much too big now!!! I felt good about the weight/sizes lost but not great that I couldn't wear my favorite suits lol I have never had my clothes taken in - it is something I need to look into - I'm wondering if they would fit right if I do that. I would definitely miss them if not!

Ro Your spreadsheet and recipes are awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Oneuh2 I am go glad that your husband's test results went well. A new boss too - It was your day. Enjoy! I am finding that the 10-15 year old pants (Can you believe I still have some?) have a higher waist and the waist is a little smaller relative to the hips and thighs than the pants today.

SGRealtor I found chayote at my Super Walmart after not finding them at my nice grocery store.

Thanks for all the comments on the cruise. I now feel comfortable that there will be good choices. I just need to make them. Maybe it is diet fatigue lately. It used to be very easy to watch other people eat foods that were off plan and not be tempted. Now not so easy sometimes.

I am very excited about all the activities on board. This will be a very different vacation than if we had taken it prior to IP. I will be able to fully engage in the very active excursions that we have planned - I will be snorkeling with sea turtles and zip lining through the jungle...it is nice to be able to take part in MY life.

Have a great day!

Thank you and you are welcome :-)
Have fun on the cruise - I had nothing to offer in regards to that as I have never been on one but it sounds like you are planning on quite an adventurous one - good to hear you are making the most of it!

I just noticed our weight loss journey is similar lol
I started Aug 25, same height as you at about same weight with same to lose/goal and we are closing in!

If I can go you can be sure I will share what I learn - I hope some of the other IPeeps from the Wash DC area are willing to go too - in fact I love the idea of a meetup! If you or any of the IPeeps happen to come to DC, please PM me and let's get together - that would be wonderful!!

Ro22 - You seem to be so well organized to have a successful maintenance routine - great of you to share your tools! But can you Explain to me again why you are not going to do Phase 2... Why vary from the IP program recommendation?

CenTXChk- I forgot to say 'poo re your neighborhood challenge' - if you want extra motivation come on over and enter a diet bet challenge. Or immediately engage your neighbors in a Keep it Off challenge. I bet they won't go for it, but you could pose the challenge and see if they will put their money on the longer term proposition. Make ok to continue pw to lose but no uptick over the finishing weight from your original challenge.

Sue - i bet we feel the same longing for Spring. I cannot imagine what the Boston folks are doing to get through the rest of their 2015 winter!
I dont find chayote in my regular groceries... Safeway Giant or Harris Teeter, and Whole Foods is not close by for me either but maybe this weekend is a good time to go find some chayote. I wonder if they are hard to grow? DH is planning the garden already!

I bought a class pass for dancing this month... I could go to the studio almost every day for a class or dance party - My goal is to get a regular routine going with Wed and Friday nights, and there is a cardio routine and a yoga class on Sunday's... If I take advantage of these I will have a good routine going, and my activity will be notably increased.

Sure I will explain, Cheryl.
Two ways I am going to deviate from IP recommendation.
I am going to get back to weight training this weekend. The protocol preventing this has never seemed logical to me, and I am weaker as a result so going to fix that so I am beginning to question things that I have been blindly doing for 7 months.
The main reason I am questioning/altering is my physical symptoms.
The second one I am altering due to physical symptoms is P2. The way I understand it, the only reason for this phase is to begin the transition off packaged foods so training for more normal eating. I am already good with this - I don't need help in that area and don't want 16 oz of animal protein per day. Because of my physical symptoms, I believe I need to transition sooner than later but I don't want to bypass the phase that is critical, which is phase 3 with the re-training of the pancreas. I have read numerous posts from those that bypassed p2 or did a very abbreviated one (days only) so I don't view it as an important one.

Ro22 - I just got a chance this morning to look at your spreadsheet and all I can say is wow! That's really impressive that you've taken the time to put that together and keep it up. I have enough trouble keeping up with my written journal plus MFP, which calculates a lot of that for me.

Oneuh2 - GREAT news all the way around, for you and hubby!!
Thanks for the measuring advice, I will be having a chat with my coach about that next week. And enjoy your dance pass!!

Lose2Win - hope you have fun on your cruise, looks like you're in the right place planning-wise. I've never been on one so I can't give you any advice, except a generic "stick to your plan."

For anyone re. some of the comments on yesterday's Community chat, plus Ro22 above - have your coaches told you not to exercise?? It seems like several people are talking about going "against protocol" because they want to. When I got a few weeks in, my coach told me to get moving - just to follow the guidelines I've also seen on IP and keep things light - walking, yoga, light weights, etc. And more recently to add a packet when I do something long like walking to school.

I think one of my daily IP videos also mention adding low intensity exercising. The subject line is: What are some good exercise options.

This is what it says on their website, I can't watch the video at work:

What Does Ideal Protein Say?
If your blood sugar gets too low, the proteins we supply and the muscle you have can undergo gluconeogenesis and glucose can be produced. If you increase the glucose demand (i.e. exercise vigorously during the first phase) you will increase gluconeogensis markedly. This can result in muscle loss, something we want to avoid.

If you must exercise, do it lightly (i.e. walk, bike, yoga). Here’s the beauty of the program: You are literally “peeing out calories” without having to exercise. You will lose the same amount of weight, but will not risk losing muscle.

This is not about calories in – calories out, its about hormones and metabolism. They were fighting a hormone (insulin) before and you cant exercise your way out of that, the hormone always wins.

After the first 3 weeks, you may exercise lightly, but please keep in mind:

– Do not get overly tired.
– Supplements are a must.
– Keep well hydrated. You must increase your water if you plan to exercise.

Wow!!!!!!!! I just noticed your weight loss!!!!!

Yes - my coach continues to insist that I not exercise even though I am a former professional athlete so fairly well-educated and experienced. He told me I will sabotage my weight loss efforts by doing so during phases 1-3.
I have consistently lost 3+ pounds per week so that could be what drives him - he said I have optimal results - do not change anything but I would rather be a stronger, slightly heavier with a little more fat than weaker, flabbier with less fat.