Update: Now I am 44 and recently went through a total hysterectomy with ovaries removed. Now I am struggling with hormonal and metabolic changes that come with medical menopause. I need to be eating real food but much less of it. My life literally depends on eating right and weighing less now.

I am a 42 year old woman looking to get back in shape after over a decade of being overweight, beginning with the birth of my children. I started the Ideal Protein diet in October 2014. Before finding this site, I had lost 20 pounds. But I have 20 more to go and it is getting harder. I am looking for encouragement and support and this looks like a good place for that. Like many others, I've tried so many diets. I also know a lot about what I am "supposed" to do. It's just doing it and making it a lifestyle that is so hard. Ideal Protein has been working for me because I am a sugar addict and the high protein diet has greatly reduced my cravings and triggers. But the food is not really healthy, except all the veggies I add to it. I want to be off of it and eating my own food as soon as I get to my goal weight. I'll never be able to go back to all the carbs, though, because my addiction will take over again.