Thanks for the heads-up, Kimo. I will try and drink more water this week in hopes of minimizing the water retention. I am ok with a stall for a few weeks. I know the results I can get from the weight training and I think it's so key to my mental health these days!

I am happy you seemed to have moved past the stall, gives me hope that it won't be for too long.

I was thinking about my quote and it really made me wonder how many of the original November starters are still doing IP? I'm really proud of us small group of ladies for sticking it out. I think we are all doing so great, we have our moments and seem to really support each other through the hard times as well as the good times! I guess I just wanted to thank you ladies!

Love the quote, Teags! I am putting up a pretty little magnet/cork board in my closet (near my full-length mirror!), and I will add this to the motivational sayings I have collected for it.

And you gals are all doing so great with your losses and NSVs!! I tried tucking a shirt in the other day and, while it worked (so not missing that muffin top), it just felt so odd maybe because it had been so long. Or maybe because it accentuated my shortness. And I don't have a good belt either. Will have to borrow some of my daughter's.

So, can you tell me a little about the Les Mills Bodypump -- do you do that by watching videos online? Is it free? Sounds fun!

So it's day 2 after my first Body Pump in a while and I am SOOO sore!! LOL! I was supposed to do it again tonight, but I honestly think I am too sore.

I actually bought the Les Mills Body Pump weight and barbell and DVD's online from Kijiji after looking into them via Beachbody. I used to do the classes at Goodlife, but with no time (and trying to limit expenses) that just wasn't an option. So I bought them for a pretty good price, picked up a few extra weights for my barbell, and just do it in my basement. For some reason our DVD player isn't working, so I just watch the new release online (YouTube) and do it from there in my basement. I love it, feels good to be back at it, even though I am so sore! I saw really awesome results the last time I did it in terms of leaning out my muscles, so I am hoping to get those again this time.

Happy Hump Day ladies! I am off to the gym today to loosen up these sore muscles. Nothing serious, just an hour or so on the treadmill. Crappy thing is that I am STARVING already and it's only been 2 hours since breakfast.

Hey Teags, I've been told that an extra potassium supp is good for sore muscles. I'm going to be trying that since my legs stay sore for like 4 days after leg day....and it's not like I'm going 110% like I used to before IP - which would only have me sore for 2 days. I'm sort of glad to hear that you're starving after working out too...when I started working out I felt sooooooooooo hungry!! It's ridiculous...I'll have a restricted at 2pm (gym at 3:15), an unrestricted immediately after my workout (I can't make it through the 20 minute drive home even) and I want to eat dinner as soon as I get home!

Hey gals. Teags --I responded on the daily thread but now that kimo has mentioned potassium, I recall that magnesium is actually also good for this (because it can act as a muscle relaxant). I use that Natural Calm stuff at night fairly often for other issues, but I think it's supposed to be great for this too. And good for you for getting back on treadmill for something light today -- that will also help.
And that hunger is a good sign -- just our bodies telling us we need more fuel!

Thanks for the suggestions! I really appreciated.

Did an easy 45 minute walk at 4.0 on the treadmill, it felt great. I feel less tight now so here's hoping that helped.

I'm scarfing down my salad like I've never eaten in my life, lol!

Echoing Teags, I'm so, so thankful for this group! You've all been so wonderfully supportive and I'm just so darn proud of us!

All this talk of working out makes me want to get back to it so badly. Have you ladies found that you're able to work out at or near your pre-IP level? I was working with a trainer in the fall and he really pushed me which was great, but I put it on hold when I started IP. I worked out w/ the trainer 2 days into P1, and then again about 7 days in, and that second time, I couldn't finish the sets. I got about 20 seconds into mountain climbers and then my legs protested and felt like lead, and I haven't been back since. I have another 12 sessions left to use and was going to wait until P2 to get back to it because I wanted to get everything possible out of those workouts, but it sounds like you're all able to work out fairly strenuously. Are you having an extra packet? I wonder if it might be worth it to go back to the gym sooner than later…

Not sure I'd want to give up the losses though, haha. Down another 2.2 this week!

