A Skeptic’s Journey on Ideal Protein

By Zan Romeder, owner of Vital Body

I had all the right reasons for not starting Ideal Protein. I did it anyway, and I’m so glad I did.

“Yes, I know the science is all there,” I thought to myself. “It does make sense to me. But there’s got to be a catch.” The catch, as I soon discovered, is that you follow the protocol closely, with support, and that’s what makes it work.

Even though I understood the science, I still thought, “This is so strict. Who would want to eat like that?” But my hope of losing the stubborn weight I’d slowly gained over ten years kept me looking.

As I did my research, I finally had my light bulb moment. Phase 1 isn’t how you eat forever. It’s a focused phase for losing fat, and then the next phases bring you back to everyday eating in a way that works for your body. That took away so much of my inner resistance.

Once I started, I found it easier to follow than I expected, and seeing steady progress every week made it feel almost fun. I know many of you can relate to the reasons I had for not starting. I chased my own tail for over a year while my inner skeptic had its say.

Reasons I Had for Not Starting

“I make all my own food. I’m a lifestyle person. I don’t buy packaged food!”
True, but the real truth is I did buy some packaged food: chocolate, good chocolate, and lots of it. I made most of my own food, but I wasn’t losing weight. I was actually gaining. The lifestyle changes I’d made were good, but they weren’t moving me toward my goal.

“I’m a smart person. I can figure this out on my own.”
Smart, yes. But after years of trying, I had nothing to show for it. Once I let go of my ego a little, I was free to try something new.

“How embarrassing to be on a diet.”
I could stay embarrassed and uncomfortable in my clothes, or I could try something that might actually work. Not a hard decision when I put it that way.

“I’ve read so many books. Why can’t eating a bit less and exercising more do the trick?”
A moment of truth. I ate fairly healthy, and I also ate a lot of carbs and a lot of sugar. Phase 1 went against everything I believed about eating, so I decided to get curious and stay open.

The Final Decision

It had all started with my friend Angela, who went from 38% body fat down to 22%, and kept it off. After a full year of hearing her stories about how good she felt, I finally started.

The first 5 lbs came off in the first week, which still felt small with 40 lbs to go. But one month in, I was a size smaller and feeling fabulous. I was converted. (Everyone’s body is different, and results vary from person to person.)

What I Know Now

I must admit, back then I thought losing the weight was the answer to all my problems. Intellectually, I knew it wasn’t. But part of me still believed it. What I discovered is that losing weight in a healthy way felt great, and it still didn’t fix everything. Life kept happening, and I still had to learn how to take care of myself through all of it.

That was years ago, and I’ve now spent more than fifteen years coaching people through this program. A few things I’ve learned along the way:

• It’s not about willpower. Most people who struggle aren’t lacking discipline. They’re under-nourished, tired, and trying to do it alone.
• The phases matter. Phase 1 is where the weight comes off, but Phase 2 and Phase 3 are where it stays off. That’s where you find your macro code and your own flow with food.
• Support makes the difference. Having a coach by your side, someone who knows your history and your life, is what turns a diet into lasting change.
• Be kind to yourself. Flow, not force. Nobody does this perfectly, and you don’t need to.

Advice for Fellow Skeptics

If you know you’re a skeptic, you’ll probably have to take a leap of faith. Ideal Protein is a carefully designed program, and you’ll have a coach with you the whole way. A few things that helped me:

• Take it one day at a time. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process.
• Clear some space in your calendar for grocery shopping, meals, and finding your groove.
• Celebrate each step along the way, not just the number on the scale.

If you’re curious and want to find out whether Ideal Protein is right for you, book a free consult with us. We offer virtual coaching across Canada. You can also read more about what Ideal Protein is. I hope my story helps you take that first step.