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Like many women, Misty Tolen struggled most of her adult life to maintain a healthy weight. The 42-year-old admits to having tried “just about everything” — from Weight Watchers to diet pills to counting calories and more — in her quest to slim down.
“It was a constant up-and-down struggle for 20 years,” Tolen laments. “I was tired of being overweight and never having any energy. I needed to make a change. I needed something different.”
That “something” turned out to be Ideal Protein, a weight-loss protocol offered by Ageless Wellness Center in Peachtree City. Developed by a medical doctor, Ideal Protein calls for a daily diet of three Ideal Protein pre-packaged food items, four cups of low-carb veggies and eight ounces of protein. The result puts the body into a state of ketosis, allowing it to burn stored fat for energy.
Linda Faulkner, Certified Nurse Practitioner at Ageless Wellness, challenged Tolen to do Ideal Protein for just 30 days. But Tolen remained skeptical because so many other diets she tried had failed.
“I didn’t think I could do something without having a cheat day,” Tolen laughs. “But then I thought, ‘I can do anything for 30 days’ and decided to give it a shot.”
Tolen began the Ideal Protein Protocol on Aug. 1. Four months later she’s still on it — having already lost a remarkable 65 pounds and dropping from a size 20 to a 14. And she’s not done yet.
“I look in the mirror and think ‘wow this really works!’,” she says. “I’m down to less than 200 pounds and would like to lose another 50, but I’m not holding to that number. I have a goal in mind, but it’s more about how I want to feel. It may take six months to a year to get to a weight that I’m happy with, but what’s that, when I’m getting my health back and regaining so much confidence?”
Tolen now admits that her skepticism of Ideal Protein proved unfounded. Not only do the food items taste good, but the structure, online resources and personal support aspects of the protocol make it easy to stay on track.
“I’ve had to change my mindset about food,” she says. “It’s not that I can never have french fries or Mexican or all the things I love ever again. But it is OK to say I can’t have that today. I’m learning that when you go out to just about any restaurant, you can order steak, chicken or fish and healthy vegetables, and I’ve never been a person to do that. That’s all I eat now and I really like it.”
When she does want a sweet treat, Tolen finds the Ideal Protein snacks satisfying. But more often than not, she’s just not hungry.
“I don’t have the cravings that I was having before to eat all the time,” she says. “But I still keep things like boiled eggs or fresh-cut vegetables in the fridge so if I do get hungry, I’m not going to the pantry and grabbing the first thing I see. I’ve also learned how to make things like cauliflower rice, and instead of eating pasta I make ‘zoodles’ out of zucchini.”
Tolen has always enjoyed Jazzercise and continues to work out three or four times a week while on Ideal Protein. The difference now is that she’s getting the double benefit of a healthy diet and exercise.
“You can’t out train a bad diet,” she says. “No matter how much you work out, if you eat badly it’s not gonna matter. It’s nice to be able to wear clothes I never thought I’d be able to wear again.”
Tolen says there’s definitely a confidence that comes from eating healthy and feeling better about yourself.
“At the end of the day I’ve learned that my body doesn’t need as much food as I thought it did,” Tolen says. “Food is nothing more than fuel for your body. When you eat junk, you feel like junk. When you’re eating healthy and putting good food in your body, you feel good.”
Ageless Wellness clients engaged in the Ideal Protein Protocol can expect the following:
- One-on-one coaching throughout your Ideal Protein journey
- A personalized approach to setting your weight loss goals based on your individual health profile
- A fundamental knowledge of nutrition and how your body gains and loses weight
- Online tools and ongoing support to maximize your success
- Easy to prepare, affordable delicious food and recipes
- Lifestyle education, coaching and guidance to help you sustain your Ideal Weight
Ideal Protein Weight Loss Learning Hour
• Jan. 8, 6 – 7 p.m.
Stem Cell Therapy Learning Hour
• Jan. 12, 11 am – 12 pm • Jan. 24, 6 – 7 pm
Ageless Wellness Center 1000 Commerce Drive Suite 300, Peachtree City
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Jamie Walraven or one of her nurse practitioners call 678-364-8414 or visit their website at agelesswellnessptc.com
