Thanks all for your thoughtful responses. I don't think that just because something "used to be" or "always is" a certain way, doesn't mean that something different is wrong.

As for inactivity, I don't know about everyone else by my personal schedule has been pretty hectic for the last month, and June will be more of the same. People seem to be busier in spring/summer - I've seen this on many internet communities before. Also, a lot of posters who were active last fall simply aren't here - I haven't seen them posting on the individual threads either. As someone said, ebb and flow.

Since I seem to be in a minority opinion, I will leave it and move on.

JJ - personally I am not sure what I would have done without the February monthly thread. I feel like I've made some great online friends I can share with...but would have been ok too with a quarterly "winter starters" thread - just somewhere I didn't feel like a burden to others who are at a completely different part of the IP journey.
Again, these are my feelings - but with the lack of activity recently, it seemed to make sense to see if people wanted to consolidate.
I don't think anyone is trying to force people out of the monthly threads - one's message to the 2014 folks was much more eloquent than mine to the 2015 winter starters :) so I hope no one thinks this is a 'mandate'.

I just posted on the new 2014 Starters thread (was not a summer starter but someone from the now-quiet November starter group) and said that I was so glad to have officially been consolidated into the group! I do, however, also follow the Daily thread and agree that has its benefits (especially for newcomers just starting out).

I feel too new to weigh in too heavily on this topic, but just wanted to comment from a researching perspective. There certainly are advantages to the threads that consolidate IPers who are all at similar stages and going through similar issues. When I first started IP, I was spending hours upon hours reading old threads and gathering recipes, etc. Even while phasing off, I have continued to occasionally binge-research specific topics, for example Exercise, P3 Breakfasts or Maintenance. Threads about those specific topics have been crucial. But sometimes, when I search an issue, the results lead me to some random smaller group of IPers (e.g. the Oct 2013ers), who may all be going through something pertinent for days, and I find it helpful to read and follow their thread, as they together wade through issues, experimenting and testing along the way. There's just much less continuity on the Daily threads, and it's just harder to find discussions re some of those pertinent issues (let's face it, the Search function just ain't that thorough so that does not help).

Either way, I very much appreciate this forum, its wealth of information and support, and all of those who keep coming back to post and share and educate. Thank you all :)

JJTx, I don't think you are in a minority opinion - I think we all have strong feelings about the value we have received from this IP sub forum, and all of us want it to continue to be valuable. That's pretty obvious from the emotion this topic has raised.

Meanwhile.... I am super hungry today... I had IP pancakes made with egg white (in lieu of water) with 1 cup of shredded zucchini added, and then for lunch I had a cup of roasted cauliflower in IP Chicken Soup and a big salad of romaine, butter lettuce blend and jicama, but I am still hungry. What's the deal here???

Bootros -- The normal protocol now is 2 weeks on P2 and 2 weeks on P3. I have been maintaining (ha ha --that's a loaded word, isn't it?!) for 2 months now. I waited til I was a few pounds past my goal to move to P2, and then I did continue to lose about 3 more during P2/P3. I actually revised my original goal downward at that point and am kinda hoping to hover around that number, if possible. I do believe about 3 pounds have returned now during maintenance (those glycogen stores returning now that not in ketosis) and may be here to stay now. (Well, and another few pounds have settled in -- hopefully very temporarily! -- as a result of a too salty and indulgent few evenings. But I digress....)

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Can a newbie add her 2 cents worth?

I'm just a month or so in, and frankly still feeling my way through the forums. Such a wealth of information here, it's almost overwhelming. And time-consuming :dizzy:
I haven't posted much (other than briefly introducing myself), quietly lurking... but I have been trying to find which threads make sense for me to follow.
On many threads, the advice many of you give is to check in to the Daily thread, so I have been reading that when I can.
I was an (end of ) April starter, so I have watched that thread, but also the March and May ones. Even checked out some of the older monthly ones just to see where people are in their journeys. The monthly threads --- some seem to be more vibrant than others, some seem to almost fizzle out.

So for someone like me, some consolidation would be welcome. Quarterly, as seems to have started with Winter 2015 and Summer 2015, (Spring anyone??) I know I would benefit from just checking one thread, which included both new and relatively new members. I would be able to see where I'll be in a month or two, and remember very clearly where I've just been in this journey. And possibly be of help to those both earlier and further along than I.

I like what I see here on this forum, as others have mentioned, a lot of support and information, no negativity. I hope to also find a home in a few threads (so far I like the 50s +; I sure hope I'm successful enough to get to the post-P1 threads), and try to add what I can to them.

FWIW

Good Afternoon All! I am on day 2 of IP. Feeling good -- getting hungry around mid day so I choose to take my snack then. Also feel tired. I had started eating less before I started this diet, so not too bad as far as hunger goes, thankfully.

I have a question for y'all: do you do everything they say to do at your meeting? And by that, I mean do you buy their "special salt" and take their pills.

I got a bit frustrated with my "coach" as she wanted me to buy a ton of supplements and I am already taking prenatals, several supplements, etc as we are trying to get pregnant. I have a whole list of supplements I am already taking. I am even taking some of the supplements that IP requires but she doesn't like that they are a different "brand"

I had to beg my husband to let me spend money on this diet and I can't afford special salt and pills. I plan on buying half my products from the IP clinic and half off Nashua. But, I feel that will anger them too.

I did this years ago in a different city and my coach was so great.....she wanted you to lose a lot and support her clinic, but she also wanted to make it work for you -- so if you couldn't afford the pills, she would not push it and would at least suggest something else, etc....

