Manuel Villacorta, MS, RD

10/10/2007 Posted by mattmulligan

I just finished an apple as my mid morning snack, pretty unremarkable you might think, unless you consider that about a month ago the concept of my eating a mid morning snack at all was not a part of my mind set and if by chance I ate one, an APPLE, are you kidding me? C’mon there’s tons more good stuff out there to choose from, or so I thought. Before, food for me was a reward and/or a distraction I’ve learned in about four weeks that it can be neither if it is to be enjoyed. I loved to eat out at restaurants. I travel a lot for work and don’t know many people wherever I am. A restaurant was great, people were friendly and engaging and they did everything for me. I deserved to be pampered rewarded and distracted from my situation. Cheesecake was great medicine for what ailed me, or so I thought. I felt free eating whatever I wanted whenever I felt like it but sometimes I would eat too much and feel sick I walked into MV nutrition at about 224 lbs. depressed, lethargic and clueless. In 4 weeks I’ve lost about 7 lbs. but I could care less. It’s not all about what I weigh, but rather how I have begun to feel. I walked in addicted to the pursuit of satisfaction through a practiced lack of control. I’ve walked out knowing the real meaning of freedom. Be engaged, be mindful, be active and Christina and Manuel can help you change your life.

10/10/2007 Posted by jramberg

Even though I'm very athletic, I was definitely overweight! By overweight, I don't mean that I was obese. I was NOT obese to start with... just needed to get some stubborn 10-15 lbs off. I worked my butt off (literally) with a trainer at a gym and my pants are STILL feeling tighter each week!!! Got very frustrated!!! Went to MV Nutrition for my first session late August. Christina gave me a body fat analysis. EGADS!!! Body fat % WAAAAY too high!!! I kept track of my food in a journal and we went over what I normally eat. Yup! Fats too high!!! Carbs too high! Not enough veggies and leaner proteins (fish, turkey, chicken, lowfat cheese.) I got introduced to proper snacking and portion control. (Proper snacking was definitely something I was lacking given all the food that passes by around here at the office.) The weight started melting away. The great part is that it wasn't *THAT* difficult a transition either, b/c Christina works with you on making "small gradual changes." Christina also worked with me on adjusting my new food changes and lifestyle to my husband's "not so healthy" lifestyle. Two months later: I've lost 8 lbs off my 5' 3.5" frame so far. My body fat % has dropped two points. My pants are fitting very nicely. No more "I am really NOT pregnant!!!" belly!!! Someone commented this morning that my legs are slimmer. I won't look perfect, but I'll look a lot nicer by Nov. for a skating competition. I will reach my goal weight by Christmas!!! :-) Other goodie to consider: If you have health insurance and you ask your GP nicely for a referral to MV, your Aetna and Blue Cross health insurance DOES cover most of the cost of the session. Given my borderline high cholesterol level (I'm at 203!), it was very easy to justify the cost for MV thru my insurance. ETA: I've reached my goal weight of 122-3 and I feel GREAT! My total cholesterol # dropped as of 11/2007 to 172!!! No meds!!! ALL from healthier foods! WOW!!!

Pros: Supportive and knowledgable staff, easy to follow plan, RESULTS!!!

Cons: Parking (costly, but you can BART in easily...)

05/30/2007 Posted by anikop

I like good food, and I've never been interested in a high-fat or a high-carb diet. However, over 10 years I've gained a half pound here, a full pound there and eventually I was about 20 lbs overweight. I went hungry between meals and as a consequence, I over-ate. I never snacked. While I ate healthy meals, my digestion slowed down and I carried glucose pills to bridge those afternoon hunger pangs. My husband and I hired a personal trainer to reinvigorate our exercise routine, but apparently I wasn't getting my heart rate high enough, and I was eating even more. So I signed up with Manuel. Over a period of 4 months I painlessly lost those extra 20 lbs while receiving positive feedback from Manuel the entire way. With a few quick adjustments he helped me dramatically speed up my digestion. I learned to understand my correct food portion sizes, and now I serve myself just the amount I need, without filling my plate to the rim. I now eat healthy (but tasty) snacks throughout the day, and I no longer let myself go hungry. I love my new shape and I feel empowered that I can make intelligent choices when looking at a restaurant menu, and have enough self control to turn down food. I am also "fluent" in grocery labels which is really helpful when it comes to food planning and cooking. In addition, with a heart-rate monitor Manuel suggested I buy, I now easily monitor how many calories I burn during my exercises. Manuel uses a wide array of teaching aids, from food package boxes and grocery labels to plastic food replicas, along with a collection of recipes. I was also encouraged to bring my favorite ones to the sessions for analysis and ingredient substitutions for reduced calories and/or fat. We also analyzed package labels from my frequently purchased, semi-prepared Trader Joes' foods. We had frank discussions about alcohol, cheese, and at some point we scoured the internet together for a complete chart of beef cuts and their specific nutritional values.

03/02/2007 Posted by leyerle

I was training for a half marathon and Christina from MV Nutrition came to talk with our group. I've been active my entire life and never really had a weight problem, but I was interested in taking my fitness to the next level. Prior, I'd read a couple of books and tried to change my eating habits, but didn't really have great results. As it turns out, I needed some individual attention to keep me accountable and to point out small changes I could make to my eating habits. Now, it wasn't easy. The first couple of weeks, I kept to my old regimen. However, by the end of four weeks, I'd lost four pounds of fat and gained five pounds of muscle. Plus, I now have more energy. Listen, this wasn't cheap, but I've made changes that will last a lifetime. You get what you pay for and this was worth every penny.

