I had my 4 week weigh in yesterday. I am down 20lbs, but this diet is getting harder and harder, instead of easier! It is hard to see people have great meals that I cannot have and my cravings come in waves. I'm fine one week, and the next, I am struggling to keep it together. I have been 100% faithful to this diet, but with my hefty goal, that I am trying to reach by July....... I am losing my motivation! And I am HUNGRY!!!!

I'm sorry you're loosing motivation, but you're doing great! 20lbs is a wonderful loss in 4 weeks!!! Maybe you could find healthy alternatives to your cravings? I know that is something that always helps my cravings.

Keep at it, you can do it! The cliche saying "six months from now you'll thank yourself" is kind of annoying but its true. If you're diet isn't working for you as well as you'd like, maybe tweak it a bit I like the healthy alternatives suggestion!!!

Thanks. I appreciate it! I have a vowel renewal in the beginning of August, and I do not think I will make the deadline. It kind of just makes me want to give up. The only thing that is keeping me from cheating is my Husband in my ear, because I spent almost a thousand dollars on new clothes, that will not fit me until after my weight loss. I did it as a way to motivate me. I just hope it doesn't backfire!

Thanks for the suggestion! I love sweet potatoes. This diet is just so restrictive that I can't have them. However, better a sweet potato, then to cave and have something really bad!

Congrats on the 20-pound loss!

What works for me is telling myself "Hunger is fat leaving the body." That's gotten me almost to my goal.

How much weight are you trying to lose by July, if you don't mind my asking?

Is there any way you would consider a different diet or are you locked into this one? You don't have to feel completely famished and hungry all the time. There are other ways. I don't know what diet you are following, but it really doesn't have to be that way.

Even if you don't hit your goal by July, if you stick with what your doing (or some other plan to lose weight), you will still be in a better, healthier place than you are today. You can keep going! You will see progress! Don't base your success on large, long-term goals. You'll get to them eventually, but maybe not on the timeline you initially thought and that is OKAY!

20 lbs in 4 weeks is AMAZING!!! I've only lost 9 since the beginning of February. You're doing great!!

Thank You. I will keep telling myself that! I thought that fasting would slow down my metabloism and I wouldn't lose as much. I am trying to get to 130. I am 235 now.

I decided to do Ideal Protein because I thought it was the healthiest, fastest way for me to reach my goal by August. I need to be out of phase 1 by July!

Thanks Firecracker

better yet. How about carrying 20lbs of those sweet potatoes 24/7. Heavy huh? Feels good not to carry those 20lbs..i take that as good motivation. congrats to you!

All of this advice is definitely helping me. I will use it as fuel to keep going!!! Thanks!!!

Congrats on your success!

I don't know much about IP, but any program that says, I CAN'T have whatever, given, common sense, would not work for me.

How does IP support you, if you do not meet a time restricted goal? How does IP support easing you into a maintaining lifestyle?

I don't mean to rain on your parade or your current success, I really don't. The thing is, do you want fast? Or forever?

Somewhere along the line we have to make a choice. We have to choose to make peace, with a lifestyle that is healthy, and still liveable.

Most days, you are on plan, you practice your chosen fitness program. But, at weddings, holidays, etc., you plan to give yourself a little lee way! Knowing that you will get back in the saddle, asap.

Since you're doing IP, if you haven't already, I know there is a large group on this forum dedicated to IP and IP maintenance and they are very active. They may be able to help you figure out how to stick with IP while also satisfying your hunger to stay on track.