Eleven months ago I was ill, run down, constantly tired, feeling nauseas and dizzy spells. Thinking it was anemia or stress related I went for blood tests. The results came and my Dr sat me down, my cholesterol was very high at 253, blood pressure was a concern at 153 over 90 and I was very over weight for my height 5’2″ at 190lbs. We discussed my family health, my paternal Grandmother had five strokes and my Dad has also suffered a stroke, has secondary diabetes and heart issues. In no uncertain terms my Dr pointed out I too was now putting myself at high risk because of my diet! I identified my personal goal, my health!

I listened to my Dr and started to diet, I hated having scales in the house (a constant reminder of the truth) I think I lost about 14lbs. Following the school holidays and a great family holiday to California last summer I suspect I gained back 7+lbs. Like so many times before, I’d started back on the diet treadmill! I lost a little more, then there was one of the boys birthdays and celebrations…weight back on…diet, weight off…start of term & more birthday celebrations…weight back on! Each time the gains and losses were smaller.

In October, my neighbor Steve told me to call Erika, he’d lost 44lbs on IP and looked totally different. He then showed me his cholesterol results which had dropped hugely. It was the health results that convinced me to call. I’d got used to looking the way I did, but was very enthusiastic at turning my health around.

I find the IP diet easy to follow, it is quite prescriptive, knowing on Monday what I’ll be eating for the week ahead can also be oddly liberating. Breakfasts are a doddle, Lunch I have got used to preparing the night before, usually salad and soup or chilli. I have my ‘snack shake’ when we get home after work when the kids are scoffing toast or cookies, this was a tough time for me before IP. Evening dinner has seen the biggest change in our house. Fresh food with flavour has become my obsession. Dijon chicken, stuffed peppers, meatloaf, fish curry with plenty of herbs are a few of my recent favourites.

So I’m extremely proud of my results following my visit to Erika and my commitment to Ideal protein:

• Cholesterol 253 – 173 (Ideal) B
• lood Pressure 153 over 90 to 112 over 72
• Body fat percentage 42% to 29%
• Weight 184lbs to 140lbs
• Dress size US size 16-18 down to size 4-6