Success Stories

I was Ready for Change

About two years ago, I got a letter from Kaiser Permanente about the Medical Weight Management program. It took me two weeks to get up the courage to call the Santa Clara center. Once I went to orientation and met the staff, I knew it felt right.

I'd done it all before just like everyone else. I tried going to the gym. I got a nutritionist and a trainer. I tried the fad diets on my own and went to a diet program. Initially they all worked, but none were sustainable for the rest of my life. They were all diets and I didn't want to be on a diet for the rest of my life.

My New Lifestyle Has Become Automatic

The Kaiser Permanente Medical Weight Management program is not a diet. It's a lifestyle change. Yes, I dieted during the meal replacement phase, but I also worked with my facilitator every week on how to live. I still have those moments when I'm starving and all I can see is fast food, but now I can make the right choice. This program has completely changed the choices I make. It has been more sustainable and more real than anything else I've tried. It's something I can do for the rest of my life.

The Staff is Like an Extended Family

With some of the diets I've tried, there were different people in class each week. I didn't really get a chance to know anybody. With the Kaiser Permanente Medical Weight Management program, the group, the facilitator and the staff didn't change. It's like a family. Going every week and having that support system has helped with my success.

I think the biggest challenge is remembering that managing my weight is a process. I'm not always going to be perfect. When I go to class, I see all these people that are going through the same struggles and successes. My group and my facilitator help keep me on track.

I'm Not a "Gym Person"

I don't have time to go to the gym everyday. I'm not a gym person, but I still have my pedometer on and I walk everyday. I never used to run unless someone was chasing me. Now I run a little bit. I even tried a few 5Ks. I'm surprised, but I enjoy it. I also travel a lot. The first time I got on a plane after being on the program, I didn't have to extend the seatbelt to the maximum. I thought, "Oh my God! I'm a normal person!"

Now I Know I Can Do Anything!

At first the Medical Weight Management program changed my weight. Then it changed the way I eat. Now it's changed my whole life. Now that I've been successful with my weight, I know I can do anything!

Note: Individual results may vary, and this patient's results are not typical. Average weight loss in the Medical Weight Management Program is 48 pounds in 30 weeks. * At week 62. Attend a free information session to learn more about the program.