Archives | Weight Loss Stories

Client Spotlight Jen Hinger

Posted on May 7, 2012 by GreenLite Medicine

I am 31 and had gained about 30-40 lbs in the last 3 years. I always have worked out and in the last year, I worked out more than I ever had before and was still the heaviest I have ever been. You always hear that diet and exercise is the key and I thought that I was making healthy eating decisions — for example, I didn’t drink soda or eat junk food. I would buy light Triscuits and make turkey wraps but for some reason, I could not lose the weight. My best friend works at GreenLite Medicine and recommended it, so I decided to give it a try.

I like to do things the hard way, so I started the week before Christmas of 2011. In 4.5 months, I lost 30 lbs and this included Christmas, New Years, a vacation, and a trip back to the east coast. The first month I was a GreenLite angel — I weighed everything and barely drank alcohol. As the months went by, I became a lot more lax because the information provided is engraved.

I choose GreenLite because of the staff and they are AWESOME!!! Nancy is my typical educator but to be honest, I would rather call her a really good friend. Dr. Rugh is very kind and very intelligent. She will sit down with you and talk about any concerns you might have. I feel extremely welcomed and I feel that they are so excited to see my success. GreenLite is not a diet, or a fad, it is education on how to live a healthy life.

Lately, I have been traveling a lot, but in a typical week, I go to the gym about 3 times. I walk at 4.1 mph on the treadmill and lift 8 lb weights while on it. I spend about 45 minutes at the gym and sometimes do circuit training where I do different weights and I always end with sit ups. When it’s nice, I’ll go for a run instead.

I am fortunate to be able to travel often and my last trip was to Puerto Rico where I was in a bathing suit for 80% of the time. Being able to not constantly worry, cover up and dodge cameras made my vacation a thousand times better. I spend a lot of time in a bathing suit, so I would say that I really feel more comfortable…more comfortable in clothes, sitting, everything!

Client Spotlight Kimberly Brackins

Posted on March 13, 2012 by GreenLite Medicine

I have always had a love-hate relationship with my weight. I would almost make it to my goal and then my weight would plateau. The bouncing back and forth between the gain and lose phases was just something I had accepted. It was never really a big issue until after graduating college; stress became a huge factor in my life, which led to my horrible eating habits and serious lack of motivation. Morning cinnamon buns and soda were an optimal breakfast, right? How could I go from being an active young woman, who purposely took the stairs to class, enjoyed going to the gym, and loved eating grilled fish to a person with no motivation, lack of self worth, and a sweet-a-holic? And just to think, it only took less than three months to gain 20 pounds, at this rate I was sure to be headed down a path similar to some ofmy family members; one that involved diabetes and high blood pressure. Not to mention the sudden increase in weight didn’t help with my asthma. When I noticed my clothes started fitting way too tight and I was breathing heavy going up five steps, I knew I had to take action now!

I started the program in the beginning of November, 2011. I had just turned twenty-five in September and my quarter of a century age told me it was time to start making some serious changes! When I first walked in, it just felt warm, felt like home. I had previously done weight loss programs before and always felt embarrassed to step on a scale in front of people. At GreenLite, my health educator, Nancy, made me feel at home. In fact, everyonedid! I learned a little bit from everyone. They taught me how to diffuse my stress, make healthier eating choices and I have actually been able to sleep! Cupcakes and cookies no longer plague my life and I have learned to replace them with healthy home cooked meals in addition to exercise.

I actually enjoy going to the grocery store and cooking now since I have been on the program. I was never really a cook, boiling water was aboutthe extent of my cooking abilities and not knowing the difference between transfat, low fat, etc. never really helped me make wise decisions at the grocery store. I learned how to read the back of a food label…properly and it encouraged me to try and cook new and exciting dishes!

One of my favorite recipes is GreenLite’s very own cauliflower mash! It goes as a great side with my famous garlic grilled chicken, which calls for real chucks of garlic, McCormick’s Garlic and Herb seasoning, garlic and onion powder, and a dash of garlic salt. I use Pam so the chicken doesn’t stick to the pan and burn. Sometimes I sprinkle a little bit of low fat feta cheese on top to add a little extra flavor!

