Question for those of you going "rogue" or using alternative products
I have been reading about a bunch of people who have decided to go "rogue" and purchase another brand of food besides ideal protein. I get that because it is VERY expensive but I am wondering what you will do when you need to get off phase 1? How will you know what to do? I am wondering this because I actually am considering this but very scared about gaining the weight back and I don't know what Phase 2, 3, and 4 consist of.
when you get to the other phases you can just follow the phase sheets that are listed in the sticky thread Plus if you keep up with reading this forum you will have no problem transitioning. Lots of people will help you along!
I'm just going to go by the sheets and the wealth of information on this forum. I'm a bit nervous, but I know I can do it. My coach was not all that helpful anyway.
Location: Pine Mountain, Georgia & on a little lake in NE Michigan
Posts: 1,179
S/C/G: 291/171.4/175
Height: 5'6"
You can do it.
Here's my story. I spent three months on the IP program. I had a very unsupportive coach. Between my coach and the cost of the IP products, I decided I would continue on using alternative products on my own. That was a year ago. I lost 35 pounds in that first 3 months. I finished P1 using alternatives and I lost another 79 pounds. I have phased off and I used the protocol explained on the IP sheets (and the help of this forum) and lost another 3 pounds. I've been maintaining now for just over a month.
NO, I could not have done it without this forum and the wealth of knowledge here. It does take a lot more time than using the IP products. They are all figured out for you. Alternatives, you have to find the equivalents. I spent a lot of time reading old posts, all of the old alternatives posts I could find. I asked questions. I made mistakes and bought products I shouldn't, but it all worked out in the end. If you're persistent, you can do it, but it takes some work.
You'll only gain back if you don't follow the program and go back to habits that got you where you are to start with.
I have been reading about a bunch of people who have decided to go "rogue" and purchase another brand of food besides ideal protein. I get that because it is VERY expensive but I am wondering what you will do when you need to get off phase 1? How will you know what to do? I am wondering this because I actually am considering this but very scared about gaining the weight back and I don't know what Phase 2, 3, and 4 consist of.
I spent 8 weeks going through an IP clinic, two weeks using a mix of IP and alternative products, and the remaining 19 weeks of phase 1 exclusively on alternative products. I leaned heavily on the folks here and their wealth of knowledge all the way through my weight loss, phase 2-3 and now maintenance for almost 2 months. Molly and I are proof that you CAN do it all on your own.
It's a bit harder because you have to be willing to seek out the information on your own, and be accountable to yourself instead of to a coach. But it can be done successfully!
I was on IP products for about 2 months before I went to alternatives just because it's so much cheaper. Though I had a great coach, I felt like I was at the point where I could do this on my own and use alternatives.
There's so much support on this forum and people willing to share information that if you can do it on your own without needing accountability each week, than you can definitely rely on this group to help you along the way.
I'm so grateful for the knowledge of everyone on this board and who give freely to help others.
Anyone here using Premier Protein Bars from Costco? I am sure i have read that they are ok, just checking. They are a little higher in Cals and fat I think, but look acceptable to me. I will repost in the alternatives as well and check the alternatives info as well.