I am the queen of excuses, so when it came to dieting and weight loss, I had every excuse why I could not do it 'right now', from real physical restrictions to real time constraints to real financial constraints, you name it, I used it as an excuse why I could not be successful. Dr. Greg Hooper is also my regular doctor and has been monitoring my various physical issues (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, the usual stuff for many overweight people) and for the past several years he has gently suggested I consider his program. ""You'll get these conditions under control, or even make the go away!"", he kept telling me. Yeah, yeah! I've heard it before, and I told him so. ""I know me!"" I'd say to him...""I will sign up but then I'll fail."", would always be my response.
After my 50th birthday, and following a trip to the cardiologist because I had experienced yet a new ailment that I hoped was not serious but that prompted yet another specialist to gently suggest that losing weight would significantly reduce the symptoms I have been experiencing, I went back to The Hooper Clinic and said, ""Talk to me.""
My consultation with the Weight Loss Program Staff member was private, informative, and without any pressure whatsoever. I had so many questions and even more excuses--yes--I was still making them. Then Dr. Greg came in to consult with me privately and, still no pressure, reminded me that he would always be in the office when I came in each week if I had any questions. When I threw my last-ditch excuse at him--I can't afford it--he asked me if I had a Flexible Spending Account for health-related expenses. Really? I'm in.
My goal was significant...unreachable, I thought, in a short period of time and I steeled myself to hear him say that I needed to commit to this for more than a year to get there. When he said I'd be there in less than 6 months, I didn't believe him. But my first week, I lost 8 lbs. Then 4 lbs, then another 4... what? It works? IT WORKS!!
My success became my motivator and I set my mind to be successful. If I can do this, anyone can do this. I gave myself a 15-lb range as a weight loss goal and I was inside that range within 7 months. In 9 months, I am within 2.5 lbs of the bottom of that 15-lb goal range. I went from a size 18/20 to a size 8. I feel amazing, and for the first time in my adult life am happy with my weight.
I highly recommend The Hooper Clinic. Everyone there is on your side and are there to help you be successful. They take you and your privacy seriously, are friendly, and they are very accessible--by phone, email, and on FaceBook for support, recipes, whatever!
You can do it. Really!
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