Morning!

Well I finally got around to buying the rest of my supplements yesterday (yes...2 weeks in!) and I realized I purchased potassium gluconate 99 mg instead of K citrate. Is this an issue? http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Potassium-Glu...93185.12961320

I also purchased a calcium (1000 mg) /mag (500 mg) + vitamin D (800 IU) (which says to take 3x/day rather than the IP recommended 4x/day) because that's all they had. http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Calcium-Plus-...93185.12961320

I'm also taking a multi-vitamin, B-12 and omega-3. Just wanted to check in and make sure these won't hurt/deter my weight loss!

I was on all of these things through a natural path before I started IP.. the first clinic I went to was going to make me buy IP vitamins even though my natual path ones are free... so I went through a friend who is a rep (she didn't make me buy her supplements!)

Anyhooo taking all of those supplements has not hurt my losses at all.

If the 1000 mg is the daily dose as stated on the label...distributed in 4 servings... YES! Women do need the full 1000 mg a day...(and remember your body will absorb only about 500 at a time) taking 250 3x a day will have you coming up short and that is dangerous for a woman...esp. The problems from Ca deficiency will show up later in in life. And not in a good way.

K-citrate is specific to helping keep you regular. That is more important for some on a low carb protocol than others... Not worth finding out the "hard" way... If you ask anyone who has found it's necessary! ( Also why the Ca supplements have mg in them.)

The supplements are very important. You can even double check with your physician ...she may actually add more!

nolasmurf my coworker went to the eagles concert too and talked about it alllll day yesterday!! sounded awesome!!

65 wonderful to see you back!! We have missed you!

Thanks! The Cal/Mag/Vit D supplement I purchased is 1000 mg C daily via 3 pills. I should mention I also started using CALM (mag citrate) to help with regularity, which seems to be helping.

WI today. 3lbs down which means I've reached 20lbs loss overall since January. Whoop whoop! Even better, it means I've reached a milestone and this one was that I'm allowed to buy myself a new handbag (and an expensive one at that). Go me!

Question time though - my coach is getting concerned that my lean mass is going down every week. The days I exercise I have a 4th packet and I'm not hungry and I feel good the majority of the time (it's busy season so I'm working long hours so the energy levels are never going to be fabulous). I've heard that their machines are notoriously inaccurate, although my coach says that it's actually quite accurate. Should I be concerned or just keep what I'm doing because it's obviously working?

My new coach uses one of those things. Because of this site, I've learned to dismiss those results...or rather...not depend on them. She explained to me that lean muscle mass will go down with your weight. Then at a certain point in your loss (when you get closer to a healthier weight) your lean muscle mass will maintain and then start going up, higher than the body fat %. I couldn't see your stats and where you are in your journey but it seems to me that if you have a while to go, it's OK that your lean muscle mass is going down. IF the machine is being good. I just don't think I can trust a piece of metal to tell me all the results it does.

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you. I'm halfway through my journey of losing approximately 40 lbs so still a ways to go. My coach seems to think that there shouldn't be much movement in lean muscle mass but this is made up of all the other stuff other than fat, and as I get smaller (yay!), then surely there should be less water and other stuff sloshing around?!! I'm going to ignore her worries for the moment and just keep doing what I'm doing.

This is a great quote and this forum is awesome

I'm a newbie here, and I am starting IP (using alternatives) this Saturday (March 1st). I am excited and nervous at the same time!

I want to make sure I'm eating the right things as well as the correct amount of food, so here is what my days will typically look like:

B: Healthsmart Chocolite chocolate (or PB) protein shake

L: 2 oz. chicken salad (chunk chicken mixed with WF mayo & sea salt) on 2 cups of spinach

D: 6 oz. chicken, beef, or shrimp & 2 cups of cauli ("riced", "mashed" or roasted)

S: Quest bar (8 net carbs or less)

Since I am splitting my 8 oz. dinner protein into 2 portions (lunch & dinner), am I having the correct amount of food for lunch? Or, am I missing an IP packet (alternative equivalent)? If I am missing a packet (alternative equivalent), what are some options? Any information would be helpful, as I want this to work for me!

Love this forum!!

Morning everyone!

I have been on IP since Feb 1 & I've had some great success so far. I was down 11.6 lbs & 16.5" at my 2 week weigh in on the 14th. I didn't WI last week so we'll see how things are going on Friday. I'm pretty sure I've lost another 6 lbs or so since then (I'm trying not to weigh myself everyday but it's tough!).

I've been reading a lot so far & I'm learning a ton. I find on the weekends, my biggest challenge is to drink enough water. During the week, I'm drinking way more than the 64 ozs. I need to change that!

Question: Is there a way to have the posts jump to the ones you haven't ready yet? It gets cumbersome scrolling through stuff you've read to get to the newer ones.

Hey RosiePosie, Congratulations! Our height and starting weight are almost the same. I can't wait to hit 20 lbs lost Even with this bit of weight that I have lost I feel so much better.

I think you are missing a packet. The protocol is 3 packets per day, 1 being a restricted packet. I'm not sure about the brands you are using or if you have looked at calories/carbs/fats. But you have definitely come to the right place to find guidance!

I've recently been cranky about being OP (feeling sorry for myself here and there, just a negative attitude that I'm working on improving!) To break up some of the monotony, I just tried making quest bar 'cookies' (cookie dough bar cut into 8 pieces in the oven). Delicious! Even more delicious if you have the restraint to let them cool and get a little bit harder (I don't.. haha.. but I noticed the difference from my first to last bite).

agree, add a 3rd packet. I was under the impression that it didn't have to be a restricted. I mean, I always enjoy my restricted but sometimes I don't eat it and have an non-restricted. Also learned yesterday that its best to eat all your protein at one time, and in the evening. I had occasionally split mine up like you. We'll see how big of a change it really makes!