It IS a LOT more work to eat healthy but this is what we SHOULD be doing (all the veggies!) and you WILL get used to it.

I started at 260 and at larger sizes it took a while for me to change sizes. I just didn't talk about it much at first to others because I didn't need their negativity to bring me down.

I had to remember that even thought I'd lost 8 lbs (or 20 or 50!), I was still in the obese range and although I was losing weight, other people still saw me as obese. It took me time to get in the shape I was in & it took time to correct my condition. But persistence pays! And success is ALL in the attitude. It is time to adjust yours toward your accomplishments and to be proud of them!

Hi! The best advice I can give you is to just keep swimming!

Just keep doing what you're doing and it WILL happen for you. The weight/unhealthy eating/size didn't come on overnight either. The inches/pounds thing is weird. Some weeks it is great, some not so great and then sometimes, whoosh! You just have to make peace with the fact that it has a mind of its own. If you're doing all the right things, in time, you won't believe how far you've come. (Many of us would be jealous of an 8.5 pound first week loss, green with envy)

Another key learning I think many of us have had is that we cannot look to others for validation or affirmation. Certainly it's nice when you get outside support but honestly, this is a personal journey. You've made a choice. You're doing the work. And you will reap the benefits. (your family will as well because you'll be a healthier and happier you) You don't need anyone to approve. You will get some compliments soon I'm sure! (Plus brothers are notoriously annoying. I have two and oy,the backhanded "compliments")

I know it's hard now, early on... but I promise that if you really stick to it, one day you'll look back at this and marvel at how far you've come. You'll be proud, confident, healthy and in better control of what life throws your way.

I'm not generally a rose colored glasses person so I have to work hard to look for the good things, and to appreciate them. The more I do that, the better I feel.

I hope you feel better about all this soon. Good luck. Keep it up - you're doing great!

QUESTION: what's the best thread for phase 2 and phase 3 questions? It feels like daily chat may not be quite right but Maintainers doesn't feel right either. Thoughts?

In part i'm looking for some phase 2/3 lunch ideas - portable/easy for work. And some phase 3 breakfast ideas. I found one older phase 3 breakfast thread but it didn't have as many suggestions as I'd hoped. (sometimes search here is weird)

happy hump day all! IP POWER to you.

This is the best Phase 3 thread for breakfast ideas. LizRR came up with some GREAT ideas! I made myself a whole file of them. And once I had a few ideas it was easier to adapt from there.

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...ast-ideas.html

As far as lunches, I think the maintainers thread is a great idea. That, or just seeing what different folks eat for meals in the what are you eating thread. It might give you some ideas. I took chicken or tuna salad on a bed of lettuce frequently on p2/3. Easy to make a bunch at once. Veggies included. I also just made more dinner portions of things b/c I knew I'd be taking leftovers for lunch.

Well, they do have pina colada flavored drinks.... they are actually pretty good too! Lol

Random thoughts:
*cut back the intensity on the exercise until you can keep up, plus add the packet, whether before/during/after will depend on when you exercise. (Breakfast shake/workout/second shake, for example, or, IP snack/workout/dinner plus have the bed time snack)
*time for the paper towel analogy!--when you put the giant roll of papertowels in the holder and take off the first, second third sheets--it still looks kind of giant. By the time you get near the end of the roll, each sheet removed makes it look A LOT smaller. Fat loss can look the same way. Well, except sometimes the roll gets a lot smaller on top before the "stomach rolls" start getting smaller.
*p2/p3 lunch ideas--I second both of lisa's suggestions, look at the "what are you eating today" thread and post on the maintainers thread. There have been a few p2 threads but that don't get much action, so you'll get more answers on the maintainers thread, I think.

forgot about those! I don't know about you, but I stick to my top like...5 packets. haha. I'll have to grab a few!! Thanks for the reminder!

I had an extremely hectic day off... All kinds of running around! Then I finally got home and I was starving...only to realize I forgot to pull chicken out of the freezer to defrost . My first thought was oh well I'll just go grab something quick and get back on track tomorrow. As I was grabbing my keys I just decided no. Not going to do it! I'm tired of "re-starting" and the best way to stop that is to stop quitting! So I made eggs... I really really am not a fan of eggs! But I ate them along with 2 c of sautéed spinach and you know what? Not quitting makes eggs taste better!!

Great job!!

Thanks Lisa and InfoPlease!

I appreciate that you posted the link. I need to start a file of cut/pasted items so that I don't have to re-find things.

Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Started a new decade today, the 220's! Haven't seen these numbers in quite some time so pretty excited.

On another note, is anyone as obsessed with zucchini noodles as I am? I want them with every meal and love making spaghetti and Alfredo with them. I swear my Facebook friends think I'm nuts since it's all I talk about at dinner time anymore.

Great NSVs....

16? That is what I wear and we are the same height!

Welcome and good luck! When I started IP, I ate about three cooked veggies: broccoli, zucchini, and green beans. Now, I am eating and enjoying such a wide variety of veggies! Try different things, cook them different ways (roasted veggies are amazing), and you will find things you enjoy. Use spices, too.

Congrats! How exciting!

I know it is cold, but have a great time! What a special night out!

I do half hour workouts, and started about two months into IP. I usually do toning, although sometimes I do light cardio. I do not normally feel the need for an extra packet, unless I do two workouts back to back. I don't know that it affected my losses overall, but I felt that it was important to get some toning in.

Too funny! I had eggs and spinach, too! Way to keep yourself on track!

forgot to check in and update on Tuesday, WI and lost 1lbs. I am getting back and dedicated make a good loss for this coming Tuesday.