Since we are now 6 months into 2015, I thought it was an opportune time to expand our title to include all 2014 starters (from any part of the year).

So if you are very quiet, and listen very carefully, I think you too will hear the soft whistling sound of all our 2014 starters letting some more air escape from all our "balloons". Let's come down to Earth and make a nice soft landing in a new smaller body!

LOVE the thread title

Thanks for launching the new June thread, Avalon! Welcome everyone!!!

All of the 2014 Starters have spent anywhere from 5 to 18 months on the Ideal Protein program -- sticking with P1 day after day, moving toward our goal weight. Most of us have become so comfortable with the P1 protocol, that the idea of phasing off, moving away from IP foods, and adding carbs and fats back into our diet is actually kind of scary. Some of us have already tackled that challenge, and find that we get to face it on a regular basis if we are to maintain our reduced weight.

Some of us thought maybe MOTIVATION and PERSISTENCE would be a good theme for the June thread --

Do you remember what it was that finally got you to take the first step to get started on IP? Are those reasons still what keeps you motivated?

If you have done pretty well and lost a noticeable amount of weight, chances are you feel a lot better today, you are enjoying some new clothes, and you have people around you who call you skinny, and who caution you to "be careful not to lose too much...."

What's the driver, today, that helps you to persist and stay with the program?

What information, quotes, or pictures can we share with one another to help us stick with it and continue our journey?

Here is a link to a facebook page with some motivation to stick with your weight loss program...
In case you run out of motivation

And I kind of like the thought in this thumbnail image...

Happy June 1st 2014ers! And thanks Avalon for getting us started!!

Sue - I think it's great your DH wants you along. You are such great support for him. I know he must find comfort in you being there. Hope his results are back soon with the best possible news!

One - Girl, this month is all about persistence and motivation for me. After all these months...and fun summer vacations and get togethers to boot, I hope it applies to many others as well. Love the quote you added!!

Well, today is the day! Starting P2. Got a couple days worth of grilled chicken ready for my salads and worked out my menu for the week (now up to 3 menus per day...now I know why I didn't want to give up my breakfast shake! ).

Haven't hopped on my Aria yet but I can tell my fingers feel a bit swollen this morning. Blech. I don't know what my issue is with Monday WIs but I have a few more hours to flush that out of my system for my official WI this afternoon.

Hope everyone has a great first day of the week (and June)!

Avalon and One -- Thank you so much for inviting us non-summer 2014 starters to this new thread! (One, I saw your invite on the November thread.) I have been stealthily reading and following your tales for a while now, and am glad to now be part of this group -- sounds so junior high, but it's like being invited to the cool crowd's lunch table!

As an intro here, I did P1 for almost 4 months (not super-strictly over the holidays though) and have now been in maintenance for about 2 months. Still experimenting with what works and doesn't. And I LOVE the persistence and motivation theme, as those are still critical in maintenance...and beach vacation is coming up in a few weeks!

CenTxChk -- congrats on P2! Most of my daily lunches are still that same P2 formula, even now, so hope you like them!

And Sue -- gardening is on my list for the week as well. I am no expert, but yes, you can absolutely grow roses in planters. Just make sure the container is big enough and has sufficient drainage, etc. Will try adding a helpful link here: Growing Roses in Containers
Thinking good thoughts for your hubby.

Sue - you are a trooper - and, you may find it a good idea to keep the regular doc well informed re: all that goes on with your husband's tests and findings. My DH and I found it good to be able to use the internist as a sounding board to process and understand all that we learned from the team of cancer, gastro-enterology, and neurology specialists that evolved as his condition was diagnosed, surgery occurred w/complications, treatment and rehab continued, etc. Having copies of everything sent to the regular doc turned out to be very helpful!

CentTxChk -- I can just see you dancing on you toes as you step over the boundary into Phase 2!!! Seems like you are well prepared for the change in the food plan, and I am sure you will follow the P2 protocol with great care. Don't forget -- we want to hear all about it!!!

Did you read through 65X65's posting that I crowed about - I thought her comments would be of particular interest to you, as well as good info for all of us!

JJTx -- thanks for the support today on the daily chat - I think I should have let it go after your post, but I felt compelled to expound the virtues of our monthly starter threads.... in the end, TMI, though.... I need to learn when to zip it.

Ah well -- intentions were good....

Mimi47 - Wow - to be referred to as the 'cool kids' is such a kind compliment!! I don't know about that, but we are so glad to have you join us 'officially' - your postings are always informative, and we are all especially interested in all we can learn about successful maintenance.
Glad to have you with us!!!

