Welcome back to the Daily Chat thread - post your plans for today, share what's been happening, ask questions!

Some forum lingo:
NSV = Non-scale victory
TOM = time of the month
WI = Weigh-in
WF = Walden Farms
OP = on program

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Information for newbies:
Check the sticky page (top of forum, above all the topics) for lots of good information and please read here before asking what might be a frequently asked question: Information on Ideal Protein phases (1-4), IP Ultimate List Recipes, FAQ, Newbie Guide, Exercise, and other Important Threads,
and here are the most recent Ideal Protein Protocol sheets

Before starting new threads: spend some time reading the forum. Most new threads are duplicates, triplicates, quadruplicates. Folks who are the most successful, make time for research/reading.

More Recipes Here Mix'n in the kitchen...Recipes from the Rainbow
MiX'N' iN THE KiTCH'N.... Recipes from the Rainbow Volume 2
Fun with Ideal Protein Packets
Fun with Veggie Purees!
Ideal Protein Diet Recipes #4
Tips and Recipes from the Incredible Weight Loss Center

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Progress photos
Mini-Goal Photo Album.

Other helpful links related to the Ideal Protein Dr. Chanh Tran Tien's website

Day 2 of week 3, and the crazy dreams have started... I am exhausted from having run away from zombies all night! hahaha....

Hope everyone has a wonderful OP day!

I have a question about the vegetables. How important is it to measure them? Is 2 cups a minimum or a maximum?

I see you asked this I more than one place.
4 c/ day min & max
Meat and veggies should both be measured raw and yes, measure!

Thanks, Lisa.

Is that a side effect of the diet? I was wondering why I had the weirdest dreams last night

Good morning, all. Best of luck to stay OP to all of us today!

My skinny jeans fit again - hallelujah!

Last time I was proudly wearing them was when I was working out 3 hours a day in Los Angeles - 1 hour personal weight training, 1 hour cardio and 1 hour yoga. It is beyond awesome to lose weight thru diet alone and not being a workout maniac. Before finding IP, I thought I'd have to return to that regime again to get back to my true self and feel so blessed that is not the answer. Thank you IP.

A question for you all - even though I am losing weight and inches, my body fat % is still remaining at a number higher than I would like. Does anyone know how to target reducing body fat specifically as one is getting closer to goal? The % could totally be my boobs, but I would still think the overall number should be lower than it is.

The body composition scales that mesure body fat are innacurate. Just keep following the plan and you will continue to lose fat.

Once you get to maintenance, you can start working out again and that should help with the body fat also. For me I think the combination of loose skin and not working out for such a long time makes the fatty areas look so much worse.

Well, I was good and bad this weekend.


I was away all weekend at a wedding (which I made the cake for!) and was 100% OP. I didn't even have any of my cake, even though all the guests raved about it.

But I faceplanted off the wagon for Memorial Day. Picking myself back up, dusting myself off, back OP today. Honestly, I think I'd go mad if I didn't have a break now and then, so I'm at peace with it. I doubt I'll be tempted to cheat again until the 4th of July, and by then I might need another faceplant.

On the bright side, I received MANY comments this weekend. Not just on how great my cake tasted (not that I would know :P), but on how clearly I was thinning out.

I took another load to Goodwill this weekend. I think I'm finally finished cleaning out all the old pants, shorts, shirts, T's, underwear and even socks that my once "overly sized" ankles stretched out the elastic I kept a few of the sweatshirts and jackets, just in case I have friends stay over and need something

Now I just have have to deal with once size of clothing to throw out after I reach my goal. I really hated parting with some of my "Favorite" shirts", but I kept telling myself that they will become someone else's "Favorite Shirt"

Ragdoll's explanation is in tune with what my center told me when I asked a similar question recently. The lose skin is a real factor in inaccurate readigs. The only really way to get an accurate fat% is a water weighing...which means a total body submersion.

No thanks...I hate to get my hair wet!!! Does anyone else have other information?

A1 Texan, I need do to break down and do that, too! You're looking so great, such an inspiration!

Some folks mentioned crazy dreams..... yep, they're flippin nuts, aren't they? Most of my nightmares have to do with eating off plan but there have been those where I'm running or my life, lol!

For body composition measuring, you can do a Bod Pod - supposed to be as accurate as weighing in water http://www.cosmed.com/index.php?opti...364&Itemid=420

My university has one and I think it's $35/50 student/non-student to have measurements taken. I'm going to do it when school goes back in the Fall, so it'll give me some time to build up muscle as I'm at goal and phasing off so I've started exercising.

Difference in amount of food for men and women.

I started Phase 3 today. I had a great breakfast and made similar food for my DH who is in maintenance. We'll eat similar lunch and dinner, except he'll add in some carbs at dinner and some extra fat at lunch. My question is about total amount of food once I'm on maintenance like he is. He has 7" and 45 lbs on me, surely we're not to eat the same amount of food? Is there any consideration for body size?