shanned glad you've found us, welcome. It sounds like you're using alternative products, there is a whole thread devoted to alternatives, tons of info there if you haven't found it yet
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...-part-7-a.html

About MFP. I see you're about at the same stage as I am, goal is not all that far away. I've started thinking about P2,P3. Although I wasn't using MFP all along, good advice that I got here got me started using it - it's going to come in handy later. Already I'm liking the info it's giving me, and it's pretty easy to use.

smdawheel - you're off to a great start! It's a hard decision to stay OP during the holidays, but it's possible. The key is to plan ahead, day by day, and it should all go smoothly. It's good that you read through a lot of the threads, that helped me immensely when I started! Let us know how it's going for you, we're all here to help

HIS First, congratulations on the race! and I'm glad to hear your ankle held up so well.
Second, OMG, embarrassing, but you have to admit, funny too
I'm sure you're not the first runner to get caught short (actually I've always wondered what runners do on some of those long races) So, hmm, what this means is....lesson learned, black capris are the must have uniform

Hi All! I'm new to this group and will be doing a bit of a modified IP Phase 1 this Holiday season. I know there is a separate thread for this, but it looks like there haven't been any posts in a long while and you all seem to very knowledgeable! I actually read the entire 20 something page thread in exercising and am still just as confused . Plus I know there have been some changes to the program in recent years it looks like? Anyways, to my question!

I'm wondering if anyone has had success with exercising at the beginning? The first time I did IP was about three years ago. I lost 61 pounds and got to my goal, but I went back to my old habits and eventually, here I am one pound away from my original weight. The first time I did not exercise. But now I have become in love with exercise, and am on the last week of my Couch to 5K app and typically do some sort of weight lifting or barre every day. I'm definitely someone who goes out of shape from exercise quite quickly and am scared to stop it, but I also know that last time I did not work out and lost weight quite quickly. I'm pretty torn! I also know that I have a couple of planned "cheat days" through the holidays (I hate to do this, but I'd rather do this then not start the diet now) and the exercise could help from turning those cheats into bigger days.

Anyways, I would love any advice on this subject! I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

So what a day!

I went into the 5K this morning with ZERO expectations. I was happy with the T-shirt we got - its actually really nice / good running material / not cheap It was exciting being there with other racers and cheering on DH and our niece as they got ready & went out for the 10K
...and it was COLD / windy.
So I just went out to do the best I could. I literally could not feel my feet the first mile I ran I set out and paced myself with a young family but about 1/2 way found my groove and passed them. It was a fairly hilly course.
I only walked twice to catch my breath.
Finished in 34:39 / 11:11 miles! 3rd in my age group, 18th overall (female). I got a medal
This was after only 3 weeks of training!
I loved it! And I am so proud of myself
IP has changed my life!

Jenn - welcome! I walked during my 9 months losing weight on P1 - there are a couple folks here who did a little more, but until I started P2 and added calories / fat, I didn't want to risk my health / lose muscle (and don't forget, the heart IS a muscle). There were still days I walked hard / fast enough that I would have an extra packet.
Also...if its a thought you would be willing to entertain...I've rarely seen someone post here "I am cheating for "XYZ" occasion" and make it back. There are a very small handful.
You have to do what is best for you, but one of the best decisions I personally made was to flex my will power muscle - through birthdays, St Patrick's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, vacations, July 4th, family barbecues, Halloween...I stayed strong.
After the initial weight loss, something changed and I wanted to make sure I had a grip on food...not that food still had a grip on me - and this includes using certain days (such as Thanksgiving) as an excuse to eat anything and everything I KNOW I shouldn't.

smd - welcome! You got this! I won't lie - It will be tough getting through the holidays but it is ONE year - next year you will be able to splurge in your skinny clothes

Blue - nope, still not ready for the white stuff down here yet glad you are enjoying MFP!

HIS - I held out until the last .10 & when I went to sprint, all out, to the finish, downhill...um...yah...needless to say, I wore grey running pants too oops

Yes! I have exercised the whole time during P1 both on my initial time of IP and now during this reboot. I don't know what you do for exercise, but I do Crossfit. I will tell you a couple of things:

1- I scale everything. No heavy weights AT ALL
2- I take an extra packet each day immediately following my workout. I do not count this towards the standard IP 3 packets + 1 meal
3- I also take 2 egg whites before I work out that I do not count towards my daily allotment. I work out in the morning, so I like to have just a little something.
4- Your workouts in the beginning will likely suck until your body gets used to burning fat for fuel and exercising without any carbs. This can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. It took me about 3-3.5 weeks to start feeling good during WOD's again.


My personal experience is that I lose weight and inches faster on IP with exercise. I have experimented and done weeks without exercise and weeks with. The weeks I exercise, I lose more weight. So, it works for me. It doesn't work for everyone. So, now I exercise 5-6x a week. On days that I do not do "formal" exercise, I make sure that I, at the very least, go for walk.

The first time I did IP, I did it at a clinic and I told my coach right off the bat that I was exercising. It took me a long time to make it a habit and something that I enjoy and there was no way I was giving it up. She is the one who helped me plan what to take pre & post workout and she was very supportive. Now I am rebooting on my own, but still following the same guidelines we established.

