Weight Loss & Wellness Blog

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?

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?

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?

In my experience every diet and weight loss program is consistent about one thing and Ideal Protein of Leesburg is no exception.  In each program you are asked to drink atleast 64 oz. of water each day.  Many people struggle with drinking enough water.  Back in the 1980's I remember a woman telling me that a water cooler was installed in her office.  She stopped drinking sodas and only drank water.  In no time she had dropped about 20 pounds.  This was the only change she had made to her daily routine.

Weight Loss Tip #2 - Helpful Ways To Get In Your Daily Water

I believe that you start with the right attitude.  Really appreciate the taste of cold, refreshing water.  Savor it.  If you stop drinking sodas and sweet tea and only drink water, the water will become a habit and one you like.

Start each day with water.  Drink one or two glasses of water each morning before you get into the shower.  Before you know it, your body will crave that morning water and it will become an unconscious act.

Flavor your water with fresh (and only fresh) lemon.

Drink water throughout the day. 

It helped me to take four 16.9 oz water bottles and mark each one - 1, 2, 3, 4.  When the fourth was gone, I knew that I had drunk over 64 oz. of water.  Someone took it a step further and marked their bottles in descending order.  Soon 4 bottles are easy and you will increase to 5 and then 6.  Be green and refill your bottles each day with filtered water.

Remember my Weight Loss Tip #1 - "A Cooler Is Your Best Friend".  Keep cold water with you wherever you go.

I recommend installing a water filter or purchasing a pitcher with a filter.  Keep atleast one pitcher of water in your refrigerator at all times.

Water can do great things for you.  Water is a natually suppresses the appetite.  It assists in metabolizing stored body fat. Water also helps with constipation.  It hydrates your body and your skin will look better and younger.  You will eat less, have more energy and will get fewer headaches.  So, put down the soda and enjoy a cold, delicious, refreshing glass of water!

Get into a routine and follow it every day and it will become a habit.  How do you make sure you are drinking enough water?  What are your favorite tips to make sure you drink atleast 8 glasses of water each day?

People often ask me why I believe that I was successful in dropping weight.  First of all, it helps to have the right program.  At 7Company Weight Loss & Wellness Center I was introduced to Ideal Protein of Leesburg. 

Throughout the time on the program I was able to pick up and learn different weight loss tips.  Sometimes it is just a matter of trial and error.  Sometimes another client would share a tip that had helped them.

I will be sharing a series of my favorite weight loss tips.  I hope that these tips will help you on your journey!

Weight Loss Tip #1 - Your cooler is your best friend.  Never, ever allow yourself to be without food.  If you are diligent each day and pack food and water you will never be tempteed to cheat.  To borrow a line from the Boy Scouts - Be Prepared.  Once you set up your system, it is easy and will save you time. Each morning I put food, salad & vegatables in a soft insullated bag with an ice pack.  In another insullated bag I pack my water for the day between two ice packs.  Then, each of these bags are put inside a cooler.  I keep utensils, sea salt, supplements, tea backs & packs of stevia in the pocket of the cooler.  Extra supplies are kept in the trunk of my car.  At first it seems like a chore, but like everything else, it will become a habit.  Have your food ready to be packed.  For example, I put chopped lettuce into plastic bags so the bags are ready to go at a moments notice. 

Fortunately, with Ideal Protein of Leesburg, the food is both delicious and very portable so that does help.  Good luck and be sure to share your tips on packing food.

Can you guess what is the most important part of the body used in weight reduction?  It is that area located between the ears.  The mind is so powerful that it will be the difference between success and failure. 

"If you think you can or you think you can't, either way you are right".  This saying is true for many things including weight loss.

Visualization is very important.  Really see yourself as thin.  Visualize yourself getting smaller and smaller.  Make that dream board.  Go find pictures of yourself when you were at your ideal weight and use those pictures as motivation. 

It is also important to embrace your program and really love it.  Find all of the things that you are grateful for and express that gratitude.  For example, by being grateful for delicious, cold, refreshing water and not thinking about how much you may want a sugary soda, you will begin to drink more water.  Savor the healthy and nutitious food you eat and stay positive.  Why complain that you can not eat chocolate cake?  Be grateful that you can now wear those jeans that were too tight.

Habit is a funny thing.  If you eat potato chips every day, you will want to keep eating them.  If you eat healthy foods every day, soon that is what your body will want and unhealthy foods simply will not appeal to you.

Find mentors.  Mentors can be others who have successfully transformed themselves.  Stick with the winners and you will be a winner, too.

My friend, Myla J. Blum, "M.J.", a hypnotist and NLP Practioner at The Regency House Health & Resort Spa was one person who helped me understand the power of our unconscious mind.  Another mentor has been JoAnn Junk at 7Company Weight Loss Center.  JoAnn has a lot of great sayings.  One of my favorites is that "nothing tastes as good as thin feels".  Keep saying  that over and over in your mind when you are tempted to eat something that is not good for you.

Are you serious about changing your life?  Are you willing to do what it takes?  First of all, believe that it is possible, because it IS possible.  Find your mentor, surround yourself with positive people and keep focused on what you want to accomplish.  Make sure that you have the winning attitude because you are a winner.