Barb Hausler, 34, of Bloomington, found herself in tears while paying a visit to her primary physician at OSF HealthCare. She was at the highest weight of her life.
Her physician, Dr. Jack Spaniol at OSF HealthCare Medical Group – St. Joseph Drive, initially suggested surgery, but she asked for other options. It was then her physician recommended the Health Management Resources (HMR) Weight Loss Program through OSF HealthCare.
“I attended orientation and felt I had no choice but to give this a try,” Barb said. “I knew I had to do something to get healthy or I was going to die from my weight at an early age.”
The HMR program partnered with OSF Weight Management Center in Bloomington to provide a non-surgical, weight-loss program based on healthy lifestyle changes. In order to obtain essential nutrients, patients follow a minimum meal prescription plan. However, the program focuses on a “more is better” philosophy – meaning patients can always have more meal replacements during the day to avoid feeling hungry.
Barb chose an individual plan that included meals provided by HMR to ensure she would stay on track.
“HMR is different from other weight-loss programs because you have so much support from the medical team and dietitians at OSF HealthCare, as well as your fellow classmates,” Barb said.
A new way of life
Since joining HMR and her local gym, Barb has found she enjoys exercising more than she ever expected.
“If someone would have told me that I would enjoy exercising prior to beginning this program, I would have laughed at them,” Barb said. “With the guidance of the HMR professionals and gym trainers, I have truly changed my life.”
Barb’s biggest fear going into the program was that she wouldn’t be able to stick to it. However, since joining HMR, she has lost nearly 100 pounds. This year, Barb was able to ride on the rides at the fair without fear of not being able to fit in the seats.
“I don’t think of HMR as a diet program, but a lifestyle change program,” Barb said. “There is so much support offered and I have continued to lose weight and keep it off for a longer period of time than ever before.”
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 be healthy.
HMR classes are 20 weeks long and involve education and problem solving through group discussion. HMR also includes exercise consultations and nutrition consultations conducted by a licensed dietitian.
HMR has been named a Best Diet for FAST Weight Loss, and a Best Diet for Weight Loss by U.S. News & World Report 2017.
Last Updated: April 26, 2018