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 plan

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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

And before you cheat, read this thread:
The Real Cost of Cheating on Ideal Protein

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Recipes Here
Ideal Protein Diet Recipes #4 -current thread open for posting
Recipe thread #3
Tips and Recipes from the Incredible Weight Loss Center
Fun with Ideal Protein Packets
Fun with Veggie Purees!
Mix'n in the kitchen...Recipes from the Rainbow
MiX'N' iN THE KiTCH'N.... Recipes from the Rainbow Volume 2

For those looking for alternative products
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And here is a link to a chart to help you choose appropriate products

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Progress photos
Mini-Goal Photo Album.

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

Ugh, yesterday was a bad day for me. I didn't get all of my IP packets in. Back on target today and focused. I made sure to eat breakfast on time which is where I went wrong yesterday.

I hope everyone has a great day!

I'm on day 2...getting my water down with no problems but I am feeling pretty nauseous so far today and I can feel a headache coming on. I had the wildberry yogurt for breakfast with a hardboiled egg and hot tea.

Congrats on getting through day 1! Make sure you get your salt in - put it on your hand and lick it off followed by a big glass of water. Really helps with the headaches. Getting into ketosis is not really fun but it should be better in a few days. Hang in there!

Good morning IPeeps! Had a good chat with my coach this morning. We hashed out basically everything that was discussed on the board yesterday regarding my uncertainty and concerns about my goal weight and when to phase off. She helped me settle on the best course of action, which is what my gut was telling me anyway—to move to P2 next week when I go on vacation, and then reassess when I get back, but with the likely plan of staying on P2 for a couple more weeks after that if all goes well. P2 will make it easier for flying anyway, and I'll be needing the extra protein for the increased activity.

But, clearly my body is telling me something if all I can think about is how much I just want a can of tuna or extra eggs or whatever kind of protein, even after I've eaten my daily allotment. The sweets and carbs don't even cross my mind in those moments, I just want more protein calories. I need to listen to what my body is saying.

Yesterday's daily chat and my coach also helped me take a step back and recognize all of the skills I have picked up, and that clearly I am capable of self control and self awareness around food. Even having this debate with myself and feeling conflicted is a good sign, I think.

So...baby steps for right now, but I feel better that I have a plan for at least the rest of the month. If I do end up making it to P4 by December, I have full confidence that I am up for the challenge of maintaining successfully. It'll be like maintenance boot camp. I'll just have to keep up the daily positive affirmations to keep myself in this good head space.

Thanks again everyone for your feedback and kind words yesterday. And yes, darthkitten, happy to share the boat and do this together!

I remember the head aches on day 2 and 3... Stick through it. It will subside!!! Im on my fourth week so i can still freshly remember the change over into ketosis. You can do it

Pishposh: You got this! Keep checking in with us and I believe you will FLY through the holidays on P4 easily! I'm going to keep coming here even after I phase off because it keeps me focused on my goals...and that will be true even in maintenance!

BStr13: Stick with it! The misery doesn't last long and you will be glad that you are on IP soon! I only wish that I had started it sooner!

nat - Sorry about your not so great day yesterday. Today is a new day and it sound like it will be good!

Bstr13 - keep going, this will pass! The first week was pretty rough for me too.

pishposh - sounds like you have a great plan!

NSV for me today...I am wearing the smallest pair of pants in my closet, size 8, and I definitely need to go shopping for some smaller sized pants!!!! Feels great...I don't remember ever feeling this way!

Good Morning All!

pishposh - I think that's a good plan and I'm glad your coach was on board.

SallyE- Congrats on the NSV!!!!

I'm still emotional. TOM is about to be here and the smallest things are setting me off. I just am overwhelmingly SAD and I'm trying to perk up. My brain is still catching up to my weight loss (by catching up, I mean trailing behind). I may go look for some articles to read on the subject in general. I think I'm just in down spirits right now.

Hi BStr13, the first few days are more challenging than the rest. I just rebooted and am on week 2 now. Last week was really hard for me and I even cheated (on purpose) one day. Now I'm on week two and finally am in ketosis (I buy ketone strips to keep myself in check). But I woke up this morning and my jeans are fitting nicer and I feel amazing. Keep pushing through the first week, it's all worth it in the end.

Hats off to you, Pishposh!

Kissi- I have felt the same way for no reason at all while on this diet. TOM have been very emotionally charged when they never were in the past. It must be toxins and hormones flushing.

I'm either super grumpy or super emotional from TOM while I've been on this diet. I'm sure I'm just a JOY to be around. Hopefully, only a couple more months though until I phase off. So, maybe I can try to keep myself in check and keep reminding myself I feel this way because of TOM emotions being amplified.

It's hormones Very common on IP and any ketogenic diet. Estrogen stores in our fat cells, and when we lose fat rapidly it "floods" our systems with estrogen. Very typical to have TOM be out of whack, feel PMS symptoms more frequently...it does stabilize, but it takes a little time. Hang in there!

Hang in there kissi! I have felt the same way. No real reason, just overly emotional and grumpy too...hormones!!! It is very on and off for me. I seem to be fine for a couple of weeks and then bam it hits me. I am hoping moving on to P2 will help.