Beth & HIS - Congrats on your big weekend! You both must feel on top of the world.

Congratulations to the new starters who have motivated themselves to begin this journey around the holidays. I know the hardest part is getting started so you have achieved your first milestone! It is the first of many to come


Beth - how do you attach a thumbnail image?

Thanks - yes

Go to "advanced post" - the one where you can see all the smilies - scroll down a bit and under "additional options" it says "attache files" - click 'manage attachments' and browse / load your picture...I do this on a Dell laptop - not sure I've ever attached from my phone

Hysteria, Blue and Ro22 - Thank you for your support. I feel that this group will make the process much easier.

Jennydoodle - It is good to here that you have been able to exercise while on phase 1.

I have been walking the dog, but I have noticed that something more strenuous makes me feel bad. I am planning on limiting my self to walking for a couple more weeks. I think I will talk with my coach about increasing my activity after Thanksgiving.

I have been surprised as to how relatively easy the program is going (with a lot of help on this forum). We dined out for the first time last night (Texas Road House - I ate salad with lemon juice while everyone else was eating bread and peanuts. I spent part of the day making salads and soups for the first part of the week. Then on to Thanksgiving. Its a big day for my family, but I was able to discuss IP with my parents this weekend and I know I can do this.

Texas Roadhouse ROCKS! They are amazingly accommodating!
Take it really easy the first 3 weeks - I didn't even start walking until almost 12 weeks in. I think it IS an important aspect of IP and should be encouraged, for both mental and physical health - but our bodies are adjusting to a lot those first couple weeks - if you start having problems (not everyone does - no worries) it can be more difficult to pinpoint what the issue is if you have too much going on.
Keep in mind, exercise can increase hunger and cause water retention.

smdawheel and jennijenn, I started the protocol using alternatives (no clinic, no coach) in early June 2015. I've always walked and hiked and carried 50 bags of feed, but still took it easy the first month on protocol. In July, I began increasing my walking until eventually I was walking 3-4 miles/day, 5-6 days/week. That took a couple of months. Then in August, I started the C25K program, and on the "off" days, I walked. I ALWAYS take at least one rest day per week. I lost 3 pounds/week very consistently until the last 4-6 weeks, when I was within 10 pounds of goal. On my C25K running days, I had 1/2 RTD shake before the run, and my regular protocol breakfast immediately afterward.

I think it's important to carefully watch your body's response to both the protocol and exercise. Some people, like me, do fine doing both, and other people report that their weight loss slows or stalls with exercise. You also have to be prepared for increased hunger and possibly altering your food intake to meet your body's needs. This is a VERY low calorie diet, and if you're burning 300+ calories via exercise, you can end up very nutritionally depleted very quickly.

Blue, glad to hear you're liking MFP. I'm a big proponent of being an informed healthcare consumer, and that includes knowing what we are eating. And, yeah, the wet running pants was kind of funny. I had just read an article about running disasters the day before, and then... it was happening to me. FTR, I do plan to wear some kind of protection at the next race. Don't want to get a reputation in the running circuit as "that lady who always wets herself."

Beth, wowsa, girl, your photo!! Look at those tiny hips! And you did so well during your run. I'm kind of jealous that it only took you 3 weeks of training to place in a 5K. haha. The benefit of youth! You deserve to wear that medal with pride.

Ro, my run (the wet-pants-no-shame issue notwithstanding) was a much needed boost this holiday week. I've been feeling very unmotivated to stay on track, diet-wise, but that race helped me see how much better I run with my weight in check.

After my splurge feast yesterday, I've done P1 all day today. I know it's standard protocol to do a day or two of P1 or P2 after a splurge, but it's hard! I don't know how some people phase off early and then come back and do P1 again for weeks or months.

________

Daughter and I talked about our menu for Thursday. A couple of weeks ago, she was planning to go completely off-protocol for the day, but now that she's lost 25 pounds, she doesn't really want to lose momentum. So she - and I, in support - will be having deep-fried turkey, mashed cauliflower, gravy made from protein chicken soup, rolls made from protein oatmeal & Quest multipurpose mix, and we're both going to have a small serving of sweet potato casserole, which I'll make with Splenda brown sugar and as few carbs as possible. I haven't decided what to do about dessert yet. Maybe we will both be too full to care.