Hi MaPetite - I hear ya on the craving to get back to the gym, it was the ladies here who inspired me to do that again as well. I don't find I can work out as hard as I used to, but I think that's more being cautious and understanding that my body may not have enough fuel. It's only been a week back for me, and it does feel good, but I am not going crazy that's for sure.

I do my pump workout 2-3 times a week, have a walk and elliptical 2-3 times a week, and spin class on Fridays. I like it, but I am SO scared that I won't see a loss this week after busting my butt! Will keep you posted.

Maybe you could start back on your own and save your PT for when you really need a butt kicking (in the other phases)? LOL!

-------------------------

Question for you girls - do you have an end date in mind for IP? Are you all going to go through all the phases? I was thinking yesterday that I don't really want to go past May, but I'm just not sure about P2 and maintenance and all that stuff.... :S

MaPetiteChoux - I would say, go for it on the gym. I definitely can't work out to the level I could pre-IP but then again I'm only strength training and trying not to break a sweat. I used to lift high weights, low reps, now I do low weights, high reps for now until I'm off IP. I keep pushing my limit though. That being said, when I try to push myself and do 8 rep sets I find I can't lift the same amount of weight and ohmygosh am I tired and STARVING after a workout. I always add an extra pack on workout days, my body clearly needs it. I don't mind my losses slowing down as I'll still be burning the same amount of fat, just increasing my muscle mass. A toned 150 lbs will look better than a non-toned 140 lbs. That's the way I look at it! Congrats on the 2.2lb loss by the way!

Teags - I have an end date in mind (sort of) because I'm going to Bermuda on May 15th, so I have to be going into P2 no later than April 15th, preferrably April 1st so I have time to adjust to P4 before going away on vacay. That being said, if I'm not where I want to be I might jump right back in when I return...I'm hoping not though. I've done a lot of reading on the phases and maintenance which I think is helping me feel comfortable with the idea of P2-4. Maybe that would help you? I think it's important to go through the phases properly as it slowly increases your calories and then adds carbs back in, giving your body time to adjust. I think if you skipped right to P4 your body would go into shock and store fat.


I wanted to say thanks to you novemberites too! Without you I don't think I could be where I am, and with as positive of a mindset. Discussing our roadblocks and challenges, and just being able to talk to people who know what I'm going through has made all of the difference in the world! Plus, I don't want to let my IP family (you guys!) down by quitting!

My dog got into an accident and broke her 2 front legs. We had to travel to Winnipeg to get the surgery done. it was quite stressful and I sinned with 2 sausages and 5 california rolls.
She is doing great now but my suffering just begins. I have to sleep on an air mattress for the following 8 weeks downstairs with her since she can't climb stairs and she is too big of a baby to sleep by herself.
Anyways back OP and WI today, hopefully I still dropped couple lBs due to the stress.

Ditto what kimo said!

Teags -- On the phasing off, I've also been checking out all the maintainers' threads, as well as the scary "gaining it all back" threads, and I am committed to doing the 2 weeks each of P2 and P3 and then settling into maintenance. I actually unofficially hit my goal this morning (unofficial because it's on my home scale -- I don't have a WI at clinic for another week), so I was debating putting myself on P2 now. But I think I'm going to keep up P1 until I go in next week and get an official reading and OK from my coach. It's just so much easier to stay P1! And less scary. Afraid to add those extra calories back in….

MPC -- Another great loss I have been exercising as well, but not at the same level as pre IP. I definitely have less energy and find it hard to make it through a long cardio class -- I get winded a lot quicker. That being said, however, I have been doing the Couch to 5k program with some other IPeeps -- we are about a third of the way through the 9 week program -- and I can absolutely say that I have WAY more energy while doing the jogging than I did before IP . . . for the simple fact that I am 20 pounds lighter! It's amazing to me how much of a difference that makes. And, yes, I usually have an extra packet or a hard-boiled egg after a strenuous workout (not if I just go for a walk though).

I need to up the strength training (and am paying attention when you all talk about your body pumping and lifting). Want to increase my core strength. Yes, building muscle will offset some loss in weight, but I got into all this because I was feeling weak and old and flabby. I want to be toned and strong and in better shape when I turn 50 than I was at 40. The body composition analysis that I get at my clinic each WI shows on there how much lean body mass I need to add still, and how much body fat percentage I need to drop. Who knows how accurate those are, but I have kinda been going by those numbers as a guide. Do you all have those?

