Ideal Protein

Ground turkey. It is leaner than chicken.

Thank you for posting this very helpful information. My doctor has asked me to consider this diet but I was concerned about the foods and the costs.

Its about $100-$200 per week depending on the food you buy and the inital start-up is between $500-$600 dollars depnding on where you go. I did Idal protein and lost 40 lbs, but I gained 25 lbs back just eating regular; so I am trying to just eat more natural and not process (Ideal protein is ALL process--except for the food you buy)--the 1-2 lb a week is good for me! It definately does not come off as fast, but its better than yo yo dieting--when I did Ideal Protein, I started having really horrible anxeity problems too because I would drink too much coffee to compensate for my hunger; I also started having eye issues and thumb twitching--when I stoped IP it all went away. Not sure what chemicals they put int he packets of food--that is the only issue.

I turned 62 on June 24th and started the plan that day as a gift to myself for weight loss and better health. Not sure why anyone would critcize the plan because it is very healthy, my own dr. reviewed it and agreed that Ideal Protein is a very nutritional plan. In 4 weeks I have lost 12 lbs. NO CHEATING which is very hard when you eat out. It takes a lot of will power. Can't say that I've noticed any loss of muscle tone. The diet makes your body use the fat, instead of muscles and it is important to walk at least 30 min. per day. My neighbor is doing it also - we started together and we both feel better already. She is losing weight a little more slowly than me (10 lbs.) - everyone is different and you have to keep and open mind about that. She cheats occassionally with things that we are supposed to avoid. Everyone says I look great and I can tell you I have way more energy, in fact you can't hold me down and I sleep a lot better. If anyone wants to contact me to encourage each other my email is grammygail51@gmail.com

This thread makes me sad. What's so wrong with just eating real food? I mean, it has worked pretty well for me.

This thread makes me sad. What's so wrong with just eating real food? I mean, it has worked pretty well for me.

^^^^
TRUTH.

Good luck to you all on this. But I think failure is just a paycheck away.

It may work for you in the short term but keeping weight off will take a lifestyle change. (calorie deficit)

I think these types of programs work for people as it gives a structured plan and accountability to someone else--also you see fast results which is motivating. If you truly follow any protocol and stay true to your plan, you will succeed. I don't feel this is a place to judge any program be it IP or any other one. This is a supportive place that helps keep us on track. I have been very successful on most programs and did gain back some weight. It takes constant vigilance to remain on track. I lost 100 pounds 10 years ago on the HMR plan and put back 35 of them. I am working at taking those off and making a commitment to the process. I am hoping that everyone has a fantastic day and best of luck to all on whatever program you choose. :-)

Of course it is a place to judge a program that could fail if the product disappears overnight.
Fast results aren't necessarily good results.

Why join up on a website where you learn to eat, count your food, hold yourself accountable... just to sign on to some expensive branded garbage that is typically setting their user up for eventual failure?

You don't need a purchased program to lose weight. You just need food, in the proper amounts... and patience.

Agree to some extent. Some people need help "getting there" via programs, coaching, supplements, etc. AND staying there. Staying there will be eating the right foods for your body. Therer is power in losing the weight with help. I am fortunate enough to be on IP and once i get to the healthy weight will return to normal food but with the motivation to keep the lbs off. Bottom line....everyone has a choice HOW they want to get there. Let's respect that.

Could not agree more!! I wish you the best. You can do it!

so let me see if I understand this..

you're gonna lose a lot of weight using "not food" then expect it to stay using "food."

I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack, or the sharpest crayon.. but..


what do you think your body is gonna do when you give it food again?

I've done IP in the past. It worked great for losing the weight fast; however, it simply wasn't the diet for me--I hated eating so many powder-based meals, and literally cried for 30 minutes when I was told I wasn't allowed to exercise on the diet, at least not for the first several weeks. I lasted the summer, losing about 40lbs, before going back to college and gaining all of it back. BUT, the reason that happened is because I didn't follow the total IP plan. They have 4 phases of the diet, with the 4th and final one being lifelong maintenance. You learn how to eat normal foods in the right amounts, and are slowly weaned off of the IP foods. Since I was going back to school where I wouldn't be able to continue my IP weigh-ins (and the food was simply too expensive for my college student budget), I squeezed that phase into a week or two, leading to catastrophic failure (as expected for a phase that is supposed to take several months).

The plan really can teach healthy long-term habits. Some people might see it as "buying in to a fad diet," but please don't judge those who do it. Weight loss goes better for some people when they're being told exactly what to eat--not everyone starts off with the willpower/ability'knowledge to make healthy eating choices on their own. I know several people who have lost & kept off 100+ lbs using Ideal Protein. It's not my cup of tea, but I say if it works for you, go for it.

The protein is whey protein isolate.

Prices for Ideal Protein vary greatly as each clinic sets their own price. I got a living social deal that included 33 food packets, the drink shaker, all the paperwork and food journal, sea salt, and a week of the supplements for $99, as well as the weekly coach meeting for one year. Regular start up-costs can be as much as $500.
The supplements cost about $100 a month (there are three, plus you have to buy omega-3 on your own).
The food packets average about $4 a piece. If you use three a day (most do), its $84 a week. My clinic was a little more expensive and weekly food was about $95.
Then, you have to buy all the veggies and protein.

I used IP products for two weeks, then switched to alternates. There are plenty out there, and I can give more info if you want. You can buy most at grocery stores. My weekly cost went from $95 to $30. I'm still losing an average of 3.5 pounds a week.

I love all of the info you provided in this post. It was pretty much spot on with my clinic which is JUST starting. I would LOVE to hear your alternatives that are helping you maintain your losses.

Awesome

I'm starting the Ideal Protein diet today (12/30/13). Yes, I'm looking forward to some rapid weight loss that will make me feel like I've got a good start, but I'm more excited about going through all the stages of the program and learning the best way to maintain my weight loss once it's done. The clinic I'm at stresses behavioral changes as well as the other stuff.