Hello, I am new to this forum and new to IP. I am starting the program today and I am grateful for a forum such as this. I have gotten a TON of info here so THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughtful posts...
My question is about timing. Is it important to eat meals at the same time each day, and if so, how do people typically spread out their food intake?
Thanks!

Here is my daily routine:

5am 30 minutes of Wii aerobics

7am 36 oz water and IP omlete with hot sauce (my favorite item)

11:45 walk

12:30 lettuce, cucumbers, celery with homemade dressing (dijion mustard, evoo, vinegar, sea salt, stevia) with an IP shake

Throughout afternoon I drink my next 36 ounces of water

3pm restricted item (bar, soy puffs, soy nuts, SW cheese curls)

4pm 20 minutes of yoga

5:15 pm meat (pork tenderloin, scallops, filet, swai, chicken) with 2 cups of veggies either steamed or stir-fry style with evoo and seasonings (collards, mung bean sprouts, brocolli, spinach, aspargus, cabbage are my favorites)
Last 36 ounces of water

8pm 1/2 IP vanilla RTD with green tea

I NEVER CHEAT....not once not ever....if something touches my finger I wash it down the drain....I stay away from tempting situations....I don't cook or prep foods off the protocol. I will be avoiding a lot of holiday situations because of this. I have a cruise in February so I am all about that.

I am down 38 pounds in 9 1/2 weeks and love the diet. Good luck to you:carrot :

Thanks for the quick reply and great info! I guess it's just a little intimidating because I want to do this the right way so it works!
One more question...how much sea salt are you consuming a day and do you measure it out or just use it liberally?

I add a shake or two (1/8 tspish) to my dressing at noon and I shake and don't measure on my meat and/or veggies at dinner.

My coach's opinion is to not get into a routine. Mix up when you have your meals so that your body doesn't get used to things and start to stall. That said, I usually have a shake for breakfast, change up lunch(sometimes salad and a pudding, sometimes a wrap using 1/2 a crepe pack and 1/2 my day's protien, sometimes a restricted like spaghetti), for supper I usually have my protien and veggies. If I didn't have enough veggies at lunch then I will have some raw for afternoon snack. I ususally end the day with a pudding or jello about an hour before bed. Water is spread out throughout the day and lettuce is either added to lunch or supper. I do not measure my salt intake.

Good luck to you and check in often.

My schedule is so nuts (I work nights in a busy busy trauma ICU), so I don't have a set eating schedule and it seems to be working just fine for me just as long as I make sure to get in the daily requirements sometime during that shift!

I have been told to shake it up if necessary. I did shake it up about two weeks ago by adding the restricted and it helped. Because I am a teacher....I love routine and it has been very good for me...losing three pounds a week is good.

I also started IP today!! My mom and I both started today! Very excited to have each other for support! My first goal is 20 pounds. In total I am aiming for 40 pounds total loss.
I was very nervous about starting during the holidays but decided it was time to start my weight loss journey!
This forum has soo much great info and many nice recipes!!!! You ladies are all so inspirational!!! Very motivated to start this journey and be the best me I can be!

Thank you all for the newbie tips!!!


jules