Julie and Dave Tschida
Weight Management“We were so happy to hear that the program started in Sauk Centre. It is 25 minutes closer to our home. We have met so many wonderful care providers in the program.”
CentraCare Weight Management program expands to Sauk Centre
Ask Julie and Dave Tschida of Grey Eagle their secret to losing weight and the first thing they’ll say is that working together is key.
“It really was the only way to go for us when we were trying to become healthy,” Julie said. “We put a lot of effort into keeping unhealthy food out of the house and to start making healthier choices.”
Described as a “game changer” in their lives, Julie and Dave’s weight loss journey started three years ago with CentraCare Weight Management’s program in St. Cloud.
CentraCare began offering weight management services at CentraCare – Sauk Centre in June.
“We were so happy to hear that the program started in Sauk Centre. It is 25 minutes closer to our home,” Julie said. “We have met so many wonderful care providers in the program. It’s great that Michelle Lee sees patients in Sauk Centre. We love her!”
they started the CentraCare Weight Management Program.
Using CentraCare Weight Management’s meal replacements and eating one healthy evening meal together, the Tschidas lost a combined 155 pounds. “It took a lot of hard work, willpower and encouragement from family and friends. We have had our struggles, but if you don’t have your health, life can be so much harder,” Dave explained.
Much of the cost of medical and dietitian appointments can be covered under medical insurance, health savings or flexible spending accounts. The Tschidas’ insurance covered their consult visit which included lab, lab provider and dietitian. Insurance also covered all follow-up visits with the provider and all follow-up labs. Optional programs, such as individual health coaching and meal replacements can be paid for with employer programs (flexible savings accounts) or cash.
“After our weight loss, we feel so much better and can move around much more easily. I can chase my grandchildren and play with them on the floor,” Julie said.
Weight maintenance challenges
including four-year-old Evan. Photo was taken in July 2019.
Three years into the program, they’ve experienced what many others have — maintaining the weight loss is tough. “Portion control is a struggle for us. We work at it every day but we just can’t give up on healthy living,” Dave said.
They also purchased a $325 coaching package which allows them to get monthly coaching visits for a lifetime after reaching their goal weight. These sessions are free as long as they continue their consecutive monthly visits.
Their advice for others considering a weight loss program. “It doesn’t take much food to maintain a body. You have to master ‘learning how to eat to live,’ and ‘not live to eat.’”