My coach told me that carbs draw water to the colon, but protein does not. I feel your pain, I have struggled with C and water retention for the last 7 months.


Dak1, thank you for sharing your wonderful update on your year anniversary! Your journey and continued success is both inspirational and reassuring.

Thanks Slipfree -- at least that makes sense. Sometimes I know I'm a "Pain in the...." but I don't need the diet to take that quite so literally! LOL

Random thought as I cook dinner: Whose idea was it to invent the brussel sprout. What an odd little vegetable!

From what I understand fats also help with the big C, so there's another reason to get your allotment of EVOO in.

There's a few veg that aren't on the list that probably could be - I think it would be too exhaustive to list, lol. My question was about nopales on P1 when I was with my coach. Not a listed veg, but still comparable to some on the list. I will admit she said to use my common sense. "Check the sodium level, fat, carb, calories and if they don't seem out of line for the low carb list - go for it" Not advocating this, of course, as it could lead to including some veg that would probably be not a good idea carbwise. Someone needs to draw a line and IP does that, mainly so you don't have to think about the diet, just do it following instructions.

Liana
ps: I did use nopales but not often... just when I wanted REAL Mexican.

Are you in ketosis? My hubbie couldn't get IP to work although he didn't last past two weeks.

I think it is because we get used to things and the hunger pangs kick in. Sometimes I'm busier than usual. Are you making different food choices?

I think IP and dr.tran's original protocol have changed a bit. Was it a recent publication? We aren't supposed to add oil to cooking. Just the 2 tsp on food and only EVOO or grapeseed oil.

Had my first bout this past weekend. I was also on pain meds so that didn't help. I've noticed if I miss my cal/mag I might skip a day. I also think the volume of food we are eating is much smaller and has an impact.

Opiates are the cause in the pain meds - nasty stuff any codeine etc, will screw royally with your bowels - totally paralyzes them (well, not really, but it sure feels like it).

Some people never get that wonderful ketosis "side effect". I didn't really when I did Atkins. The other thing is that most of my hunger pangs are my desire to eat, rather than true hunger (no low blood sugar symptoms)

Quest Bars have no corn syrup or other sugars, if you're looking for a bar.
And bars are restricteds...so there is only one allowed per day.


The protocol Dr Tran has listed on his website has 2 TABLESPOONS of oil with the noon meal.

Girl, Pu-leez. If you looked like that, you wouldn't need IP!

Catlady, I have had hunger on and off throughout the 7 months. I call them hungry weeks and hot herbal tea becomes my close friend.

I've tried splenda and I just can't do it. I've been having that awful after taste the past few days. It kind of surprised me because I've used the splenda flavored packets and been fine, but the actual packets are making me want to gag.

Stevia is my next thing to try, I think. Is there anything else? Help! No one wants me to go without my coffee.

ChipnDip: I am no longer eating restricteds per my coach because when I do my losses are really small. That little bit extra kicks me out of ketosis. So the last 2 weeks we have been trying that experiment and this is the time frame that I have found my self hungrier than I have ever been on IP.

Lisa: I ask my self the question: Would I eat a bowl of plain romaine right now or do I just think I'm hungry. If I hadn't had to take romaine of the food list because of the extra carbs, I would eat a bowl. Eating a bowl of iceberg make me want to gag. So I just have a nice glass of water or a cup of peppermint tea and it usually goes away for a while.

Slipfree: I have gone through almost an entire box of peppermint tea in the past two weeks.

I am going to discuss with my coach on Sat. Eating the restricteds I had 1.3 lb losses. Last week not eating them I had a 1.4 loss. We'll see what happens this week. Maybe I could do them 2 or 3 times a week.

I'm wounded to the quick. If I put it as my avatar you'd HAVE to believe me wouldn't you ? That's the joy of the internet. I can have whatever abs I want! Haven't you heard that "Celebrity" song by Brad Paisley?
Hee, hee...

Okay, you're here for my reality check....

Random thought: you are what you eat....but I don't WANNA be a brussel sprout! (Maybe it means I'm "full of layers" in a deep and meaningful way, vs. meaning I'm "round and bitter!"

I went off plan today at lunch, first time since I started six weeks ago. I did fine the rest of the day and will definitely stick to it till bedtime. I think my biggest challenge will be getting back to 100% tomorrow. It helps to come here and read everyone's post, so thanks!!

I have my weigh in tomorrow too, blah. Probably exactly the accountability I need though

ReadytoLive,
KAL Stevia in the bottle is the best tasting stevia around. It comes with a little spoon in the bottle for measuring. Have tried every brand I could find and this is the best. The packets have some other additives that leaves an aftertaste in my mouth.

Fell apart today. Completely forgot about a luncheon at work. I tried to only eat salad but gave into temptation. I decided I am not going to beat myself up over this but instead go right back OP. Tomorrow is a new and better day.