I suffer from migraines too. I have only had two since I've been on this diet for the last 3 1/2 months. Some of my trigger foods are chocolate, cheese, and nitrates, as well as the artificial sweetener aspartame. When you add more carbs into your diet, you might consider whether these items might affect you as well.

hello I am new to IP and am making it through day 5 but i have heard so much about once your done you gain it back, is anyone on maintance can they help me with this worry that i am having..... I do not want to put in all this time and money for nothing....... and do the crappy feelings go away? will I always have to eat only 900 calories?????? thanks for any help.

Hello I am on day one of my IP diet. I have heard so many great things about the diet and hope this is the last one I have to go on in my lifetime :-) Has anyone heard if it is hard to keep off once you are in your maintenance phase of the diet?

Hi, bigmama, Welcome to the forum. If you go back to eating the same way as before, then you will gain it back. Hopefully, by the time you finish losing all you want to lose, you will have changed your desires to eat anything and everything and learned how to eat more healthfully. Supposedly, we are to lose 3 pounds below where we want to be since that is what we'll gain back when we reintroduce more carbs back into our diets. Other than that, our pancreas is supposed to be healed so that our bodies can process the healthy sugars we eat without adding weight. The gentleman who taught my introduction to Ideal Protein's protocol said that he might gain about 4-7 pounds a year and will do a week or two of maintenance after the holidays if he has. Of course, we don't have to wait until after the holidays to do a few days of maintenance. My brother (age 54) has always been an ideal weight for his height and says he maintains it by weighing himself every morning. He allows himself a 5-pound window. If he goes above that window, he is more careful of his diet until he is back in the middle of the window. He still allows himself treats now and then; he just doesn't go whole hog all the time.

Yes, the crappy feelings should go away within a few days along with most of your temptation for unallowed foods. And no, you won't have to eat so lightly forever. Plus, as soon as your body gets into ketosis and stays there (read no cheating), you will be burning another 6 or 7 hundred calories daily from your fat stores, which is why you won't be starving yourself any more.

I am not yet in maintenance. I am only in Phase II, so I hope there might be someone else on the forum who can give you a better idea what to expect after the diet is over.

I don't think V8 is allowed but not 100% sure... mostly because it could have hidden sugars and certain preservatives...plus it is mostly tomato which is somewhat restricted at the beginning (considering that technically it is a fruit)

I will ask my people and let you know what I hear

Welcome, newbies! You'll find great support here - be sure to log in frequently to keep your mind and hands busy and away from the fridge!

Not sure about V8 - check the label - I'm guessing that it's high in carbs due to the tomatoes. Maybe as a "once in a while" treat but certainly not while you're in the first 2 weeks.

When I have eggs (sometimes make omelets for dinner w/veggies) I'll use one full egg and two egg whites. I don't love yolks but find that it's much tastier with at least one yolk in an omelet. Yummy!

Down another 3 pounds this week. Yay!

It's been said before but I do think you'd make a great coach.

I'm over in Jefferson County MO.

That sounds like a great idea, thanks so much!

good morning
iam starting my 3rd week on IP
and iam wondering if you can drink
V8 for a veggie
let me know
thanks

That's something I already checked on. Nope, the regional manager said it has too many carbs.

Ok I made it through day to of the IP diet yesterday but I didn't get my last packet in last night as a snack, is that a problem? I didn't cheat I just out shopping with my Fiancé' and by the time we got home it was 11:00 I laid down on the couch and fell fast asleep.

I was trying to stay off the scale but this morning I noticed my engagement ring feels looser when I put it on so I got on the scale.

IF it is right I'm down 3 lbs from my first two days...that was all the motivation I need to stay on track for the weekend I think. I was worried about the weekend and the extra time I'll have.

THEN I made my IP eggs (which all of the help from here I really like now) and sat down to eat them at the table and right across from me... my fiancé had left his stupid cinnamon rolls out. Oh well I survived and did not cheat! ONWARD and downward on the scales!

Jordanna - I made the Jelly like you suggested with the ginger ale last night for dinner and it was awesome!

Hateusernames or should I say Kayce -
I will have to try salad again....I really had no problem with it in the beginning but twice a day...really? I was beginning to go insane. I love the IP products and would be happy to just eat these if I could and still lose weight. I am sure my body would revolt!

I can totally sympathize with the username issue...I belonged to a "fan fiction" site a couple of years ago and my username was Kreading (which is my first initial and last name) I didn't realize that people just thought I was a bookworm and that is why I chose the username. I like Band Mom better - I am the mother of a ROCKER. It should actually be Band/Cheer Mom because I have an incredible cheerleader too!

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend...It sunny in NJ today

some of us have found that we need to have that last packet of the day or it does affect our loss. Not sure if everyone has the same experience. It happened to me before as well that I just fell asleep... but I lived and moved on... you will too ;-)

Does that mean I can have that extra packet today! Just kidding.... I think I'll be ok. I did have the Jelly for dinner last night though it was good. I have a birthday party to face tomorrow. YIKES