with
Dr. Giannakopoulos(Westbury,NY)Starting Weight: 218 pounds
Current Weight: 148 pounds
Total weight lost: 70 pounds*
*In a CMWL multicenter randomized trial involving 550 patients who followed a CMWL Low-Calorie Diet (LCD) or Modified LCD Program, both with and without appetite suppressants, the average weight loss was 2 pounds per week over a 12-week period. The research was wholly funded by an independent third party with the exception of travel expenses. According to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine, participants completing a 12-week medical weight loss program lost 11.1% of their body weight, on average. Results may vary.
I saw a commercial for The Center for Medical Weight Loss (CMWL) after New Year’s and wanted to see what it was about. I checked them out twice online and decided I wanted to try something different instead of other diets I had been on; I knew I wanted to lose a lot of weight without surgery. I became more motivated to lose weight when I saw myself in pictures, especially the last time I got back from Portugal. The good thing is I had made an appointment with CMWL before I left for my trip!
Before CMWL, I’d tried Weight Watchers, Stay Slim (a low-carb diet center that was in my area), and just portion control. I would lose about 20 to 30 pounds, but very slowly, and would get frustrated and give up.
Robin’s Weight-Loss Journey
I was on hormones at a very young age because of premature menopause and started to gain weight. I felt I never ate that much, but over the years I would go up and down with my weight. At the point I found CMWL, I was at least 90 pounds overweight.
The CMWL program helped me to lose weight by confronting my emotions and through education, which is one of the things that attracted me to this program – you need to learn to eat healthier and look at the bigger picture. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Giannakopoulos (“Dr. G”), and he was a medical doctor, which I felt I needed.
The day I joined CMWL, I also joined a gym and started doing cardio and weights because I knew it was important to reshape your body and tone as you lose weight. Now I exercise six days a week for at least an hour before I go to work, which was something new I tried. Going in the morning made a big difference for me because you are starting the day off right and it makes you think twice whether you want to cheat. I was never a morning person, but now I get up early – around 5am – automatically and I’m ready to go.
Weight Loss Benefits
The program wasn't hard for me because I could see results, and I am continuing to see results. I learned to enjoy exercise. I never liked drinking water, but I do now.
The best parts about losing weight have been feeling empowered again and in control. And the main thing – I'm healthier! Though I didn’t have medical issues that were resolved when I lost weight, I was borderline on everything, and I didn’t have the energy that I have now.
To keep off the weight long term, I plan on sticking with the CMWL program and going into the maintenance phase. With Dr. G's help, I know I can reach my goal and stay there. If for some reason I don't, he will guide me back.
My advice is that you should never give up on yourself. There is always hope, especially when you set your mind to it – and you have great people at CMWL who care about your success.
Favorite CMWL Product:The bars, especially the fudge graham, peanut, and double berry. I also like all the shakes.
Top Tip to Stay Motivated:Don't give up! Give yourself mini goals.
What I Like Best About CMWL:The whole staff at my center! Especially Margaret, Alyssa, Nicole, and, of course, Dr. G!
At CMWL, I learned valuable information from Dr. Kaplan to help keep me moving forward
"Being both a CMWL doctor and patient, I have first-hand knowledge of how well this program works. I will never be overweight again."
"I got the same results without having surgery…I accomplished something I thought was impossible."