Weight Loss & Wellness Blog

It's only the beginning of November and the holiday decorations are up!  I noticed this

recently as I was driving through Lansdowne Towne Center.  And I've already heard my first holiday song on the radio. Yikes!  So it doesn't hurt to start planning now as to how you will stay on your weight loss protocol during the holidays!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

• Plan ahead!  I always remind our clients that planning is more than half the battle.  If you have your vegetables prepared and easily accessible, you will not be as tempted to eat something that is not on the protocol.
• Keep plenty of Ideal Protein foods on hand and take them with you.
• Eat an Ideal Protein food before you go to a restaurant, party or dinner.
• Let your friends, family, and colleagues know you are following a healthy diet. When it is time to choose restaurants or menu items for parties, they will know ahead of time to include healthier options.
• Start collecting recipes of healthy appetizers, entrees or desserts now so you can be prepared when it's time to shop for parties or bring a dish to a party.  We have a brand new Ideal Protein recipe book with lots of amazing recipes.
• Remember that you are making a choice not to eat certain foods this holiday season, you are not depriving yourself.
• If you are on maintenance, add an Ideal Protein food to your diet every day.  This will help keep your weight in check.
• Attend the healthy cooking demo on Monday, November 14 at 6:30 pm in Lansdowne.  You'll get some wonderful recipe ideas for the holidays.  Yummy!
• Sign up for the Strategies for Coping with the Holidays workshop on Saturday, November 19.  You don't have to do this alone.
• Keep your weekly visit appointments.  You'll want to stay accountable and be supported during this season.

I'd love to hear any tips you may have!

Susan Carter had tried the South Beach Diet but with no results. She had lost weight with NutriSystem two different times. On the most recent attempt, she had lost 25 pounds in 3 months. After a blood test revealed that her triglyceride levels were the worst they had ever been, however, Susan's doctor advised her to stop.

A friend of Susan's was having success on the Ideal Protein Diet and told her about it. Now after just a few months on the diet from 7Company herself, Susan is experiencing the right kind of impact. Not only has she lost 61 pounds, she's also gone from size 24 pants to size 14 pants. Despite not working out, she claims that her muscles are more toned now than when she had exercised in the past and that her legs look slender now.

After one month of being on the diet, Susan is also no longer waking up with headaches; and she's stopped using a sleep apnea machine. She says that she's not as tired and that she gets up and down stairs more easily. Additionally, Susan finds that she handles stress better and is not as cranky or irritable. Her triglycerides dropped over 200 points in one month's time, her cholesterol level has decreased significantly, and her blood pressure has returned to a normal level.

Susan loves the reactions she's gotten from others, including her 7-year-old son who praises her and tells her how beautiful she is. Susan's 10-year-old daughter comments on how she can put her arms around her now. This is a long ways from the recent experience of looking at a photo of herself from the day before the diet and her son's blunt assessment of, "You were fat." Susan works as a substitute teacher at Aldie Elementary and gets compliments there every time she works. In fact, Susan lost close to 20 pounds in one month to become 7Company's Biggest Loser for July. After this distinction appeared on Facebook, a number of people messaged Susan to find out about her story and to ask about the cost of the diet.

After a lifetime of struggling with her weight, Susan has discovered the solution from 7Company. Her favorite Ideal Protein foods include the peanut butter crunch bars, southwest cheese curls, dark chocolate pudding, and chocolate drinks. Susan also likes cooking the omelets and makes them plain or with red peppers.

Susan has more milestones to go though. She'd ultimately like to lose 73 more pounds and realizes that this may take her as much as one more year on the diet. Susan highly recommends the diet. A woman at work and her daughter are beginning the diet, and Susan is meeting a mom from her son's soccer team at 7Company to get her started on the diet. Susan is surprised that it's not more well-known.

Susan, we're getting there, and with more stories like yours, the word is spreading.

What's your story?  Could yours be the next Ideal Protein success?

Karen Wayne is on the move. A Rotarian breakfast here and a Women’s Club lunch there are all in a day’s work. Chamber events followed by a Red Cross evening gala are no problem for Karen.

Karen has a long-term association with the American Red Cross that goes back to when she was eight and collected pennies for the organization. This commitment continued to run like a thread through her life from the time she served as a volunteer during the Vietnam War all the way to her current position as the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Loudoun and Prince William Counties.

