With that attitude, you can do anything! :D

Also, you can stick your ticker in your signature through your user control panel so it will pop up with every post! If it's not showing up, it's because you're required to be registered for two weeks and have 20+ posts for a ticker. I got super excited when I could start using mine!

And IdealAnnie... don't think I didn't notice that avatar pic you posted! You're gorgeous!

Haha. You are far too kind. I noticed that the stock avatar I'd been using is also being used by several other people, so I decided to put my own actual face on something. Revolutionary. haha.

Another day another pound...wohoo

Two weeks into the diet, it is much easier than I tought...now feelings of hunger, and much better digestion...I love IP

Had my first weigh-in today! I'm down a little over 3 pounds, and it hasn't even been a full week yet :D Only 5 days.

(My future weigh-ins will be a full week apart; my coach just likes to do the first one 4-5 days in, just in case you're having any big issues.)

So far, it's just been awesome. Some headaches, some hunger, but nothing I can't handle. And you were all right, it does get easier day by day.

The biggest challenge has been that I feel like falling asleep at 8pm. I have great energy all day, but after dinner, I'm totally done. I cut way back on coffee with starting IP (from three or four cups a day down to one), so that's probably a factor in feeling tired. I hope this is temporary, because I need that after-dinner time to get stuff done.

No complaints otherwise, though. Feeling pumped!

Week 1
 

Hello all - I have finally decided to do this and as my profile name states it's never too late to start.

Had my week 1 weigh in today and am down 4.8 lbs - so happy! I feel so good - not hungry and basically satisfied. Of course had some bad days in this first week - feeling sorry for myself but seeing the weight drop can change your attitude and keep you motivated for sure....

Here we go!

178/174/130

Hi, I'm a March re-starter on wk 2 of alternatives , no clinic this time. It certainly is harder than the first time around. I.m down 8 lbs in 2 weeks but I don's see evidence of ketosis yet. I am finding the 2 critical tools I need for success is my meal log and these support groups.

I am a rebooter......the first week is always hard.....keep going.

First weigh in today ! I'm feeling fantastic and looking forward to next weeks journey already. Hopefully the scale feels the same lol

2nd weigh-in and was up 2.5 pounds....totally bummed. I have been 100% faithful to the plan. It is an issue of medication and water retention so there was some adjustment there by my doctor. But still, very disappointed in the scale results. My doctor encouraged me to hang in there and that I would see the results.

I agree- hang in there! How were your measurements?

Hi Oma,
I see we are close to the same height and I am also over 60 years. The ups and downs have been common with me. I think your doctor is giving you very good advise. I have found that my weight can fluctuate up to 3 lbs. a day even when faithfully following a plan. I am pretty sure this is water weight.
Hang in there and good luck to you.

There were no measurements this weigh-in. They said that they do them once a month. I am just going to keep on doing what I am supposed to do. I can't help my emotional response to the scale, but I don't have to use that as an excuse to do something stupid!!

One of the benefits of IP for me is the absence of heartburn that kept me awake at night. I am convinced it was the carbs I was eating as I have not had a problem since I started IP.

I read somewhere about 10 years ago when I was on Atkins, that it takes 21 days to lose your carb cravings. After three weeks it should be so much easier to resist those types of foods.

Well first weigh in today and there scale said only 1 lb :( . My scale said 4lbs so. It to sure which one to believe. I do feel real good so will try another week and see what's happens . I'm a little worried that this Pre menopause is having a effect on my body.

Hi all, another newbie here. I have my consultation tomorrow, and am very eager to get started. I decided to "get with the program" after running into an acquaintance last week at a Gala. He lost 81 pounds in 3 1/2 months! I have dreams of dropping 100 pounds, so I can get back to running, playing sports, and most importantly, getting health for my wife and daughter. No more excuses, time to make it a reality. I'm worth it!

Currently weigh 289. Goal is 189.

My pants started to feel loose this morning...such an awesome feeling :)

You can do this and you will have so much more energy. It is such a good feeling to be in control of eating instead of eating controlling you. Good luck

How long does it take to get into ketosis? I have been faithful to the plan for over 2 weeks. I bought some ketone strips and was surprised to see that there were no ketones in the urine. Any ideas? BTW, I still haven't figured out how to respond to a particular message. Maybe all the ketones are in my brain! :-)

I am a March restarter too. Driving down the road, feeling fat and I decided it is time to do this again. I just can't do it by myself. Hopefully I can reach my goal one more time!!!

I think I just figured out how to respond to a specific message.

Maybe not:?:.

The fact that you feel good is a good sign. Every pound counts. Try not to get too discouraged.

Hi Oma! Check the bottom right corner of the post you want to respond to. The "Quote" button will insert the HTML link into a new post so you can respond to something said earlier!

As for ketosis, that may be something to ask in the daily chat... the rest of the board is more experienced in these matters than the rest of us March starters. This is even my restart, and I know nothing about ketosis... just hoping it's a party I'm attending. ;)

Welcome to all the new starters and restarters! You've got this!

I am definitely not an expert on ketosis, but for me I go into ketosis on about day 4 of the diet. But I've heard other people say that some people never do go into ketosis, or at least if they do it doesn't show up on the little keto-strips.

I am sorry, Oma, that the weight isn't falling off and you don't appear to be in ketosis. Glad you talked to your doc about it, though. Something just isn't adding up here. I hope you can get to the bottom of this.

And yay for loose pants, Kirag!

