So I've tried almost all of the diets out there, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutri System, Atkins, etc. Each time I had success, but it was difficult to stick it out for the long haul, and never really achieved my desired weight.

So recently, my doctor started offering the Ideal Protein Diet through her clinic. After attending the orientation I gave it a try. Now after three weeks, I'm down 15 pounds, haven't been hungry (after the first couple of days), haven't had cravings nor do I feel weak. So how does it work? This diet was introduced in the US in February of 2008, but has been available in Canada for 10 years and in Europe for 20 years. It was developed by a French doctor, Dr Tran Tien, Chanh, initially intended for French Olympic athletes, allowing them to drop weight quickly without decreasing muscle mass or athletic performance.

The Ideal Protein Diet is offered through doctors or clinics, where you will be monitored weekly. The food you eat consists mainly of protein diet products offered by the company through your doctor. These products consist of shakes, drinks, soups, puddings, protein bars, and other items such as chili, stew, omelets, oatmeal, pancakes and more. On the diet you get two meals plus one snack per day of these protein products, along with salad and select vegetables, and one meal a day you fix on your own, consisting of a lean protein and vegetables.

You get all of the carbohydrates you need through the vegetables you eat each day, but not any more than you need. Therefore instead of burning carbohydrates and sugar, your body is burning fat. Since the body burns protein along with fat, you need to make sure you are getting a sufficient amount of protein to handle this without causing muscle loss. That's what their products provide, sufficient protein (not high protein) that your body easily absorbs.

You can go to their website, http://idealprotein.com/english/home.htm , for more information, or to find a distributor near you. Although it is recommended that you go through a doctor, if one is not available in your area, there is a mail order option with phone consultation.

To get a dieters point of view and for additional recipes, check out this blog, http://keepprotein.blogspot.com/ .