{"id":2792,"date":"2018-01-12T10:21:27","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T10:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=2792"},"modified":"2026-03-09T16:08:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T21:08:09","slug":"focusing-on-weight-loss-plan-a-success-for-bloomington-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/focusing-on-weight-loss-plan-a-success-for-bloomington-man\/","title":{"rendered":"Focusing on weight-loss plan a success for Bloomington man"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Art

Before<\/p><\/div>\n

Art Spain is a lighter version of himself these days.<\/p>\n

A year ago, Art weighed 279 pounds, wore pants with a 50-inch waist and was taking 90 units of insulin a day to control his diabetes.<\/p>\n

The 64-year-old Bloomington man visited his doctor, where the conversation came around to Art\u2019s need to buy new clothes because of his weight.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we discussed how high my blood sugar was and that I was having to take 90 units of insulin a day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

About five years ago, Art followed the Health Management Resources (HMR) program, a non-surgical weight loss option offered through the OSF Weight Management Center<\/a> in Bloomington, and lost 60 pounds. He suggested to his doctor that he should give the meal replacement program another try.<\/p>\n

As the leading provider of diet programs to the medical community, HMR has helped more than 1 million people make lifestyle changes to lose weight and stay healthy. It was named a Best Diet for FAST Weight Loss, <\/em>and a Best Diet for Weight Loss <\/em>by US News & World Report, 2017.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been thinking about going back on the program, but was worried about losing, gaining, losing \u2026 My doctor said, \u2018it\u2019s a hard fight, but it\u2019s one worth doing.\u2019 I called and got set back up to begin the program,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

One year later<\/h2>\n

That was January 17, 2017. Today, Art is down just over 100 pounds and is wearing pants with a 34-inch waist.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time I\u2019ve been more focused on the long-term to keep it off,\u201d he said. \u201cI knew I could lose the weight, this time I\u2019m focusing on keeping it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Art

After<\/p><\/div>\n

Art participated in HMR\u2019s decision-free program. He met with a doctor every couple weeks and stuck to a meal replacement plan that included HMR shakes and entrees.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt it was very easy to stick with. There are plenty of food options \u2013 16 different entrees, a couple different shakes,\u201d Spain said.<\/p>\n

Art stayed on the decision-free plan until October when he began to transition into Phase 2, incorporating vegetables, fruit and lean protein into his diet, in addition to some of the HMR<\/a> food options. He also walks a couple of miles a day and does some weight lifting. And he attends a weekly support group.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhase 2 has been great so far. The transition is very easy. The health educators are very, very helpful. The other people in the group are very helpful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In addition to his weight loss, Art has seen other health improvements.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t take insulin anymore,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m really thrilled with that. And, I\u2019m getting off some of the oral medications I take for diabetes. My doctor uses it as an example of what you can accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alison Tillery Kirk, Weight Loss Program Specialist with the OSF Weight Management Center, said losing weight takes more than willpower, it takes commitment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHMR participants achieve meaningful weight loss through lifestyle intervention. Adhering to the structured diet in Phase 1 and increasing physical activity can be intense for some participants to follow.\u00a0Through practice these behavior changes become more second nature as they have a positive impact on weight loss and quality of life,\u201d Alison said. \u201cArt has strictly followed the structure of the program resulting in his fast effective weight loss.\u00a0He\u2019s dedicated to maintaining these changes and consistently attends Phase 2 class where he learns the skills to keep the weight off long-term.\u201d<\/p>\n

Success possible for anyone<\/h2>\n