It's 6-8 oz weighed before cooking. If you are a smaller/shorter person 6 is probably fine, if you are a guy or larger or taller, head toward 8, lol.
;)

The current protocol is 8 oz.
They've tweaked the protocol several times in the past 2.5 years. I'm not sure all reasons why or if they have any data comparing success rate of previous protocols to newer ones.
Links to current protocol sheets in first post of the daily chat thread.

Way to go Rosemary! :carrot:

Thanks for all of your help. :hug:

I took an 8 week hiatus from the plan and now am back on track. Didn't regain anything while I was away (didn't lose either though). Peer support is my best motivator to stay OP. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Do you mean the Walden Farms products? I don't use them, but yes, they're allowed. Serving size is whatever is on the label.

I am restarting too and my goal date is also my birthday, June 4th!

Hey All!

My name is Karen and it is so good to be back on IP. I restarted last Wed, March 4, after a year of being off plan, lots of emotional turmoil and regaining 20lbs. During that time, I attempted to rejoin but I wasn't fully committed until now. It's like there is this mental switch that needs to click inside and finally, it's ON. Looking forward to losing the weight and phasing off properly with the help of my Center/Coaches, something which I did not do the first time. And, super psyched to be back on this forum with all of you! :)

I'm an emotional eater and I need to figure out a way not to turn to food. I fell way out of control and it stemmed from not being happy in my former position at work, losing my father (a GREAT dad + teacher) from a long term and anguishing mental illness and, from not placing myself first.

I'm ready to find inner strength and happiness, place myself first (for once) and learn not to turn to food for comfort. This forum has always served as place that provided a wealth of knowledge for me and I appreciate all of the stories everyone shares.

The great thing about restarting for me is that I decided to rejoin on Wed AM when I awoke, I made an appointment that day and I placed and order and met with a coach that very afternoon. I didn't dare look at the scale so I don't know my start weight but next week, I will ask. Although, I stepped on my personal scale this AM and weighed in at 179.

My first day on IP was good. Day 2 - I had a huge surge of natural energy throughout and day 3 and 4, blah. I took a keto test this AM and unfortunately, I'm still not in ketosis although, I'm going to try it tonight as I hear that may make a difference. Temptations are everywhere but it feels really good to have this program as a tool right now. I spiraled way out of control and I'm the type of person who needs a strict script of what to eat other than a free for all that Weight Watchers provides, for instance. Yesterday was tough as it was the start of my first weekend on plan. I find that it's much easier to focus during the week, when I am working, as I am distracted.

Thanks for starting this thread - cheers to all of us March IP Re-Starters! :sunny:

Welcome, KareVT! I hear you on the mental switch--I half-committed several times before finally taking the plunge on March 1. Good luck, you've got this!!!

Had my own little "official" weigh-in this morning. Down 5 lbs! I'll take it! I also did a keto test and I'm in ketosis now. Yay.

I'm still sick. Nothing serious--just a cough and congestion and mild fever. Unfortunately 3 of my kids are sick too, so I'm not exactly getting the rest and sleep I would like! That's okay. We've decided to stay home instead of attempt church today and we're currently snuggled under blankets watching Finding Nemo. I'm actually happy for this little test of my willpower. The kids are snacking on all sorts of delicious things all around me and I'm managing to stay OP anyway.

Thanks for all the well-wishes!

How's everyone else doing today?

Feel better, Annie. It's tough when everyone is sick. I hope you all feel better soon. Congrats on the loss. 5lbs is a great start.

I took a field trip to a grocery store 30 min away since they're the only ones in the area that carry frozen rhubarb. Right now I'm stewing some for my lunch vegetables. It's so good, it should be illegal on any diet. I also bought a body analysis scale. Since I'm currently not working with my coach due to financial reasons, I decided to invest the $30 in a more accurate scale. I'll set it up this afternoon and see what it has to say.

Hello,

I'm new to this site! My doctor gave me some information on the ITG diet plan and looked it up online and saw this site. People were saying that some of these plans are all the same just labeled by a different company. I saw that quite a few people are on the IP diet and I've down loaded the 4 phases of the diet. But I'm a little confused. I see were a lot of you are still seeing a coach at their center. Does that mean everyone is still going to the actual diet center or is it better to go off the phase sheets posted and buy the food online?

Hi Love, welcome!

This decision is entirely up to you, and what you think will work for you.

Some people enjoy having a coach that they can ask questions and verify information. They can get packets that they know are IP without checking the label, and they see great success.

Some people don't want to or can't spend the money on IP, so they use alternative products and this forum as their coach. They have to put more effort into what they eat - checking nutrition info, ordering food in advance, etc. And they've seen great success too.

I'm on alternative products, as I was when I initially tried IP two years ago, and as far as I can tell, the results are the same as long as you stick to the protocol.

Whichever path you choose is up to you, and what you want/need as you continue on the program.

