Hello all, I am so glad I found this forum and have found so many good ideas already! I started IP on 8/18/11 and so far have lost 15.6 pounds. One week I didn't lose anything but I was sick and couldn't eat for two days which I am told is normal. However, the following week was a 4.8 loss which is great!

My favorite packets are the plain omelet (I usually just make scrambled eggs with it), the chocolate drink (I put in the magic bullet with ice and it makes a great shake) and the chicken soup. I also love most of the bars, the chocolate and peanut butter soy puffs and the sea salt and vinegar ridges. I really want to try the apple cinnamon soy puffs but am afraid I won't like them and as you all know that's a lot of money to spend. Oh...and I love the mango and vanilla premade drinks. I've actually started having the mango for breakfast most mornings. I used to eat my breakfast before I left for work, usually before 7, but since I don't go to lunch until 1:00 I would normally be starving. I am not really hungry first thing in the morning so now I have my coffee with skim milk and take the mango drink to work with me and have it around 9 or 10 and it seems to work much better for me.

I can't wait to try the Big Mac in a Bowl. I have all the stuff for it and it will probably be my dinner tomorrow. I'm probably going to make mine with ground turkey though.

I look forward to reading through many more posts and finding some more great ideas. I think this is a great place to help keep you motivated!

Julie

Hi, I'm new also. I will begin tomorrow. Today was my first consultation and got all my foods. I'm going to have to find that Big Mac in a bowl recipe. sounds good. Since we are limited on our meals, I'm going to eat very, very slowly

Mary Ann

Also newbie and on day four. I keep reading places on here about a cheat day??When does that happen? So far I am okay. My daughter-in-law is having a surprise birthday next Sat with a DJ, caterer and lots of liquor and that has me scared with all that going on plus all my sons friends are always trying to get me to do shots with them they think I am fun to hang with. Yikes. That is going to be such a huge challenge!!!

Ok Party Girl!! I can totally relate. our house "is" the party house. That's how I picked up all this weight. I don't know how I'm going to handle it either. I'm open to any ideas.

Mary Ann

the Apple Cinnamon puffs are delicious!

Welcome newbies, no cheats until Phase IV.

apple cinnamon puffs taste like apple jacks! My house is the party house as well, my boys are 20 and 23. ALL of their friends know I am watching my diet now and know I can't have any of that stuff anymore so they don't ask me to drink with them anymore. I used to have a few drinks with them. Now what I do is I have a colored wine glass its green tinted, put some water in it with pomgrate/berry MIO and it looks like Merlot wine! they will NEVER know the difference. Did this for my nephews wedding this weekend and everyone thought I was drinking wine. Be creative, anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Welcome to all of you!

Hi Gini - First and foremost - there is no 'cheat' day. period. dot. end of sentence...be very, very clear on that point! Please for yourself - just remember this is a lifestyle change. The reason that we aren't allowed to cheat is that it's not healthy to go in and our of ketosis. Whoever is telling you that you are allowed a 'cheat day' in Phases 1, 2, or 3 is wrong. The 'cheat' day is allowed in Phase 4 only.

Whenever we go to a party - which is at least once a week - I always offer to bring something. That ends up being a veggie platter with a few dips. I eat all teh veggies and don't touch the dips - but it will give the impression that you are helping out, bringing something colorful and no one needs to know that it's just to keep you OP. For drinks, I just take a wine glass and keep it filled with seltzer and lime. I love Wuv's suggestion of using the MIO, though.

Cheat days are fo Phase 4 only. ONLY!

What does MIO stand for? There are so many acronyms on here...sometimes it is hard to figure them out!!!

Juls D,

I am right there with you! I started August 28 and have lost 15.2 lbs. I have 30 left...which seems like so long. I am new to this site as well and trying to figure it all out...I think I need a users manual!!! I just started adding in a little exercise yesterday - walked a mile yesterday evening and this morning. It feels good but need to get hopping as I am supposed to run a 5k on Nov. 5! If nothing else I can run part and walk part...
If you have come up with any great recipes...especially for the veggies, please share. I am getting bored with what I have been doing!!!

Have a great day!

Mio is like Crystal Light. It comes in a little silver squeeze bottle and comes in several flavors. It's calorie/fat/carb free. My favorite flavor is the mango. I just put a couple of squirts into my water bottle to give the water a pinch of flavor.

I'll let you know how it goes. I think I might have to drink a ton of fluid so my tummy is full and if I am spending all my time in the bathroom to pee....I am less likely to be out in the party and tempted:-)

Thanks for the input everyone. I wasnt sure when a cheat day came into play so good to know it isnt until phase 4. I hadnt heard of Mio either I will see if I can find it. I also discovered in the last couple days that Propel mix packs has sucralose instead of aspertame. I also told my son and two of his friends that at the party I am the DD so hopefully that will squash the trying to get me to drink cuz they know when I am the DD I take it very seriously.

oh you don't need a manual.....lol....just ask questions. Check out Waywards Newbie thread. If you are training for a 5k I would add a protein pack, if you are having 3 packets a day I would up it to 4. Have you checked out the recipe threads in the sticky's? lots of great and easy recipes there. And I am with Stolaf, this is a NO CHEAT diet, DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!....if you are tempted DRINK WATER or always have some veggies with you if you are out and about! I keep a pack of sugarfree gum with me at all times and a few pieces of sugarfree candy so if I get hungry at least I can put something in my mouth to content me for a while.