I am sure that the Winter 2015 thread would love to have you join them regularly - they will have their early experiences to share with you -- that could be very helpful as an adjunct to the IP Community thread.

I noticed that the Spring (April and May) starters are kind of left out given the way that these consolidations are happening...

I love the 50+ group too -- great group of IPeeps there, and if you have the time to go back and read some older threads - the 100% thread has a great deal of useful information about dealing with day to day temptations and following the protocol without cutting corners.

You are correct - there is a HUGE amount of info in the IP sub forum. With time to search, you can really learn a lot about everything that's IP, ketosis, low carb, and magic with diet protein packets!!!

This is very helpful. Thank you. I ate a phase 2 meal today, but still haven't decided. The thought of phase 2 for 2 weeks and then phase 3 for 2 weeks means I am not getting to phase 4 for a whole month. I am a little burned out. (with it being my 3rd time around and all). But I doubt I will lose anything in these next two phases so I keep thinking I should just stay on phase 1 until I get to my true goal. Thanks again!

Thank you for your reply. I haven't decided on what to do just yet. Your response is helpful.

Bootros, this is so different for each person.
I did lose a few pounds (which have since come back on) on P2 and P3 - like you, I was in diet fatigue before I started P2, and could only stay in P2 for 1 week, and my coach was fine with this.
P3 will be very different for you - at least it was for me - my energy came back right away.

This whole goal thing is a tricky business - very individual.

If you feel you can stay on P1, likely best to stay there until goal, but I'm nearly positive I set my goal 5lbs too low for my 47 year old body, so I tried for a month or two to lose that last bit, and my body wasn't having any of it, nor is it now. It wants to be where it is now. I absolutely could not have stayed on P1/P2 for one more day. The last month of P1 before going to P2 I cut out EVERYTHING - all exercise, after work social engagements, etc. - and just rested - and tried to stick out losing that last 5 - and I was miserable and hungrier than I'd ever been, and for the first time the whole year of P1 having out of control cravings. So that's how I knew it was time.

We all have slightly different stories.... good luck with what is best for you!

Amber-
Your reply made me laugh to myself when you wrote, "I absolutely could not have stayed on P1/P2 for one more day." I am about there. My husband is dying for me to get off Phase 1 because I am not that great to be around at dinner time. He gets to eat what he wants and drink what he wants (marathon runner) and I want to be right there with him. I am just like you and have been SUPER strict these last few weeks (not going out, not really exercising, etc) and I am over it! I hope my coach is ok with one week of phase 2. I had a phase 2 salad today and thought it would be fabulous (with chicken). It did not live up to the hype (that I had created in my head!).

The first and second time I did this diet I got down five more pounds than I am right now. 5 pounds at the end of this diet can mean 5 more weeks! Not sure I can handle it.

Can I just shout out to all of you who share your wisdom weekly? This time around I have really needed the support of this group. You all are wonderful.

Thank you Amber also.

The salt has extra potassium in it which is very important (you can get other salt similar in nature to this at the grocery or health food store although the salt isn't all that expensive and lasts for a long time) and as for the supplements... you can always use the excuse that your ob/gyn has suggested specific things for you and you can't go against your doc's plan. Just make sure that you are covering all your required supplements though, even if it's with your own stuff, don't skip out on anything as it is all vital.
I had to use my own vitamins as I have to be gluten free and IP head office Science Dept. could not guarantee that their products were GF at the time. This wasn't a problem for my coach - I also had a limited amount of packets I could use for the same reason so they changed around my start-up package to include only the GF packets.
I'd use the 'doctor says' angle if I were you. ;)

Liana

Evening everyone!

I'm super busy but wanted to check in. I appreciate that the monthly groups are consolidating as their attendance declines, thanks for doing all that!

And I know some wish that more people were posting in the daily chat rather than the seasonal chat, but you are ALWAYS more than welcome to join in the seasonal chats, no matter when you started. Briael and Grateful were always popping into March and participating in our discussions, and it was always appreciated!

I'm in Chicago for work training. About to grab a 20 minute nap before dinner. I let the organizer know over a months ago that I had eating limitations, but I think they were forgotten. :/

I'm making do so far, turning down all kinds of bad stuff, but definitely not eating as perfect as I usually do- I've had to make a few small concessions that make me feel super guilty, but I haven't fallen off the wagon. The biggest no-no I've done is just the sheer amount of coffee I'm drinking, which means I've had way too much splenda and milk today.

I'm also a little nervous for dinner tonight- an Italian restaurant. >.< I'm going to ask for their steak without the smothery sauce and with broccoli instead of potatoes. It easy to eat IP at home and ask for restaurants to make changes for me, but at training surrounded by coworkers from other offices that I want to make a good impression on, all of whom are drinking and eating lavishly as our industry does, it's mortifying. :(

I know how tough it is to avoid the food laid out at trainings and conferences- see if you can find some decaffeinated tea -- Bigelow's Decaf Spiced Chai is yummy (so are any other decaf black teas for my taste), and with a bit of splenda or stevia and just a drop of cream, it's a great substitute for coffee - and without the caffeine, it does not require all the extra water that IP calls for when you are drinking more than one cup of coffee. That was a big issue for me during my early days in P1. The decaf tea has been a really good discovery for me, and I highly recommend it.

As for making a good impression on the others... making healthy eating choices is an admirable trait -- I bet most of your co-workers wish they had the self discipline and self esteem to take better care and make such good choices. Don't sell yourself short!