Hi everybody. Kathy, yes, I want to get my little plants into the ground, but I'll have to wait a while longer---may have killed my squash plant. I need to check on him.lol Gals, I'm in a rather bad mood today! I think it's just too much "togetherness" with my DH. I love the guy, but... I need some time for myself. Know what I mean? I'm going into MY room, which is actually the dining room where I have a computer in an armoire and some of my things in a file cabinet, some books, etc.-----and chill out in MY ROOM---ALL ALONE. Walked this morning, had toast and turkey bacon and some apple butter --yum yum. Okay. I had a real egg. I'm bad. Haven't had lunch yet. McPeg, I love those flavored waters. I've tried doing some of my own flavorings, but they just don't taste as good as the store-bought kind. Peach is my favorite. Take care, all. I've got a ton to do, we haven't decided yet if everyone's coming here for Easter dinner or we're going to a lodge or something. I may vote "lodge." They have a nice buffet dinner and then we usually walk, tour, etc. Lodge, I say. Lodge! PS This year, after seeing the movie "Passion of the Christ" I just don't feel right about doing the Easter bunny thingy ( and I love bunnies and stuff) so I'm thinking about instead doing some cookies in the shape of fish and having a story with each person's gift about the resurrection and how Jesus met with Peter and other deciples along the sea and they ate fish and talked before he ascended to heaven. A celebration without bunnies. I wish there was a separate spring holiday with bunnies and stuff---aside from Easter. Oh, well. Traditions are sometimes hard to break. I'll have to find a low-fat cookie recipe 'cause I know I'll want to eat a few.

I stumbled across this site and wanted to add my experience with IPD. I am 57 F and have failed at every diet plan out there and am becoming insulin resistant and pre-diabetic as a result. My blood pressure was on a consistent rise over the past year. It seemed that every diet I have tried, as soon as I go off or mess up I gain back everything I lost. Pretty discouraging. I was ready to give up but saw and purchased IPD and began August '07. I have about 50 pounds to lose and have lost 19 in three months (I probably lost most of it in the first 6 weeks). It was the easiest weight I've ever lost although I have become complacent (since I lost a significant amount) about preparing the meals ahead of time and have therefore gone off alot. I do like the food choices because they do not require much preparation, they are simple foods. I had forgotten that at the very beginning I chose the original foods that would be included in my 11 day choices. I wish I could go back there now and perhaps change up a little for variety. Other pluses I find with IPD is that my blood sugar and blood pressure especially have dropped to very good numbers. I do not feel that this in an unhealthy diet. If you feel you need more carbs, enjoy those in your 3 days off. I am really sensitive to all carbs and feel so much better with just the fruit and vegetable carbs with the oatmeal and WW bread I have once in 11 days. This diet has the same focus for me as Fat Flush but is easier because it tells me exactly what to eat. When I have a plan in my head but am rushed for time, I eat whatever I can get my hands on. With this, the foods are not hard to prepare and can easily be readied ahead of time for the entire day. Several other strong points that I believe IPD has are: 1)the idea of shuffling calories and food types so that your body is always adjusting instead of going into starvation mode; I usually lose weight when on my 3 days off even if I know I am eating more than I should. Even when not following the 11 day program in October, I still lost a couple of pounds! 2) the blood sugar stays much more level so all the carb cravings I was having prior to IPD are mostly not an issue. This is the first diet to not leave me yearning and craving to eat more. I can stop because my blood sugar isn't screaming for atttention. 3) I appreciate the exercise advise also and that it differs for the 11-day and the 10 day IPDs. It is much easier to walk when you aren't carrying around extra #s and when you feel a little more energetic from stable blood sugars. All that to say that I think IPD is a good goal for lifetime eating with moderate changes like adding brown rice, sweet potatoes, peas, infrequent splurges for holidays, etc., once you hit your weight and/or health goal. The 10 day program could easily be a lifetime program. I hope this is helpful to someone.

I know that I don't drink enough water. But, I do believe it helps in dieting, and I am trying to drink more. I sometimes freeze our regular tap water----my husband is convinced that tap water is bad. He buys the bottled water. I used to work with a lady who had a son that worked for the water company-----she says the water there was safe to drink. This was another county. I've also heard that bottled water has as many bacteria, if not more, than regular tap water-------since it sits on the shelf for weeks or months at a time. I'm trying to get into the habit of telling myself----If you're hungry, maybe you need water.

I had my annual physical at the end of May, and my cholesterol was 299. I immediately cut out all sugar and refined carbs and trans fats. I walked 40 minutes a day. I ate healthy low-carb whole foods like baked or grilled chicken, wild salmon, grass-fed beef maybe once a week, fish, eggs, legumes (primarily red or black beans), LOTS of vegetables (but no potatoes), avocados, and some fruit (mostly berries and apples). Healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil. I never felt deprived or hungry. For snacks, I ate nuts, mostly almonds and walnuts, but also some pecans and pistachios. One of my favorite snacks is apple pieces dipped into almond butter. Homemade kale chips are good, too. For beverages, I stuck to water and lots of it, and tea (green, white or Rooibos). I took a high quality fish oil supplement, not the ones you buy at the grocery store. And for a sweetener, I use "Just Like Sugar." I like it better than Stevia and you definitely want to avoid aspartame. Although after a short while of no sweets, I lost my desire for them and seldom used the Just Like Sugar. After 3 months (and 20 pounds lighter) I had my cholesterol re-checked and it was down to 224. I don't need to lose much more weight, but I'm going to continue on this eating plan because I feel soooo much better. I think the key is to reduce inflammation, I think that is the real culprit to much of what ails us. Good luck to your SO. He's a lucky man to have you helping him and looking out for him!