About 52% of American adults want to lose weight, according to a recent Gallup poll. However, achieving and maintaining that goal isn’t straightforward. Without the right support, it’s easy to fall back into old habits or make food choices that don’t align with your needs.
At Vitality Center of Charlotte, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael Trombley, MD, and Richard Boulware, PA-C, offer personalized medical weight loss programs for adults. Here’s what you need to know:
A medical weight loss program is a structured treatment plan designed to help people lose weight and keep it off. Instead of a single approach, it relies on a combination of nutritional guidance, exercise coaching, and medication when necessary to improve overall health.
Research indicates that participants in medical weight loss programs lose 5% of their body weight on average and are more likely to experience lasting results.
Our team tailors medical weight loss programs to each patient’s goals and needs. Even so, most programs include multiple steps:
To lose weight, most people need to change their diet. You don’t have to stop eating your favorite treats altogether, but a focus on good nutrition is crucial. Needs vary, but many people benefit from the balanced nutrition offered by the Mediterranean and Nordic diets.
These diets emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. They provide a variety of nutrients without overloading on carbs, sugars, or salt. Nutrient-dense foods can help you feel fuller longer and reduce cravings for less healthy snacks.
Lasting weight loss typically involves burning more calories than you consume. One of the best ways to achieve this goal is to exercise for at least 30 minutes, most days of the week.
Many people assume exercise means weightlifting, running on a treadmill, or swimming laps. These are all great for burning calories and building muscle, but countless other activities can help you get back into shape.
After discussing your goals, reviewing your health history, and completing a physical exam, we can recommend exercises that align with your interests and fitness level. Often, low-impact activities such as walking and cycling are enough to help people hit their weight loss targets.
Good nutrition and regular exercise aren’t always enough to maintain lasting results. After losing 15-20 pounds, people often see their results plateau. While discouraging, it’s normal because your metabolism can adapt over time and slow the rate at which you burn calories.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, prescription medications, such as GLP-1s, can help. These drugs may help you feel fuller longer and make it easier to ignore cravings for snacks and desserts. Along with improved nutrition and exercise, they may accelerate your results.
Being unable to lose weight is sometimes linked to hormonal imbalances. Perimenopause, menopause, and low testosterone (low T) can all affect metabolism and how the body regulates weight.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that menopausal women who combined hormone therapy with weight loss medication lost 35% more weight than women who used medication alone.
You’re probably a good candidate for medical weight loss if you’ve tried to lose weight on your own but can’t make long-term progress.
That’s especially true if you struggle with traditional dieting or have underlying medical conditions worsened by your weight, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Even if you don’t have other health conditions, medical weight loss often makes sense if you have trouble staying motivated or prefer professional guidance. When you hit a plateau or experience a setback, having an expert in your corner can make a huge difference.
To see if you can benefit from a medical weight loss program, contact Vitality Center of Charlotte today by calling 980-890-5489 or using online scheduling.
