Don't get me wrong- I didn't mean to sound as if I didn't respect the wisdom and advice of the senior members. I mean they have the awesome losses we are all striving for, so they must be doing something right!

I will just from now on refrain from posting/mentioning anything I do to "modify" the plan. This way I don't run the risk of offending anyone, or encouraging anyone to use foods that are not on P1. Anyway, hope everyone has a great rest of the weekend! I am looking forward to arriving in LA tomorrow! Will check in with everyone in a few days! Bye for now!

Yay! Good job! That's a huge accomplishment!

Hi Clarington45 - Thank you and.. Funny you should ask... My first week, I was given a mixed bag and I didn't like everything.. I found what I liked vs. what I didn't like really quickly. And, through help from friends who have been OP, I took some of their advice too. However, everyone has different taste buds, what I like may not necessarily be what you like nor the next person..

To answer your question, I am a bit of a creature of habit:

Breakfast: Love eating the herb & cheese omelette
Lunch: Shake or Soup + Salad + 2C Veg
Snack: Restricted - loving the cookie swirl but, looking forward to trying the chocolate soy puffs
Dinner: Lean turkey burger, skinless chicken breast, shrimp + Salad + 2C Veg

Dressing: I really enjoy 1tsp EVOO + Lemon Juice + S&P

I find this satisfying right now however, I want to start being a little more creative and use some of the IP P1 recipes that I've learned from the Chef Verati videos - i.e. turkey meatballs.

Just started week 4 so I want to start exercising about 30 min x 3 days/wk.

Both have good points. It is as much each person's prerogative to choose to modify, as it is to be 100% OP. And I also feel that just clarifying for those who may not know what 100% OP means, that what is being talked about is a modification of IP, shouldn't be threatening to either. It is just the desire to make sure it's understood. Some people may be interested in modification, some not. Others may not even know what is being talked about is a modification! Maybe it would be easiest if while posting about something that is not part of the IP protocol, that it is simply mentioned in the post "this is not part of the IP protocol but it works for me" - or something along that line? That way, you can still share the information you think may be helpful to others, but the person reading will be able to make an informed decision if it's for them or not. Personally, I feel modifying is a slippery slope I don't want to attempt, but jmanovich is obviously having success with it.

Wise advice and well said!

On a lighter note.......someone recently asked about what medications can be taken for a cold. My coach just posted this today......

Halls Sugar Free Menthol Cough Suppresent Drops are good (no aspartame) or Tussin Sugar Free Cough Syrup at CVS or Walgreens.

jmanovich, I missed this post completely - I think maybe I was writing mine at the same time you were and you finished yours first You know, we are all in this struggle together, and we ALL have good intentions, so, like Schenectady said, let's just take a deep breath and chill!

Enjoy your trip to L.A.!

So I am "47 days in" on Ideal Protein with NO CHEATING! Gold star to me!

I ate my first batch of Red Peppers last night. They were actually pretty good lightly-steamed! My nutritionist gave me a fact sheet of which vegetables were most highly rated based on a number of nutritional factors, and red peppers were really high on the list, so I was curious to try them.



I am still showing really steady losses this month of about 0.50 pounds per day on average -- not quite as rapid as the 0.75 pounds per day average I was getting in August, but still quite good!

I did check my Basal Metabolic Rate at my new lower weight this month and discovered that my body is burning about 150 calories less per day at my new lower weight. That just shows how much less strain my body is under to keep everything going at a 35 pound lighter weight. But it does slow down weight loss rates a bit. Still it's all good!

Looks like I am going to "rip through" the 290's in about 18 days; and should hit the 280's on Wednesday (based on my weight loss linear regression). Boy, you really don't hang around those 10 pound intervals very long on IP! Ideal Protein is by far the best diet I've ever been on. And once you get past the carb and sugar withdrawal during the first week, it's actually not that hard.

Thanks for your reply.. like you I am a creature of habit too, I just find it easier and when I find something I like I stick with it.. my meals are similiar to yours except that i now make the omelet in the morning and take to work for lunch, shake for breakfast..

Completely untrue.

The actual protocol is written in stone, it's people or coaches who make modifications.

If making small changes works for you, go for it, but make sure newbies know it is not officially approved for the diet.

Agree this is probably the most appropriate thing. There are already forums and threads on the main 3fcs home page concerning low carb ... And my thoughts are that once the IP plan is modified beyond the true structure.. It s not IP but certainly is low carb. Agree that the changes that work for some are personal.

They don't belong on an IP board when they are clearly NOT part of the protocol.
Rules and limited choices.. along with the nutritional makeup of the day, caloric/categorical food specifics, products that meet the program all are.


There are lots of places to get good low carb support and guidance....lots if things work for some people. The rigidity of IP makes having a place for safe discussion harder to find. Some of us need pure IP. A forum for IP that only allows pure IP talk on the 100% thread ... Is unbalanced ... and means support for true IP needs are being diluted, in my opinion. Take posting modifications off the IP board.

Just want to clarify...alternatives are NOT a modification.......they are meeting IP protocol specs..

I reserve the right to change my opinion!!! 65x65, this is the most sensible and to-the-point response yet, and I would have to agree. It is true. Once you start including posts promoting personal modifications, it ceases being an IP post, because it ceases being an IP diet. It is a low carb diet, that includes IP products in it. So while it is certainly offered with best intentions, it really does not belong on the IP forum.

I assume the use of alternatives works a different way? Because those certainly seem to be accepted on the IP forum? I'm relatively new and use only IP products, but does using alternatives just mean using non-IP brand products that pretty much match the IP nutritional values (as closely as possible), and otherwise sticking with the rest of how the program is layed out (ie 3 packs/day, 4 cups veggies, 8 oz protein, etc)?

Jmanovich, of course you have every right to follow or not follow the protocol exactly, but your offer to not post modifications is probably for the best because I see the point that it is describing a low carb diet then, and not the IP diet, so would best be posted on a different forum. But please stick with us on this forum as well, for following and posting on IP topics!!

I'm all for alternative products whether it's for health, financial, etc. reasons.

But once you start adding in items that are not IP or alternatives and don't clarify for newbies, that's where it gets tricky.

Avalon, I get such a kick out of your in-depth analysis of your journey! It's quite impressive - I am a bit of a data-geek myself so if I had the talent/knowledge of how to do all of this, I probably would

Red bell peppers are my definite FAVORITE veggie so it is good to know it's been so highly recommended by your nutritionist! To me, they are the best when sautéed over high heat so they caramelize a bit. Add some cut-up protein, and a sprinkling of Tone's Fajita Seasoning (no sugars, just spices), finish cooking the protein over high to medium-high heat, and you have a really yummy meal! And of course, just eaten raw for a snack, or cut up in salads is great too.

Whether alternatives are used to combat allergies or food sensitivity..or wallet..or just because they taste better...!!!! They meet the criteria and are not a change in the way the diet is designed.........that's not a deviance!

Those who modify are free to read and learn here......they do need to take the discussion to a low carb format. They have something to offer in that arena actually.