Alfred Perez

Chicago, Illinois

Starting weight (as of August 2009): 256lbs
Current weight (as of March 2010): 156lbs

As a professor and PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, Alfred Perez usually feels confident and in control at the helm of the classroom. But last fall, just before he was to give a lecture, he realized that his dress shirt was too small to button across his frame. Standing in front of his students, sweating with embarrassment, Alfred made the decision then and there that he had to make a significant lifestyle change and lose weight.

Earlier in the summer of that year, Alfred went to visit his longtime friend Tim and Tim’s wife at their home in California. In years past, Alfred and Tim’s favorite activity had been to go out and feast on delicious foods they loved, but on this particular trip Alfred found that Tim had lost weight and was no longer interested in overeating. Tim had started OPTIFAST and was making excellent progress.

Once Alfred made the decision to become healthier, he contacted Tim to find out how he could get help. Tim assisted Alfred in getting in touch with the Lakeshore Weight Control Center in Chicago, which offers the OPTIFAST program. After meeting with several doctors, Alfred selected the one who he felt would best support him in his efforts.

Relying on his doctor, his friend Tim and his own personal determination, Alfred successfully stayed committed through some of the most challenging and stressful times of the year: his birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Additionally, he was able to stick to the program during business dinners and academic conferences, which he attributes to planning his meals in advance.

For two years prior to his start of the OPTIFAST program, Alfred carried a bag of gym clothes to work with him every day, but never actually followed through and exercised. From the moment he committed to his new lifestyle, Alfred has not missed a day of working out for at least 30 minutes, seven days a week. His doctor said to reward himself for every 20 pounds he lost, so Alfred bought himself some personal training sessions and “has muscles now!” Alfred is in such good shape he runs in at least one race a month, swims, bikes, plays tennis and recently completed the National Marathon in Washington, DC.

Alfred‘s favorite part of his weight loss is being able to sit comfortably in a subway or airplane seat. To date, he has lost 100 pounds.*

*The typical OPTIFAST patient loses 52 pounds in 22 weeks. For many dieters, weight loss is only temporary.