For more information or to become involved in Beach's weight-loss program (for diabetics and non-diabetics as well), contact him at Urgicare, 563-5900.
PLATTSBURGH — Cheryl Garrant has battled diabetes for years.
During that time, she has learned how to manage the disease to best control her blood-sugar levels, watching carbohydrates in her diet and adjusting the insulin levels to counter changes to her blood sugar.
But, more recently, Garrant has begun focusing on another health-related issue that has shown positive results in diabetes management: She has started a diet program designed to help people lose weight under a doctor's guidance while learning healthy eating habits.
"I have had difficulty losing weight all my life," Garrant said.
In June, she began the weight-loss program supervised by Dr. Jonathan Beach, who specializes in diabetes medicine.
"This program starts out very strict with an 800-calorie-per-day limit, but I've lost 38 pounds since starting."
The plan restricts patients to a series of diet shakes and snack bars while checking in with the doctor to regularly to monitor how things are going.
"The first week was the hardest," Garrant said. "I was accustomed to eating solid foods, but after the first week, I got used to the shakes, and everything went fine."
As Garrant began dropping weight, Beach kept his eye on her blood-sugar levels and eventually reduced the amount of insulin she was using on three different occasions.
Over time, she was also able to modify her diet to include salads and other "regular food" beyond the shakes and snack bars.
"I've made a lot of progress," she said. "I feel a lot better."
Karen Marcel, who also sees Beach for her diabetes, began the program in June as well and has also seen remarkable results.
"I've fought with weight my entire adult life," she said. "I've tried other weight-loss programs, but you always eventually end up at a standstill and get discouraged.
"Coming back here weekly (to Beach's office at Urgicare on Hammond Lane), to go over points and talk about good eating habits has really helped."
Marcel, who has also lost 38 pounds since starting, has been able to decrease the amount of insulin she has to take, as well, dropping her daily level from 40 to 30 units per day.
Maintaining good eating habits once the initial diet program is finished also benefits the participants. Marcel now has shakes or a snack bar for breakfast and lunch and then eats a healthy meal for dinner.
"I limit myself to 500 calories for that meal," she said, noting that she has learned how to precisely count calories with the kinds of food choices she makes.
Both women eat lots of fruits and vegetables now and have learned to avoid or reduce sweets and other unhealthy snacks, including items from fast-food restaurants.
"You have to be very positive (about losing weight)," Marcel said. "You also have to have good support, and coming here to see Dr. Beach is definitely positive support."
Beach and medical technician Laura Rock both received training in offering dietary services for their patients, focusing heavily on education components that allow patients to continue eating healthy once the 12-week program is finished.
"For years, I've focused on counting carbs," said Beach, who is diabetic himself and has lost 22 pounds since starting the program.
"Now, we've learned how to balance counting carbs with counting calories, and it's worked. I feel 100 times better and am more active."
Beach likes the privacy the program offers for his patients. There are no group sessions, but he sees each person individually to work on weight loss under medical supervision.
Although several of the participants are diabetics, people who do not have diabetes can also benefit from the program, he added.
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
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