I had tried other programs, but they never catered to my needs. GreenLite’s program follows guidelines that I had never knew about, nor tried. It was the best choice towards making a healthy lifestyle change because it taught me how to get the best nutrients from real food and vitamins, as opposedto prepackaged meals. That’s something in the long haul I knew would help me stabilize my weight once I reached my goal.

Now that I have gotten back into the swing of things, I set a goal for myself to work out at least 30 minutes a day; most of the time I can go for 40-60 minutes. I enjoy cardio, which includes cycling, elliptical, and running. I also incorporate strength training three to four times out of the week alternating between legs, arms, and abs. My gym also offers a great yoga class, I recently started and it helps to relieve some of the excess stress that builds throughout the week, while also improving my posture. By combining healthy eating and a little strength training I was able to gain 5 pounds in lean muscle mass and since I have started the program, my body fat has dropped 13.9 %.

One of my passions is to be an event planner part time. Event planners are always on the go, non-stop, have to be sharp and on their toes constantly. Now that GreenLite has given me my spark back, I have been working on a few projects for friends and family. In fact, I just finished planning ababy shower and it turned out great! Without learning how to control my stress,I don’t think I would have been able to do so! Also, instead of dedicating my time to the couch as I once did, I have considered participating in a marathon this fall. My aunt died of Breast cancer two years ago, and being able to run for a cause is something worth dedicating my time to. Not to mention I look forward to spending some time training with my friends!

Client Spotlight Shirley Macemon

Posted on February 14, 2012 by GreenLite Medicine

“My older brother has challenged each of us to do something “that would push us” on the occasion of our 60th birthdays; he was able to train for and climb Mt. Whitney. I turned 60 this year, so it was my turn to take on a challenge. Although my original plan was a horseback riding adventure in Europe, a series of injuries and personal issues took that off the table. I began to realize it was time to address my weight and fitness levels. I would not only “push” myself, but I was determined to fulfill horseback riding in Europe when the time came. The only way to achieve my goals is if I lost 60 pounds.

Over the years, I’ve tried “one of everything” when it came to dieting, and I had moderate to significant results. Unfortunately, none of them lasted long. After spending almost two months faithfully following a popular eating plan, I actually ended up gaining a couple of pounds. Not knowing what else to do, I reached out to friends who lost a significant amount of weight, and GreenLite came up in several conversations. After some research, I realized that much of the “conventional” diet wisdom (lots of fruit, unlimited veggies, and low protein) didn’t work for my metabolism; and thought perhaps GreenLite’s program would.

I made my first appointment the week after Easter in 2011. I was favorably impressed with the intake process, the requirement for blood work, blood pressure check’s every week, and access to a medical consultant at any time. Molly is my health educator and has been there for me throughout my entire weight loss journey. She not only was supportive and encouraging, but she also helped me realize that my “excuses” would interfere with my weight loss process. The medical provider Kira has given great advice on how to incorporate exercise that is not only strengthening, but also metabolism-boosting.

I chose GreenLite for several reasons: the program has worked for friends, the weekly visits addressed my need for support and encouragement, and it helped counteract my tendency to procrastinate! I’m also able to receive support even after reaching my weight loss goal, and this is important for my long term plan to keep it off!

I started transition and maintenance the week after Christmas the same year. I’m six weeks into maintenance, and still continuing to learn a lot about how I need to live in this new healthy body. Dropping sixty pounds and five clothing sizes has brought not only a new wardrobe, but different possibilities for exercise and fitness including riding lighter, longer and with more balance.

I’ve spent most of my life really hating exercise and I can’t say I really enjoy it now, but I’m definitely seeing the results. I use a stationary bike 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Mixing up the speeds and resistance give me both a cardio and strength workout. I blew out my knee a year ago, so the bike exercises keep me out of surgery. I’m also horseback riding 3-4 days a week. My horse seems to love his “new” rider, and we’re out longer than ever before. Recently I’ve added an exercise class, Fit45, at a local Dojo. With attendees at all levels of fitness, the class always provides several different intensity levels.

