JumpstartMD

I started one month ago. I made a commitment to myself thar I would be true to the program and not cheat. I figured I would starve, but succeed.
I was wrong! After relearning how to eat, I find that I eat way more than I use to and often stuggle to get it all in. After 10 days, my carb craving disappeared.
Being a vegetarian, I was concerned that the plan would not accommodate my personal beliefs. Wrong. They tailored a program for me!
Today marks one month. I am down 20 pounds, feel great, lost 5 inches in my waist, and have a lot of energy.
I am very pleased with my results!

Love the staff at JumpstartMD. I never feel rushed and they helped me almost reach my goal. I’ve been successful, however, its so much $$ I couldn’t continue. LOVE this place and when I make it big, I will go there again.

I have been very successful on Jumpstart. Everyone is very friendly, encouraging and well informed. I usually see 1 of 3 clinicians and they are all good. Even Christina at the front desk is very friendly.
I know it is expensive, but if I went to Weight Watchers, it would have taken twice as long at least to lose the weight. So Jumpstart is the one for me.
beverlee H.

Yes this place is expensive. $ 388/​month. Sometimes they have promotions — they advertise on KFOG so you can listen for deals (usually $ 50 off first month) Or $ 100 off if a friend refers you.
I knew I was getting married this year and had been dieting, I lost 10 pounds last year and 10 pounds this year, then — BANG it was 3 months before my wedding and my weight really wasn’t moving. So I bit the (expensive) bullet. In 3 months I lost another 10 — which was great –would have loved to have lost 15.
The gal I liked the most left in the middle of my time there. The others were nice — but no fun.
The «diet» part is really what you expect in a fast weight loss diet — SUPER low carbs, and not that much food…
I started on the «baby» (lowest dose) of app suppressants — they worked great for the 1^st month. then they didn’t — for the last month I was on the program I get stepped up to the ors least dose of 30mg Phen… (something or other). This worked much better.
So I was happy — I lost weight for the wedding, I wish I had joined 4 months before the wedding. But really this plan is too expensive to stay on long term unless you are rich.
It is now 4 months after I quit and I have gained back about 2– 3 pounds depending on the day, but I am trying to stay off the (DELICIOUS) carbs. Though funny if you read my recent Unilocal reviews it sure doesn’t sound like it. (Most days I do pack a veggie-​based lunch & make a light dinner)
I will say it is annoying that I keep getting emails from them after I quit saying the are going to charge my credit card the $ 388, and then when I call to talk to them about it — they assure me I am canceled. It is just annoying, but I suspect it might be a marketing ploy to get me to rejoin.

Results = $Cha-​Ching$
I set up my husband with Jump Start in January. They had a deal for free initial consultation which would have cost $ 250. The monthly is another $ 380. For that cost you get diet pills if you are approved and weekly check ins. My guy didn’t want the pills and would only have gotten them in his 1^st week anyway.
He killed it the first week and lost a bit over 10lbs. Then it slowed to ½−5lbs per week. He was consistent and liked the nurse who he met with. The thing is we couldn’t afford the monthly when all he was getting was four 10 minute weigh-​ins a month. In all he lost a little over 20lbs but after a few months it’s all back. Wish the price was more in line with the actual service because he would have stayed on.

This program was life-​changing for me — I’ve lost over 25 pounds in six months, without crazy amounts of exercise, obsessing about points or food, or feeling deprived (unlike my efforts at Jennie Craig, Weightwatchers or trying exercise alone.) My doctor is pleased as all my vitals & lean muscle mass have improved significantly, and the food program is consistent with the latest medical thinking on weight control (e.g. low-​fat doesn’t work). I can eat easily and enjoyably in most social settings without needing special meals — I eat whatever protein and veggies everyone else is eating and quietly skip the starchy carbs (bread, rice, potatoes, etc.) Cutting back on starchy carbs ended up being easier and more pleasant than I expected, with Jumpstart’s help, and using the excellent shopping sheets they give you for each store, listing brand-​names and sizes. Although I wanted to hate the dieticians and nurses and counselors at first for being skinny, they have all lost weight themselves and were very supportive and non-​judgmental, approaching it as a medical/​science/​behavioral challenge, not a moral one. (I know this review sounds like an infomercial but I have zero connection with this company, other than as a very enthusiastic patient.) I didn’t mind the financial outlay for such a big improvement in my health. This was the most successful weight loss program I’ve ever done, by far, and the easiest. I recommend it highly for anyone with stubborn or lots of weight to lose, especially other post-​menopausal women who want to get seriously healthier (and drop 6 sizes) without having to obsess constantly over food & exercise. And for people who have gotten discouraged over time with minimal results in other programs. Here, following the program was pretty easy, and yielded real results for me. Good luck.

