3 Months Completed

Almost three months in to Ideal Protein and working with Coaching and Medicine. I was just rereading some of my blogs from last time around pre-last child being born. And I was encouraged! I looked back at who I was and I was proud of that Charity.  She worked so hard and didnt give up. I am going to make it there again! I've lost almost 30 lbs in 3 months. Which is great and way more progress then I ever made on my own.

I keep trying to do math in my head - to see what range of time it might take me to get to a specific goal. I don't know if that is healthy or not, but it does encourage me that I wont be FOREVER in a weight loss phase. In looking back at prepregnancy pictures when I hit 179 last time around and then was able to have my youngest son, I remember how much energy I had, and how strong my body felt. And how much I could do with my kids. I don't let this current body stop me, but Definitely I know that certain things are just harder with the extra pounds. 

My coach and doctor are suggesting a break from IP at the end of June. I am uncertain that I really want to take a break. I am really on a roll and I don't want to lose momentum. They say they are worried I might just quit at some point. And in rereading my blog, my previous coaches were worried about that too. However,  I NEVER quit or gave in or up on the plan. The only thing that made me stop was the fact that I got pregnant 2x. And then my coaches at the time were unable to help me with nutrition into my pregnancy. 

I don't think I'll give up! 

I am strong, with God's help I can make it.

Also I just dont want to wait to drop the rest of the lbs. 1 year of my life is short in the grand scheme of things. In 10 months i could potentially be 100lbs down from here. And I would be at 176! 

No one has really noticed or commented on my weight. Except one person. And that person said I had gained weight. 🤣

It's weird....you don't want people to comment on your body, but also you kind of do! Strange right?

Finally back after a loooong detour

Here we are at the beginning of 2023 and I'm standing in front of a new chapter. 

280 lbs I was, in May 2022 after I finally finished breastfeeding. I had gone to see a metabolic clinic in Newmarket and an internist, Dr. A, who in March had seen me and prescribed Ozempic. As I have blogged about before, I've never wanted to do medication for weightloss or surgery. What I've really wanted to figure out is what are the systems in my body that keep me from attaining a stable weight. I was at the end of my rope, and I gave in to trying Ozempic because the Doctor did a great job of explaining how it influences brain chemistry and how youe body metabolizes insulin. I figured, ....I guess I'll give it a "shot". (Literally you inject 1x per week the medication and slowly increase). I didn't have many of the bad symptoms that some people get. But also, I was attempting to eat low carb and did not lose a pound on the medication. 

I was so discouraged! I finally quit taking it in September 2022 and gave up. I literally did not know what my next step should be. My doctor was on mat leave and I felt like I was floundering.

I had always googled Ideal Protein over the years post partum, but could not get over the fact that I'd have to pay again, and invest the money. Also this year previous was given a diagnosis of PCOS on top of hypothyroidism. 

I even called a clinic sort of near me in August but then had to cancel because of sick kids being home.

Fast forward to December, I discovered a new clinic that I am excitedly joining! I am ecstatic and hopeful that I can get back to the prebaby weight. And also I really do think the only reason I was able to have 2 kids is due to Ideal Protein

Continuing Journey ...into Keto

1 Month ago I started Keto. 

I wanted to go back to IP to lose the baby weight from my 3rd child. . . But the price and the ability to get in to see a coach weekly are the barriers I was facing.

I've been reading, listening to podcasts etc and trying to learn about Keto. Actually IP is a type of Ketogenic diet....so I had already understood some of the "rules". 

My husband has also joined me, so at least Im making food for 2. So many keto recipes out there that at first it was overwhelming. But it's also nice to have variety.

I didn't take a picture on day 1 of Keto. But I did about 3 weeks in. 

For me I've realized my body/metabolism is just awful. My goal with going Keto is to:

1. Find out if my joints become less achy in my fingers and less swollen

2. To have more ENERGY in the morning.

3. To feel satisfied after eatting.

4. To explore hormone levels and understand what my body needs.

Started, May 3, 2021

SW284

CW272

Post Partum IP journey

So, I haven't update this in a long time! But boy have I been busy!

