** This is a personal observation, but I think others may agree with me. The three most valuable things things you can do while you're on the Ideal Protein Program (not diet) are:
-Think;
-follow the program faithfully;
-and start at the beginning of a thread and read
the whole way through.
The latter takes TIME, a precious commodity for most people, but it's time well spent that ultimately will maximize itself because you'll get the tools and ideas that help you think about what you're doing; the threads also explain what happens during, and how to profit from, the Ideal Program.
Also you won't embarrass yourself by asking a question that was answered just a few days earlier (and perhaps several times before that). Nobody grudges you're asking a question, even if it's been asked before, because we know it's the first time
you have asked. Still, like the smart person you are (I mean, you choose IP), do as much homework as you can before you jump into question mode.
** If you are having trouble swallowing your supplements, my pharmacist checked his "big book" and found that both the magnesium and potassium can be broken in 1/2 or 1/3rds, or crushed. Just don't pass on them because they're hard to swallow, OK?
** Calcium interferes with the absorption of thyroid medicine. So if you take thyroid medicine in the morning wait, optimally, 4 hours until you take your mag/cal and K/cal supplements.
** Don't ever double up on potassium supplements -- space them out at least 6 hours apart.
** Here's some useful information about different types of lettuce and their nutritional value:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39879.asp
** Not everyone is given the same supplements when they start the program. In addition to the four basic supplements (multivitamin, mag/cal, K/cal, and Optimal Digestion), some others are
Novi-Lax. An as needed laxative containing very small amounts of fat, carbs, sugar, protein and some miniscule amounts of a few vitamins and minerals;
Flora-Lax. a combination of psyllium husk 250 mg, aloe vera 150 mg and prune powder 50 mg. (Thanks to
lcw32.)
Optimal Fat - Sugar Formula. Additional enzymes to promote the use of sugars and fats. And probably some I don't know of.
Some people may also take fish oil or another omega3 rich supplement, more potassium (for muscle cramps), CoQ10, etc. Please don't take these until you discuss them and their dosage with your coach.
***The 3 Chicks search engines are probably as bad as they get BUT they sometimes come up with a winner so don't write them off entirely.
***It takes about 21 days and at least 20 posts to be able to get your tracker: the weight tracking vehicle you see at the bottom of most posts. So be patient and post.
And if you have questions, please head over to the weekly thread, where most of the activity goes on, and ask them.
Bon Voyage