Ca's First-of-its-kind Weight Loss Center Opens In Silicon Valley

CAMPBELL, CA — There's a reason the word "diet" starts with "die." Just ask all those people scrambling to get into that bikini for summer.

When every supplement, miracle powder or fasting method boasts of miraculous, measuring tape-changing results, an alternative now exists in the heart of the South Bay that won't leave a participant dying for food. That's because it's a lifestyle change more than anything.

High school sweethearts and working professionals Jason and Tracy Gordo, both age 44, opened a Profile Sanford location last week in Campbell at Bascom and Hamilton avenues next to the Whole Foods market.

The Sioux Falls-based company's South Bay represents the first in the Golden State and one in nine due to open in the Silicon Valley. The couple is planning a second location in San Jose in late August.

She was an educator for 19 years, and he worked in wealth management and financial planning. When the Monterey duo came across Profile Sanford — a weight loss franchise backed by Sanford Health — they tried it last year. Needless to say, the Gordos are not living up to their name. She got rid of 16 pounds in eight months. In two months, he lost 26 pounds, and his father shed 21 pounds and experienced a reduction in diabetes medication.

Profile began in 2011 when Sanford Health Chief Executive Officer Kelby Krabbenhoft challenged the organization to create a weight loss program rooted in science and research. Profile’s first Clinic and Scientific Advisory Board came together to assemble all the pieces of a comprehensive program — nutrition, activity and lifestyle coaching.

So this is no "take-a-pill-and-you're-good-to-go" remedy. A participant seeking weight loss will need to work at it. Remember: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

She told Patch that she was drawn to the program because it was born out of a medical facility, is based in science, worked well and gave the couple a whole new lease on life.

"It's not the same for everyone. There's one-on-one coaching, and you actually learn. You eat what you like, and along the way, you make lifestyle changes," she said.

She understands how people get bogged down with chores and duties that shelve activities for many people. After all, the Gordos have three children.

As it turns out, weight loss works best when one is not alone in the quest.

"Somebody needs to be a cheerleader," she said.

Just ask representatives of Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, Profile Sanford's competitors. With the latter, there's as much a big push for lifestyle coaching and exercise as there is a focus on nutrition.

Participants in the annual memberships now costing $50 (a sixth of the regular rate) under a grand opening price are assigned certified coaches and start out with meal replacements. From there, Gordo figured weekly food costs $80 a week for the family to eat a meal plan healthy enough to make a board of certified medical practitioners proud.

Profile was developed by scientists, researchers and physicians at Sanford Health, an international integrated healthcare system that provides care for hundreds of communities across multiple continents. With 45 hospitals and 289 clinics worldwide, Sanford is one of the world’s largest providers.

Profile Sanford located in Campbell can be found at 1640 S. Bascom Ave. or via the site listed here.

More company information may be obtained here.