Fluffy -- just saw your post. So so sorry about your pup! Glad you're back home and OP.

Oh no, Fluffy! So sorry to hear about the pup! Glad she's okay. I'm sure you'll bounce right back, too. I've had some sausage along the way and it hasn't seemed to affect my losses. Wouldn't worry about that, and the california rolls at least have protein and veggies with the carbs. Better than eating a cinnamon roll or something!

Thanks for the encouragement to get back to the gym. I'm thinking I might go on my own and see how that feels and take things from there. I may still hold off on the PT sessions until P2 or later, but if I start again now, hopefully that'll mean it won't be such a shock to the system once I'm working with the trainer again.

I'm headed to FL with my bridesmaids the first weekend in April, so that's my marker for when I'd like to be out of P1, but I think my average losses are slowing down a bit as I go, so I may not make it. I also upped my goal, so now I'm aiming for 130, not 135. I've decided that, if I'm still in P1 come April, I'm going to spend that long weekend eating "normally", but not irresponsibly, e.g. limiting carbs but enjoying wine if I want to, and then I'll just go back to P1 for however long after that weekend as I need to get to goal. Not ideal, but it'll do. Luckily, one of my bridesmaids has joined me on IP, so 2 of the 5 of us on the trip will be doing the same balancing act. I suspect we'll be grilling a lot of fish and veggies

After that, I'm definitely planning on completing all the phases. From what I've read of the "gaining it all back" thread, it seems that lots of those people took a break during P1, never got back to it, and then started gaining pretty quickly. My understanding is that the phase out is pretty crucial to adjusting to eating regular food again in a way that doesn't trigger storing, so I'm not going to chance it. I want this chub gone!!

Mimi, good for you for doing couch to 5k!! I did it alone about three years ago and lost about 15 lbs just doing that alone. It's such an accomplishment to be able to run! I used to have serious anxiety about exercising in public, so the biggest part for me was overcoming that and I have to say, finally running the 5k I signed up for at the end of C25k was freeing. I've done two more since. Keep it up!!

Awesome tips ladies!! Thanks for the advice on the other phases, I think Kimo is right that I am a little wary of them as I really don't know anything about them. I have tried looking into it, but I don't really seem to get anywhere in terms of what exactly the protocol for each phase is. Anyway, I'll keep trying!

Fluffy - Oh no!! I am so sorry to hear about your pup! She is so cute, I am sure that must have been terrifying for you. What a good mama you are sleeping next to her, she is a lucky dog (haha).

Mimi - we do have the BCA machines at my clinic, I have no idea how accurate the are, but I do like to know how much fat is lost, water is retained, etc. It's another nice component I think.

MaPetite - That trip to Florida sounds awesome! I would totally be partaking in the wine as well, I think your mindset is perfect actually. Not totally cutting yourself off from the fun, but making good choices to minimize damage. I like it!

-----------------------------

I had a nice evening, went for dinner with my parents and hubby and little one. My Dad wanted to go to a fish and chip shop, but I told him that there was actually not one thing I could eat there, so we compromised on BPs. I ordered the lemon grilled salmon and steamed veggies (made sure to ask for no butter). It was edible but certainly not good. Was a little disappointed and made me realize how much better my healthy cooking is! I must say I was a little jealous of the pizza subs and pasta the rest of the family was eating, but I am happy with my choice and have no guilt at all today, which is great!

Not much happening for us this weekend, I am going to the gym today, picking up a new loft bed for my son tonight, weigh in tomorrow, then just hanging around the house redecorating my son's room! Sounds lame but I'm pretty excited. He is 5 and still in a toddler bed, so I think the big boy loft bed is pretty cool for him. Maybe I'll take some pics!

TGIF all! Anyone have plans for the weekend? Challenges?

Fluffeifei I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I'm glad you were able to get her surgery done. Hopefully she heals up soon. I would be sleeping on an air mattress too if I were you...my dog is my baby.