I am sometimes asked what the most important criteria people should take under consideration when researching and selecting a weight loss program that will work for them.
There are four criteria or pillars I believe are most important for a successful weight loss program. These pillars are a must not just for weight loss, but also for maintaining the weight that you have lost.
1. Medical: The first criteria is medical support. We know that excess weight is a disease. So why not have a physician who has the expertise in this area lead the treatment? Having excess weight is not all about eating too much or not exercising enough. In fact, science tells us that there are many things beyond poor habits which lead to weight gain, things like hormonal changes, metabolic changes, genetics, ongoing medical conditions, medications, stress, and even lack of sleep. This is where the expertise of a board-certified obesity medicine doctor comes in. The physician can also prescribe and manage the use of prescription medications that can help with weight loss.
2. Nutritional: The second criteria for a successful weight loss program is nutritional support. Dietary changes play a significant role in both weight loss and weight maintenance. In fact, when it comes to making dietary changes, it’s not one size fits all. It is very important to have a customized dietary plan for each individual based on your health, your likes and dislikes, and your long-term goals.
3. Behavioral: The third criteria is behavioral or psychological support. We are all guilty of stress eating and mindless eating. We can easily undo weeks and weeks of hard work with just a few days of bad eating from stress. Without the behavioral support, a weight loss program is certain to fail. Behavioral counselling helps to keep you motivated and make the lifestyle changes needed to lose your weight and keep it off.
4. Physician Activity: The fourth criteria for a successful weight loss program is physical activity. It’s very easy to tell people to just go home and exercise, but we all know that getting started is the hardest part. Just like your eating plan needs to be customized, your exercise plan should be customized as well based upon your age, medical history, and long-term goals. Having guidance from a personal trainer or an exercise physiologist can make exercising more enjoyable and more effective. Proper guidance can also prevent any potential injuries resulting from forking out. So, as you can see, weight loss takes a team approach from a physician, nutritionist, behavioral specialist, and a physical trainer. Ideally, it is convenient to have all this under one roof. Here ate Physicians Premiere Weight and Wellness Center, we have your one stop shop for weight loss with comprehensive services at one location! Join our physician led weight loss program that includes a team of experts ready to provide you with the medical, nutritional, behavioral, and exercise support you need to not only lose weight but enjoy the journey along the way.