Yay for your daughter HIS! And what an awesome mom
Just a thought - maybe have a batch of chayote apples at the ready in the fridge - a mug cake take less than 10 minutes to toss together - just in case watching everyone eat pie and sip coffee gets to be too much on Thursday.
I am contemplating putting together a banana cream pie (thanks Ro!) Wednesday night using 2 cookies and cream quest bars as the crust...or peanut butter pie - mmmm
I has seriously debated making Thanksgiving my first P4 day but feel like that's just asking for it ...I mean my sweet potato casserole alone has 2 cups of sugar and a stick of butter

Jennijen,SMDA and Shanned I will share with you that my experience on this diet has been amazing- mostly due to the support and family I have gained here on 3FC-especially this particular forum. I follow several, which have led me to explore and play with some alternatives. That, only recently happened-otherwise I stayed 100% IP since February. Congratulations to you, and to us all for having a plan in place for Thanksgiving! I honestly believe "preparation prevents panic" (the title of an old training video from my early days in banking-but fitting to so many situations) it's been so true for me on IP. Stay focused and in touch with this group and you got it made!!!
Beth Congratulations to you!!! Amazing job!! So happy for you!! Your pictures on FB were INCREDIBLE!!! Lady- you rocked it!! I loved seeing the comment from someone who obviously hasn't seen you in a while!
HIS That's so great that your daughter wants to stay on program. It's so much easier with a buddy- Congratulations to her 25 lbs!!!
Blue I think I need to follow your lead and get back in to MFP. I used to use it before IP-and it was good and all, but wasn't as accurate as I would have hoped. I think I should probably use it again though. Especially as P2 is starting to close in on me.
I started late this morning, so I'm going to have to bow out for now- hopefully later I'll be able to get back on and catch up further. Lots of plow contracts to get out today- I hate the thought of snow...after last winter- I guess it's more the ice I hate- I love the fresh fallen snow- someone posted a gorgeous picture of the snow Saturday- but I'm still not ready.
Have a great Monday everyone-!! TTYL

Beth Congratulations on the great race results
Love the picture! Look at skinny you!! And you look so happy with that medal around your neck.

HIS Your Thanksgiving dinner sounds yummy! Can I come to your house
Even though we’ve already had our Thanksgiving in Oct, all this turkey talk has me really craving some. I just might make one anyway, and borrow some of your ideas for go-withs.
Your daughter is doing really well too, WOW! 25 already! and how much easier Thanksgiving will be for both of you doing it together. I hope it’s a wonderful day for you both.

Linda - I’m sure MFP isn’t all that accurate sometimes, but yeah, it’s been interesting to see those numbers each day. I’m glad I started using it. Even though I’m eating pretty much the same as before, now I’m more conscious of carbs/protein/calories. From what I know about P2/P3, I’m not sure how I could manage to do it right without some sort of tool like MFP.
Oh, and yeah, that SNOW picture was looking out back at my place, I love the first really pretty snowfall (and it was so pretty)….but I love it more when it melts away (and it has)

Happy Monday everyone, hope this is a good week for you all!

Linda, Blue, HIS ...all my I-Peeps I never could have come this far without you all

Linda - just when you think you're going to catch a breath...I really hope the predictions for New England snow this winter were just hype! I guess you started IP at the tail end of all that last year. Wow!

So, I am seriously contemplating have the attached picture made into a magnet to stick on my fridge.
I know a couple of you have seen this on FB...and I know its going to sound ridiculous, but putting this together last night (and placing in the 5K) finally opened my eyes to just how far I've come and how much I have to be proud of - and how much I want to maintain my loss!

I am generally not a 'toot-my-own-horn' kind of person, but like I said, yesterday was just kind of a 'wow' moment.
Linda - I was shocked at all the subtle comments from family & old friends who haven't seen me recently. I think I know the comment you are specifically referring to - she is my godmother and was my dad's best friend - and has the subtlety of a bull in a china shop

So today / tomorrow are 'try-and-get-work-done-before-holiday-malaise-sets-in' I didn't start out very good - forgot to reset my alarm and was an hour behind
For the first time I can remember in the 14 years my girls have been in school, DD10 has the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off - bad mom for not paying attention to the school calendar - but for 14 years, its been a 1/2 day. Probably for the amount of kids who were there vs were not, it makes sense. This is also one of the worst traffic days in the DMV.

Tonight is quiet / get laundry done night. Tomorrow starts the real prepping for after talking with my niece yesterday, I am going to make a small casserole dish of mashed cauliflower to complement the squash medley she is bringing. She thought it was a terrific idea to use unsweetened / unflavored almond milk in lieu of regular - and a little garlic / salt / pepper. We will have cheese / gravy too if it lacks flavor - and of the 21 folks, I can think of 4 or 5 who will actually eat this
I also have to start prepping some of the non-IP compliant dishes too. Thankfully, I get to skip dessert-duty (except my 'pie')

Beth...HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!!!!! YOU LOOK AMAZINGGGGG

HIS - how is your ankle!?

Thanks Linda

This is going to be such a wasted week. I have a huge, frustrating project at work I really need to start on (no super-firm deadline, but one of the ASAP things...), but don't want the stress right now

Stopped by and met with the trainer at the gym, to get my end-of-P3 Fitness Assessment update:

Totals 11-23-15 / 10-16-15
Weight = 147.8 / 150.4
Body Fat = 28.8 / 32.3 WOW! huge improvement
BMI = 23.5 / 23.9
Visceral Fat = 5 / 5
Skeletal Muscle = 31.4 / 29.5 Yay!!!

The trainer said these are amazing results I can check in whenever I want so will probably give myself a month to settle into P4 and my workout routine (alternating cardio / strength) and see where I am at.