Often I read a reply to a message and think the person replying doesn't know the first thing about being on the IP diet, then I realize they probably don't have a clue what forum they are posting on and they are not IPers.

So I thought it would be helpful for all the IPers if we would either add the "Started IP on..." in our Custom User Title or in a signature. I felt this would help other, newer IP members to know the advice they are getting is from another IPer and not someone following another diet that might conflict with the IP protocols.

Just a thought, might have been discussed before too.

Great idea, I put "IP Maintaining" and the date I hit that stage - I find it useful to know what phase people are in (if not phase 1)

Good idea. Updating my profile now.

I have always had mine say that... only because I thought the junior or senior member was kinda cheesy! :0)

Great idea ! I always wonder when did any member start being on IP while I look at their progress.

I just added mine, I hope it will show. (if not I will try again)

I think that's a great idea...

I agree Y Guy and Wuv, I think this will be very helpful for everyone. I had my start date on mine when I started so I could remember the date for myself. I just tried adding "using IP products only" to the line to show it was only IP products I was using, but it wouldn't post it.I thought this might be helpful too.

Thanks Wuv, great idea. That is what I was trying to do by adding the "using IP only" to show the difference between the ones using only IP products and the ALT users but I couldn't get it to add that to the profile.

Good idea. I just updated mine too.

This is a test to see if it shows up in my signature

For those of us that have been here (and posted enough) for signatures, it allows more space if you post it in your signature section

I'm a little disturbed by the tenor of some of the posts here. Case in point: I used IP packets exclusively AND the IP supplements (which are FAR superior to any substitute) for 6 months, including an almost 3 month stall. This was the old program. No restricted, 5 oz meat, etc.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to buy IP products on two trips back to the states. Once the IP people didn't answer my e-mails, e-mails plural. Once they sent me 2 names of coaches who were within 200 miles of where I would be. Neither was willing to sell me the product, one didn't answer the other would only accept me as a "new client" and weekly-participating client -- even though I was willing to spend about $1,000 dollars to get enough product to take back to Germany to try again. And that's just my personal experience. Others have had far worse from some of their IP coaches. Nonetheless, I truly believe in the program. And I have seen over and over again that the science works IF one follows the program.

Now, my real concern. This forum has always been welcoming and supportive; has been inclusive rather than segregating. While I have over and over again told people to use the IP products because I'm convinced that they are superior to anything else unless it is identical, superior in taste and, particularly, amino acids, I would be extremely uncomfortable excluding (or labelling) someone who doesn't use them. And, I might add, it dissolves better than other products; much better. (I wish to heaven I could get them. I wrote Steven's people in Finland to see if they would ship but they're still in trial mode.)

Regardless of my appreciation of the IP products , though, I am not prepared to make others, or myself, second class citizens if they, or I, follow the plan faithfully but use alternatives.

I sincerely hope some of you will re-think your, perhaps hasty, opinion.

I think Y Guy's initial suggestion was helpful and I dutifully added the relevant information without making a big deal of it. I will not, however, go back and revise it to say I am using alternatives because that, in no way, reflects my experience with the program or knowledge of it.

I agree with this Linden the bigger question in terms of answering others' questions is whether people are following the plan or modifying it during the weight loss stages.

Glad others agreed, tough on a forum like this where there are so many others doing different methods and all are great.

I like the alt idea too, but those doing IP for a while know what is off and on plan, that is my biggest concern so our newer members don't get misinformation on accident and eat something that isn't on plan.