Once I increased my consumption of protein, my body started shedding both water and fat. I was not on a high protein diet-but made sure I had 30% protein, 50 percent complex carbohydrates and 20% essential fats. I also learned how to select my protein with intelligence. Not all proteins are alike and animal proteins are laden not only with fat but chemicals and hormones. Instead of relying only on meat (with its accompanying levels of fat) for my protein source, I had soy protein as well in my daily meals.

Fruits and vegetables became mainstays for almost every meal. My standard fare consisted of a small bowl of unprocessed oatmeal and soy protein shake with a cup of blueberries or strawberries for breakfast and another soy protein shake plus a large green salad for lunch.I have been on this regimen for almost 4 years now.No longer a vegetarian,I eat some form of meat 2 or 3 times a week. My evening meal is usually composed of whole-grains, legumes, stir-fry veggies with lean chicken,turkey, salmon or chickpea falafel. My body has returned to a kind of internal balance. I am back to a size 4(my wedding dress size); I have more energy now than I ever did and I cannot even remember when I was sick (more than 5 years ago).