Success Story: Father and Daughter Slim Down Together

"Healthy weight loss is our number one priority. Our patients can safely lose up to 125 pounds in six months." - James Day, MD

Just six months ago, Mike Cole was 65 pounds overweight, lacked energy, and felt unhealthy. Worse, he found it difficult to enjoy his lifelong love: skiing. "I was so heavy that going over the moguls actually hurt," says the 6-foot engineer who weighed 265 pounds. Dieting with traditional weight loss plans had never worked. Over the years, he’d tried South Beach, Atkins, Weight Watchers and other diets without success. 

His 17-year-old daughter, Kristy, had too. "I followed the South Beach diet perfectly, but didn’t lose a single pound!" Kristy laments. "I wanted to lose weight so I’d look good in my senior high-school pictures, but nothing was working." 

Then Mike’s wife suggested that both father and daughter try a medically supervised weight-loss program. A friend had been a patient at Colorado Center for Weight Management and recommended the unique program. "I knew it worked for her," says Mike. "She lost a bunch of weight, looks great, and is even running marathons now." So with a little nudge from Mike’s wife, both father and daughter decided to give the center a try.

Getting Started on Weight Loss Success

Colorado Center for Weight Management (CCWM) is different from many weight-loss programs because patients are monitored for medical problems every step of the way. 

"Healthy weight-loss is our number one priority," says medical director James Day, M.D. "Our patients can lose up to 125 pounds in six months, but we constantly supervise their health status with blood tests, EKGs and physicals." 

Mike and Kristy met with Dr. Day and were checked out medically before starting their low-calorie eating plans. Registered dietitians counseled them weekly on healthy eating habits and behavior modification, and once a month they received full medical workups. 

Going on the weight-loss journey together made the process easier. "It was nice doing it with my dad, even though he cheated a few times," laughs Kristy. Even with occasionally forbidden goodies, both father and daughter reached their goals remarkably quickly. Mike dropped 65 pounds in six months. Kristy reached her goal of losing 45 pounds in just four months.

Why the Program Works

Research shows that successful weight loss involves more than just dropping pounds. Without medical supervision, nutritional counseling and behavior modification, diets are often doomed for failure. 

At CCWM, patients are evaluated by a medical doctor to determine their health status and pinpoint causes for their weight problems. Then a safe and effective weight-loss program is individualized for each person. To help ensure long-term success, patients receive 10 weeks of behavior-modification education. 

"Weight management isn’t just about shrinking your stomach," says Molly Krause, a registered dietitian at CCWM. "We help patients confront the issues of why they overeat and develop healthy food habits. Without those changes, it’s hard to keep the weight off." 

Medical problems often vanish along with the weight. Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and health risks for certain types of cancer can be alleviated or greatly reduced. Because the program helps obese patients slim down significantly, it can be an alternative to gastric bypass or Lap Band surgery. Past patients have gone from size 22 to size 10 without surgery and kept the weight off. 

"We consider weight loss successful if they gain back no more than 7 pounds in two years, and most of our patients have done that," says Dr. Day.

The Picture of Health

The results speak for themselves. "People are really surprised when they see me now," says Mike. "I weigh what I did in college, feel healthier and have so much more energy. I can’t believe the difference." 

Kristy also looks and feels like a new person. "I’m so much more confident in everything I do now," she says. And her senior pictures couldn’t have turned out better. 

Kristy is happily anticipating attending college in the fall, and Mike can’t wait to hit the ski slopes again. "Now I’ll be able to ski the Black Diamond moguls without pain," he says. 

Best of all, both father and daughter have learned how to eat well and maintain a healthy weight. "I know I’ll never gain those pounds back," says Mike confidently. 

"This program really worked for both my daughter and me when nothing else would. We’re so thankful to Dr. Day and the staff at Colorado Center for Weight Management."

The Weight-Loss Specialists

Colorado Center for Weight Management is one of only a handful of medically supervised weight-loss facilities in Colorado. Since 1998, the center has been helping patients drop weight quickly and safely with medically supervised low-calorie eating plans, nutritional counseling, exercise, and behavior modification. Founded by Dr. James Day, the center’s mission is based on the concept that significant weight loss can be accomplished in a healthy way without surgery. 

Unlike many diet centers, CCWM is run by board-certified, bariatric Medical Doctor and employs only registered dietitians certified by the American Dietetic Association. The treatment is sometimes covered by health insurance. 

Whether your goal is to lose 15 or 125 pounds, the specialists at CCWM can help you get there. Make an appointment today and get started on a healthier, happier, and thinner you!

Services:

• A broad range of low-calorie diets

• Board-certified physician supervision

• Expert counseling from registered dietitians

• Complete medical examination

• Prescription appetite-suppressant medications (optional)

• 10-week behavior modification program and follow-up