Karen has a stressful job and describes herself as a stress eater. Furthermore, she can’t afford to be sluggish and needs to have a lot of energy in her role.

Karen also found herself in need of a diet that would work for her as hard as she works. She started on the Ideal Protein Diet in April after seeing several friends experience success on the program. The pivotal moment came for Karen when a friend took her by the hand and personally introduced her to Jennifer Seven of 7Company Weight Loss & Wellness Center at a Sterling Women’s Club meeting. She began the program right away.

Karen has lost 44 pounds already despite her active social life. She’s learned techniques to deal with the frequent meetings and events that revolve around food. Karen has learned to ask for plain chicken and bring her own salad dressing. She’ll bring an Ideal Protein bar and grab coffee at a breakfast meeting instead of relying on an uncertain menu.

Karen likes what she’s seen from 7Company, including the focus on a healthy lifestyle, getting recipes that she can use, and adding “real food” back into her diet. She’s also enjoyed Ideal Protein peanut butter bars and puddings that help to satisfy her sweet tooth and bottles of Sweet Leaf Stevia peppermint or vanilla that she’ll use to flavor a glass of water. Karen hopes that others who have battled weight gain will give the diet a try.

Karen has loved the different reactions she’s gotten from family and friends and feels like she’s a walking commercial. One cousin responded after seeing her: “I wanna go on that diet!” After posting photos recently on Facebook, Karen received comments that she looks good and that she looks young. At a Chamber event she waved at someone who indicated be their “Who is that woman?” reaction that due to her weight loss that they didn’t recognize her; Karen had to speak to them before they realized who she was.

In fact, Karen has had such success navigating the culinary hazards of the non-profit circuit that she’s upped her goal from what she originally set. If Karen tackles this with the same vigor and focus she does her life and work responsibilities, we have no doubt she’ll continue to succeed! Go, Karen!

What's your story?  Could yours be the next Ideal Protein success?

Karen Wayne is on the move. A Rotarian breakfast here and a Women’s Club lunch there are all in a day’s work. Chamber events followed by a Red Cross evening gala are no problem for Karen.

Karen has a long-term association with the American Red Cross that goes back to when she was eight and collected pennies for the organization. This commitment continued to run like a thread through her life from the time she served as a volunteer during the Vietnam War all the way to her current position as the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Loudoun and Prince William Counties.

Karen has a stressful job and describes herself as a stress eater. Furthermore, she can’t afford to be sluggish and needs to have a lot of energy in her role.

Karen also found herself in need of a diet that would work for her as hard as she works. She started on the Ideal Protein Diet in April after seeing several friends experience success on the program. The pivotal moment came for Karen when a friend took her by the hand and personally introduced her to Jennifer Seven of 7Company Weight Loss & Wellness Center at a Sterling Women’s Club meeting. She began the program right away.

Karen has lost 44 pounds already despite her active social life. She’s learned techniques to deal with the frequent meetings and events that revolve around food. Karen has learned to ask for plain chicken and bring her own salad dressing. She’ll bring an Ideal Protein bar and grab coffee at a breakfast meeting instead of relying on an uncertain menu.

Karen likes what she’s seen from 7Company, including the focus on a healthy lifestyle, getting recipes that she can use, and adding “real food” back into her diet. She’s also enjoyed Ideal Protein peanut butter bars and puddings that help to satisfy her sweet tooth and bottles of Sweet Leaf Stevia peppermint or vanilla that she’ll use to flavor a glass of water. Karen hopes that others who have battled weight gain will give the diet a try.

Karen has loved the different reactions she’s gotten from family and friends and feels like she’s a walking commercial. One cousin responded after seeing her: “I wanna go on that diet!” After posting photos recently on Facebook, Karen received comments that she looks good and that she looks young. At a Chamber event she waved at someone who indicated be their “Who is that woman?” reaction that due to her weight loss that they didn’t recognize her; Karen had to speak to them before they realized who she was.

In fact, Karen has had such success navigating the culinary hazards of the non-profit circuit that she’s upped her goal from what she originally set. If Karen tackles this with the same vigor and focus she does her life and work responsibilities, we have no doubt she’ll continue to succeed! Go, Karen!

What's your story?  Could yours be the next Ideal Protein success?

As a member of a college diving team, Mike Hruby exercised six days a week. When his career ended so did the workout schedule. At the age of 22 Mike found himself with more time for relaxing, eating pizza, and drinking beer. Without the intense exercise routine of a college athlete to provide balance, his weight began to balloon. In fact, over the next two decades Mike doubled in size.

