Weight Loss Clinic Tips

Just about everybody in America needs to lose at least some weight these days, making the weight loss industry one of the most profitable in the country. People literally spend billions of dollars every year on supplements, books, programs, and even surgery, all in the quest to lose weight and keep it off.

There are lots of ways to lose weight, but the question is, are there any that are more successful than others at actually helping you keep it off? Nutritional guides, books, supplements, and pre-prepared food programs all promise to do just that, and if your weight problem is particularly severe, you can even undergo surgery in an attempt to keep it off permanently.

The problem is, most of these solutions have their own complications, and some of them are actually dangerous. Supplements like ephedra, for example, have been taken off the market because they’ve been shown to damage health, and can even cause death. Is there a truly safe way to lose weight permanently? Maybe; a weight loss clinic usually offers strict programs that are often medically supervised, which can make weight loss safer – and often permanent.

Enrolling in a program at a weight loss clinic

The premise of these types of clinics is that they offer supervised programs that incorporate some kind of education in regard to nutrition, a structured exercise program, and behavioral modification focused on changing eating habits. Some programs use nutrition, exercise programs, and behavioral therapy along with other medically based weight loss methods, like prescribing certain drugs or undergoing bariatric surgery, as a complete approach to make weight loss easier.

Components of the weight loss clinic programs

Nutrition education

Some people know what good nutrition is and may ignore it more often than not to focus on unhealthy foods, while others may simply eat too many calories. Many people, however, are utterly ignorant when it comes to good nutrition, and the nutrition education offered at a weight loss clinic is meant to take care of that deficiency. The nutrition education focuses on developing healthy eating habits that include plenty of good, healthy foods, enough but not too many calories, and the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.

Exercise

These clinics offer exercise programs that are specifically constructed for people that have been sedentary and are significantly overweight. Most of these programs teach people how to exercise gently at first, and then ramp things up as they lose weight and get into better shape. Pre-existing health conditions as a result of the excess weight, like diabetes, are also taken into careful consideration when exercise programs are constructed for clients.

Behavior modification

Because so many people who are overweight or obese use food as entertainment or comfort, and not simply as nutritional fuel, significant behavior modification may be necessary to change how they think about food. Behavior modification as offered by a weight loss clinic teaches them to enjoy modest amounts of food at every meal, for nutrition and fuel instead of as entertainment or for comfort.

Other things to think about

Although weight loss clinic programs are generally very successful in the short term, their results may only be temporary. Because they are so strictly supervised, this strength is also a weakness. Although the supervision can most certainly result in successful weight loss, once that supervision is gone, the weight can return very quickly. However, if dieters actually use the knowledge learned there to best effect, they can make successful – and permanent –weight loss happen, and these programs can be very successful indeed.

 Medical weight loss clinics typically offer lasting results for patients unlike othe programs with little or no supervision.  In addition, there are many other advantages to choosing a clinic-based program over other plans, special foods, supplements, shakes, and other products on the market which promise almost “instant” results.  In fact, there have been several studies over the years that bear out the fact that those who attend a medical weight loss clinic staffed by physicians, dieticians, and other professionals lose more weight than on programs such as Weight Watchers and Nutrisystem, and are more likely to keep the weight off.

Why the difference?  There are actually several reasons.

Foods.  Most commercial weight loss programs offer a variety of foods, but the fact is most people lose weight initially, and then fall off of the wagon.  It is difficult for most people to eat prepackaged diet meals for the long term, so the urge to “cheat” and enjoy a cheeseburger and fries seems even more pronounced.  With a medical weight loss clinic, patients are taught how to eat real foods that you buy in the grocery store – vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and other foods that while healthy and low-fat, actually taste good.

Patients are taught that the key to lasting weight loss doesn’t revolve around food alone.  It is important to cut back on bad fats and processed foods, but medical weight loss clinics also stress the importance of regular exercise.  Eating healthy in combination with a good fitness program offers quicker results, and patients often enjoy improved health such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol.  The key to permanent results is an overall healthier lifestyle consisting of healthier eating and physical activity on a regular basis.

Support.  With many of the well-known plans advertised in magazines and on television, there is very little support available.  people who are obese or even need to lose just twenty pounds often perform better when they have moral support and a positive attitude, which is hard to do on your own.  Many medical weight loss clinics staff professionals who help patients change their mental attitudes about food, and focus in different areas when the urge to overeat hits.  For instance, many people eat when they are depressed, stressed, or even when they are bored.  Much of being overweight is mental for many people; these professionals help you understand how to place your focus in other areas and concentrate on doing something else during those times that urges to snack on unhealthy foods are at their peak.

As you can see, there are many advantages of choosing a medical weight loss clinic over other popular diet plans and programs.  The real secret that will help you reach your goal is to understand that reaching your ideal weight is not about “dieting” at all, but rather learning how to eat regular, everyday foods in a way that is healthy, and the importance of regular exercise and a positive attitude.  It’s more of a permanent lifestyle change, and when you leave the word “diet” out of the equation, you just may find that it isn’t nearly as tough to lose those pounds as you may have thought.  A trusted clinic-based program can help you get (and stay) on the right track toward a healthy, lean body for life.

I you’re considering a weight loss clinic to help you reach your weight and fitness goals, there are a lot of factors that come into play that can affect your results.  There are countless programs, centers and plans that are designed to help people lose weight, some of them effective and some, not so much.  Perhaps you’ve tried commercial diets like the South Beach Diet, Jenny Craig, Atkins or Nutrisystem, without the results you expected.  If you’re looking for a weight loss clinic so that you can finally reach your goals and maintain a fit, healthy body, here are a few things you should consider.

What are your personality characteristics?

Some people are very self-disciplined, while others have to have someone guide them every step of the way.  Many of the commercial plans today have websites online so that you can discuss your problems on their forums, ask questions and get general guidance.  Most offer prepackaged meals, or give you the ability to create menus so that you have a variety of options to choose from.

If you are self-disciplined and motivated, you may not need a formal weight loss clinic in order to lose the amount of weight you want to lose.  It all depends on how much will power you have, whether you can afford the meals and the system, how much support you need to reach your goals.

If you have medical issues, a professional weight loss clinic may be the best solution

Individuals who have diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol or other medical issues should probably be closely monitored when on any type of weight loss program.  Most diets recommend that you seek the advice of your doctor before starting any of the plans, but few people actually do.  Without your physician’s guidance, you could be putting your health further at risk by eliminating certain foods, or eating those that have ingredients that could harm your health.

Another reason it’s a good idea to go with a trusted weight loss clinic is the physical activity factor.  If you have heart disease or are obese and haven’t exercised in years, it’s important that you start slowly, as vigorous exercise could actually put your health in jeopardy.  By choosing a reputable clinic staffed with a doctor, nutritionist, dietician and qualified fitness specialist, you can lose the weight you want to lose safely, as your health is monitored throughout the process.

It’s also important that you realize that just because a facility offers itself as a weight loss clinic, it doesn’t mean that the facility is trusted, or that you will get the individual attention and guidance necessary for safe, permanent results.  What you are looking for is a program that guides you step by step through making permanent lifestyle changes through diet and exercise, not one that makes promises of huge weight loss in a very short period of time.  You don’t want “instant” results, you want results that are gradual and that you can maintain now, and as you grow older.

When you are considering a weight loss clinic, carefully weigh your options, how much guidance you need, whether you are a self-disciplined, structured individual in good health who needs little supervision, or whether you need a full team for support and/or have medical conditions that require monitoring.  With weight loss, “quick fix” solutions rarely work, so keep this in mind and choose the right type of program for your individual needs.