It's been an exciting night here at Casa de Annie. DH is out of town, my 12-year old son got to babysit my 8 year old with autism while my teenage daughter went to youth group and I took my 9 year old to perform in his school play. Apparently DS8 learned all about calling 911 at school today, and spent the evening practicing this new skill. Needless to say, the night ended with the police at the door, DS12 in a complete sobbing panic, and DS8 in lots and lots of trouble (and DD and DS9 hiding out in their bedrooms to avoid the drama). Sigh. Never a dull moment around here, folks! This is the kind of night that once I put the kids in bed, pre-IP Annie would pull out the ice cream and potato chips and snarf my stress away. Hahaha. Instead I'm going to treat myself to a quest bar and chug some water. Life is good, folks. Even when it's nuts. And Ideal Protein is totally doable, even when the kids are completely bonkers (which is, oh, all the time...). (I adore the little stinkers, I really do.)

Re-starting tomorrow (3-20)
 

Is there a separate thread for people using Alternative Products or does this re-start thread incorporate Alternative and true Ideal Protein users?
Thank You

That's hilarious, but I'm sorry you had to spend the evening with the police!

Alternative product discussion here:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/idea...art-6-a-7.html

Yes, I saw that thread discussing the types of alternative products. Just wondering if those using alternative products to restart are also using this thread-or is it strictly for true IP product people? Thanks.

Unless a thread specifies that it's 100% IP, then we're all in here. :) I'm using alternative products on a restart myself, and I frequent both threads.

Oh Annie -- it's that "roll with the punches" attitude that's going to make you a success on IP and in maintenance. What a crazy evening -- so fabulous that you can smile about it. Sounds like you have a wonderful bunch of kids, getting into all the things that kids manage to get into!

Thanks to both of you for anwering! I am planning a restart tomorrow!

IP Re-boot -- March 10th
 

Hello everyone! I am so happy that I found this thread :-) I am an IP re-booter. I originally started the IP plan in 2012. In five weeks, I lost 30 pounds. It became too expensive and I stopped the protocol. It didn't take long for me to gain back 30+ pounds.

I restarted the IP protocol on March 10, 2015, with a different coach. So far, so good :) During the first week, I experienced all of the usual symptoms (headache, lethargy, hunger). Now, I'm feeling so much better.

At my first weigh-in, I lost a total of 10.2 pounds and 8.5 inches! I was so surprised and excited. I am determined the reach my goal!!! I am addicted to my scale, so I weigh myself every day. As long as I see a loss or status-quo, I'm happy.

Good luck!!

Just to clarify (or to muddy the waters--you decide!), I think we may be talking about two different things here. First, there's the Alternative Protocol, which is Ideal Protein, but with a bit of added carbs specifically for people with diabetes or other health concerns. Then there's people doing strict protocol Ideal Protein but with alternative products. I am in the second group, doing the strict IP protocol but using mostly alternative products.

Either way, both groups (and the plain ol' Ideal Protein folks going through a clinic with a coach, etc) are totally welcome here, and will receive lots of support! We're all doing something new and crazy, right? And we all need a bit of support along the way. And we're all gonna lose crazy amounts of weight!

10.2 pounds and 8.5 inches! You are a total rockstar!!!! Congrats, that's fantastic. And welcome (or, you know, welcome back)!

Yes thank you! I am doing the Alternative Protocol and using the Alternative Products. :)

Just as an intro. I originally did Ideal Protein with a coach at my doctor's office beginning in 3rd week of September '09 and lost around 27 pounds (which was about 3# below my goal) by Thanksgiving. I did well keeping my weight off for about 1-1/2 years until I started getting into the depths of Half-Marathon Training. I tend to bulk up with long miles. Anyway I have ran 3 halfs, a half relay (I did 8 miles), 2 other relays where I did 16 and then 20 miles in 24 hours-a year apart, and various 5K's since that first Half in '11. I have not stayed consistent on my running-so I ended up gaining and then having to start my training from scratch. I also love to lift and to do yoga although my consistency with those two vary quite a bit also. I have done IP both using real IP products and alternative products off and on at various times. I have Hoshimoto's and I know that I lose weight best with no processed carbs so I have decided to go back on Alternative Products (due to cost) and also use the Alternative Protocol since I will be exercising. It will be trial and error-if I don't seem to be losing my try to just do the original Phase 1. So that's me

I finally weighed myself yesterday to know where I'm at on my home scale. I was at 142.6. I weighed this morning and was down to 138.8. I know it's all water weight, but was such a relief to just see the scale moving!

I didn't weigh myself on day 1, but I put 146 as my start weight as that's the highest number I've seen on my home scale.

I know some suggest not to weigh daily, but the last time I had success on IP I did weigh daily, and I think I need to just get back to the routine I was in that last time.

So far the week has been great. Had company over last night, so ate dinner earlier than usual. I was hungry after they left and considered having a snack, but managed to resist and just go to bed. Phewf!

Congrats to all of you seeing success and welcome to all the newbies and rebooters!

Hi Oma, it usually takes three days to get into ketosis. I have been monitoring with ketostix too, and have been on the darkest color everyday for the last two weeks.

Newbie - Started yesterday
 

Hi March IP people! I started IP yesterday for the first time ever. I have 80 lbs to lose (don't ever have babies at 36 and 39 and expect that weight to fly off). Aside from hunger, I've really been okay. I was expecting hangry headaches, but it hasn't happened yet.

Thanks for reading - I hope to get lots of tips and support here! :carrot:

Welcome, Shazmatazz! So glad you joined us. :broc: