The Calibrate weight loss program has garnered attention as a comprehensive approach to weight management, combining medical intervention with lifestyle changes. Founded in 2020 by Isabelle Kenyon, the program aims to address the complexities of weight loss by focusing on metabolic health, rather than solely relying on willpower. This article delves into the various aspects of Calibrate, examining its methodology, effectiveness, cost, and user experiences, to provide a comprehensive overview.
Introduction to Calibrate
Calibrate distinguishes itself as an online weight-loss clinic offering a "metabolic reset" program designed for sustained weight loss and enhanced metabolic health. The program integrates FDA-approved GLP-1 medications with structured coaching, mandatory lab testing, and continuous medical supervision. Calibrate's approach emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying biological factors that contribute to weight gain, rather than solely focusing on calorie counting or restrictive diets.
How Calibrate Works: A Step-by-Step Approach
Calibrate's program follows a structured process that combines medical care with behavioral changes. The program focuses on four pillars of metabolic health: food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health. Members engage in biweekly video calls with a health coach to set goals and make gradual lifestyle adjustments.
- Initial Assessment: The process begins with a detailed online intake form that gathers information about your weight history, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and goals. This assessment helps Calibrate determine your eligibility and prepare your care team.
- Lab Testing: Calibrate mandates lab testing before your first provider visit, either through Quest Diagnostics or an at-home kit. These tests assess key markers such as blood sugar, cholesterol, liver, kidney, and thyroid function. The lab results provide a comprehensive view of your metabolic health, enabling your provider to tailor your treatment plan.
- Consultation: You will meet with a board-certified provider via secure video to review your intake form and lab results. The provider will confirm your eligibility and, if appropriate, prescribe an FDA-approved GLP-1 medication. This consultation also involves establishing your treatment plan and goals.
- Treatment Plan: Once approved, your treatment plan commences. Prescriptions can be delivered to your home or sent to your local pharmacy. You will also gain access to the Calibrate app, smart scale, and curriculum. Coaching and clinical oversight are integrated from day one.
- Coaching and Ongoing Care: You will meet with your coach every two weeks to focus on habit changes related to food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health. Your provider will monitor your labs, side effects, and dosage adjustments, with secure messaging available for ongoing support.
The program is divided into four levels: Learning, Practicing, Setting, and Sustaining, each designed to build upon the previous one.
- Learning (Months 1-3): This level focuses on establishing a foundation for the program, with biweekly coaching sessions and weekly lessons on the app.
- Practicing (Months 3-6): Members continue biweekly coaching and delve deeper into the skills established in the Learning level, with opportunities to select "focus classes" in specific areas of interest.
- Setting (Months 6-9): This level allows members to further customize their program, with continued coaching and the flexibility to focus on specific pillars of metabolic health.
- Sustaining (Months 9-12): The final level aims to help members maintain their healthy habits through ongoing coaching and weekly lessons.
Medication and Treatment Options
Calibrate exclusively prescribes FDA-approved GLP-1 medications. These medications, originally developed for diabetes treatment, have been shown to suppress appetite and aid in weight loss. Calibrate does not offer compounded medications.
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Available GLP-1 Medications:
- Weekly injections: semaglutide (Wegovy®, Ozempic®), tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®), dulaglutide (Trulicity®)
- Daily injections: liraglutide (Saxenda®)
- Daily oral option: oral semaglutide (Rybelsus®)
In addition to medication, Calibrate provides a built-in lifestyle curriculum, one-on-one coaching, and behavior tracking through the Calibrate app.
Who Should Use Calibrate?
Calibrate may be a suitable option for individuals who:
- Meet the clinical criteria for GLP-1 therapy (BMI of 30 or higher, or 27+ with a weight-related health condition)
- Seek a science-backed program designed by obesity medicine experts
- Want an insurance-backed path to brand-name GLP-1s
- Desire clear medical oversight and a structured, accountable program
Who Is Calibrate Not For?
