Via Christi Weight Management Success Stories

Mary Costello
Address: Wichita, KS
Medical Weight Loss Treatment Plan: HMR Healthy Solutions
Total pounds lost: 67

Body Mass Index before HMR: 38.3
Body Mass Index after HMR: 26.6
Physical activity before HMR: 200-500 burned per week
Physical activity after HMR: 2000-2800 burned per week
Triglycerides before HMR:
Triglycerides after HMR:
Blood pressure before HMR: 110/70
Blood pressure after HMR: 100/60

"I have been participating in the HMR program for nearly 10 years. I originally joined the program right after the Wichita River Festival in 1997 because I struggled considerably while walking around to the various activities occurring in different locations. At the time, I was not very physically active, so it made it difficult to participate in physical activities. After joining the HMR program, I found that the process of weight loss was the easy part. The maintenance of the weight loss was the struggle. As long as I was physically active, I was able to maintain the loss. When a few pounds crept back on, the activity slowed down and the so did the participation in maintenance. After a couple of years, I found myself needing a “restart” so I participated in the Restart Program and took the weight off again. Over the years I have utilized all facets of the weight management program (sometimes more than once); core, ongoing, restart, the "blitz", and maintenance."

"In June of 2005, my husband and I took a cruise to Alaska with a group of friends and when I saw the photos from that trip I realized that I had to face my weight gain again. Over the next year I participated in the restart program again where I lost 35 lbs and then reached my goal after losing an additional 31 lbs. while in the maintenance program. I have always known that it takes a combination of calorie reduction and physical activity to lose weight and then to maintain the loss, but living that combination hasn’t always been a priority. I now find myself in a different phase of my life when I realize that if I want to really enjoy myself in my “advancing” years; it will be necessary and so much more enjoyable to do it in a healthier, more physically active condition. Weight management is still difficult, but now it must be a priority for me."

"I have found that the appropriate use of meal replacements and fruits and vegetables, in combination with increased physical activity, have been a key component in maintaining my weight loss. I re4alize that my weight management struggles are no different than what many overweight individuals struggle with and I have to continually face the challenges of maintaining my weight at a healthy level. I find that regular attendance at the Maintenance classes provides me with additional support and information to help maintain my weight at a desirable level. I know that it will continue to be a challenge to maintain a health weight but I know what I need to do and now just have to do it!"