I’ve been a conservative dresser all my life, and I’m blessed with a daughter in her twenties who keeps me out of “old-people” clothes. With the new weight loss, I’m wearing more form-fitting clothes; enjoying styles and fashions I’ve previously by-passed, and even joining my daughter and her friends in costume events!

As the minister of a United Methodist Church, I spend much of the summer working with children and youth at camps. I can’t wait for this summer to try out the “new body” on the trails, swimming, and keeping up with the campers. I got a taste of it last summer when I was 40 lbs down from the previous summers, so this summer will be great! My spare time that is not spent with the horses is dedicated to knitting, spinning and weaving. In the past, I didn’t make clothes for me. It was too much work for the significant chance that I wouldn’t fit them. I’m happily working on (and finished) several garments in the ongoing process of creating an entire new wardrobe!

A favorite easy high-protein snack is grilled Canadian bacon with cheese, almost like a grilled cheese sandwich. Use Pam if you wish, and grill an even-number of Canadian bacon rounds till lightly brown on both sides. Top half with grated non-fat cheddar, and use remainder as the topping for each little sandwich. Keep them on the heat until the cheese melts. Very high protein, very low carb and fat!”

Real Weight Loss Story | Renee Levy

Posted on January 10, 2012 by GreenLite Medicine

“I weighed more than I had ever weighed in my life. I wore a size 16 petite and that is the largest size there is for my small body frame. I am only 4 foot 11, none of my clothes were fitting me and I was tired of buying bigger sizes. During a conversation with my best friend, she mentioned she was worried about my health and expected me to be around for a long time. That’s when I realized that I was heavy and that I needed to do something in order to become a healthier person.

I started GreenLite Medicine on May 25, 2011. From the minute I walked in the door Zoe, the receptionist, made me feel very comfortable and welcome. I met with Dr. Rugh and found out that I had high blood pressure which I never knew about prior to my first visit at GreenLite. I started the program without the appetite suppressant, which at first concerned me because I always felt hungry. Dr. Rugh prescribed a blood pressure medication, got my blood pressure into the normal range, and then I was given the lowest dosage of the appetite suppressant to assist me with reaching my weight loss goals. Dr. Rugh is a warm, caring person who is also very professional, and she tends to the needs of all her clients. I also had a chance to meet with Heather, the nurse practitioner, a couple of times and she was just as supportive, warm, and professional as everyone else working at GreenLite.

My health educator Holly was wonderful and I attribute much of my success to her. She was so supportive and offered a variety of resources to help me through my weight loss journey. Without me even realizing it, she helped me to understand that this is really a lifestyle change, not just quick fix to get weight off and then go back to my normal unhealthy habits. Bread, pasta, sugar…these are all items that we don’t necessarily need and I have learned how to effectively eat them sparingly. On Special occasions, once a week, or when in the maintenance phase you can have these foods, moderation is the key. If I gain one pound or two, I immediately would get back to eating 1000 calories a day for the next few days and I would eat protein, vegetables, and fruit. This routine helps easily shed any extra pounds I may have gained. After years of trying every diet there is I finally get it and know I can keep my weight under control thanks to Holly!

I choose this program because a friend of mine went to GreenLite and lost 40 pounds in a few months. She looked great and told me about what she was doing to reach her weight loss goals. She said she had tried every other program, just like me, and that this program was easy to follow. The appetite suppressants were really helpful, as time went on I began to feel less hungry and my body became accustom to small portions.

I really didn’t exercise much while on the program. I was on the treadmill 20 minutes a day for a week and then I lost interest. I realize exercise is important and now that I am going through the maintenance phase of the program, I have started walking. The trick is finding something you enjoy to do for exercise. I have not quite found that yet, but I am hoping to keep up with the walking daily to help with my maintenance program.

So far, I have lost 33 pounds and I went from a size 16 petite to a size 6! I feel and look so much better and everyone I know can’t believe how great I look. I enjoy seeing people that I haven’t seen in months because they are shocked to see how much more trim I look! I am 61 years old and I haven’t been this small since I was in high school.

I do not like water and this program requires that you drink lots of water every day; therefore I have come up with a solution where I take my GreenLite Medicine water bottle and put crystal light packets in it, creating pink lemonade instead of plain water. Greenlite has taught me that even though I am not a cook, a premade Costco chicken goes a long way, and it is pretty easy to put fresh asparagus in the microwave to complete the meal.

