I would have a talk with the woman and see how knowledgeable she is about the whole plan and low carb in general before I fork over all that money. Now saying that I can tell you for me it's worth it to pay because for me personally it keeps me honest. My mindset is if I'm paying all of this money then you bet I'm going to be on this plan 100%. I love my coach, she knows her stuff and even though this is only my 3rd week on IP, I do like the fact that every week I have to go in and get weighed, measured and she checks my BMI.

If you find that the woman is not that knowledgeable yet, then I would definitely buy the food on your own. It's well worth it. As I said it's only my 3rd week, but at the end of the 2nd week I had lost 13 pounds already. Much better than I ever did on Atkins. Best of luck in which ever way you decide to go.

Hi IP Friends:

I need a buddy! I just slipped up by eating ice cream and need to get back on track. I have done really well over the last month (started 9/13). I lost 20+ lbs, but was slacking off with preparing my meals over the last few days. I got so hungry and irritable today it was so tough to enjoy the day with my family. From the feast after church, to a parade, then out to eat lunch, visit at mother-in-laws (where there is always tons of junk), then home and the kids and my husband made ice cream. I tasted it when i helped with the last round of sturring and i lost my will power. I just gave in and had some ice cream and sauce.

I plan on really kicking in the IP program basics next week and i'll see my diet coach for the first time in 2 weeks (she was on vacation). I have had a cold but kept thinking it would get better (probably need antibiotics), plus i am just worn out from working way too much. Fortunately i have tomorrow off and am going to do some good things for myself including ordering some walden farms dressing tonight. I have looked for it at BIG Y, Stop and SHop and Whole foots, but can't find it. I am also going to check out some new recipies and be sure i have some back up items (celery, IP Drink etc) in my car.

thanks for reading this and for sharing your wisdom.

I am moving to alternative products as well. My weight is very close to goal and I'm not losing much these days. To be honest, my coach is a nice lady, but not too knowledgeable. I started a new job and only saw her once over the summer (hubby picks up my food when he gets his). I get so much inspiration and motivation off this site and the peeps here know just about everything, a ton more than my coach. To stay accountable I have a diet buddy and we report our weight on Tuesday mornings and it gets tracked.

Knowing the cost of the food and the available alternatives that will work and having my diet buddy, I would have made the switch earlier. That being said, it's up to you to do what you'll be comfortable with.

I too have been slipping up. I think a buddy thing is a good idea, sorta like a coach for each other, someone to be accountable to.
My biggest downfall is when I have a day off of work. Too much time spent at home with the fridge. If I keep busy then I do good. Maybe start a buddy thread and find matches with other IP'ers?

Hi! I lost over forty pounds on the "cheaper/modified" version of Ideal Protein. I got the plan from a friend, went to the nutrition store and bought awesome protein powder with less than 2 g carbs. That was my protein "packets" or whatever. I had a shake for breakfast, shake for lunch with greens and veggies, a powercrunch protein bar for snack, and lean meat with green veggies again for supper. The weight fell off, and I benefited from all of the same things. I was barely hungry, and my carb cravings ceased to exist. Good Luck with whatever you decide though!

You have done great doing it on your own!

For Mom3bugs:

There are pros and cons to everything and you have to do what is best for you. I go to an IP coach but I also order online. What I like about the coach is that she will take back any unopened packages. There are a few boxes that I ordered online that I would love to return, but can't.

Find out when your coach is available. My coach is open one night a week and seems to have only a mild interest in making the business work. She is a mom and that is where her interest is. I understand that, but what is frustrating is that she has called me every week wanting to reschedule me I feel rushed because she makes it clear that she wants to get back home. I get my questions answered here; I don't really need her. SO, back to the point. If you meet your coach and they don't seem committed I would bolt. Find out what their hours are and how many clients they have. I get the feeling my coach only has a few because she is open one night a week starting at 4:30 and I have been the last one at 6:30 before.

What I am most upset about is that my coach knew that I was going on vacation last week. I got a text telling me that she needed me to change my time. It was an hour earlier than I planned. I didn't have my phone at work with me. When I got home there was a 2nd message saying that she waited 15 minutes but needed to go home. Well, my scheduled appointment was 45 minutes later but I was "late" for the time she rescheduled me for and that I didn't know about. So, I didn't have the products that I wanted and it was too late to order because I was leaving the next morning for vacation.

Lastly, it is so much cheaper to buy it online.

I am not getting much from coaching so I am going to start ordering online. And honestly, I am upset that I didn't get to buy my products for vacation. I have a good scale and my husband is doing it with me. So, I have everything I need.