Speaking of goals. I think it is a bit hard to truly understand a goal at the start. For myself, I have NO clue whatsoever as to what I will look like at 170, 160, 155, etc. My original goal was to get to 160. As weight comes off, I think that I might stay in P1 for a while and go a little lower - like 155. Then my center's scale says that I should, ideally, lose another 23.1 pounds of fat which, if I did, would land me at about 164. So, I have decided that I am going to go until it says lose 0 more pounds of fat and see if I like what I see. Heck, I know I will like what I see, but see if that's the right place to stop or if I would like to be a bit more trim. It's definitely a fascinating journey.

Well-meaning relatives just sent us pictures from our visit with them last week.

Self-image = deflated. I thought I looked better than this. Not that I thought I was anywhere near finished, but . . . ugh.

I still hate pictures.

That is so terrific! 27 lbs...way to go! You look really good.

It gets better! Keep going girl!

Me too. keep the photo though. Use it as a motivator. Use it to see how far you go. Keep up the good work.

NinjaNurse - I know exactly how you feel. I have gone through periods of anger, frustration, depression, and extreme joy since beginning IP. I have felt resentment that I can't have the goodies everyone else is having. While my family was here for a week I made great food and desserts for them. I couldn't have cocktails or the same food. I stayed 100% OP and there were a few moments that I thought it really sucked. This happens periodically. I just try to keep focused on how much better I am feeling, and try to imagine that this is a short period out of my life to get healthy and affect my future. I love wearing smaller clothes and feeling more attractive to my DH. I know that for a few moments of enjoyment it just isn't worth it to me.

I think someone has a quote on their signature that says, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". I tell myself that all the time. I also do as a lot of others have stated, and mix it up in the recipe department when I am feeling this way. Today I am making a roast in the slow cooker with onions and mushrooms and will have sauteed asparagus! The other day we grilled steaks and had roasted cauliflower. Not too shabby for dinner.

Hang in there! There is a rhubarb crisp recipe made with the oatmeal packet that everyone raves about. Make yourself some dessert and maybe that will help.

Good luck.

yum. Would love your recipe.

I second the dessert comment too. Last night I made the IP "Chocolate Cake" after making birthday cakes for friends and feeling glum as I couldn't even have a little bit, even though - pouring in the 1/3 c. of oil and 3 eggs, all the sugar, etc. I KNEW it was no good for me. So, the IP cake made it "feel" more equitable and it was healthy.

Thank you everyone! dak1IIs, you are right, buying normal size clothes is a high. I bought a size 14 bathing suit the other day, sure it's no slim chick size, but it was great having a huge choice. I do love to eat healthy foods, it's not like I want to go eat a huge platter of bday cake and fried seafood, I am just sick of thinking and worrying about it all the time.

Sarita75, no magic recipe. I make the choco drink, probably thicker than usual in a bowl using a whisk, then shove it in the freezer. It's rock solid when I get home from work (when my food issues are at their worst) and takes about 1/2hr to eat.

Yay!! I have a ticker.

Because cabbage and lettuce look almost identical :/ Hence, assuming that they are both equally unlimited. Just saw a post the other day with someone asking if spinach is unlimited. Probably a very common mistake... "lettuce" is so vague as there are many different types and definitions of what someone views lettuce as being.

Honest question! I obviously haven't ate enough cabbage so a quick google search showed me that "lettuce" and cabbage look almost identical on the outside but cabbage is very different on the inside.

Hi everyone, I have not posted in a while. I phased off for a bit due to work & vacation. I am back on phase 1 & trying to get into the swing of it again.

Ninja nurse you look amazing!! Wow such a inspiration for me to keep at it.

Today was my 2nd weigh in........ and I am not a happy camper. I have stayed OP, no cheating and only lost 4 oz................grrrrrrrrr ! I eat all my veggies, dont have more than 1 restricted food aday. I drink about 100 oz of water a day. What else can I do? Last week I lost 6.6lbs and I havent done anything different this week?

Hi all!
I don't post too often but I am a daily reader. Ninjanurse...I've been there. Most of the time its a mental battle for me. I've dealt with each episode differently. Getting out of the 150's was almost an impossible battle. I was there for weeks on end. I started to think I should give up but I didn't. I had some very stressful big life decisions happening to me, once I embraced the changes and started looking positive at it, they lbs fell off. May sound crazy but the 150s held emotional changes for me from 10 years ago and w the new life choice, the change was amazing. Maybe evaluate what happened the last time you were this weight? Idk...

On the flip side I had a huge SV this week. I have lost more than half my original body weight. Such an amazing feeling. I'm only a few pounds away from no longer being overweight. Hope to see that soon but for now I'm still in awe of half of me!

Stay strong all! IP works and your each worth this journey.

Soooo beyond proud of you, my friend!

Thanks! Just texted you to see how your feeling...