I've been doing EAS shakes and Atkins "all phases" snacks the whole time. Down 8 lbs so far and WI#2 is 3 days away still. For me just really making sure I have a handle on the basic philosophy has really helped. I don't even track my eating to count the carbs and fat so far. I might do that if I stall at some point, but I'm seeing results, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I spent 3 months on IP only. I got used to not tracking calories, carbs, or protein. When I went to alternatives a month ago, I used the comparison spreadsheet to do my ordering to match what I was used to with IP. That way I am still not tracking. But, I have noted that each packet seems to have right around 15 grams of protein, so 45 grams plus what's in the 8oz of meat. Maybe the 1 gram per 1 pound of goal weight is for maintaining that weight. That would seem more logical. I have added about 15 to 20 grams additional protein powder (no carb, no fat, low calories <100) to my nightly shake since I'm always starved in the AM. It does not to have seemed to affected my loss. Being in my 60s and menopausal for years, my 2 lbs a week is great. Sure wish I could lose like I did in my 30s and 40s.

We'll all try to send the Whoosh fairy your way this week. Hang in there.
Molly

Wondering if anyone in the Bangor area is doing alternatives. I am heading over the border next month and wondering where I could pick up some items that we can't get in Canada.

Do any of you split your protein between lunch and dinner? 8oz is a lot of meat. I find it hard to drink my protein drink as a snack around 9 because of it.

I usually do just because I sometimes need that protein boost at lunch. I add 2 oz of tuna to my salads a lot. I also usually have my "lunch" shake around 2:00 and my "snack" IP at night. It helps break things up. Not sure if this is "legal" so I am interested to hear the other responses.

Yes, many people break up their dinner protein so they share it with the lunch meal. No problem with that at all.

Yes, its fine to break up your snacks to suit your hunger needs. It is also important to have a bedtime snack to keep your body in ketosis - otherwise could go into starvation mode - that's not good. I would split my snack into 2 or 3 portions/day - always having a bedtime snack and sometimes an early afternoon snack and then a pre-dinner snack - depending on how I felt. Totally fine. What's important is to get everything in.

Just curious... I have been using alternatives 2 (EAS Shakes and Pure Protein once a day) for over a week now and I haven't lost a single pound. Now Im not complaining because I havent gained either! I am on Phase 1 - should I be worried or give it another week? Any suggestions? Did anyone who switched have this result too in the beginning of the switch?

I did only IP for 3 weeks.. on my 3rd week I only lost 1 lb... used only alternatives the 4th week and was down 3.. we cant get eas in Canada. I used the low carb atkins for rtd, and the detour bar for my snack in the eve, along with recommended veggies and it worked just fine... I have WI in an hour... I did go completely off the rails on Friday and have been stressed to the max with school, so at best I am hoping to not move at all over having a gain. But I would go into using the alternatives confidently.

Thank you for the confirmation.

Hi, I am just starting week #3 today following the IP Protocol for Phase I. I am doing a combo of IP products and alternatives until my IP products are gone and/or I am saving some of the packets for when I am traveling this summer. Due to the cost and my dissatisfaction with the IP Store in my town and after reading about alternatives, I decided to do it mostly on my own. I can weigh myself at home just as easily and have a digital scale so it works fine.

I am using EAS carb control RTD shakes from Wal Mart and also Pure Protein bars from Wal Mart. I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 11 pounds so far. My usual day is like this:

Breakfast: EAS or IP Shake or IP Omelet or 2 scrambled eggs
Lunch: EAS or IP Shake and veggies (usually cucumbers because they are easy to snack on at my desk)
Dinner: Salad--usually lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, cucumbers with chicken and WF dressing OR eggs with sauted veggies (mushrooms/broccoli)/ Subway Salads are great and I just bring my own dressing.
Snack: Protein Bar (IP or PureProtein)

I drink lots of water and take a 30 minute walk most every day unless I just can't work it in my schedule.

I have been chewing sugarfree gum here and there and allow myself to have my favorite flavored bottled water once in awhile throughout the week but have been trying to drink plain water as much as I can. I love the flavored waters though.

I take the supplments and use the sea salt and olive oil on my protein--bought some 0/0/0 spray olive oil which works great...sometimes I use a bit of 0/0/0 butter flavored spray as well just for the flavor it adds.

I just ordered some miracle noodles and rice too so I am anxious to try those.

So far I think following the Protocol works even with alternative products. It has for me so far, I have been trying to drop 10 pounds for a long time now and am amazed how it came off with this way of eating. I love that I now check labels in a different way and am shocked at the carbs I was eating before. So far so good and I hope to lose 7 more pounds and then think about how to maintain.

If anyone is using alternatives and ordering from Nashua, I found another delicious product.

Weight Loss Systems Cocomint Cream (aspartame free) shake and pudding. It is so good! I made it as a shake because I am not really a "pudding" person, but if you like chocolate and mint, this one is a winner!

**Bump**

I am using the following products in addition to IP and losing steadily. All are purchased from dietdirect dot com. They are all yummy IMO and i will buy again. If i could afford it I would do solely IP because I think maybe the protein is a better quality/more bioavailable and perhaps using the alternatives is not giving my pancreas as much of a break as IP would, but I don't know whether that is true.

Proti Diet-
Soy nuts
Cream of chicken soup
Tomato Basil Soup

Bariwise -
Swiss chocolate pudding/shake
Banana pudding shake
Peach mango fruit drink
Lemonade
Orangeade
Aloha mango Smoothie
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Peanut Butter protein bar
Caramel Crunch protein bar

Are you following the rest of phase 1 protocol? If not that could be why. I would give it a little more timewith the EAS Shakes and 1 bar, follow the rest of protocol 1 and see where you are at! I had a few weeks with slow loss, but if you hang in there it eventually comes off!

good luck!!