Hey guys! I was really excited to start Ideal Protein nearly 4 weeks ago with a goal of losing 60 lbs, but after following it to a T I'm a little disappointed. My weight loss has only been 4 lbs., and in the last week it was actually nothing.
I don't really mind the diet, but it is is restrictive, and expensive. Plus, I don't like not exercising. I guess I was wondering if anyone else has experienced a slow start like this? I just feel like I could have lost 4 lbs on pretty much any diet in that amount of time. I've been reading a lot about Atkins 40, and was considering doing that instead, but mentally it's bothering me to give up on something. I've been proud of myself for my willpower and how I've stuck with this. Anyways, I'd love to hear any insight you may have.

Hi may - You don't mention what you starting weight is but with a goal of 60 to lose, yes, 4 pounds following IP protocol 100% is very unusual.
Have you discussed this with your coach? I can't imagine they aren't concerned or have given you tips / advice with such slow WL.

My first thought though isn't necessarily the diet as much as other underlying factors. Have you had your thyroid tested? Adrenals?

Thanks for your reply! I do have a thyroid history, but my thyroid levels are now great. I'm on Armour thyroid, and had them checked the week I started IP. My adrenals have always tested normal.
As for the coach, I'm not a huge fan. The first week she was great, but when I didn't have much weight loss she was a little standoffish towards me and insinuated I wasn't following the protocol. I'm to the point of dreading going in, esp after my appt. yesterday losing nothing and the passive aggressive comments. She mentioned you could be "kicked out" for cheating twice, but that she believed I "probably" wasn't because my lean mass went down. Maybe I'm being too sensitive because I'm disappointed myself, but it seems a bit extreme.
I guess I was hoping that maybe some other people have had slow starts and then the weight loss picked up.

Oh-and in answer to your question my starting weight was 210 on the nose.

Sounds like you need a new coach - they should be encouraging you and giving you ideas not accusing you of cheating. You note you are losing inches, correct? I have seen some people say the inches come off before the scale moves

Well, as far as inches the first week I lost 1/4" in my thighs, which is sort of a bummer bc I'm the dreaded Apple shape and already kind of skinny legs! Yesterday I didn't have any inches lost but I'm about to get my period and was a little bloated.

HI it sounds like you don't have a very good coach. Your coach should be encouraging you and helping you to determine what's going on. your TOM could definitely be affecting your last weigh in. One thing I've noticed is that sometimes coach's take liberty's with the plan and allow things that other coach's don't. For example my husband first started the program over a year ago with a different coach and that coach had all of her clients on 5 proteins a days for all of phase 1. So my suggestion would be to check what you are eating against the phase 1 protocol sheet (I know it is posted as a link in the newby thread). Also, make sure you're drinking all of your water, taking your supplements, and tracking your food. I find it easier to use an app on my phone rather than the IP food diary, I use my net diary as I find it works best for me but a lot of people like my fitness pal so really it comes down to personal preference. I know it can be frustrating but I wouldn't give up on the plan yet.

Maya can you post what you day typically looks like? What are you eating for meals? How much are you drinking? Are you getting in your salt and oil? Are you exercising?

Although we aren't experts, we have a lot of combined experience with the IP protocol and may provide some assistant. (This is my second round of IP, using alternatives both times. I didn't phase off the first time and didn't monitor myself...lesson learned.)

Don't give up hope!

Stick to the plan and it will work for you. Everyone has high, low and no loss weeks. Stick to it. Follow the plan and it will work. You can do this!

Check out my stats...if I can do this, I know you can, too. And I totally understand about the coaching thing. I dont know why I go in still. I've gotten more support and help here than I have there. I suppose it's an accountability thing...not sure...but stay on Protocol, ask questions here and you'll get into a rhythm and start seeing pounds and inches melt away.

Good suggestion, Mamacita.

Mayain, welcome. Hang in there. I agree that not all coaches are equal. You can find support here, but you might consider finding another coach who can hep you. Everyone is different and there might be another reason why you haven't lost more in 4 weeks of IP. All I can say is hang in there.

Hi usmcvet!

Thanks for your responses. I think I'll stick with this until the 2 month mark. If at that point I'm still not losing then it's obviously not the diet for me. I know exercise isn't recommended, but I think I may try anyways in the morning. I'm wondering if my body needs that metabolic boost to get going. I've honestly been so drained since I started this.
I would be interested in doing alternatives. The thread is a little overwhelming, but from what I've gathered Nasua Nutrition is the way to go?

I would suggest, given the slow loss, to stick with a coach - although I would request another or change clinics.
Be very careful with exercise / IP - you are already running a caloric deficit and you risk damaging muscle / losing lean muscle if the body has nothing else to burn.

MayainMN: Welcome to IP. Don't give up. Every morning, the first thing I do is drink a huge glass of water with an entire squeezed lemon and sprinkle in organic cayenne pepper. Lemons aren't on the protocol but I've been doing it religiously since day 1. I know it sounds crazy but I swear by it. Make sure you never forget your salt, oil and supplements. Keep going, this really works.

According to my coach, limes and lemons are fine.
I drink 4 liters of water a day and squeeze a lemon in each so I use lemon juice from 4 lemons a day and have averaged 3.3 pounds lost per week. I did this for 5 months to lose 65 pounds.

Ro22: Incredible loss, AMAZING!!!!
They should add lemons/limes to P1 sheet. My coach thought it was fine as well. There's lots of other health benefits associated to lemon water. Another addition to try if you feel like a bit of spearmint taste is liquid chlorophyll. I add that to a litre of water daily as well.