Click on the photos to read our client’s success story

“My entire life I’ve been overweight. I’ve yo-yo dieted for as long as I can remember; trying everything from Weight Watchers to all juice diets and nothing gave me the results I was looking for. I would drop 10 pounds and then decide it was okay to cut corners here and there, and before I knew it I gained back the weight I lost and then some. When a good friend of mine began the GreenLite program and saw great results, it was finally the push I needed to do something about my own weight.

I began the GreenLite program on May 1st, 2012, weighing in at 243 lbs. This was definitely the heaviest I had ever been, and I was shocked. I was disappointed that I let my weight get so far out of hand. My coach was Molly, and from the beginning she let me know that she was there to help me with whatever challenges I would face along my journey. Molly really was just a joy to see every week, because no matter what the scale showed, she gave me encouragement and helpful tips to make sure I got the best results possible.

I chose GreenLite Medicine because of the experience my friend had with the program. She began it a few months earlier than I did, and I couldn’t believe how great she was looking! It was really nice to be able to have the support from someone going through the program at the same time as me, and her success gave me that extra motivation.

The thing I love the most about the results I’ve gotten from GreenLite is the way I look and feel. I have more energy, I am happier with my appearance, and my clothes fit better. Going shopping is no longer discouraging because I can find clothes that fit well and flatter my new figure. It’s a new feeling to try on something and have it be too big! The increased confidence I have is absolutely wonderful, I no longer try to hide in the background of pictures, or feel self-conscious about meeting new people.

Since being on the program, I have learned exactly the kind of foods I should be eating to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My favorite recipe would have to be the Low Carb Chili. It was definitely a frequent meal, and it is great because the recipe makes enough to have leftovers for a couple days! My workouts consist of kickboxing classes two times a week for 90 minutes, as well as walking around my neighborhood or on the local trail for a few miles. I’m not a person who typically enjoys going to the gym and working out, but kickboxing is a great way to tone and increase flexibility while also having fun doing it. Plus, it’s a great de-stresser!

I still have some losing to do, and thanks to GreenLite Medicine I have the knowledge, tools, and support to reach my final goal weight and maintain it.”

“It is certainly motivating when someone says: “Hey…you look like you’ve lost weight.” But it is downright MAGICAL when someone stops you and says “No seriously…you’ve shrunk. PLEASE tell me your secret. You look AMAZING.” Hitting THAT level, has changed my life. I can wear shirts that say L on the collar instead of XL or the dreaded XXL. THAT means an array of new wardrobe possibilities has opened up. I don’t have to HOPE I’m going to fit that shirt I want, I KNOW I do, and I’m going to look damn good in it too.

Everyone always says “I have more energy” but it’s true. My energy has gone through the roof. Just the other day I sprinted for two blocks to catch a Muni bus and hopped on with wind still in my sales like Will Smith chasing down an alien, as opposed to John Candy chasing down an ice cream truck.

On the less sexy side, my blood pressure is down 20+ points, cholesterol is down 20+ points…blood sugar…triglycerides…all back within manageable parameters. Did I mention how I’m not afraid of the camera anymore? I no longer have to do any of the half-dozen tricks we all keep in our back pocket to make our face look thinner. It IS thinner.

The journey is long, the journey is not without speed bumps, but the journey continues. And for every person that wonders “where to begin” like I did, I offer GreenLite Medicine. If you have ever felt alone in your weight loss struggle or been told that you are “just big, live with it” (yes…I have), there is a solution, and you are already here.

Thank you Sooji, thank you Holly, thank you GreenLite Medicine!”

“On July 3, 2010, my family and I were celebrating my grandson Jordan’s second birthday. I’m usually the one taking pictures at family functions; but, I wanted to help the birthday boy open his gifts, so I handed the video recorder to my sister so she could tape it. Later that night, we were watching the video and I was shocked…no I was horrified at what I saw. The clip of me helping Jordan open gifts was my eye opener. I was huge. No, I was gigantic. I was the Titanic in white Capri’s and sandals. I knew I had gained weight but I had no idea it was that much or how bad I really looked!!! I thought to myself…IS THIS HOW PEOPLE SEE ME?

Hi, my name is Frances and I’m 46 years old, divorced after 23 years of marriage, a mother of three grown children and four beautiful grandchildren. In 2004, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a common condition characterized by long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.

I made a lifestyle decision to join Greenlite Medicine on July 20, 2010, a week after the “birthday video eye opener”. I first heard about Greenlite on KRTY’s biggest loser competition. My initial phone call was with Meredith and my experience talking with her can be compared to chatting over coffee with an old friend and not a pushy sales person. She gave me the information I needed and let me make the decision to join. Everything about Greenlite excited me, so I knew in my heart that I was doing the right thing. My budget also liked that I didn’t have to sign a long term contract. The program made sense to me and I could easily see the benefits of losing weight through the Greenlite program.

I kicked off my weight loss journey with Nancy, my Health Educator in the San Jose office, and by my fourth week I had lost more than 16 pounds! Nancy’s support was a crucial part of my success. She cheered me on during the good weeks and kept me accountable and motivated to stay on program when I was stressed. We discussed life challenges, food options and ways to keep on track. As my health educator, Nancy has not only become my support system, she’s also become a friend. It’s so obvious how much she and the Greenlite team care about my weight loss by how supportive they all have been throughout the entire process…they have really guided me on my voyage to becoming a NEW THINNER HAPPIER me.

After losing 40 pounds with Greenlite, my Fibromyalgia no longer ails me and I can do things without pain that I couldn’t do at a heavier weight. And, I have tons more energy now. Power Walking is by far my favorite way to exercise! I have a treadmill with Jillian Michaels iFit program. It’s low impact, fast and usually fits into my busy schedule.

