What part of South LA? I'm just outside of Baton Rouge in Ascension parish. Our area is safe, but my grandmother lives on the lake and very close to the river...we're thinking of evacuating her to here. My out-laws (ex in-laws) have a camp that is expected to flood, and they can't get flood insurance there. A friend's farm had a levee breach, and the photos are just amazing, in an awful way. I'm worried about all the wildlife in the swamps...I saw a video of deer running away in Morganza, where some other family have a fishing camp.

I think this is awesome! You may have had to do it twice to learn it, but now you got it. Hopefully we can learn from you about doing phase 4 the right way! Thank you for continuing to post.

I agree - would be SO much easier if I could get DH to buy into this with me. I am "officially" starting today, but modifying the program a bit. I simply cannot afford to purchase the IP food/packets. I bought the RTD Protein shakes from Costco. Will have 1 for breakfast. Will have salad, veg and lean protein for lunch, salad , veg and lean protein for dinner, RTD shake for nighttime snack.
Any advice?

I know what you mean about the dressing! But you just can't have it right now, as tempting as it is. The WF Blue cheese was AWFUL. In fact there are not many WF dressings I like except the Sesame Ginger. What about adding a few chunks of blue cheese to your vinagrette to sort of wean your self off? I made my husband some stuffed mushrooms Friday with low fat cream cheese, salsa and spinach. He is not on IP but has been eating better and working out too. When shopping I noticed that the fat free cream cheese had a lot more carbs and sugar in it that the low fat so I went low fat. I will admit I had a couple of them myself but they were really good

I am close to my short term goal and planned cheat in less than two weeks. I dream cheated last night, it was weird. But I was relieved it was just a dream. I am really white knuckling right now, cravings are still hitting me hard. Sometimes I want to cry because I want to eat "normally" so bad. 11 days until my 30# cheat weekend and I need it! Strict OP until then!!!!

Here are my thoughts and these are just my opinion, I am not a Coach nor any kind of medical professional so take with a grain of salt please and see what more experienced members might have to say:

It sounds okay. It is more of a phase II or, I am told, the alternative plan with the lean protein for lunch.

If you want to do a phase I, you need something more like a packet to have with your salad and veggies for lunch... maybe look at the Alternatives thread for ideas or you can get some protein bars at Costco (Pure Protein or Premium Protein).

You do not need to eat salad 2X per day but you can if you like. Lettuce is unlimited, so you can have as much as you like.

My coach told me that RTD shakes were not enough for breakfast. Initially, I disagreed and I think they were but over time, I have come to agree with her. I now have 2 egg whites and an RTD shake for breakfast, however, there are some people here who disagree with my coach say that this is off protocol - so I guess everyone has to do what works for them.

You may also want to consider supplements: IP Phase I has a multi vitamin (breakfast and dinner), potassium-calcium (breakfast) and Calcium Magnesium (dinner and evening snack) with Omega 3 and digestive enzymes being recommended but optional.

I like IP because there are snack-like foods that help with the cravings (ridges and cheese curls for salty and bars, soy puffs for sweet). So maybe you have ideas to try and tackle that.

Good luck! You can do it!

That's how I started too. I have since added foods that I ordered that are comparable, because I needed the variety. For me, I'm in a constant battle..like someone else who just started I do daycare, plus have a family of my own. My house is FILLED with things that aren't on program, but I'm making it through day by day!

I'm really motivated to get it off, and that's really helped. I look at things, and tell myself..it's just not worth it. I'm more important then that.

Good luck!

[QUOTE=Joliebug82;3852029]What part of South LA? I'm just outside of Baton Rouge in Ascension parish. Our area is safe, but my grandmother lives on the lake and very close to the river...we're thinking of evacuating her to here. My out-laws (ex in-laws) have a camp that is expected to flood, and they can't get flood insurance there. A friend's farm had a levee breach, and the photos are just amazing, in an awful way. I'm worried about all the wildlife in the swamps...I saw a video of deer running away in Morganza, where some other family have a fishing camp. [QUOTE]

My family is in Avoyelles, and some in EBR Parish. They should all be fine, but the lakes/rivers near the ones in Avoyelles will probably flood some of their camps. I keep seeing pictures of Morganza floodway, and it blows my mind. Prayers for all of your families and mine.

I know my husband is not on IP either but he is definitely eating what I eat at dinner just not lunch. It helps to not watch someone eat junk food. He tells me all the time he could not do what I am doing. Feels good. Sometiimes I fix my kids something else, that is hard too. But I am doing alternative products now too because the hours of my Ideal office were pathetic. I ordered from Nashua on a friday and got my shipment on Tuesday!! For $75 I got 6 boxes plus a couple of samples. I got the caramel nut bars and Vanilla PB bars. They are exactly like IP even down to the packaging. I got Proti-thin and Proti-diet products and compared all labels to IP. Soy puffs, chicken noodle soup, bacon and cheese omelette and chocolate shake were all good.