I came to Jumpstart four months ago. I’d been trying to lose weight for YEARS but no matter what I tried (calorie-​counting, intense exercise, various apps, and — more recently — Lite for Life) the weight kept creeping up.
Enter Jumpstart. I was hesitant given the cost, but I was at the point where I would have invested any amount of money to actually figure out what would work for me. My doctor was the one who recommended Jumpstart and I figured it was worth a shot.
I had 25 pounds to lose — not a ton, but also not the smallest number in the world. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly.
*The Good*
— I lost 15 pounds in four months. This is the first time ever in my life I have lost weight.
— If you use their website, there are A TON of resources that make Jumpstart «easy». I found the recipes really great, easy and have incorporated many of them into my meal plans.
— Appetite suppressants. Honestly, these babies are the freaking best. I felt like I was cheating at first, but screw that. They worked like a charm and while they kept me up at night if I didn’t take them early enough, it’s nothing Advil PM wouldn’t fix.
— Weekly weigh-​ins. I don’t know about you, by my scale sucks. It was great to have access to a medical-​grade scale every week. The 6-​week check-​ins were great for seeing additional progress like actual body fat lost, muscle gained, inches lost, etc.
*The Not Great*
— After four months of the same shit, different day, I lost interest. The «counselors» are mostly young women with not a ton of experience. When I complained that I couldn’t stop «cheating» one of the counselors actually said to me, «Well, next time think to yourself, do you really want that cookie?» I mean, come on. I’ve been trying to lose weight for years. Of course I ask myself that question. Of course I don’t WANT that cookie, but I eat it anyway. There is so much more to weight gain and loss and I was hoping for a bit more emotional support. I’ve read so many books on the subject and I don’t feel like Jumpstart taught me anything new.
— You see a different counselor almost every week so you don’t develop any real support. Plus, there were only two who I felt were really smart. I constantly got good support and new recipe ideas from them (they also happened to be the two with the most medical experience — note: you will NEVER see a doctor here, just a nurse practitioner, who is awesome, btw). The other counselors? Sort of patronizing and quick to get you out of there. I rarely saw my two favorites, which was a shame.
— The price is obviously a big factor. I never heard back about my insurance claim — it’s been five months now and nothing. That’s clearly just a draw to get people in so don’t bank on getting any money back from insurance.
— Organization. I’m crazy obsessed with Lose It! and Google Drive. I made crazy spreadsheets and tracked everything and I made it up as I went along. The team at Jumpstart didn’t help with this at all.
— Conflicting information. I was told by some counselors to eat 60 grams of carbs per day. Others told me to try and get it to 30g. Some counselors said sugar-​free Jello pudding was okay. Others told me not to. This can get frustrating.
— I very much believe grains and carbs are The Enemy and I know this is really controversial. For me, it gave me increased energy, lost weight quickly and has helped with a lot of underlying problems I’ve had for years. If you’re a vegetarian or not a heavy meat or dairy consumer, this might not be the option for you.
So, basically, you’re paying for appetite suppressants, a good scale, recipe ideas and outside support and motivation. For me, this worked really well for a few months and I’m so glad I signed up. I’m now confident in my ability to lose the last ten pounds by myself so have cancelled my membership.

