IDEAL PROTEIN

Today, I have decided to start a new routine and I am committing to blogging regularly about it.  I have decided to use this blog to share something that I haven't been able to find elsewhere.

Me in August 2014

When researching Ideal Protein, I could not find anything that wasn't the program marketing. I intend to share my experience and fees with anyone who is curious and I promise to take a full open approach to my experience. I am not being sponsored by anyone (besides my mom and sister who are helping me with the cost) and I am paying full price for my program.  
When I started, I couldn't find the fees anywhere. That annoys me. However, when I called the clinic, they gave me the fees easily without any marketing and I appreciated that.  

I'm going towards the understanding that drastic problems need drastic solutions. 
I am now almost 270 pounds. I'm only 5'4" I am active, but it is harder every day. I have a family with heart health issues, diabetes, and blood pressure issues. I don't want this for me. I have been doing Weight Watchers. I have tried many things. The only thing that worked so far was Atkins but I can't sustain eating bacon and high fat foods and doing all the prep on my own--it's not structured enough and I slip up. When I slip, I slide. I tried fast metabolism and it was the same. I couldn't sustain consistently. I'm so sick of plus size stores as well. I can't even go into that here.  
I think a rigid program is what I need to give it an honest go. I can't take the guess work. I need something to follow that is simple and strict. I can't take liberties.  
I have the amazing ability to eat healthy, exercise and still grow  and grow and grow.  

Me in Summer 2005

All doctors have said the same, PCOS and insulin resistance is corrected by weight loss. Which will also help my menstrual periods.  If I could lose 30-40 pounds I can also go back to my favourite activities (ball hockey) and not worry so much about the pressure on my joints. Or, the pain. Or the fact that my belly fat bounces and my yoga pants and capris slide down my ass.  
I'm in a bit of a pickle here. So, I joined something that is supposedly guaranteed to hit me hard in the wallet, ensure ketosis, take the meal prep/constant attention away and ensure large weight loss in the least amount of time. Sustaining it, I will work on and the program does account for long term maintenance.

I know that maintenance will really require much more work and commitment than the actual weight loss. I have had friends who have done this and lost successfully. I have heard that everyone gains it back and this scares me. But, not losing it scares me more.  
 I have some theories about this:

• If I could just see some success, I would be more committed and energetic to do more for maintenance. 
• If I could see some success, I would be able to enjoy activity better and thus, be better equipped to keep the weight off. 
• If I could see some success, I would be more apt to feel better and the mind is the most important place for healthy living, weight loss, and general well being. 

The cost

I'm seeing a pharmacist for the supplies. It isn't cheap.
The up front investment is as follows:

1. $75 (half off) initial consult and weekly follow up meeting fee 
2. $96 vitamins (which I may source elsewhere when I get going)  
3. $196 for food for two weeks so I could have variety

 
So basically, I'm about $400 in already. However, the buying two weeks of food was my idea because I wanted variety in my first week.  Going forward, 
each week I will pay another $96.60 (taxes in) for food and that will cover most of my breakfast and lunch and snack for the day. I am still responsible for my oils, four cups of veggies and 8 oz of protein daily. 
I am not going to lie. It is steep for me. My mom and sister are helping me with $100 each. And, I estimate that I will save enough in skipping the grab and go foods and booze that it will help ease the financial burden.  
I will give it a year.


The beginning

So far, this morning I tried the cereal and had my coffee as per usual. The cereal wasn't the best thing I ever tasted but I could do it. And, it held me over. I'm pounding water now and it is 11:13 am and I'm starting to get a bit hungry. It's soon time for my creamy chicken soup and two cups of red peppers. 
We had a cake party at 10 for a colleague and I brought along a snack bar in case. I didn't need to eat it as I wasn't hungry and I'm thinking I will push through until lunch with no issues.  I am ... Going against a lot of my own well and good advice. Going against what I know to be true about dieting and long term weight-loss.

My BMI is 46. My body fat is 55% (if you can trust a scale to tell you this), Visceral fat is 10% (not bad, actually) and lean mass is 20%.  My waist is 46" and my chest is 51".  My energy is low and I sleep too much.  My blood pressure has become a concern.  I have PCOS and irregular periods, but when they come they are heavy and painful and just awful. BCP raise my blood pressure. An IUD gave me a painful month before I expelled it. I have been prescribed Metformin for weight loss--due to insulin resistance. It didn't work and I'm not a person who loves the idea of being on 3 pills a day when I'm 33 years old.  I have always ate 90% healthy (the booze and bread can be the 10% bad, or a bag of chips on a road trip or shared around the campfire). This is why I believe that for my size, I still have muscle tone, and my supposed visceral fat is only 10%. People are always surprised by my body size when they spend time and actually see what I eat and my level of activity. I'm so sick of the idea that it is my lifestyle that needs adjustment. I have always followed a healthy lifestyle as much or if not more than my slimmer friends.

So, here we are at drastic change that is supposed to fix my body and help my regular lifestyle contribute to a healthy life.  I know I can't do weight loss and drink and this scares me. I am no alcoholic but the bigger I get, the more alcohol eases my social anxiety. I don't like to go out any more being this large.  My only concern is the medical side effects of Ketosis. So, I will have my creatine monitored by my doctor.