Yes, both her and I have been eating a bar for breakfast since the first day. I think we are addicted to the bars, lol. Could she have lost faster by not eating the bars? Who knows, but she is happy as long as the scale is going down.

I've now read it twice I found it so interesting. I picked it up for the second time when I started IP. The only difference in the book is the writer doesn't buy into the low fat theory based on research. I agree with him, but I'm going along with the low fat because that's what IP calls for. Great book though.

Me too! It's already been decided that will be my first free day food.

Thanks for the suggestion Dana. Just downloaded this for my Kindle and iPad.

Gary taubes first book good calories bad calories is even better.

It is not phasing off that makes this diet effective, but accepting that you are in phase 4, maintenance, forever! You can never go back to eating whatever you like, whenever you want. Otherwise you will end up right back where you were!

I did ip last year at this time and lost 25 pounds, going from 175-150. I am 5'8" and very active. I kept the 25 pounds off all year.

I am back as I gained 5 pounds over Christmas and have a goal of 140-145 (145, but with some wiggle room).

I think that ip can work for anyone. My losses are slower, as my body fat is under 20%, but I still have energy to work out and I enjoy the ease of the food!

My dh is looking to lose 50 and has joined me on ip this time...you can almost see his pounds melting away. Grrrr

Glad to see you broke the plateau. It does sometimes seem insane not to lose when we are barely eating!

I got a laugh at those saying this plan isn't for those who want to lose small numbers...are you serious??? This plan was originally designed for athletes who only had a small number to lose!!! Anyone who has fat to lose 5 lbs to 555 lbs can use this plan!

But, thanks for the laugh!!!

Interesting thread you started... and fun to read!!! If there is another coach at your facility I would make an appointment with that person just to get another "professional" opinion...and yes...I really don't mean "professional"...we all know how different coaches throughout the US and Canada interpret the IP protocol so you may be a different recommendation which could be helpful...just a thought! AND...Keep going!!!

And yes..I too cannot wait to have pizza from my favorite local place!!! Two - three more months!!! WOO HOO!!! That's my true goal!!! LOL

That is so right about phase 4 being forever. I am reading the maintainers thread to plan ahead for when I get to that stage and the people posting there are very successfully forging ahead. But they are still very carefully planning and monitoring what they eat. They never let their guard down.

On the other note I think a lot of the causes of plateaus is when people cut back on the small amount allowed. That is why the daily restricted is in the plan and the importance of getting in the full allottment of veggies.

Pat

That is so true!! All of us are only working on one pound at a time, so we are all fighting the next pound no matter how many more are after that one.

Pat

I'm really going to miss those bars this weekI've had one every day since I started, did not try any of the other restrictives because I liked them so much, except for the soup which I hated.

PIzza is my favourite meal of all time, I will never give it up long term, in fact I told my boyfriend if I were dying my last meal would be pizza

A family friend was dying (unexpected and quickly) at the young age of 55... It was very sad...but not to make this a sad story because this is about pizza when your dying. We actually brought him a pizza from his favorite place growing up...(he had since moved to a neighboring state)...he ate it in the hospital, and even though he was unable to communicate verbally we knew he was happy with the pizza!!!

unfortunately I don't know of any other coaches in my area but I decided to give this another week or two, I will stay away from the restrictives this week and see if that helps. My coach is quite nice but she operates out of a hair dresser's office, no doctors there, only hair dressers and she has a little corner room in the back where she runs her business

Trini, just got to say that you are sounding so much more positive now, and I am glad. It is just awesome the way so many people chimed in to offer their suggestions and support to you. I have said it before, and I will say it again, you are all awesome!

P.S. Gotta share a NSV -- as of this morning my BMI is in the NORMAL range. (Yes, yes, only by a hair, and only according to the website that Linden recommended, where you plug in your age as well as your height and weight, but I am taking it!)

I got that one at the same time. Thanks

wow, that's sad but I think I can understand his elation

there really is no substitute for pizza

Thanks I do feel better. Lots of good info on here. Second day not using restrictives and I have to say my energy is normal now. Perhaps I'm in ketosis once again as I don't feel lethargic or abnormally hungry.

I have decided to give it another 2 weeks, if the scale doesn't move I might phase off slowly and decide after what to do next. But if I'm going to only lose 3.2 lbs in a month like I've done and spend 400 to do it, it's just not worth it to me. I can do that on WW and eat "normal" while doing it.

If you are in fort mcmurray there are other coaches in town. Look up back on track with barb...