That's actually how the alternative plan is, if you read the actual alternative plan in the thread. Yeah, it's basically phase II, but you are getting less carb for the most part on that plan, and still works..you just have to stay on it till goal, because there is no phase 2.

So do you have your lean protein in the morning by eating eggs? Do you then have a lean protein later in the day? That is not phase I either.

Just so everyone knows, there is an Alternative protocol and an athletic protocol. These should not be confused with people using "alternative" products but following IP protocol. Just thought I would throw that out there.

Hi! I had my former boss do a phase 2 type IP diet. He only wanted to do it for a week, so I figured he would lose well if he only had to do the packets for breakfast and snack. He didn't go to the clinic, I just helped him with it. He lost 13 pounds- went from 251 to 238. Anyway, I think it will work for you. It's not exactly Ideal Protein, but it should work.

Phase 1 and 2 are pretty similar, as long as you eat "lean" (very low fat) protein for your cooked protein 1x per day. The other one should be ok if it's chicken or whatever. Just follow the sheet. But as someone who only eats fish and eggs, I know I get less fat than my bf who eats chicken and beef. A big part of IP is limiting fat intake, so just make sure you limit your fat intake from cooked proteins and you should be fine. When I first did phase 1, I only ate 2 eggs each day for the first 2 weeks. I was pretty hardcore vegetarian then and the nutritionist/IP coach told me I could eat the eggs everyday, but to be sure to eat 2 whole eggs. They are good quality protein that you miss the completeness of if you just eat egg whites.

I don't know what the RTD drinks from Costco have in them. Just make sure they are splenda or stevia sweetened, have low fat (3g or less), and about 18g protein. Otherwise they will not be similar enough to the IP packets to work on this kind of diet.

Just my 2 cents and I'm not a doctor. But I say welcome and go for it!

Funny story- I brought rhubarb for lunch and heated it up in the microwave. Yeah, but I forgot my stevia and all we have in the work kitchen is Equal. I tried to eat the rhubarb without any sweetener, and it was a bit tart! So I added a sprinkle of a berry Nestea and it tasted pretty good! When the going gets tough, the tough get creative!

[QUOTE=Joliebug82;3852029]What part of South LA? I'm just outside of Baton Rouge in Ascension parish. Our area is safe, but my grandmother lives on the lake and very close to the river...we're thinking of evacuating her to here. My out-laws (ex in-laws) have a camp that is expected to flood, and they can't get flood insurance there. A friend's farm had a levee breach, and the photos are just amazing, in an awful way. I'm worried about all the wildlife in the swamps...I saw a video of deer running away in Morganza, where some other family have a fishing camp. [QUOTE]

OMG! I am laughing so hard at the term "out-laws." I haven't laughed this hard in years.

On a more serious note, I am thinking about everyone in the flood-impacted area. I do hope that you get your grandmother out safely and that the impact to the wildlife, homes, and lives, is minimal.

Hiya everyone! I am new to the 3FC site and the IP diet! I just love all the inspiring words and support from fellow IP dieters on here! The ideas and recipes everyone have submitted are amazing!!

I am on day 3 and so far, IP as been amazingly simply!! My first day at IP, during the weigh in, I was over the max weight their scale would read (400 pounds)..... that was very a very sad moment... but it has been nothing but motivation to progress through the IP diet!!! I have always been a big guy, even when I lose the fat I will still be a big guy, I have a massive bone frame and lots of muscle under this body suit. I am very excited to see what is exactly under here!!! We are thinking somewhere in the low 300's I will look my normal non fat size! That means I have roughly 120 pounds to lose.

Very excited to be here and be part of the 3FC community!!

Welcome to the forum Dan! (You really aren't boring). It's a journey for sure. My DH and Son are both doing this with me, makes the journey much easier. Son was 320, 8 weeks ago, and has lost over 50 pounds. He says the best part---he can chase his kids now (3,5 & 8)--- and catch them, LOL He's a big guy too, 6'3 and heavily muscled under "the suit" (good description)!

Hi! The lady sounds like a fanatic. It's hard for those types to accept anything that isn't on their protocol. Now... you want to know what makes me really ANGRY? I went to the grocery store the other day and took an objective look at all the CRAP (yes... that's what I said-- sorry if some will take offense to that) that is for sale in the grocery store. Tons and tons of things that aren't even REAL foods! Chemicals! Bad FATS and CARBS. Everything that is healthy can probably fit on two isles. I just walked around, looked and read labels--probably for the first time in my life! Thank you but I'll stick to the real foods.