I wish I could help you but I look so forward to my evening meal and have no trouble with the protein at all. Beyond salad, pre IP I would eat veggies maybe twice a week so that is the part that is the worst for me. I am surprised how well I am adjusting though. I disliked veggies so much I the past I actually tried hypnosis to try and get over it! Their answer was for me to just find ones I liked and eat them more.

Don't forget you can split your meat between lunch and dinner.

Also, just making sure...you are measuring raw, correct?

I am just going along to get where I get. I am seven or eight pounds below my original goal, but am still hanging in a size eight. I'd like to get to a six; I will stay in P1 for a little while longer and see what I see, I guess.

This IS a Great forum full of supportive and uplifting people. I have learned from so many of you- your ups and downs, successes and struggles. Thanks for making this a safe place to share and grow.

Turtlemom, I used to struggle with the large dinners on IP, but I have definitely gotten used to them. They help me stay full all night. If it helps, perhaps have some of that protein with your lunch? Maybe an extra half cup or cup of veg with lunch, too? And if you are going to bed too soon after dinner, perhaps try moving your meal back an hour so you have more time to digest before bed. Good luck, whatever you try! Let us know how it goes!

Renee

I split my protein up every day I eat 2 oz. at lunch and 6 oz. at dinner. 6 oz. of protein plus veggies is still a lot for me to eat at one meal, but it's better than 8 oz. of protein plus veggies!

Feel free to split your protein up

It took me a LONG time to actually eat veggies. Now I don't mind the veg so much,-it is the protein that is bothering me


Yup, measuring raw. If I were to split the evening protein, would I still need a packet with lunch then, or make the packet an extra snack?

Way to go dir

Ems and Gettinghealthynow so glad that you both have decided to "finish the race"! When I start getting sick of it I will come Bach and read today's chat. I'm just at 6 months now.

I have 7 more days of the weight loss challenge at my gym feeling good and so happy about my progress whether I win or not. I'm in for the long haul

You would still need to eat your "lunch" packet but, yes, you could have it at a later time.

Thanks! It certainly seems like splitting is the way to go

So I have a question... I know we measure raw, and I always do. I've been making my food separate from my kids and making them other things (most of the time). My question is about these other times, for instance today made cauliflower rice and stir fried veggies and shrimp with soy sauce, amazing "Chinese food" which my kids love so I made a lot of it. The protein was easy to split I just counted out my shrimp but I put in a ton of veggies and made a pot of cauliflower rice so they could eat it too. So how do I measure after I've cooked, I kinda just guess at it, I mean part of me says it's not like too many veggies is the end of the world, but I know its better to be careful. I kind of eyeball it based on how much I made.

SMS, Gettinghealthynow and Reenhag - your posts ring so close to home. I have been on IP for 8 months - and I have been feeling diet fatigue as well.

65X65 and Ruth Ann - thank you so much for your words of words of wisdom. I have remained 100% OP, but I have been "re-evaluating" my goal. I picked an arbitrary #. I still want to lose more, and you get tired of the strictness of the protocol and want a change. But, I continue to work forwards. It is hard when the closer you get to goal the slower it comes off.

Onwards and "downwards". It's nice to know I am not the only one feeling this way

Are you weighing/measuring everything raw?
8 oz meat cooked is way more than 8 oz raw and then cooked (it cooks down).
Same with veggies. 2 c. raw veggies cooks down quite a bit
If it is still too much then consider having some with lunch.

But if you do that, remember, 2 oz cooked meat at lunch isn't 2 oz raw meat.

If you added food to lunch, yes, you'd still need your 3 packets per day.

I also eat my dinner fairly early (5-5:30 ish). Not super full by bed time.

WELCOME!

The way to follow IP on alternatives is to follow the IP phase 1 protocol sheet (always available in the first post of the Daily Chat thread). Follow it exactly, subbing the IP packets for nutritionally equivalent alternative products. When you follow IP protocol whether with IP products or alternatives, you really do not need to count carbs, calories, fats or anything! Following the protocol will keep you in the correct amount of everything. (Though someone may jump in here with the approximate numbers of each you will get on IP, you don't have to track them!)

HOWEVER... You DO need to know how to select appropriate IP alternative products. Find the thread Alternative Products That Work on Phase One and in the first post or so there is a graphic that shows exactly what the parameters are for selecting products based on calories, fat, carbs and protein, as well as what is non-restricted (2 per day) and what is restricted (1 per day). Then keep reading and make notes of what sounds good.

Also read ALL the posts you can and feel free to post questions after you have done lots of your research. Posting in Daily chat is a great place TO start!

Good luck and let us know how we can help!!

Hello IP program followers! This is my 2nd week following the IP program. I have to say, I love the program. Initially, I was sceptical because of the restrictions and the packaged food. Now that I have taken the steps to be on IP, I am so happy that I did it! With my first week behind me, I feel energized and confident that I will lose this weight. For my first week, I measured 11.5" LESS. I weigh on my bathroom scale and they are saying I am moving in the right direction as well.

My question is to you experienced IP followers: when should I expect my body to reach KETOSIS?

Thank you to anyone who can help me out on this. I love this website and all the information that's on here.

First I would measure how many cups of veg you get from just rough-chopping the cauliflower. Then shred it and divide it into the same number as cups it measured. You could then measure one portion to see what it equals (maybe a quarter or third of a cup?) That is your allowable serving size.

It might be wise to measure your remaining veg raw and cook separate from your kids' portions so you know what your serving looks like (at least for awhile until it becomes second nature!)

I cook for just me and my husband and even though he isn't on IP, he eats exactly what I eat for meals when we are at home. So I just double measure, cook and divide!

It seems to take around four or five days for most people's bodies to clear out the carbs and reach ketosis. Somewhere way back there is a thread with posted "symptoms" that tell you you are there. You can also google signs of ketosis. Some are BAD breath and icky mouth taste. Some get a metallic taste. Also your hunger will take a definite downturn which is a very helpful "side-effect!"