There are some coaches who try and keep their clients on only the lowest calorie, lowest carb stuff for the first week or two. I don't know if there's a reasonable reason, or if they're just trying to tweak the first losses to be big, but there's no clinical/dietary reson for not letting people have the full variety of foods (restricted and unrestricted) straight from the start. The program is DESIGNED to work the way it is written - two unrestricted and one restricted item, every day.

I am just about to finish my first week. I agree- it's tough. Especially being Girl Scout Cookie time. AND you're right, some of the foods are not as good as others. I just tried one of the yogurt drinks! Yummy! And the Salt & Vin. ridgets- also yummy!

I weigh in tomorrow- here goes nothing! I'm less worried about the number and more worried about shrinking inches! I'm getting married in May and my dress doesn't fit... like... not even close! I've gaind 20 lbs in the last 2 months. So something NEEDED to change.

I wish you luck!

Good luck

I am finding this such and easy diet. I am learning so much about planning my food and eating smaller amounts.

I am starting IP Thursday morning! I am a bit nervous because I am a serious foodie and I get bored so easily. I don't eat eggs or mushrooms so my coach said that I could just substitute them with something I did like. I happen to LOVE
soup thought, I was wondering what everyone thought of the chicken and the leek?

Also, I only have a goal of around 15-18lb weight loss. Has anyone else on here started with a smaller goal and been successfu?

Ditto on making an omelet or a frittata - I usually eat this at lunch with 1-2 cups of veggies mixed in (can be made ahead of time and reheated). Supplements early in the morning bother me, so I have AM ones at lunch with food. I was a breakfast eater before, but turns out I do ok with a drink in the morning now.

The soups are ok by themselves, at least most of them - depends on your personal taste. However, I don't eat any of them by themselves, but rather use it as a base to build a good soup with garlic, herbs, veggies in some assortment. Just finished a delicious mushroom soup - garlic, celery and mushrooms sautéed and added to IP mushroom soup, then simmered for 10 min. The chicken soup yesterday I just added a packet of True Lemon. The lemony acidity perked up the flavor and reminds me of a greek lemon chicken soup. There is a recipe for making flatbread out of the tomato basil soup, so I am going to try that next week - maybe use it as a base for a kind of a pizza?

Congrats on starting. This program is fantastic and the results are amazing. It is hard the first few days as your body adjusts but hang in there and check in with your coaches for support and the 3FC forums. You're going to do great!

I has a really hard time with my first choice too. I also have had problems with the consistency on stuff like the puddings. I have been trying to stick to stuff I know I like. Good luck!

Welcome to the program! You are going to love love love it. I have been on the program 31 weeks and just hit 74 lbs... Today is my first day on this forum!

While I enjoy the puddings as is, they do make amazing shakes. I make a delicious "Salted Caramel" shake. Throw the Dark Chocolate pudding powder in the blender with 8 oz water, a few ice cubes, Walden Farms Caramel Syrup, blend then sprinkle with sea salt.

Also, if you make them ahead of time (preferably the night before) and leave in the fridge it makes a world of difference!

I was never fond of the puddings as pudding, and the drink mixes were always too thin for me. So I took the suggestion of another IPer when I first started and made the pudding mixes with 10-12oz water and had them as shakes!

The end of day 5, and I am feeling great!

Welcome to all of you!! I've been on IP since June 14 and have lost 75 pounds! The first week can be a little tough, but believe me, it gets easier! I really enjoy the foods. I love the broc-cheese and chicken soups - leek soup is also good. I always saute some fresh garlic with mushrooms and colored diced peppers, then mix up the soup and pour it on top in the same pan. I do the same with the herb and cheese omelet and the a la king potage. The broc-cheese is still my favorite, but the others are good, too. That's my lunch + a salad.

Cupcake, you'll be in that dress with room to spare if you stick to this.

I've had 2 unrestricted and 1 restricted every single day since I began IP.

Welcome to the forums. You'll enjoy coming here for support and loads of ideas, recipes, and good conversation.

See you around!!

I like both but I'd pick the chicken first. I shake it, nuke it and then let is sit for a bit so the noodles get tender. My best friend on IP is the George Foreman grill. I'm a total idiot in the kitchen so I grill everything on my GF! Peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, zucchini...if it fits I grill it!!