Another aspect of the Greenlite program that I liked is that I didn’t have to buy prepackaged food. Greenlite offered me the best recipes. The low carb chili is awesome! I make it with ground turkey and enjoyed every bite of it. Growing up in a middle class southern home every meal had potatoes, beans or pasta. It was a low cost way to feed a large family on a small budget. I’ve learned that I don’t need to buy pasta or potatoes to eat on a minimal budget. I just need to buy smart. I look for cheaper alternatives like buying lettuce by the head and not prepackaged. I no longer buy prepackaged one-pan-frozen-meals. I learned to save time by making two salads at dinner time, one for dinner tonight and one for my lunch tomorrow. Little steps that make a big difference…

Before my journey with Greenlite I was tired all the time. On my days off I didn’t even have the energy to do laundry or cook meals for my family. Forty pounds lighter and I’m the first one out of bed in the morning. My children are as excited about my weight loss, and note the changes in me every time I see them. Thank you to Greenlite for being there during every step of my journey.”

“Before working with Greenlite Medicine, Greg had been under a doctor’s treatment for high-blood pressure and diabetes. He had tried different weight loss plans over the years, but was discouraged with his progress and gave up. He felt completely apathetic and unmotivated.

In August of 2008, under threat of becoming an insulin-dependent diabetic, he turned his life around. He started eating a balanced diet, exercised regularly, and enlisted the support of his friends and health care providers.

His journey included the realization that in order to be successful he had to take responsibility for his actions. He also made a choice to have a healthy relationship with what he ate. An important part of his life was his relationship with his grandmother. They spent much of their time together baking cakes and treats. He learned he didn’t have to give up the memories by giving up the baked goods.

Greg surrounded himself with supportive people and adopted a no excuses attitude. He committed himself and never wavered.

As of this August Greg has lost 110 pounds, has been taken off his blood-pressure and diabetes medication, and has completely reversed his previous medical risks. His new life includes real food diet, exercise, and most importantly a positive outlook!”

“My friends were concerned that I was eating myself into an early grave. I was at risk for just about every negative condition under the sun, and a stressful year of unemployment led to serious binge eating as a coping mechanism. When I saw them at Christmas time, my friends didn’t have to say anything, but I could tell the sadness in their eyes.

One of my friends is a doctor herself, and I asked her on that visit if there was any way out. I’ve felt as though I had zero willpower my entire life when it came to food, and I was hungry all the time except when stuffed. She had researched programs in my area, and told me about Greenlite Medicine in glowing tones.

I began Greenlite on 2/16/2010 and the dramatic change in diet suggested that this was a very different program. The aggressive and no-fudging plan gave me a clarity and focus I had never had before. I was losing from the first week on, and I realized that as long as I kept on that course I did not need to worry about making the right decisions.

My weight-loss educator, Nancy, has always been behind me with encouragement and steady support. Even after the week-by-week progress began to feel routine to me, she and any of the other staff who saw me would take the time to be complimentary, and to remind me that I didn’t always perceive the rather dramatic shifts that were ta king place.

I have a very simple exercise routine. I walk lots. I started out getting tired just walking over to pick up lunch, and it felt like taking the time to walk up and down all the aisles of every store I entered was enough exercise for the first few weeks. I kept increasing the amount of time I walked, the frequency, and then, lastly, the pac e. Now I do a 4 mph walk with arm weights for an hour every weekday at lunchtime, and I do much longer walks (10-12 miles) on the weekends going to all the interesting places around town. It’s free and I got to know a lot more about the area as I did it!

Before Greenlite I would require at least 9 hours of sleep to feel even remotely rested. I was terrible during the mornings, and on the weekends I could easily sleep half the day away. Since Greenlite I not only have more energy during the day and have no need for caffeine, but I don’t need anywhere near as much sleep to feel rested and at peak condition.

Those are precious hours I’ve gotten back in my day.”

“I decided to seek help with weight loss for the overall goal of feeling better about my health and having more energy. I realized I was limiting myself to social invites from friends because I had low self-esteem due to my weight gain over the past few years.
My acupuncturist, Ted Ray, referred me to Greenlite Medicine and I started the program on June 28, 2010. Holly, my health educator, and I clicked immediately and I knew she was the right person to meet with me weekly. Holly encourages me even when I may hit those small plateaus and offers alternative options to try.

I had grown skeptical of weight loss plans and if they would actually work for “me”. Over the years, I had tried everything from Weight Watchers to physician monitored liquid diets and each time gained all of the weight back within a year. I picked Greenlite because the plan uses real food, is physician and nutritionist monitored and is simple to follow. I researched reviews on Yelp as well. I am impressed with the personable staff, from the nutritionists to the front desk, everyone is always available to answer any questions or offer tips on recipes. As an added bonus my medical Flex spend plan is also covering the cost.

Before Greenlite, I had been working out 4-6 days a week for years, but the scale never budged. After signing up with Greenlite, I also consulted with a personal trainer at my gym. I schedule my workouts daily, otherwise it would be too easy to skip the gym. I love the circuit and spin classes because there are other people in the group, and that makes me feel more accountable. Three years ago I never would have thought I would be doing a spin class, but now I really look forward to it.

Weekly workout routine:

Monday – Circuit 45 minute class

Tuesday – 1 hour spinning class

Wednesday – either 45 minute circuit or 1 hour session for TRX with a trainer

Thursday – 1 hour spin class

Friday – 1 hour personal training session

I tend to walk on the weekends

Working out has become a lifestyle change and I really do look forward to it, at least most days…grin.

