Anonymous 3

My latest success story is one of my favorites.  I have worked with this client off and on for about 7 years now.  In that time, I have seen her weight fluctuate down in the good times, and back up in the not so good.  We had diligently tried everything from every angle.  Although it would be easy to say that we could have both continued to try different tactics, it was clear that any progress we made would end up a short term success due to many factors, not the least being a lifestyle that includes a hectic work schedule and a long commute to further complicate things.
Therefore, in early summer of 2008, she decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery after discussing all of her earlier attempts with several doctors.  Gastric Bypass Surgery involves reducing your stomach size and connecting it to the intestine, a large part of which is bypassed, limiting the calories you can absorb. Gastric bypass helps in long term behavior modification by reducing tolerance for foods with high sugar and fat.  It is important to note that while bypass surgery can go a long way to aiding in the success of weight loss, it is not a magic pill; plenty of work must still be done, and plenty of bypass recipients fail in even coming close to their goals.
Less than a year later, she has hit a milestone that I had always secretly hoped she could achieve, but we never achieved.  She is officially under 200 pounds!  This represents more than 90 pounds lost in well under a year.  Not only is this accomplishment extraordinary, she is still losing weight!  Beyond that, and what I am most proud of, is her newfound enjoyment in trying new athletic endeavors.  Whether it is kickboxing, 1-1 boot camp workouts, rollerblading, or increased circuit training sessions, she has been open to any and all new forms of exercise!  She has always been very diligent about her form and progress during strength training, and this has not stopped.  And though she mentioned to me that she tries to give it everything she has now for every workout, this has been evident in the 7 years I have known her.  She simply has more energy now to get more out of this effort!  One of the most effective ways to get a little more out of each day has made a big difference; her use of a pedometer.  This has nearly doubled her day to day activity.
Some of the lifestyle changes she has made in the last year are ones that anyone can learn from.  She has learned to be disciplined in her diet, sticking to limited fats, whole grains, the right amount of protein, and avoiding refined sugars.  Additionally, she sticks to 6 small, controlled meals per day, rather than eating when she can find the time.  To help maintain this, she makes sure that she drinks at least 64 ounces of fluids every day as well.  Despite all of the added exercise and the new focus on her diet, she has re-committed herself to a little bit of relaxation every day.  To do this, she has become diligent in her planning, putting herself and her lifestyle first, rather than wherever it could fit in.  This means making food plans, making exercise commitments such as group exercise, and sticking to them rather than giving up on them whenever life got too hectic.
Probably the most important quality that she has learned is perseverance.  This perseverance allows her to work towards her goals more faithfully, to keep trying new things until she finds what works, and to more consistently put herself first!  This is a great quality for anyone to learn, and one that my client should be especially proud of!  So, congratulations!  And keep up the good work, the progress, and most importantly, the new outlook on your life!

  • Tip of the Month

    January 2012

    Smart Starbucks and Steakhouse Choices

    Starbucks Choices
    • Peppermint Choc Mocha- 520cals, 20g fat
    • Pumpkin Frappuccino- 420cals, 13g fat
    • Flavored Latte- 360clas, 16g fat
    • Latte- 220cals, 15g fat
    • Coffee w/cream and sugar 180 calories
    • Cappuccino- 120cals, 4g fat
    • Coffee w/sugar 90 calories
    • Coffee w/cream 90 calories
    • Coffee w/whole milk 60 calories
    • Coffee w/skim milk 30-50 calories

    Order a coffee with cream and sugar every work day?  Add 900 calories per week to your diet.  That is over 13 pounds in one year.

    Enjoy a cappuccino every day instead, and you save 300 calories per week, and cut 4 pounds per year from the above diet.

    Go to coffee with skim milk and Splenda?  Now you are only adding 250 calories per week, and under 4 pounds per year in coffee weight.

    Enjoy a flavored frappucino or latte once per week?  That could add up to 26,000 calories, and another 7.5 pounds per year.

    Just your coffee could account for 20 pounds of caloric intake annually!

    Steakhouse Choices
    • Caesars Salad- 800cals
    • Chopped Salad, 320cals
    • Spinach Salad, 170cals click here for more »

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  • Recipe of the Month

    January 2012

    Drink alcohol a little more wisely!

    Drink Choices
    • Eggnog, 350cals
    • White Russian, 260cals
    • Riesling, 160-200cals
    • Shot of liquor, 70-125cals
    • Tonic or Soda, 100cals
    • Winter Beer, 150-200cals
    • Beer, 150cals
    • Bloody Mary, 130cals
    • Wine, 120cals
    • Light Beer, 55-85cals
    • Champagne, 85cals
    Enjoy a small glass of eggnog and two gin and tonics, and you have drank 750 worthless calories.
    Or, start with some champagne, and enjoy two glasses of wine and you only have drank 330 calories, less than half of your first choices.