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.

Recipes Here
Ideal Protein Diet Recipes #4 -current thread open for posting
Recipe thread #3
Tips and Recipes from the Incredible Weight Loss Center
Fun with Ideal Protein Packets
Fun with Veggie Purees!
Mix'n in the kitchen...Recipes from the Rainbow
MiX'N' iN THE KiTCH'N.... Recipes from the Rainbow Volume 2

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.

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

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Progress photos
Mini-Goal Photo Album.

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

Big day for me yesterday, bought new blue jeans for the first time in a long time. Waist size is down but even better, I bought regular fit, not relaxed. I am so happy my wife suggested we do this diet.

Tom - That's an awesome feeling! It looks like your almost at goal as we'll. Congrats!

Michelle

Good morning all!!! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I'm drinking my coffee and eating my IP bar before I begin my Saturday cleaning. I've been thinking about last night, I didn't realize how pushy friends can be when eating out. I was quite uncomfortable. I try to keep my business to myself, I don't like to bring attention to myself, and the entire night seemed to be focused on my eating, or rather lack of eating. Everyone was drinking so they kept asking me why I wasn't- before I could speak someone else would say, "she's on some diet and can't", then it was come on you can have a night off, or come on one chip won't hurt you, so on and so on the entire night it went. Thankfully my DH took up for me, he's been so wonderful I am very proud of him, I cannot believe the support he is giving me. Last night was an eye opener. And of course I was wanting a drink before we even got to the restaurant. I see how easy it can be for a person to fall off the plan. I said to my DH, "don't worry I won't give in, if I do I may not be able to get back on!! And besides that if I eat whatever I want tonight I will gain the weight back that I lost last week, if not more! And that's a waste of $90 and my hard work. It's just not worth it!!" And today I was able to wake up feeling wonderful that I stayed OP!!!!

Ladies, we got this!!!!!!!

Lost 3.4 lbs this week!! Super excited about it since my losses have been in the 1.x range for such a long time. Doing a mix of Alts and IP and will be for a while until the IP stuff runs out.

While on vacation my daughter got me on a bike for the first time in 20 years. She's a bicycle commuter. We went on three different bike rides. Not too long or arduous but so much fun. I never would have done that if I hadn't lost over 30 lbs at that point. I had bicycle riding dreams last night. I never dream about being physically active. Now that I'm back home, I'm going to look into getting a bike.

Not only do I feel and look so much better but I have a confidence in myself that I haven't had in years. I'm so glad I took the plunge and started this diet and even more pleased that I found this great website and all the wonderful support here. Thanks to all the great IP Peeps who have given me advice and guidance.

I decided to lower my goal weight by 5 lbs. When I first started I chose a random number because it seemed so far away and impossible. I realize now that it IS possible.

I think that's awesome! I keep saying I want to get a bike some day as well. My son is ten years old and won't even try to let to ride his bike. It scares him too much still! Maybe I could get a two seater and he could ride with me.

Congrats on your weight loss!

Kelly, congratulations on sticking it through. You should be really proud of yourself for letting all of that negativity bounce right off of you and staying OP, especially with everything you have been dealing with lately. That is amazing and just goes to show that you've got real drive and you're going to rock the rest of this diet.

It may not work for everyone, but when people are being particularly pushy and say "it doesn't matter, you can have one or two, everyone deserves a little cheat" I plainly say something like "it matters to me. being set back from achieving my goals is not worth one or two [insert whatever food item]. i'm happy with what i'm eating and I have the results to show my plan is working. I appreciate your concern but I do not want any of [whatever they're eating]." I really have to bite my tongue to not say "I do not want any of your breaded, fried, 2,000 calorie meal, thank you."

The repeat display of willpower and my results have really shut people up as I found yesterday when I was around my family for the holiday, some of whom have continuously tried to push things on me. We even had my family birthday celebration and no one said a word when I passed on the pies and cakes and pulled out my IP key lime tarts.

You're right, we got this!!

Kelly, congratulations on holding strong. I never realized how those around you can sabotage the best of intentions. Sometimes it can be hard to say no, especially when someone is doing it "out of love". It can be hard to stay OP but the feeling of accomplishment the next day, and when you weigh in, is worth it. Keep up the good work.