I've been having such a tough year getting motivated - dealing with full time work and (feels like full time) caring for my elderly mom and stepdad with health issues. June is the month for me to get back into phase 1. It has to be! I love the positive message of this thread and you all, and would love to join if that's ok.

Welcome to IP 2014 Starters, Dedicatedt!!!!

Thanks so much! Exactly what I wanted to do... Right now it is just sitting on the patio in the rain, but looks really pretty LOL..I will go later this week and find a nice planter container and replant for my patio.

Yes It was good to see him last night. He is a great Doc for my hubby and spends alot of time answering questions. Although I have to say our whole team that we have built now between the Gastro Dr., Surgeon & Oncologist, I never feel like we are taking too much time with them...they all answer all of Hubby's many many questions LOL and Always call back if we need them off hours...Office staff it great too. He also advised us last night that we may want a 2nd opinion from Sloan Kettering if this comes back as a sarcoma.....Thursday cannot come fast enough with the results

Dedicated welcome aboard... Caring for my MIL and FIL dragged me to my bottom 2 years ago. It is so hard....hang in there and know you are doing the right things for you....

OK Off bright and early to scout out some colleges with DS today...We are going on a whirlwind 3 college tour LOL... wish me luck LOL.

I am missing my WI today, but I am weighing in tomorrow at a differnet time (after lunch) I am sure that my weight is going to be much different then, but my aria had me at the same weight as last week this morning so if I would have weighed in I would have stayed the same... I was / am due for that one!

Keeping fingers crossed for you and hubby re results on Thursday!! Do let me know if there is anything I can do to support you.

College visits should be interesting, and involve a lot a walking! You may have some good collateral exercise effects that will be good for your next weigh in..... I hope you have good shoes on for hoofing it around!!!

Love the idea of letting some air out of my balloon!!! I just started IP Sunday, and I discovered 3FC this morning. This looks like a wonderful resource!

Welcome, Putinka!!! You have come to the right place when it comes to a successful weight loss journey!

IP works and 3FC IP sub forum is a wealth of useful information -- Check out the links on Lisa's first post on the IP Community Weekday (or Weekend) threads for lost of useful recipes, tips, and supportive information.

Look forward to watching your progress on your journey!!

We are inclusive of all! Welcome. I am rooting for every one of you!

Sorry I missed the excitement yesterday with all the posting on the daily thread. I saw the first few post with One’s and JJTX’s responses and couldn’t check in again until much later in the day only to see many more comments. You ladies know how strongly I feel about our special group and I am not giving you guys up! Sadly, I felt….not ignored (I think of ignored as intentional), but more overlooked previously. My responses or questions were often left unanswered. I was a glorified lurker until I connected with my Summer 2014 group. Honestly, your support has made all of the difference in my IP journey. Plus, you have to look at why people broke off into smaller groups. One reason I think was the opportunity to build closer relationships…you can’t be best buds with everyone…although we’ve never been one to exclude anyone.

Down 2.8lbs at my weigh in yesterday which got me to 151.2. Didn’t hit my 150 goal but I did reach 25.3 BF%. According to my coach, I would have hit 150 in the am (before breakfast, lunch and water for the day) but had a higher BF%. Instead I got a more accurate BF% but higher WI. Would have loved to see the 150…even a 150.9 on the scale but she said she thinks I will be in the 140’s next time we see each other in 2 weeks (coach is gone on vacation next week).

We also talked briefly about P3 and to start thinking about breakfast ideas. I told her yogurt with granola would be a dream. Fruit too. I have Liana’s yummy breakfast ideas and will continue to search on 3FC for more ideas to take to her at my next WI to discuss. Basically, I started P2 this week and will continue again next week. My next WI will be 6/15 and I will go ahead and plan a P2 day then too…or for as many days as it takes to plan and shop for breakfast items. She said we can move through the phases as slowly as I feel comfortable with until I am ready to jump to the next one.

To be honest, I kind of missed my crisps for lunch yesterday and today but the hot grilled chicken on my salad tasted pretty darn good.  Eating out twice this week for lunch appnts (virtually unheard of for me anymore) and am looking forward to having a bit more flexibility in possibly ordering something more than a salad for lunch.

One – Thanks as always for linking us to pertinent posts. 65X65’s post was so informative and confirms we all have to adjust this diet to conform maintenance to our own body. None of us will know what our maintenance life will look like until we are there and working the plan

Sue – Wow, 3 schools in one day! I believe you have an overachiever on your hands. Lol! Hope he finds the right fit!

Welcome Mimi and Dedicatedt! Still missing Briael. Hope she is back soon!