"One day after I tied my shoes, I couldn't get up. It really scared me."
That's when Paul O. decided he must lose weight. At that point, he weighed over 400 pounds, partially due to a severe accident that left him bedridden for the better part of a year.
Paul's primary care doctor, Brian T. Benjamin, MD, at ARC Center Street in Kyle, referred him to the Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) Healthiness Program and Marisa R. Garcia, APRN, FNP-C, at ARC Far West in Austin.
He emphasizes that from the start, Marisa and her assistants were "upbeat," "positive," and confident in his ability to lose weight. "They never made me feel ashamed," he adds.
Healthy habits
The first thing Paul learned was how to change his habits. Marisa shared information about calorie intake and healthy food choices. With the help and encouragement of his wife, Gloria, Paul cut out sodas and beer and learned to quench his thirst with water and unsweetened tea. He also cut out fast food and focused on eating fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Paul also began a regular exercise program. He uses a rowing machine at home and walks with Gloria at Austin's Lady Bird Lake. Recently, Marisa recommended that he add resistance training to his program.
Marisa is proud of Paul's progress and commitment. She says that patients like Paul who exercise and eat a low-carb diet "tend to have a lot of success and health benefits." She also points out that Paul's diet intentionally includes occasional treats. "We don't believe in full restriction of any food group because this usually results in overindulgence later," she explains.
GLP-1 injections
Paul receives weekly injections of GLP-1 weight-loss medication. His office visits include weigh-ins, lifestyle coaching, and a check-up with Marisa. In between visits, Marisa and her medical assistants are always a text message away on ARC MyChart. "They usually get back to me within 30 minutes," Paul says.
The consistent visits and lifestyle coaching included in the program are essential to help patients stay on track. Marisa says that Paul's vulnerability in sharing "what's going on in his life month to month … allows us to come up with plans that make sense for his life during those times."
Marisa cautions against weight-loss programs that send GLP-1 medication to patients without ever meeting or examining them. Some of those patients "end up" in her office "because … they take the medication without success or on an auto-escalation of dose and get very sick."
Life-changing weight loss
Between March 2024 and February 2026, Paul lost 160 pounds and went from size 5XL to XL. He is enjoying a new sense of well-being and is well on his way to his goal of losing 200 pounds.
"Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint," Paul says, explaining that he is intent on staying committed to his new habits for the long term.
Experiencing changes
"I enjoy the fact that I see changes in my life," Paul says, recounting how before losing weight he never wanted to go anywhere. Often, when he did go out with his family, his weight prevented him from participating in activities such as jet-skiing and amusement park rides. He felt embarrassed.
On a family vacation with Gloria and the couple's daughter, Gabriella, Paul jumped off a boat to swim in the ocean. "When it was time to get back into the boat, I couldn't get up the ladder," Paul says, tears filling his eyes. "Last year, after I lost weight, we went back again, and I could do it, no problem."
Going places
"There's so much my wife and my daughter missed out on," Paul continues. "We wanted to travel, but I refused to be that guy who had to buy two seats on the airplane."
All that has changed now. The family is currently deciding on a destination for their next vacation, which will definitely involve a flight. And they will soon drive to Fiesta Texas, where Paul plans to enjoy amusement park rides with Gabriella.
Support and recognition
Paul, who works for Whole Foods Market, is grateful for the support he received from his coworkers. In recognition of his weight-loss journey, he was invited to attend a Whole Foods Healthiness Retreat in Florida. He and Gloria are looking forward to spending an enjoyable week relaxing, eating nutritious meals, and learning about health and wellness.
Not done yet
Paul marvels at the dedication of his healthcare team at ARC, who encourage him and help him problem-solve every step of the way. "They really care," Paul says. "When I lost enough weight to where Marisa said I'm no longer morbidly obese, she got teary-eyed more than I did."
When asked how he feels now that he is close to his goal weight, Paul responds, "I love this guy, and I love my life without having to worry that people are looking at me. And I'm not done yet — that's the exciting part."
ARC Healthiness Program
The ARC Healthiness Program is a lifestyle change program that helps you reach your weight-loss, health, and activity goals with nutrition and wellness support, ongoing education, and personalized guidance by a team of experienced health professionals.
The ARC Medication & Lifestyle Program is available for patients ages 18 to 75 with a BMI of 27+. The program is medically supervised and includes monthly follow-ups with a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) and a weekly or bi-monthly health guide check-in. We combine cutting-edge medications with expert guidance to create a customized plan that addresses your unique needs.
"My main objective is to educate patients, providing them with the tools necessary to make empowered decisions," says Marisa.
Learn what's new this year with ARC Healthiness or call 512-483-9595 to make an appointment.