How much was your orientation fee?
 

Hi! I am going for my formal orientation tomorrow and the fee is $175 which covers meetings and my first batch of supplements. After that, she said it is about $87/week for food. Is this about right?

I am nervous to start and actually commit to myself, but it seems like there is a great support group here. Any suggestions for a newbie in terms of what to have in the house the first week (besides veggies, of course!) What helped you through at first? Thanks!

You're getting off cheap compared to what I paid!! I wish I'd joined this forum before I paid the $350 to join!! What a jerk I am...... lesson learned. Yes, the food is about $90 a week. Read around the forums for a while. You can get all of the info available from a clinic on this site. You might just feel you're capable to go it on your own.... who knows?

I went to a free consultation, and she said 250 for first week , and 100 every week, but I decide to do alternative instead. So far I lost 7 pound in mi first WI ... and the cost have been that much.

I paid around 350, and that covered the orientation fee, 2 weeks of food, the supplements, and a shaker bottle. Then I averaged about $100/wk for food (I always got the ready to mix drinks which cost a bit more)....more if I needed to restock supplements. Then I switched to alternative products and they only cost about 1/3 of the IP food price.

Mine was $300 fee with 1 week free food, shaker, supply of vitamins/minerals, and salt, food journal, plus the measurements.

For me, a box of food is $30, so 3 boxes per week is $90/week. Then there's the occasional replacement bottle of vitamins, which haven't been too expensive.

ETA: While alternatives are significantly cheaper, and I wish that I was now doing them now, it would have been a definite struggle (for me) to just start without coaching.

The price difference between IP and alternatives is so much, I would recommend at least considering alternatives-- whether you needed the weekly accountability, and if you are comfortable enough/knowledgeable enough about the program that you may not need a coach. But alternatives is definitely not for everybody.

There was no fee. I paid for food and supplements.

$100 (I'm not breaking down the food costs because I know it was $100)

My clinic charges $150 for initial consultation but if you're doing it with a spouse it's $150 for both.

I committed to sticking with my clinic until I get to Maintenance even though it's more expensive than alternatives. The only thing I use off program are Quest Bars and that's mainly because I can't have soy and all the restricteds except 1 or 2 contain soy. If I have to do a reboot in the future it'll be strictly alternatives.

Originally Posted by Ishbel:
$100 (I'm not breaking down the food costs because I know it was $100)

Ishbel... I just read your story and you look incredible! I see you have been in maintenance for a while now. How has that been for you? I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I am worried about being able to keep it off on the other end. I have done Jenny Craig in the past, and it went back on just as quick as it came off.

I paid $100 for the 1st consultation plus the cost of food. I realized, after a couple of weeks of going to a coach to get measured and weighed, that I don't need a coach to weigh me in and give me support. I get my support from this forum. So I ditched the coach and wish I never had to pay that initial $100 consultation fee. Oh well! Live and learn.

$100 for the first meeting and to join. You could split that at my clinic with others so $50 for two or $25 each for four folks. Pretty fair. The first week was over $300 with all the food, joining and the supplements. But it works.

Consultation was $175
First week of food, supplements, shaker, bottle, salt... (care package)
All together with consultation was $396.00
The food is $28/box
except the ready made drinks witch are $30-38

Originally Posted by amt6:
Ishbel... I just read your story and you look incredible! I see you have been in maintenance for a while now. How has that been for you? I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I am worried about being able to keep it off on the other end. I have done Jenny Craig in the past, and it went back on just as quick as it came off.

Thanks :)

You have to really listen to your body when you first enter maintenance. Didn't take me long to know I couldn't have wheat (pain and inflammation actually) and it took me 9 months (9 MONTHS!!) to figure out I was lactose intolerant. Because I would have ice cream only on fun day...now I won't have ice cream because it's too hard on me. Cheese seems to be ok though :)

...best advice...it's NEVER done...EVER...for anyone. The mental muscles you flex in Phase 1 is the same muscle you'll flex in maintenance. Do I have cookies on my non-fun day (or a little piece of cake)? Yup, but do I have them every day or the candy off of someone's desk? Nope, I still make good choices. :) I added slowly so I knew what was bothering me...tacos (like nachos) do not do well with me. I had a violent reaction to that (that was a fun day). :/

You'll be great if you listen to your body...I follow the maintenance rules including a fun day. But there are people on the maintainers thread that do not have a fun day and are doing great. :)

Hiya Ishbel- you really DO look great and are a huge inspiration!

