Hello Tiffany,
You made my day!
I just stumbled upon your website for the first time and wanted to tell you how much I admire your candor and your grace. I feel as if Divine Intervention led me to your blog this morning and I am so looking forward to rereading your posts and trying your recipes.
A little about me... I am 49 and have had a lifelong battle with weight and self-esteem issues. I, too, tried many, many diets. Yet, at the end of the day, the cravings for carbs would not subside. I felt as if I would scratch through drywall with my fingernails if chocolate was on the other side.
I started Ideal Protein in January of 2014 when at my highest weight of 185. I lost 50 pounds by July and kept the bulk of it off until the fall of 2014. I felt terrific and was wearing clothing that I never thought would work for me. However, I did not feel as if I would be a "success" until I weighed 128 -- what I'd weighed on my wedding day. So I remained on Phase I of Ideal Protein, but only half committed. Eventually the expense and boredom, combined with a new and very stressful job situation contributed to my downfall.
I ate my way through the holidays in earnest. When I hopped on the scales on January 1, 2015, I was 163.
I began IP again, using alternative Quest bars and have lost 9 pounds. I aim to remain on IP until I am back to 135. I also want to properly phase off the program, which I understand is very important, but I failed to do last time.
What I find most difficult about being on IP is the challenging of what to serve for dinner when I have friends over, or how to handle eating meals at friends' homes. "Dieting" for me is such a personal journey and I run from situations that draw attention to myself.
This morning I Googled "IP dinner recipes" and that is how I found you!
After reading every page of your blog, I feel a renewed sense of enthusiasm. I am eager to try some of your recipes this weekend when I have friends over for dinner. They all appear to be so "normal" looking, if you know what I mean.
Thank you ever so much for sharing your journey. I can't begin to tell you what a gift you have given to me today.
I signed up to receive your posts and am eager to continue to receive insights from you.
Best to you and to your husband,
S. * name confidential