Use your journal. It's an excellent tool. I would have suggested a spare blender ball but sounds like you already have one. Use this site it's been my biggest source of information and support. Good luck IP rocks!

1) a really good kitchen knife (some root veggies are tough to cut, but worth the effort)

2) a julienne peeler (for zucchini and cucumber noodles)

3) a mandolin (for chips, lasagna noodles, "french fry" style veggies)

4) a blender, Ninja, magic bullet or other blending device - the shakes/puddings are good on their own, but MUCH better blended with ice.

5) an adventurous spirit when it comes to veggies!

6) a constant connection to this forum I learned more in the first week on here than anywhere else!!

I use a scale for weighing my veggies and raw meats.

i use MYFITNESSPAL.com (app or online) as my journal. It tracks my weight, exercise, and has all of the IP foods already programmed in. Ignore the calorie goal for the day - ours are set lower.

Good luck!

Scale for food..It is amazing how far off it can be when you estimate food weight

Thanks ladies!! It sounds like I have a good start because other than the julienne peeler, I have all of those things! LOL Okay now, deep breaths. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with it all, but I think I will be fine once I get into the swing.

I agree, my husband and I bought a kitchen scale and a Magic Bullet to handle all the weighing and chopping.

Hang around with us. This as been my greatest tool.

This forum is the best tool..there have been times I had questions and others were I needed some tough love and the people here are awesome and always share their wisdom and there are great inspirational people on here...so welcome..you will do great!

I agree with all that's been said and I also have all the gadgets. But the best diet aid of all is the amazing support of this forum and the amount of information you'll find here. This forum has kept me going and when I get to maintenance, I will definitely stay connected here.

Connect here every day if you can, read all the "stickies" first to get a firm foundation and then ask anything you have questions about - there's almost always someone who can help you.

Good luck and welcome!

Hmmm...let's see...what 'tools' do I use...

1. This forum
2. Food journal
3. Full size Blender
4. Immersion blender & whisk attachment
5. Waffle iron
6. Box grater, mandolin, julienne peeler
7. More recently my ice cream machine (although 2 plastic bags, salt, & oven mitts work too)
8. I am finally going to get a dehydrator now in Phase 4!
9. An OPEN MIND! Don't let 'childish' prejudices of vegetables get in your way of eating delicious and healthy foods.

I've only been on IP a month, but my Magic Bullet (a blender would work) and always having ice on hand. I like to mix pretty much all of my drinks with extra water and ice. I find they all taste better when they are super cold.

Also a water bottle. Mine holds 3 cups so that's how I remember how much water I've had.

My coach told me to keep an extra salt shaker in my purse which was great advice, and I try to keep an extra drink package in it as well for emergencies.
You can always find water to mix it up if needed!

Oh yes, a scale for measuring protein especially! I was surprised I tend to underestimate the amount.

IP is simple and it works!!

I agree with all the above especially about this forum but I recently bought a olive oil mister and it has become invaluable. It's a great diet. Stay 100%! Good luck

Welcome Angie and good luck to you !

- I found that buying meat on sale, cooking it and then weighing out the portions and freezing them in little plastic containers worked very well. One less thing to deal with at dinner. (I have made stir-fry vegees with the defrosted meat on a big salad every night for the whole time...love, love, love it...)

- keep the 2 cup measuring cup by the cutting board and just keep chopping away vegees until you've got your 2 cups

- keep your food log and circle the restricteds so you're conscious of them
- eat at regular times, if possible
- use a fine grater for fresh ginger or garlic. add them to all kinds of dishes
- set a goal every week of trying a new recipe or new spice or new vegee
- wash anything that used IP right away because they stick easily...

- most importantly, keep the big picture in mind. Remember this is your life and your health and future you are doing something to improve, so never, ever give up!

Margaret