Some background.

I am somewhat disabled (and a diabetic) and I was quite heavy (310) in 2008 so I lost 70 pounds by ww in 14 weeks. Mind you, I had to off insulin.

With my "normal eating" I gained 50 pounds back in 7 ish years.

So I started IP in September I lost 50 ish pounds but Christmas was coming, all the family home and I don't like cheating so gave myself a couple (almost 3) weeks break. I didn't go crazy but I did not suffer any guilt for cheating and yes, I could have the glass of wine for Christmas. I thought I would gain 5 to 10 pounds and I would just take it off in January. BTW, my sugars were controlled.

In the almost 3 weeks, I gained just over 28 pounds !!! I checked that several time.

Phase one is on sustainable...is this diet geared to keep you connected with IP ? I was going to roll over to Mediterranean food plan after I lost my goal weight..

I am curious to hear what you think before I hear the IP spin...

Thanks
Ian

You would probably benefit from reading through this thread - lots of good information about life after weight loss :

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...l-protein.html

Wow, awesome job with that initial weight loss, and the second time as well. Even though you gained a lot back, though, at least you're catching it before you gained twice as much back. because that's pretty much what I did.

I'm not on IP but it sounds like it works really well. Mostly I just wanted to say you're doing great and I'm rooting for you. Hope it goes well for you!

Zowie Batman is right! 28 lbs in 3 wks is a crazy amount of weight to gain. Something wacky is going on there... I had my post xmas WI today and I'm still up 3.8 lbs after 6 days of 100%. My body fat went up 5% according to the clinic's BCA. Now I am saying Zowie Batman too! I am having some crazy PMS this week so hopefully that has something to do with it. I'm hoping you're able to get back on track and that 28 lbs corrects itself very quickly!

Thank you. This helps.

Phase one is really not sustainable. We wondered what I had gotten myself into. Yes, some weight but almost 10 pounds a week...

I shall pay more attention when they start talking about the other phases

Ian

I bought a weeks worth of food before I went off so I have been back on since Monday.

My scale shows one pound heavier than the one at the ip office.

So, my next official weigh in is this Monday

And I was just started liking myself in the 230s...

ian.

Thanks...it is easier when you are doing it for yourself rather than an outside influence...I appreciate the kind words.

ian.

I would be curious to see a food log or food inventory of what "eating normal" is for you exactly. It's possible that you are eating a lot more calories than you realize. Also perhaps your metabolism is very low. How much exercise do you do every day (what is it and how long?)

Dieting and maintaining is complicated for sure ... so many degrees of freedom. And we all have such different bodies, what works for one person wont work for someone else.

One thing is for sure. You can gain weight MUCH FASTER than you can lose weight. I realize that doesnt seem fair.

On my best days, I might lose a pound from the previous day. But my average loss is more typically 1/4 to 1/2 a pound a day. However if I went off IP and ate like most of America eats, I bet I could gain 10 pounds in a week (some or most of that water weight from the excess sodium (salt) that is in most american processed or restaurant food. Maybe 3 to 4 pounds of fat (maybe more?).

Also realize that you might have a quick 5 pounds gain when you first go off IP due to sugar stores getting replenished in your body. Glycogen or something like that.

Keep us apprised, we are all rooting for you to have success!

In addition to the salt in processed foods, other causes of inflammation (water retention) are the processed carbs and the poor quality fats like transfers and soybean or cottonseed oil.

I learned a bunch of negatived about soy a month or so...it was actually impeding my weight loss.

My movement is limited but getting better. My wife works for Public Health so we eat relatively well... I sometimes eat too much of the good food. ...remember, it took me 7 years last time to gain 50 pounds.

In canada, our portion sizez (in our restaurants are smaller).

Being weight today...I have to drop off this diet for two weeks in April..I am thinking seriously of going through phase 2, 3 and 4..

And thank you...

Ian.