Welcome to 2016 starters.

I know that many of you are starting in the next few weeks. While I started in late 2015 I know that I will be around for a lot of 2016. After the first few weeks I must say this is one of the easiest diets I have every been on. I don't find myself obsessed with the next meal or have to spend hours counting points / calories etc. It is still good to track and I have found the scanner and MFP to really work. It does take time to enter recipes but that is ok.

I am down 21.2 pounds if 5 weeks and I won't weigh again till week 8 due to the holidays. My goal is to make it to 30 # lost by the end of week 8.

I remember having a difficult time walking up a flight of stairs the first few weeks, and the headaches. Those are gone now and I am enjoying the journey.

I come to this site a couple of time a day for motivation and to help me stay on track.

Best wishes for a great 2016. I am looking forward to being able to say that loosing weight is not one of my goals in 2017.

I did this diet last year with alternatives and was pleased with the results. Unfortunately due to an unexpected move and very busy fall and summer, I didn't have control of my food and gained it all back.
This time I want to try to do some new cooking and not just rely on shakes and bars. Then when I phase off, my new way of eating will be less of a transition.
Here goes .

Welcome to all the New Year newbies! Let me encourage you to read and post often. You will find that all of you who started the protocol together can be a great support to each other. My fellow 2015 starters really helped me through the tough days.

I started the protocol in early June 2015, using only alternative products (no IP clinic, coach, or products). I lost 58 pounds in 5 months and have been maintaining for about two months.I agree with smdawheel about tracking your food intake - it's not necessary, but you'll find it becomes a very helpful habit once you get to maintenance.

Best wishes to you all!

Hi Folks.
I'm on my 4th day today. Yesterday was miserable and I barely had the energy to get up and move around. I'm hoping that the energy level will improve soon. Anyone have a similar experience?

TBCSOC - -- Low energy the first three weeks is normal. That is one of the reasons they say no exercise initially. Were you drinking a lot of caffeine before starting IP? I know that I was and I think combined with the P1 protocol it drained me. Are you drinking your water and using your salt. I found that that would help too. We are losing a lot of water that first week and our BP may go down too. So drinking a glass of water with the salt, using a saltier IP packet (soups / chips have more). I don't like drinking salt water so I would sprinkle my cucumbers with a salt.

I started on a Thursday because I did not want my feeling bad to affect my job. Consider doing something fun that will take your mind off of the low energy. We went to a movie on day 5. Don't do it if the movie popcorn smells will be a trigger - but it did not bother me.

Sue

Welcome back Largo. Do you have Janeva's cookbook? Are you doing alternatives again this time?

Sue

Hi All!
Technically I started in 2015 for my reboot, but was off plan for a few weeks over the holidays, so I am back in 2016 to finish my reboot. I lost 15# in 10 weeks using alternatives (Quest).

I highly recommend Janeva's cookbook. It is worth every penny! Lots of great ideas and it can even be modified for alternative products.

I have about 20# to go. My first goal is to get to 145, but ultimately I would like to be in the 130's by March (10.3# away!). This seems like a manageable and attainable goal for me.

I have started P1 today and am ready to finish this portion of the journey!

Starting again today! Looking forward to reaching and maintaining my weight loss goal in 2016!

1. Could be the transition away from carbs and into ketosis, often called "keto flu." It gets better after about day 4 or 5.
2. Make sure you're taking all your supplements.
3. Extra sodium may help.
4. You're allowed a 4th packet in the first week to help with the transition.
5. Make sure you're eating every 2-3 hours. You can have unlimited veggies or some hot tea or broth between meals.

After that first dreadful week, I found that I had MORE energy and no longer had the afternoon slump.

I recently met up with a friend who had dropped a lot of weight since the last time I saw her. When I asked her what she had done, she told me about Ideal Protein. After reading through these forums, I have decided to try it using alternatives. I have started sourcing my supplements and "packets" and I hope to start the program in the next week. I'm getting excited!

Yes I am. I do want to cook more and not rely so much on shakes and bars, especially as the quest bars have changed and I am not as fussy about them now. Plus if I learn to cook now, some of it may stay with me later.
I was going to get Janevas cookbook but was worried it would rely too much on Ideal protein packets.

Hi Everyone!

So glad to see this thread got started. Looking forward to gaining wisdom from those who have been here a while, while meeting some fellow 2016 starters!

My official start date is tomorrow, 01/03/2016!

- Kay

Sorry it's a start over, but welcome back - as I recall you were a 2014 Summer Starter.... a few of us are still here in the 2014 Starter thread. Some of us rebooting and several on maintenance. You can do this, Tanklan!!!

I'm back to reboot and lose the pounds that I regained over the last couple of months of over indulging. I have 14 pounds to lose again. But I know I can and will do it!! Happy New Year to all and here's to a successful weightloss journey for all of us!!

Day 2. It is amazing that even the first day of IP how much better I feel not eating junk. I can lose weight on this diet I just need to figure out how to keep it off in maintenance