That is the main problem with making fries and chips for those of us who like VOLUME... Everything shrinks as it loses water (including us!) it's great for those who are struggling to eat 4 cups tho'.

I prefer roasting most of the time which retains much of the volume but adds incredible flavor!

Congratulations! I felt the same as you as I got close to goal and decided to raise it a bit too as I was fitting comfortably into sizes I was happy with and felt great! I admit to kind of panicking in thinking I should lose more but the support on here was to go with how you feel and I'm so glad I did as I'm able to maintain at this weight and feel great too!

Congrats on reaching your goal and being in maintenance I am slightly doubting my decision, I must admit, but I want to be at the weight that I am comfortable at and that is maintainable for me. So 150 is my goal for now. I was also telling a friend how I was still 18 lbs from goal and she looked at me in shock and had the same reaction as my husband. I am taking this one day, one week at the time, and I am hoping to start phasing off by the end of May.

Congrats to all the weight loss and NSVs today!

That's ... sort of hypnotic....

Congrats on hitting your NEW goal! (And congrats to other amazing NSVs today!) I am curious about my end goal also - frankly, I am shocked with how different my clothes feel with just 10lbs down, so it's hard for me to even picture 25 MORE pounds. I know that I Dr. Tran says it's typical to gain about 6 lbs once you begin introducing carbs back in...so I'm taking that into account also.

Congratulations! I have a comment for you about adoption -- or for people who know people who have adopted-- an "If I knew then what I know now.."

We adopted our children and don't have any regrets - so there is the good news disclaimer! However, when we first got our first child I think I actually went through post-partum depression or something -- it becomes a very emotional time and not in a good way. There is a lot of "before" support, getting all the paperwork and house studies ready but after you're basically on your own. A "stranger" arrives and you are supposed to instantly be bonded with this person -- but no "9 month" waiting period or the "baby stage" to get to know each other, cuddle, etc. Routines all take awhile to learn and time to develop trust with your new "bundle of joy". It is an exhausting time. And while you just want to weep and scream in exhaustion and frustration, everyone says "Oh you must be SOOO happy to have your dreams come true" and really, that adds to the guilt. You don't want to complain to anyone that you're tired or frustrated as everyone knows how long you've been waiting...

Well you get the picture I just tell you that so you can find a good friend NOW and tell them that you may need them to vent to so you know you have someone who will understand when the emotions flood. You also should know that may happen for your own strength -- if you're an emotional or stress eater, then you're "armed" from the get go.

Adoption is a wonderful thing and I have no regrets. I just didn't "know" that I wouldn't be feelin' all "love and joy" for quite awhile, like I "imagined" I would feel at being a new mom. I always like to tell new moms-to-be that everything you're feeling -- the good and the bad -- is ok.

I hope all works well for you. It's a long waiting game but worth the wait!

Thanks, 65x65 for the feedback and tips. I am coming to learn more and more that planning is key to my success and every tidbit of information and experience from others helps.

It is so great to see people's successes and set backs posted here, I am learning so much about my relationship with food as I read throughout the posts. Thanks everyone for sharing. I feel like I am not alone on this journey.

On the up side today, I weighed in at 190.5 today - down a total of 12.5 pounds in 4 weeks. Sweet! If I take this in 28 day chunks, I know I can get to goal

I am not at goal quite yet, hoping to get there by the end of May. My coach said that in phase 2 I should still lose a few pounds and then it corrects itself and you do get some water weight once you start carbs. May 7 will be 3 months on IP, I will try one more month. I have great respect for those that have been sticking with IP for more than 6 months, that is amazing!

Deana congrats on both accomplishments!

Seriously if the skinny "b" at work who eats whatever she wants asks me how long I'm going to keep eating my stupid rabbit food again!! It was cute and funny the first couple times, but it's almost 12 weeks later and I'm over that comment several times a week. We aren't all 20 something and able to eat whatever we want. Don't get me wrong I like this co-worker and I get along with her, I just don't think people realize how irritating some things are, another great thing I heard today... "oh come on one day isn't going to hurt you" another skinny person but at least her comment was a little more harmless once I explained how ketosis works and that one day sets you back a week she understood and said she takes it back! LOL

NSV: One grade level was on a field trip today, so specials teachers had some extra time ... I went outside to see if the PE teacher wanted any help setting up our new permanent soccer goals. She didn't, but she told me I looked like a different person walking out there. We've worked together for 9 years, and she didn't recognize me!

I remember when I was approaching the vet's front door with my dog and the vet tech wondered who was bringing my dog in! They recognized the dog but not me!

I just meant that IP protocol suggest max wt loss per week of 3 lbs and you have lost almost 17 in 5 weeks = which is more than 3lbs a week. Did you notice any changes in muscle before starting IP in your first 20 lbs? Is it just definition you are noticing as different? Don't forget as you lose, skin will sag, it takes a bit longer for the skin to start to 'tighten up' - usually from what I have heard others say their body appearance changes a fair bit after ongoing maintenance. Kind of like nerve tissue that can take a year before full repairs are noticed, skin will be similar (not sure about the time- it probably depends on your losses, how young you are/collagen, etc) I notice although my tummy is smaller, I don't have the definition I used to at the moment, since there's a bit of wrinkly old lady skin hangin' there, lol, that used to be plumped out with a layer of fat.

Hi Sophie: I drink a 250 ml glass as soon as I get up to take my pre- breakfast herbal supplements (not IP stuff). They must be taken 1/2 hr before eating. Then I take my potassium, and my Vitex (for perimenopause) with another 250 ml glass just after breakfast. I fill my 750 ml water bottle and sip it throughout the morning so that I have had 5 glasses by lunchtime.
After lunch I take my omegas & my multi with another 250 ml glass and then refill my water bottle for a total of 9 glasses during the day. I take my cal-mag just before bed to help with sleep using part of that water. Some days I don't finish it all and I stick the last 250 ml in the fridge for the morning. I don't count any herbal tea that I may have during the day so that would be extra, but I don't have tea every day anyhow.

Congrats on all the super NSV all you gals have had!! WOOT WOOT!!!

Liana