I am only on my 3rd day and I am starving and wanting all those so called "bad" foods! I am this close from cheating.......this close!

I don't know what the Ideal Protein entails but I think a good plan is one that's sustainable and you won't be left starving but feel satisfied and semi-full.

If you do cheat, the only person you are cheating is yourself. Starvation won't keep the weight off in the long run so I wouldn't recommend you stay on a plan you are constantly starving on either!

Maybe if you posted what you have been eating, other people (who are more familiar with IP) can see if there's room for improvement?

Good luck!

....the pain of discipline or the pain of regret? Cheating will NOT make you feel better.

Keep busy---YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No! Please don't! We all know how you feel. The first week is the hardest but I promise that it gets much better if you can tough it through.

I don't know exactly which foods you are craving but here are a few things you can try...

- Two potassium supplements (instead of 1);
- Hot tea (hot drinks can be more satisfying in that respect);
- An extra packet;
- Dill pickles;
- Hard-boiled eggs (preferably the whites only);
- Cooked ham slices (watch for sodium and sugar);
- Flavor crystals to put in your water (or carbonated water) that are sweetened with Splenda (Nestea, Crystal Light - to be used sparingly);
- Even a restricted (for example a bar or ridges) is better than a full out cheat

You will be so proud of yourself once you get past this hump!




BTW: On day 3 was working on convincing my husband that I should not do this and needed to quit. He kept just saying: "No, try it for a little while longer before you decide. Give it a fair try before you give up on it." I am so glad that he was so supportive!

Good for you for venting about it! I like Susie's idea of finding a "good" cheat. Or maybe you can substitute an enjoyable activity for food? Find something fun or relaxing to do if you can.

You've come this far, hang in there.

I'm D3 too. I'll cheer you on!

I agree on finding a good cheat!! Dill pickles are my guilty pleasure now... weird, but true.

All really great ideas/suggestions, Susie! Dill pickles did it for me in the beginning too. Now my "go to" is Kale Chips. YummmmY!

I felt like that for about an hour the 3rd day too!! (day 5 now) You will get through it, I got out the lettuce and put some lemon in water! hang in there. IT IS HARD!!

I felt like this my first week too. I am on my seceond week and still get cravings like this when I'm really tired. It will go away, though! To fight the hunger, I had a 4th packet a few days in my first week. I've heard that most coaches okay this. All of SusieB's ideas a great too and really work. You can do this. I especially like the hot decaf tea. The first week is the hardest.

When I wanted to give up or cheat, I either drank more water or went to the mall and walked and counted overweight people. Found it was easier to count the people who were maybe at an Ideal weight. Made me decide I did not want to be an overweight person anymore. And it got me through those difficult times. I think part of the IP program is dealing with those mental thoughts about our eating behaviors.

Don't do it!! You are so close to turning the corner! I really felt better on the 4th day, and it got a little better everyday after that. Just keep in mind why you are doing this, picture how you will look and feel a month from now!

Hang in there marlana1980!!! Hope you got through your tough day...you got some really good advice from everybody. We are all here to support each other. Keep reading this forum and stay strong. You will be so proud of yourself with each small success you acheive.

Hang in there! I'm all for "good cheats"! Up until day 4...I had to have a boiled egg or some meat..it helps and I still lost 7.5 # my 1st week.

I totally understand the cravings! Im on day 11 and still want the "bad" food.. its tough, but I paid way too much money for this program to give in to my cravings... Hang in there!! I hope it gets better for the both of us!!