Hi everyone. I'm starting IP on Tuesday. I actually made the decision to start a couple weeks ago, but had a few wine tastings planned with friends, so I decided to wait. I've definitely taken advantage of my extra time - I've eaten Thai food four times in the last two weeks!

I've been a Weight Watchers member for about four years. I lost 40 pounds and then was diagnosed with some stomach issues that caused me to have to change my diet, which of course caused me to gain 20 back. I've managed to stop the weight gain but for the life of me can't seem to lose any. I think I've gotten Weight Watchers fatigue and just need to try something new. I'm glad you are all here for support. It sounds like the first few days can be pretty rough! Any advice to help get through them?

I can't wait to try this!!!!

Had my weigh in yesterday> as I stepped on the scale and looked forward, I said to my coach, "I am beginning to dread Thursdays because of the weigh in and I am always afraid of what the scale will say to me." She replied, "Well look down." Lo and behold the scale said 182.5 lbs. - down 5 pounds in the past week! Wow! Maybe I will have to re-think my feelings about Thursdays. I have officially lost 10% of my body weight in 7 weeks...now for another 10%. It would be great to lose it by the end of June. We'll see.

Sully1961:

Doing the happy little cloud dance for you today...

Liana

Sully!!! Congrats! That's so exciting!

I really watched my carb intake this week - one of the bars I loved had 21 grams in it. Cut them out for a week to see if it made a huge difference and boy, did it ever! Weighed in this morning and lost 12 pounds this week!!!!! That is amazing to me. Believe me when I say there's plenty more where that came from, but I am sure celebrating today! That's a total of 33.6 since April 12th. Lost inches too so I am super happy. Going to celebrate by treating myself to a long-overdue haircut this afternoon. I'm working hard on finding non- food ways to treat myself.

Ok I get the munchies something fierce (could be TOM BUT I really don't get an AF due to an IUD but still) so instead of grabbing animal crackers, rice chips or something high sodium/fat / sugar I ate 2 celery stalks with WF pb which I added 2 HEAPING Tbs of cinnamon to it and munched on those chased down by a BIG glass of water. YAY ME!!!

Slow baby steps back to where I was, it is hard to get back but I am slowly and surely!:ca rrot:

Today I am retaining water and feel bloated so to banish that with a ton of water and I will be great!

Welcome to the club!!
My best advice for getting through the 1st week or week and a half is to go to bed early, make sure you have a light schedule and that day 3, 4 or 5 start on your days off - that way you can take it easy... Other than that
just know that it WILL get better and you won't feel awful for long...

I second CO 6 when it comes to the alcohol. I had to sign a contract at my clinic agreeing not to drink any alcohol when I started IP. Not due to the carbs/calories, but due to the risk of passing out (and injury) from hypoglycemia, though you may not even feel the effects of the alcohol in other ways. My sister did IP over a year ago and that happened to her - we were out and she had very little alcohol, but passed out cold.

Congratulations are your decision to start IP. Yes, the first week can be tough. I recommend having all your food for the week prepared ahead of time (I premeasure and have everything in baggies so I can just grab and go) and go to bed early (you won't have much energy). I had headaches and found that salt (just putting some on my hand and licking it off) helped them go away quickly. Use this site for support if you feel week or to celebrate your victories. Another very useful resource is a book called "the Beck Diet Solution," it's worth it's weight in gold. I learned about it from this site. Good Luck! You can do it!!

I guess we should be finding a way to do dancing celery sticks instead of carrots? Great choice and it actually makes me want to add cinnamon to WF PB and see how it tastes. Cinnamon is also very good for you.

Back on track is a good feeling, yes? Congratulations.

In total agreement here!!! I made the mistake of ignoring the warnings and had a few vodka and diet tonics last weekend and I can say, from experience, that it hits hard and fast. Not good on any level - I haven't felt so awful after drinking since college!!!! And I really didn't drink that much... I'm lucky I didn't get into more trouble than I did. I did pass out and have a bruise the size of Alaska on my thigh and a skinned knee to show for it. Not the most ladylike night of my life for sure - I won't be making that choice again!!!

Yes yes YES!!! I cant stand WF Pbutter it taste like a chemical plant. BUT when you add a boat load of cinnamon it helps LOL. And I have a stock pile of cinnamon gum too. I love cinnamon and have since I was a tot. So slow and steady for me hehehe

Way to go Sully that is a great loss.

Congratulations GraceRev Find a non-food reward is so important, maybe it is time for a pediccure?

Amber- Way to go on the NVS of smaller shirt sizes. It is so funny how are bodies change shape in some areas and hold on in others.

Sarahbell, get choice with the celery.

I had my weigh in today and donated 1lb to the fat loss bank and was excited about the 2 inches I dropped. Yesterday I had a NSV, we got box fulls of cupcakes delivered to work, they were beautiful. I took two home for my kids. It felt empowering to not eat them and have self control.

sarahbell - You are essentially half way and that is an accomplishment. Then you are on the back half down....you will have gone further than you have left. Small goals and victories are for celebration.