My coach has me on 4 IP packets per day and says she does not recommend doing the 3? Everything I read on the forum says that this should just be for the first week and then drop to 3. Will being on 4 slow down my weight loss progress? I am on my 3rd week and have lost 14 lbs. thanks

Well, the 4 packets/day sure hasn't slowed you down so far! Nice work. After you've lost about 20-25 pounds I'd ask the coach to rethink the 4 packets. There are so many variables that he/she might know (like your build, you activity level, etc.) that we don't know so it's awfully hard to advise you.

3 packets?!?!? I only do 2 a day!?!?! thats what my coach says to do! Help!

I was told 3 packets a day until phase 2. Phase 2 is when you only do 2 packets.....from what i was told...

jeez....seems like everyone gets told different

marykate- did your coach give you the sheet that shows protocol?? here is what mine says.....

**Phase I includes 3 Ideal Protein Packets per day and one regular (restricted) meal that can be eaten at any time (lunch, dinner or even breakfast.) Phase I includes lettuce salads and some (not all) vegetables and some mandatory vitamin and mineral supplements.

The packets are powdered soups, shakes, etc. that are mixed with water to prepare. Protein bars can be used instead of a packet. Some packets and the bars are restricted to once a day after week 3.

Phase I is the most restricted and I was told I would be on it until I reached 80% of my goal weight at which time I would go to Phase II which I think means I will go down to 2 IP packets per day and 2 regular meals per day.

mine says something of this nature-- Phase I includes 2 IP packets a day! 1 for breakfast one at lunch with unlimited lettuce and 2 cups of veggies and a regular IP friendly meal at dinner with 2 cups of veggies and with a lean protien it when on to list veggies i could have ones that were restricted veggies and veggies that were an absolute no no!!! Im never even hungry anymore how would i even manage 3 packets plus everything else!! AHHH ill be asking her tomorrow if i even see her... when i mention this website its like she turns defensive like she knew it all! clearly not!

Same here...NEVER hungry anymore.
There are many nights when i literally have to force down my 3rd packet because i just dont want it.
I have now started ordering more of the IP raspberry jello and having it at about 7:30pm for dessert before bed as my 3rd packet. I chose the jello for the collagen thats in it! apparently it helps with elasticity of the skin! LOVE that!

i do that too! i save my jello from my lunch and have it for dessert bc i love sweets after dinner! always have always will!

i just left my last weighin for a while - lots 15#s with 10 more to go. I'm phasing off for the holidays and going back on in Jan after some travelling. I can just now have 2 packets. she was very strict about 3 pks. Love the jello at 730 too, even though i'm not hungry its my "sugar" fix that i look forward.

Thank you everyone, I will ask my coach my she has me on the 4 packs at day. I love the Jello too.

Hey Mary Kate! Yes, some coaches are defensive about this website. Not all are but, a few find it contradictory, negative, too much information and, face it, it tells some people how to use other products. (FYI... if you are using other products, you are doing the protocol but, not doing IP. The IP products are designed a bit differently and of a slightly higher grade protein.)

She is WRONG though. Unless you are in PHASE 2 or she is working with you to substitute a specific lean protein for an IP meal, PHASE1 is 3 packets a day plus one approved meal.

About the veggies, the occasional veggies are just that, occasional. Just 2 cups per week total.

I wonder why she gave you an altered plan?


Be careful using the Jello everyday. This summer (July, I think) IP corporate advised coaches that the Pom Blueberry drink and the Jello were not complete enough in their current opinion. They were recommending people use them not on a daily basis but through the week and maybe as 2nd packets. So, keep your eye on your weight loss if you are using it daily. You may stall or have side effects... maybe not though.

Definitely find out why she felt 4 packs were the right way for you to go. She may, like Linden suggests, know something about you that we don't.

Check out the Phases sticky. Protocal sheets are shown there.

Phase I has 3 packets, (some coaches recommend 4 for various reasons), Phase II has 2 packets, Phase III has 1 and phase IV is packet free with the option to have packets when and if you want.

thank you carla!! I go tomorrow and they push restricteds on me everyday as my 3rd IP packet which I never eat still have 7 from the 2nd week that im just never hungry for instead of buying 7 of those I'll buy 7 more regular items! So frustrating she made it sound like as long as i was getting 2 cups of veggies in off the list of allowed veggies i was good and i could have unlimited lettuce IF i wanted it! No wonder I'm loosing slowly but I did have a great first week 8.4 pounds than my second week 1.6 dropping me to a 10 pounds loss! which for 2 weeks is great i personally think! and she stated only 64 oz of water a day i see everyone else has way more than that i uped mine too 94 oz a day! sometimes more. I need help maybe i should just be doing this on my own bc i have to win this battle!

Definitely, coachs have different approach I guess - my coach has me in 3 pcks per day, breakfast, lunch, snack + 2c of veggies at lunch, dinner is on my own protein + 2c of veggies, and unlimited lettuce (I don't have too much lettuce). I'm losing an average of 2.5 per week, I'm ok with that, she said I will change this when I go into phase II.
Honestly, I learn and have support from this site than from my coach, she seems to be rushing all the time and there's no time to chat - I'm so thankful for this site. Thank you all!

I know that there are some contradictions out there with the coaches. My friend was on IP and was the one who told me about it and was telling me some of the things that she can have...like mini moo moo's in her coffee. My coach said those are a 'no no'!! I'm doing what she says and am using 1oz skim milk. This website has been very helpful and if there is something on here that I want, I ask my coach what she thinks!

Hi everyone,
My coach held a group session tonight for all our members to discuss Christmas menus and a chance for new people like me to ask questions of the ones on maintenance (including my coach). It was a great discussion and I was able to get so many questions answered. On the program phase I is 3 mandatory IP and up to 2 more optional ip snacks allowed. My coach always starts everyone off on 4 to see how it goes and I am welcome to drop to 3 at anytime if I find I am too full for a 4th one. Up to 5 IP's are recommended for people that are put on the Alternative program due to different types of health issues. Because the IP's are the correct proteins,etc. extra packets should not affect my weight loss. Having the extra snacks also helps keep blood sugar levels more regular, especially for people like me that work extremely long hours. Now I know

P.S. My coach loves this site and says all the more support you can get the better