PORTLAND, Ore. — For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most.

“It’s just exciting that I see these changes,” Horine said.

Horine said the weight gain built over time.

“In my youth I was pretty skinny but through motherhood and life, weight just started pounding on,” she said, laughing.

For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most. Image courtesy: Lori Horine

For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most. Image courtesy: Lori Horine

She tried repeatedly to lose it, but the results didn’t stick.

“I tried many many many things to try and get it off, and it wasn’t working, and it would be off for a little bit, and it would come back,” Horine said.

Instead of giving up, Horine looked for a new approach. As a scoutmaster, she wanted to be able to keep up with her girls on camping trips. A doctor referred her to the Providence Center for Weight Management, led by dietitian Chris Collins.

“Excess weight is actually a symptom of an underlying metabolic dysfunction,” Collins said. “Metabolic, hormonal, sleep issues. There’s a lot going on here that can be the cause of your excess weight.”

Those underlying issues, Collins said, can’t be fixed through diet or exercise alone. It takes a tailored weight management approach, taking diet, exercise, and sometimes, medication or surgery, into account.

“She came with some goals around her health management, but she also wanted to be more involved with Scouts of America,” Collins said.

Collins worked with Horine to develop a weight management plan built around her specific goals and health conditions. For example, she connected Horine with a physical therapist so she could exercise in a way that didn’t aggravate her arthritis. The program lasts one year. She’s set to graduate in October.

Horine said the guidance helped her navigate real-life challenges — including travel. “I came home lighter, both trips, the Hawaii and my Scout Camp weeks,” she said.

For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most. Image courtesy: Lori Horine

For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most. Image courtesy: Lori Horine

For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most. Image courtesy: Lori Horine

For years, Lori Horine chased weight loss that never seemed to last. Now, she says she’s finally seeing real change — and feeling it in the moments that matter most. Image courtesy: Lori Horine

The changes, she said, are showing up beyond the scale.

“My husband looks at me and he goes, ‘I see the changes.’ Before anyone else started to recognize it, he goes, ‘Lori, I see those changes. I see the sparkle in your eyes starting to come back.'”

CLICK HERE for more information about the Providence Center for Weight Management