The bottle I have has a label on the side that tells you how to read the results.

If any ketones are found you are in ketosis. I find I am usually in trace.

You do not need to take the 4th packet unless you need it. The other three packets you must have to get the proper amount of protein and other nutrients for the day.

It takes a while I find to get the sticks to the darker color. Just remember that any pink (trace) means you are burning ketones - good thing!
I myself have never gotten past moderate on the sticks - that's fine with me though!

You can do this! And it gets easier everyday!

It does not need to be dark purple. Any change in color means you are burning fat!


I was told I could have 4 packs a day if I was hungry. It will not keep you out of ketosis and when I do have 4 packs in a day it has never slowed my weight loss. If you feel like you need it then go for it!

So today is Day 2!! Feeling good so far....actually & amazingly getting all my water in.

I have a question about Ketosis...what is it? They glazed over it, but I didn't ask any questions for clarification. Will it be important to purchase Ketones sticks (once I know what it is)?

Also does anyone know how to make the IP chicken and broccoli bake? I read it in a post (no recipe included, however).

How much lettuce/salad should I include with my 2 cups of veggies?

Last question...how many ounces of whole protein (chicken, fish, turkey, red meat) should I eat daily? And is it pre-cooked weight?

Thank you to everyone....

Happy New Year!! May you have a safe holiday...lots of fun & may it be full of blessings!

Hello all! I've been away for a few but I've managed to catch up on all that's been happening here.

Congratulations to all who have successfully made it through the holiday parties and meals...one more to go!

Welcome to all who have joined this forum and have chosen to use IP to change their lifestyle for 2011.

I had a great holiday with many surprised compliments from all my family who did not know I was on IP. It was great to show off what I had accomplished in 4 months and everyone was very happy for me.

Unfortunately, I phased off for Christmas and did not make good choices. I have gained some back (about 7lbs!) and need to get my head back in the game. I will start phase 1 again either Sunday or Monday.

Happy New Year's everyone!

Good afternoon all. I had a rough night last night. My 3 year old sounded like he had smokers cough all night and I woke every time he coughed. But hubby is on vacation and let me sleep till 10!
Sunnymae, I love your New years Poem! Good luck on your video and shoot.
Congratulations for you new comers who have decided to make a life change. Just remember to read read read. If you have questions or don't even know you have questions, a lot will be cleared up just by reading the sticky's and other posts. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
At last nights date, I told my husband when I was picking off the carrot shreds on my salad and scraping rice off the chicken, I said I won't have to do this forever, when I get to goal I can have a cheat day and then go back to normal eatting. And what I meant by normal eatting, is the new way! I said that I won't freak out about the carrot slivers on my cheat day, but I'll still eat healthy. I was surprised that that came out of my mouth about "normal eatting." Only 11 weeks on IP and this is my normal now. It feels so good to have a good feeling belly even after I've eatten. I LOVE IP! Have a great New Years and enjoy a lemon in your water, or pick a different tea for your cheers drink!

Reader beware...on a rant! Not totally impressed with my doc...went for the first time in over a year because I was feeling very punky. Tired, no energy and fighting a nasty chest/sinus thingy that wouldn't leave inspite of a lot of TLC. Realize a lot of this is from work stress and the minute I had a break the nasty bugs ganged up on me..

BUT on the other hand... here I am down 37 lbs since last March (27 of that on IP started in October)and not a word about that accomplishment! When I had complained about not being able to lose weight on previous visits...he said cut the carbs..so I did with IP and as everyone on this forum knows...IP works. His comment today ....'diets' don't work! While he admitted to not knowing much about the IP program he was pretty adamant that the weight would come back on...once the program was finished. He really wasn't interested in hearing about the phases etc etc

Sooooo my question for everyone out there..do we have any statistics on fellow IPer's who finished the program and have maintained their weight? How does IP rank with other programs..ie Weight Watches, South Beach, etc etc. I know IP takes the weight off when nothing else does but how is it at keeping it off?

Sorry about the rant but I don't see/need doctors hardly ever and was a little less than impressed with the lack of empathy, interest or follow through. grrrrrrrr

Ketosis is your body burning fat...........over simplification. Where is carla when we need her? haha. Google "ketosis" very interesting.
I use ketosix so I know how what I eat affects my ketosis. Not a must at all.

Lettuce is unlimited. but important to have romaine is a good one for the nutritional value. I use salad, just romaine nothing else, as my between meal snack if I am hungry as I have long days sometimes and I don't like to go more than 5 hours without eating. When you say 2 cups of veggies I hope you mean for one meal it is 4 cups a day.

the Chicken broc bake google search it "Ideal Protein chicken broccoli bake" that should bring up the recipe in the recipe threads.

