Ideal Protein Diet Takes Scientific Approach To Weight Loss

[Source: 2 KDKA Pittsburgh]

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Have you noticed our shrinking waistlines in our newsroom? Seven people here at KDKA-TV have lost significant weight and they’re all on the same diet. So, what’s their secret? A diet with a scientific approach. Paul Martino has covered a lot of stories in his 29 years at KDKA. But this time, he hopes his own story will inspire others because he has lost 55 pounds over the past six months.

“My hope was I could drop 20 to 30 pounds, but I never ever would have imagined I could lose over 50 pounds. It just boggles my mind. It changed my life,” Martino said.

Paul lost nine inches around his waist, went off his cholesterol medicine and cut his blood pressure medicine in half.
With six stents in his heart, he’s now a lot healthier.

“I’m much calmer. Seem like I have less stress,” Martino said.

Paul’s daughter, Danielle is now 27 years old, but she also went on the plan.

“I didn’t get her on the plan. She came to me and this is the most gratifying thing that’s happened. I worry about her weight,” Martino said.

Danielle went on the same diet and she lost 73 pounds in five months.

So, what’s the secret?

The Ideal Protein Diet. It’s not a fad diet either.

It’s a whole program based on how the body works.

“This is all math and science for us. So, the outcomes are what our focus is and they’re predictable, repeatable and measurable,” Ideal Protein Regional Director Mary Brown said.

The diet works by severely restricting sugar and carbohydrates.

The body stores about three days worth of carbs. Once those carbs are depleted, the body will start to burn fat.

Paul and Danielle said it’s easy to follow once you make a plan.

“It’s spelled out very clearly what you should do what you can’t do. It’s set up so you don’t fail, you’re not hungry,” Paul said.

“The biggest issue on this is to keep food volume up. The more you eat, the more you’ll lose actually,” Brown said.

A critical part of the Ideal Protein Diet is the food journal, individual counseling, classes and weekly weigh-ins.

Joyce Freeman of Bridgeville still weighs in monthly, a year after she lost 65 pounds on the program.

She’s now on the maintenance plan, which operates without the pre-packaged foods.

“This teaches you how to eat healthy, read labels, what goes into your body and how to maintain that weight loss, which is the most important part,” Danielle said.

Now that she’s lost the weight, Danielle went to Kennywood and the beach for the first time in years.

“I reached a point in my life where I didn’t know what to do. And I’m so thankful this diet fell in my lap because it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Danielle said.

For Paul and Danielle, losing weight means gaining a life together.

“My father dropped dead when he was 51 and he never met Danielle. And I want to know her kids,” Paul said.

The program costs $325 to get started and then costs $84 a week for the weight-loss portion. That includes all the food and supplements.
Paul said he wasn’t broke because he wasn’t spending as much eating out.