I am so glad to see your post. I am phasing to ph 2 this week for financial reasons and because I just can't deal with phase one anylonger. I was worried that I would not lose weight.

My sheet says move to P2 after 90% of your weight loss is gone... I wish I had the desire to stay on P1 a week or so longer but I don't want to...wah!

And that's exactly when I will go to P2. Not necessarily a number on the scale or a dress size but more than likely I will be like, "okay...that's it, let's move on."

Yeah. I just can't take P1 anymore...I completely understand what you guys are saying...and like I said..put a fork in me I'm done! (That's the saying right???)

Yep, my clinic said 4 weeks was the max for Phase 2, so that's what I did. Amazing how info gets disseminated so differently between clinics.

'Old' protocol states that Phase 2 could begin when 80% of your desired weight loss had been achieved. This was then changed to either being at goal or a couple pounds +\- to get maximum results in achieving goal. Make sure you either a) reach goal or b) are very content with your size & appearance. This will play into your mental well being in maintenance. If you feel that you 'gave up' by not reaching goal or are not happy with how you look- then maintenance will be more difficult.
That all said... My coach said that Phase 2 was the least important phase and because I had a girls weekend planned that was 3.5 weeks away we did shorten my Phase 2 a bit. I completely stalled the first week on Phase 2 which was a bit disheartening because I had fully expected to keep losing. I turned to the leanest sources of protein I could find- fish & eggs for my second week and dropped 3. Put me slightly under goal. Lost one more in Phase 3 ( you will not necessarily gain in Phase 3).
Phase 2 is my most hated phase. Give me Phase 1 any day. Way tastier, way easier to prepare. Phase 2 to me was the no fun phase. No carbs and one of my packets was stolen for some meat?? Bah. Phase 4 at least you can have some cheese with your salad and wonderful creamy dressing. Ahhh yes, it is a beautiful phase- and I look forward to maintaining with you shortly!

I am enjoying Phase 3 so much, I really look forward to Phase 4! I woke up early this morning at 5:30 and got up because I was so excited to have breakfast. Can ya tell I've been at this a year??? I do think the amount of meat you have to have is too much though. I am going to invent ways of adding my protein without meat twice a day, like making black bean burgers with soy protein powder thrown in for the dinner meal.

The protocal has changed from when I started, and is a fluid thing. I think that the clinics also have teleconferences with the IP people and get updates or ideas that may not be reflected in the 'official' instructions yet.

While you are in phase 1, you have this hollow feeling and appearance. For instance, my shin bones protruded from my legs, my clavicles protruded, my inner thighs were pretty much non-existent. Heck, I looked bony at 165. If I remember correctly, I stayed this way through phase 2 as well. When you add carbs back to your diet in phases 3 and 4, your glycogen stores are replenished. I think this fluffs you back out a bit. Right now, I weigh 10 lbs less than the last time I saw Phase 1, but I don't look as thin as I did in phase 1. Mostly that's a good thing. I wasn't comfortable with my bones poking out everywhere. However, you have to take that into consideration when phasing off. If you are thinking you still want to lose a few lbs based on looks, you should stay in phase 1 until you get there. If your goal is to get to a certain weight and you are there, you should phase off. Again, this is my opinion based on my experience, and everyone is different. Just something to think about from someone who has been there. That could be why the protocol was changed to 100% goal weight before moving to phase 2.

capricious and Paint Lady, After reading your posts it seems clear to me I should stick with P1 for at least one more week. Initially I wanted to get to 155 based on weight charts (I'm a large boned 5 8 women). I didn't realize at 170 I would fit into a size 10, which I'm thrilled with, and that was ideally the size I wanted to be. But, now I'm thinking I should keep plugging away so that maintenance will be "easier"...I'm currently at 168 and wear a lose 10, but I probably couldn't squeeze into an 8, which I'm fine with. I am looking thin and it's good to know that will change in maintenance. Ugh...I probably will stick it out at least one more week... Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit: and I was under the impression I should go to P2 once I was at 90% of my goal...so I thought I was all set...time to get my brain wrapped around 100%!!!

I'm on day 4 of phase 2 and so not liking it. I miss my packet I gave up. I hate having to worry about what meat I'm having for lunch. Before IP breakfast and lunch consisted of a coke. Seriously, I was killing myself with soda. I can't go back to that so I'm currently trying to figure out what works best for me for lunch preparation. I'm thinking that I need to be a little better in planning ahead so that I make extra the night before for the next days lunch and that will solve my lunch dilemma. I've also considered marinating and grill a few chicken breast and having those on hand for grilled chicken salad.

Great weight loss! Congrats on P2! I'm trailing nicely behind you! I keep everything really simple. I'll (my DH) will grill me up some flank steak and I'll eat it for a few days, then chicken breast and same thing...I just eat it 'til it's gone. Then for your dinners you can do scrambled eggs, fish, sauteed tofu... Oh, and a can of tuna would also be super easy to bring to work...just don't forget a can opener.

I agree that having to cook something for lunch can be inconvenient at times. Making enough at dinner for leftovers is a good idea. I'm fortunate that I love to eat meat, but can understand how some might feel it's too much. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is easy. You can freeze portions in a ziploc bag for next week or short term emergencies. I find that I need some options of already cooked meat and veggies on hand for the days I don't feel like making the extra effort. This whole diet has been about planning ahead, now it's just different things to plan. You can do this!

I thought Rotisserie Chickens were injected with "stuff" making them off limits for P1??? Are they allowed on other phases?

I thought P2 was from 90% of your loss until you reach your goal. Then phase 3 for 2 weeks.

Btw, my dh did his 2 weeks of phase 2 and still managed to lose 3lbs (and he only had 25 total).

I thought that too. Apparently you go to P2 once you hit 100%...