Re: alternatives & telling your coach... depends on your coach - I mixed my IP packets and some alternatives and did let her know - she understood because she was in a similar position once. But you can always fake it by calling it a similar IP product in your food journal, lol.

Chef Daniel Verati is lots of fun & a really good cook with some good ideas. The Cookbook is quite good "Feel the Freedom, or "Taste the Freedom" I don't quite remember the name. He also has a FB page 'Chef Verati' which is great too. Lots of recipes, where he is appearing next, answers any questions, just a fun helpful guy.

Liana

Agree with RuthAnn and pishposhapplesauce. I don't always have time to cook, so have found some fast food options:

- Chipotle/Freebirds: exactly what she had above. I can get by without dressing.
- Jersey Mike's/Subway: Oven Roasted Chicken Salad, or Double Chicken Chopped Salad, skip the dressing, or use WF.
- In and Out: does a protein style hamburger where they wrap it in lettuce. Not all burger chains do this, but they may offer some option like that.

Almost all of the fast food places now have some type of salad with chicken, and I usually just have to be disciplined with not getting cheese and picking out any unapproved veggies. It might not be 100% OP, but in a pinch, can get you by.

Summer's coming, so I think a lot of folks will have the same challenge. Good luck!

I am on Day 14, and my coach told me I should try to drop down to 3 IP packets this week. For some reason I have been super hungry the last 2 days, and end up using all 4 packets, and sometimes wanting more.

I found I generally feel this way when it's my TOM - does anyone else find that? I have not done a search on the threads yet, but thought I would put it out there on the daily chat.

Why are you on 4 packets?
The protocol is for 3 (2 unrestricted, 1 restricted).

I started with 3 packets. If you FEEL you need the extra I guess it looks like it's ok, but really, it's extra money and you can probably fill up with the lettuce, some pickles, an egg... if you don't need the extra space food, I say leave the 4th packet for days you exert yourself more than usual. Save your $$ and some calories

Three questions = 3 comments:
-- you buy the food from her so she may know if you're recording stuff you're not using. Some coaches will not work with you if you're not 100% IP products. Others will. You just need to figure out your coach and make it work. If you have to use alternatives, lots of people are successful with no coach but again, that's something you need to decide for yourself.

-- I bought the cookbooks and never use them. There are so many recipes on line, on this thread, on face book, on Ideal Protein websites.... HOWEVER if you like to look at cookbooks for the joy of looking at them, they are nicely made with great pics of the recipes etc. A nice treat but not necessary at all.

-- I think it's awesome that your daughter wants to do this with you but you can get her going on a similar plan that is not as restrictive. I think I would either get her on the "Alternative Plan" for diabetics as it is a bit less restrictive and would let her have some of the things like fruit, yogurt etc. Or, set her up on "My Fitness Pal" for a calorie diet so she is accountable, can track her food, but when summer comes, if she wants fruit or ice cream, she can have it if she measures. You'll be providing all the veggies and lean meats she needs but she may be able to stick to a "real food" plan for less money and more flexibility when with her friends.

Her ultimate goal should be healthy eating for life, so maybe starting her on real food will teach her life long habits at a young age Using MFP will help her understand how much those oreo cookies really are worth! There is a good website somewhere that tells you how much exercise you need to do to burn calories too -- that's always an eyeopener. If one oreo has me on a treadmill for 15 minutes, I may not be so keen to put that baby in my mouth!

I am at a crossroads whether or not to restart Ideal Protein or not. I did IP last year and was very successful. Since then I have gained my weight back, at no fault other than my own, but have begun going to a gym and taking spin classes. I read a link on frequently asked questions regarding exercise and how it is very frowned upon, especially in the first 3 weeks. I do not want to stop going to the gym because I feel that this will be key in keeping my weight off. Anybody here exercising on IP?

Good point. I think the first week she said if I had to (like gnawing off my hand) to go up to 4, but I realize that I wasn't paying attention. I lost 3 lbs first week, and 2 lbs the second week. That would explain why a) I've had slower losses and b) why it hasn't seemed as hard so far!

I think my coach is one of the more lenient ones so this week when she told me to cut back, she must have meant to 3 packets!

Thanks! I am trying to have a plan of attack for the days where we are on the road. I don't know where we will stop, so I want to have some ideas as ammunition!



Oh I wish we would have a Chipotle along one of our travel days! I will check again, but I don't remember seeing one last year.



No, no. I am fine for days where we are in towns/cities. Either I can cook, or there will be restaurants available. We will be with my family for a bit, which will be fine. We will be in some very rural areas. Some towns have few options, but maybe small market and a greasy spoon" type diner. I can probably figure out something at a diner. My concern is that we have over ten days of driving, with 12-24 hour hauls between cities, and sometimes my only option will be truck stops and McDonalds/Bojangles/Wendy's/etc. I can easily pack veg and water and packets, but I know that there will be some days where my protein options are really limited. (As a positive note, I just found out that there is a Cracker Barrel along the route of one day, and a Bob Evans on another! Those should be easy to work with!)





Thanks for your tips!

I've been wondering about this. I'm at 319 pounds and I've only been using 3 packets per day. I have been doing more hard boiled eggs, having a romaine lettuce salad at lunch, etc. I don't feel hungry, but I'm wondering if I should up it to 4. :/

I have a question- my coach has me eating 8oz of protein for dinner, but I see mist people on here posting 6... How much protein are we allowed for dinner? Hmm I do recall my coach saying that I could split it up, have 6 for dinner, two for b or l. Did I just answer my own question? Lol

Too few calories will be a stall too. Try using 4 and see what the scale says. It will let you know in a week or two if the extra package is helping or hindering but I think probably going to 4 would be reasonable if the protocol says 6.

YUP - you answered it yourself

I'd do the 6. As you lose weight your metabolism naturally slows so you can reduce packets. Buy some alternative (generic) products, rather than footing the bill for all those extra IP product$.

8 oz weighted raw is approx 6-6.5 oz cooked.

Not to argue with IP43 (who is usually right), but how are your losses? If you're losing fine, feel good and aren't hungry I would say to keep on going how you are. I'm assuming you aren't talking about 6 hard boiled eggs a day but rather one. Just remember to cut it down when you get to a lower weight or it could be an issue.

You did answer your own question! I did cut down to 6 oz a day (on my coach's advice) when I got under about 200 (I think) but I'm shorter than average and she didn't think 8 was necessary.

Okay - if both Lisa and IP43 say it, then I would do what they say.

Thanks ladies!! I have to purchase a kitchen scale because I have no idea how much 8oz is. I have heard the size of your palm, or a deck of cards, but I'd like to be precise.