Okay, So I really just need to vent I guess.

My friend (whom introduced me to IP) Has been cheating and making "substitutions" since I started IP. She has had Mgd 64's and vodka, She has made a cake and called it IP friendly because it was made with diet sprite (which makes me laugh because if we were allowed diet soda I would be all over that!), she regularly orders veggie stir fry from a teryaki place nearby... And today really just got me shaking my head when I read on Facebook that she was tipped by a client with cookies. I am just really frustrated with her because I try so hard and stay 100% OP and I have not cheated (nor do I have the desire to start). I tell myself that its okay because although she is still loosing, she is not loosing as much as she would by staying OP. I just hate hearing about the stupid cake/cookies.

As far as I know, there are several non negotiables with this diet. I deal with bored taste buds and stick to the select veggies. I don't even eat the sometimes veggies! I figure that I will be that much closer to goal by avoiding negotiation.

Anyone else dealing with this type of frustration?

She seems immature to me. She doesn't seem to really "get it" the way that you do. She is obviously not taking this seriously and maybe she is lucky enough to have the sort of metabolism where she will lose weight anyways just based on the caloric reduction alone, which would not be the case for someone like me, and it sucks! Big time!

If she were really your friend, she would be much more sensitive to your feelings and much more supportive of you. As it is, she really isn't showing you much consideration at all. I find this behavior to be selfish and immature.

If she is a really good friend, you should sit her down and have a conversation with her where you let her know in no uncertain terms, how this kind of talk is making you feel ("When you do X, I feel Y") and that it is detrimental to your achieving your goals. You need to ask for her support and her help and see how she reacts to request.

If she is more of an acquaintance or if she refuses to support you in your goal, you need to distance yourself from her for the duration of your diet (do not allow her updates to appear on your wall, etc.). Perhaps when you are done, you can go back to seeing each other but for now, no good can come of this. She will only bring you down!

Good luck to you!

Thank you! I have talked to her about it, but not about how frustrating it is... Hmm I will have to try a different approach.

She isn't learning new eating habits. She's cheating herself but worse, she betraying a friendship that can never be replaced. Sometimes we just have to move forward and hope the friendship survives. If talking to her doesn't make any difference, then move on and hope at some point she has that "aha" moment and realizes that she wants to be a better friend in the future.

I find it fascinating that the IP diet does not allow diet soda.

If you want to drink a diet soda - go for it. Why make your life more difficult than you need to?

The idea that aspartame raises insulin levels is inaccurate.

it could be acidic as well, not just the aspartame

I don't work for the diet soda industry ... there are definately healthier choices.

My point it is that diet soda won't inhibit weight loss. In fact the IP protein packets have artificial sweetners according to the ingredient list.

I abstain from drinking diet soda because I don't want to mess with a good thing. Since starting IP I can say that I would much rather have an iced tea or just plain water. I know it seems premature to say this, but I feel as though I have overcome the need for food to supply my happiness. I can get through this phase of life without eating for pleasure. Eventually I will have some unhealthy foods again, but now I feel better equipped to balance out the unhealthy with good choices.

Aspartame is not natural and is connected to lupus.

Fantastic! No doubt you'll be successful with this great attitude. Seeing food as fuel is an important mind shift. Goodluck!

Something I agree with you on!

I don't do IP, but I think it's pretty much applicable no matter what plan we're on that we can't let what others do get under our skin.

If she wants to make crazy substitutions, that's her business. Unless she deputizes you as a food cop, you don't need to see her lapses as lawbreaking. Even if she DID ask you to keep her in line, you'd be wise to say no; that way madness lies, because no matter how much someone may tell you to help her out, she's going to leap down your throat if you ever actually did what she asked you to do.

More power to you for sticking with the program assiduously! You're likely to see better results than your friend sees in the long run. I really wouldn't sweat what she does, though, because she could eat an entire three-tier wedding cake and it wouldn't make you gain an ounce, I promise you.

As for the aspartame/lupus connection, it is an urban legend that has made the rounds in e-mails for a while now and which the Lupus Foundation of America specifically debunks. The first link I cited is to Snopes.com, the urban legends web site, and it contains links about the aspartame/lupus myth from the FDA, the medical journal The Lancet, Dr. Dean Edell, MIT, and Time magazine--so it's pretty thoroughly debunked.

Don't believe everything you read--not even forum posts here. Always double-check important medical information at a reputable site, preferably multiple reputable sites (.gov and .edu file extensions are always a good place to start). Not to sound like a PSA or anything, but health stuff is too important not to research.

Honestly people....

Is diet soda listed on the IP protocol? If is is, it sure was never listed on my sheets.

I have never understood why take the leap into losing weight AND learning HEALTY eating habits, coupled with the fact of the expense of IP. If you want to make your own damn rules, the tweek the plan to "fit" what you want, then why even do it.

You JohnP are teaching those newbies bad habits and you should be ashamed of yourself. So glad that your the diet myth buster, I guess that also makes you Dr. Tran. Jesus christ!

Once again.... IF IT'S NOT ON PROTOCOL, ITS NOT ALLOWED, no if, ands or buts about it!

Thank you Coloradodivegir!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You must have been reading my mind!!!! In my mind, if you are doing IP you either follow protocol or you don't. It isn't a I kinda follow it thing. You are just setting yourself up for failure. And to quote Randy Jackson ...I for one am in it to win it

ty ty ty............... maybe we need a thread for those on IP.............100%, sure does get tired of reading about all the tweeks and cheats!!! I understand sometimes we fall, so get back up and learn from it. Pop was never on any of my sheets, if people are bored of eating the same thing, then check the recipie thread, lots of good ideas there!