I am a re-starter as of today. I did IP 3 years ago and lost 50 lbs before my wedding. I actually maintained most of it for almost two years until I got a new job that has me traveling about 50% of the time, and out of the country. I've since gained all the weight back and then some and am now at my highest weight EVER!! Enough is enough and I am ready to get back to myself and 99% of my closet which is not wearable right now. Each day will be a tough one and I've got to learn how to do IP in Europe, but I am ready to commit again.

Love
I am doing a reboot this time but in 2010 I worked with a coach to Lose 30 pounds. Personally I do not think I would of been as successful doings it on my own. I looked forward to the weigh in and her encouraging pep talk each week. The decision of having a coach or doing it alone has to be your decision.

I can relate to 99% of my closet in not wearable. I refuse to buy a bigger size so my wardrobe is very limited.

I personally love the chocolate ready to drinks and the peanut butter crunch bars. they have helped me a lot - especially on days where I needed chocolate..
Good Luck!

I'm in the same boat (except not traveling, just being busy with the kids). I too have a closet full of clothes that don't fit and I refuse to buy new summer clothes. Summer bodies are made in the winter and since spring starts in 2 weeks, we picked the right time to start! Best of luck!

Hope everyone's WI after their first week is going well! I've got my signature ready for mine in the morning! :D

Thanks for your warm welcome IdealAnnie. Hope you are feeling better and good for you for staying OP. Congrats on losing 5lbs!

On day 8 of the plan. Maintaining so far with no cheats. Had my first weigh in yesterday and I'm down almost 5 pounds and almost 5 inches. I know I can't expect it to be that much every time, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll continue to see results.

Had my self-WI this morning (using alternative products), and I'm down 5.8 pounds! Here's hoping I'll be under 250lbs next week!

Newbie
 

Hi! I am oma lurline. Oma means Gramma in German so I am Oma to my Arizona grandchildren. I have been on IP for one week and haven't cheated at all, as far as I know. I am having trouble in working 3 IP packets in along with a regular meal. My initial food did not include snacks or bars which I think was a mistake for me. I am retaining water in my legs so I think the salt is a problem. I have only lost ½ pound according to my scale and I am disappointed. I need to keep on because I am pre-diabetic and I don't want to go there!!

My first appointment is tomorrow.
 

Hello all, My local librarian was on the Ideal Protein plan and she is now healthy and thin. I am inspired. Can't get in for my first appointment and food til tomorrow. So I read all these threads and did it myself yesterday and will today. I will need your support. I am older than most. all my adult life I weighed 115. I am 5'3. When I got to 155 I did the math.....forty pounds! i feel the motivation and determination are high so here we go!

Hi Helen, and welcome! Good luck to you, and may you continue to feel inspired!

There's actually another thread for IPers that are 50+ so don't worry, you're not alone!

I also recommend RainbowSmiles thread of recipes for even more inspiration!

Congrats on the nice weight loss Jonquil! :sunny:

Kudos to you IAMASharkIPromise! :)

A warm welcome to Oma and Helen.

Have a great one everybody!

Hi Helen, I am 73 and have been overweight and yo-yoing (is that a word?) on diets for 40 years. I hope that this works for me. My doctor is on it and asked me to do it too. I will look for the over 50 thread as well.

How do you get the weight loss ticker tape? I am going to be optimistic that I will reach my goal!

Hi Oma - you have to post (i.e. respond to threads) a certain number of times before you are able to get a ticker. Go up to the Ribbon on the top of this page (on my computer, it is purple) and click on User CP. You will be able to add in your weight stats when you go to your profile (starting weight, current weight, goal weight). You have to earn the ticker before it's available so, continue to ask questions and stay involved in this forum and you will get it before you know it. :D

Btw - You WILL reach your goal!!!

Congrats on your first weigh-in losses, Jonquil and ImASharkIPromise! That's so awesome!!!

Welcome Oma and Helen! We're in this together!

Oma Lurline - Make sure you eat all the packets plus the food. It seems counter-intuitive but not eating all the food can cause you to stall. If it helps at all, my first week even though I was 100% I only lost .6 lb but I lost inches. I stuck with it and lost steadily. I think the salt is important also but you can ask your coach about it and the water retention.

Hi everyone I just restarted this past Sunday & weighed in yesterday already done 8.2lbs. Hoping this will motivate me to keep at it plus read the boards everyday.

Wow, fantastic!:broc:

Nice job! :D

Week one done, five plus pound down, wohoo

It gets easier every day

Hooray!:broc:

WooHoo!!! First week weigh in and I lost 6 pounds!! I am so excited and motivated to keep going. I know that this was a lot of water weight and do not have the expectation that this will be the usual weekly loss, but i am on the way to the finish line!

Back for a second try ! Can't believe I am back again, I was so successful with this program in 2013-14 and swore never to be fat again. Guess the wine and food got the best of me . However I'm back at this today and won't give up until it's done :)

Way to go Oma!

Welcome back, and keep that motivation going!