questions from someone with no IP experience.
 

Do you have to pay a monthly fee or anything in order to JUST order the products? And also, does anyone know of products similar to IP that work just as good?

my clinic charged a 100 initial consultation fee, then it is just the food charge after that. They do also have an optional 10/month charge if you choose to have the body weight composition done at each weigh in. There is also www.idealtog.com or www.ideal2go.com that will send the food and do online coaching that charges only for food (i think) but, you do have to pay shipping and I have no idea what that is. I don't know anything about alternatives, but I did read alot about EAS carb control drinks and pure protein bars- no personal experience there. Good luck keep reading the forum. There are answers everywhere!

This is the link to the alternatives forum. (if I copied and pasted correctly) I hope I did it right

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...deas-tips.html

My initial consultation fee was $75. Then the first visit, I also bought 21 packets of food@ $4 a packet. My clinic starts you out with 21 different packets so you can decide which of the foods you like. This included a variety of soups, puddings, drinks, the jello, rtd, omelette, etc and also the potassium/calcium, cal-mag, multiple vitamins, trace minerals and omega III. My initial visit with the consult fee, packets, and supplements was ~$380. Then it is about $84 a week for the packets- 3 a day until you hit phase 2.

Mine was pretty much the same way. I like it was 280ish for that first week. With a variety of unrestricted items... I love my coach. She now more like a friend than someone that just weighs me...

I am fortunate in that my coach is at my primary physician's office and if you are a patient there they don't charge the initial fee. Plus I never get charged any other fees...just pay for the food & supplements.

Thank you for getting back to me :)
Could I possibly run a menu plan by you?
[Alternative Phase 1 until 90% of weight is lost]

B: 2 boiled egg whites & a rtd shake.
L: 2 cups cucumbers with lettuce & a bar.
S: rtd shake.
D: 5oz poultry or beef, 2 cups veggies with lettuce.

Do you think that's good? Or do I need to adjust it?

Sorry, I am not familiar with the altenative menus. Maybe someone else that is more familiar with them will be able to respond to your question.

This sounds pretty good. I have been on the alternative for 8 weeks now, and here is what I have daily:

B-EAS rtd shake
L-EAS rtd shake and 2 cups of veggies
D-8 oz meat, and 2 cups of veggies
S-around 9 pm, rtd shake

I have found that having a shake an hour before I go to bed, keeps my stomach from growling all night long. If I get hungry between meal times I will have a cople of mini dill pickles to tide me over, of corse, you need to remember that you will need to take away from your veggies if you have the dill pickles as they count towards your two cups. I am no expert as of yet but if you have any questions or would like to have a buddy on this journey, please feel free to pm me.

That looks pretty good, once you get into it you might even start looking into alternatives that you can buy online to give you a little more variety. The 2 egg whites in the morning aren't necessary, but most coaches say egg whites are 'free' so they won't hurt your progress.

You also might try posting on the alternative thread where you might get some more responses. You have to make sure your RTD shakes and bar are all following the guidelines, I know the EAS Carb Control Advantage ones and several of the Pure Protein bars do, but you need to make sure to check the ingredients to make sure there is no aspartame in them.

I have a similar schedule to rissimo.

B: protein packet or RTD shake
Snack: 1c. veggies
Lunch: Salad w/1c veggies and protein packet
snack: 1c veggies
Dinner: 8 oz meat and 1 c veggie
Snack: Protein packet (Bar, pudding, or RTD shake)

I agree with rissimo that having a snack prior to bedtime helps. I'm also a early riser. I work at 5am, so I really struggle with breakfast-lunch. Having veggies and A LOT of water inbetween helps with the hunger cravings.

The EAS shakes that I need are the carb control right?

EAS Carb Control or I think Carb Advantage.

At my clinic my coach charged me 50.00 for the initial consultation. Also there is no charge for weekly BMI check they do. They start you out with 2 weeks worth of food so you can try a variety and see what you like. This also included the supplements. The first visit was around 300.00 if I remember because of the consultation, supplements and 2 weeks worth of food. After that I average each week about 80.00 per person (my daughter is doing the program too).

You really don't need the 2 egg whites at breakfast. Also for dinner you are entitled to 8oz. of protein. Many days I take 3 of those oz. and have it at lunch with the remaining 5 oz. at dinner. I also like to have my snack before bed as that gives me protein which means I never wake up hungry. Once you are in ketosis you really won't be hungry any more so it's good to space out your protein during the day.
It's called EAS AdvantEdge Carb Control. Not as good as IP, but still pretty good.

Okay I just wanted to make sure :)
Thank you soo much!