Since I lost weight I feel so much better about myself and that affects every part of my life. I don’t really have any special talents or hobbies. I am a real estate agent (as I have been for over 35 years) and I find that I have more energy to deal with all aspects of my job. I also have more energy to play with my grandchildren, which is the highlight of my life! I guess you might say they are my hobby, it takes a lot of energy to keep up with toddlers and babies, but now I am able to!”

Real Weight Loss Story | Margret Barton

Posted on November 8, 2011 by GreenLite Medicine

“I gained approximately 60 pounds because of menopause, which made me feel constantly tired and caused weight gain that seemed out of my control. None of the “diets” I tried were successful and I was heading to a size 18. I first met Dr. Sooji Rugh in my business network group and decided to try the GreenLite program, I had nothing to lose…except weight!!!

I started the GreenLite weight loss program sometime in May 2010. Initially, I met with several health educators before choosing Rochelle for my weekly visits. When Rochelle moved on to get married I began to have my visits with Holly, who I still see occasionally while on the maintenance program. Every health educator I’ve encountered has been a pleasure to work with; I truly felt educated about nutrition and always felt supported when I was going through tough times. I’m glad I was able to speak with the educators every week, their presence and guidance was a big part of my success. I also loved the fact that if I had a question mid week I was able to call or email GreenLite and receive a response promptly. Everyone at GreenLite has been supportive as they truly understand the process both fundamentally and emotionally. Even staff members that aren’t Health Educators or Medical Providers, like Zoe who is the front desk receptionist, made my clinic visits special.

I choose to sign up with GreenLite Medicine for several reasons: Primarily, I had met Dr. Sooji Rugh beforehand and heard her speak about weight loss. She was very educated on the areas of weight loss, nutrition, and positive lifestyle changes, therefore, her knowledge encouraged me to join the program. Also, I knew several people who had tried the program and they were successful with their weight loss. Seeing their success and confidence only solidified my reason to join the program. I was tired of trying to lose the weight myself and never accomplishing anything; in fact, I always seemed to gain weight rather than lose! I knew I had to something different in order to reach my weight loss goals and create a healthier image for myself.

During the weight loss phase I didn’t work out much. I walked and did some stretches but nothing real rigorous. However, once I transitioned into the maintenance program that changed. I now do a walk/run program for 45 minutes a day using a heart monitor to stay at 70% of maximum heart rate, and I follow this by stretching for 10 minutes a day. I’m in the process of returning to Gold’s Gym and hiring a personal trainer to help me with a weight training program. My goal is to gain four pounds of muscle to help with my maintenance program and to assist in stabilizing my weight.

One of the biggest changes since joining GreenLite is that I’m not as tired and as a result I spend less time in bed. I now have more hours in the day to enjoy for myself or to work on my projects. This is a huge adjustment in my daily routine, since before all I ever wanted to do is lie down. Now, people comment and notice my surge of energy, which makes me feel as though I’ve been given a whole new lease on life!

Learning about nutrition and weight loss through the course of the program encouraged me to become a total tracker of low carbs and low/non-sugar products, to the extent that I’ve written a book of online resources for these products! Once the book is completed, it will be uploaded to a website and readers will be able to buy and download it as an eBook. Finding healthy alternatives to the high carb/sugar products, that I used to eat, has become a passion. I feel good about all the people that I’ve passed my website link information on to and I look forward to doing more of this in the future. I no longer see this program as a “diet,” but as a lifestyle change that is healthy, enjoyable and sustainable.

GreenLite has taught me the ”tricks of the trade” for a sucessful weight loss regimen. I now use smaller plates and bowls and I always make sure I have a snack with me, which helps increase my metabolism and eliminates any hunger pains I may feel. One of my favorite brands is Barleans, I love all of the Omega Swirl products offered, and they are perfect on yogurt, salads or straight on a spoon!”

