Losing weight can be easy
Christmas time is a time for celebration with family and friends – usually involving a lot of food. This is typically a tough time for people to stick to a healthy and nutritious diet. A couple of patients from Imagine Health Centres have taken a big change in their lives to eat and live healthier. Last year, Kathy and Jeff Baker noticed changes in their bodies such as running out of breath going up a flight of stairs, the onset of arthritis, high blood pressure and high sugar levels. The Baker’s doctor, Dr Laura-Lea McKay, had placed them on a weight loss program and both Kathy and Jeff have lost over 100 pounds each in one year.
It was Kathy who wanted to do the program but did not want to do it alone and so her husband, Jeff, joined her on this journey. The Bakers said that in order for them to be successful, they had to choose to make a new lifestyle change where they choose to make food not the main topic and to be more physically active. Jeff and Kathy cut carbs from their diet – no junk food and snacks; and portion control all their meals. If it is food they cannot eat, they will not bring it into the house. They have even adapted their usual recipes or dishes to a healthier version.
For the Bakers, it is not just a change of diet but everything they do is a conscious effort for a better life. Being more active by walking more; using the exercise bike; swimming and they even participated in a 5K walk/run with Dr McKay’s fitness team this past Spring. The Bakers did mention that it is important to have a supportive group of family and friends to keep you on track. Both Kathy and Jeff have more energy with a better outlook on life and the future.
If you are interested in the Weight Loss program at Imagine Health Centres, talk to your family physician for a referral to see Dr Laura-Lea McKay or Dr Jonathan Chan in our Downtown Calgary (100 – 300 6 Avenue SE) or Macleod Trail South clinic (4120 – 15 Sunpark Plaza SE). Call Downtown Calgary clinic at (403) 775-9669 on Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Call Macleod Trail South clinic at (403) 910-3990 on weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm or weekends from 10 am to 3 pm.
