Success Stories

 

Lisa…

I started at IHP in November 2001 at 210 pounds.  I lost 5 pounds the first month, then the Holidays came and I gained 10 pounds!  I came to my monthly appointments, listened to what the Dr. and Nurse Practitioner had to say, but didn’t do anything they recommended, except take the appetite suppressants, hoping the medication would make me lose weight.  It didn’t.  Six months later, I was back to the weight I started at.  The NP had a serious talk with me about my lack of progress, revised my program to get me back on track.  I lost 7 pounds that month!  Continuing my program half heartedly, I did manage to lose a couple pounds, then I would regain it the following month.  After 8 months, I was down about 5 pounds from my starting weight. 

I knew I NEEDED to lose the weight, but I just wasn’t ready to do the things they asked me to do in a consistent manner.   I became pregnant and gained over 80 pounds during the pregnancy.  My baby was 2 years old and I was still 65 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight.  With my tail between my legs, I returned to IHP in January 2007 at 273 pounds.  The staff was kind and non-judgmental and we started again.  My resolve and commitment level were better now and I was determined to lose the weight. They started me on 1,300 calories per day, with 3 meals (just normal grocery store food) and 2 meal replacements.  I lost 6.4 pounds the first month.  I did MOST of what they recommended, but I still thought I knew better than they did about some things.  Admittedly, I skipped a few meals (mostly the in between meal replacements), thinking my weight loss would go faster, and I refused to exercise.  They assured me my weight loss would improve if I stuck to the plan we had developed together. 

I continued to do it my way for a couple of more months, losing 3.2 pounds the next month, 4.2 pounds the next.  After much encouragement, I started walking 2x a week, lost 4.2 pounds that month.  I joined Curves and lost 11.4 pounds that month, 8.8 pounds the next month!  Beginning to feel like I could REALLY do this, I joined a 5 day a week Boot camp and lost 14.2 pounds that month.   I was then at 221 pounds, almost at my pre-pregnancy weight.  I continued the Boot camp, but only 3 days a week, lost 12.8 pounds that month, 12.6 pounds the next.  Tired of the grueling Boot Camp, I decided to take a break and go back to Curves.  I only lost 2.8 pounds that month, but I needed the rest. 

Now at 187 pounds, Christmas 2007,  I only lost 0.6 pounds that month.  At my January 2008 weigh-in,  I GAINED 0.4 pounds!  No way was I going to continue that trend, so I started working out with a personal trainer 3 days a week for a month, and lost 6.2 pounds that month.  After the month with the personal trainer, I decided to do a Boot Camp again for a month, but I only lost 2.8 pounds this time.  Thinking my body needed a change, I started step aerobics and weight training. 

It is now May 2008, and I GAINED 3 pounds this month.  At this point, IHP decreased my daily caloric intake to 1,200 calories per day, as I’m now at 176.4, nearly 100 pounds down.  It really DOES take fewer calories to move a smaller body around!  From May to end of October, my weight went from 176.4 to 171.2, as some months I would lose a couple of pounds, some months I gained.  My progress was NOT satisfactory for me.  At that point, the NP tweaked WHAT I was eating…increased my daily protein to 80 grams, eliminated all processed carbohydrates…I lost 7.8 pounds that month (November) and 9.6 in December (during the Christmas Holiday).  I am now at 153.8. 

In January, I lost 5.8, Feb- 3.4, March 4.6 pounds.  My weight on May 20, 2009 is 140 pounds!!!!!  Based upon my Tanita Body Composition, it was decided my maintenance weight should be somewhere between 142-150.  The NP increased my calories to 1,500 (protein-100 grams, carbs 150 gm or less, fat 35 gm or less).  I continued my elliptical, treadmill, and weight training.  My weight has fluctuated between 138.6-141.4.  It is now 6 months later, and as of November 2009, I am currently at 139.6 pounds.  I weigh myself daily at home, and drop by IHP every couple of weeks for a weight check.  I still make and keep my monthly appointments with the Nurse Practitioner. 

My beginning statistics on January 2007-Weight=273.4 pounds, BMI (body mass index)-44.1, Fat %-47.9%.    Currently as of November 2009-Weight=139.6 pounds, BMI-22.5 (normal-18-25), Fat %=13.8%!  Total weight loss is 133.8 pounds.  My desire was to reach my goal BEFORE my 40th birthday, and I JUST made it.   I did this for my health and my family.  Its one thing when you are hurting yourself, but quite another when you can’t climb up the bleachers at your son’s baseball game, and you are the “fat Mom” and embarrass your husband and kids. 

The secret to weight loss and maintenance is….do what the Nurse Practitioner tells you to do!  IHP starts you out at WHATEVER level you are at, and WITH YOU, develops a plan that you CAN do.  The hardest part for me was realizing that I did NOT know what to do and that if I would take their recommendations, I would be successful.  They have a sign in one of their exam rooms, “if you keep doing what you are doing, you’ll keep getting what you are getting” and it is true!

Michelle M…

I’m a vegetarian, and I am ashamed that I have let myself get this heavy and want to feel better and get into regular clothes.  Also, I like to exercise and it’s difficult right now due to the severe pain and swelling in my legs and feet.  Due to my rigid dietary restrictions, I have tried nearly every diet known to man, without success.  Out of desperation, I did an on-line search for weight loss clinics and chose IHP solely because they were in the same zip code as I live.   I started the Ideal Protein Diet in July 2009, at 249.6 pounds.  As of October 29, I am now 195.4 pounds.  My goal is 160 pounds.   This is the fastest, healthiest weight loss I have ever experienced.  For once in my life, I am receiving enough protein and nutrients to be healthy and feel better.  If I can do this, anyone can.

Betsy C…

After facing the reality that I had to do something to lose weight and get healthier, a friend recommended that I go to The Institute of Health Promotion.  This turned out to be the best decision I could have made.  Peggy Ostrander, the Nurse Practitioner, put me on a plan that kick-started my weight loss, taught me how to reassess what true portions of food are, gave me the energy to begin an exercise program, and gave me the support to stay motivated.  I lost fifty- two pounds over a six-month period – not too fast, but a healthy amount over time.  My husband did the Ideal Protein Diet with me and lost 101 pounds during the same period of time.  I am continuing to follow the plan to reach my goal weight and am enjoying the added benefits of increased energy, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol, and an improved general sense of well-being.  I whole-heartedly recommend Peggy and her friendly, supportive staff at The Institute of Health Promotion to anyone who is wanting to improve their life by losing weight and learning how to change behaviors for a lifetime of healthy living. They will work with you to develop a plan that fits your life and give you the encouragement and support you’ll need to succeed.

Phone: 972-423-8110

Fax: 972-423-1699

E-mail: frontoffice@ihpweightloss.com

To contact us:

Institute

of Health Promotion