on Aug 1, 2019 in Inspiration, Patient Testimonials, Weight Loss
Linda’s struggles with weight began when she was just 16 years old. Hormonal imbalances made it easy to gain and difficult to lose. Later in her adult life she continued to gain weight with each of her three pregnancies. As the number on the scale climbed so did the many health challenges that she faced. Her daily routine included many medications. At one-point, Linda experienced a medical complication that damaged her liver and was prescribed steroids. These medications made weight maintenance even harder. After years of suffering she met Dr. Patton, a gastroenterologist at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Patton didn’t just recommend a visit to the Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center, she insisted that Linda pay them a visit. Strongly motivated, Linda didn’t even care as much about the weight loss as she did about a life free from the many medications she was prescribed. She just wanted to feel better. Linda chose to participate in a medically supervised full liquid fast to help her lose weight. It was comforting to her that a whole medical team was following her progress and that she had regular lab-work as she lost weight. Linda describes her experience in the program as a “Life changing experience.” She learned about healthy food choices that help her maintain her weight loss and health. She describes the way she feels now as, “healthier than ever” and “such a relief” to be free from so many medications and health...
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on Jun 27, 2019 in Fitness, General Wellness, Inspiration, Patient Testimonials, Weight Loss
Like so many of us, Jim’s weight crept up over the years. His first serious attempt at weight loss was in a Fasting Program at the Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center. He lost the excess weight quickly but went back to old habits and re-gained. Feeling frustrated, he decided fasting wasn’t for him, so he joined a Healthy Balance full-food program. It was in this program he started building a practice of eating healthy foods. His counselor Kay started every class with exercise and 10 minutes of meditation; and it was Kay’s introduction to the benefits of meditation that Jim credits with his continued meditation practice. Since his class with Kay, he has logged in over 1349 days straight of meditation on his mobile app called Calm. As long as Jim was participating in a Healthy Balance class he did well, but over time the demands of his work life took over and the long hours made it impossible for him to attend class. A busy teacher, baseball, and football coach meant 12 to 14-hour days and a lot of stress. He let go of his Healthy Balance program and the healthy habits and started to rely on the convenience of processed meals and fast food. His blood sugars crept up as did his cholesterol and blood pressure. One summer, Jim’s work load increased significantly as he was assigned a major project designing a county-wide High School field trip for the National Park Service at Cabrillo National Monument. His thoughts we’re “I’ll get back to eating right, exercising, and stress management when this project is done.” Sadly, just as Jim was completing the project he suffered a major stroke at the age of 61. Jim was forced into retirement before he was ready and the sudden loss of work, being home, and the demands physically of recovering from a stroke left Jim feeling depressed and anxious. His weight crept up, he couldn’t exercise, his health issues worsened. Jim decided to get back into another Healthy Balance program. He had to wait a month to get into a group, but he was so motivated he started on his own practicing the many things he had learned from Kay. In this new...
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on May 14, 2019 in General Wellness, Inspiration, Nutrition, Patient Testimonials, Weight Loss
May 17, 2019 at 5:30 pm Positive Choice Integrative Wellness Center Come listen to Esther Loveridge’s inspiring story of losing over 100 pounds in less than 2 years on a whole food, plant-based diet. In pain and diagnosed with bone on bone in her knees, Esther was overwhelmed when her physician said she had to lose 70 pounds to have knee surgery. She wasn’t sure she could accomplish it, but then a friend gave her a book on a whole food, plant-based diet that changed her life. Come hear how Esther lost the weight, went from size 24 to a size 6, avoided knee surgery and healed her thyroid eating so many of the foods, that we are often told will cause weight gain. Click here to Register for...
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on Aug 3, 2015 in Patient Testimonials, Weight Loss
Dennis thought the only way he was going to be successful losing weight was to have Bariatric surgery. He came to Positive Choice to find out about having the surgery, and decided to do the Fasting Weight Management Program instead. Click on Dennis’s photo below to listen as he tells us about his journey losing over 100 pounds....
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on Jun 29, 2015 in Inspiration, Nutrition, Patient Testimonials
By Pablo J. Sáinz A typical breakfast for Guillermo Ybarra was basically coffee and donuts or cookies. And for lunch, a big burrito or a burger from a fast food place would do it. It’s no wonder that last year Ybarra reached 369 pounds. “I was eating very unhealthy,” said the 36 year-old Chula Vista resident. “I got to a point when I asked myself, ‘How did I let myself get to that?’” The turning point for Ybarra came last July, when driving home, his vision blurred for two consecutive days. A few days later, he was told he was diabetic, just like his mother and his father. “For several months I didn’t want to believe it,” he said. “But at one point I said, ‘Enough is enough.’ I don’t want insulin, I don’t want medication.” Last September, Ybarra enrolled in Kaiser Permanente’s Positive Choice Integrated Wellness Center, where after five months of dedicating and committing himself to group support, classes, and a special diet, he lost 125 pounds, lowered his cholesterol and blood pressure, and completely changed his appearance and attitude. “Before, I would be always tired, half way of the day I always felt like taking a nap,” said Ybarra, who now weighs 248 pounds. “I feel a lot better, I sleep better, I walk better. I feel full of energy.” Ybarra, who works in the finance department of Kaiser Permanente, is so motivated, that he now organizes events for the American Diabetes Association, and has found an interest for cycling and running. “My goal is to be 200 pounds or a little bit under 200 pounds,” he said. Dr. Michael Moreno, medical director of the Positive Choice Integrated Wellness Center in San Diego, said Ybarra’s story could inspire other Latino men to take charge of their health, especially when June is National Men’s Health Month. “It was as if Guillermo was reborn,” Moreno said. “If we can get everyone to make the changes he made, we could change the face of the world in a matter of years. I hope Guillermo’s story can empower Latino men.” Moreno, whose father was from the Mexican state of Veracruz, said Latino men should “put machismo aside and make them...
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on May 7, 2015 in Patient Testimonials, Weight Loss
Fred and Agnes participated in the Healthy Balance — Full Food Weight Management Program. They have supported each other every step of the way. Together they each lost 30 lb.s and they have both been able to cut their needed medications in half. They rely daily on each other’s support to stick with their mutual exercise routine, in making lifestyle choices, and eating healthy. Here are some of Fred and Agnes’ Healthy Swaps ideas… Switch from pasta to zucchini noodles Eat sweet potatoes in place of white mashed potatoes Eat turkey bacon instead of regular Eat grilled not fried-ed More of Fred and Agnes tips for success… Measure food, watch portions Keep your plate colorful with lots of fruits, greens, and veggies Read labels carefully – know what your eating Aim to walk 10,000-15,000 steps a day and keep track of what you are...
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