About one in four Americans make New Year’s resolutions at the start of each year. The most common commitments include exercising more (46%) and improving diets (45%). About 44% of Americans want to lose weight, too.
Unfortunately, dieting and exercising sometimes aren’t enough on their own. You might want to consider a medical weight loss program instead.
What is medical weight loss, exactly, and how does it work? Keep reading to find out!
Only 35% of Americans manage to keep their resolutions. If you’re aiming to lose weight, set yourself up for success this year.
After reading this guide, you can schedule a consultation and determine if this healthy weight loss program is right for you. Then, you can slim down and achieve every New Year’s resolution on your list!
Read on to learn more about these weight loss approaches today.
What is Medical Weight Loss?
Nearly one in three adults are overweight. Over two in five adults are obese. Meanwhile, one in 11 adults has severe obesity.
Obesity is linked to a list of health problems, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Some types of cancer
- Sleep and breathing problems
- Joint problems
- Stroke
- Liver disease
What is medical weight loss, exactly, and how can it help end the epidemic of obesity?
A medical weight loss program can help participants lose weight with help and guidance from a healthcare professional. Their medical experience and expertise can help patients develop a realistic, customized plan. Each treatment plan can meet the patient’s unique lifestyle and circumstances.
Working with a doctor can also offer participants the motivation they need to successfully lose weight.
There are three phases involved with these weight loss approaches:
- The initial consultation
- Behavior changes
- Weight loss medications
Before beginning a medical weight loss program, take the time to find an experienced team. Look for an established medical center that specializes in personalized, high-quality care.
The team at Brandon Medical Center specializes in a range of services for men and women, including medical weight loss. A full-service approach from a one-stop health clinic can help you accomplish your health goals.
The Process
Now that we’ve answered the question, “what is medical weight loss,” let’s look at the treatment process. Remember, treatment involves three phases.
You can schedule a consultation appointment at your local medical center to get started.
Initial Consultation
A healthy weight loss program is physician-supervised to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. First, you’ll need to schedule a consultation appointment.
During your appointment, you’ll sit down with a physician to discuss your goals. The physician will help you develop a realistic view of the program as well.
Then, you’ll discuss meal plan options based on your medical history. The physician will adjust the entire plan based on your needs and goals.
During the consultation appointment, make sure to talk to the doctor about your ideal weight. Discuss lifestyle factors that might impact your progress as well. They’ll help you develop a multi-faceted plan to ensure you remain on track.
The consultation appointment is also a chance for you to get to know your doctor.
They’ll walk you through the weight loss approaches that can best help you achieve your goals.
Behavior Modification
In order to develop a safe weight loss program, you’ll need to make a few changes to your current lifestyle and behaviors.
Extra, unwanted weight is stored energy in the body that’s preserved as fat tissue. You gain weight when more energy is gained through food than you’re expending through activity.
In order to achieve healthy weight loss, you need to use more energy during activity than you gain through food.
Your doctor will help determine which behaviors are impacting your weight loss journey. For example, you’ll need to eat foods that are lower in energy. You’ll also need to use more energy throughout the day. Brandon Medical Center offers a Personal Training Program that will help you to not only reach your goals but maintain your new physique.
Diet
You’ll measure the energy in food through calories. Your doctor will help by creating a diet plan that includes foods that are lower in calories to help you lose weight.
Your diet will include foods from different food sources. There are also different weight loss approaches to consider, including:
- High protein diets
- Low carb diets
- Intermittent fasting
Your doctor will help you choose foods that align with your weight loss goals. They’ll also help you develop an eating schedule to ensure your body burns energy throughout the day.
Exercise
Exercise is an important component of your medical weight loss program as well. Exercising will help your body burn the energy already stored as fat. It will also help your body use energy from the foods you eat.
Your doctor can recommend a list of workouts that will help you lose weight. You can choose routines that suit your lifestyle, too.
Weight Loss Medications
Your doctor might prescribe weight loss medications to help you achieve safe weight loss as well. These medications can complement the exercises or diet they recommend.
Some medications will help your body burn extra energy.
Make sure to discuss any potential side effects you might experience with your doctor.
The Benefits
What are the benefits of following a medical weight loss program?
For starters, they’re focused on your unique goals, lifestyle, and preferences. A customized treatment plan could prove more successful. Otherwise, you might struggle with a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
A medical weight loss program is also designed and monitored by an experienced, licensed medical professional. Choose a doctor with years of experience in the industry.
They’ll help by identifying any medical barriers that are keeping you from losing weight.
Beyond that, you’ll also receive support and help through every step of the process. The doctor will make adjustments to your plan as needed to make sure you achieve your goals.
What is Medical Weight Loss?: Your Guide to Slimming Down Safely
To recap, what is medical weight loss? It’s a customized treatment plan designed by a physician to help you lose weight. These personalized weight loss approaches can help you slim down in 2022.
You can accomplish your resolutions, feel better, and look great!
Eager to get started? We can’t wait to help.
Learn more about our medical weight loss program and request an appointment today!
