[VMorgan]

I would like to say ''Hi"! I have religiously embraced the IP lifestyle, and have been following this site since Easter. I am very disappointed and discouraged because I have only lost 8 lbs. It is getting very expensive and I am wondering if I would be happier going on my own, using alternatives. Feeling guilty about the cost.

[Kscott]

Well I am probably not the one to be responding, but I really don't believe in these type of things to be a solution to permanent weight loss. I don't know how much you're paying for it, but the Ideal Protein diet--sounds a lot like the all Liquid diet, or the no carb diet, or the eat grapefruit diet for the next 4 months and you'll never have a weight problem again--LOL.

We are all accustomed to eating certain foods, since babies. We have centuries of that built into our genetics. Once you add something in--while taking something else out-you may have weight loss, only find when you start eating normal again, while re-entering the banned foods back into your food intake, you gain back the weight twice as fast, plus some. IOW--the infamous yo yo diet.

I think the majority on this board are do-it-themselves type people. Most of us have realized that a calorie is a calorie regardless if it comes from carrots, or cookies, carbs or protein.

Myself, I haven't eliminated foods from my calorie intake-I just eat a lot less calories than I did. Two pieces of bread has turned into one, a piece of cake is now a sliver, and I have added more fruit and vegi's into what I eat.

I can't say enough for myfitnesspal a free app that helps me keep track of the calories I eat in a day. A database of 3 million foods, including fast food. I sync that with Jawbone UP, very similar to Fitbit to keep track of how many calories I burn in a day. I've lost 4 pounds in the last month and only have a about 5 pounds to go to get to my goal weight. I was stuck on a weight plateau for months prior to using these two items.

As far as losing 8 pounds, that's pretty good since Easter. You're not supposed to lose more than 2 pounds a week anyway, for long term success. I know I don't.

Anyway--just my opinion, I know there are others on this board that are on the IP routine, I just don't go for those kinds of things.

[Pattience]

8 pounds in 5 weeks is not at all bad at your weight. In fact, I think it would be mistaken to try to lose any faster than that because its more likely to come back on and sooner.

So i'm not in favour of the IP diet either but it is working and it seems that your expectations were unrealistic.

However, if you don't want to spend any more money, then i know they have the altnerative thread which is for people following this eating style but who don't want to buy the products.

Or you could go on to the south beach diet which is also the same sort of nutrition as the IP but no products, coaches or outlay.

I think the SBD sounds much more worthwhile long term anyway since you are cooking for yourself and ultimately you've got to accept that you have to prepare your own foods and you might as well do it from the get go.

If you don't like cooking, most meals don't take long to prepare but you just have to shop wisely and have a sense of how to cook nutritional foods.

I don't follow any program. I don't eat low carb as i'm vegetarian and i wouldn't anyway.

But i am a big believer in learning how to eat healthy nutritious foods and being willing to change your dietary habits for the sake of permanent weightloss.

Me: i've quit sugar.

[canadjineh]

Originally Posted by VMorgan

I would like to say ''Hi"! I have religiously embraced the IP lifestyle, and have been following this site since Easter. I am very disappointed and discouraged because I have only lost 8 lbs. It is getting very expensive and I am wondering if I would be happier going on my own, using alternatives. Feeling guilty about the cost.

You might want to join in on the IP site under "DIET CENTRAL", then 'Packaged Meals & Clinics' then Ideal Protein Diet. There are several threads there that help you if you want to use alternate products or even want to go it alone without clinic or coach. Easter is not very long ago... you are doing fine, since that is about 2 lbs a week which is a healthy amount. There is a lot of support from those who have just started right through to some ladies who have been in maintenance for a couple of years without any problems. Lots of experience... hoping you join us

Liana