Pros: Great staff, very personable, they tailor the program to your indv needs

Cons: It's not cheap, but a fair price

12/22/2006 Posted by davidblain

I still can't believe and can’t get use to my losing 38 lbs and how easy it was. I feel as though I am in my 20's again (I know it's only a dream) and haven't felt this great in years. I never thought I would have such a feeling of transformation. I never anticipated this kind of results with the way I am feeling and all of the positive changes I have made. You should be the nutritionist or an advisor to the "Dr. Phil Show". You are heroic and I can't say enough thank you's. And the best is yet to happen. My wife has decided to sign up with you because of the results she has seen in me. I tell everyone about you. Thank you again. David

Pros: Couldn't get any better

Cons: none

10/08/2006 Posted by sagemettle

I have always known that diet & exercise in combination was important for weight loss, and maintaining health. Unfortunately I never really learned how to eat well so most of my diet and excercise results were short lived. Chances are if you are reading a review about a nutritionest, you have decided or think that nutrition is important. Look no further. Call Manuel and set up an appointment. Manuel whill teach you everything about nutrition. He will correct any fad or pop-culture misconceptions, and guide you through techniques for learning to eat well. One size does not fit all (i.e. food pyramids) and Manuel will tailor your program to fit you as a person and to meet your goals. He can help you eat better to lose weight (I've lost 30 lbs without being hungry), or can help you eat for strength and energy. Manuel uses scientific tools like measuring your metabolic rate, and % body fat so you can see real results. If you have any nutritional needs or curiosity I would say to run to Manuel's office and learn about nutrition, but I'm sure Manuel would say walking is good too if you like to walk.

Pros: Scientific, Holistic, Friendly

Cons: Very busy because he is good so get started soon.

08/14/2006 Posted by sdtsf

As head of Global Operations for a major consulting firm, I never seemed to have time to focus on eating healthy and as such had been steadily gaining weight for years. My doctor told me it was time to make a change and so I contacted Manuel Villacorta. I have been working with Manuel now for 7 months and couldn't be happier with the results. For the first four months we focused on weight loss and my numbers speak for themselves. I have lost 27 pounds, lost 6 inches in my waistline and my percentage body fat is down from over 26 to under 13%. In addition, my overall cholesterol is now in the normal range with my good cholesterol raising from 41 to 59 and my bad cholesterol falling from 151 to 129. The key to all of this was that Manuel provided me with the tools and knowledge required to make healthy choices (like how to determine optimum portion sizes or to make tradeoffs between carbohydrates, proteins and fats to create a high energy and balanced diet). For example I learned in one of my early meetings that by increasing my fat and fiber consumption at breakfast and protein consumption at lunch I would have more energy and loose weight. For the last three months we have focused on keeping the weight off and it has been a success all around. many times in the past I had lost weight but as soon as the diet was over I gained it back quickly. With Manuel it was not about a diet, but building my knowledge and skills to make a permanent change in the way I approached what I am eating everyday. Thank you again - Manuel

07/18/2006 Posted by apssf

I have had a weight problem my entire life. I have lost weight in the past on some extreme programs but invariably when I would return to regular eating the next peak always seemed higher than the last. When I walked into Manuels office eleven months ago, on the advice of a good friend, I had reached a new high weight, had little energy, and was suffering from a variety of weight related physical ailments, including a bad back. I felt much older than my actual age, and I had little confidence that I could lose weight eating a balanced diet of real food. The program that Manuel developed for me has come to feel much less like a diet and more like a new way of life, certainly a new relationship with food. In 11 months I have lost almost 70 pounds and my waist is more than 10 inches smaller. (And I am buying clothes at Nordstroms instead of the Big & Tall places!) I have never felt hungry or deprived, and my energy level and sense of emotional well-being are both way up. I appreciate both the simplicity and the flexibility of the plan, which has enabled me to succeed even without a lot of time to cook and with a lot of business travel in my schedule. Manuels supportive approach and gentle coaching has truly changed my life.

Pros: Personalized plan and supportive coaching

06/26/2006 Posted by yurinsf

Ever since I passed the age of thirty I have been gaining fat in all the wrong places, not understanding what was wrong with my diet. At 35 I started a vigorous exercise routine, which helped, but nevertheless did not completely return my body into shape. My trainer recommended I see Manuel Villacorta. With Manuel's individualized approach, I quickly grasped how to adjust my eating habits, so my body could take full advantage from my exercise routine. Manuel's method agreed with my own thoughts on food, namely that in principle one should be able to eat everything, but portion size, the combination of different foods and timing are crucial. Manuels approach is a highly successful and sustainable one, which, together with exercise, has allowed my body to reclaim health, strength and energy.

Pros: Manuel's personal attention, knowledge and organizational skill

06/13/2006 Posted by nwiegand

I had gained 60lbs with my first pregnancy in 02, but it wasnt until my friends started having children that I noticed that like them I have tons of pictures of my son but what they have that I dont have is pictures with their children. I have managed to find two pictures of me and my son together in the first three years of his life. Sad. That was the moment I realized that although I fooled myself into believing that the weight gain didnt bother me, pictures (or lack of) dont lie. It was time for a change. I met Manuel through a mutual friend. He is truly amazing, kind and supportive. There are no tricks, no secrets, no magic pills or powders, just better understanding and choices that have changed my relationship with food. I have so far gone from a size 16 to a size 10. I feel like Ive lost much more than the burden of weight. Gone are the feelings of guilt, and the actions of squashing that guilt with more food. I no longer hide from mirrors and love being able to walk into my favorite stores and know that what I pull off the rack will fit like a glove. For the first time in a long time, I am having fun and feeling good - really, really good. I highly recommend him to anyone who is ready to take control and make that change. Thank you Manuel, I cant take back those three years but you have helped me take back my life.