Originally Posted by IP43:
I think you should talk to your coach too and who knows? Some coaches say "just come, weigh in for now"... others will ask you to leave. I have spent soooo much money there so far, I will hope she'll be supportive if I buy less products and more alternatives. SOmeone posted the link to buy the supplements (and all IP products) elsewhere, so you can always get the vitamins there if you need too. I understand how you feel tho' -- I am better at understanding phase 1 but am nervous about what's coming up -- not that I'm scared but just that it's "unknown" to me right now

That's how I feel too. The fear of the unknown, and knowing that Phase 2 and 3 are not as simple as Phase 1. I'm not usually a "fly without a net" kind of person :) But then I have to remember that if she won't let me keep coming for weigh ins and occasional products, my net is here. I actually ordered my IP supplements from the protein site this last time, it was a lot less expensive than the clinic.

What site can be trusted to order true IP products from. I'm hooked on the chocolate grab & go drink & very leary I don't like to be ripped off (no one does) ....Thanks

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/tulip-...5/125/201/.png

Originally Posted by 1spunkygal:
What site can be trusted to order true IP products from. I'm hooked on the chocolate grab & go drink & very leary I don't like to be ripped off (no one does) ....Thanks

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/tulip-...5/125/201/.png

plainprotein.com

Originally Posted by scorbett1103:
plainprotein.com

Thanks I was hopeing they could be trusted I LOVE the prices of the supplements. Where do they ship from ? I"m putting you on my buddy list if you don't mind :)

Originally Posted by 1spunkygal:
Thanks I was hopeing they could be trusted I LOVE the prices of the supplements. Where do they ship from ? I"m putting you on my buddy list if you don't mind :)

Sure :) I didn't look at the shipping label when my supplements came in but I appreciate that the shipping is free, wherever it's coming from! :)

Originally Posted by rcrochet:
So many of you have been successful with alternatives, I'm gonna give it a shot. BAD experience at my clinic this morning is making me wonder why I pay the money for their "coaching". I can weigh myself at home and get my my coaching here without the attitude, lol. I have about a 3 week IP stash so I'll read thru the alternative threads and place an order. For those of you on alternatives, do you also use alternative supplements in place of the IP vitamin, Cal-Mag, Pot-Cal?

On a positive note, WI this morning, down one more pound, sooooooo close to saying goodbye to the 2's Next week for sure!

That stinks you had such a bad experience...it's a shame there seem to be the bad "apples" that can have leave a bad impression on such a great program! There are a bunch of folks that have had great success with Alternatives and using 3FC as their coach...I am sure you will have great success, and definitely great support...you've got us all here for you!

Originally Posted by scorbett1103:
I think someone had posted a while back that we lose 1lb lean muscle mass for every 4 pounds we drop - so keep that in mind too - if you had big losses the first few weeks it might be totally normal :)

I read that on here regarding the 3lb fat:1lb lean loss, and it matched up close with my own fat:lean loss ratio trend. I was able to track how it turned slightly in my favor when I added in the weightlifting.

Originally Posted by mammabell:
I like IP because I really don't have to think about it. I can REALLY stress out over trying to get everything just right. I think that is what scares me most about switching to alternatives and why WW didn't work for me. I get too overwhelmed when I have too many choices and just give up. Being 100% OP has been easy b/c it is very strict and limited.

I actually did 100% IP products through P1-P3, but for the "lazy" reason...I didnt have to think about it or calculate anything, I could afford the products, and my coach is very knowledgable and being a Maintainer knew all the foods, etc. She let me know flat out that I can continue my meetings in P4 for no cost, and don't need to purchase products. I did keep a stash of EAS Vanilla for the occasional weekend coffee creamer - I ALWAYS had my iced coffee in my spinach smoothie during the week, but weekends was crispy cereal pancakes and hot coffee with my EAS...that 1oz skim just didn't cut it for me!

I am moving to alternatives now for my snack and occasional Phase 1 days. I feel more comfortable making the transition, and knowing such a large group of folks have gathered so much information is a huge plus!

Originally Posted by LizRR:
I read that on here regarding the 3lb fat:1lb lean loss, and it matched up close with my own fat:lean loss ratio trend. I was able to track how it turned slightly in my favor when I added in the weightlifting.

Believe me, Liz - if there's anyone's analysis of the results I trust, it's yours! :)

Originally Posted by 1spunkygal:
Thanks I was hopeing they could be trusted I LOVE the prices of the supplements. Where do they ship from ? I"m putting you on my buddy list if you don't mind :)

Atlanta, I think?

I placed my order in the middle of the night on the friday before labor day andgot them that Tuesday... So impressive!

LizRR Thanks for the enouragement..your success is one of my inspirations here.
scorbett I'm starting to understand about the "talk". I went to my clinic yesterday for my regular WI because I'm still using the packets I stocked up with a couple of weeks ago. I didn't buy any more packets, they didn't say anything about it because the knew I stocked up, but... I walked out feeling like I stole something. I was just planning to never go back, but I may try talking to them to see if I can buy a few things and still WI there.

Are the profit margins on the food really that high? I thought most of the money was made on the consultation. Do you guys pay for the weigh in appointment at all?

Don't be afraid to speak up. Im sure as long as you buy something every so often they'd at least be willing to meet with you when you do! No one is shocked that people are budgeting tighter in this economy.

Does any one know of a pancake and oatmeal product that is similar with the high protein/low carbs that does not have any artificial sweeteners? I love the energy and satisfaction from these products, but I have to get off all artificial sweeteners. I'm getting headaches, and I very rarely get headaches.

I honestly don't know what the profit margin is on the products, but I'm sure it's there. My clinic didn't make as much off of me with the initial consultation, they are affiliated with the hospital I work for so I got a 30% discount on the startup fee. I don't pay anything when I go to weigh in, just for products.

I am hoping she'll be understanding - I had used a good chunk of our tax money in the first few weeks and bought a LOT of food, and I don't mind paying for certain IP products that I really feel are better than any other out there. I might be more hesitant to talk to her if I felt like I was getting any kind of superior advice from her. She's very nice, we get along well, but when it comes to information, I find everything I need and more here. I also wonder if she has attended any of the conferences that give out updated information - they are still using the Phase 1 protocol sheet from last year and she had no idea they changed it.

Originally Posted by djs06:
Atlanta, I think?

I placed my order in the middle of the night on the friday before labor day andgot them that Tuesday... So impressive!

Thanks that makes me feel better. :D

Originally Posted by scorbett1103:

I might be more hesitant to talk to her if I felt like I was getting any kind of superior advice from her. She's very nice, we get along well, but when it comes to information, I find everything I need and more here. I also wonder if she has attended any of the conferences that give out updated information - they are still using the Phase 1 protocol sheet from last year and she had no idea they changed it.

There's your answer! I think sometimes we try so hard to not hurt other peoples feelings that we end up compromising on what's best for us. I'm sure she will be at least somewhat understanding. And if she isn't, maybe you can use the extra money and invest in one of those neat high tech scales? Or maybe you could just check in and weigh in and get stats when you need to buy something?

It sounds like you've considered all options here and think alternatives would work out for you. So I say go for it! Then again, I'm still an IP newbie, but I will say that following this forum has been way more help than I think I could get from one person.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by scorbett1103:
Believe me, Liz - if there's anyone's analysis of the results I trust, it's yours! :)

So true! Thank you, LizRR, for all you do. You are an inspiration!