After IP I maintained my weight until...you guessed it. I got pregnant! Yay! Over the course of pregnancy I went from 179 to 239. My baby girl was born healthy and happy on January of last year 2017.

I've been through a full year of motherhood. I've had my foster son return during that time and just recently returned to work! (Yay for Canadian mat leaves).

But now...im ready. I have a goal in mind. I'm doing the girl Mud Run in Toronto June 16 and I need to be in better shape and to have less weight on me.

After about 8 months of trying to do the weight watchers app (I would have loved to do the meetings but there aren't any near me), I am now at 246.6.

Sometimes I beat myself up and have nightmares about it...but honestly I am proud of the little girl that came from my body. I'm proud to be a foster mom and a social worker who supports foster parents. I'm amazed that in one year I only gained 7 lbs! Yes I didn't lose the baby weight naturally like many do...but it could have been a lot worse.

I decided to go back to IP because of how strict it is. How great of a reset it is to your body and how much energy you feel when you decrease the carbs in your life.

Here's to a new adventure! Hope you'll join me :)

How have I been Surviving the Food?

Maybe you are wondering... I'm interested in this Ideal Protein Diet, but how the heck has she stayed on this thing for so long? Aren't the foods disgusting after a while?

True story..sometimes it is hard to be creative with your food. But then again, on days where I think I can't eat one more Astronaut package...some kind of new idea or new creation comes to mind.

For example...today! Today I was about to choose a vanilla premade protein drink, and lately I've been blending it with ice and extra vanilla extract and sometimes a dash of cinnamon. Delicious and yummy, and I haven't got sick of it yet. BUT, I thought about it, and decided to boil the kettle. Made myself some STASH Chai tea. 2 tea bags and about 1/4 cup hot water. Let it sit for a bit, put it in the cup with my vanilla premade, and ice cubs and VIOLA! I created an Iced Chai Latte. SO creamy and delicious, didn't taste like a diet at all.

Have I mentioned the fries I am enjoying on this diet?

Well...if I haven't, please run out to the grocery store right now and grab yourself a rutabega (YES that yellow looking ball of wax that you find by the potatos), and some Turnips (Easier to grab 1 or 2 big ones, the little ones take forever to peel).

Now, either take your rutabega (And a VERY sharp long knife --be very careful) and slice it into some nice long fry shapes. Place in a bowl and toss with 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil. And if you like spice - a dash of cayenne pepper and paprika. Turn your oven on to 400*F and arrange on the baking sheet. Turn them over with a spatula during the cooking. Remove when the fries have turned golden brown and sprinkle with a dash of sea salt. Serve hot with mustard!

Another thing that I like to make once a week (due to the restriction on how many tomatoes you can have during 7 days), is a tomato sauce. I dice tomatoes (or sometimes I cheat and by a can of sugar free diced tomatoes) and place it in a nice deep frying pan with some green onions and garlic. Let them simmer for 30-40 minutes. Use a blender wand to make the tomatos into a sauce, add seasons (like oregano, parsley, basil, pepper, salt, thyme) and reduce temperature and remove lid so some of the excess water evaporates. Add some lean ground beef (uncooked) to the sauce, and let it cook for another 30-40 minutes. Dice up your favourite peppers, mushrooms, zuchinni and place in the sauce.

Then, remove your serving into another pan and add the ROTINI noodles from Ideal Protein (cook the HECK out of them). And boil another pot of pasta for your family. :)
In a pinch when I get stuck out, I sometimes grab a Harvey's double angus burger, no bun with pickels, hotpeppers, mustard, and tomatoes, wrapped in lettuce. Don't do this all the time, but in a pinch, it gives you enough protein for the evening. I prefer to make my own burgers at home, feels like a treat! Even though it is totally on protocol to have.

And Finally...