My eating habits have changed drastically as well. I tend to grill all of my meats and veggies; it’s quick, easy and no added fat. I mix a little Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of hummus for a vegi dip. The recipes I have tried and use regularly from Greenlite are the pumpkin pie (I make it in individual ramekin cups), the green beans with citrus and almonds, the egg muffins and the meatloaf (put into muffin tins for easy individual servings). I also always weigh ALL of my proteins.

I cook cedar plank salmon once a week and mix fresh dill with Greek yogurt and lemon for a yummy garnish.

My nightly treat is either sugar free Jell-O, the Greenlite hot cocoa with a little whip cream or an apple with Better than Peanut Butter (a tasty spread with lower fat/sugar than PB), you can only get it at Trader Joe’s.

As a reward treat when I hit 40 lbs. I treated myself to a “mini” Kara’s Cupcake on Santana Row. It allowed a splurge, but I didn’t feel guilty on over indulging with a full serving of a dessert.

It may sound vain, but for the first time in my life I actually fit into brands of designer jeans! I have gone from a size 16 to an 8 so far and my personal goal is to lose one more size. I bought my first pair of True Religion jeans; when I tried them on in the past I couldn’t even get them past my knees. I have also been looking forward to more social activities with old friends, where in the past I would have declined because I felt down and had nothing to wear. I took all of my “fat” clothes to the Goodwill and consignment stores, a total of 20 bags to date. I don’t want the big clothes to fall back on. It’s been fun buying new styles of form fitting clothes. I set a reminder to clean out any too big clothes every 6 weeks and donate them.

I work remotely and recently attended my company holiday party in San Diego. Everyone was shocked at the change in my body/appearance. It was nice to hear people asking how they could do it as well. It’s also refreshing that for the first time in many years, my New Year’s resolution will not be to lose weight and go to the gym, I am ahead of the game this time.

I have never been a fan of the scale, but now weigh myself every day. It keeps me accountable and I think I will continue to do that even after maintenance. I have worked too hard to let the weight come back again, I am 100% motivated to keep it off for the long term.”

“It all began in February 2005, when I had my second mammogram at the age of 41. I received a call the next day to get a second look. “No need to worry”, I was told. So I went back for a follow-up. I was called again and asked to come in for a needle biopsy and once again told “no need to worry”. I got a call later that evening from my doctor; her first words were “it’s not great news”. After hearing those words, I felt I was listening to the teacher from Charlie Brown…all I heard was “wa wa wa wa”, my face got hot and I remember telling the doctor to repeat everything to my husband because I didn’t hear a word she said other than “cancer”.

I was fortunate because it was caught somewhat early. I received four rounds of chemotherapy and a mastectomy. I decided at that time, I was going to live my life to the fullest and did not want to deny myself of anything. I have always been a very social person with many wonderful friends who also wanted to deny me of nothing. If I wanted to drink wine to temporarily escape the fear of having cancer, we did. I could polish off a bottle myself if need be. I also ate out often; it was something to look forward to and friends often brought meals throughout the week. There wasn’t anything I said no to.

Before I was diagnosed, I weighed about 145 pounds and was rather muscular. I have always thought of myself as a healthy person, and was a swimmer in high school and college. During the last five years of denying myself nothing, I managed to creep up to 170 pounds on my 5’5″ frame. The final scare came this past summer when I had a test that came back inconclusive. I was told while on vacation in Tahoe with family and friends, that through various tests, they had found a mass on my liver. Breast cancer was bad enough, but I really believed this was it for me. I had a PET scan and then a follow-up biopsy of my liver. It turned out to be a hematoma (a non-cancerous spot). I realized at that time, I needed to stop living as if I were dying, because if I continued my habits I really would. I wanted my old life back, the one before cancer and that’s what I have done!

I joined a weight loss class with my son and I lost 15 pounds in six months. It worked well, but very slowly, and then I managed to gain back 5 pounds. I had two friends who were on the Greenlite Medicine program at the same time I was doing the class with my son. They were losing and I could really see the amazing results; and it was quicker for them. I found it funny that one of my friends didn’t want to share how she was doing it. It was like her little success secret that she didn’t want to share with her friends. We had our ways of finding out!!!

I started the Greenlite program in August 2010, but was a little concerned about starting while my kids were still on summer vacation since we enjoy eating out as a family. I met with a couple different health educators at Greenlite and was unclear that I could pick one person to work with; I thought it was whoever was there when I was there. I felt like I was telling my story over and over. This happened for about three sessions until I realized I wanted to work with Elaine. Not only does Elaine have my mother’s name, who passed away many years ago; but it’s also my best friend’s name. She was like a supportive “very young mother” to me. I liked her warmth and true compassion right away. Elaine never rushed me on the days I needed a little extra attention or motivation, and never kept me longer than needed if I just wanted a quick consult. Elaine follows through with emails when I need information and lets me know she is always there for me. We all need an Elaine in our lives…

At the time I started Greenlite, I decided to get serious about exercise, I have always been rather competitive, so I decided I would be much more committed if I shelled out the big bucks for a personal trainer. He was just the perfect match for me; he pushed just enough and because I was paying him money, I felt even more accountable to not miss one session (whatever it takes right). I am now in a group class (less expensive, competitive and fun; but still needing and wanting someone to stand over me and push me).

I have enjoyed how I look; my face is much slimmer and skin healthier. My body looks and feels strong and healthy. I carry myself with more confidence and I am noticed. Don’t get me wrong, I am very happily married, but it is still fun to be noticed. I enjoy buying clothes and like my extra energy. I am happy to be drinking more water (in the past wasn’t always easy) and little alcohol. Now I’m saving drinks for special occasions not as an escape.