There is a differene in the ounces of meat between coaches so ask you coach. It is 5 oz of beef, pork chicken etc and 7 oz of fish/seafood. The debate is if the weight is raw or cooked. So ask your coach.

Best of luck and keep coming back here!

Hello ladies...back in Upstate New York. If you are interested in how I did for 7 days in Las Vegas...check out the ooops thread. I went 15 solid weeks with out even a bite of anything off protocol...lost 50 pounds...but did have some off protocol stuff (very little...NO CARBS or high carb items I should say). Stayed in ketosis and feeling great. Okay time to tackle these 20 pounds.

Happy New Year all.

For those of you that have been here awhile...my daughter who needs to lose 150 pounds is starting tomorrow with alternative products (EAS and Lindora) because of cost. You might remember my daughter thread from sometime in October. I love this group.

You might be imagining that you need to worry about calories - when actually you only need to be really, really diligent about not getting any SUGAR into your body. I used an extra shake at the beginning because I was hungry and it was a big help - once you get into ketosis you'll feel great. The IP packets are full of protein and protein is what will get you into ketosis - and when you eat only what is on the Phase I list, you'll do just fine.

I had a hard time getting into ketosis and ultimately was successful because I gave up going to restaurants for a week - then I hit ketosis easily. Seems like restaurants hide sugar in everything. Stick to the Phase I list of foods and you'll do great - and don't be afraid to use more olive oil - put it on your salads and use lots of sea salt and you'll feel fine. The salt really helps.

Also - be sure to rest and relax. It can be hard to not exercise - but because you are removing the sugar from your system you need to remember that your body does not have any instant energy to draw from for exercise. Once you're in ketosis you'll have more energy but even then it's important to do more shakes if you do any kind of activity.

It's a wonderful experience - I am so happy I found IP - it's a life-changing experience. I hope you have a wonderful experience too.

Love the New Year's poem. NSV - last night, I went to dinner and didn't have any bread Happy new year!

No, Carla always says trace amounts are adequate. I have a problem telling the difference between negative and trace though and only once in 12 weeks have I ever tested moderate. Ketostix only reflect what was going on about 24 hours before apparently. I am patiently waiting to return to Ketosis after my oopsie!

He'll be home tomorrow. I am totally going to! LOL! I'll take a picture.....if they fit!



Welcome back and good job on staying on track in Vegas! Congrats that your daughter is taking the steps to a healthier her! Happy New Year.

I am having a HORRIBLE day. I want to eat EVERYTHING in sight. I am STARVING and craving sweets. I have so far consumed 100 ounces of water and 3 packets as well as an extra protein, just to not eat something. Some twit brought 3 boxes of chocolates to work here. I ate one chocolate, thinking it would help curb this crazy feeling, I am still hungry. I am now drinking tea and hoping the day is over soon! UGH! I haven't had a day like this in a very long time.

Well, I was down 3.4 lbs today at WI! I'll take it after my couple bites of stuffing on Christmas and then the unplanned unwanted cheat on Wednesday...

I know right?!

Thanks Amy! Sounds like you have had quite the lovely week too!

As far as I know, they have been reformulating a lot of the drinks, so you may have gotten a box from another batch. I know they still have both formulations of the chocolate shakes (one has 7 carbs, the other 9) in the warehouse because I've gotten both boxes recently!

I'm glad you're feeling better! It's nice when you get past those first few days and start to feel normal again. And seeing the results the first week is important too. The first week I weighed myself every day to make sure that all the **** I was feeling was worth it! Since the first week, I only WI once a week at my coach's.

I was thinking the same thing! I love knowing that I have a 12 week headstart on my resolution this year!

Here is the Wiki article on ketosis. I know that it is explained somewhere else on the forums but I don't know where exactly. As for the other questions, do you have a coach? It seems like each coach does things a little bit differently and that he or she would be a great person to ask. Especially the thing with the meat weights - there has definitely been some discussion about that!

I know exactly what you mean about the "normal eating". People always ask me when I'm going to go back to eating "normally" and I tell them never. I don't like descibing it as normal. Maybe as "new normal"!

That's great news about your daughter!

How much carbs/fat/calories you usually eat per day. I'm counting mine and usually get around 30/30/800 Does this sound ok ? I'm losing very slowly, is it something wrong in my eating habits ?