Marceylou
Welcome!
IP is what I tried before surgery and now I know I don't need surgery! (well, maybe a panniculectomy at some point but not WL surgery!)
Besides, you're right, you'd be doing this after surgery anyway!

DH and I decided that yes, IP is expensive but so is bad health so we chose to give up other things and spend the money on my health before it deteriorated further.

Once I got a FIRM hold on the plan, I ventured into alternative products. I went competely alternative product in August, mostly due to how disgusted I was with my clinic at that point.

One of the things that really pushed me that direction was going soy/gluten-free last January after I started having thyroid problems. My coach didn't like that I was using alternative products but IP just wasn't offering the variety of products for me that were soy/gluten-free.

My recent post here will give you some ideas for soy/gluten-free alternatives
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...phase-1-a.html

Of course you don't care about the soy protein but it'l at least be a start for you.

I'm here to say: If I can do this, ANYONE can!

Welcome marceylou!!! Glad you are joining us. There is a whole series of threads about alternative products that work in phase 1. Many of us order from Nashua Nutrition. As far as gluten free, there may be a thread but also there are a lot of women here with gluten issues. See "lisa" above.

Regarding exercise, the official IP recommendation is very mild exercise only, such as walking. Many however do recumbent or stationary cycling, weights, and circuit training. I myself walk and do light weights.

Glad you decided to try us again before surgery.

Thinking about doing the iprotein diet, but cannot afford to visit a clinic or pay for food. Still looking forward to loosing weight!

Thanks, I don't know when to start my day vs night meals. I work two days two nights four off. Even taking supplements is going to be a little confusing.

It doesn't matter when you eat which thing. Just make sure you get it all in & spread out your vitamins.
your "nite" vitamins should be taken before you go to bed or with your last meal. Take "morning" vitamins with your first meal. And so on.

Hi NanDeNa (love the name) - you can follow the diet using alternative products. Check out the alternatives thread (for some reason my linking is being whacky but Lisa posted a link up-thread). Many people have had great success using alternatives.

[QUOTE=Marceylou;4913448] One of the biggest challenges with this program is that I have celiacs disease so most of the soups are off limits - I am trying to figure out ways to jazz up the ones I can have.


Hi Marceylou,

I also have Celiac Disease and have been on IP for 1 month. My coach has been great helping me stay GF and I can't believe how good I feel!! No stomach problems or ill effects. I love knowing that the GF options are certified GF and so far I have not gotten bored. I made mashed cauliflower the other night to have with my steak/salad and I loved my dinner.

I would love to hear how you are feeling being on IP.

Blessings,

Judith

Marceylou
This blog has some great ways to make homemade protein soups that are soy/gluten-free. Syntrax makes a great unflavored protein powder http://diettalktoday.com

Thanks Ruth Ann! I'll look into the alternatives thread. There is so much to read!

Hello everyone!!!! I'm soooo happy I was able to find this thread. I think it'll really help me with any questions I may have as well as help me stay on track....I'm brand new to IP, started up after seeing my cousin from Georgia on a visit and she looks great, told me what she was doing and I made an appt I actually just finished my 2nd day I'll have to see how I did on my 1st weigh-in but I'm excited to get the weight off and do it in a healthy way

Giselle
You'll be amazed how well IP works

hello everyone! Today is my day one on Ideal Protein. I am super excited to make healthy changes in my life. I am still trying to navigate through the boards but have found them helpful so far - very motivational! Can someone point me toward the place to find recipes? I am afraid of getting bored with my foods.

Suda
Welcome!
Go to the daily chat thread http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...aily-chat.html
The first post has MANY links
I could never have stayed on P1 for so long without recipes
Additionally, I bumped a thread from a clinic yesterday with LOTS of recipes

Hello! Like a PP, I met up with someone doing IP, who looks phenomenal, so I'm eager to see similar results. Life is rather chaotic right now - no time for coaches or going for official weigh-ins, so I'm trying to go it alone with alternatives.

I'm on Day 4 today and feel pretty good. The shakes are much better tasting than I had anticipated. Feelings of hunger are subsiding; I no longer want to gnaw off an arm :-) . I'm definitely more irritable than usual. Hopefully that will subside and my family will still love me when all is said and done!

I think someone posted somewhere but I will repeat. EAS are $5 off at SAMS CLUB & the chocolate fudge is so good mixed with your favorite coffee flavor in the morning. Have a great day