Testimonials

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Take a look at the progress our Weight Management Program participants have made!

Many thanks …. Your unique blend of educational and motivational lectures combined with well-supervised weight lifting and cardio workouts has provided the structure I needed to channel the willpower and determination that I always knew that I had. Your exceptional staff makes me look forward to every visit

 The results continue to have a profound effect on the quality of my life. My blood pressure, blood glucose and triglyceride levels have retreated to normal levels while my fitness level leaps forward daily! Having lost more than sixty pounds and 12 inches of my waistline, I get compliments daily. My energy levels are at an all-time high and I feel great every day!

Your program’s intelligent approach, skilled staff and an attitude that reflects your passion and deep commitment to helping all achieve their goals makes this a very “doable” program that I would strongly recommend to anyone.

                                                --Dicky Hulcher

I had tried everything to lose weight, with initial great success followed by more weight gain.  I found myself over 300lbs. and began to feel that success was not possible.  I even considered surgery.

At ZG I lost 30 lbs. in the first ten weeks and hit the 100lb. loss by my 1 year anniversary.   EZ(ZG) is unique in providing a warm supportive environment while emphasizing that you are responsible for your own life. EZ gave me the tools--education, structure, moral support and physical training guidance.  --while allowing me to personalize my own program and go at my own pace.  I am not on a diet, because diets are meant to be broken.  I have changed my lifestyle, I choose better foods and smaller portions…and I am active vs. sedentary.  My entire life has changed and I have never felt better!

                                                --Colleen Renaye

I joined EZ with my wife in Feb 2007.  I lost 14 pounds and Page lost 45…I feel confident I will reach my goal weight of 220.  The program is not difficult and could be easily tailored it to fit our lifestyle. One of our keys to success has been planning ahead for each upcoming week. If you follow the 5 meal a day program, attend the medical  lectures and do the exercise, your cravings will vanish, the weight will definitely come off and your energy will return.  This program has literally saved my life. Our doctor has cut both of our BP and cholesterol meds in half. I no longer have sleep apnea and my knee pain has vanished. My resting heart rate is now 50 to 55.  The key is to make it personal and go at your own pace. Fit the program to your lifestyle and follow it.

                                    --Alan Wright

Four years ago I was being treated for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and High triglycerides.   My physician had even discussed the possibility of going on insulin do to poor glucose control in spite of 2000mg glucophage a day.  I was trying to eat right, had gotten my weight down, and was exercising daily.  Probably due to the fact that I looked “healthy” people tried to convince me that mine was genetic and there was nothing I could do.

I joined the EZ Program in 2004.  Within a year my physician had taken me off all medications.  Today I continue to work out at ZG and help others as they work towards improved health.  I have remained medication free for four years and my A1c runs between 5 and 5.4.  My blood pressure went from 160/95 on meds to 110/70 on no medication.  Cholesterol dropped from over 300 to under 160.  Just last week I found out that my health insurance company has agreed to reevaluate my health and consider dropping my insurance rates(I am self employed)!

                                                --Steve Clark

I have Type II Diabetes.  Eight months into the program at ZG I had lost 40 pounds.  I was on Zocor, Lisinopril, and 500mg Metformin.  Today I am off all meds except 125 mg of metformin a day.  My BP and Cholesterol remain normal and my energy level has gone through the roof.  I can’t say enough about the program.  I now feel I have the tools necessary to live a healthy life and be the first person on either side of my family to beat this disease.

                                                --Marie Daniels

 I started ZG in January 2006.  At 55 years of age I was 243 lbs, suffering from fatty liver(NASH), low energy, and chronic fatigue.  After eight months at ZG I had lost 40 pounds, my liver enzymes were normal,  My Cholesterol and triglycerides, once elevated, also returned to normal.

For me, the best part has been regaining my energy level.. Three years out I maintain my weight loss and continue to work out with my wife at ZG.  This has been life changing for both of us- my wife lost 105 lbs!

