Hello all! Attended the seminar with my oldest sister, who has lost close to 70lbs on IP, on Wednesday and I joined.

My Story:

Ready - I am a 31-year old mother to an adorable 6 month old son and wife to an incredibly loving and supportive husband. I am fairly certain there hasn't been a day in my life that I haven't been overweight. I haven't tried every diet out there, but I have tried my fair share. I am an expert at the losing 10, gaining 20, losing 20, gaining 30 game. Well, I've decided I'm done! I'm READY to wear those outfits that I drool over as I am picking them out for my healthy and fit sister, instead of crying while trying on every piece of clothing I own just to end up in a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. I'm READY to be able to feel proud in a bathing suit at the pool with my husband and son instead of constantly worrying about the people who wonder why a guy like that is with a girl who looks like me or about the kids that know my son as the one with the "fat" mom. I'm READY to start enjoying my life instead of being held back by what I can't do because of my weight; from running a 5K with my sisters to just being able to comfortably and quickly get up and down off the floor with my son. I'm READY to be the best ME!

Set - I spent the days prior to the seminar researching recipes that are IP appropriate to see if I thought I could manage. I love cooking and to be on a diet that only consisted of eating manufactured products and salads would actually be depressing for me since I love being in the kitchen. I'm all SET-up as an IP member as of 9/11/13. My reference recipes are all SET on my iPad. On Sunday we are getting a new refrigerator, hitting the grocery store with an all new list and my OCD self will thoroughly enjoy SETting up the new fridge. I feel like I am SET for success!

Go! - This weekend will pass fast and on Monday morning I will wake up to the beginning of my new life. I know it will be hard; I know I will want to quit. But when I look into my husband and my son's eyes, I will find the strength to push forward. Yes, most importantly, I need to get healthy for me, but I am not good at doing things for me...I'm a Mom! So for me, I am doing this for my family...I want to be a wife and mother that they can be proud of and I don't mean proud because I wear a size 2...I mean proud because I worked hard; because I can be "fun"; because I am facilitating a healthy lifestyle for them; because I love them. They will be the one's fueling this journey and because of them I am ready to GO.

OoooOOOooo I just love the positive energy flowing through your words, love, love, love it!

Welcome Chrissy! I don't know a darn thing about IP, but I just want to say it sounds like you've put great thought and preparation into your plan, always a good sign! You sound so ready for a big change in your life, I just know You Can Do It! I hope in the tough moments (because there are always tough moments in life) you will return to this post which sets out so clearly why and how you plan to be the best YOU you can be! And know, in those moments, it gets easier, so never give up!

I really look forward to reading about your journey! I wish you so much success and happiness!

Hi Chrissy, I'm probably living under a rock, but what is IP?

I know what you mean about being a new mom and wanting to be healthier for that reason. I had a son 2 years ago, and he is constantly moving, wants to be outside ALL. THE. TIME. I was exhausted a lot, and there were times that I couldn't even stand in place to push him in his swing, so I vowed to change my stamina level by taking more walks and doing hill climbs, etc. It's helped a lot. I like the feeling of knowing that I can be active with him and not feel bad as I watch him go outside with his dad, while I'm sitting on the couch...A two-year-old really is a great motivator!

We go for walks all the time (when I'm not working), we play in the woods on our walking path, we skip and run, I wheel him around in the wheelbarrow, carry him on my shoulders, and we do all kinds of interesting little active things around the yard. Truly, there is no better personal trainer than a toddler. It saddens me to think that not all moms get to do this. If I hadn't made the effort to improve my physical ability, I think I would be resentful of not only him, but also my husband, knowing he "gets" to do the things I wouldn't be able to. Instead, we are so much happier all around, doing active things as a family - beach walks, playing on the rocks, hikes, rolling down hills, going to parks, all kinds of good stuff.

I hope my sharing helps to motivate you as well!

Ideal Protein

Hi Chrissy! Cute intro! Glad you joined us! Good luck!

Hi Chrissy!

Welcome and best wishes in achieving your goals!

Sending you big hugs and lots of support!