I went on Ideal Protein in May 2010 and lost 100 pounds in 6 months. I held about 80 of it off for a few years, and then it crept back up. Now I'm only 18 pounds below where I started. I think part of the problem was that IP didn't let me think of foods in a normal manner. Either I was "on The Diet", or "Off The Diet." And while it was INCREDIBLY effective in the short term, I was unable to maintain.
Around 2002, I tried WW. I went to meetings, counted points, and went from about 290 to 225. Then I petered out. Held that for a while, but on my 42nd birthday, I weighed 313.
I'm currently 247 pounds, and looking for a way to easily judge what to eat in a real-world situation, so that I can hopefully lose weight, and keep it off this time. I'm not going to go for the maximum - that happened on IP, I lost down to 155, looked great (except for all the excess skin), but the only way to hold that was to severely limit calories & carbohydrates. I pretty much developed an eating disorder (not the first time in my life). I was obsessed, and not fun to be around. Meetings are not really an option, as I work a lot, so I'm trying to do it online.
I hope to get to know more of you soon, and wish me luck!
WW is NOT a diet. It is a lifestyle, that does recognize, that not all days will be perfect!
None of us are perfect. We will have days, totally on plan, then we will have days when we eat everything in sight. That is ok, as long as you don't guilt/shame yourself into giving up, and turning one bowl of mac and cheese into 6 months of it.
Long term it failed to work for me. I find adding a daily walk after my last meal of the day the most helpful for me. Plus drinking plenty of water and having tuna sandwiches and salads alternated with some light pasta to keep carbs up every now and zen. Also a pizza every once a week a veggy type keeps the energy up too. Just keep walking and increase your distance. Even if you dont lose 100 lbs, 50 is a good start, even less then that, and then make a yearly goal and keep it off longer.
I have somehow managed to lose weight a bit more than 3 years ago. I was not eating nearly anything. I was in gym every day for like 2 hours a day. with a lot of trying I have managed to achieve my goal weight. then I managed to keep it for like 3-4 months and then it all started. I have not even understood how in about half an year I have been the same as prior starting all my diet plans, gym etc. etc.
Ugh, I have such a similar story! I was on IP and had amazing results, but gained everything back and more. I don't think it taught me how to actually succeed and also, I never really felt fit while doing it (which is a big deal to me).
So, I joined WW online a few days ago and am excited already. And hungry, lol!!
I too was on IP about 5 years ago, and flirted with it on and off for years after. I still buy some of the IP food just because I'm a Type 2 and it's easy and safe food for me to eat. But the actual IP Diet made me feel AWFUL, I was spacey, tired, depressed and while following it to the letter, lost less than a pound a week. I managed to stay on it for 3 months, and only lost 18 lbs.(the first 9 lbs in the first 2 weeks). I'm hypothyroid and have no gall-bladder and Diabetic and IP did not make me feel good. I gained all of that weight back. I have done WW before and lost weight, but was always hungry, so it's hard for me to stick with it. It used to be harder to eat proteins and stay within points, so I am liking this new program, but it takes diligence and discipline for me to stay away from the sugary things allowed on WW, and to not go over my points. Anyway, I understand the people who were on IP before, and their struggles with the strictness of the protocol.
One time I have lost the weight I wanted. I have been looking the way I dreamed about. I have had the ideal weigh. without any drugs or weight loss pills. I've done it all natural by eating right and exercising. Kept it like that for like half a year or even less, then I gained it all back in less than 2 months. 3 years have passed since then and I can't get rid of the extra weigh now...
I did WW years ago when the original points plan was introduced and it worked fast. I have got fat again the last 3 years (100 lb weight gain) due to depression. Now I am ready to get off the side effects of depression. I re-started WW old points plan this past Tuesday from home. Will not be going to meetings. At this point I don't need them. I know what to do and have been taught to deal with the emotional issues. We eat out a lot and I have found that I will plan ahead of time what I am going to eat whether it be a grilled chicken breast or a salad with dressing. I know ahead of time how many pts are in a 6 oz piece of chicken. This past Thursday we ate out and I had a blackened chicken sandwich, ate only 1/2 the bun, had them put the mayo on the side so I would know how much I was putting on, came with a pickle, lettuce, tomato. WW is doable in the real world. It's just a matter of learning the pts. Yesterday, I took my mom to Ruby Tuesdays. I knew ahead of time I would get the salad bar. I added all the veggies I like and then added 1 egg, (chopped) 2 T shredded cheese and put the salad dressing I wanted in a cup so I could eyeball measure 3 T to stick my fork in with each bite. I also keep at home the skinny cow ice cream sandwiches as my happy treat, (3 pts.). I love being able to have 1 everyday if I want. It's just a matter of planning.
Last edited by EMERALDberry; 07-23-2016 at 09:26 AM.
It is a lifestyle, that does recognize, that not all days will be perfect! 
I was on The WW Diet too
a veggy type keeps the energy up too. Just keep walking and increase your distance. Even if you dont lose 100 lbs, 50 is a good start, even less then that, and then make a yearly goal and keep it off longer.