The fun day is what I got my mind stuck on from the beginning. I don't know if I can explain this well enough, but I was a little disappointed in myself because all I could think about was "When can I have pizza, when can I have nachos and beer?!" I am conditioning myself not to ask these questions as I feel that these thoughts are counterproductive for the health I want to have. Does this make sense? If I want to get back to a healthy, functioning body I should be focusing on the every day eating habits that I'm learning right now and not the cheats I will definitely have.

Did you have a hard time tranisitioning to that kind of thinking? (If I've explained myself clearly!) What helped you?

Originally Posted by ZOMBIEDAWN:
Hiya Ishbel- you really DO look great and are a huge inspiration!

The fun day is what I got my mind stuck on from the beginning. I don't know if I can explain this well enough, but I was a little disappointed in myself because all I could think about was "When can I have pizza, when can I have nachos and beer?!" I am conditioning myself not to ask these questions as I feel that these thoughts are counterproductive for the health I want to have. Does this make sense? If I want to get back to a healthy, functioning body I should be focusing on the every day eating habits that I'm learning right now and not the cheats I will definitely have.

Did you have a hard time tranisitioning to that kind of thinking? (If I've explained myself clearly!) What helped you?

OMG I thought that way too during Phase 1...I wouldn't over analyse it too much :) You're 'normal'.

I went from wanting pizza one month to wanting a big mac and really at the end I really wanted baked beets...I couldn't WAIT to have a beet!! I had a buddy from on here say "you can do better then that" and I tried, but I really just wanted beets :D Your tastes buds change and what you found you loved before might not taste the same now...nacho's aren't what they were to me two years ago.

My first fun days (for about the month) would be considered binging I'm sure. I just don't do that anymore. I don't go to sleep early on a Friday thinking "ooo when I wake up I can eat what I want". It's just not like that, you'll feel disgusting bloated and just plain gross. My first fun day I had so much simple sugar that I fell asleep in the middle of a home reno (laid downn on the new carpet and had a snooze while the VIP was putting baseboards on with a air gun - not quiet!)

Just really listen to your body...and try to pay attention. I thought I was paying attention and it took me 9 months to figure out the dairy part.

At the beginning of Ideal Protein in your consultation...they should say "there is a beginning and an end to the diet" - kinda the same way with fun day. There's a beginning and an end...you have your fun and then you balance it out with a Phase 1 day.

Many people can do it without fun day...I've often though "wish I could do that" but I no longer wish I could because this is working so wonderfully for me and how I maintain is "ok" for me...and how you'll maintain is "ok" for you. It's working today because I planned it and it worked yesterday because I planned it and I am planning on it working for me tomorrow. We'll see what tomorrow brings but I'm planning for it. :)

...not entirely sure I answered your question though

Ouch -- my clinic seems a bit high compared to most others. Initial price is $425, for orientation & printed materials, 2 weeks of food, supplements, salt, and shaker bottle. Received a $25 discount by signing up the night of the orientation class. Am anticipating IP food costs will run me about $100 a week. Right now, I need the accountability of meeting with my coach weekly, a formalized weigh in, and the support she provides. Also, think spending so much $$ will help me stay motivated and OP -- at least that's my hope!

I paid a $385 initial fee, for the orientation, the first week of food and supplements..oh and of course the shaker! (can't forget THAT!) LOL...Had I found this forum BEFORE I put out that money, I would have just gone with Alternatives from the beginning as my "Coach" (and I use that term loosely here) really wasn't worth the money. I actually learned much more from the ladies and gents on this forum than I did from her. Approximately 10 weeks in, I switched to Alternative products (mainly because she was out of all the foods I liked to eat most of the time) and stopped purchasing from her, she cut me loose :-/, but her loss, now she can't use me as a "success story", I'm 6 lbs from goal and will be in maintenance soon...take THAT useless, overpriced coach! LOL

Originally Posted by Ishbel:
Thanks :)

You have to really listen to your body when you first enter maintenance. Didn't take me long to know I couldn't have wheat (pain and inflammation actually) and it took me 9 months (9 MONTHS!!) to figure out I was lactose intolerant. Because I would have ice cream only on fun day...now I won't have ice cream because it's too hard on me. Cheese seems to be ok though :)

