I can’t believe it has been eight weeks since we started Ideal Protein. Eight weeks on this program and I feel a load has been lifted, literally and figuratively. When I look in the mirror, I see a younger/healthier self. I won’t lie, it gives me a confidence boost.  Speaking of confidence boosts, a few of my coworkers that I haven’t seen in a few months stopped by and boy were they shocked! One remarked, “Oh Cody you look like a movie star, are you starting to act now?” The second co-worker was so shocked he didn’t know who he was speaking to until 10 seconds into the conversation. On both accounts all I did was chuckle and told them that I have been on the Ideal Protein program.

They weren’t overly inquisitive about the program, but not everyone has been. A lot of the people I spoke to about the program are people who like the way they look and don’t want to change. For a long time, I was one of those people; someone who enjoys what they eat and don’t feel like changing. Now that I’ve made the decision to change my lifestyle and see the outcome, I’m enjoying it! At one time, I may have been scared to change, now I can full heartedly say that I am loving life more and embracing my weight loss.

As I am sure you read on Paula’s posts for the last couple weeks our plan has been to phase off of the Program for the Christmas break; we’ll go back on it, in January. This way, we’ll enjoy time with family and friends a few favourite restaurants while we are in Winnipeg. This was the first week of phase two.

Phase two includes one IP meal for breakfast, an IP snack and eight ounces of meat with two cups of veggies for lunch and dinner. This lasts for two weeks and then we go into phase three, which is similar to phase two but with more carbohydrates for breakfast. Our coach, Linda, explained to us, “Doing it this way allows the pancreas to have time to start up again and digest all the different types of food.”

I have to say, phase two is harder than phase one. Before the Program, I always ate out for lunch; but since committing to IP, I have been sticking to the rules. In phase one, I would have one of the IP meals for lunch; however, in phase two I need to bring an actual meal to work and it’s harder than I imagined. I now have to plan to take left overs at dinner for lunch the next day. It shouldn’t be too hard, but it was a challenge I wasn’t expecting.

Now at the the end of week eight, I lost just over 2lbs. This brings my overall weight loss to almost 37lbs. I am one step closer to my goal. Phasing off the diet may slow down my progress, but I do believe I will reach my goal by the end of January or the beginning of February.