Finding Lasting Weight Loss Without Surgery or Medication
Corrine's weight loss journey may sound very familiar to anyone who has tried traditional ways to improve their health.
She went to the gym and changed her eating habits. She listened to her personal trainer and received dietary advice that seemed to work at first. Yet, no matter how rigorous the diet and exercise plan, she always seemed to gain the weight back. Her trainer kept telling her to cut more calories, lift heavier weights and work out longer. Like many other women in her situation, she tried this, but her body kept holding onto the weight. Her body was going into "self-defense" mode and was holding onto every pound.
When her sleep medicine provider in November 2025 referred her to Dr. Poornima Ramadas, DABOM, DABFM, with EvergreenHealth Weight Loss & Bariatric Care, Corrine was looking for a more conservative approach.
"My first appointment with Dr. Ramadas was really an interview to discuss my health history," Corrine said. "We worked together to create a full picture of where I was in my wellness journey so that she knew everything that could potentially stand in the way of achieving my goals."
Corrine had a history of elevated cholesterol for many years; however, she wished to avoid medications. Given her persistently high cholesterol levels despite generally healthy lifestyle habits, Dr. Ramadas ordered advanced testing to better assess her underlying risk. After discussing the results, which confirmed a high risk, Dr. Ramadas recommended that Corrine have a second opinion and meet with an EvergreenHealth cardiologist for further evaluation and risk-reduction strategies so she could make a well-informed decision. Dr. Ramadas also recommended she become established in the EvergreenHealth Healthiest Best Program as Corrine wanted to avoid relying on any medications long-term. This lifestyle and accountability program offers evidence-based dietary and lifestyle modifications that optimized outcomes for her overall health and weight loss goals.
The second part of her weight loss journey was to consult with her Registered Dietitian Robin Holliday, MS. Robin completed a comprehensive dietary and lifestyle assessment, which provided Corrine with a clear picture of her lifestyle, exercise routine and nutrition needs. Immediately, Robin offered meaningful information, like how eating two meals a day actually slowed down Corrine's metabolism and wasn't an ideal strategy to lose excess body fat, and that eating shortly after waking up helps improve metabolism, as well as clearer thinking.
Dr. Ramadas's initial lifestyle modification recommendations were reinforced by the dietitian in the Healthiest Best Program. In terms of activity, Robin advised focusing on shorter, moderate-intensity exercise sessions that were more appropriate for her needs. This approach helped Corrine continue losing weight in a healthy, sustainable manner.
"Robin was amazing from the start," Corrine said. "She set me up on a nutrition plan to address my needs. She explained in simple terms why I was losing weight with my trainer but how, in addition to losing fat, I was also losing muscle. She set me up doing less strenuous exercises and shorter sessions that helped me continue to lose weight in a healthy, more sustainable manner."
Corrine was impressed with how Robin was able to help her understand her Basal Metabolic Rate, which allowed her to track how many calories she was burning at rest and see how it was increasing over time.
"Corrine is hardworking, diligent, and highly motivated to improve her health. One of the challenges patients face today is navigating the overwhelming amount of health information available. Advice often comes from unaccredited sources, including personal trainers, social media influencers, AI and self-proclaimed health coaches," said Dr. Ramadas. "My priority is to provide evidence-based care, helping patients understand the pathophysiology behind their chronic disease while providing guidance and accountability with recommendations tailored to their individual medical needs and goals."
With guidance from her care team, Corrine also identified key dietary pitfalls, including portion control with foods like granola, which can be deceptively high in carbohydrates and calories. This combination of personalized medical and nutritional education helped her make more informed choices and achieve more long-term results. Dr. Ramadas further explained evidence-based exercise strategies for weight loss in a way that was easy to understand.
As of June 2026, Corrine had already lost more than 20 pounds without taking any weight loss drugs or undergoing surgery, and she says she will continue with the program she, Dr. Ramadas and Robin have put together.
"I love Dr. Ramadas' personality, and Robin is so attentive with how she listens and adjusts your plan according to your needs and what has happened since she last saw me," Corrine said. "It takes discipline, but there is room to reward yourself. Where most diets make you feel deprived, this program has helped me feel happier and improve my overall wellness and is more sustainable in the long run."
