The IP office here is very new (only a few months) the owner seems very excited about the program. But she obviously has some weight to still lose herself and it sounds as if she has done it on and off, even since she opened up her office??

Anyway, I went ahead and purchased the program, but now I am wondering what is really so special about IPs protein packs? I did ask that question and they said it was due to the biomedical way it was made. I guess that is okay, but aren't there other products out there much cheaper that claim to made this way too?

I am just not sure about spending over $80 a week for the next 2-3 months if I can buy this stuff myself and do my own similar diet.

Can you convince me better than my coach did?
I am planning to start on Monday btw. I only have 25 lbs to lose.

I have to say I’m not yet TOTALLY convinced I couldn’t do the diet on my own. However, I really think the packets help me to stay on track & not cheat. I agree it's pricey ... but spending that kind of money makes me want do it right this time. I've been on the diet for 2 weeks & I already noticing a difference, I'm slimming down and my stomach has shrunk to the point were I’m not even hungry? I have to remind myself to eat sometimes! Don't get me wrong I still have my cravings (oh how I miss fast food) but to me it's not worth it! I've gotten this far, might as well keep up with it. I have my second weigh in today, I’m excited GOOD LUCK to you! Test the packets out, find your likes & dislikes ... & try to be creative ... these forums are great for recipe ideas & motivation!

You can't put a price on your health... or a sexy little black dress.

Seriously though, I average -4lbs a week. It's also easy. You are very limited on what veggies you can eat, but there is a lot of good info on this forum for how to mix it up so you don't get bored. There is also a thread for alternative products if $ is tight. Personally, I like the structure of going to WI each week as well. It holds me accountable. I know several people who have used IP successfully. That's what got me interested and made me confident that it would work. Mindset is crucial for ANY weight loss plan. You have to know in your heart & head that it is worth it. I've wanted to lose weight in the past, but didn't have the right motivation until this winter when I hit my heaviest (230). I've been on IP for 8 weeks now and am loving the results. I have my fingers crossed for today's WI.

I had the same questions as you when I started. I had lost weight on my own, but had reached a stall. 11 weeks later..I have lost 35 pounds on IP. It really does work.
However, as you say it is expensive. For me it is worth it, if I can reach my goal. I find the packets make it easy for me to stay on..Plus the weigh ins with the coach keep me accountable and on track.
Look at the Alternative IP Site here. There are people who are doing IP using
alternative products.
Good luck..

Worth every single solitary penny. It's not always easy as it takes some dedication on your part. Ideal Protein has just pulled the broccoli soup because they found out the manufacturer was adding msg. They are very particular about what their name is on. I like that. Sure there are lots of products out there and with all the information on this forum about the IP protocol I guess you would have equal success. Not for me though, but then again, I'm pretty sure I'm an IP addict. AND LOVING every dropped ounce of it. Best of luck to you, there's wonderful support right here.

I thought cost was going to be an issue for me as well...but then I realized that I'm not grabbing breakfast on the go, grabbing sodas with the newspaper or hitting subway or wherever for lunch, or spending any money on alcohol during the week and I am spending about the same or even less while on IP. Plus because it is strict and no real wiggle room for cheats it's easier to follow once you are committed to doing so. Good luck!

Yeah its pricey....yeah there are alternative products...but YEAH its awesome. I have been on four weeks (WI4 is tomorrow) and I am down about 20lbs. I am SO excited. What a difference this diet has made in my life. I do miss the tastes of some foods but the ease with which I am loosing...totally worth it. Its a nonexercise required plan and your body still lets fat go. I am so glad to not have to focus on getting a certain burn but still see results.

Its worth every penny to this point....

For me, it has certainly been worth every penny. I am losing at an average of just over 2# per week, and for me, that is truly incredible! In 6 weeks I have lost 14# and I still can't believe it. I have NEVER done a diet / eating plan where I have lost that much weight in such a short amount of time. It took me 13 weeks on Jenny Craig to lose the same amount of weight. Not to mention that my clothes fit better now than they did when I weighed less than this.

Yes, it is a little pricey, but the packets are certainly convenient, but I am spending no more than I did on Jenny Craig. Like I said, worth every single penny.

If you are looking for someone to tell you why it DOESN'T work... I think you are in the wrong place.
I think everyone here, myself included, LOVES this program. Just read the daily threads to see all the success stories every day. It seems like even the "bad" weeks on this program would be good weeks on any other.
It is the best program I have ever tried, and if you stick with it, it will absolutely be worth it. It IS hard to stick to at first, and pretty expensive. But all of that is totally justified when you start losing weight faster than ever and seeing that all the weight you are losing is fat.
The science behind it is really sound too. You should go read the PDF of the Dr.'s book. Look for the link to get it at the top of any of the daily chat threads. It shows you why the diet works. It reassured me right when I was starting.

Being fat is more expensive than IP!

I'm somewhat in the same position you are in. I have looked through the alternative page, but it boils down to conveninece and varitey. I like the variety of items available in the packets. I have enough to last me another couple of weeks then I will make my final determination on moving to an alternative plan or sticking with IP packets. Good luck to you!!

Yes, it works and YES it is worth it. I have been at goal for almost one year (August 2010 was when I hit it) I was on it from the last week of May to the first week of August. Lost 38#, never felt bad, never cheated, and always lost at least a little bit! It has also given me the tools to enjoy treats weekly and be able to undo the damage before it causes any problems. By far, this diet is the only one I have ever done that has resulted in a lifestyle change. It Works PERIOD!!

I seriously considered the price of the program. I knew that if I lost weight at a steady rate, I would be on phase I for at least 10 weeks and the other phases for longer.

My justification----the expense now is much CHEAPER than the health costs due to obesity!

To me, it is worth every penny, nickel, and dime!!!

The theory of ip is what works. You can use ip food, or if you can stand the same protein shakes day after day use them. Both ways worked for me, over 20 pounds in a month, but I liked the ip variety...

A low carb, mainly protein, calorie restricted diet does work for weight loss!

I definitely am happy to leave my size 10s for the size 4 pants I wore today!