Mike's first quest to change his health started in 2010 with personal training.  His knees were weak from carrying the extra weight. While Mike gained in strength, he had basically traded fat for muscle and hadn't lost weight. A couple of friends suggested that exercise was not the issue but diet. They had seen others have success with the Ideal Protein diet from 7Company and recommended it to Mike.

Mike had said for years, “When God makes a diet where the food tastes good and I don’t have to exercise, that will be the diet for me.”

Well, Mike started the plan on February 1st. He calls this is his first serious effort to lose weight by changing his diet. Any previous attempts were ones Mike classified as being selfishly motivated. He selfishly wanted to lose weight, but he also found that he wanted to cheat because, after all, that was a way to get what he wanted too. This time was different though. Mike discovered a greater motivation: he wanted to honor God by bringing his body into discipline and order.

What he’s gotten in return are incredible results. In his first month on the Ideal Protein diet, Mike set and currently holds a 7Company record for a male by losing 38 pounds in one month. In total Mike has shed 90-95 pounds and says that he’s halfway to his goal. He’s committed to staying on the plan until he achieves the goal of being “half the man” he was.

Mike says that his eating habits have changed and that he’s eating better quality food, including fresh vegetables that he cooks himself. He also enjoys the Ideal Protein foods like the dark chocolate pudding, omelets, and peanut butter soy puffs. Mike likes to use the pudding and the omelet mixes as bases to make other dishes. He has modified a few recipes to make them IP-compliant and has come up with his own for gyro meatballs and his creative version of eggs benedict.

Mike now gets compliments on his weight loss and likes the reactions of “Wow! You’ve lost a lot of weight!” He is happy to share with others that he’s found success using Ideal Protein. Mike also receives encouragement to continue toward his goal. Knowing how far he’s come, it’s only a matter of time. We’ll be cheering you on, Mike!

What's your story?  Could yours be the next Ideal Protein success?

Until her 30s Bonita Parrack could eat whatever she wanted.  Over the past 10-15 years, however, age, metabolism, and lifestyle have taken their toll on her health and weight.  A family history of heart disease and diabetes as well as intolerance to medicine have only complicated matters.  Bonita's mother passed away in February 2010, and suddenly, her weight was out of control.

After seeing a photo of herself attending a concert posted on Facebook, Bonita knew that she had to make a serious change.  She had seen a sign for 7Company in Leesburg, being particularly drawn by the "Weight Loss & Wellness".  She felt assured that this would not be just another diet.  Bonita has tried a number of diets, including Atkins, Weight Watchers, and Jenny Craig.  Each time she experienced the same results: she'd lose 30-35 pounds, plateau, and not lose any more weight.

Bonita called 7Company on a Monday.  They had an opening for a consultation on Wednesday.  Bonita's first thought was, "So soon?" Even though she stated that it would probably result in her typical 30-35 pound weight loss, Bonita made the appointment and started the Ideal Protein diet the following day: September 2nd.  A self-proclaimed junk food eater, Bonita liked that with the Ideal Protein diet she could have an IP bar or chips for lunch.  It was fine with her because it made her feel like she was still having junk food.  She also enjoys the Ideal Protein tomato soup, drink mixes, and peanut soy puffs.  Bonita liked that 7Company would bring chefs in and that they emphasized how to eat after the diet.

Over the first 9 months Bonita had lost 103.5 pounds as of her June 1st weigh-in.  She was the first 7Company client to break the 100 pounds lost mark.  Bonita was also the first person to record the largest weight loss for a given month two different times.

Bonita now knows that she's healthier, and she feels good.  Her blood work has "changed 100%".  In fact she is close to being taken off her blood pressure and cholesterol medications.  Bonita also responded to the 7Company support groups, knowing how emotionally challenging this type of process is.

What else has this meant to Bonita?  She says that it's about the little things that she can do; she can now participate in life more.  Bonita feels good when she gets dressed to go out.  She's no longer embarrassed.  Bonita is looking forward to a trip with her grandson who is turning 13; she will be able to be active without her feet hurting.

