The first step in your weight loss process will be to make an appointment with your physician. Let the receptionist know that you may need some extra time. Then arrive at your appointment on time and be prepared for an honest talk about your health.

You may feel slightly embarrassed talking to your doctor about your weight, but try not to worry and remember that your doctor is there to help you. If your weight is affecting your physical health, it’s time to leave embarrassment behind and talk honestly with him or her.

Plan to address any medical conditions that influence your diet and any issues that have the potential to limit your ability to exercise. You may also want to discuss medical factors that may have caused weight gain.

Then, get your questions ready. You may wish to write down questions before you go and to bring a pen and notebook to take notes as you talk.

Questions to ask include:

• Do I need to lose weight?
• What should my weight goal be?
• Is my weight related to any of my health conditions?
• Does my weight put me at risk of developing other conditions?
• Do the prescriptions I currently take contribute to weight gain?
• Is there a weight loss medication right for me?

In addition to these questions, you should also bring the details of any diet or exercise program you plan to start. Your doctor can review the plan for effectiveness and safety.

Weight loss clinics provide medical weight loss services. Physicians run medical weight loss programs. They ensure safe weight loss with lasting results. Physician-administered weight loss provides many advantages over crash diets and other techniques of dubious quality. Mainly from the drastic reduction in calories, non-medical weight loss programs tend to produce temporary results.

The problem with those methods comes down to biology: Drastic calorie cuts put the body into survival mode, where metabolism slows. Because of deprivation, the body needs a resupply of nutrition and the weight returns.

Medical weight loss prevents your body from going into survival mode. Instead of a crash diet, it changes the way you eat and teaches your body to metabolize food faster. Combined with exercise, the approach gets results quickly.

Here are a few effective weight loss programs, according to dietitians:

Intermittent fasting — Intermittent fasting is a dietary strategy that cycles between periods of fasting and eating.

Various forms exist, including the 16/8 method, which involves limiting your calorie intake to 8 hours per day, and the 5:2 method, which restricts your daily calorie intake to 500–600 calories twice per week.

Intermittent fasting cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It has been shown to aid weight loss and is linked to many other health benefits.

Plant-based diets — Plant-based diets may help you lose weight. Veganism and vegetarianism are the most popular versions, which restrict animal products for health, ethical, and environmental reasons.

However, more flexible plant-based diets also exist, such as the flexitarian diet, which is a plant-based diet that allows eating animal products in moderation. Plant-based diets restrict meat and animal products for various reasons. Studies show that they help with weight loss by reducing your calorie intake and offer many other benefits.

Low-carb diets — Low-carb diets are among the most popular diets for weight loss. Examples include the Atkins diet, ketogenic (keto) diet, and low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) diet.

Some varieties reduce carbs more drastically than others.

If you or someone you know is facing a problem with overweight or obesity, you’re one of the 100 million people in the United States. But do not lose hope, Metabolic Medical Center is here to help! We have experienced staff in helping people lose weight, so contact our office today to get in touch with a specialist. To book an appointment, call us or visit us online! We serve patients from Mount Pleasant SC, Irmo SC, West Ashley SC, Murrells Inlet SC, Columbia SC, Bluffton SC, Sullivans Island SC, Isle of Palms SC, Daniel Island SC, Charleston SC, James Island SC, North Charleston SC, Pawleys Island SC, Myrtle Beach SC, Hilton Head SC, and Hardeeville SC.