In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy weight can feel like an uphill battle. Between demanding work schedules, family responsibilities, and social commitments, prioritizing health and nutrition often takes a backseat. Fad diets may offer fleeting hope, but they often lead to frustration and disappointment. For those seeking a lasting solution, Unity weight loss programs offer a comprehensive and medically supervised approach to achieving sustainable weight loss and improved overall well-being.
Who Can Benefit from Unity Weight Loss Programs?
Unity weight loss programs are designed to support a diverse range of individuals. These programs are particularly beneficial for those:
- With a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 27
- Experiencing obesity-related health issues
- Diagnosed with hypertension
- Managing Type 2 diabetes
- Struggling with high cholesterol
- Seeking additional support after undergoing bariatric surgery
- Who have tried countless diets or exercise plans without lasting success
However, Unity weight loss programs may not be suitable for:
- Patients seeking rapid, unsafe weight loss
- Individuals with conditions requiring specialized hospital-based care
The Unity Approach: A Holistic Path to Weight Loss
At Unity, the focus extends beyond just the number on the scale. Recognizing that weight loss is a multifaceted journey, their approach addresses both biological and environmental factors that contribute to weight gain. Unity weight loss programs combine functional medicine, advanced therapies, and personalized lifestyle plans to help individuals shed weight safely, improve energy levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Comprehensive Care and Long-Term Support
Unity's Medical Weight Management Clinic provides comprehensive care, including frequent visits over time to support the development of healthy habits for long-term weight loss. Treatment is provided by highly trained doctors specializing in medical weight management, all working closely together to provide the best care at every stage of treatment.
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Personalized Plans Tailored to Individual Needs
Understanding that every individual is unique, Unity weight loss programs emphasize a personalized approach. A comprehensive evaluation is conducted to create a customized plan that addresses specific needs, health conditions, and weight loss goals. This personalized plan is backed by scientific evidence that works with your specific genetic makeup.
Advanced Medical Weight Loss Techniques
Unity weight loss programs incorporate advanced medical techniques to enhance the weight loss journey. These techniques may include:
- Prescription medications, such as semaglutide.
- Hormone therapy
- Other minimally invasive procedures
Semaglutide: A Key Component
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor antagonist, plays a significant role in Unity's medical weight loss programs. It works safely by:
- Suppressing appetite: Semaglutide affects the brain's appetite control centers, increasing the feeling of fullness and reducing hunger.
- Slowing digestion: This prolongs the sensation of fullness after meals and helps reduce the frequency and amount of food consumed.
- Regulating blood sugar: Stable blood sugar levels can reduce cravings and the tendency to overeat, particularly foods high in sugar and fat.
- Increasing insulin secretion: Semaglutide stimulates the release of insulin when you eat, which helps control your blood glucose level and increase your insulin sensitivity, ultimately contributing to weight loss.
Benefits of Choosing a Unity Weight Loss Program
Opting for a Unity weight loss program offers several advantages over traditional weight loss methods:
- Personalized approach: Customized plans address individual needs and goals.
- Safety: Licensed healthcare professionals supervise the program, monitoring progress and ensuring safety.
- Sustainable results: The focus is on making lasting lifestyle changes for long-term weight management.
- Improved overall health: Weight loss can lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and overall quality of life.
What to Expect from a Unity Weight Loss Program
Embarking on a Unity weight loss program involves a structured and supportive process:
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- Consultation: The journey begins with a consultation to discuss health history, weight loss goals, and program options.
- Comprehensive Assessment: A thorough evaluation is conducted to assess current health status and identify any underlying factors affecting weight.
- Personalized Plan Development: A customized weight loss plan is created, incorporating medical interventions, nutrition guidance, exercise recommendations, and behavioral counseling.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Support: Regular check-ins with healthcare professionals ensure progress is monitored, adjustments are made as needed, and support is provided throughout the journey.
Nutrition Guidance
Unity weight loss programs provide tailored nutrition guidance to support healthy eating habits. Patients receive individualized meal plans and physical activity recommendations along with coaching through behavior changes to help reach weight loss goals. This includes:
- Working with a registered dietitian, food, diet and nutrition expert.
- Learning to make healthier versions of traditional recipes by using ingredients with less fat and salt.
- Considering beans in place of higher-fat meats.
Mental Health Support
Recognizing the emotional and psychological aspects of weight loss, Unity weight loss programs may include mental health counseling. A psychiatric counselor can provide mental health counseling for overweight and obese patients.