Calibrate may not be the right choice for individuals who:
- Rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare
- Prefer to pay cash for medications
- Seek a "prescriptions only" approach with minimal involvement
- Are primarily concerned with affordability and have limited insurance coverage
Calibrate Pricing and Costs
Calibrate's pricing structure includes:
- Initial lab test: Billed separately, often through insurance
- Monthly subscription: \$199 per month
- Medication costs: Vary depending on insurance coverage, with some members paying as little as \$25 per month
The true out-of-pocket cost depends on your insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications and lab testing.
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Medical Excellence and Safety Standards
Calibrate adheres to high medical standards, requiring baseline labs and prescribing only FDA-approved GLP-1s. Care is provided by board-certified providers with ongoing safety monitoring.
Calibrate's Outcome-Success Tracking
Calibrate provides biweekly coaching, structured lessons, and long-term follow-up. The company's data indicates that members experience significant weight loss, with an average of 15%-19% weight loss sustained over one to three years.
The Importance of Lab Testing
Calibrate requires lab testing before the first doctor's appointment. These tests help ensure treatment safety and allow providers to personalize your plan.
Required Labs:
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
- A1C (hemoglobin A1C)
- Lipid panel (cholesterol)
- TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)
Optional Tests:
- Fasting insulin
- C-reactive protein (CRP)
Follow-up testing is typically repeated annually or sooner if your provider identifies a concern.
Real User Experiences
Customer reviews reveal mixed experiences. Some customers praise the program's structure, coaching, and effectiveness, while others express frustration with slow insurance approvals, rigid requirements, and customer support delays.
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Some users report positive experiences with Calibrate. One user, Kelsey, lost over 100 pounds within the first year and has maintained her weight loss since 2021. She credits Calibrate's curriculum with teaching her about the chemical interactions between food and the body. Another user, Beth, appreciates the program's tools and the encouragement from her coach, Becka B.
However, other users have reported negative experiences. Christopher described the program as a scam, citing poor customer support and difficulty obtaining medication approval. Marcos expressed disappointment with the lack of follow-through and the cost of the program. One user reported a three-week delay in receiving a medication change, which led to a dosage adjustment.
Advantages of Calibrate
- Comprehensive Approach: Calibrate combines medication, coaching, and lifestyle changes for a holistic approach to weight loss.
- Medical Supervision: The program provides ongoing medical oversight from board-certified providers.
- Personalized Coaching: Members receive personalized support and guidance from a dedicated health coach.
- Structured Curriculum: The program offers a structured curriculum focused on food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health.
- FDA-Approved Medications: Calibrate exclusively uses FDA-approved GLP-1 medications.
- Improved Metabolic Health: Calibrate results show improvements in metabolic health markers, such as A1C, fasting insulin, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
- Flexible and Not Overly Restrictive: Calibrate does not exclude any foods from your diet and can be used with a variety of dietary patterns.
- Promotes Gradual Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Metabolic Reset is a 1-year program that introduces changes to your diet and lifestyle gradually through weekly lessons and biweekly goals.
Disadvantages of Calibrate
- Cost: Calibrate is more expensive than some other weight loss programs.
- Insurance Dependent: The total cost depends on your insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications and lab testing.
- Long-Term Commitment: The Metabolic Reset program is a 1-year program.
- Potential Side Effects: The GLP-1 medications Calibrate prescribes may be associated with side effects.
- May Lead to Weight Regain: More research is needed on the long-term effects of GLP-1 medications.
- Customer Service Issues: Some customers have reported issues with responsiveness and communication from the company.
Comparing Calibrate to Other Weight Loss Programs
When comparing Calibrate to competitors, factors to consider include cost, treatment types, lab testing requirements, add-ons, and insurance coverage.
- Calibrate: Best for long-term coaching plus insurance-backed GLP-1s.
- WeightWatchers: Best for people who want WW's behavior program plus medical care.
- Ro Body Program: Best for members who want coaching with either cash or insurance options.
- Found: Best for people who want coaching and the option for compounded meds.
Calibrate's Response to Challenges
Calibrate acknowledges the challenges related to medication access and evolving insurance coverage. The company has implemented several measures to address these issues, including:
- Updating the refund policy to account for medication shortages and insurance coverage changes
- Iterating the positioning and messaging to clearly articulate the program's differentiated perspective
- Navigating challenging external market dynamics and adapting support for members accordingly
- Investing in operational and product improvements to resolve member experience issues