"The best thing I've done in my adult life for myself as well as my family"

VALERIE FLACCO, M.D. | Family Physician
Wataga, Illinois

Valerie, a family doctor, was working 10-hour days. At the end of those days, she didn't have much energy for her young children and husband. Dinner was usually fast food burgers or pizza delivered. Valerie was only 37, but she felt much older. She was on cholesterol medications. She was carrying 30 extra pounds, and she wasn't exercising. Her father, also a doctor, was a huge fan of the Pritikin Program. He'd lost more than 60 pounds. When Valerie decided to change her life, she took Dad's lead.

After going to the Pritikin Longevity Center, Valerie went from 160 pounds and a size 12 to a size 6 and 128 pounds. Going to Pritikin, she says, "was probably the best thing I've done in my adult life for myself as well as my family and patients."

"If you're preaching: "Don't smoke, don't drink, eat right, eat healthy," then you should do that, too. You should be a role model. Now I truly feel like I walk the talk.

"Thank you, Pritikin, for giving me my life back … for giving me the sense of feeling good, of wanting to get up and get going every morning, and for having plenty of energy at day's end to really enjoy my family. That's a huge benefit.

"You have only have so many days in this life. Pritikin helps you make the most of each day."