Real Weight Loss Story | Sharon Johnson

Posted on October 11, 2011 by GreenLite Medicine

I heard about GreenLite Medicine while listening to KRTY during their version of the biggest loser competition. I heard the contestants talk about the program and how the medical and educational support they received was focused solely on weight loss. I was intrigued to say the least -I’ve been borderline diabetic for years but wasn’t completely diagnosed as a diabetic. I had no idea that just being “borderline diabetic” could be a factor in maintaining a healthy weight. Now, I get it! For me this is a lifelong change that will keep me healthy and looking fabulous!!!

My first appointment with GreenLite was on May 25^th 2011. My goal was to lose 33 pounds, to date I’ve lost 16 pounds. But I’m not done yet!!! First and foremost I want to thank Doctor Rugh for developing this program and assembling such a wonderful and caring staff. The Educator that I saw most regularly was Holly, I just adore her! She made me feel extremely comfortable and as I started to lose weight she showed me how to celebrate my victories, no matter how small. She really gave me the support and education I needed to make this work. Thank you Holly!!!

I used to be a gym rat, but I have found that I always had a million excuses for not going to the gym (and was throwing money away!). So after starting the program, I invested in a few key pieces of equipment (Thank you Craig’s List!!!). I bought a used treadmill, a few hand weights, a freestanding boxing bag and purple boxing gloves (you can be girly and still beat something up!). While I enjoy running, I have come to LOVE boxing. It’s a total body workout, cardio and stress reliever all rolled into one. And if I’ve had a particularly bad day throwing in a few side-kicks is a great for the abs. I like to run, but being overweight I couldn’t run for very long or very fast. However, about a month ago I was able to run a ten minute mile! I haven’t been able to do that since high school and that was definitely a while ago. As I was gaining weight in the past, I was pulling clothes out of my closet and putting them in a box. Now that I’m getting smaller, I can open that box and see what I can fit back into. I love it, it gives me the confidence boost I need, it feels like Christmas!

Being on a Low Carb Diet, I thought pasta was gone for good, which didn’t make me very happy. But one of my GreenLite packets listed Shirataki Noodles as a safe option for the program. I wasn’t crazy about the “rubbery” description, so I asked Holly what they were like and she gave me some great ideas of how I could use them. Here is my recipe for what my husband calls “Italian Stir-fry”.

From prep to eating takes about 30 min.

Ingredients:

2 Packets of Fettuccini shaped Shirataki noodles (found these at Sprouts)

1 Pack of Jennie-O sweet Italian sausage

4 small zucchini’s

2 cups Broccoli tops

1 cup onions

1 cup of mushrooms

1 Tbs. Olive oil or cooking spray

1 Jar of pasta sauce (I look for the one with the lowest amount of sugar per serving)

Directions:

For this dish we’ll use one large frying pan (you should wipe this out after you cook the sausages).
Wash the zucchini but leave the skin on, cut them in half lengthwise then cut into slices. I use the pre washed and pre cut mushrooms but if you get the whole mushrooms wash and slice how you like same with the onion. Wash and cut the broccoli tops so they are in bite size pieces. Set the veggies on the side.
Drain your noodles and rinse them well (do not smell them before you cook them, it’s not pleasant)
Before cooking the sausage I remove the casings and put them in the frying pan. As they cook break them up into smaller pieces. To remove the liquid from the sausage, on my counter I put down multiple layers of news paper (the sports section will work perfectly) then put multiple sheets of paper towels. Once the sausage is cooked through carefully put the sausage on the paper towel. Making sure the news paper doesn’t touch the meat, tightly roll everything up. With your hands press down on the roll to get the access water and/or grease out, put this in a bowl and set aside.
While cooking you veggies boil a pan of water and just before you turn off your veggies par-boil your noodles. Use the directions on the package.
In your frying pan add the olive oil or cooking spray and first add the mushrooms and onion let these cook until the onion is slightly translucent then add the rest of your veggies until the broccoli is a bright green or until desired texture.
In a serving bowl place your noodles add ¾ cup of veggies (this is 1 ½ carb exchanges) and 2 to 3 ounces of meat, depending on the serving size and the amount of sugar I’ll use about a ¼ cup of pasta sauce. Put the bowl in the micro wave just long enough to heat the sauce and the meat. Enjoy!