My family has been amazing. I have a son graduating from high school this year and heading off to college and another son entering high school. My husband and I want to take them on a memorable trip this summer, we are thinking of Costa Rica.

I have a sweet tooth and found some amazing handmade sugar free/low carb candies at a market by my house. They don’t make me feel deprived. I take them when I go out with my friends and they order dessert.

I started in August at 160 pounds, and am now in transition at 136 pounds, a number I thought would be unobtainable at 47 years old. Truly such a nice group of ladies at the Greenlite office ….thank you!”

“I have Type II diabetes and weighed 204 pounds after giving birth to my second child. My primary care physician was adamant that I lose weight and do so quickly given my family history of heart disease and early heart failure.

I started the Greenlite Medicine program on December 6, 2009, and from the moment I arrived, the Greenlite staff members were completely focused on and dedicated to ensuring my weight-loss success; and by February 16, 2011, I had lost a total of 25 pounds. My favorite staff members are Maria, Elaine and Dr. Rugh. Unlike my previous experience with nutritionists (18 months of weekly appointments prior to Greenlite), I looked forward to my weekly appointments.

I met with Dr. Rugh during my first visit. She really took the time to understand and asked questions specific to my concerns and my history. There were of course the standard forms and questions to fill out but Dr. Rugh seemed to genuinely want to know what made me tick and made recommendations specific to my preferences. Other places talk the talk about how they “customize” their treatment plans, but after my first visit with Dr. Rugh, I felt confident that Greenlite would treat me as an individual and not just a number.

Within a month or so on the Greenlite treatment plan, I experienced a major change, one that I’ve never experienced before. I had a new sensation every time I sat down to eat. That sensation was a feeling of not wanting to clear my plate. Since childhood, I’ve always cleared my plate and eating seconds or thirds was almost a daily habit. My appetite had shrunk to the point where I didn’t have to force myself to stop eating. I would, without feeling deprived, just voluntarily push my plate away. I am so grateful to have reached this milestone in my life.

Another major change is that I am more aware about my level of energy and stress. I now rest rather than push through my exhaustion. I’ve come to realize that resting plays a major role in restoring my mood and keeps me from overeating. I used to overeat when I felt fatigued and used this feeling to rationalize my indulging in food.

My workout regimen consists of working out four to five times a week, where I enjoy taking group exercise classes, running and swimming. I also discovered the value of strength training; and in just one month, I gained five pounds of lean body mass and lost five pounds of body fat by taking classes at the Bar Method studio. I also enjoy Zumba and other forms of fitness dance and will be getting certified as an instructor in March. And after the weight loss and feeling more confident about my fitness, I am eager to resume scuba diving, another activity that I gave up when I gained weight. My favorite places to travel are: Paris, NYC, Fiji, Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz (my local sanctuary).”

“I had a baby five years ago and realized that I wasn’t going to be able to get the weight off without help. I had a back problem that was headed towards surgery, and my doctor had said that I needed to lose weight. None of my clothes fit and I was just miserable. I also suffer from Ulcerative Colitis. Both the back problem and the UC meant occasional doses of steroids, which led to my weight gain. It became a vicious cycle of meds, weight gain, depression and inactivity that led to more weight gain, more back pain, and resumed medication use.

I started the Greenlite Medicine program on Friday, August 13, 2010 (lucky for me); and I weighed even more than I thought—192.7 pounds; my BMI was 29.3; and my body fat was 41.7 percent! I couldn’t have done it without the support of my health educator Elaine. She has been amazing, straightforward; and has lots of tips for helping me (like lemon in my water bottle, as lemon and water both have clarifying actions in the body; and acts as a natural detox). Being held accountable every week has made all the difference in the world. Also, having a list of foods I could get easily from Trader Joe’s has really been helpful.

Before I had a family of my own, I had successfully completed Jenny Craig—but that didn’t help me in the real world. You can’t eat packaged meals when you have a child; it was finally time for me to learn how to eat properly.

Honestly! I had tried everything else! The idea of initial help with medication appealed to me; but, the fact that this program isn’t over once you lose the weight was also a big factor. My real journey is beginning now—re-introducing regular eating into my diet and helping to plan my life after my diet.

Now that my back is better because I weigh less, I work out about 4 times a week with cardio interval training, and lift weights twice a week. I can go to the park, play ball, and chase after my daughter on her scooter. Going to the gym has made a huge impact not just on me physically, but emotionally. I walk my child to and from school whenever I can and take the stairs rather than the elevator whenever possible. A new Ipod shuffle was one of the non-food rewards I bought myself and I loaded it with my favorite upbeat tunes that helps keep me motivated during my workouts.

My back doesn’t hurt all the time; I can be up and about with my daughter. I’m not laid up for weeks on end. Even more significantly, since I started with Greenlite, I have realized that my UC outbreaks weren’t due to dairy products (which I can now eat in moderation); but rather due to processed carbohydrates (cookies, crackers, white bread, pasta, rice). Since I cut down the consumption of processed carbs from my diet, the UC flare ups have totally gone away. This in turns means no steroids to control the outbreak, and no weight gain! Greenlite has empowered me to break the vicious cycle of meds, weight gain, depression and inactivity, through mindful eating.

The two day protein only has been a fantastic help when I get off track (and I still do!).

The biggest impact for me was seeing my before picture, yes I looked significantly heavier but it’s the expression on my face that struck me, I looked miserable. And I was—from going to the closet every day and having to struggle into clothes, to not being comfortable standing for long periods of time. Also, being laid up for weeks at a time because my back had gone out, and having to take more medication. Everything is better now. My UC is not flaring – I can eat dairy in moderation and I’m happier. This is by no means the end of my struggle; I will have a lifelong battle with food and emotional eating but I’m on the right path. Greenlite doesn’t just take my after picture and send me on my way; they continue to support and guide long after the “goal” weight has been achieved. That was super important to me; I need this to not be a diet, but a lifestyle change.”

