Member Success with Jacquie

Meet Jacquie, a real Calibrate member who was finding it hard to navigate postpartum weight gain. After trying a number of restrictive programs, she found her emotional health and social life suffering. Jacquie found Calibrate and after talking to her Calibrate doctor, was excited to try a program focused on changing her biology, rather than offering a quick fix that didn’t sustain weight loss long term. 

My Weight Loss Journey

After the birth of my second child, I tried everything I could to lose the weight I had gained during pregnancy. At 5’2”, the extra weight was particularly uncomfortable on my small frame, so I did what I could on my own to restrict my calorie intake while increasing my exercise levels to lose the weight. 

I had some success with intermittent fasting (IF), but the weight loss didn’t stick. I worked tremendously hard for over a year to restrict my food intake and exercise frequently, but as soon as I eased back into normal life all of the weight I had lost came back within a matter of months. It was incredibly frustrating to know that I was working hard, sacrificing so many of the foods and social activities that I loved, and doing everything “right,” but it still wasn’t working. 

At a certain point, I thought about giving up on my journey to lose weight and get healthy. I was tired of missing out on dinners and parties with friends because whatever diet I was following wouldn’t allow me to fully enjoy the experience. I was feeling depressed, not knowing what else I could do to help turn things around. I remembered seeing my grandmother, who was very heavy and bedridden towards the end of her life, and thinking how sad it must have been for her not to be able to do the things she loved because of her weight and overall health. I didn’t want to end up like her, and I realized that I couldn't give up on my commitment to bettering my health.

How I Found Calibrate

I first came across Calibrate through a Facebook ad. When I clicked through to visit the website, I was drawn to the information about metabolically resetting my set point. I had never seen any other program talk about these biological issues before, and the more I looked into the research behind the program, the more excited I became about getting started.  

But the thought of starting medication did make me hesitant to jump in. Though I’m not opposed to medication in general, I had never heard of the GLP-1s that Calibrate uses and I wanted to learn more. Once I spoke with the Calibrate doctor I was able to learn about how the medication works, how safe and effective it is, and that it was a key component to the success of the program. Speaking with the Calibrate doctor really eased my comfort level with starting a new medication, so I decided to sign up. 

My Experience So Far

I joined in September 2020 and have loved the support I’ve received from my weekly check-ins with my coach, Michael, as well as the timely responses I’ve received from the greater Calibrate team. 

Over the past year, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to dive deeper into the core components of my health, including nutrition, movement, sleep, and emotional health. Though the big picture lessons are things that most of us already know intuitively—like, sleeping is good for our health and fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than a bag of chips—I’ve enjoyed learning more about the science and biology behind many of these lessons. For example, I’ve enjoyed learning why going for a walk after a meal is good for my body or why quality sleep can help my stress levels. 

What’s more, I’ve greatly appreciated the flexibility of the program. I’ve never felt like foods or activities are completely off-limits, every component of the program is built to be flexible so that it can be sustainable. Moving forward, I feel confident that I can continue to incorporate these lessons into my everyday life.

But the most impactful part of the program has been the relationship I’ve cultivated with my coach, Michael. Though I’m lucky to have a loving and supportive husband, children, family, and friends, having an unconditionally supportive coach like Michael really has made it possible for me to have success. I’m going to miss him when my journey with Calibrate comes to an end!  

My New Day-to-Day

I’ve lost about roughly 16% of my body weight or 30 pounds. My clothes fit better, and I’m feeling much more confident in my body. I’ve also started getting more comments from friends, which has also been a big confidence booster. 

After looking at myself in the mirror every day, it can be hard to recognize the work I’ve put into getting healthier and the enormous success that I’ve already achieved. But getting that reinforcement from friends and family has felt wonderful.   

Before Calibrate, I was stuck. I had tried everything I could to lose weight and was ready to give up. If anyone reading this is feeling similarly, I would tell them not to give up hope. If you’re willing to put in the effort, Calibrate is an incredible program that delivers real, long-lasting results. 

Jacquie’s story likely looks like that of 40% of your employee population—living with obesity and feeling stuck and insecure. Learn how Calibrate can help your employees achieve sustainable weight loss through our metabolic health platform, driving significant outcomes and reducing your total cost of care.