I had made a paper chain with a link for every pound I wanted to loose. I have it hanging in the ladies room at work. So every time I loose a pound, I remove a link. It is a lot of fun to watch that chain shrink

I love this idea too! I have also picked out a "goal" shirt for one of my first goals. I have a closet full of clothes I am dying to get back into!

I love the ideas! I am going to a couple concerts in November, so maybe I will dig deep into my dresser and pull out some target outfits for then!

I've taken a monthly picture.
Some have been posted here along the way.
Big motivator for me.
Others have bought themselves bracelets and added a charm for every mini goal.
My Fitness Pal gives me a beautiful visual every morning when I sign in, reminding me how many lbs I've lost!
I say whatever it takes to keep the motivation up is worth it!
We're all motivated differently.

@ Lisa and A1Texan,
Thank you very much! As usual, Lisa, you said it more eloquently then I could. I wasn't frustrated by anyone's struggles, but battling my own meant I really couldn't even read about them this weekend. To be sure, it was definitely me dealing with my weaknesses, and not me focused on anyone else. Sometimes I feel 100% committed, and other times I just have to tell my husband to lock the pantry and go on a hike with me or I'm not going to make it! I will definitely stop into the 100% thread. Looks like I wasn't the only person who wasn't quite sure what it was 100% of. lol.
I LOVE this! I am going to put this in my bathroom so I see it every morning and every night. I love it!
Congrats! Some days I am so hopeful for all this... some days less so.
I remember reading your posts. I am bummed if this is the case, but with how bad I felt I wouldn't want to risk this happening regularly! Please let me know if you think you have narrowed it down.
I will check when I get home, but I believe it is 5" above my knee. They measure up every time, and then around.

Thank you everybody! I was worried I would be misunderstood in my concerns. This is so deeply personal for all of us that I really respect how we all make it through, and for me, this weekend was a tough one but I made it through without cheating. I really believe having my WI on Monday nights aids this as I can't even contemplate sabotaging my week's progress over the weekend, so close to WI.

I am doing bi-weekly pictures, and monthly measurements. Then when I am done I want to put them all together in a video and watch myself shrink right before my own eyes.

What a cute idea!

I am day 5 in on my first week and I get this really full feeling in my stomach and my throat (sounds weird). It happens right after I eat lunch and I almost threw up the other day. Is anyone having trouble keeping these foods down? I find that I am not finishing my soup or bars because of this.

That is a fantastic Idea,Shrinkingsusie...think I will use this as well!

My biggest accomplishment over the weekend was going to a birthday celebration at a mexican restaurant. I started IP on 7/1/13 and this was the first time I actually went to a restaurant for dinner. I did not touch the chip basket, order a margarita or have any birthday cake. I am so proud of myself

good morning all!

random question: i've noticed that my body odor has changed over the last couple of weeks. i am in week 6 of IP. i've never noticed any kind of body odor (armpits) before, and suddenly it smells like i haven't showered in days all the time. i started applying more deodorant but that wasn't helping much. switched to the "clinical strength" stuff today and i'm going to see how that goes. first time in my life with funky armpits! it must be IP/keto related, yes? i knew that i would get some bad breath from ketosis and stocked up on mints.. but armpits?

Does anyone know what i should put in to MFP for goals for food on phase 3? I know the calorie count for breakfast should be 400-500, but other than that I am not sure.

Thanks!

Lauran- Unfortunately, it happened again. It had happened yesterday as well (and I had not drank a RTD shake)...but I had used the IP crispy cereal pancake recipe not long before, so I'm starting to suspect that I've developed a sensitivity to something- wheat, soy, gluten...those would be the most likely culprits. I've had no issues with the Quest cookie dough bar, which is gluten free and doesn't seem to have soy in it. Looks like i'm going to have to do week long eliminations of certain things to see how I react. Very discouraging... never had any food sensitivities before IP

Spunky - I am just following the IP guidelines and I'm really worry about the calories. But I did set my goals to a 1250 calorie day. I'm in my second week of P3. Hope this helps

I had this too and it was a bit unsettling. Fortunately it only lasted a few days. In e interim, I carried a small deodorant in my purse and applied it a couple of times during the day. That seemed to help as opposed to just first thing in the morning.

I used clinical strength too, so hopefully that will work!!