Hello Readers!

   Happy 2015!  I can’t believe 2015 is here already, the last year has flown by... it seems like just yesterday I was writing this post on NYE 2014. 

Since my last post in 2014 recap: (finished my weight loss in May 2014. Traveled to Europe May 2014. Moved June 2014. Job transfer July)  August 2014: New job.September/October 2014:  three weeks of house guests. November 2014 holiday and job related stress/ more family visits+good news, I started back at the gym doing fitness classes.  December 2014: New puppy and I got the flu. 
 
 Well friends, as you can see 2014 was filled with both immense blessings and change. I did not meet my final weight loss goal, instead I maintained my weight since May 2014... I say maintenance, meaning I used alternative products and “maintained” my 10 lb gain since my strict IP days. This may sound awful to an avid IPer and I’m sorry, but I “watched” my weight furiously, but I did not allow myself to become “regimented”, the way I initially was when first starting protocol. I think this is both good and bad. Good in that, I lived life for a season- with the ups and down and was mindful of what I was putting in my mouth, and bad in the fact that I struggled to find the girl who started the journey in August 2013.. Where did she go? Where was her motivation? Could she be found, again?   I went through (and still do) go through phases of: “I’m doing this, I’m back on track!” and my shameful days of “I was on day 6...what happened I fell apart?”.  All of that to say, I’m learning what living out an  Ideal Protein lifestyle looks like. 

What my own journey has taught me is, I recgonize how to make better food choices. I almost always can turn down a potato, sandwich bread, fries, rice, etc. I have learned how to live without these things. In and of itself, this is a great accomplishment for me, a former carb addict. So with that, I am pleased with myself.

But if I’m honest, just like my August 2014 post, I’m  unhappy with  how my body feels at this current weight. While all my clothes still “fit”, I no longer feel "fabulous!**” in them. So, its time to reboot (again). I am learning that this will take balance, as I am juggling a new job, a second dog and an upcoming move from an apartment to a new home. I will allow myself grace on the days where I miss the mark, and I will keep going.

This past month I have read Shauna Niequest’s book Bread and Wine, and I relate so much to her, she says that balancing healthful eating and times of indulgence is hard because she is constantly on the seesaw of “feasting and fasting”. She defines fasting not as a typical strict broth fast or non-food fast, but more as a “season of less, or abandonment of excess”. When I read this I immediately identified. It is true to we do have seasons of indulgence and seasons of restriction.

Life is a balance. Maintenance is a balance. Life has special occasions. Learning to live in moderation is key.

So in 2015, I am going to aim to get to my goal weight, which I am now 22 lbs away. But I am NOT going to obsess about it. I will get there in time, it may be that I reboot and get there in a couple months or maybe it takes longer-- I don’t know. What I do know is that tearing myself up emotionally, obsessing and being ashamed of slow progress is not helpful and does not build me up, or recharge me to keep going.  I’m going to give myself grace along the way. At the end of the day, I remind myself that  while I’m not there yet, I am still far, far away from where I was in 2010. I remain 40lb lighter and then that puts in perspective, and lets me continue another day. 
 
I share this post with you, because I’ve gotten so many “reboot IP” emails from readers, I think people can relate to this on a human level. We fail, we mess up-- it’s the fact that we pick ourselves up, put our big girl panties on and face a new day. It also reminds me of my human nature to forget my need to have my faith base guiding the way. To remind myself how the creator sees me, and sees you can make all the difference-- when we’re in that dark place and it feels like we want to give up. Let’s keep going, and keep pushing... one day at a time. That’s my prayer for this new year, that I can give grace not only towards others more, but also myself. 

Happy 2015! I hope you give yourself grace along the way and know you are doing so well. Keep going when you have a bad day, don’t call it quits. You’re worth it, so keep going!

Here’s to a new season of recipes in 2015! As always, feel free to share new recipes with me and pass mine along, if they’ve helped :)

Blessings, 
-Ideal Protein Tiffany

>>>>>>>>>>>> DAY ONE IP REBOOT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Note: Not all individuals losing weight struggle with a 'food addiction',so please read this posting with that in mind. My aim with this post  is to convey my very honest look at my own personal struggles with obesity and food addiction. Someone you may know, or others  you may not know-- might relate to this posting--- to them I hope this posting offers hope and encouragement.

