Marquetta

I have been obese since childhood. Consequently, I have been fighting, the battle of obesity and my food demons for most of my life. I have tried every commercial and fad diet there is with limited "success". It Is appalling the amount of money I have spent on diet pills, supplements and potions in my quest to be a normal size.

As a healthcate professional, I knew all too well the consequences of being obese. But I was powerless to change my self destructive behavior. I epitomized the concept of yo-yo dietlng with constant weight loss and heart wrenching weight gain. This time as my weight ballooned to my absolute heaviest, 260 pounds, I began to Isolate from most social settinp unless work related. I slept a lot because I was tired and depressed. My body was paying the ultimate price with aching joints, back pain and hypertension.

I was pllaced on medlcatian but my blood pressure remained elevated. With a blood pressure of 180/100, I knew that I had crossed the line. My life was in danger and I had to do something quickly. I contacted a former co-worker who had a lap band placed by Dr. Cywes. She looked fabulous and I wanted what she had. She told me about the ReAct weight management program.

The first thing that was a pleasant surprise was the fact there was no booklet full of foods to measure and weigh, no points to keep up with, and no rah-rah meetings to attend. I was given the guidelines to follow and I could choose what I wanted to eat. I can't tell you how empowering it is to be in control of my food and behavior instead of the other way around. The food portion of the program has been relatively "painless". My cravings are gone and what a blessing! I have not felt deprived.

The ReAct counselors are priceless! They have equipped me with the tools to recognize my stressors and make better choices. Most importantly they have taught me accountability for my actions. The Individualized attention sets this program apart from any others that I have tried. They even helped me to adapt my food plan to my unpredictable work schedule. Exercise is no longer a dreaded activity! This is a plan I can "live" with. I'm not at my goal weight but I am ecstatic about my progress thus far.

This program has changed my life forever! It's just like the motto states... I have the "freedom to lose". I am no longer in the clutches of "food". I eat to live instead of living to eat. I'm no longer powerless... my life Is back in my hands....what an awesome gift!

JR

After watching my wife lose 80 pounds in about 6 months doing the REACT Weight Loss Program.  I decided I had to make a change.  I was tipping the scales at over 375 pounds and acted as the most self confident individual you had ever met.  Everyday was filled with excuses of why the time was not right for me to make a change.  "The holidays are coming, the Florida - Georgia game is next week, Once I get through this project at work, and I am not really that bad” All of these things I said to myself prior to making the commitment to REACT.  Though multiple people in my life had reached out to me before and suggested that weight loss would be a good idea, they could not truly help me deal with the addictions that I had. One friend said to me, "You know if you were really serious about solving all of these things you say are bothering you, then why are you waiting?"  I didn't have a legitimate reason, only excuses. I set up a meeting with Dr. Cywes to discuss the Lap Band alternative.  He talked to me about the React Weight Management Program and how it would help me be successful with the Lap Band and for the long term weight loss solution I needed.  I needed to understand I had a problem with food.  Every decision I made led me to foods or drinks. Controlling this situation and other day to day decisions is what the REACT Weight Loss program coached me and supported me through. I am so very proud to say that today I have lost 175 pounds and my wife 126 pounds!  Although I had the lap band surgery on February 28, 2008, I have not had to have the band filled yet and I challenge myself every month not to need the help of the band.  I have worked the program!  I have REACT'ed to my food problem, my decisions and my emotions.  The REACT Program has saved my life physically and emotionally. REACT has saved my marriage. Most importantly REACT has saved my kids dad.  Though everyday is still a challenge for me to make the right decisions, I have the support and the skills I learned with the REACT Weight Management Program to keeping me living a healthy and much happier lifestyle.  My advice is don't wait to REACT!

Tina Mofiletto

"Never before have I been in control of my eating.” My days were filled with reckless eating and no consideration of what I was doing to my body. I was motivated and driven by my desire for food. Finally, I have hope. I am seeing results. Through ReAct I am learning how to discipline by body and how to be in control of it instead of it controlling me. The counseling I receive has helped me to view food in a different way and to understand the role it has played in my life. I am overcoming my addiction to food, and look forward to a healthier future and a longer life. I am no longer who I was in relation to food."

Donna

React Weight Loss Management has changed my mind, my body and my life. I thought weight loss and looking good was the most important part of my goal but I found out that the way I feel has become the most important aspect of my journey. Not only do I feel healthier but I have been insulin free since the first week. The next week I came off of another diabetic medicine and my next goal is to be off of my last one. I have been overweight my entire adult life and have tried every weight loss program out there. At React you are surrounded by qualified professionals who individualize your treatment and you are not treated like you are a number in a crowd. They treat the entire aspect of a person and you can choose programs that are tailored to a specific area if you feel like you need extra encouragement.

At React you share with women who have similar problems and do this in a nurturing environment. When I first began I was skeptical because of all of my past failures. I had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I was truly tired of feeling sick and tired. When I first started I had quick success but then I went back to my old eating habits and gained some weight back. This is the point when in the past I would quit or give up and go right back to my old eating patterns. This time with the support of all of the professionals and the folks in my group I started over and have had even further success. The greatest part is that I finally understand that being fat is only the symptom. It is not the problem and until the problem is treated you will not get healthy and stay healthy.

This is only the beginning for me, I still have a long way to go but with the help and encouragement from everyone at React I know that I will succeed and they will be with me the entire journey.