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!

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?

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.