A tip for the kids: cook the veggies and put them in a blender with the pasta sauce and give it a whirl!

Real Weight Loss Story | Marie Couch

Posted on September 13, 2011 by GreenLite Medicine

“I started the GreenLite program on March 30, 2011 when I had realized that I was starting to avoid doing things – like going to the pool with my kids – because I was embarrassed about how I looked. I didn’t want to start going down the road of having self-consciousness about my weight limit the sorts of things I would do, especially with my family. I also found that getting dressed in the morning was really depressing – the only thing that fit was a couple of pairs of stretch pants, and I did not like the way they looked and felt on me. So it seemed like I was starting every day on a negative note.

In the past, I had been able to lose small amounts of weight myself by counting calories, but when I tried to do it on my own, I found I was not able to stick to a plan on my own because I got so hungry, invariably I would start eating off my kids’ plates or snacking on junk. I knew a lot about calorie counts and the nutritional content of food, but I was not able to translate this into my day-to-day habits. When I started looking for a plan, I knew that I wanted something that would enable me to eat “normal” foods and help teach me how to eat in an ongoing way.

When I had my initial appointment with Michal, I was impressed with the thoroughness of the visit, the science behind the program and the empathy and compassion I felt from the staff. I have to admit that as a self-professed carb-lover, I was a little skeptical that I could stay on the food plan, but my experience with it was completely life-changing. I used to think that my cravings for carbs were more of a psychological thing, and I considered myself an “emotional eater”, but what I found was that once I was getting enough protein throughout the day, I no longer had the cravings for sugar and empty carbs. So it surprised me that my cravings had much more to do with my physical state than my mental/emotional state. I was also surprised at how easy it was to stay on the plan, and I know that this program has not only helped me lose the weight that I needed to, but has shown me how to eat for the rest of my life.

I work full time and have three-year old twins, so I had to make sure that my exercise time was spent wisely. I went to a fitness boot camp once a week, and I also work out with a personal trainer one day a week. I try to do some sort of cardio – such as walking, jogging or using the cardio machines at the gym – one evening per week. Other than that, I just try to stay active with my kids at the park or at the pool. I can now fit back into most of the clothes in my closet, and enjoy getting dressed in the morning again. I go to the pool with my kids and can wear a bikini without feeling self-conscious about it.

I have always had cravings for sweets after lunch and dinner so when I started the Greenlite plan, I knew I needed to come up with a strategy that would address this. I would have 6 Cocoa Roast almonds as a snack after lunch, and a lowfat decaf cappuccino after dinner, and both of these things satisfied my sweet tooth enough that I was able to stay on track. This program has also made it much easier to decide what to eat throughout the day – it has taken food out of the context of being “good” or “bad”, and now it’s more a case of knowing that I will physically feel much better than if I eat a bunch of pita chips or sugary snacks.

We used to go snow skiing a lot in the winter, and the kids are getting old enough that we can introduce them to it. I remember last year I resisted even taking the kids up to the snow because I knew I would not fit into my ski pants. That won’t be an issue this year!”

Real Weightloss Story | Jessica

Posted on August 16, 2011 by GreenLite Medicine

Last year I went to the eye doctor for my yearly exam and was told that my eyes sight had gotten 75% worse. As blindness due to diabetes runs high in my family, my panic mode set in. Being overweight, becoming a diabetic was always in the back of my mind and I knew that I really did not want to test my blood everyday. My husband and I were trying to get pregnant at that time, and I was told I diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I found out that diabetes was strongly correlated with PCOS. We tried different fertility drugs, which negatively effected my body and contributed to gaining weight. After the multiple attempts to get pregnant failed, we decided to take a break. Emotionally, I was checked out, and physically, even though it was hard to accept, I was already at an unhealthy weight even if I did get pregnant. I needed time to focus and take care of myself before I could go forward with getting pregnant. I had heard about Greenlite Medicine on the radio and the fact that program provides support from health educators and medical providers, I immediately knew it was the answer I had been looking for. I had hit my rock bottom and knew that this was my last chance to loose the weight and be truly happy and healthy. As a girl, I always dreamed of having a baby and being told that may not happen turned my world upside down. I knew I had to do the program and loose weight for myself, but I also hold the hope in my heart that I will have children someway and someday. I want to be healthy so I can pass onto my children how to live a healthy life and hopefully have them not struggle with their weight as I have throughout life.