...best advice...it's NEVER done...EVER...for anyone. The mental muscles you flex in Phase 1 is the same muscle you'll flex in maintenance. Do I have cookies on my non-fun day (or a little piece of cake)? Yup, but do I have them every day or the candy off of someone's desk? Nope, I still make good choices. :) I added slowly so I knew what was bothering me...tacos (like nachos) do not do well with me. I had a violent reaction to that (that was a fun day). :/

You'll be great if you listen to your body...I follow the maintenance rules including a fun day. But there are people on the maintainers thread that do not have a fun day and are doing great. :)

I hope I can get to that point, one day! Right now I can't wrap my head around someday really not wanting ice cream or my other sugary pitfalls. I guess it's something that comes with time and after a while, those cravings go away?:dizzy:

Originally Posted by Ishbel:
OMG I thought that way too during Phase 1...I wouldn't over analyse it too much :) You're 'normal'.

...not entirely sure I answered your question though

Yes, you did. Thank you. All of you who are having success are really a huge inspiration for me to keep going. I just drink up all of this information. You're right, I'll find what's ok for me..... I get excited by simply passing up on something that would have been a challenge for me just 2 months ago. Like last night, I was divvying up a bag of M&M's for my girls to snack on while we watched a movie. Suddenly, I had the urge to grab a handful and stuff them in my face. :lol: Sheesh, I didn't...... and I took that as a little victory. :D

Every choice is another step in the right direction! Thanks for your support!

Originally Posted by amt6:
I hope I can get to that point, one day! Right now I can't wrap my head around someday really not wanting ice cream or my other sugary pitfalls. I guess it's something that comes with time and after a while, those cravings go away?:dizzy:

Originally Posted by ZOMBIEDAWN:
Yes, you did. Thank you. All of you who are having success are really a huge inspiration for me to keep going. I just drink up all of this information. You're right, I'll find what's ok for me..... I get excited by simply passing up on something that would have been a challenge for me just 2 months ago. Like last night, I was divvying up a bag of M&M's for my girls to snack on while we watched a movie. Suddenly, I had the urge to grab a handful and stuff them in my face. :lol: Sheesh, I didn't...... and I took that as a little victory. :D

Every choice is another step in the right direction! Thanks for your support!

Ok, started maintenance 17 May 2012 - it wasn't until Christmas...that I said to the VIP "ok, so I'm keeping the Christmas candy in the house to see if I can not touch it" - it's still in the cupboard. The anxiety is less so now then it was a year ago, it flares up once in a while. I suspect it will flare up in the years to come but it will be less and less and less...:)

Saying no now is a flex of the will power muscle. Just like any muscle it needs practice to get stronger. I've also likened dieting and maintenance to learning the piano...it takes practice :)

You'll be great, believe in yourself even when the doubts flutter in :)

Originally Posted by AusTexGal:
Ouch -- my clinic seems a bit high compared to most others. Initial price is $425, for orientation & printed materials, 2 weeks of food, supplements, salt, and shaker bottle. Received a $25 discount by signing up the night of the orientation class. Am anticipating IP food costs will run me about $100 a week. Right now, I need the accountability of meeting with my coach weekly, a formalized weigh in, and the support she provides. Also, think spending so much $$ will help me stay motivated and OP -- at least that's my hope!

I paid about the same except one weeks worth of food. Feeling like I want to go "on my own" after july... she is new and its really like hurry up get your food get on the scale -take measurements and we will see you next week... so Im not really feeling like Im getting much out of it- but i promised myself i would stay with this until july and then I think I will be more than ready to go alternative. we shall see.... feel like ive invested a lot of moolah~

Originally Posted by Ishbel:
Ok, started maintenance 17 May 2012 - it wasn't until Christmas...that I said to the VIP "ok, so I'm keeping the Christmas candy in the house to see if I can not touch it" - it's still in the cupboard. The anxiety is less so now then it was a year ago, it flares up once in a while. I suspect it will flare up in the years to come but it will be less and less and less...:)

Saying no now is a flex of the will power muscle. Just like any muscle it needs practice to get stronger. I've also likened dieting and maintenance to learning the piano...it takes practice :)

You'll be great, believe in yourself even when the doubts flutter in :)

Thank you for your support! I go for my consult tomorrow evening and look forward to starting on Friday. Here's to hoping this one actually works!!

Originally Posted by ZOMBIEDAWN:
You're getting off cheap compared to what I paid!! I wish I'd joined this forum before I paid the $350 to join!! What a jerk I am...... lesson learned. Yes, the food is about $90 a week. Read around the forums for a while. You can get all of the info available from a clinic on this site. You might just feel you're capable to go it on your own.... who knows?