Physical Activity Recommendations
Staying active is crucial for weight loss and overall health. Unity weight loss programs encourage incorporating physical activity into daily life. This includes:
- Exercise tolerance testing to evaluate your progress and some can be done right in our clinic.
- Working with exercise physiologist.
- Finding ways to add more movement to your day, such as walking during shopping trips, taking the stairs, and parking farther away.
- Planning activities that don’t involve eating, such as volunteering or trying a seasonal activity like ice skating or winter hiking.
Measuring Success and Adjusting the Plan
With the Healthy Lifestyles Program, patients meet regularly with the nurse practitioner, registered dietitian and exercise physiologist to monitor progress. Objective and behavioral markers will be recorded at each visit to measure patient progress toward overall goals. Our health specialists will work with you to set weight loss goals and make changes to achieve them.
The Timeline for Seeing Results
The timeline for experiencing results with a Unity weight loss program varies depending on individual factors, such as:
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- Starting weight
- Existing health conditions
- Adherence to the program
While some patients may notice changes within a few weeks, others may require more time to achieve their goals. Consistency and commitment are key to success.
UnityPoint Clinic Weight Loss: A Center of Excellence
UnityPoint Clinic Weight Loss is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery as a MBSAQIP Comprehensive Center for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.
Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® has recognized Iowa Methodist Medical Center as one of the first health care facilities in the nation, and one of the only three hospitals in Iowa to Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery®.
UnityPoint Clinic employs certified professional and fellowship trained surgeons who are national leaders and have paved the way in weight loss surgery. Our team of specialists and care continue to be recognized.
We are a designated Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery from the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). For this designation, the ASMBS requires the hospital or institution to perform at least 125 bariatric surgeries per year, have a dedicated multi-disciplinary bariatric team, report long-term outcomes and submit to an on-site inspection.
Body Contouring After Weight Loss
For those who have achieved significant weight loss, Unity Med Spa offers body contouring services to address excess skin and help you look and feel your best.
Taking the First Step Towards a Healthier You
If you're ready to embark on a transformative weight loss journey, Unity weight loss programs offer a comprehensive, personalized, and medically supervised approach to help you achieve your goals. Contact Unity today to schedule a consultation and begin your path to a healthier, happier you.
Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
If better health is the gift you want to give yourself this holiday season, try these tips to add more movement to your day and healthy foods to your plate.
- Stay active
Even a few minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity can deliver some health benefits and count toward reaching the recommendations. For adults, the many benefits of physical activity include reduced short-term feelings of anxiety and better sleep.
Here are some tips for staying active during the holidays:
When shopping, walk a few quick laps around the shopping center before going into any stores.
Take the stairs at every opportunity. Look for stairs in parking garages, offices, and shopping centers. If you can’t climb the stairs all the way to where you’re going, take the elevator part of the way then take the stairs the rest of the way.
Skip the search for a close parking spot during your errands. Park farther away and walk briskly to your destination.
When friends and family gather, go for a group walk. You can make the walk more fun by turning it into a scavenger hunt. Or play an active group game in your yard or local park.
Bundle up and take a walk instead of a drive to see holiday lights.
- Eat healthy
Eating well supports muscles and bones, boosts immunity, helps the digestive system function, and helps with weight management among other health benefits. Good nutrition involves eating a variety of healthy foods. To do that during the holidays:
If you eat foods that that are high in calories, saturated fat, or added sugars, choose small portions and only eat them once in a while. Opt for healthier foods most of the time.
At parties and other gatherings, fill your plate with your favorite fruits and vegetables first, then add small portions of less healthy items.
If you are taking food to a party, make it your favorite healthy dish. Then you’ll be sure that at least one item at the party will be a healthy choice that you enjoy.
Make healthier versions of your traditional recipes by using ingredients with less fat and salt.
Spice up baked fish or chicken by adding salsa or black bean sauce.
Consider beans in place of higher-fat meats.
- Plan activities that don’t involve eating
Here are some ideas for shifting the focus away from food during the holiday season.
Volunteer in your community; it might turn into an activity you enjoy year-round.
Try a seasonal activity such as ice skating or winter hiking.
Make a “walk and talk” date with a friend or family member. Skip the blended coffee drink and explore an area that is new.
Visit that museum or exhibit you’ve been wanting to see.
Consider what new healthy traditions you can start this year.