It's for sure TOM. Just another reason for me to resent it. Just continue staying OP and you'll see that drop!

I'm planning a cheat for November 30 which is my staff Christmas party. I'm not using it as motivation - I'm actually not looking forward to it. Cheating that night will probably cause a slow down that week. We are going to a fantastic restaurant and I don't want to be grumpy that I can't eat any of the food there. I will plan to have small tastes of things and not go overboard. Also planning some cheats during the Christmas holidays and starting back 100% afterward. I feel like I should have started this program months ago so the holidays wouldn't be such a setback but there's no time like the present I guess!

The last time I did IP I didn't gain at TOM but I would only loose 1-2 lbs that week. To see the scale go up might be what I needed to buckle down and get determined. I don't know. But its disappointing at the same time. I'm blaming it on TOM (like I did all my cheats haha) After this week I wont have any excuse except lack of will power!! Which I am really really trying to overcome.

Thanks for trying to make me feel better everyone Its nice to having you ladies here

I did'nt consider the holidays when I started. That being said, I will just do my best. I'm not typically a sweets person so I can avoid those things but, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner will be an issue. I am going to eat what I want and get right back on track. I don't believe in depriving myself to the point of not celebrating a hilday. For me it leads to self distruction for feeling deprived of things. jmho

Is anyone else who started in October struggling? I am finding that it is really difficult for me to get through the days now that I am starting week 6. I don't think it's temptation of anything (although the thought of putting myself face-down in a pizza is tempting!), but now the scale is barely moving (and not because I am not on plan). Mentally, this is getting tougher. Sigh.

You know...I've been thinking about this alot lately. I'm nervous to cheat. What will happen on the scale? I've been so successful thus far that I don't want that to stop. I'm feeling really good about myself and am noticing changes in the way I look. Thanksgiving actually is really scaring me. We are flying to Chicago for that weekend and things will be out of my control. I think that if I can deal with the parts I am in control of, then I can't feel bad, but I've been 100% OP this entire time and really want to stay on plan. The holidays are gonna be tough!!!

I'm going to two concerts the 2nd week of december and I was telling myself I've done so well and I don't want to be bothered with how strict this is and I was going to go off it until after the concert. But I started reading around the board, about how hard it is to restart and how it's not as easy the second time. I think that knocked me out of it. I'd rather just continue the success that I'm having. I mean, we're all going to get to goal eventually and we're allowed one cheat day a week so that's what I'm looking forward to. And it kind of motivates me not to go off it now.

Of course, I understand why and if anyone else does. Please let me know how it worked for you and if you were able to jump right back on. That's what scares me the most. I know with other diets where I took a break and then tried to go back to it, I never had the same motivation as the first time.

I am with Watchoutforthatcar, I am going for 100% until the end. Made it through 3 family birthdays, a wedding,a charity Tea, and my own birthday in the past month. I am making a plan for Thanksgiving, bringing some of my own veggies. I will miss the wine but it will be there next year.

mvngmntns13- I just finished week 4 and I am definitely hungry again this week. Water, herbal tea and pickles have helped.

Emsmom- travel for the holidays is tough. Is there anyway you could ask for your veggies clean?

Amen! Me too! The more OP I am..the less I am on Phase 1.
I plan on a ton of turkey, some green beans and a salad..that should be plenty!

Keeping motivated through weekly progress! Had my fourth week WI and down 2.5. Over 11 lbs lost in four weeks and over 14 inches. I can do this!

Had an emergency situation over the weekend with the man and spent time in the ER, then icu, and have been spending the night every night. Tonight will be my first night home. I have been so tempted with all the vending stuff but I made the choice to pack up stuff and make good choices at dinner...it worked. (He's still in hospital) None of that crap in the vending would have changed one damn thing. Putting food in my my mouth is the ONLY thing I can control and nobody can take it away from me. It's the only thing I can do for myself right now. Everyone tells me to make sure I take care of myself, well, this is the only thing I can do. I won't use this as an excuse, not this time. Screw fat...I'm over it...I'm over the struggle...I'm over the excuses. I will win and it will be glorious!!

I hope everyone keeps strong through the holidays. If there's a slip, there's a slip, we are all human. I just wish for the desire to be done with Phase 1 to be greater than the desire to eat whatever will make me feel like crap later.

Stay strong October sisters and brothers!!

You are going to do amazing! You keep on keeping on instead of giving up, that says ALOT!! Screw will power...reconsider your deepest desire, commit, and do...you've got this girl!!

Thanks so much Airportchick11 I am determined to have this weight gone! I just joined the 20 by Christmas challenge. Need something to work towards and feel accountable each week to. Looking forward to next weigh in already

Airportchick- you are one strong lady! Sorry to hear that "the man" is in the hospital. I am sending good thoughts your way. I am inspired by your planning and commitment during this stressful time. You are in it to win it!

WI today lost another 3lbs. Down 17lbs in 1 month. I am thrilled.

I just keep telling myself if I cheat it is costing me $$$ since this is expensive.

We can all do it. If we dont.....think what the alternative is.

Fantastic loss. We got this!

I've been offline for a couple few days. Loved reading about everyones progress and some new IP'ers out there!

I had a tremendously successful weekend. 2 dinners with friends and I went to the Redskins game. Stayed OP the entire time... not a sliver!! I'm in another pair of pants I haven't been able to fit in for a while. Feeling good!

As far as cheating goes, I will not give myself a day, a bite, a sip, nothing. Since I have done this before I know how easy it is to deviate and it is so hard to get back OP. It took me almost 10 months to truly commit fully again and I gained everything back in the meantime. That one meal is just not worth it. There will be other Thanksgivings, other parties. And you know that fabulous restaurant... the food OP tastes so much better there than from my kitchen- and someone else cleans up the mess!

I'm only about to finish week 3. I've got a long way to go.. but, I'm going to stick to it till the END!! That's my plan!

Airportchick: Hope everything is ok. What a great job staying strong during such a tough time!