Exactly what Scorbett said.. The DASH diet is mostly used for lowering blood pressure. It always seems that as we get older, we seem to have some type of blood pressure problem and they prove that the DASH diet will help with that and is something to live by. However, since I have IR, i know I won't ever be able to eat the amount of carbs I used to.. otherwsie I will see the fat come back on. I will always have to be careful with carbs. That is why I believe the Ideal Protein diet is awesome. It is very strict, but when I tell people about it, I tell them that going through Phase 1 is very important for anybody. It helps teach you how to look at food differently and how to adjust your lifestyle and choices as you continue down the weightloss and maintenance journey. So many people tend to do a diet and then immediately stop.. and we all know that just doesn't work. We have to figure out how our body works and what makes it gain weight. And that is so different for so many people! I think Ideal Protein is a great diet, especially for me, since it's giving my pancreas a well needed break but also to teach people to read their bodies better! ANd I've said this before, i have had several Dr.'s recommend this diet or this type of diet to me before.. that info from them and the results I've seen so far on this diet is plenty enough for me to recommend this diet. Actually, several Dr's and Scientist here do this type of a diet to lose the weight they need.

As for the blueberry studies, they proved or have shown through their studies that blueberries do infact help prevent cancer cells from building and lowers your risk for cancer. It also helps with heart disease issues, especially of those who smoke. With regular consumption daily, it proved that there was less oxidative stress for smokers. THey also have seen that blueberries play a role in delaying the develoopment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as alzheimers. THey also have shown that by taking in blueberres or berry exracts, it can help GI problems like gastritis, and PUD or even stomach cancer. Always something interesting!!

Fascinating stuff - thanks!! Blueberries - who knew!!

My BP has always been on the low end of normal, so thankfully I don't have to worry about that and I am 50 now. I have the opposite problem - if I stand up too fast or do sudden moves I get dizzy.

The maintenance thing is something else. I've been on Weight Watchers, Nutri System, seen registered dieticians, etc. and like most of us probably know more about diet and nutrition than some of the experts, but even with IP I find maintenance is a tough one. Knowing it is one thing - practicing it is something else.

Thus my feast or famine approach to eating: 3 week feast and then one week famine (IP Phase 1).

I'm OK with that approach as long as it is not bad for my body and organs. I don't mean to say I'm stuffing burgers and fries in my face every day but if I feel like having a sandwich for lunch and pasta for dinner and maybe a piece of pie for dessert sometimes, I will. And movie popcorn and the occasional chocolate bar.

Ooops - missed this earlier. Thanks John - always appreciate the input.

Well I think I will try this approach for a few more months and see where I end up.

Yes I have a tiny bit of a tummy but I just turned 50 and I don't hold any illusions of having the abs of an 18 year old swimsuit model. I lost a lot of fat from my tummy and overall I am pretty happy with my body esp. for a 50 year old LOL.

As well, the tummy is very genetic in my family. I have a niece who is tall and thin naturally and a size zero and even she has a little tummy. There is only so much fighting genetics.

Thanks again John!!!

It looks like Ideal Protein has done it's job and taught you how to help you maintain. I think that is the most important part of these diets. If what your doing is working, then I say more power to you. I think it's awesome. I have a coworker who does the one reward meal a day diet. All meals, except for one, he eats no carbs and low fat. Then he has one meal, where he can eat what he wants but only within an hour time period. I'm sure there is a name for it, but it works for him and he has lost 15pounds in 5 weeks. Not too shabby for a meal that you can have a piece a cake or pie with!! ha! I can't wait till I can have my little carb treat again, but not until I lose what I need to lose. I do think it's important to treat yourself every now and then. And it's not like I ate horrible before, I actually ate pretty healthy, it's just the carbs that get me! I was just commenting to a friend about how knowledged we all become on all these diets but continue to learn new things everyday!! Good Luck to you!!

Hi,

You are pretty and really smart, so I am sure you will do great in maintenance.

THanks so much LexiChanel! You are too kind!

Enjoying the chat here as a new IP dieter!