How Effective Are Weight Loss Programs?

Around 40% of Americans are considered obese. They are at risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental health concerns like anxiety or depression. At Simply Slim Medical in Bethesda, MD, we’ve made it our mission to help people lose weight. When patients reach out to us, we develop a comprehensive, individualized weight loss program for them and keep them accountable. But how effective are these programs?

How Effective Are Weight Loss Programs?

Many people struggle to lose weight on their own, so they turn to a clinic like Simply Slim Medical. Because we understand the science behind weight loss, we can help you shed your extra pounds without putting your health at risk. We focus on modifying unhealthy behaviors, administering the right kind of medication, and keeping you accountable in the long run. When you follow our guidelines, success is highly likely.

Behavioral Modification

Almost everyone can lose weight when they adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of exercise and a nutritious, low-calorie diet. When you come to the clinic, we’ll start by evaluating your current habits to see what you’re already doing well and where you need to make some changes. We’ll start with the low-hanging fruit that is the easiest to eliminate. This might include cutting out excess alcohol, sodas, and sugary or fatty snacks.

During the initial phase of your weight loss journey, we’ll help you find alternatives for your favorite unhealthy foods and encourage you to experiment with different possibilities. Then, we’ll design a meal plan and discuss how you can prepare your meals ahead of time so you’re not tempted to go to a fast food place or buy unhealthy snacks when you’re in a rush. Behavioral modification is the most effective and least invasive way to lose weight.

Medication

There are several types of medical interventions for people struggling to get rid of their excess weight. Some of them are designed to curb appetite or make the patient feel full more quickly, while others provide the body with important nutrients that improve health. At the clinic, we often use Vitamin B12 injections to help patients who are feeling lethargic. Once they have regained their energy, they are more motivated to exercise and can lose weight more quickly.

Studies have shown that weight loss drugs help patients to shed 3-12% of their body weight within a year. While this might not sound like much, becoming 10% lighter is a great start. Patients begin to feel better about their bodies, movement becomes easier, and the risk of severe health conditions is diminished. When combined with positive lifestyle changes, medication is highly effective.

Staying Accountable on Your Weight Loss Program

Did you know that 90% of people who lose a lot of weight gain most or all of it back in the long run, and 20% of weight loss attempts fail in the first year? One of the most important reasons why many people enlist the help of professionals is that they struggle with accountability. Once the initial excitement of starting a weight loss program dissipates, they lose their motivation and go back to their old habits.

When you enroll in a program at the clinic, we’ll help you avoid this problem by checking in with you regularly. This makes you more likely to stick to the plan because you know that you’ll need to report back to us.

Your Motivation

Ultimately, the success of your weight loss journey is up to you. If you’re simply enrolling in our program because someone else pushed you to, and you don’t really believe that you need to lose weight, it’s unlikely that you’ll do well. On the other hand, you have a very high chance of success if you understand why you need to achieve a healthy weight and are motivated to do so.

Patients come to see us for various reasons. Some of them are worried about the health effects of obesity, while others no longer feel comfortable in their skin, are losing their mobility, or would like to increase their stamina. The reason why you’d like to lose weight doesn’t matter. As long as you’re enthusiastic about our program, you’re likely to see excellent results.

Should I Try to Lose Weight on My Own?

Sometimes, patients are hesitant to come to the clinic for a weight loss program because they believe that they can lose weight on their own. If you’ve never tried to get rid of your extra pounds, exercise more and choose healthier, more nutritious foods. It’s possible that you can make progress on your own, but you might find that you lose your motivation or hit a plateau after a while.

At that point, reaching out to the clinic is a good idea. We’ll help you speed up the process by administering medication and double-checking your lifestyle choices. Medical supervision is crucial when you’re using weight loss drugs because they can be dangerous when taken in the wrong dose.

Achieve Your Perfect Body Shape with the Right Weight Loss Program

A medically supervised weight loss program can be extremely effective, but only if the patient is motivated and ready to make the necessary lifestyle changes. Contact us at Simply Slim Medical in Bethesda, MD to find out more about the weight loss measures we offer. We almost always combine positive lifestyle changes with medication to help our patients achieve and maintain their dream shape.