Thanks 65! We stayed at the Gran Bahai Principe in Riviera Maya and it was fantastic. It's a huge resort, with 3 hotel complexes - I think the guide told us there was something like 2200 people at any given time staying there - but you never felt like "just a number". There were very few lineups anywhere, we could always get loungers under the umbrellas at the beach and the pool. The grounds were clean and the staff were all very friendly. The food was amazing - my sister and I did a Japanese a la carte restaurant the night before we left and it was really good - but I won't go in to too many details We did two excursions - one to the ruins at Tulum (our guide for that tour was wonderful - he lived in the area his whole life so his stories about the ruins were very personal and interesting) and then snorkelling to see turtles and then my son and I did a swim with the dolphins activity, which was lots of fun too. Again, all of this was so much better being at a lower weight

So, WI at lunch and I am up 4.6lbs which, isn't too bad considering. Hopefully it will only take me a couple of weeks to say "adios" to those and then move on.

Jo

Jo that all sounds soooooooo wonderful! Can't wait for my vacation...too bad it's all the way in July!

Sounds wonderful...my sisters and I have done the Dolphin swim at Delphinus, and snorkled with the sea turtles at Akumal! We have also done para-sailing...and kayaking. I think they want us all to do a zip line this year.. I keep telling them am too old for this stuff...and I'll hold their wallets and take the pictures...but they just sign me up anyway! Your resort sounds wonderful. There is nothing that is NOT wonderful on the Riviera Maya though. Especially the sunrises....


And yes...that's me on the parasail!

I read about this study in today's paper and it is SHOCKING! For those of us on IP, realize what a bullet we are dodging in getting our food under control.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...chers-say.html

Good article...not that most of us need any more convincing!!

It is amazing how food companies continue to add things to food sources ...will they be happy when the population declines from disease and early death due to all this dietary manipulation?

I've never heard of Bubbies. I don't think they sell them here. I love sauerkraut and was shocked at how salty it tasted to me the first time I tried it after starting IP. I could hardly eat it. It was a similar sensation to sucking on a lemon. lol. I haven't had any since.

No, I don't have a coach. And I'm wondering if that is the reason why I have zero weight-loss this week. It's pretty discouraging. If you will allow me the luxury of a mini-rant, I'm not sure if this is what I should be doing. When I was eating low-carb I wasn't paying so much money for the IP packets and I lost weight. I guess I'm just feeling discouraged, and wondering if there's a better way for me to do this. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong. I want to lose the weight very badly and am just I'm having a hard time with no weight loss at the end of my third week. I was told this was a quick way to lose fat.

I have, however, been encouraged by everyone's stories of success. I'm just hoping I can get through this down period. Thank you all for being my coach.

Yippysue, what is your daily regimine like? If you've posted it before, please direct me to where it is to read over. IP works. You may need to give your body time to adjust to any extreme losses you've recently had. Plateaus are normal. There are many people on here that loose just as much as they plateau!

Welcome home PurpleMonster!
It sounds like you had a great holiday and many NSV. For me it is doing many of these new things like sitting in a plan comfortably, running, increased flexibility, and new clothes that keep me motivated along with all the other improved health benefits.

I am bracing for more snow here, I think we are getting storm today or tomorrow. Have started working out at a new gym -Orange theory anyone heard of it? I think they are popular in the US.

Question....

So, our 'occasional' veggies states that we can have '2 per week'. That technically means 'servings'. Can someone confirm that the 'serving' is one cup?

Here's what I'm getting at. I love tomatoes. I try not to buy them because I'll eat them all in one sitting (the little cherry ones!). For the superbowl, I made my potato 'bread' really thin and it came out crispy like crackers. Then I made a fresh salsa with my tomatoes so I could enjoy 'chips and salsa' with everyone else. Then today, I used my left over salsa as salad dressing and it was AMAZING.

I'm wondering....would it hurt me if I spread my servings into half servings to allow 4 times a week? Don't know if that's making sense. But basically have 1.5 cups of select veggies then 1/2 cup of tomatoes to make a dressing?

For some reason i keep thinking..no...it's better to consume it all at once, kind of like how some people feel about eating all 8 ounces of protein at once.

Is this making sense or am I rambling?

Ems
Its better to stick to twice weekly due to insulin

That's what I thought. I mean, that's why they are limited in the first place.

Not sure if I ever tried Protidiet chili, but you should "doctor it up". Sauté red and/or green peppers, add 2 oz of cooked ground beef and chili seasoning. I use Mrs. Dash Chili Lime. I do it on the stove instead of microwaving.

I am doing this without a coach and using alternative products.

Way to go! Proud of you. Those days are the hardest.

65X65, I, too, cannot wait till June and warmer weather. I have had enough of this wintry nastiness!

Renee

Yippysue: Do you have any thyroid or vitamin deficiencies that you know of? Perhaps a consultation with the doctor might help. I know that after being on IP for a couple of months I stopped losing weight and on what most call a “Stall” while being 100% OP. After suggested by my coach I went to the doctor and found out that while on IP I acquired a Hypothyroid. Doing additional tests I found out that I have a Vitamin B12 and D deficiencies. Hypothyroid is common when on this diet, the other 2 are just my body not liking me. It took me MONTHS to get my levels back into the appropriate levels and the funny thing is, I started losing weight as soon as my levels were in a better range.

I am not saying that this is your situation, but there is always a rational reason why IP doesn’t work. If it be not following protocol to the T, not enough sleep, not getting enough water, fat, salt, to many carbs for your body. I highly suggest listening to EMS and posting your daily regime and allowing the people on the form to add their 2 cents.

Wishing you a swift answer, hang in there.