Before coming to GreenLite I had tried so many different diet programs and was never able to lose more than 10 pounds and could never keep any of it off. I started the program on November 29, 2010 and immediately noticed that the entire staff was very supportive and friendly. I love my health educator Molly and immediately felt a great connection with her. She was always there to support me and provided me with the guidance to keep going forward. When I started GreenLite, I made a decision to stop drinking soda, I used to drink a Super Big Gulp diet soda probably everyday. I had my last diet coke the night before I started and went cold turkey from then on. That was the biggest struggle to me as my body was so used to the caffeine, so I had a difficult time with headaches for the first two weeks of program. I now cant stand to drink anything carbonated and only drink water.

When I think back about what and how much I used to eat and drink, it blows my mind. During my first week I followed the daily menu’s provided, to get a feeling of what I could eat and what I liked. My husband does not cook, so when I started the program, he kind of did too. I wanted to make it a point that he did not have to change what he ate because I was on program, but that I was not going to make two different dinners. After two or three months, I felt completely comfortable on the eating program. I was shocked at how I was not tempted or craved any of the foods I had before. My husband and my parents are eating healthier since I started and shared what I have learned.

The support I got from the GreenLite staff, my husband and family contributed to my success. I couldn’t be more grateful to them as I know my life has changed truly changed for the better. GreenLite has helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel and know that anything is possible! I workout five times a week, I enjoy running, walking and strength training. Last year I ran/walked the Disneyland Half Marathon and my time was 3 hours and 30 mins. This year, I participated in the 2011 San Francisco Half Marathon and with all the weight I have lost, I ran 10 miles straight and finished in 2 hours/43 mins. Mentally and physically, I am in the best shape I have ever been in! I used to take a nap everyday and sleep so much every night, but now my energy level is through the roof. I have much more confidence now and am a much happier person in general which helps in my relationships with friends and family. I feel like my life has just begun and I know that I have been given the knowledge and tools to continue my success in the future.

These past two years, I had only been focusing on having a baby. Now, as I feel happier and healthier, I feel like my life has just begun and realized that just like my weight loss, timing is everything. It took me this long to conquer my weight, so its only a matter of time that I become a mother.

Real Weight Loss Story | Jeff Rich

Posted on July 19, 2011 by GreenLite Medicine

I was slim throughout my young life until about the age of 25. At that time I began to gain a little weight year after year, my pants and shirt sizes gradually increased. I tried various weight loss methods to lose the extra weight, but nothing seemed to work to drop a significant amount of weight or to keep it off. When I reached the age of 40 I realized I was about 50 lbs overweight. I was finally told by my GP that my cholesterol and blood pressure were too high and that without significant weight loss, I would face some serious health problems in my future.

When I had finally had enough of my increasing weight, I did some online research on medically supervised weight loss centers, and I liked the idea of being overseen by medical experts. I contacted a couple of centers, including Greenlite, but the feedback I read and my preliminary discussions with the staff confirmed that Greenlite was the place for me. They demonstrated very solid results, were friendly and encouraging and had a very knowledgeable team, many of whom have struggled with their own weight.

I began GreenLite shortly after Thanksgiving of 2010 and originally set a weight loss goal of 32 lbs – which seemed like a huge number at the time. I was hopeful but apprenhensive about my ability to make it work. The amount of food I was assigned to eat everyday seemed drastically less than what I was used to eating, I couldn’t imagine how I could possibly endure it. Surprisingly, however, with the help I received from Greenlite and my health educator Molly, I was able to incorporate the program into my life without feeling deprived or overly hungry.

When I started tracking what I was eating, I was amazed at how much extra food I had been consuming. I gradually got into a rhythm with the diet, and as the weight started to come off, I was increasingly motivated to keep losing. I didn’t really experience cravings for carbs and found that I enjoyed eating more fish and poultry than I had been eating previously.

