Well, had my WI this afternoon. Was hoping to see 250something, instead, 263. Only lost 2.5 pounds. The total for 4 weeks is 25.5. Only lost a half inch total. Now, the inches are not my high priority, it is the pounds. But, I told my coach what/when I have been eating and she said I am in starvation and need to have an extra protein when I work day shift. So I need to ask, for an extra protein, are the Atkins shakes ok? 1g Net carbs?

You're better with the EAS CarbAdvantage shakes. They sell them at WalMart and (I believe) Costco and I'm sure other places. Not having the stats in front of me I can't comment on Atkins other than to say they generally allow higher fat in their pre-made stuff so avoid it if possible.

Thanks for the reply. I just cant see paying 30 bucks for 6 when I can spend 6 dollars for 4.

wI was 211 just a little over 4lbs this week. Wife was just laughing that my recliner now swallows me. Not even my furniture fits!

Had a great day at work, lots of business moving over the last couPle of weeks. Wonder if this new found confidence has anything to do with it?

If you have a SAMs club store they have case of 25 for $15

Man, after a great week last week, I'm really toughin' it out this week. I've been jumping around on the old naked scale from 242-240 every day (the official "WI scale" usually adds 5lbs) and I just can't seem to break through. Plus I haven't slept well all week which can't be helping. I hope I'm not hitting that "almost there" funk because my motivation has really been bad this week.

I've been doing a lot of the "alternatives" recently. I think I might drop them for a while and get back on the strict IP stuff. Although numbers, up to now, have been good on the alternative stuff I felt better with the IP foods. I just need to give my head a shake and get my focus back!

I dont clog it because I hardly use it anymore! I have not broken a seat off since the IP started.

That is what I have been thinking! Maybe the guy that wouldnt fly would change his mind if I use a bottle in the first 30 minutes.

Ya, I mean I don't care to fly either but 22 Hours!! Then you're gonna be driving in and out of Montreal! I had to drive through Montreal to get to my University for 4 yrs...I don't wish that on my worst enemy! They are a different breed of drivers in that city. I can give you some good terminology to use in Quebec traffic but I don't think it could be posted here...there may be bilingual monitors!

What kind of alternatives do you use? I have only used the IP products and I asked my coach about using some Atkins drinks but she said they have things in them that would slow my progress. When I look at the label they look the same.

I drove in Chicago for a few years and learned many gestures from other drivers. Maybe I should take a quick French cursing class so I know what they are saying to me.

Way to go on 4#! You probably are starting to look like Edith Ann in your chair!

I'm a bit addicted to a brand of Whey Protein Isolate. We have it here in Canada it is called President's Choice. They have a flavour called Strawberry Creme which I really like. I usually have a shake every morning for breakfast.

I think the "Isolates" or "ISO" powders are what you want to look for. Check the labels and make sure the carbs stay low and protein stays high.

The PC Isolate is 170cal/.5g fat/2g carbs/ 38g Protein. For me it is a nice little shot in the morning and it tastes great!

I still like the IP stuff though. This morning I had a bit more time so I had some grilled mushrooms mixed with my IP omelette and a touch of salsa on the side...very good!

The other thing that I have found as a good snack instead of an IP pouch is the Doctor's CarbRite bars. These I'd be careful of because I'm sure they would qualify as a dreaded "restricted".

Toasted coconut is 200cal/ 2g fat/ 24g carbs/ 18g Protein. Not perfect, and the IP bars have better #s, but they have some great flavours and they do fill you up and are great after a workout or a particularly busy day!

I hesitate to even bring up alternatives because IP has been so good to me but I do use some of them.

Daughter and I hit the consignment stores today. Bought a suit and 3 dress shirts for well under a $100.00. Absolutely proud to put on a 42 suit and it fit like a glove was in a 48 7 weeks ago. I also took the old suits to consign, loved those suits but glad to see them go.....

My daughter (in town from college) turned me on to a new song "Thrift Shop" very catchy and has been playing in my head all day. If you want a good laugh check out the you tube video. Warning has inappropriate language, just remember I told you so.
http://youtu.be/QK8mJJJvaes

I love that song! My kids always have it playing (the clean version)!! Ya, the new clothes are definitely a great by-product of IP! I have officially put all of my old pants to the far side of my closet. The last pair was a pair that was skin tight (if I could do it up) before. Now they look all saggy and fall down! Great feeling except I only have one pair of jeans that fit me and one dressy pants (they were both bought about 3 weeks ago). Looks like it is gonna be the thrift shop for me this week!! What? What? What? What?...gonna buy some tags...