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When you opt for a 5K run instead of a luscious, chocolate
fudge cake— you realize your weight loss program is a
success. That’s what Renee Chandler discovered after a year
on the Health Management Resources? (HMR) program at St.
Francis Hospital in Federal Way. Not only has she lost
80-plus pounds and gone from size 22 to size 10—she now has
enough energy to play with her young sons.
After her
sons were born, Renee had trouble losing weight and was at
her wit’s end. “I tried every diet I could find, but they
didn’t work because I was always tired,” she says.
Then Renee signed up for the HMR program. Participants
choose between two options—a medically supervised
low-calorie diet that uses only nutritionally complete HMR
shakes and entrees or a more moderate option that includes
unlimited servings of fruits and vegetables. Both programs
emphasize intensive lifestyle education, personalized
attention and follow-up for long-term weight maintenance.
Meals can be ordered by phone and delivered to your door—a
great way to avoid grocery store temptations!
“I love the shakes. They’re easy to make when
you’re on the go,” Renee says. “And the staff is so
supportive. No one cared at the other programs like they do
here.”
Regular exercise is encouraged. Renee started
out walking and then began running. “I’ve never been that
athletic,” she says. “Now my husband and I can run
together.” Renee ran the St. Patty’s Day 5K and the Beat the
Bridge run—something she never dreamed she could accomplish
before.
Renee did so well
that her older sister, Lauralee Nieves-Hughes, took notice.
As a corporate trainer, Lauralee needed energy. She had a
history of bulimia and her endocrinologist told her she was
prediabetic. Lauralee knew she needed a plan to get in
shape.
In eight months, Lauralee lost 35 pounds and
feels great. She’s now in the maintenance phase. Both women are
thrilled with the weekly classes. “The classes taught us that if we
don’t plan ahead, we’re setting ourselves up for failure,” Lauralee
says. “When I went to Germany, the health educator looked up the
German name for foods I could eat and wrote them down so I could
stick with my diet when I ate in restaurants. It’s this kind of
over-and-above support that makes me glad we’re in this program.”
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I decided to enroll in the Health Management
Resources (HMR) program after I had tried everything to lose
weight and keep it off without success. I tried many diets
like South Beach and Atkins. I even tried exercising a lot,
but then I cheated on the weekends with food. No matter what
I tried, I either didn’t lose much weight, or I lost it and
gained it back, or I lost weight but was so miserable with
the diet I couldn't keep it going. I became discouraged.
My life is great
now, thanks to the HMR program. I have a 32" waist, instead
of the 44" and growing that it was when I started. Shopping
for clothes is fun and enjoyable now instead of a chore to
avoid. I can move and exercise without any problems, and I
have much more energy. I feel much better about myself now
and I really want to build on this new sense of
accomplishment.
Best of all, at the pool, at the beach, and at the
gym, I can take off my shirt without embarrassment. I really
love it when I see someone I haven’t seen in some time and
they scream, “Where did you go?—What happened?” I love it
when this happens—It’s a very affirming experience.
The biggest
challenge of any weight loss program is that you have to be
prepared to make sacrifices. For example when I eat at
restaurants with friends I have a different menu. I know I
don’t get to eat what they eat. When I am hanging out with
my friends watching a game, there is no pizza or beer for
me—I have to stay focused at all times.
If you are
considering joining the HMR program, my advice is to join
with a friend or a group because you will have the added
support that you need. Everyone at the St. Francis Center
for Weight Management has been very friendly and supportive.
The HMR program works for me because it is very structured,
and therefore very straightforward, and easy to follow. I
don’t have to go to the grocery store where I am tempted
with all sorts of food.
Losing weight hasn’t been an easy journey, and at
times it has been really difficult, but all things
worthwhile usually are. I’m glad I’ve made the journey and
hope to inspire others to do the same!
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