I was inspired by my cousin, Nandita Weigel, who is a program counselor at Jumpstart MD. Nandita embodies the Jumpstart principles in her daily life and I wanted to get in as great shape as she is. She also has her Master’s Degree in Health Management and I knew she would not recommend this program unless it was merited.
I found the Jumpstart program very easy to follow. I have lost close to 30 lbs in 3 ½ months. I was very lucky to have had Evelyn Thai as my counselor and found her suggestions for dealing with particular cravings and on adhering to a diet when on business travel most helpful. Reena Gupta who I also saw twice a month as part of the medical component of the course also was very helpful with recommending particular nutrition supplements, etc.
While on the diet some minor health issues came to bear. It was very reassuring to hear from my doctor that my having lost weight and my current diet régime would help alleviate some of my symptoms.

I am wondering if the other reviews on here were written by staff members of Jumpstart MD. My experience was different.
This is not specifically geared towards Jumpstart on Laurel, but just the business in general.
I heard about it from Renee on KFOG and finally I decided to do something about losing the 15 pounds I shouldn’t have.
I went to the initial consultation, and I was feeling good.
I lost 11 pounds.
But, here’s why 2 stars– For the amount of money, I expected more. My insurance doesn’t cover it, so I was paying out of pocket on my teacher salary. I thought my health should come first. I even got a second job so I could pay for this. I was encouraged not to exercise because it would ‘make me hungry’, I had appetite suppressants given to me even though I don’t want them, and no one told me I’d be injected with shots every week.
For that amount of money, I’d expect a cooking class, or a coach (instead I saw someone different almost every time I went). I asked about blood sugar and diabetes and just got generic answers.
I spoke to someone about the price being so high and I got a second job, and when they told me that PPO s cover it, I was livid! So some people are getting this for free!!! If it was free, I’d think it was worth it.
There’s not even an APP on the iphone to keep track of food! I had to use other apps. I mean, for over $ 300 a month, I’d expect more. I was dissapointed.
I missed my last appointment. No one even called to follow up.

I went to the Jumpstart SF office and had the worse experience. Tulay, the clinician was rude and totally belittled me. Her scare tactics and bad counseling made it a nightmare. Hey, I’m coming to you for help not a scolding like a child. Your medical advice was even wrong. Sorry, the Burlingmae office was much more welcoming. Will never go back again.

Speaking from the perspective of a guy who had never, ever participated in a franchise diet program, I can’t say I was looking forward to this. I have always struggled with weight, on a roller coaster over the years. I have lost a ton (85lbs) of weight with this program, but even more important (cause I have lost the weight before), is the fact that I now have the knowledge and tools to keep the weight off. The staff are professional and supportive. I don’t use the «box system» that JumpStartMD promotes, but I do follow the ratios (protein to carbs). I prefer to use the app «MyFitnessPal» to track all my calories — so easy to do. I also use a Fitbit to track calories burned. But, the basis of my program is the structure and support that JumpStartMD provides. My wife does the program too — so the support at home is great too. Yes, my wife suggested I do the program. Always listen to your wife!

Welp, post-​pregnancy, the weight really started to pile on… and, I’m pretty short – So, YIKES! It had gotten to the point where I was, literally, embarrassed to be seen. :(
I can’t say enough about how great Jumpstart has been for me. This awesome program was exactly what I was looking for in a weight loss program. The counsellors are friendly and helpful, the nutritionalist is knowledgable and supportive. Best part is that there’s no pre-​packed crappy food to buy. As someone who loves to cook and prepare meals, this was pretty key for me. They give you drugs to curb your hunger – which helps a lot, though after a while i didn’t even need them as my results kept me motivated. I’m at my halfway point now and will post an update when I complete the program – hopefully in the next 2 months. YAY, Jumpstart! You guys rock.

This is a followup review to my original posting last September. I have successfully completed my Jumpstart program. it has been 10 months since I started the program and I have lost 95 lbs! I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone. Dr. Lai is a very compassionate doctor and his staff is great as well… Thanks Jumpstart!