One of our dieters in Iowa shares what she thought of her first few weeks on the protocol.
My name is Renae and I want to share my journey to lose 15 pounds on the Ideal Protein protocol. I am a Type 2 Diabetic and I struggle to lose weight. I also wanted to reduce some of my medications. Also, my son’s wedding is in October and I want to look and feel great! The doctors and coaches at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy helped me understand the steps I could take and told me I’d be a good candidate for the Ideal Protein protocol.
After just one week I felt less bulky and had more energy. I was starting to learn what kinds of foods had been causing me to gain weight and feel sluggish.
There are so many ways to lose weight and I felt like I had tried them all. Some had worked for me, but once I lost the weight it seemed to creep back and I was right back where I started. I’m a nurse and my life gets busy and I felt like I needed something to get started quickly and without a lot of fuss.
I was ready for a new lifestyle that I could control. I wanted to learn how my body loses weight and what I could do to maintain a healthy weight long term.
I got started at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy. My daughter recommended it and said she had heard good things. My personal coach, Cindy, explained everything to me and the welcome bag I received had everything I needed to get started.
I live in Iowa, so I loved that I could order my Ideal Protein food online. I also had virtual coaching sessions to help keep me on track. The coaches are so encouraging and have so many suggestions on ways to get past the roadblocks I may experience. I was having trouble getting the right amount of select vegetables into my diet. Cindy suggested mixing 2 cups of spinach into my Chocolate Shake mix. I tried it and it was delicious!
What is Ideal Protein?
Ideal Protein is a ketogenic weight loss program. There are three phases and each one is designed to help you lose weight and help you understand how your body loses weight.
How does Ideal Protein protocol work?
Initially, the program works by reducing your carbohydrate reserves. This allows your body to mobilize its fat reserves for energy. The Ideal Protein foods help you do this by providing lean protein, fat, and fiber while helping you reduce your sugar intake.
I’ve always had a sweet tooth and I was nervous about this change. What I love most about the protocol is that the snack and treats taste delicious and don’t spike my sugar levels. I am a type 2 diabetic and this was very important for me to keep track of. I’m proud to say I no longer need one of my diabetes medications. With the help of my primary care doctor, I was able to stop taking it due to the decreased carbohydrate intake on the Ideal Protein protocol.
My daughter asked me: Which is the best protein food? I told her that I really like the Orange Crème Wafers and Chocolate Puffs. The Chocolate Puffs taste like malted milk ball candy! You can see all of the Ideal Protein foods here.
Here is my favorite breakfast or night time snack - the Chocolate Chip Pancake!
I had so many questions when I first started. The coaches were available to answer them quickly and were so helpful. Here were some of the things I asked:
How many carbs per day on Ideal Protein Phase 1? On Ideal Protein, each dieter will consume between 25g to 45g of net carbohydrates daily.
Can you workout on Ideal Protein? During the first 2 weeks I was told to avoid exercise. After 2 weeks I was encouraged to do only light exercise, such as walking or stretching. Anything that causes me to feel short of breath is too much. I enjoy walking outside after dinner and using my sunroom to stretch in the morning.
Can I buy Ideal Protein Products online? Yes. I live in Iowa and I was able to become a dieter at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy in Naperville, Illinois. They also carry everything in their office.
How much does ideal protein cost? My welcome bag was $199. Weekly coaching sessions are free. Each week after, the price fluctuates depending on what foods you order.
Here is what was included in my welcome bag:
1 week of Ideal Protein food
1 month of supplements
Shaker bottle
Journal
7-day guide and helpful resources
You can set up an appointment to get started online. My first session was about 30 minutes and helped me understand everything in the welcome bag. The green folder has so much good information in it. It really takes the guesswork out of meal planning and sticking to the protocol.
I mentioned I’m a nurse. I’m constantly on the go because I do Home Health - this means I am in my car a lot and need snacks that keep me full. Last week I tried the Pizza Puffs. I liked them and they filled me up until dinner time.
If you are looking for a weight loss protocol that is easy to start and simple to follow, check out Ideal Protein program. If you live in Naperville, or even in another state, you can get started! I love that I didn’t need to find an Ideal Protein clinic near me and that they could help me virtually. Each week, I take my weight and measurements and check in with my coach, Cindy, to ask questions and get my weekly dose of encouragement! So far I have lost 9 pounds. I’m feeling good and I’m so excited for my son’s wedding in October.
*Results of individual. Typical results vary up to 6 and 8 pounds lost during the first two weeks and up to 2 pounds per week thereafter when the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Protocol is followed properly. Consult your Healthcare Professional before starting this or any other diet program.