Hey everyone.
I started this thread for those of us who are 100% OP and happy about it. Please post stories of trying times, happy times, and everything in between. Thanks for being awesome and dieting to your full potential

WOOOHOOO, this is where its happening lol, 100% here, no pop either lol.... puts on some music and waits for the peeps!

100% OP here as well (although I'm using alternatives but following protocol) Does that count?

I think I"m 100% OP. My only potential cheat is a can of Diet Crush Cream Soda each day. It is sweetened with splenda not aspartame so I've been under the assumption it is OK.

The toughest times I have had have been with friends. I don't like to talk about the diet so in general I haven't gone out much. Last Sunday I did head out to a friends house to play cards but managed to avoid all the snacks they put out.

The results have been very encouraging. Down just over 30 lbs in 5 weeks

I have been 100% OP too. My friends are calling this the 'Collarbone Diet'....because I keep saying "look at my collarbone! I have a collarbone!"

I am VERY happy with this plan. My mom is the most proud of me, I think.
I have refrained from buying any new clothes, just because I prefer to get a new wardrobe when I reach my goal. Mom has asked if she can come clothes shopping with me...I asked her why and she said that it would be her dream to see me happy while trying on new outfits. I had forgotten how hard it was for mom when I was growing up. I have always been a big girl and shopping for new clothing was an extremely emotional ordeal for both mom and me. We didn't have a lot of money, but mom would always offer to buy me anything I want, just because she wanted to see me happy. Needless to say, 90% of the time we would arrive home empty handed and emotionally exhausted. Even though she hasn't said it, I know that she really wants to buy me something just so she can see her baby happy. I know that will be my proudest moment. Looking forward to that day is all the motivation I need to stay on plan!
Thanks for all the inspiration! Keep up the great work!

Congratulations. I'm postponing clothes shopping too but I'm not sure how much longer I can do it. I'm having trouble keeping my pants up. I'm off to California in a couple weeks so I might try and buy my new clothes at one of their outlet malls. I can probably save a few bucks over what they would cost in Canada.

I started IP on Jan 11th and my only strikes have been a couple restricted bar binges. I'm proud to have worked my tail off to stay true to protocol and, guess what? I'm doing well! It's not rocket science people. I see the finish line and am ready to finish strong. YAY for those die hards out there!!

Brought tears to my eyes, I always had the same issue growing up I didn't like how anything looked. It would be great to have your mom going shopping with you, it is one thing I miss. I haven't bought a lot of new clothing, bought shorts yesterday as I had nothing that I didn't have to hold up while wearing. My friend was shopping with me and I said they were a little tight and she says well wait a week and they will be too big... made me giggle... I am now in a comfortable 14 but looking forward to the 12, 10, and 8s... that is as far as my mind will go. Have a great day.

sjdawg, I am sorry to say but I reread over my package I got when starting IP and one of the sheets said NO POP even Diet... Sorry.

Damn you! The only thing my coach said is no aspartame. Now I have to cut out my only treat.

I checked my package when I joined and it said no pop, because it changes the ph in our bodies. Is it really that hard not to drink pop? I only drank it at restaurants, never had any in the house, drank, milk, water or sometimes ice tea or juice but rare. I would think not having sweet stuff would be harder.

I try to look at IP as teaching me for the future. If I go back to what I did before, I will look like before. I think that drinking lots of water will be something in our future forever. I see alot of patients who drink just pop, and their dental problems cost them alot of money. Even if you drink one or two cans a day sugarless, its always coating your teeth breaking down the enamel. Coke has more lemon juice then pepsi, so even more acidic.

All right. I'm convinced. Going without pop this week and we see how it goes. Hopefully it will increase the weight loss rate or at least make me feel even better.

Wow guys! This is awesome. This is what a support forum should feel like, right? I am so happy to see all of you on here. I see no problem with using alternative products. You are still 100% OP in my opinion as I am sure you have done the comparisons and ensured that they are in line with this great program. I am planning on going alternative in another month or so because with buying a house, $90 a week adds up quite fast. I am doing IP bootcamp this week with the hopes of being in Onederland by next WI. And All who wander are not lost so anyone who has been making little cheats and wants to come over to our group and be 100% OP is welcome!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, without my online support group, this diet would be so much more difficult!!

That is so true. I hate discussing IP with people who aren't on it. they just can't understand it like the forum members who live it do.

On the subject of needing new clothes...I have noticed that I no longer undo my zipper when going to the loo...I just unbutton my pants and pull them down! Then just shimmy myself back into them!! Fortunately for me, mom is a great seamstress and has taken a few things in for me...but yesterday she rolled her eyes at me when I asked her if she knew how to take my bra down a cup size! I think I might have to bite the bullet on that one and get fitted properly for a new bra!! I'd love to wear a bra that doesn't have huge straps around it, a nice little lacy number that keeps my girls up all day (rather than letting them flop around my knees by mid-morning!)

I have been on this for almost 6 weeks....and sticking too it! To much money to cheat.

This forum is keeping me interested and offering me recipes to try that will keep me from being bored. I think it's kinda interesting how we all have different tastes, I laughed at how people 'hated' my favourite shake (yogurt) and I'm still trying to figure out how to make the pancake. First time I made it, it turned into a big pile of chocolate mush...which I ate anyway cause the mush cost me to much to throw out lol.

What I'm finding it difficult is the look I can get from colleagues that says "you're loosing to fast" (or they actually do say that). I don't want to snap at them...lol So I'm keeping my 'loss' low key unless you're fully aware of what I'm doing and what I'm on.

What do people say to that? Anyone have some gentle words that they use that I could borrow?