Weight Loss & Wellness Blog

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?

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?

Gwen Pangle could no longer stand to look at herself in the mirror... Gwen says that every decade would bring another 10 pounds of weight gain.  She would start eating well and lose a few pounds.  As she approached the age of 55 this year, Gwen decided that all had to change.  Her journey began last fall when she saw Susan Lee at a Middleburg Women's meeting. 

Gwen began the Ideal Protein diet from 7Company on October 22, 2010.  She describes herself as being focused and didn't cheat: she stuck with the plan through Thanksgiving, her birthday, Christmas, and New Years, saying that it helps when you're getting results.  Gwen also credits the cooking classes and support sessions at 7Company for helping her through this time.

A former "carboholic" ("Hi, my name is Gwen, and I'm a carboholic."), Gwen now no longer looks to pastas, breads, and potatoes for comfort and support.  That's right; she's found the joy of vegetables.  One of the things Gwen likes best about the Ideal Protein plan is that it's "do-able" over the long haul, saying that since you have to eat to live, you have to find the balance. 

Additionally, Gwen has discovered that making appropriate substitutions is an important step toward reaching weight loss goals.  Gwen states, "Your head will always tell you something negative."  Gwen has found a psychological edge like drinking water with lime in a wine glass or filling a martini glass with water.  She's eaten Ideal Protein's BBQ Ridges and Salt & Vinegar Ridges as a healthy alternative for a crunchy, "salty" snack while watching a movie at home.  Gwen also claims that Ideal Protein's Chocolate Puffs have saved her life more than once (although there is no documented evidence of these life saving moments).  She is now inclined to serve a plate of veggies and a low calorie, low sugar Russian or Blue Cheese dressing when entertaining friends.

I asked Gwen about the moment when she realized she had achieved more with the weight loss than a lower number on a scale.  She said that it hit her one night when her husband wanted to take her to Alexandria for dinner.  He had bought Gwen a black, gold, and silver sequined mini-dress, size small for their night out on the town.  Her first thought was, "I can't fit into a small."  But she tried it on, and it fit!

Gwen says that now it feels good to not take up so much space.  In fact she's done a lot of cleaning out of her closet.  Looking at clothes that are now too big for her laying across her bed, Gwen felt as though someone had died.  With a newfound energy and perspective, she believes that the old Gwen has died.

Through the diet Gwen has lost 45 lbs, and she's now down to the weight she was at in her late 20s and early 30s.  Twenty of her girlfriends have seen the difference in Gwen and are now using Ideal Protein from 7Company.

Oh, and how does she feel about the mirror now?  Let's just say this, Gwen hardly recognizes the person she sees looking back at her.

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