Lisa's journey
"Like many busy middle aged women, my weight had crept up over the years of rushing around juggling work and home life in spite of practicing a reasonably healthy diet and lifestyle. I have always been focused on nutrition and natural approaches to health and wellness. I was a vegetarian for 13 years, used herbal medicines since my twenties, studied meditation in university, eaten organic food as much as possible, and generally been what you’d call a “health nut”. I even practice and teach a natural method of birth control based on fertility awareness. So, body literacy and self-care have been solid foundations in my entire adult life. Working in a pharmacy gave me an understanding of blood sugar and fat storage, and I had been selling supplements that claim to help with weight loss my whole career, but applying this knowledge to my own life had never seemed to make much difference. Why was I overweight and feeling old in my early fifties? Like anyone else, a combination of factors were at play; stress, alcohol, lack of exercise, night time snacking, too many carbohydrates, not enough protein, and so on.
When I went below 200 pounds for the first time in over 10 years, I took notice. That would never have happened if I had been bumbling along on my own trying to diet and exercise. I finally acknowledged that this method was working. I also noted that my knees didn’t hurt any more, I had more stamina, more flexibility, there were no more night sweats or period problems, and I was in a good mood all the time. I also had to buy new clothes, because all my pants were too baggy.
I was 45 pounds lighter by the time I decided to go on to the Maintenance Phase before a conference in Boston in June of 2015. I had not reached my weight loss goal, but was ready for a break and wanted to be off Phase One for my trip. The summer was spent enjoying moderate, mindful, low carb eating, with occasional beer with my brothers at the cottage and happy hour martinis before Sunday dinner at my Mom’s. I gained 5 pounds over those 5 months on the maintenance phase and went back on Phase One as planned for October to finish off the last bit of abdominal fat I had to lose. During that time, I lost another 15 pounds with ease. Being back on the strict phase of the program again was not difficult at all, in fact it was like riding a bike. I just followed the instructions like before and did not cheat.
Overall, I found the whole experience easy and fun. The fat I had been lugging around in storage was used up just by doing my daily chores. I didn’t have to add extra exercise or other activities. The only challenge was having enough vegetables cooked and ready to bring to work for lunches. I found that I had to eat in a more regimented way than I’d been doing; I would normally think nothing of occasionally skipping breakfast or dinner if busy with meetings, eating snacks and lunches whenever time allowed, or overdoing the evening nibble. The strict routine of Phase One was beneficial because, of course, we all know we should be eating earlier and more frequently than we often do.
I think that dieting with Ideal Protein is a unique method because Phase One is so very strict that it forces absolute compliance. Ketosis is a metabolic state that cannot be toyed with. There are profound alterations going on with blood sugar and insulin that cannot be interrupted. The pancreas is being allowed a major break that must be ended correctly to gain all the benefits of the process. Once people understand this, they will not be willing to cheat by just having a little bite or sip of this or that. Ideal Protein dieters understand that they cannot succumb to the insistence of friends to “just have a taste”. I walked past plates of cookies, declined offers of drinks and treats, gazed at ice cream cartons in my freezer, and breathed in the smells of other people’s lunches. In each situation, I was able to refrain by telling myself that those things will still be available when I am done with my diet. I joke that “bottles of red wine will still exist in the future”, and you can bet I’ll be cracking one open for Sunday dinner.
As for changes in my body, adapting to new clothes, people’s reactions, and seeing myself in the mirror, I will say that for me the transformation is less surprising than for those who’ve only known me for the past 10 or 20 years. To them, I look very different because they only know the heavy version. But to me, I look similar to the way I did in the 80’s. When I look in the mirror, I see the 30something city girl I used to be. It’s less like a surprise and more like a reunion with a dear old friend."
For the full version of Lisa's story click here...
When I went below 200 pounds for the first time in over 10 years, I took notice. That would never have happened if I had been bumbling along on my own trying to diet and exercise. I finally acknowledged that this method was working. I also noted that my knees didn’t hurt any more, I had more stamina, more flexibility, there were no more night sweats or period problems, and I was in a good mood all the time. I also had to buy new clothes, because all my pants were too baggy.
I was 45 pounds lighter by the time I decided to go on to the Maintenance Phase before a conference in Boston in June of 2015. I had not reached my weight loss goal, but was ready for a break and wanted to be off Phase One for my trip. The summer was spent enjoying moderate, mindful, low carb eating, with occasional beer with my brothers at the cottage and happy hour martinis before Sunday dinner at my Mom’s. I gained 5 pounds over those 5 months on the maintenance phase and went back on Phase One as planned for October to finish off the last bit of abdominal fat I had to lose. During that time, I lost another 15 pounds with ease. Being back on the strict phase of the program again was not difficult at all, in fact it was like riding a bike. I just followed the instructions like before and did not cheat.
Overall, I found the whole experience easy and fun. The fat I had been lugging around in storage was used up just by doing my daily chores. I didn’t have to add extra exercise or other activities. The only challenge was having enough vegetables cooked and ready to bring to work for lunches. I found that I had to eat in a more regimented way than I’d been doing; I would normally think nothing of occasionally skipping breakfast or dinner if busy with meetings, eating snacks and lunches whenever time allowed, or overdoing the evening nibble. The strict routine of Phase One was beneficial because, of course, we all know we should be eating earlier and more frequently than we often do.
I think that dieting with Ideal Protein is a unique method because Phase One is so very strict that it forces absolute compliance. Ketosis is a metabolic state that cannot be toyed with. There are profound alterations going on with blood sugar and insulin that cannot be interrupted. The pancreas is being allowed a major break that must be ended correctly to gain all the benefits of the process. Once people understand this, they will not be willing to cheat by just having a little bite or sip of this or that. Ideal Protein dieters understand that they cannot succumb to the insistence of friends to “just have a taste”. I walked past plates of cookies, declined offers of drinks and treats, gazed at ice cream cartons in my freezer, and breathed in the smells of other people’s lunches. In each situation, I was able to refrain by telling myself that those things will still be available when I am done with my diet. I joke that “bottles of red wine will still exist in the future”, and you can bet I’ll be cracking one open for Sunday dinner.
As for changes in my body, adapting to new clothes, people’s reactions, and seeing myself in the mirror, I will say that for me the transformation is less surprising than for those who’ve only known me for the past 10 or 20 years. To them, I look very different because they only know the heavy version. But to me, I look similar to the way I did in the 80’s. When I look in the mirror, I see the 30something city girl I used to be. It’s less like a surprise and more like a reunion with a dear old friend."
For the full version of Lisa's story click here...
The results are those of the individual that is identified. Typical results vary up to 6 and 8 pounds lost in the first two weeks and up to 2 pounds per week thereafter when the Ideal Protein® Weight Loss Method is followed properly. You should consult your physician or other health care professional before starting this or any other diet program to determine if it is right for your needs
Tammie's journey
Coming Soon...
Jackie's Journey
Coming soon...