As an engineer and woodworker, Martin Christiansen finds joy in measuring, calculating and quantifying. As a patient at Johns Hopkins Medicine, Christiansen has used those tools to lose nearly 100 pounds with the help of the Johns Hopkins Healthful Eating, Activity & Weight Program team.
"It has been a struggle," says Christiansen, of Laurel. "I've tried lots of things, but this is the first thing that's really worked. You need to make sure you have the right food, the right exercise and everything else at the same time. I've been so happy that the weight loss has been consistent. This clinic really homes in on helping people get there."
Christiansen was referred to the Johns Hopkins Healthful Eating, Activity & Weight Program team by his primary care provider. He weighed 360 pounds and had high blood pressure. Christiansen began working on his diet with Yuval Pinto, M.D., an obesity medicine specialist.
"I was always hungry," Christiansen says. "We made some minor adjustments to my diet. I started eating less processed food, less sugar and a little more protein."
Pinto also encouraged Christiansen, 53, to walk more and lift weights. He connected Christiansen with a physical therapist who taught him proper form to prevent injury.
"Martin is conducting body scans every six months that show he is gaining muscle while losing weight," Pinto says. "Martin not only will live longer but will also live a better life. He has reversed his medical conditions with good care. Martin will likely keep losing weight because of our ongoing refinements of the five pillars of health: nutrition, sleep, mood, social support and exercise, in conjunction with his hard work."
To supplement Christiansen's lifestyle changes, Pinto prescribed two medications for weight loss: tirzepatide and a combination of phentermine and topiramate. Like any, these medications have potential side effects. Pinto says the most common side effects are gastrointestinal. Together, Pinto and Christiansen created a treatment plan to minimize the side effects.
"Over the course of almost two years, he's made so many changes. We are committed to helping him meet his health goals and live the best life he can," Pinto says.