Today is day 1 for me.  A lot of people read this blog as I can tell by google analytics and Pinterest clicks/shares etc. I do not mention that to be cocky or vain, rather  I feel I would be lying to my readers, if I did not share my own recent struggle. Yes, while I have been hugely successful in doing Ideal Protein, I phased on and off for the summer. I've always approached this blog in an honest manner sharing both successes and struggles, therefore this post is no different. However, I would like for this post to be my online accountability, my very  public "reboot" if you will.

I lost 55 pounds on Ideal Protein  from Aug 2013- May 2014. I loosely followed protocol this summer, and enjoyed many 'carbfests'. While I did enjoy myself, I paid for it on the scale. In three months, I have flucutated and ultimately  gained 10 pounds back. Some have told me "that's not a lot, get back on track" ... Others have said  "that's because its [IP]  a fad diet, I knew you would gain it back".

I say:  "I can feel a 10 lb weight gain. I can feel it in the way my jeans are tight. I can see it on my hips, inner thighs and armpits. I own it. It happened. BUT I refuse to let it rule my life, as I once did. I will  NOT hide behind my failure with food. I refuse to give up. I am still 45 pounds lighter than I was a year ago. I will NOT throw it all away. I worked my butt off to slim down and get healthy. I see this as my "warning". The girl who had trouble containing herself around sweet treats, homemade pastries, pastas and goodies is still there, and she will always be! God made her a 'foodie'. Rather than pretend she's gone or make excuses for the weight gain, I  again----will own it. I have a food addiction. There are plenty of 'foodies' who can eat small meals, and enjoy tastes without over doing it. My goal is to learn that lifestyle, to be content with a taste here and there.  A shared meal out with friends every once in a while, a  possible night of food indulgence.... but not to allow the food to consume my thoughts, bank account and my life. My goal last year when I started Ideal Protein was to lose as much weight as possible in order to possibly start a family, that was my motivation. While it worked, I learned along the way that I had other issues surrounding my weight, as many of us do: self-image, food-coping, and self-confidence.
 
When I started losing the weight, I loved the feeling of going in to a store to fit into a pair of jeans without a muffin top, or being able to try  a shirt on and not have my fat rolls exposed while sitting down (I would always test what I looked like in a sitting position, as I hated being photographed with bulgy rolls).

These are all wonderful factors to weight loss, but over time with the help of my counselor I've realized I have not processed the addiction aspect of my personal journey.  I was raised by people other than my biological parents---- I come bioliogically from a family of addicts. Parents and some siblings abused heroin and cocaine. Other siblings are moribidly obese due to their own food addiction. Whether or not you believe addicition is partially a "genetic" issue--is a personal and somewhat controversial  issue. For me, I did not think it was a genetic problem, I saw it more as a lifestyle choice... for the longest time, until now.
 
However, now I see genetics as a contributor towards the problem. I refuse to blame my food addiction, solely on genetics, rather I now view genetics as a possible explanation as to the "why" I "may" struggle with addiction.  Knowing part of "why" I struggle is actually a relief to the self-hatred and inner "war" I wage in my mind.  It's taken me a long time to "make this make sense", but the easiest way I see it is--- if you have a risk factor for developing any common disease, wouldn't you want to lower your risk by 1) researching the exact risks 2) work to eliminate lifestyle factors that could help to avoid developing the said disease?

That's my "why" for doing on this second journey of Ideal Protein. Rather than focusing on weight loss as a number or a clothing size or even to help with creating a family... I'm focusing it on my journey of recovery from my food addiction. I will be giving up literal foods that create similar responses to a "high", i.e. sugars, fast-food, fried food. See a great article here that explains how these foods create a similar  chemical reaction as a drug-user would get from a dose of heroin.

I truly believe a majority of success is measured NOT by  products or strict routines, rather the mental perserverance to get to your goal, whatever it may be. "The inner dialogue that directs us to stay or stray from our goals is very powerful."

Today, is Day One of this journey . I choose to focus my energy on recovery from food addiction. I choose to focus on Ideal Protein and commit myself to it for several reasons, first of all- its an excellent program for reducting sugar and second- I know  I can get results, as I have seen from others and my own experience-- it works.

Thanks for reading and  letting me be honest and real. I hope this post encourages others who may be struggling with similiar issues to know you're not alone and CAN do whatever you set your mind to do!

