For me the salad dressings are the hardest part... I am committed ....and I will find a low cal/low carb dressing that I like!

Other: Getting through the first 3 days while you are breaking your carb addiciton.

I make my own dressing with oil and apple cider vinegar, real salt, stevia, and herbs.

I use alternatives exclusively since week 2 or so, which cuts down on the expense. I found a whey protein powder that I like for under $1 per serving, and a rtd drink for just over $1 each. I buy Quest bars only when on sale. Overall, it is a small added expense compared to the cost of doing "brand name" IP.

I'm just fine with not exercising. I can still ride my bike, or go for a walk. I will be ableto tone up when I get to the end of my weight loss.


My hardest challenge has been speaking up for myself. I have a hard time asking for accommodations. I have really learned how to tell people what I need from them, and I am always surprised to see them deliver so well. The pre-IP me would never suggest a specific restaurant. I would just go along with the group. Now, I am fine letting the group choose, but I give them a list of places where I can find something on plan. People are so happy to work with my needs, and I'm realizing that I am not burden.

For me, the biggest challenge is figuring out what to have when eating away from home. We are constantly on the go and often need to grab a quick meal between activities. The dining choices in our area are limited - mostly fast food.

I think the hardest part is when I'm with friends or family. I always make sure to plan ahead and bring the items I need to keep me OP. It sucks when we are out to dinner and my family all orders dessert though. They shouldn't have to abstain because I can't have any, but it is hard to see them eat all the things I want and can't have right now!

I'm about to start week 7 and for me right now the hardest part is planning. I'm getting planning fatigue. I hate spending three hours of my Sunday trying to figure out what the heck I want for the week, making shopping lists etc. I tried last week to buy two weeks worth of packets but now I'm finding I don't want any of the things I have on hand. It's also really hard for me to plan during weeks that I have a lot of after work obligations...like last week...and this week. During busy weeks I know I'm dehydrated and I don't get all of my supplements and veggies in. Hopefully things will calm down soon and I can get back on track.

The hardest part for me is taking all of the supplements. I HATE taking pills. I have to force myself to do it and some days I'm still not 100% compliant with regards to supplements.

For me the biggest challenge is socializing with friends - So many activities revolve around food! We live on a very friendly block and we always have BBQ's and impromptu get-togethers. The temptation to eat things that I shouldn't is pretty high....

I'm like pishposh: for me, it's fatigue. Planning fatigue mostly--I'm tired of spending the weekend getting food ready for the week, and I'm hoping the end of the school year on Friday will alleviate that--but also some diet fatigue. Eating healthy is time-consuming! But it's time I'm committed to taking so I can be healthy for many more years.

My biggest challenge is "re-commitment". I did well on IP. Did not do well OFF IP. But in the back of my brain it's hard to re-commit as I worry now about a maintenance plan. I don't want to do this all again but I NEED to, and I know it works, so I say to myself "Suck it up, buttercup!-- pass the spinach!"

I know I just started (I'm on day four) but planning and preparing are the biggest challenge for me. It would be really easy for me to be lazy and eat the same foods over and over but I know that will lead to me getting bored and then ultimately quitting. So I've been scouring the boards looking for recipies and ways to jazz up my ip packets.

For me, on every single diet plan I have been on, it's sticking with it long enough to see BIG results! I end up doing really well for a few weeks, having success, and then I get a bit cocky and start the "well I can have this, just this once"...

You all know where it goes from there....I think I have been losing and gaining the same 10-15lbs for the past 14 years.

Yep -- and some times when other people lose their weight, I find that too!

We're starting at a similar weight - so let's cheer each other on.

You got it! I would love to have someone one-to-one to work through this together with; I'm game if you are



GR-8
(awe heck, it's theresa) <--- with a little "t"