Despite what fad diets and TV shows will tell you, losing weight is a highly personal journey – what works for your friend may not work for you. This is why certified bariatrics Rockville specialists provide customized medical weight loss programs. These are non-surgical regimens completed with the help of a medical provider designed to help you lose weight naturally. Essentially, they take into account your personal needs, medical history, current health, and lifestyle to help you lose weight your way. Here are the five stages that make up medical weight loss:
Initial Consultation
Your medical weight loss program will begin with an initial consultation with your doctor to establish your goals. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, current prescriptions, lifestyle, weight loss goals, and more. During this meeting, you can also ask questions about the program, including what it will entail, how long it will last, and more.
Counseling
After the initial meeting, your doctor will start conditioning you on how to handle the long-term commitment that is medical weight loss. This may involve multiple counseling sessions to discuss healthy food choices, positive body image, and emotional eating. Your counselor may also talk to you about diet, nutrition, and smart ways to incorporate lifestyle changes into your life.
Diet
You get energy from the food you consume, which is measured in calories. Your doctors will help you understand calories, calorie intake, burning calories, and how this translates to lost weight. Initially, they may come up with a list of low-calorie foods and help you choose the ones you like. You can then work from this first list to create a balanced, low-calorie diet that you like. Remember, the goal of medical weight loss diet is not to starve yourself – it is to create a menu and diet schedule that allows your body to burn more calories.
Exercise
Exercise is crucial to any weight loss journey. The increased activity helps your body burn calories rather than store them as fat, so you get and use more energy from the food you consume. When designing your exercise regimen, your doctor will consider your current weight, health, and lifestyle. They will then guide you through different exercise routines to help you lose weight.
Medication
If dieting and exercise are not helping you lose weight as much or as fast as anticipated, your provider may enlist the help of FDA-approved weight loss medication. These medicines work in different ways – they can help you feel fuller faster or limit your appetite. They can also make it more difficult for your body to absorb and store fat. However, these medications are always used in conjunction with dieting and exercise and never as a standalone weight loss solution.
Should You Consider Medical Weight Loss?
If you have tried every exercise regimen or diet plan you can find but still cannot shed the extra weight, it may be time to consider medical weight loss. Your weight loss specialist will work with you to create a personalized approach to weight loss involving these and more steps. You will not need to go under the knife or starve yourself. Usually, your provider will help you set realistic goals and guide you through the steps to achieving them. You can even adjust your approach as you go. Simply set your appointment to get started today.
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