STORY

Colorado Diet Program offers support to slim down

By Staff
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After a year of effort and hard work, Karen Jackson had lost 47 pounds. Then her weight loss efforts stalled. So when she saw the recent offer to participate in the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center’s Colorado Diet pilot program, she applied and was selected.

“I was in a state of shock because I didn’t think I would get picked because I had already lost the majority of my weight. I was jumping for joy,” said Jackson, a program assistant in Printing Services.

This program applies the principles and practices from a recently published book, “STATE of SLIM" by James O. Hill, PhD, and Holly R. Wyatt, MD.

The 16-week program already is working for Jackson. In the past six weeks, she has lost more than 13 pounds.

How the Colorado Diet works   

In three phases, the Colorado Diet focuses on how to reignite, rebuild and reinforce the body’s fat-burning engines to develop a Mile-High Metabolism – one that’s keenly responsive to shifts in activity and diet. The Colorado Diet is not just about losing weight, but changing the body to stay in a ‘state of slim’ for good.

Through an offer of assistance to faculty, staff and students on the Anschutz Medical Campus, a special group of participants was selected by the Center learn to work toward a “State of Slim.”

What we eat, when we eat and why we eat often are defined by our family and friends. For Jackson, a mother of two adult daughters and grandmother to four, “a life-long cycle of eating fried fatty foods has haunted my family, friends and community for generations,” Jackson said. “I had a lower self-esteem and was a little shameful because I was so disappointed in myself for letting my weight get out of control. I wasn’t as active as I wanted to be because the energy wasn’t there.”

So the chance to participate in the Colorado Diet program was very appealing to Jackson who said, “I want to be that example of what exercising and eating healthy looks like.”

Tools for long-term success

An important aspect of the program for Jackson is “Gaining the tools and knowledge on how important it is to eat smarter and exercise. Having a different mindset and focus on the positive makes a huge difference. Eating smarter and exercising is a lifestyle change and I have to get involved with people who love to be active.”

“Not getting it right,” is Jackson’s greatest fear. “I switched gears from counting calories to having the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. That is one of my challenges but I’m getting there. There always are going to be obstacles but you can’t let them stop you, you don’t give up, you find a way to climb over, go through or work around them. Staying focused and positive is the key.”

Jackson is confident the Colorado Diet is an achievable way to lose weight and keep it off forever. “You not only learn to eat leaner but learn how to fix your metabolism in the process. Something I didn’t have a clue about. Be committed to changing your lifestyle,” Jackson advised.

She also recommended individuals ‘like’ State of Slim on Facebook. “You can get good tips, ask questions and you’ll get great advice back,” she said.

For more information on the Colorado Diet or other weight loss programs and services, visit http://www.anschutzwellness.com/wellness-services/weight-management or call 303-724-9030.