“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.”

“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!”

“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!”

“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!”

“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!”

“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!”

“A close friend of ours had a massive heart attack and passed away at the age of 49. We had all spent time together the night before and the news was not only a terrible shock, but also a wakeup call. I came to the realization that I needed to start taking care of myself. I had belonged to a gym and exercised regularly, however being a single working mother, fast food was more convenient for me at times. It was apparent that I needed to lose weight to enjoy other activities that I had an interest in doing.

I was referred to GreenLite by a dear family-friend. He had lost more than 60 pounds on the program. I was amazed by his transformation, he had more energy and he was more active. Just watching his progress and how happier he was because of it, I told myself I had to give it a try. I first started the program in 2010. I restarted and took a few breaks in 2011, but I knew this time restarting the program had to be different. Before coming back in I had no idea that I put on the 30 pounds that I lost a year ago. The weight gain was due to being lethargic, lazy, and unmotivated in addition to dealing with my own medical issues, which caused me to give up entirely. During my weekly visits the maintenance program was brought to my attention, and I decided that I needed to follow this program once I reached my goal weight to help keep the weight off for good.

This is a lifestyle change and with the different stress factors in my life, I find that I need the accountability and the structure to keep me focused on a healthier me! The counselors are fabulous. They have all followed the program, and have gone through some struggles themselves; after all we are all human! They understand life’s challenges and are there to assist you in reaching your goals. The arrival of 2012 meant a new beginning for me. I have a list of goals to accomplish this year: kickboxing classes, strength training classes and 10k walk/run. My counselors helped prepare me for my first ever 10k! I had only two weeks to prepare for this event and with their guidance I was able to complete one of my 2012 goals!

Exercise is something that I really enjoy with no interruptions, no phone, etc. and I find that I constantly push myself to the next level. There are wonderful people that work at my gym and they assist me in any way they can. Whether it’s modifying my circuit training or introducing me to new classes that I should try for maximum calorie burn, the trainers and instructors help to motivate me in every possible way. I truly have the best support system! I commute, so I try to attend 3 classes per week in addition to walking 2 miles per day (Monday – Thursday). I find that I am getting stronger and improve each week.

It’s noticeable that my body is toning and slimming down. The scale may not always move, but I can tell by the way my clothes fit. I don’t let myself get discouraged when my weight fluctuates and my counselors are very sensitive when this happens. They don’t want me to get disappointed, because that may cause negative actions. Instead, they suggest doing an Inbody analysis the following week, which encourages me to stay on track. In one month I had lost 10 pounds of body fat and gained 1 pound of muscle. So even if the scale hadn’t moved the week before, I could tell my body was changing because I felt and looked better!

Commuting makes it difficult to plan meals, but the best lunch meal I found is thin sliced lean deli meat with a thin slice of lite Jarlsberg Swiss cheese, wrapped in lettuce with a little Dijon mustard.

I will continue on my healthy lifestyle journey, feeling stronger and healthier than ever. The results are amazing, and I hope that I can influence others to jump on board because it really is life changing! I have another 10k this spring, and I can’t wait for more adventures in the near future!”

“Billie has been on the Hello GreenLite program for one year and lost 69 pounds. She is only 5 pounds away from her goal of 125! She lives in a rural part of Oregon, and has done the entire Hello GreenLite program without ever setting foot in our California office. She will be the first to say that despite the physical distance, she feels close to her health educators Holly and Maria, who have supported her during her journey.

“My granddaughter (who lives in San Francisco) told me about the program. I thought the conference with the health educator was going to be ridiculous, a waste of time, and not helpful at all. I had lost faith after trying so many other weight loss programs. Hello GreenLite was different. Hello GreenLite gave me encouragement rather than feelings of failure. Success is a wonderful motivator. I started Hello GreenLite on June 7, 2011 at a weight of 202 lbs. I now weigh 130!

It makes a real difference when a person can say, “I know where you’re coming from.” I never feel put down. I always feel like my questions are answered, I always feel supported, and I never feel like a nut for asking. Those are the 3 main things that the educator has done. If I were to fall off the wagon Holly, my educator, would say, “Oh, just get back on you can do it.” When I lost my dog, Holly understood that my grief was real, and expected that I would have a tough time. I can’t stress enough the value of a gifted educator! Both Holly and Maria said the right thing each time to keep me going. The day before yesterday, I felt a little discouraged because I’d only lost a pound. Holly told me that was a great loss for a month. This gave me the willpower to not eat streusel and to reach for a string cheese instead.

I had to weigh & measure (which every diet does), but Hello GreenLite was the only place that gave me food groups. For instance: protein, fruit, vegetables, and dairy. It was real food. I’m taking time to fix the meal with things I already like. I recently stayed home from a potluck event because I was afraid that there wouldn’t be anything there that I could eat. After talking to Holly, I discovered there are some great recipes on the website that I can make to take to the next potluck. That way I’ll stay on my plan and everyone else will have a tasty, healthy option.

Last June, I joined aerobic swimming. This was especially motivating when fellow classmates noticed my new trim body in a swimsuit (the size of which became smaller and smaller). I couldn’t find a suit large enough for me when I began so went in a T-shirt and shorts. I now wear a size 8 suit and I’m exercising up to 5 days a week. I signed up for Tai Chi classes, too.

