Regarding packets you don't like - a few years ago we actually had a packet exchange going on this forum - people would post what they had and folks could trade among themselves. It might be worth resurrecting that practice if there are a lot of people who don't have that option through their clinics!

Back when I first started IP (2011) my clinic was able to sell me individual packets as long as I bought them in groups of 7. Later, corporate said not to do that because it was illegal here in the US to sell those individual packets since they didn't list the ingredients on the outside of each packet. Any clinic that doesn't abide by that ruling could be fined heavily (& maybe even legally prosecuted) and corporate could run into legal issues too. So don't give your coach a hard time for not agreeing to sell you the packets individually. She is only following the law.

My clinic never used any of the fancy scales because they are notoriously inaccurate. Consumer Reports tested a bunch of them and found inaccuracy was a big issue with all the scales. The scales and a measuring tape is all you really need. And they can use the more detailed scales every 4 weeks to see "trends" of how you are doing.

There are tons of recipes out there to use up those un-liked packets. I used most of the soup recipes to make flat breads of all sorts.

It sounds like you are doing very well with your weightloss so far in-spite of your coach issues, so keep up the great work!

The last time I visited my clinic was August 29. The "coach" never took measurements. I did weigh weekly on their body composition scale, but that was it. I started IP July 11, but didn't start receiving the emails til several weeks later. I was only allowed to buy whole boxes of product, and boy did they push the products. The last straw for me was during my last two visits, she was really pushing me to buy their B12 shots (at $50 a pop). The first time I told them, "Not this time." The second time, she tried adding a little guilt in there.

I still receive the daily emails. But, I haven't heard a single word from them (i.e. no phone calls, nothing).

Now I am all alternatives and this wonderful website.

Thank you ladies (and gentlemen) for all the posts, funny stories, venting, and general pick-me-ups.

Y'all have a great day!

Yep, same issue with the colour here, too! Hubby suggested liquidising the lunchtime vegetables (celery and yellow bell pepper with EVOO on that occasion) and it definitely improves both the taste and the colour if you cook it on the stove top. Unfortunately, the texture is still a little on the chalky side. Planning on adding some cracked black pepper in next time, too.

I dont mind the soups. I really dislike the chips -- all of them and I went crazy buying all flavors in the beginning thinking I would like them. I am trying to suck it up and get thru them tho. The pudding mix, however..... Yuck. If you have any suggestions for that, I would most certainly take 'em! I have all 3 flavors and not a fan on any of them.

Pebbles. I'm so sorry you got treatment like that! But congrats! You sound like you are doing great despite it! Way to overcome!

I add w red pepper purée and cracked black pepper. Fixes the colour and flavour.

Make waffles with the pudding. I also saw a recipe where you mix the pudding and crispy cereal pack and the freeze it to make "fudge"

I was never weighed on a special scale. My coach has never done IP. I bought a ton of extra boxes for variety and have lots of things I don't like. I started to buy alts to give me cheaper choices. My clinic doesn't like a lot of inventory so there were times there was nothing I wanted and I had to insist they order certain things I wanted to try. The videos is what kept me on IP instead of going to all Alts. I can still see all my phases.

The puddings make really good waffles. Add 1 egg, 3/8 tsp baking powder, dash salt, and enough water to make it look like regular waffle batter. Cooking waffle iron as usual.

Wow. That sounds really good! Thanks!

I never had any luck making pancakes /waffles with the pudding but I don't think I did it right. Anyhow, I got the Dark Chocolate pudding and added a ton of cinnamon to it and sometimes chili powder, vanilla, and some of the salt to make Aztec xocolatl, lol. Not the best I've ever had but at least it wasn't too sweet that way (I've always liked the 90%+ Lindt bars though.) I've had the lemon pudding with a extra packet of True Lemon (crystallized pure lemon juice) which made it tangier.

Liana

I would love to join a clinic. But if I pay the 400 dollars up front fee Shouldn't I be allowed to go for my weigh ins and use mostly alternative products maybe just by 1 box a week from the clinic? Has anyone did anything like that? Thank you

The thing to remember is that clinics are a business. They make their money selling you IP product, so if you aren't buying their products you aren't providing income for the clinic. Your startup fee usually includes your first week of IP food, which is about $200 of your startup fee. Clinic coaches will also tell you that if you're using alternatives, they aren't trained to understand other companies' products so if anything isn't working they can't help you as thoroughly as they could if you are exclusively on IP. (That's an argument I don't necessarily buy into, but it's a common one).

There have been some coaches that have been OK with clients using alternatives and IP products and still providing them with coaching, but it's rare. Since it's their business, they have a right to refuse to coach if you aren't doing the IP program 100% on IP products.