                                                --Joe DeShazo

Both my wife and I are living the EZHI lifestyle.  I actually joined to help her (she lost 80 lbs) but little did I know I would receive the most benefit.  I discovered I had Metabolic Syndrome and was probably heading for Diabetes.  Today I run and work out with the folks at ZG.  My weight has gone from 225 to 186, Cholesterol from 244 to 148, and Triglycerides 253 to 67.  My fasting sugar went from 106 to 82.  I was taken off Tricor, and have been med free for 2 years.  This year I not only ran a marathon, I qualified for the Boston!

                                                    --Chris Kelly

I entered the EZ (ZG) program with my husband in January 2006.  I was 5’2” and weighed 221.  Dr. Madge Zacharias presented an eating program that I know I can live with the rest of my life.  I feel I have been freed from constant agonizing cravings that I suffered with for years.

I look forward to going to the “gym” most every evening.  The camradarie at ZG is like nothing I have ever experienced before.  Unlike other gyms, I never felt uncomfortable about my size.  Everyone shares a success there, and when someone slips, there is encouragement for them to get back on track.  I’ve lost 80 lbs and am in the best physical shape of my life!

                                                  --Kathryn Kelly

EZ (now ZG) truly changed my life.  I Joined in March 2005.  At 247lbs., I was obese, hypertensive, and found walking a block or up a flight of stairs to be a difficult chore.  On my first exercise session I was unable to walk for 20 minutes on the treadmill.

Fast forward to present; I maintain my weight at 145 and my BP stays about 110/70.  In 2007 ran the monument 10K averaging 9min. mile time and this year I completed a half marathon.  I love the pilates, spinning, and aerobics offered at ZG!  At 50 years of age I am in excellent health and now enjoy being physically active.  I want everyone to know it can be done!

                                                --Diane Oaks

I’ve struggled with obesity all my life, reaching a high weight of 300 in the 80’s.  With tremendous resolve I had managed to bring my weight down to 205 but found it nearly impossible to make further progress.  I joined ZG and today I maintain my weight at 155.  I learned how to combine the nutrition and exercise to get improvements in my metabolism.  I found the strength training especially beneficial. 

Today I am active and still enjoy and appreciate the support of my friends and the great staff at ZG.

                                               --Sandra Thurston

I started with the 10 week program in March 07- I have now lost 70 pounds and wear a size 6.  I never imagined I could do this- it’s the combination of knowledge, friends, and support that made it work for me.  The nutrition became easy and now I find myself involved in physical training and activities that has brought so much to my life.  There is no other place like this where everyone gets the help to achieve things they never thought possible.                                                                                                         
--Eileen Versostic

I began the program as a skeptic but it didn’t take me long to realize what I had been missing.  The MIP program combines all facets of health; the physical, the exercise, the nutrition and how each interacts with the others.  One of the unique aspects is the education not only about nutrition but how nutrition impacts our body.  Madge made the complicated something we could all grasp. 

The program also taught me how to get the most out of weight and cardio training.

At the end of 10 weks I came off my BP meds, my cholesterol dropped 83 points, and my LDL dropped from 128 to 63.  I lost 30 pounds, and 5 inches off my waist.  I sleep better, feel better, and have gone down 4 sizes in my clothes.  I now look forward to working out at ZG and view exercise and healthy nutrition as an important part of the rest of my life.

                                                --Joyce White

My wife and I joined ZG in 2007 and have both turned our life around.  I lost 30 lbs., dropped my triglycerides from 280 to 108, and increased my HDL.  I feel and look 10 years younger.  Nancy and I look forward to working out together.  ZG is not just about losing weight, its about changing lives.

                                               --Jim Storie

I joined ZG weighing over 250 lbs. which qualified me as obese.  I was tired all the time and basically a couch potato.  I had headaches and frequently missed sick days from work.  I took medication for BP, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides.

Its now been 3 years since I came here.  I lost 6 inches off my waist and 45lbs, and have maintained this without difficulty.  I continue to lift at least 3 times a week and participate in some cardio 5 times a week.  For the most part the eating plan has been easy to follow.

