Originally Posted by Briael (Post 5158647)

It won't affect ketosis, but it might slow losses a little because each meal raises your blood sugar. If your blood sugar rises too high or too quickly you will provoke a release of insulin. Insulin's primary function is to reduce the sugar level in the blood (it stores excess sugar as fat in white fat cells).

One of the primary objectives of the IP protocol is to minimise the insulin release so the pancreas has a reset and learns to use insulin in correct proportions. Many, if not most, overweight and obese people have some degree of insulin sensitivity or overproduction.

Once you've been in ketosis for a couple of weeks you will find that the hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin) settle down and you don't experience hunger in the same way. This is the time to regulate your meals down to the standard 4 per day.

There is, however, no problem in splitting your 8 raw oz lean protein across lunch/dinner or eating your "free/unlimited" salad/veg items at any time you choose. They are generally 1-2 carbs at most, and that is offset by the amount of fiber in them.

Originally Posted by bongo (Post 5159040)

Hmmm.. So maybe it'd be best if I move one of my IP products to a meal period instead. That way I would be at 4 meals/day instead of 5 and provoke less insulin release.

In other words, this:

B - IP
L - 4 oz protein + 2 c veg + IP
D - 4 oz protein + 2 c veg
S - IP

would be better than what I'm currently doing some days, which is this:

B - IP
L - 4 oz protein + 2 c veg
S - IP
D - 4 oz protein + 2 c veg
S - IP

??

I'm only 6 days in, but I'm already not particularly hungry and most days could easily go without the 3rd IP packet (hopefully that lasts!).

Originally Posted by jengele (Post 5159106)

Had my first weigh in today! It is technically day 6 for me but I am so pleased!!
Down 10.0 pounds (7.8 from fat), -2% body fat!

I feel so energized and excited for the weeks ahead

Originally Posted by Bagchick (Post 5159252)

my first week and I'm down 7 lbs. I'm really excited as it was pretty easy and my cravings are gone. Well, I now have cravings for those delicious PB and choc protein bars! Who knew?

Originally Posted by Briael (Post 5158968)

The IP protocol was designed with the restricted item being part of the program. It won't hinder weight loss, and you won't speed it up by cutting it out.

If you don't like the items that fall in the restricted category then by all means cut them out, but remember to ensure that you are getting enough healthy fats and carbs to stay HEALTHY. Nobody wants to lose weight and get less healthy. :)

Originally Posted by Briael (Post 5159122)

Depends which packet you are adding. You might want to use the chicken soup and add in some shredded chicken with the 2c of veggies. But do you really want to get into the habit of having , say, a pudding packet as a lunch meal?

Aim to bring it more in line with the 4 meals per day, but don't panic about having the food split over 5 meals for now, so much as making sure that you get all your food requirements (I prefer to think of them as reqs rather than allowances) in. If you're still seeing decent or good losses then it's obviously not harming you. Keep reassessing how you feel, how much protein you can take it, what you can do to align it, but you're always going to have days when you struggle to get any form of eating routine going.

Originally Posted by knm (Post 5159373)

Bongo - I wouldn't worry too much about about WHEN you're eating everything, as long as you ARE eating everything. For now just stick to the basic protocol and do what you have to do to stay satisfied. If you having 5 snacks/meals a day keeps you on track, do that. Once you get closer to goal your weight loss will probably slow down and then you might want to start playing with it a little more and limiting when you eat certain foods (some people omit restricteds all together or only eat them before 3:00). For now, if you're continuously losing, I would say just do what keeps you happy and on track!

Originally Posted by IttyBittyKitty (Post 5159966)

I had a really great coach the first time around, and this time I don't feel as supported. There aren't many clinics offering it near me, so I settled on the lesser of the evils. It's at a laser clinic and they keep trying to sell me stuff I don't need (B12 injections, laser for cellulite, etc.). I'm really hoping that I won't fall off the wagon, as I really want to feel healthy again.

It's day 2 for me, and I'm already experiencing the headache/nausea. I definitely don't miss this, but I know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Originally Posted by WMegs5 (Post 5160025)

Passed one major hurtle yesterday - meeting a bunch of folks at a local government event and not drinking (open bar) or eating anything off-protocol (e.g., all the passed appetizers)! Stuck with 8 oz Salmon (not marinated) on a salad with cucumbers and 2 tsp olive oil. Win!

Originally Posted by bongo (Post 5160213)

Good luck in your journey! It seems like you're really ready to make this a permanent thing this time. I didn't have headaches, but I know what you mean about the nausea. I was very nauseated for about 1 day. It passed quickly for me, and I hope it does for you too.



Congratulations on your success!

Originally Posted by jengele (Post 5159106)

Had my first weigh in today! It is technically day 6 for me but I am so pleased!!
Down 10.0 pounds (7.8 from fat), -2% body fat!

I feel so energized and excited for the weeks ahead 😀

Originally Posted by fiannalove (Post 5160537)

What's the cellulite protocol?

Originally Posted by WMegs5 (Post 5160942)

Thanks Liana - I was wondering if there was something I had missed!

Originally Posted by bongo (Post 5161048)

I was wondering the same thing!

Has anyone tried any new recipes they particularly like lately? I still haven't made the crack slaw I read about a few days ago, but it's on my list. Mainly, so far I've been keeping my protein meals simple: taco meat on salad greens, sauteed shrimp with cauliflower rice, chicken breast with steamed broccoli, smoked salmon and crudites, etc.

I did find these "grilled Mediterranean chicken skewers" at Costco that are precooked and taste just fine heated in the microwave. Most work days, I'm splitting my protein between lunch and dinner so these have been very convenient for throwing in my lunch kit in the morning, no prep required. 2 skewers is 4 oz chicken. Has anyone else tried them?