Hi All,

I am going to be starting Ideal Protein in the next couple of weeks and I see that the place I want to go to (great reputation) has vitamins and supplements as part of the plan, is this common? It does look like it adds about $80.00 every 4 weeks - and just trying to be cost effective.. Does everyone here take the vitamins / supplements from their centre? Is it nevessary? I would think I could just buy my own if the centre lets me.

J

I tossed that idea around too about trying other branded supplements and then I talked myself out of it for this reason....I invested so much dedication and focus into IP that I didn't want to risk finding a corner to cut. Probably a silly outlook but I just wanted to totally immerse in IP.

However, I am assuming lots of alternative IP folks do use others and their numbers are amazing.

So, to sum that long winded answer, I have no idea! Lol

Many people use alternative supplements but your center probably wont let you. Most require you to be "all in" and the supplements are part of the program.

ok, thanks ladies.. I will go for my assessment and ask, but I am sure they will want me to purchase them there.. I am excited to start.. just waiting for pay day

I challenged my center on price... I found them on amazon cheaper....and I get them thr Amazon and with a prime membership.. No shipping!

It sure sounds as if some others have very rigid centers. I encourage people to find a center where the focus is on support and helping you achieve a healthy life style. You do not need permission from someone else to make decisions for yourself. I am not even officially with my center and they are amazing. I go every week with my husband to his weigh in. His coach actually OFFERED for me to try the program under his account ( I have been to the info meeting twice) and although she does not weigh me, she's offered. She makes suggestions for alternative products and the center actually Advertises where you can get alternative and other IP approved products. Be sure the center you are using is doing this for the right reasons, not as a money maker. I am 100% confident that alternative supplements that compare with the IP supplements will work and are acceptable. I am in the pharmaceutical business so I feel I can state this with confidence. You are in charge of you!

I love this. Even unrelated to IP, this is a common theme in my life. Something I try very hard to relay to others. Nice to see it show up today.

I asked my center and they said if I could find others that were the same as the ones I sold they were fine with it... they didn't think I would find anything the same.

But my center never kept track of how much food/pills you bought there were weeks I didn't buy food because I was doing alternatives with my IP food and they never realized it.

!!!! It's something I work on for myself and my family every day, too. Of course we seek advice, counsel and support from others- it's part of our human nature- but it is also true that we are the ones in charge of our decisions and all of the results of those decisions, good and bad. I believe in empowerment, maybe because I am a teacher. I am proud of everyone here for taking on new challenges and striving to improve something he/ she has personally identified as in want/ need of improvement. Anything I can do to support that, I'm in! Keep up the great work and I love your ticker!

I'm really trying to save money (on a very tight budget) and have been researching alternative supplements. I found one for Cal-Mag, it's Kirkland Calcium Citrate with Magnesium and Vitamin D but no zinc, but there's zinc in the multi vitamin. It's $12.49 for 500 tablets. That's a huge savings. PLEASE, other more experienced IP'ers, do you know of any others that are exactly the same, or almost? Any help is greatly appreciated.