My skin looks healthier. My body looks and feels strong and healthy. I carry myself with more confidence and I am noticed. Don’t get me wrong, I am very happily married, but it is still fun to be noticed. I enjoy shopping for clothes and like my extra energy. My balance is so much better and I’m more confident that I won’t fall. We live on a ranch with cows, and whenever I would go out to walk in the fields with my husband, he used to have to really hold on to me to make sure I wouldn’t lose my balance and fall down. Now I can walk around with no fear. Now I can hop out of the car and get the mail, or hop out of the car and get the gate!”

“I felt like my life was in a holding pattern; I was tremendously busy and was using it as a distraction so I didn’t have to acknowledge that I was at my heaviest weight and not happy. My realization was that there will be no perfect time, no stress-free break where I can address what’s contributing to my weight-gain; I had to make my health a priority, and put me on the busy to-do list.

I started the GreenLite Medicine program on February 1, 2012. I had heard about the program on the radio and did the subsequent research online and in weight loss chat rooms to learn more. I wasn’t looking for a diet, I wanted a program that could help me connect with my body and relearn how to nurture and feed it. I was nervous about the weigh-in and overwhelmed at first by feelings of shame, but from the very first session with Bridget and Kira (my GreenLite team) I have felt nothing but incredible support. We set an initial goal of 50-57 pounds which seemed daunting at the time, but every week I get closer to that goal and feel more confident about my future.

The structure GreenLite provides is perfect for me, I’m held accountable at weekly meetings and able to strategize with Bridget and Kira about particular challenges in my schedule. We have even gone online in a session to plan out a restaurant meal – it felt liberating to know up-front what was a good food investment so I could focus on my dinner companions and conversation instead of obsessing about what was on (or not on) my plate! Food is no longer the center of my celebrations but a side dish, where it belongs!

I have had an ongoing love/hate relationship with exercise since college. I always feel great when I have completed a work-out but find myself challenged to initiate exercise. My initial workouts included appointments with friends to attend classes or go for a walk and even scheduling time with a personal trainer. I’m now adding new activities; hiking, dance, aerobics, kick-boxing, or mapping a new walking route, to keep things interesting. My goal is to keep moving; it doesn’t matter if I suck at any individual class or sport at first, as my body gets stronger physical activity gets easier.

The biggest a-ha moment for me has been recognizing how much of my day was consumed with thoughts about food. I now use that time and energy in a way that is constructive, getting a lot more done because that incessant food noise is handled, my body is nourished, and my mind is clear. Don’t get me wrong the compliments from my husband have been great, and inspired some welcome extracurricular exercise, but the real confidence I’m radiating has come from me, and it feels brilliant!

One of my favorite meals is to julienne several asparagus spears to create asparagus “linguini” (can also be done with zucchini), steam them in the microwave for 2 minutes on high in a bowl with water almost covering the vegetable, drain and set aside. In a medium pan sauté a ½ cup of zucchini, broccoli or any other favorite vegetable with some garlic, and ¼ cup of diced onion until tender then add ½ cup of marinara sauce. Add the drained and cooked asparagus “linguini” to the pan with your sauce and add 2-3 ounces of your favorite protein and heat through. I often add Trader Joe’s Turkey Meatballs, but you can add a few ounces of cooked chicken or chicken sausage as well. It’s a meal that satisfies a pasta craving without negatively impacting my energy level.

GreenLite has been a safe place for me to reintroduce myself to my body and change patterns that have been holding me back in all aspects of my life, not just my weight.”

“My experience with GreenLite has been really great. The people are instructive, professional and caring. I began the long journey back to a healthy weight on January 23rd, 2012. The task seemed daunting. The computer told me I needed to lose 117 lbs.

GreenLite worked for me in the past. I had been successful on the program between 2009 and 2010. I am a big fan of Dr Rugh and really like her approach. The staff provides encouragement, insights and support where needed. I moved from the area, had a very senior position in a firm in Washington, DC and had an incredible travel schedule of more than 400,000 miles per year. I gained a lot of weight back and had never made it to the maintenance program that GreenLite provides. When I returned to the Bay Area, it was time to lose the weight again.

Once I began losing weight, I quickly began to integrate exercise back into my life. But I needed to shed more than 20 pounds just to begin the exercise. I began running. First day I ran a half mile and thought I would die. Now 7 months later, I am running 20-25 miles a week. I began working with my personal trainer on strength training so I could build muscle while losing the weight. At my age, maintaining or adding muscle is critical. At first my exercise was aerobic in its nature to accelerate the weight loss. Then it shifted to strength. I do push-ups, flip large tires, lift dead weights and do a staggering number of deep squats to work the body.

I eat a fairly steady diet of yogurt, salads and chicken or fish. I add lots of pepper and sriracha sauce and spices that can accentuate the flavor. I grill whenever I can, particularly vegetables and I have embraced Stevia as a great sugar alternative.

My body has transformed in 7 months beyond what I imagined. I have lost 94 lbs, but actually built lean body mass up at the same time. I have lost 10 inches in my waist. I have a whole new wardrobe of clothes. I look forward to exercise every day, integrating it into the schedule. I am a CEO of a start-up company; the work is intense and the commitment large. With my new body, my energy level is high and my strength powers me through long days. The seats on the planes fit better and it’s just generally easier to do almost anything.”

“There were many reasons why I decided to seek help with weight loss. First, it obviously was not working trying to do it by myself. I needed the support and guidance from someone else. When I heard about KRTY’s Biggest Loser competition, I knew that this was what I needed. After doing the research on GreenLite, I was optimistic that the program could and would work for me.We started the Biggest Loser competition on March 9th, and from the second we walked into GreenLite Medicine, it was clear that everyone was there to help. The support you get is what really helps get through the program. Nancy was one of the educators that I saw regularly. I remember on the first week, I lost 11 lbs, and just started crying. She started crying with me, she knew exactly what I was feeling, and it was an amazing!!!

