Jmanovich- if you really want to stay on program for your vacation, check out rainbowsmiles travel kit, it is amazing!

Tinimartini- I felt sluggish the first week or so too, I found that taking the supplements helped, be strong it will pass.

I have incorporate dill pickles into my daily meal plan. I will often eat 2-3 kosher dill pickles as a mid-morning snack or an evening snack. When I think I can't eat another vegetable, I will grab the dill pickles. Now these aren't the large ones that you get at the ballpark; these are are medium-sized and much easier to eat.

I started on Ideal on Aug. 5. I have lost 16lbs. I messed up today for the first time. Just wandering if anyone has ideas about how I handle the next few days? :carrot::carrot::carrot:

I grab a couple of dill pickle spears when I am hungry and just need SOMETHING! I've found it really helps.

Yes.....just don't make this 'mess up' an excuse to continue 'messing up'! Just go back to following the plan to the letter - no wavering! - and you will find yourself back in control again. What did you mess up on? Was it sweets? I have found one of my favorite things - and it really satisfies my sweet tooth, is to make a 'milkshake' out of my chocolate drink mix. Use about 6 oz very cold water, add tge choc drink mix - shake that, then put it in a blender with about 6-8 ice cubes - or whatever it takes to make it thick. I pour it back into my shaker and drink it with a straw (that way you get anything that is still clinging to the shaker). It's delicious! I also sometimes add 1 c fresh spinach leaves (believe me, you can't even taste it!), and in the morning, I add a heaping tsp of espresso powder. YUM! Have veggies to nibble on hand. Have some go-to recipes you know you love and are satisfying. Keep busy! Come back to 3FC site for encouragement! Come on....you've GOT this! :)

I think I am a bit late to join in here as I started on the Alternate foods no Clinic on Wed Aug 27th...I lost 72# with hGC in 2011-2012... But this past spring and summer the # started creeping back on.. I gained 30# back have shed about 10 of that this month 5 this past week upon switching to the Ideal Protein way of eating ........ I work with 3 guys who have lost going to the Ideal Protein Clinic here in town.. I at this time can not afford the clinic so am trying this on my own... Want to loose another 30 to reach my goal and stay in those skinny jeans that are my goal!!!... Thanks to all for all your inspiration ...

Thanks, that sounds like a great idea.. I am going grocery shopping soon and will definitely get some pickles :)

Hi everyone started August 26 and am excited to start seeing bis losses! This is my second time around after a "great" summer!! Great idea for this tread!

Hmmm... I'm finding it easier to not think about non op foods when I'm working. Being at home is actually harder on me. Oh well, I guess that means its project time around my house this weekend!

Hi I am on IP for the second time. I restarted in August. I initially started IP in July of 2011 and lost the weight, I never cheated and only averaged 1.75 lbs/week, so for the slow losers, you are not alone. I am post meno, over 50 and hypothyroid, so I guess slow is in order.

For those who want to phase off for special occasions, I advise against it, it is the general concenses over the past couple of years of being on here, it is hard to start again. Good Luck Augustier's!

Great job on losing 16 pounds!!!

If you "cheated" with something really "bad" that has a lot of sugar/carbs/fat .... it really sets you back as it breaks the carb/sugar withdrawl that IP puts forth. So you basically have to go through what you went through on days 1-4 again where you really crave cheating with carbs/sugar. You just have to get through that period again!

Here is one suggestion for the next time you feel like cheating. Eat an extra protein serving (a nice 4 oz. chicken breast with a 1 tsp of olive oil drizzled on) or have an extra IP Chocolate Drink (that makes you think you are having a chocolate milkshake) ... that way you can cheat a little bit but you wont be breaking your carb/sugar withdrawl.

I know for me I was super addicted to both carbs and sugar (and fat too) ... not a good combination. So I am super motivated not to cheat as the first 3-5 days on IP was not easy. But now on day 33 ... my cravings for other food is gone and it's much easier for me to stick with the program

Bottom line ... if you have a day when you are famished and really craving something "good" ... cheat with an extra IP package (or even 2) ... or a lean piece of meat with some olive oil ... that way you stay (much more) on track and wont be "set back" so much.

One other trick I have that has worked great for me. I love Evian Water (yes I know it's expensive (about $2.50 for a 50oz bottle)) but it tastes so good) but this will work fine with any water you drink. Buy a box or two (or 10) of Celestial Seasonings "Cinnamon Apple Spice" Herb Teabags. If you put 3 teabags in a large 1.5L (50oz) plastic bottle of evian -- after about 1 hour the tea "brews" right in the bottle. and what results is "tea colored" water that is VERY SPICY and actually tastes SWEET to your mouth and tongue. So much so that I bet you will be checking the box to make sure it contains no sugar (it does NOT!). By drinking this all the time, it really satisfies my cravings for something "sweet" and it has 0 carbs an 0 sugar and no artificial anything. I have been sucking this "tea" down like there is no tomorrow (about 100 to 120 ounces a day) for 33 days, and I have lost 27 pounds -- so it definitely works.
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Definitely will try that tea Avalon!

I am new to Ideal Protein....
 

Hello I hope I qualify to join I am going for the intake on Tuesday. I have spent the last three days low carb/low sugar in preparation for the diet. I love hearing others experiences and look forward to participating if I can here.
after reading the post about the cinnamon Apple tea I just went out and bought four boxes so as not to run out! Thanks for the hint! the stuff tastes great!

Thanks!:dizzy:

Absolutely! Welcome! Since the holiday interfered, we'll cut you some slack :) LOL Be sure to check out the other threads, though, because that is where you will gain a wealth of knowledge from those who have been on IP for awhile and have been successful. But check in here too, as we want to support each other as we all are approximately at the same stage. Good Luck!

Hello..
I have been perusing the forum on and off since starting IP on 8/21 and was excited to see an August starter thread. My husband and I are both doing IP and had our first weigh ins this past week. I was very pleased with a 10 # loss for the first week. The last couple of days I have been dealing with a cold, and a fever so had zero appetite and pretty much only drinking water and the IP drinks, so I was afraid I disturbed the process. I am finally getting back into the routine and so far am still seeing losses for the day.
So happy to have found this site , it has been a great source of info so far, and seeing how many people are having success with this plan it keeps me motivated for sure!

Welcome to you and your husband! I would think it would be so nice to have built-in support and accountability like that, but maybe YOU should answer that one :) Does it help or make it harder? I have heard (and is typical) that men lose faster, so don't let that get to you. 10 lbs!! Wow, that is GREAT! Hope you are feeling better soon! Drink, drink, drink!