Hi all, I appreciate all the help! I have left my clinic and am now doing IP on my own. I am curious based on all the different opinions out there on Restricteds. First, do they speed up or slow down loss? My coach advised everyother day and then for stalling would recommend avoiding them. Others have said everyday is a must based on the idea that you need the fuel to keep up losing.
Also, what time of day? I have heard avoid higher carb counts at night?
I know this diet works different for everyone but really curious on how the science guides use of restricteds.
Since the day I started I have been told to have 3 unrestricteds and 1 restricted per day. My weight loss has been fine so far 14 lbs in 4 weeks. I lose slowly as I have pcos and hypothyroid
My coach (and the IP protocols) said 1 restricted a day right from the first day. She also said have the resricted at the time of day that is most difficult for you. For me that is late afternoon on my long commute home. That means I don't come into the house ready to eat everything in sight as I prepare the evening mea. That has always been a huge problem for me.
The program is carefully balanced and needs to be followed as outlined on the protocol sheets. The coaches who are cutting things out may or may not have gone for IP training but still in their minds are following an outdated weight loss understanding.
People stall because they are not getting in everything their particular bodies need and the body panics and holds on to the weight for dearlife.
I've always had my restricted (a bar) for breakfast every morning since I started and I've lost 70 pounds in 5 months, so obviously it hasn't hurt my weight loss at all. My coach told me to have my restricted at either breakfast or lunch, and never before bedtime.
My coach was the same Pat. Basically when I need it the most is when I should have it. For me that time is evening. I stay up until 12-1am most nights and having my Apple Cinnamon Puffs at 9pm works for me and my lifestyle. I have read some people say this is supposed to be consumed in the morning and while that may be what works for some, it doesn't work for me. I change it up though, depending on my schedule and what activity I am doing that day. I was never told your restricted must be eaten as your breakfast. As far as carb count at night, if you read Dr.Tran's book you will see that on maintenance he wants you having carbs in the evening because they do not become available to your body (ie aren't digested) til morning. Then you have them for fuel the next day. I don't believe restricted products slow down weight loss and as far as I know they are considered part of the protocol (having 1 per day).
i have my restricted in the evening , usually a bar with my coffee , i look forward to that all day long , i am loosing very slow , maybe 1.5 pounds a week , but i am enjoying every meal
I have a total of 3 packs a day, one is restricted. I always have my restricted in the AM or for lunch never in the evening, seems to work for me. I was not allowed restricted the first 3 weeks OP but since I have been able to have them I have had the best 2 WI’s yet (4.4 and 5.4)
I have 1 restricted and 2 other packets per day. My restricted is in the early morning. It's extremely convenient for me mainly because I'm rushing out the door to head to work and just do not have the time to make a packet. I can eat it on the bus and have no mess. I've tried to change it to my evening snack where it can be my "reward" for staying OP all day, however making the morning packet, eating it and then cleaning the shaker for my lunch was just too much.
I've had my restricted since day 1 and loved every one so far. It really does give me that yummy snack everyone deserves each day to keep them going.
I have had a restricted product every day after my evening meal since day 1. It is part of the protocol and coaches that tell you differently are not following the IP protocol...it's that simple.
And Tenniels is correct...Dr Tran DOES tell us in his book to have our heavier carb meal in the evening during Phase 4 and gives a very easy to understand reason why. So it stands to reason we can also consume our restricted item in the evening too, if we want to, or in the morning, if we want to, or in the evening, if we want to. Just eat it when you need the most help sticking to the diet!
I don't usually have my restricted in the morning. I find it leaves me craving another restricted all day. I often have it with lunch. It helps to make my lunch more filling. But, I really enjoy my restricted in the evening in front of the t.v. The only thing is that I am often not hungry enough for restricted after dinner so I play around with it. I have skipped restricted a few times but that is usually because once I eat dinner I am too full for it and eat something lighter. I noticed that I sometimes wake up hungrier the next morning. I do not wake up hungry when I have my restricted in the evening.
I prefer my restricted at my afternoon snack, usually around 2-2.30pm, in the old days I loved a chocolate bar at that time, alas it a nice way to enjoy, plus I haven't Found a bar I don't like
Oh and I always have a restricted everyone second day, putting a pudding in for the other day
RESTRICTEDS- how often and what meal?