Once my clothes started to feel too big, and other people began to notice my weight loss, I didn’t want to stop until I returned to the weight I was at when I was 25 years old, which meant an additional loss of about 20 lbs. Fortunately, I felt this was not only possible, but would be relatively easy since I was enjoying the food and seeing real results. Eventually I ended up losing 52 lbs. after only six months on the program. I feel great! I feel younger and more confident than I have felt in years, and I have an entirely new wardrobe!

I am particularly excited about using the skills I have learned at Greenlite to continue on as a lifestyle change, rather than a temporary weight loss program. I truly enjoy the lean protein I have been eating, especially the seafood, and I appreciate its health benefits. I also have no cravings for any of the complex carbs I used to eat. I am completely aware of what I consume, and I realize how much sugar was in my “old” diet. When I think about the negative effects of those foods, I am especially motivated to stick to my healthier diet.

I enjoy traveling, which I thought would be especially difficult on the program. While it is certainly isn’t easy to stick to a rigid diet while on vacation, I have found that seeking out healthy restaurants and foods, actually adds to the travel experience by encouraging the sampling of new cuisines. I also found that even if I did deviate from the diet while on a vacation, all of the extra activity really helps to offset the additional calories. On a recent trip to New York, my wife and I experienced some of the best restaurants in the city. I never felt deprived or like I was missing out but didn’t eat completely “perfect “ either. After nine days on vacation, I ended up only putting on a half of a pound, which I was able to quickly take back off when I returned home. That demonstrated to me that it is possible to eat well without being perfect but still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Now that summer has finally arrived, I am really looking forward to going swimming with my kids. I haven’t been swimming with them in years because I was too self-conscious about my body. This year, we’ll all have some fun in the pool!

Weight Loss Story | Dana Gaudio

Posted on May 20, 2011 by GreenLite Medicine

Upon finishing my master’s degree, I decided that it was time to do something positive for my health, and decided it was time to give GreenLite Medicine a try. My sister is a GreenLite client and has been very successful. So, it was time that I give it a try too!

I began my experience with GreenLite in June of 2010 and found it to be a very positive experience. I have really enjoyed the staff that I have interacted with, especially Zoe, the receptionist, who always greets me with a smile when I walk through the door. Pam was the first health educator that I worked with. I enjoyed working with her, but when Pam left, I began working with Nancy. I have enjoyed creating a relationship with Nancy, and she has been a wealth of knowledge.

I chose GreenLite Medicine because IT WORKS! My sister had such a positive experience, and expressed that it was pretty simple, and I definitely agree with her. It is a very simple program. I enjoy seeing someone on a weekly basis, who knows my strengths and weaknesses. I also like that I can easily see a medical provider at any time if I have questions. I have learned a lot about myself through this journey and have realized my success is all about the choices that I make.

I exercise fairly often, working out between four to five hours a week. I go to the gym and sometimes take classes or use an exercise machine, run the track or trails with co-workers, and I have recently begun taking yoga which I have found that I really enjoy.

I have come to really appreciate Trader Joe’s, as I have a “grab and go” kind of lifestyle. I am not one that enjoys cooking all that much. I have found that Trader Joe’s has a lot of options that are fast and easy.

I am a fairly active person, I love river rafting! My favorite river is the South Fork of the American River. I have also taken rafting trips in the Grand Canyon and Alaska. I have a strong belief in volunteerism. I have volunteered with Northern California Special Olympics since 1998 and have coached several sports and enjoy watching sports. I enjoy football, baseball, and hockey. I have also participated in several races including the Santa Cruz Half Marathon which I completed three times. Currently, I am training for the San Francisco Half Marathon in July and I’ve asked a few people at work if they would be interested in running it with me. Now five of us meet out on the track two days a week!

For me the secret has been the importance of protein. I did not eat nearly enough protein prior to coming to GreenLite. I have found that I love Greek yogurt, and if you are not a yogurt fan, you can throw it in a smoothie!

One thing that I really like about Greenlite is that your weight loss goals are set within ranges that are truly healthy and realistic for you. This is the first program that I have done that actually measures my lean muscle mass and takes that into account when looking at my BMI. As I approach my goal, I feel like I will be in a very healthy and realistic place.