Ditto on the $350!

$100 and the cost of product. I couldn't help but notice your adorable pup!

Originally Posted by Taboo:
$100 and the cost of product. I couldn't help but notice your adorable pup!

Do you have a Sammy too, or is yours an American Eskimo? My puppy is 3.5 now, but this is her when she was little!

Samoyed....this is my fourth. Usually I have two but I haven't found a second one. I've not ever done the puppy route. They are the loves of my life!

I didn't go to the "workshop" they give, which is $50 off--I just called and made an appointment and the first week was about $290 with 1 week food and supplements.

If I refer someone I get a box of food.

Originally Posted by amt6:
Do you have a Sammy too, or is yours an American Eskimo? My puppy is 3.5 now, but this is her when she was little!

Originally Posted by Taboo:
Samoyed....this is my fourth. Usually I have two but I haven't found a second one. I've not ever done the puppy route. They are the loves of my life!

This was my first dog of my adult life and he will always be in my heart. What a love.

Wow, my clinic startup was 375, but that included a variety of food for almost 2 weeks, all my supplements, and the shaker bottle. Now because of some unforseen financial difficulties, we are part IP and part alternative. Mostly because there are a couple IP foods I really like that I can't find yet alternatively. And we really like our coach. We seem to still be doing good, so we may keep going half and half even when we are back on our feet.

My start up for a week of food, the supplements, shaker, etc $275. Food is about $100 per week. Starting week 10 I began to phase into alternatives. I am about 1/2 and 1/2 at this point.

Mine was $400 initial fee for the consult, 2 weeks of food, one bottle each of the supplements, salt, shaker. $84/week for food. But, I did cut back on my grocery bill for sure!

Originally Posted by Ishbel:
Thanks :)

...best advice...it's NEVER done...EVER...for anyone. The mental muscles you flex in Phase 1 is the same muscle you'll flex in maintenance.

truly sage advice. I think this is what I never really got when I was younger. I get it now...I get it.

Mine was $300 plus the cost of food & supplements but it included the blood work and consult with the doctor. I see the nurse weekly and can consult with the doctor if needed and he reviews my progress on a regular basis. I felt it was well worth the price.

I paid around $260-$280 to join, but that included a 28 packets, a shaker bottle, salt, and all my supplements. I pay $84/week on the 21 packets needed for Phase 1. I've only been on IP for about 4 weeks, but I plan to switch to alternatives in a couple months because I am moving to another state and don't want to pay the fee to join again.

Wow, it's really incredible to see how much the initial fee varies!

I went last night and it was $280, which included the initial consult fee, all of my supplements, 28 packets and a shaker bottle. Today is day 1 and I'm feeling it already!

$200 initial visit included 1 week food + 7 additional UR packs, 1 bottle each supplement (3 in total) shaker, & salt. After that it's 100/2k for IP food and then in phase 2 will be 70/week and phase 3 will be 40/week.

Originally Posted by hixtwin4:
I paid around $260-$280 to join, but that included a 28 packets, a shaker bottle, salt, and all my supplements. I pay $84/week on the 21 packets needed for Phase 1. I've only been on IP for about 4 weeks, but I plan to switch to alternatives in a couple months because I am moving to another state and don't want to pay the fee to join again.

You shouldn't have to pay to join again. Get a transfer letter??

I didn't have another fee to join again. You shouldn't have to pay that again! I had to pay for my vitamins up front this time but since I already have the bag, shaker and had purchased a large bag of the salt from the health food store I didn't need any of that stuff and it was $195 for the vitamins and a week of food.

No "start fee"..
 

I was given orientation and the basic stuff...vitamins, bag, shaker and small container of Real Salt ...plus 2 weeks of food for $200. The way I saw it the food was worth that much...(!!) ...never mind the vitamins and the other supplies. I actually did all of that and paid for the 2 weeks of food packets the week after Thanksgiving...but was then away until Jan 9th..

Went for official start weigh in on Jan 10th when I got back from my travels, and started that day.

Originally Posted by cdnmomof2:
You shouldn't have to pay to join again. Get a transfer letter??

It's actually completely dependent on the clinic that you are wanting to switch to, because Ideal Protein clinics are not chains, they are independently owned franchises. Now, a clinic might waive a joining fee because it's just plain good customer service, but clinics are not tied together financially so any time you pay a joining fee it only goes to that clinic. It never hurts to ask!