Success Stories
My name is JR, a 5’ 10”, 51-year-old male from San Francisco, CA.
I have been “overweight prone” my entire life. Over the years, I have joined gyms or hired personal trainers to lose weight and get in shape. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm would wane and I would gain the weight back.
By June, 2003, I had ballooned to 204 lbs. and I was concerned about my prospects for a long and comfortable life. I was attracted to an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle for Dr. Melina Jampolis. I had never tried a nutritionist before and called for a free consultation. Upon arriving for my appointment, my fears of a “quick fix” were put to rest as Dr. Jampolis detailed a plan of portion control with proper distribution of carbs, proteins, fats, vegetables, alcohol, and dairy. She spoke of the need for vitamins, water consumption, and exercise. I was very excited and signed up on the spot.
The first two weeks required me to redo my entire approach to food and eating. Although it was tough in the beginning, I stuck to the plan and followed Dr. Jampolis’ suggestions to the letter. We had a weekly weigh in to measure pounds and body fat. She adjusted the program constantly to maximize my results. The weight began to disappear. I promised her that I would be her “poster boy” for success.
It is now the end of November, 2003…five months after the program began. I have lost 34 lbs. and nearly 30% of my body fat. My BMI is a healthy 24.4. My waist is 6 inches smaller and I can see and feel muscles I haven’t acknowledged in years. I run 3 to 4 miles per week, exercise 3 to 4 days per week in small but effective sessions, and eat smarter and healthier than ever before. The program is now a complete part of who I am and how I live my life. The only “downside” is that I have to spend a bunch of money on an entirely new wardrobe. Tough duty!
I could not have achieved such success without Dr. Jampolis and her team, including Roxana. I now consider them close and valued friends. My future is definitely one of continued health, strength, consistency, and happiness.
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“The reason you can’t lose weight is because you don’t eat enough food.” With these words from Dr. Melina Jampolis I began my new diet program. In the past I had always faced each new diet as though I were a death row inmate trying to decide what to order for my final meal on earth. So, imagine how stunned I was by Dr. Jampolis’ statement!
You name a diet, and I guarantee you, I’ve been on it – a good one here or there, the bad ones, and the wacky ones. I’d been successful in losing weigh on just about every diet, but usually because the diets were crash types and very unhealthy – I was losing good muscle mass instead of excess body fat. Also, I tended to “cheat” here and there because I felt so deprived. I always gained back the weight I’d lost and then some.
Following her opening statement, Dr. Jampolis laid out my individual daily program for me: 4 to 5 starches, 14 to 16 proteins, 1 to 2 fruits, 5+ vegetables, and 4 to 5 fats. Dr. Jampolis explained too that the program also includes exercising for at least half an hour five out of seven days a week.
I had earned my lifetime membership in Weight Watcher back in the days of their old exchange program and had had my best success in maintenance with their diet exchanges as well. Their new 1,2,3, program just did not work very well for me. So, I was excited to hear that Dr. Jampolis’ program was similar to the old Weight Watchers one and I had high hopes that if I worked with it I could be successful. I had given up even trying to lose weight for the last 15 years telling myself that I was getting older (I’m about to turn 62), all of the medications I was taking were hampering my efforts, I had a bad back and couldn’t exercise, etc.
While Dr. Jampolis’ program is similar to the old Weight Watchers exchange program, there are differences. Dr. Jampolis’ program includes a lot more food and it eliminates white breads, white rice, and white flour pastas, which has speeded up my weight loss. I also find that I do not miss the white flour products.
In the beginning I was finding it very difficult to eat so much food – just imagine a weight loss diet that requires one to eat too much food! Week after week I would arrive for my visits only to hear: “You’re under eating –you’ve got to eat more.” Eventually however Dr. Jampolis did reduce my proteins to 12 to 14/ day, but I continued to lose weight. Gradually I did eat more and to date I’ve lost more than 10% of my body fat and at my last visit Dr. Jampolis announced that for the first time I had actually built up my muscle mass. I’ve lost well over 30 lbs. and plan to continue to lose another 7 to 10% of body fat and about another 16 to 20 lbs.
I enjoy the food on the program, I feel satisfied and do not have a desire to unhealthy high calorie food, junk food, or sweets. Dr. Jampolis is very encouraging and challenging at the same time, and she helps to keep me on track with all of her suggestions and with the good food supplements and vitamins that she offers.
So, if you think you’ve reached a stage in your life where weight loss has become impossible, I urge you to give Dr. Jampolis a call. She will teach you how it can be done. Give yourself the gift of a healthier, longer and more enjoyable life.
— JC
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Dear Dr. Jampolis,
A note to say how grateful I am for the time you gave me to achieve my goal of weight loss – hopefully, permanently.
I feel that you have provided me with healthy choices (I love the Trader Joe’s shopping list). I have gained in my understanding of nutrition and how to fuel my body to feel good throughout the day.
While I have intellectually always understood the value of exercise and strength training, I have finally been able to incorporate exercise in my daily routine – maybe it was the accountability of my progress being reported in your newspaper column. Now I actually find myself missing exercise when I don’t do it – a goal I never thought I would achieve! I’m (and my husband) quite pleased with the results of the Bar Method classes.
My weight loss has been a very positive experience. Thank you for your time and expertise. I look forward to continuing to work with you to achieve my weight maintenance goals.
Sincerely,
D.D. (55 year old female)
The No-Time-to-Lose Diet: The Busy Person's Guide to Permanent Weight Loss
