IN Canon-Mac Winter 2016 | Page 21

INDUSTRY INSIGHT WEIGHT LOSS SPONSORED CONTENT ARE YOU REALLY READY TO LOSE WEIGHT? CALL TODAY! O ver the last 20-plus years our clinic has helped thousands of patients lose thousands of pounds. During that time we have seen many fad diet approaches come and go. Everything from high carbohydrate, fat free, low-carb and high protein, to diet pills, shots, and lipolasers. The question is: What really works? Our extensive clinical experience and expertise tell us moderation – not deprivation – gets the job done. Our approach consists of three equally important phases: weight loss, stabilization and maintenance. During the weight loss phase of the program, we determine a realistic goal weight and timeframe to achieve that goal. This initial phase focuses on two critical components. First, we establish ground rules for a patient’s eating habits and, second, we teach nutrition. We don’t have the patient counting calories, using confusing exchanges, or tracking points to lose the weight. We have found that approach to be a short-term solution to a long-term problem. With our system, the patient undergoes laboratory evaluation, body composition testing and extensive medical and diet histories, then that data is used to design a comprehensive customized plan that enables patients to lose 3-5 pounds per week without feeling hungry. All the food selections are store-bought and restaurant foods. We have created and trademarked our custom weight loss formulas, which have all the vitamins and minerals needed to complete RDAs as well as all the vital nutrients that promote weight loss. We use a bariatric protein supplement that protects the patient’s muscle and enhances the patient’s weight loss. During the stabilization phase of the program, we slowly reintroduce all the restricted foods back into the patient’s diet. By the end of the stabilization process the patients are able to choose from any food available. They learn how their bodies react to certain foods and which foods should be limited. The final and most important phase is the maintenance portion of the program. We address obesity or being overweight like any other chronic disease process. Keeping the weight off requires long-term management. If you are a diabetic and take insulin to correct your sugar levels to an acceptable level, it does not mean you’re no longer a diabetic. It means you are managing your disease. If you stop taking insulin, your sugar levels go back up. Losing weight is very similar. Just because you lose weight doesn’t mean you no longer have a weight problem. It just means you’re managing your obesity. If you return to old eating habits, you will gain all the weight back plus more. For that reason we use a computer applic