Los Angeles, West Los Angeles

One member goes from obesity to athlete

Bob Younger works as an estimator for a large graphics company. But he always had trouble estimating the calories he consumed.

“My weight got up to 420 pounds,” he says. “By the time I turned 50, my knees hurt, I needed a cane to walk, and I had a disabled placard on my car.”

Three years ago, Younger took action. He started exercising, joined a medically supervised weight loss program, and asked for help from our West Los Angeles Health Education Department, where he got important information about nutrition that helped him achieve his goals.

Today, Younger is a pro at estimating calories. He’s lost nearly 170 pounds and keeps close track of his calories in a daily food diary. Last fall, he completed the sprint version of the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon. Pictured at left, Younger (center) finished the triathlon with West Los Angeles health educators Gus Ortega (left) and David Alvarez (right).

“I finally learned what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat,” he says. “More importantly, I’ve learned how to eat to fuel myself, rather than eating for comfort, reward, or to relieve stress.”

Younger’s personal physician, Erica Miranda, MD, is impressed with Younger’s positive attitude and hard work. “He’s committed to a lifelong plan of healthy eating and exercise. He knows that weight management isn’t a one-time accomplishment,” she says.

You can follow in Younger’s footsteps: Join this year’s L.A. Triathlon on September 25. And take advantage of the weight management resources available to members like you.

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