I just turned 60 and realize I am in better shape than when I was in high school.  I ran the Ukrops 10 K this year- my first race ever.

                                                --David Martin

I've lost 100 lbs in a year!

In the 10-week program, my total cholesterol dropped from 259 to 153 and my triglycerides went from 175 to 93!!!  My HDL went up from 38 to 48 and my LDL dropped from 126 to 96.  I was on the verge of medication and now I have no need.

I feel like the old me!  I have come alive.  I have gone from a couch hugger to an energized lover of life.  I am able to keep up with my grandkids and work out in the yard.  I never want to sit down anymore.  The energy just won’t quit!  Furthermore, I have never been a morning person.  My husband of 30 years always wanted me to get up with him to start his day.  I was not in the least bit interested and it just didn’t seem possible.  Now, I get up before him and can’t wait to start my day. 

Exercise was never appealing to me.  When I first started this program, I acquired the nickname Moana and Groana from my aerobics instructor.  Now, I am “Ready Freddy” and enter each class with excitement!  I have even started adding extra steps and a few more grooving moves to keep up!

                                             __Sandy DeShazo

The goals I set prior to coming to the course were blown away by the actual results in both weight loss and blood work.  I hoped to lose 25 lbs. and improve my Cholesterol and Triglycerides by 20%.  In the 10 week course I lost 38 lbs. and my Cholesterol went from 301 to 166.  In addition my triglyceride level went from 423 to 111!

The biggest improvement cannot be measured in pounds or inches lost, but in overall health and boost in self esteem.  Prior to the course my knees ached constantly and I was addicted to ibuprofen and my asthma inhaler.  I couldn’t run and play with my children because I would be out of breath and sore within minutes.  Now, the medications are rarely needed and I have enormous energy.

                                                --Will Booker

My cholesterol greatly improved and I was able to discontinue Lipitor after 12 years of taking it.  I lost 47 lbs and 5 inches off my waist!

My FAA Flight doctor said that I have added 10 years to my life expectation.  I sleep like a baby (Prior to the course, I never slept through the night).  My energy is restored and I feel like a 30 year old person.  This course is a life saver!

I now have a storage bin of clothes that do not fit anymore.  It was not really that difficult.  I believe the combination of changed eating patterns and exercise is the secret.  It’s amazing what 7 months can do!

                                              —Frank Woods

Who would have thought that two years after retirement I feel better than I ever have.  EZ has definitely changed my life.  I went from 170 pounds to 128 and lost 9 inches off my waist.  My LDL went from 132 to 98 while my HDL increased from 46 to 54.  At age 65 life is looking good.

                                               --Jean McCarthy

My physician recommended EZHI after my constant complaints that “I’ve tried every diet and the weight just won’t stay off…”    I joined in Feb ’07 and I learned more than  how to eat - I’ve learned how to live.  Thanks to an amazing program, and staff I’ve lost 60 pounds and kept it off.  It’s hard to believe that 1 year later I am a size 4 and in the best shape of my life!

                                                --Denise McLauren

I not only lost weight but I drastically changed my body composition.  I have kept the weight off for 3 years now.  I still cycle and work out with the folks at ZG.  The nutrition guidelines are scientifically based, make sense, and can be adapted to fit anyone – This is definitely a program that can teach you how to eat for the rest of your life.

                                                  --Jan Makela

Before joining ZG in Feb. 2007 I had Diabetes, high BP, high triglycerides, and was going downhill fast.  At age   I was taking Glucophage, Tricor, and Glybutyride and my A1c was 9.2.  Today my diabetes, BP and triglycerides are under great control without meds.  The highest my A1c runs is now 6.2!  The MIP program is the only medically sound approach I have heard of that works for people from all walks of life.  My family and I cannot put a price on the knowledge I’ve gained along with the changes I have been able to make.  I’m enjoying life again.  If I can do this anyone can.                                    

                                                  --Keith Lafemina