Hi All!

I am new to the forum, but I have been on the IP diet for a month and a half. I have lost a total of about 10 lbs! However, I have been on a plateau for the past month and it's bringing me down. Because of the plateau I am really discouraged and have cheated a few times within the past 2 weeks. I still want to lose 10-15 more lbs, with a max of 20. Any words of encouragement?! How can I get past this plateau and stop cheating?? Any and all advice is welcome, Thanks!!!

Can you provide us with an idea of what you are eating and drinking daily so we can see if there are any areas to change?

Turn away from the light Carolann! I know it can be hard at times, but sticking to the diet is your best bet. I know folks, me included have stalled a bit, but have you lost inches? have you gained muscle mass? Drink all the water needed, eat all the veggies and all the packets you are supposed to and I'm sure things will get better. Good luck.

DON'T CHEAT!

Cheating takes you out of ketosis, and you start all over again.
If you stay 100% op you will lose.
Everyone has a plateau at about your stage in. Just stick with it and it will eventually come off.
You have to get used to having weeks when you don't lose, especially on maintenance.
But just make sure you stay 100%

That means

• #drink all you water
• #get your salt and oil in
• #eat all your food
• #No Cheating.

I love the 100% thread here. Everyone there is committed to stay 100% OP, and it is very encouraging. (You can't even speak or think of cheating!) Step in there and read it every day for motivation.
You have to commit to IP, and it is not easy some days. But it is worth it. Try to put your mental energy into commitment, and not into worry about a plateau, because it will come off, and probably a lot all at once to make up for the lack of loss. You just have to hang in there.

Someone once said "Put on your big girl pants and get going"!

Yes, IP is hard, but you can do hard things!

Well, before I had a few cheats in these past few weeks I was very consistent/strict with the diet. After the first few weeks of that I started getting into Walden Farms dressings and their caramel syrup (I love that with the crepe). Maybe that's been affecting me? I also started using oil and vinegar on my salads when I didn't have access to WF.

I think for right now what I really need help with is cheating. I'm really good in the morning, but when it gets to be the afternoon I start getting really hungry between lunch and dinner, and that's when I've cheated the past few times. I really want to get back into this and have some more results show by the end of August!!

Thanks for the advice, I am definitely going to check out the 100% thread! I have a question about the salt. I don't normally put salt on my food (before starting IP), so I haven't really been using the salt they provided. Should I begin using that more, or does it not really matter?

You may be hungry because you are out of ketosis. Hop back on and go for it. You have made it this far.
Stick to it, and change your mind about cheating! You have a good mind, and can make it up...No one else can do that for you.
Hang in, girl.

Honestly, it's the whole 'you cheat you are set back 3 days' that is emblazoned in my head. I'm new to this, but those 3 days scare the daylights out of me to not think about cheating. Of course I still have the new thing, but over all, to me, forget cheating!

Everything matters.
I am not a salt eater either. But you are only taking in about 800-900 calories per day. The program is actually very low sodium. So you need the extra salt to keep your electrolytes balanced. Very important.

Everything matters....they have worked this out to the fine details, so if you follow the program, YOU WILL LOSE!

Wuv, I HAVE been paying attention! Most everything I know, I learned from you!

Thanks for all of the advice ladies!! I really like what Aimiloo said about being set 3 days back after cheating. That will stick with me everytime I even think about straying!

Ahh, Wuv. I know you have heard this thousands of times, but you help us all. But part of that is being able to pass it on...so that is what I like to do as well. Following this forum has been a lifeline for me. You and countless others have helped me...we are in it together.

I am a teacher at a college, and teach future teachers, and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing my students will affect thousands of little kids.

So I think, in a way, that is what happens on these forums. One little thing that someone says might turn the tables for another. So yes, I love your tough love approach, and I hear your virtual voice (as well as many others) in my head all day long.

Cheers!