Whether you’ve put on a little extra weight during the holidays or have just decided that now’s the time to get into better shape, embarking on a journey towards better health is a great way to start the new year.
Weight Loss Isn’t Easy!
Many factors can affect your weight, some of which are within your control and some of which aren’t. Certain medications and medical conditions can cause weight gain or loss; hormones, age, environmental stress, and other biological factors can also contribute. It’s important to work on controlling the things you can control and making better choices towards overall health.
Making choices to improve your diet, reduce your stress levels, get enough sleep, drink more water, and increase your activity levels can help you lose weight and improve your overall physical fitness. But for busy parents and professionals in today’s hectic world, making healthier choices isn’t always easy.
Keys to Effective Weight Loss
Succeeding at losing weight and keeping it off requires a holistic, multi-pronged plan. People who are successful often incorporate multiple strategies, including keeping a food and exercise journal, regularly weighing and measuring, and participating in an online or in-person weight loss community.
Planning a personal medical weight loss program with a professional coach can help you understand how food affects your body, set long- and short-term weight loss and fitness goals, develop an eating plan (including healthy tips and recipes), and keep track of your changing body measurements and body fat percentages, which are often more indicative of results than pounds lost.
FAQ: Do I have to purchase special food to succeed at weight loss?
Part of the challenge of developing a nutrition plan that leads to healthy, effective weight loss is finding foods that you like that have adequate protein and are also low in calories. A weight loss coach can work with you to identify the right combination of foods for your body and your goals.
FAQ: What’s the best exercise for weight loss?
The best exercise or fitness program is the one that you keep doing! Increasing your physical activity can help you stick to a diet plan and see progress on your weight loss journey—in addition to improving your overall health. Whether you count steps, begin a walking program, embrace yoga, or train for a 5k, find an activity you like that gets your heart pumping.
A weight loss coach can help you find the diet and exercise program that works for you—one that you can stick with and see results.
Accountability and Professional Advice
Working with a weight loss coach provides you an opportunity for one-on-one advice and coaching! This can keep you accountable as well as help you develop strategies to resist temptation (especially on “special occasions” or holidays) and respond to well-meaning family and friends who can sabotage your results. A licensed, professional nurse practitioner can help you develop an integrated strategy to reach your goals that includes not only diet and exercise advice but also possible medications and/or surgical weight loss options.
The weight loss specialists at Urban Effects MedSpa in Des Moines can help you write your own success story. Our NPs will work with you to find the right options for your lifestyle, your body, and your goals, including options like the popular ITG diet.
FAQ: I live out of town—can you work with me?
We are happy to work with clients outside of Des Moines—we have many patients who travel 1–1.5 hours to see us each week! Your success depends on how important it is to you. Make your health a priority, and we will be your partner! We’re here to teach you, support you, and help you meet your goals.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our medical weight loss professionals.
