Welcome back to the Daily Chat thread - post your plans for today, share what's been happening, ask questions!

Some forum lingo:
NSV = Non-scale victory
TOM = time of the month
WI = Weigh-in
WF = Walden Farms
OP = on plan

Bookmarking:
Ideal Protein Sub-forum Home page
Consider making it a bookmark or a favorite in your browser so you can come back easily to get your RDA of Ideal Protein information.

Information for newbies:
Check the sticky page (top of forum, above all the topics) for lots of good information and please read here before asking what might be a frequently asked question: Information on Ideal Protein phases (1-4), IP Ultimate List Recipes, FAQ, Newbie Guide, Exercise, and other Important Threads,
and here are the most recent Ideal Protein Protocol sheets

And before you cheat, read this thread:
The Real Cost of Cheating on Ideal Protein

Before starting new threads: spend some time reading the forum. Most new threads are duplicates, triplicates, quadruplicates. Folks who are the most successful, make time for research/reading.

More Recipes Here Mix'n in the kitchen...Recipes from the Rainbow
MiX'N' iN THE KiTCH'N.... Recipes from the Rainbow Volume 2
Fun with Ideal Protein Packets
Fun with Veggie Purees!
Ideal Protein Diet Recipes #4
Tips and Recipes from the Incredible Weight Loss Center

For those looking for alternative products
Here is a thread with tons of info. Spend some time in it. http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...phase-1-a.html
And here is a link to a chart to help you choose appropriate products

Tickers and Signatures:
There are 2 requirements to have access to signatures and tickers. You must have been a member of 3fatchicks for 20 days AND posted at least 20 messages anywhere on the 3fatchicks forum. When you've met those requirements check The Ultimate Signature and Ticker Thread for more information and instructions.

Quoting:
The best quoting tip - EVER!! Thanks Rosie, aka 6710.

Searching:
If you can't find what you're looking for in this forum using the website search function, try using the "double search" using Google.

1) Go to Google.com. Search 3fatchicks by using the term site:3fatchicks.com at the end of your Google search.

For example, if you want to look for "big mac in a bowl", type "big mac in a bowl site:3fatchicks.com" in Google search. No need to include the quotation marks when you type.

2) This will bring up the page that you are looking for, now hit Ctrl+F to search on that page. Type "big mac in a bowl" and all instances of that search term will be highlighted.

Progress photos
Mini-Goal Photo Album.

Other helpful links related to the Ideal Protein Dr. Chanh Tran Tien's website

Good morning!

I read this today and it really struck a chord with me:

"Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

If someone had told me 11 months ago that I could weigh 100 pounds less I would have laughed at them. 10 months ago I quit saying "it's not the right time" or "it will take too long" and just started. You know what, 10 months have passed that would have passed anyway and the big difference is ME! What I've accomplished by just starting is still mind-blowing for me.

There's never a "good" time to start but there is always right now, which IS a good time to start your journey to being healthy.

Thanks for this Ruth Ann, it's so true. It was about 11 months ago that my doctor told me at my annual exam that I really needed to do something about my weight and referred me to a dietician, who then referred me to IP after 6 frustrating months of very little progress. I remember thinking at that point that it would be so hard to get the weight off and maybe I shouldn't even bother. I'm so glad I did bother! I've come this far, now I know I can make it the rest of the way.

I love that quote, Ruth Ann!

Two NSVs for me, which are great since the SVs have been small lately...

1) I bought a pair of jeans yesterday that I am proudly wearing today that are one size smaller than what I wore in highschool!!

2) finally took my rings in to be sized, which I have wanted to do for three months now, but now that it had gotten to the point they were so loose they clinked together when I moved my hands, I thought it was time. I figured I would go down a quarter size, but I had to go down a half size! From a 5 to a 4.5! That is so small lol

Hope everyone has a great day! Of course they are calling for snow all week because my husband is away on course and I still don't know how to work the snowblower...

Good Morning! I'm working out of town today so have packed all my IP goodies and will treat myself to a salad with a chicken breast for lunch... WI is tomorrow so my goal is to drink 3 litres of water. Hope you all have a great day!

lighthouse: Isn't realizing it is worth the effort amazing? I had so many "why even bother?" discussions with myself in the past. You're doing so great, so glad you started!

shrinkingsusie: Hooray for smaller jeans and rings! That is super!

Hiker: Yeah for planning ahead! With that much water, do you know where all the restrooms at your destination are?

Susie what great NSVs! This weekend was sooo hectic with belated birthday celebrations and mardi gras events. I was surprised when I hopped on the scale this AM. I thought I would have maintained because I ate out so much this weekend. Surprisingly had lost! What a great motivator. I didn't check up on here all weekend...i missed it!!

You are SOOOOOOO right about this. Time is such a social construct and will pass whether we are treating ourselves right or not. What a refreshing perspective to let go of the time it takes and focus on what really matters which is taking care of ourselves and making a commitment to a healthier self. Time, just as it is now, will continue to be there. However, we will be going forward in a better position than we were in the past.

I am fighting my cravings for chocolate and sweets like a mad woman and it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hard ARGH!

I just brushed my teeth again. I need to power though these feelings to get back on track- last week was so bad for me. I need lots of

I am sending you some will power dust. I find that having an IP chocolate bar for breakfast helps me with cravings for chocolate and keeps me full for some time.

In the evenings, which was my worst time of the day as I would mindlessly snack, I chew gum when I get an urge to snack. I do about 1-2 pieces of gum a day to help keep me away from food.

I need to stop stepping on the scale everyday! UGH! The little increases are throwing me for a loop.

On the bright side, I have an interview Wednesday for a position I really want at the pediatric hospital I want to work at. Crossing fingers this works out!

Good Morning! I've been lurking for quite awhile, and thought I'd drop a line to say 'Hi"! I'm only on day 3, but sure finding this website helpful and motivating! So far I'm doing well (I think). Have stayed OP 100% so far and even fighting cravings quite well with the help of DH. Work has some temptations, but I keep one hand on my water bottle at all times so I can't reach for the cookie tray

Looking forward to success and making some new friends with you peeps

I love this! I have had a lot of those conversations with myself! I go for my initial signup tomorrow and I am excited and a little scared. But seeing the great progress so many of you have made gives me the push that I needed to just go ahead and do this. Happy Monday everybody.

Thanks for the quote Ruth Ann. I had almost given up on losing weight because I was thinking about how long it would take to get to my goal weight. Now I'm so glad that I started. Went to WI week 2 today and I am down 9 pounds I even went away this past weekend but packed all the food I needed and stuck to the IP protocol. The information I learn from posters on this site is so helpful in keeping me motivated. Ready for week 3!