Everyone at GreenLite was just as excited as I was about my nearly 70 pound weight loss. All the educators are there to give you any support and guidance that you need. From recipes, to food options, and making sure that you are eating enough. It’s hard to believe that sometimes you need to be eating MORE!!It is a totally unbelievable feeling, to know that I have actually achieved this goal. It is so awesome to be able to go into a store and fit into normal sizes and feel good about yourself. Having the energy to keep up with my kids is something that I appreciate so much. When people I haven’t seen in a while notice my weight loss, it really makes all the hard work worth it. Everyone at GreenLite reminds me of how awesome I am for getting to where I am today, and that is a great feeling. I know that this lifestyle change is something that I needed, and I cannot express my gratitude to GreenLite for their in this journey. Their program, is something that really works, and has given me a new look on life.”

“I spent my entire twenties trying to figure out how I could lose weight and keep it off. I tried everything from obsessively exercising, calorie restrictive diets such as Jenny Craig and even participated in a weight loss study with Stanford Hospital. While some of it provided results, because I wasn’t really given the tools and guided how to permanently make a change in both my eating and lifestyle habits, the weight loss was never for very long. Along came my thirties and I had the good fortune of hearing a friend’s testimonial of Greenlite Medicine. In August 2008, I was meeting a close friend regularly for business and within three weeks she had lost 17 pounds. Huh? It sounded too good to be true! After much debate with “myself,” I decided to give it a try.

A week later, I made the phone call to Greenlite Medicine. I am so grateful I did, because I have lost 85 pounds and have been able to maintain the weight loss for over two years! I started the Greenlite Medicine program in October 2008. While everyone has been amazing and supportive, I have truly enjoyed working with Maria Sayare and Dr. Sooji Rugh. They have been there for me through my most frustrating moments to my most celebratory “scale” moments. I am not sure if I would have had it in me to succeed without their support. In their own quiet way…they didn’t let me get away with anything, which is really what you need to succeed outside of the program. At the end of each day, only one person is accountable, YOU. This is what I have had to learn to make this a lifestyle change.Since I lost weight I have been on the most incredible journey!! With my new found confidence and renewed self, I launched a website and cooking, entertaining and decorating online magazine called www.NestingNewbies.com!”

“My wife and I decided we both needed to lose weight. I had heard about GreenLite Medicine while listening to KRTY on the radio and told her about it. She checked out the web site and we signed up together within a few days. The experience has been an all-around positive and supportive experience. Although making the time for weigh-ins and weekly visits was at times a challenge for my busy schedule, I made it work. Doing the program with my wife motivated us to make it to our weekly visits where we were always greeted with the receptionist, Kelsey’s smile. Both the health educator Molly and the medical provider Kira have been extremely helpful and supportive and made the visits enjoyable. Their knowledge, professionalism, and easy-going manner have helped to make being on the program a very good thing.The medical supervision, the daily appetite suppressants, the knowledgeable staff at our weekly visits, initial lab tests, EKG and the utilization of body composition analysis is what attracted us to the program.

I love playing golf whenever I get the chance and with the weight loss and my increased flexibility I am hitting the ball 20 to 30 yards farther. In addition to the weight loss I have been able to greatly reduce my caffeine and diet soda intake. I have gone from two dozen Diet Pepsi per day, to at the most of 1 per day. The loss of weight, reduced caffeine and elimination of diet soda has left me feeling fantastic! ”

“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!!! 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 visits feel special.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. 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! Check it out at lowcarbsandsugars.salesxweb.com. Finding healthy alternatives to the high carb/sugar products, that I used to eat, has become a passion. I no longer see this program as a “diet,” but as a lifestyle change that is healthy, enjoyable and sustainable.”

“Last year I went to the eye doctor for my yearly exam and was told that my eyes sight had gotten 75% worse. Blindness due to diabetes runs high in my family, so my panic mode set in, becoming a diabetic was always in the back of my mind. My husband and I were also trying to get pregnant at that time, and I diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). After the multiple attempts to get pregnant failed, we decided to take a break. Emotionally, I was checked out, and physically, although 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.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 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. 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! 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.”

“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 25th 2011. 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!”

“I reached a point in my life where I found it difficult to even climb the stairs in my home without being out of breath. Shopping for clothes was so disappointing that I knew I had to do something. I had tried other diets including South Beach and just couldn’t do it on my own. I knew I needed support and real knowledgeable people to help me. Not pre-planned meals, not online help, but medical help.I began my journey with Greenlite in January 2010, I had weekly appointments with Nancy and she gave me the support and guidance I needed to make my goal. By the end of July 2010, I had reached my goal of 55 pounds and I am happy to say that I have been maintaining my weight and have not gained a single pound. The holidays were hard, but the couple of pounds I put on, I lost right away by managing my diet. Not starving…managing.I chose Greenlite because it seemed like a program I could easily adapt to my lifestyle and around my family. I felt other programs that require you to purchase their food wouldn’t work for my family, because I eat dinner with my family and having to prepare two different meals would be difficult. Let’s face it; if you’re eating “special meals” and everyone else is expecting a full blown dinner, you’re probably going to fail. GreenLite let me plan my days and eat the same food as my family for the most part. I learned that I can eat at most restaurants, as long as I know how to order properly by following the sound guidelines of GreenLite.Since I have lost 55 pounds, I appreciate the simple things that many others tend to take for granted – such as walking up the stairs and not being out of breath. I also sleep better at night and I don’t snore anymore. I enjoy going clothe shopping for myself and I’m looking good in all the “skinny clothes”. My son participates in high school rodeo and I feel great wearing my new jeans and helping out at the rodeos. Significantly, I look forward to boating with my family because I feel better about “me” in a bathing suit.One thing we forget about is the picture on our driver’s license. My picture was taken a few years ago and today strangers look at my license always comment on how much weight I’ve lost. Anyone who wants to lose weight, whether it is one to five pounds or even 10 plus, always ask me how I lost my weight. I am happy to tell everyone what a great program Greenlite is and how the staff is so supportive. I know if I email my educator, Nancy, she will always respond and give me great advice to get me through any tough diet times I might have. When I come in for maintenance check-ins, it’s always with Nancy. I can’t imagine her not being there.”

