ALCOHOL AND IDEAL PROTEIN

At this posting, I'm down 15 pounds since starting Ideal Protein. Down 18 since the end of summer. And, it feels good. Really good. I've never lost 18 pounds in one go before. This is huge for me. It would take a year on Weight Watchers to even come close to losing 15 pounds and I'd quit frustrated after about 2 months of up .6 and down .4's.

As I get more used to the program, I seem to be blogging less. Of course, not ceasing completely...just taking thoughts as they come in.

I watched a really interesting video today which really capped off my last week or so of life. It was a video from the program about why alcohol is not allowed. I have known some people who seem to drink on the program, and I hear that they get sick and have a bad hangover, but I am not willing to take the chance myself. First, it's a dedication thing. I want to stay on the diet as much as I possibly can to produce the most success. A lifestyle change this expensive should involve changing some "go - to" patterns, like having a drink or 10 at every party I go to.

I have managed to go to a lot of parties on this protocol. I have several different strategies I put into play to make myself enjoy it, and to not be tempted by the food and drinks.

1. Always plan the whole day around the party. I know in advance that I'm going to a party. I check with the host to see what is on the menu and what will be involved. Most of the parties I go to are hippie pot lucks. And, most of the people I know have some sort of food allergy or another to accommodate. So, this usually works in my favour. I have mostly found that not even thinking that I'll eat anything provided is better than thinking I'll try something and that I'll be able to eat something and not come prepared. On Sunday, this was the case, I brought a veggie tray and mostly ate a couple of meatballs and raw veggies. I did nibble one small piece of pakora to sample the cook's talent and had a couple slices of cured meat. All counted as my 8 oz protein and veggies though. 
2. Bring something I like to drink. My treat for myself is a carbonated water with lemon on ice. I always pour it in a glass and I drink 1 Litre bottle at a party. I refill my glass often and people often don't offer me a drink because I have something that looks like one. I do the same in restaurants and outside of this I typically drink water. So, it's pretty refreshing and a nice treat. I have not seen this impact my weight loss at all but I have heard different thoughts on carbonated waters. 
3. Have a plan, Have food. Sometimes I go to a party where the junk and carby food is lined up like a trough! I bring my own snacks, a bag of Ideal Protein Soy Crisps, An Ideal Protein Chocolate Bar, and a bag of cut veggies. Last time, I snacked on my chips and veggies and switched my lunch to the main meal so my Ideal Protein Crisps and veggies was my dinner. Then, I still had room for a bar as the party progressed. 
4. Go Later. Last evening I was invited to another birthday pot luck. I knew the food would be delicious and tempting and lots of strangers all engaged in the eating process. I decided to forfeit the pot luck and go later. I arrived as everyone was finished eating (after eating at home) and enjoyed sitting around and having a chat for the rest of the evening. I still had to decline about 10 offers for dessert but I was able to do so just fine. 

Every weekend there is a new thing going on. This weekend, I got through three. I cheated a little with a few pieces of cured meat and two or three small bits of 3 year old manchego cheese. But, I felt in control and invested in the diet plan. And, ready for anything. I did count the cured meats off of my total ounces but I'm not quite sure where they stand.

But, why no alcohol? 

The calories in alcohol are "empty calories". They provide no nutritional value whatsoever and no cell in the body can use ethyl alcohol as a fuel source. Moreover, alcohol is a toxin which the liver must transform into non-toxic substances. During the weight loss phases of the diet, the liver is "busy" transforming fatty acids into ketonic bodies (ketogenesis) and transforming certain amino acids to glucose as well as the glycerol fractions of triglycerides (ie. gluconeogenesis.) When you drink alcohol, getting rid of this toxin becomes your liver's #1 job and fat burning is compromised...slowing down weight loss and possibly even triggering hypoglycemia (to an extent where you may even pass out). 

In the end, it is just not worth it to me. This diet protocol works because it causes great changes in the body. Changes on a cellular level. The doctors who created the protocol intend for you to not cheat. The foods allowed were chosen thoughtfully for the maximum success and minimum health risks. Ketoacidosis is not to be taken lightly or something for anyone to play with. 

And, that's why I won't drink on the protocol. 

What about other cheats? 

I have been struggling with eating the Ideal Protein Crispy Cereal and the Ideal Protein Restricted flake syle cereal. Adding the water to the powder to create "not milk" creates a by product that I find kind of slimy. I committed to choking these two boxes back until they are done as they cost so damn much. I have heard that almond milk isn't allowed. I did see on this Ideal Protein clinic site that a half cup is okay. I tried 1/2 cup of unsweetened almond milk in my cereal and it was delicious. I was actually sad to finish the last two packs. Now, I'm working through the restricted ones. I posted this to a discussion group and sort of got a bit of flack for it. I do believe, however, that I know what I'm doing and that the person who had the criticism seems to cheat every other week with much bigger things than a 1 carbohydrate, 1 protein and 20 calorie 100ml of milk. I don't think I'll buy the cereal again, but I will use the almond milk as my crutch to get through the last box unless someone tells me a really good reason why not to.