That I would be hungry, that my hair would fall out, and that I would get really grouchy around week 12.

I'm thinking you need to find a different coach. My husband started at 370 pounds and was told to eat 4 packets a day, his choice. No mention of restricted or non restricted. In fact, the first 2 weeks all he had was the chocolate drink and mushroom soup, plus our meat meal in the evenings. in the third week, he added the caramel bars, once a day as a snack, to replace one of the chocolate drinks. In 11 weeks, he has lost almost 70 pounds and is doing fine. No sign of muscle loss. Good luck!

Ummm, your coach yells at you? I think that might be acceptable behaviour from a drill sergeant at a military bootcamp, but an Ideal Protein "coach"? This "coach" needs to get her butt kicked from here to kingdom come.

Yelling and berating doesn't work. Don't they think we've yelled at and berated ourselves enough by now? And has it worked to keep us from doing things we know are sub-optimal?
If yelling and berating did work, imagine the world we'd live in:

• children would always have their homework done
• nobody would be overweight or addicted to substances
• there'd never be any fights anywhere about anything because the yellee would always back down to the yeller
• and, most importantly, people wouldn't cut me off when I'm driving!

Maybe this comment should go in a not-yet-existing thread entitled, "What your coach needs to know about coaching."

Hey Meshell! How are you? I know it has been almost 2 months since these posts, how is it going with your coach? How are you feeling with the added protein?

Carla, thanx for the motivation U R so good on this that you should be a coach in the future, you have a lot of knowledge about nutrition, and know pretty much everything about the diet, probably more than my coach and yes the nightmares are crazy and when I wake up I just say Than God it was just a dream!!

-----------
I was just thinking how supportive and postive Carla is and how much I appreciate being able to learn from her... Thank you Carla. I'm an IP newbie and am so glad you're on this forum and share your knowledge so freely.

Well, that would make sense then, Carla. I haven't been disappointed with the results at all and I haven't had as many of the negative side-effects as some seem to. I had already cut back on carbs for 4 months before I began IP, just not to this level so I suspect that made it easier.

I just put on my toque and I'm headed your way, eh. My plan is to find you and cut you off in traffic!

Today is my first day on the site. Showgirlaz, i find your posts so inspirational!
I started IP sept 1st at 222 and have lost 13 pounds as of today (209). I go tomorrow and did not know not having a restricted item per day was an option. My "coach" said one per day (bars, soy puffs, ridges). Tomorrow I will only get the drinks. I'm hoping to amp-up the weight loss.
I'm in great need of inspiration, my coach does not help at all. i walk in, weigh in, she measures and i pick out food and pay. end of story. I'm only 22 and while all of my friends are gathering for food and drink i'm holding back for the next 7-8 weeks in hopes of reaching my goal. Any Help would be appreciated, I NEED IT!
Thanks! I'm so glad i found this!

Hi Chelsea.

I am also new to this forum and to the diet (day11), and found a lot of help with the motivation end experience share by Carla (showgirlaz). My coach is the same way or even worst than yours, she doesn't meassure me. so I just go there every 2 weeks because is far from my house, and I get weigh pay for the food, and see you in 2 wks. But dont't worry Chelsea, this forum is the best! and you"ll find the support and information you need to keep going. GOOD LUCK!

I thought I could shake with hot water... it blew the top off the shaker, (after one shake) and went all over the kitchen at work.... made for a laugh though


Carol

Um, been there done that. Thought I'd skip part of the warming process. I had to toss that jacket -- it was fine, it doesn't fit anymore, anyway.

I find it so interesting how everyone's coach varies so widely. I am new to the IP program (starting my second week) and my coach is great. I work at a chiropractor's office that has one of the doctor's as the IP coach. I know I am lucky to have someone so close at hand throughout the day and most of the other doctors and staff I work with have been through the IP program in the past. She even told me about this forum which is awesome!

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone hear, especially Carla, for all of their inspirational words and motivation to everyone who is a newbie. It makes it so much easier.... You guys Rock!

Weigh in today....
I've lost 14 pounds in 2 weeks! 4 inches off of my waist, 2 in arms, 2 in chest and 1 in thighs!
I did ask my provider about cutting the 1 restricted item per day and she advised that research shows it has little to no effect except being much more hungry.
Also i asked about being SO thirsty and she said it was normal. Altoids makes a mint that has sucralose in it. they are called Altoids SMALLS. she said i can suck on those all day and they help a great deal with the thirst and with hunger but you must be carful when picking them out and make sure they're altoids SMALLS and have sucralose in them. May be helpful for some of you...
Hope everyone has a great day!

I'm hoping all of your coaches have shared the cd of Olivier Benloulou (he is Dr. Tiens associate and Director in North America...He takes you thru all the items in Dr. Tiens book BUT in front of a live audience, so he gives examples and thoroughly explains the why's and where's of the program....in plain English...(he's French so he pronounces some of the word a little differently)

It is soooo good I had to borrow the disk and have it copied.

Marilyn