“Weight has been an issue with me my entire life. I am your typical “roller coaster” dieter that has seen my weight get worse and worse. Each time I failed at a diet, not only did I regain everything I lost, but I gained more weight than I had before. I started Hello GreenLite because I was at an all-time high with my weight.

I began Hello GreenLite on June 9th and have worked with Holly through my entire experience. I really cannot say enough about Holly. I really believe she is part of the reason I have had success with this diet. Through our weekly meetings via Skype, she has kept me focused, has offered encouragement, and maybe most importantly, valuable tips that have kept me on the path to my goal weight.

I chose Hello GreenLite after my wife attended a conference and came back with information about the program. Hello GreenLite is a high protein, low carb diet similar to one I had, had success with before. But this one was different – veggies and fruits are not completely off the list like some of the other diets. I feel much healthier on this diet and do not feel I am depriving my body of any nutrients it needs.

I love that I am never hungry on this diet. I am not a big recipe person – I tend to keep things very simple. I do love the Tortilla Factory low carb wraps that I use for lunch every day. Some lettuce, turkey, ham, and fat-free dressing creates an awesome wrap! Cheese, chopped peppers, and diced tomatoes in Egg Beaters are my favorite morning start.

I will be honest – at my starting weight, exercise was just plain torture. Holly wisely suggested I don’t try to overdo it and it was probably some of the better advice I received starting the program. Other times, I would go overboard with the whole diet and exercise that I basically burned my body out. It’s only been recently that I can go back to some leisure exercise like walking.

I am teacher and therefore am off in the summer. Being able to play golf without huffing and puffing as I walked up a small incline to the green was awesome. A proud moment was when I was able to walk 9 holes of golf again because at the beginning of the golf league season, I just couldn’t do it. I love to read and really found that reading does not make me want to eat as much as watching TV does. I also love to travel – especially to Las Vegas – and found no matter where I go, this program fits very easily.

Without a doubt I love how my face is not as “puffy” and I love the fact that my clothes fit so much better. In fact, just the other day I had to go into my “other” clothes closet (I have several sizes of clothing that reflect my yo-yo sizes) and get a smaller pair of jeans that I have probably not worn in 2 years. That felt good!”

“I had a baby and really fell out of my body. I really wanted to get back to me and nothing seemed to be working. Most women had told me that nursing was a surefire way to get the weight off. I found that instead, the scale was stuck and nothing helped. It was really frustrating, and I wanted to get a handle on it fast!

I started Hello GreenLite in August once I stopped breastfeeding. I had a family member that went through the GreenLite Medicine program, and it really worked for her. I figured I had nothing to lose!! I found the Hello GreenLite part to be really appealing as well, as office visits were pretty much out of the question! It was fantastic and worked really well for me.

The virtual visits were a no brainer when it came to having the baby around. I had just enough guidance and accountability. It was challenging, but motivating at the same time. I saw results almost immediately, which also gave me a great boost in self-confidence. I was able to speak to my counselor, Holly, about how to give myself some wiggle room here and there as well.

It’s tough to stay on track with a new baby. Sometimes all you can do is grab something you can eat with one hand, which isn’t always the best option. Holly helped me figure out some great things to have on hand when we were on the go! The best thing about this was that I new how to get back on track if I had a slip up, and every time I did I got results quickly! Being able to send a quick email saying, “Oh No! I totally screwed up this week!”, or “My grandparents want to take us to dinner, what do I eat?” was great as well. I was able to contact Holly anytime. It was certainly an adjustment at first, but it was great to have the support and accountability along the way.

Going back to work after baby was a big adjustment for me, as I just didn’t have the same control over my body as I used to. I have been a fitness/dance instructor for many years. With the weight off, my balance has improved, along with my energy levels and stamina. I feel (almost) back to my old self again.

Exercise has been the toughest part of weight loss as a new mommy. If anything, I do my best to AT LEAST walk 3-4 times per week. Now that things are getting easier, I have been able to turn that into a run. I also try to squeeze in push-ups, sit-ups, and tricep dips whenever I can. If I’m feeling extra ambitious, or have some time, I love to go to a Dailey Method class, or throw in a work-out DVD. My favorite new work-out involves my whole family: My husband pushes the jogging stroller, and I run ahead. My son loves to “chase” me, and gets a kick out of me running towards him. Who wouldn’t be entertained by that during a workout??

I LOVE experimenting with my Greek Yogurt. I have been using all sorts of extracts. I also love to make no carb protein balls, with almond meal, pumpkin, protein powder, a little stevia, etc. The possibilities are endless with those. They are really great for a post- workout snack as well.

I fit into all of old clothes! I am a couple pounds heavier than I was pre-baby, but feel as though I have settled in to a weight that is right for me. I am still working on toning back up, but I have the confidence now that it will happen. I love that my family is involved, and that my husband has taken time to take stock in how he fuels his body as well.”