Bonita has loved the reactions of co-workers, friends, and family members as they've witnessed her incredible transformation.  In fact, three have joined her on this journey to a healthier life, and she's mentoring one of her co-workers who started the Ideal Protein diet a month ago.  Bonita still has goals to reach with her weight loss, but she's come so far with such notable accomplishments you can't help but to cheer her on.

What's your story?  Could yours be the next Ideal Protein success?

Lisa Schwartz has been obsessed with losing weight her entire life... well, at least, since the age of 5.  As it turns out, 3 surgeries that year and the divorce of her parents may have contributed to this lifelong struggle.  Lisa can vividly remember the taunts and being overly self-conscious about what she was eating.  Part of it too was growing up in a resort town in New Jersey where the standard wear for work for many girls was a bikini.  Diets, cutting calories, and exercise didn't work.

Lisa ate better with her first pregnancy (twins) but ate more sweets with the second.  Afterward the added weight didn't come off.  At least three times, Lisa would go on ten-day fasts, taking in only water.  Then began a series of misdiagnoses and educated guesses as she was tested for various diseases.  Lisa went from 1200 calories a day to 900 calories a day.  After months of eating right and exercising, she would give up but wouldn't gain more weight.  Later she had a diet that consisted of two protein bars a day for the equivalent of 500 calories.  She would also exercise 2-3 hours each day.  With this regimen Lisa lost 50 pounds in four months, but her hair started falling out, she lost her balance, and she found herself to be forgetful.  Once she went back to 1200 calories/day, Lisa gained 70 pounds in 2 months.

Lisa has gone through periods of time where she would skip numerous meals or even go for days at a time without food.  The result would be little to no weight loss; her fasts and diets also began to wear on her body.  Lisa had her metabolism tested and found out that her weight problems were not from a slow metabolism.  Through visits to holistic doctors, Lisa discovered that she had food allergies or food intolerances to wheat, dairy, corn, and soy.  She began to do research and take herbal supplements.  Lisa was told that her organs were in distress and that she had adrenal burnout.  Instead of making her stronger, all her dieting and exercising had actually made her extremely ill.   Acupressure helped Lisa to lose 17 pounds.  Her diet began to consist of only meat, some vegetables, apples, and peanut butter.

Lisa began to ask herself questions like, "Do I have to be fat for the rest of my life?"  She learned about Ideal Protein. Lisa researched the diet and couldn't find anything negative about it.  She found and read the testimonial of someone she knew in Susan Lee; Lisa had witnessed first-hand Susan's stunning weight loss.  Lisa's thought: "Lots of people lose weight, just not me."  Lisa declared as she always had, "If anybody can make me skinny, I'll make them rich." She asked more questions of Susan: What do you eat? Who does it not work for?  Lisa visited the 7Company clinic to get more info and found that as opposed to most diets, Ideal Protein would actually expand her variety of foods to include items like pudding, hot chocolate, and bars.  Since being on the diet, not only has Lisa enjoyed her new selection of food choices, she's created her own recipes using Ideal Protein foods in combination with regular foods.  In fact she's even given cooking demos for 7Company and its clients to show how creative and delicious one's meals and snacks can be- while still being easy and progressing toward weight loss goals.

58 lost pounds later... Over 30 of Lisa's friends and associates have seen the dramatic difference in Lisa's health and weight and have started on the Ideal Protein diet through 7Company as well.

What's your story?  Could yours be the next Ideal Protein success?

Labor Day is right around the corner.  Holidays can prove challenging to anyone trying to drop or maintain their weight.  This is where focus and the right attitude come into play.  Labor Day weekend, for example, can bring us neighborhood cookouts and parties with hot dogs, burgers, ice cream and desserts - lots of desserts.

Never take your eye off the ball, especially during holidays.  For me knowing that my clothing fits comfortably helps.  Before I found 7Company Weight Loss & Wellness Center and Ideal Protein Program of Leesburg I had skipped many functions because I was too embarrassed to be in a bathing suit or was ashamed of how I looked. Temptation will be lifted if you stay focused on your goal and long term satisfaction.  Go back to Weight Loss Tip #1 ("A Cooler Is Your Best Friend") and #2 (Water, Water, More Water).  Keep healthy foods with you and drink a lot of water.  Remember:  "Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin Feels".

Each one of us needs to find our own motivation and to reach out to our support system if we are feeling weak.  Your true friends and the people who really care about you will not want to sabotage your diet.  Set your goals.  Truly make the commitment and you will succeed.

What are your favorite tips for getting through the holidays?