KALE CHIPS! ...enough said. They are delicious. So many recipes out there. I cut them up, throw them in the oven at 350 and bake them with a little bit of olive oil, sea salt and sometimes cayenne.

 Some days are hard & healthy and some days are DELICIOUS & Healthy.

My Plan for Reaching Phase 4 of Ideal Protein

Right now I'm on Phase 1 of Ideal Protein. In case you are curious about this diet, I have created a link to an article which summarizes the phases very well right here.

I have been on Phase 1 since May 7, 2016. The thought in my head has always been, "Don't let me stay on phase one past the 1 year mark." Right now I'm at 179lbs. I want my body fat % to go down a little bit more as it is still in the "overweight" range (yay no longer "morbidly obese"). In my head I would really love to be 145 lb. I feel that that is an acceptable number to reach for, but am nervous that I wont make it there by my personal goal of 1 year.

My coach keeps worrying that I'm just going to give up one day without phasing off properly and so has been trying to get me to consider phasing off before I reach my goal. I really want to reach my goal of 145-150. That's 29-34 more lbs to go. I hear from others that it is possible to lose a few extra lbs when you reach phase 2...so maybe I will make it.

Don't worry reader, if I have to go past the 1 year mark I will...but I really want to phase off before June, so that I can enjoy in small moderation, my husbands birthday, foster sons birthday, anniversary and sister's and mothers birthday. At least a bowl of fruit! That's all I ask for....fruit...bananas, strawberries, kiwi, pear....mmmmm.

Can you believe I've stuck to this plan for this long? I can't. But I'm thankful that I have!

 If I start Phase 2 in May I should reach phase 4 by the beginning of June, which would be perfect! I can't wait to join the gym or attend some exercise classes at the local community center.

Here is another website called: Low Fat Low Carb        
The chef that has helped create some of the videos for Ideal Protein is a part of this website, and it shows you have to make simple, healthy meals that will fall right in line with a Phase 4 lifestyle.

Tonight I just signed our family up for a CSA! We are partnering with a local farmer, to receive biweekly boxes of produce from a local farm from May to October. I am excited because not only is it like sending yourself a package twice a month (which is one of my favourite things), we will also be forced to experiment with new produce, and continue eating healthy and at the same time supporting our local farmers!

Next Time on the Blog..... "How have I been Surviving the Food?"

**Celebrating 101 lbs Lost! **

So, I'm celebrating...I'm celebrating 101lbs gone, down from 280lbs May7, 2015 to 179lbs at my weigh in last Friday morning Feb. 26, 2016!

Something about the 101lbs gone, is so satisfying. Like a weight has been lifted. I feel like it's been a very long journey on Ideal P

rotein. Some days, I honestly feel like quitting, but then I think about all the things I can now do because I have persevered!

This past weekend, my husband and I went on a little get away to a Bed and Breakfast along the Bruce Trail. It was beautiful, snowy, cold and a wonderful time away to rest and relax. The hosts of the bed and breakfast offered to let us borrow their very nice snowshoes. How could we say no to that wonderful offer?

...So off we trekked. It was beautiful, and it was hard trekking. We were basically creating a new path in the snow for most of the hike. I stopped at one point and I said to my husband, "Man, imagine doing this with an extra 101 lbs on your body." I would not have done it. Even the extra weight of the snowshoes was heavy enough extra weight to carry as we trekked along. I love this picture of me, because when I saw it I could not believe my eyes. Do my legs actually look like that? Is my coat actually that big on me?


It was such a JOY to be able to appreciate the body that God has given me, and allowed me a second chance at caring for.

I can't believe I have not eaten any fruit since 10 months ago. Sometimes I worry about my senses being dulled, because when I cut up fruit for my foster son, or a slice the homemade bread I have baked, I don't even smell those delicious aromas anymore... It makes it easier to be around those things, and prevents cravings, but I actually worry that my sniffer is somehow broken! :( This makes me sad.

Next time on the blog... "My Plan for Reaching Phase 4 of Ideal Protein"