The First Step is the Often the Hardest

My Ideal Protein journey began in a parking lot of a local grocery store.  I was loading my min-van full of groceries, and I thought I saw an acquaintance walk by.  I had to do a double take because the woman I saw was at least 50 lbs. slimmer than what I remember this lady weighing just a few months ago.  I convinced myself it wasn't her, and I went home without saying hello.  A few days later I was enjoying a large bowl of pasta at Carrabas when I saw another friend.  She and I had gone to Weight Watchers together and had some moderate success over the course of more than a year.  But this night at the restaurant, she was so slim - skinnier than I had ever seen her.  I told her she looked fabulous and asked if she was doing Weight Watcher's again.  She said no, that she was doing the Protein diet so many of our friends at my former church and job were doing.  I had no idea what diet she was referring to, but I was determined to find out.  After asking around work, I found five more co-workers all on the diet and all with large weight losses.  Whatever they were doing, it was working!!

I have been heavy most of my adult and adolescent life.  I really don't remember a time ever being an average weight.  Weight has always been my life battle.  I try to eat well.  I have gone for long periods with consistent exercise (and without).  I've followed numerous diets with minimal results and maximum frustration.  This year my weight ballooned to the highest it's ever been!  After the birth of my second child, I battled with some severe postpartum depression.  Hormonal changes, depression, and an ambivalence to my own well being led me to stop caring about my weight.  Truth be told I cared more than ever, but felt helpless to do anything. My body inflammation was at an all time high; I was in constant pain.  Yet, with Type II diabetes knocking at my door I couldn't ignore this issue any longer.

My husband came with me to an information meeting to offer support.  The presentation convinced me that this protocol was designed to target my number one enemy: insulin resistance.  My doctor had just asked me to consider going on some medications to address insulin resistance. This protocol gave me hope that I might be able to lose the weight, fix the underlying problem - insulin- and maintain my progress.  I was ready to commit to this strict way of life for however long it may take to lose my 100 pounds.

I went into my first weigh-in hopeful but guarded.  Women average 3-5 lbs. a week of weight loss. I have NEVER lost that much in one week. Tears streamed down my face when I stepped on that scale and saw that I had lost 8.9 lbs in the first week!! And the inches lost were stunning too: 1 from my bust, 2 1/2 from my hips, 1 from my waist, plus more on my arms and legs too!   Not every week will be a large numbers like that week, but the hope that was renewed in me that day keeps me going today.  I can do this...so can you.