I never added a 4th packet. I have just learned to embrace hunger as part of the process and whenever I am hungry, I just remind myself that I never saw a person who was literally living a lifetime of starvation be fat. This is temporary. Once i get the weight off, I won't have to be so hungry all of the time....I can do anything for a little while.

my first week i had 5 packets every day. my coach said it was fine, and better to have the extra packets instead of feeling hungry. not sure if that was for emotional or physical reasons, but it certainly did help. my second week, i was barely hungry at all and could hardly fit in the 3 packets. if you are happy with your losses, i'm sure that "dealing with the hunger" is just fine. if you find that your body is going into starvation mode, though, i would definitely add one more packet and see if that helps. either way, you have a good attitude and you will succeed!

I am in week 3 and just started having some restricteds. I had a bar for breakfast yesterday and it seemed to cause hunger and cravings all day. Maybe if you eliminate the restricted items for a while it would help witht he feelings of hunger. I was over feeling hungry and then yesterday was horrible. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this with the bars?

Will do. I have been on lots of diets, and most of them I was avoiding hunger, but had slow losses. Figured if it meant I could have faster weight loss, but had to battle hunger, it was worth it. I want out of Phase 1 as fast as I can get there!

I can get that when I have the southwest curls. I've been so sparing with my bars, and usually had them in the evening, but I don't think they're a good choice for me. Very candy like. I could eat the whole box.

I think I'll try that, switching to having a bar in the evening. Thanks

I've been on this for a little over 3 mts. I've been pretty hungry lately and losing slowly - so my coach has me adding a 4th packet and told me to eat every 3 hrs. I wasn't able to fit the extra packet in over the weekend - but am starting today. I just had dinner 2 hrs ago and I'm starving. So off to have by bedtime snack (my 4th packet) and to bed.

I whole heartedly agree with RetroChick, being hungry is not a feeling that people like us are used to. I can honestly say that until I started this diet I had not felt a hunger pang for literally YEARS!! How could I when I kept my stomach, and mouth full of unhealthy foods all the time. It is an uncomfortable feeling, but you will be rewarded for it in the end. Just know that you are eating healthier than you've probably eaten in years, and that you,(despite how miserable you may feel at times), are not going to starve to death. Keep your chin up.

Tate, my son is on IP. He's about your size. His coach has encouraged him to have an extra RTD mid afternoon. He says it's better to have it than to feel hungry. Bryan was getting shaky and sometimes light headed. Having that drink midday has not affected his weight loss and he feels much better! HTH!

Right from the beginning, my coach told me that it is important for me not to be hungry.

She suggested the following:

- Hot drinks (tea, herbal tea) are better at making you feel full than cold ones;
- Celery sticks;
- Cooked ham slices (watch for sodium and fat content);
- Hard boiled eggs (preferably the whites only);


Someone from the Board suggested dill pickles and those are great for me!

If you are very active, you may actually need an extra packet per day until your weight comes down some more.



ETA:

Are you having one restricted per day? If not, maybe it will help you as they are higher in carbs than the non-restricted.

Also, have you tried the omelet? I find it the most filling of the items that I have tried so far.

THIS JUST IN!!! LOL I ordered the "Magic Noodles" 0-0-0, plant fiber, They remind me of the noodles that are in "cup-a-noodles." Just rinse them well with hot water (to warm them up) and add them to the IP soups or whichever Packet seems like it could have noodles and BAM you feel like you had a really big meal! I bought them directly through their website. Each pack is 2 servings--they are v-e-r-y filling) I think the Magic Rice may even be good in IP Pudding if you like tapioca.

I was only told to have 3 IP packets a day. I find that if/when I would get a hungry feeling I drink a few cups of water, and then try to stay busy, go for a walk, do some cleaning, play with my kids, do an activity that I did not do before that I would associate with a "snack" this has helped me a lot.

I've been reading that some coaches give people who are over 200 lbs 4 packets a day until they reach Onederland... (I've been taking note because my husband wants to do IP when I phase off). I think everyone should check with their own coach before making any changes.

I am on week 14 and I still find myself hungry. I try to drink more, water or tea to hold me off.

The bars and choc. soy puffs are so good! I dont' want them to end!!
I've been having cravings lately too, i wonder if it is the restricted items???
I've been having the odd diet pop, I know that isn't helping. Sometimes I feel deprived!!