I will be working on new recipes and of course will share them with you all as I start this second journey.
- Ideal Protein Tiffany

Eating Out: Americans are SO food oriented! I know I first started IP- it was so difficult for me to go out with friends because they were having “fun” eating all the crap I couldn’t: pizza, pasta, wine, bread, cocktails, thai soup, etc. For a while, I even boycotted going out- if I was invited, I would make an excuse not to go ( I was tired of telling people about the diet and its limitations). It wasn’t until month 3, that I finally realized I was becoming a party-pooper and  humongo “Debbie-Downer”. So, I researched any and all restaurants AFTER I made a commitment to go out with friends. That way, I wouldn’t back out and let FEAR of the unknown control me. I learned as I went out with friends, that most places are accommodating to nix fries and add broccoli, yes, there may be an up-charge, but at least it doesn't wreck one out of ketosis or cause an emotional meltdown (this happened to me once, poor waitress!) Not gonna lie, there were a few times I cheated and had meals I shouldn’t and it always reflected on my weigh-in day.  But for the most part, I have tried to be creative and make dining out with friends and family a fun event, not a torturous nightmare I once thought it would be forever. 

While I am not normally a “chain” restaurant kinda gal, I have found these restaurants sometimes to be the most accomodating. Not sure if its because of the sheer volume of business they do & the ratio of healthy substitution requests they get, or what but I generally fare well at the restaurants listed below. 

What meals do you get when you go out? What do you find is the easiest to substitute? What restaurants are IP friendly, in your experience?

Note: I intend to update this posting as new “faves”  become available. Here’s just a few suggestions for now, scroll over each picture for more info!

Normally, I love winter. I think I can say that because normally our winters in Delaware  are cold, a few snow flurries and nothing else really to write home about. This winter, as many of you know has just been straight up freezing it seems like! In addition, I have had 4 1/2  snow days from work since December. While this has been great for catching up on reading, Netflix, and Game of Thrones, it has NOT been great on my diet. I am such a poor dieter when the snow comes, I make the excuse that hibernation mode is okay to splurge on calories. Ooof! I share this because, I think its normal to do (doesn't make it right) but I read so many blogs where theres a lot of bashing (self and others) when it comes to breaking a diet. I share my experience, because I am far from perfect and this journey I am on--- is just that a journey. By the grace of God, I am a healthier person today than I was a year ago. Praise God for that. I am not where, I want to be today- but in my struggle I am learning it's okay. It's okay when the schedule and numbers are changed in a minute. It's okay to let my hair down and have fun. I've worked hard for the healthy body I now have. What  I am NOT  saying is - it's okay to binge and give up.  We must remember the goals we set for ourselves, and strive towards them, but in a human-way. We are not robots or superheros, our experience is human. I digress.  This past week has been yet another struggle if I'm honest. With trips to the ER and Dr. for a kidney stone ( very painful).  I'm fine now, but it was a week where I just melted and felt like-- really? I just recommitted to  IP, and now I  need to have certain foods that aren't IP friendly, because my body needs (cranberry juice, etc)to get healthy, and back to a baseline. After having numerous exams, tests, and ultrasounds I was a whiney little lady. I pushed through the rest of the week, and thought I was "finally" getting back on track... until yesterday.  Yesterday, we had a mild snowfall  and state offices decided to close,  so I happily got to stay home for the day. It turned out the husband already had the day off. We enjoyed a morning coffee, watched a sermon, relaxed, walked the pup, caught up on some tv shows, and then came lunch.... I was doing so well. BUT, I was craving thai food. I knew I shouldn't give in, especially after recommiting myself to this diet. I realized I had a choice. I decided to go out with my husband for a snowy lunch date. It doesn't get better than that, right?! An unplanned, romantic trek down the road and stop at one of our favorite little Tavern's that just so happens to have an amazing thai noodle soup. Instead of becoming consumed by guilt of "cheating" on IP, and fearing the weigh-in scale, I decided that I was going to be happy about this lunch, this gift-- of an unplanned and totally sporatic time with my husband. It was great. We talked about future, goals, laughed about a plow truck spinning its wheels, and I enjoyed him as he relaxed with a rum cocktail. In life, it really is about the little things. So often, I know I get caught up in the "must do" or number-driven goals, that I often miss out on the little gifts that the day brought. As of late, I think is because I have become consumed by my dieting results. So unhealthy. So friends, if you're doing this thing or another diet, or just trying to live a healthy life-- know that there will be days where you go off course, but don't beat yourself up about it. Enjoy the moment, taste, and people, and know you're a work in progress. There's always a new tomorrow, and life's a journey. Relax, you're doing great!