I'm feeling spoiled this morning. I'm lounging in bed at 9:30 AM reading email and the posts here, sipping coffee (delivered by hubby). The dog is all belly up snoozing beside me. Hubby is in the kitchen and is making us a veggie and egg scramble. I hear the chop chop chop sounds.... I feel like a princess. It is so nice to have my families support, and that they enjoy eating IP meals as well. If we are eating out we offer often to bring home a to go order for our son. No longer does he just say burger... he asks me, what am I having.... and he wants the same. My son doesn't need to diet, he just wants to eat healthy.

I will need to get myself moving here in a bit, to pick up all the fireworks trash that blew into our driveway and yard last night. We didn't light a single firework but it always seems like we spend a fortune by the looks of the fallout on our property.

Oh I went to Good Will yesterday. I found a new with tag pair of shorts and a pretty t-shirt style top (with some bling around neck) for $15. Too bad I didn't have time to really bargain hunt, blue tags were 50% off... but hubby was in the car with the dog waiting for me so it was hustle in and hustle out. I figure I've donated so many cloths over the years to Good Will, buying some from them is just sort of paying the middle man for a clothing exchange. Besides I will probably donate these back to them in a couple months anyway as I go down in size.

Weight loss is going well. Staying on plan is going awesome. For those friends who push the "just a bite" line at me, I usually try and keep it light and tell them I need them to enable me to stay on program, not to encourage me to go off of it. If that doesn't work I can get pretty blunt - but I'm over 50 y/o and might be on my way to earning red hat status soon (losing my filters a bit). :-)

Have a wonderful weekend! OH! Hey - Hubby came in, we are going to go to the farmers market today, and.... the kitchen store! Wow I must still be asleep and dreaming

I need help. Motivation to get back on track. I fell off a few weeks ago and cannot for the life of me continue back on this path that has led me to an almost 70 lb lost! I have gained 5+ pounds back since I started being careless, and each day is more of a "well I took a bite of that bagel, might as well have a sandwich for lunch and potato salad for dinner!" I don't know what is causing the self destruction mode but I am reaching out for some advice, motivation, or a quick kick in the head to get my mind straight!

Thank you

Thanks ladies!!! Our friends just called and asked us to go to a winery with them tonight. I declined. One night of temptation and pushy people was enough for me! I'm wondering if I didn't wipe the BBQ sauce of good enough because I'm more hungry than usual today that's ok though I'm drinking water and eating some cukes (my 2 cups for lunch) with wf dressing. This just reinforces my determination to stay on the path!

You've made a HUGE first step.
Weight loss is a mental challenge, not a physical one.
If we could fix it for you, we certainly would.
And none of us would have gotten in the "mess" we were in ourselves. I wish we could bottle the motivation and determination it takes to make the decision to take care of ourselves and to choose health instead of not.

Do you have the Beck Diet Solution book? It is amazing for getting our heads straight (and keeping them straight). It also helps us see that a whole day isn't ruined if we eat a bite & it is more important to jump right back on.

Keep posting and stay connected. It'll click again!

Morning gals: I was just so tired last night - picking cherries and bagging them for freezing for 3 hours that I slept til 9!! DH is out working 6 days a week right now so he drank his coffee sitting quietly on the edge of the bed this morning at 6 am while I dozed in & out. Love that man! Then kiss goodbye & off he goes. Today I should get my butt in gear and do a bit more around the house - it's been somewhat neglected these past few days.

I am planning on switching my cherry & tortilla chip carbs out for more proper veggies tonight - wish me strength. I will have to pull out Dorothy-style red shoes and click my heels together. I'm sure that will work with one of my 8 red pairs.


Liana

My BF says that I am one of the most stubborn people that he knows. And for once, it is playing in my favor. I am so thankful for the will power that I have right now that I did not even know that I possesed. All of the food and drinking that have been around me and I have stayed OP. I was rewarded for my efforts again this morning two fold. The scaled moved down another 2lbs and I woke up with such energy and pride.

We should all be proud that we put ourselves first and foremost.

Kellyc- shame on them. Temptations are everywhere. I am sorry to hear that besides the own voice of wanting in your own head (that we all hear) that you had people pushing things on you.

I feel thankful for my own friends, kids, and family that are behind me 100% and do not trying to steer me off path.

Great job staying OP through the holiday everyone! I find that the people who push food on me the most are overweight themselves. I think it makes them feel less guilty about their own choices if everyone around them is making bad choices too. I know before IP, I was always happier if I wasn't the only one at the table not ordering salad. But that is their problem, not mine. I'm the one who will face the consequences of my choices!

Blonde- take it one meal at a time. Sometimes one day seems too overwhelming to me, but one meal? I can do that!