Here at Fluvanna Health and Wellness we are focused on your overall health. I strongly believe we just all want to feel well, have good energy, and be the best we can be for ourselves, our community, and our families. For a lot of us, weight loss and weight maintenance is a large part of this. Over the past year 15 years I have struggled with my weight and this ultimately led to daily fatigue and frustration. The number on the scale wouldn’t move in the right direction consistently. This year I have finally been successful in focusing on my health. I have lost 75 pounds within the past year and I feel so much better. As I was finding success and more and more of our patients were requesting this service we began provided weight loss support here in clinic.
Weight loss medications have become an increasingly popular option for individuals striving to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. While diet and exercise remain fundamental components of any weight loss journey, I believe medications can provide valuable support. There’s no magic in the medicine but it has proved to be an effective tool especially for those facing challenges with obesity or related health conditions. Over the past 5-10 years many changes have occurred in the weight loss medication space. We have more options than ever before and those that have struggled for years now have assistance in obtaining overall health and sustainable weight loss. Unfortunately these medications can be expensive if insurance won’t cover it so we have created different self pay options to increase affordability and increase access here in our community.
Weight loss medications are designed to assist individuals in achieving and sustaining a healthier body weight. For many people, particularly those with obesity or significant weight-related health concerns, traditional methods like diet and exercise may not yield sufficient results alone. Diet and exercise will always be an important part of any weight loss journey but many of can attest to the fact that this alone does not always work. Medications offer an additional tool to help control appetite, reduce food cravings, and enhance metabolism, making it easier for individuals to adhere to a calorie-controlled diet and achieve their weight loss goals.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2019-2020, approximately 42.4% of adults in the United States were classified as obese. Obesity is associated with numerous health risks, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. By facilitating weight loss, medications can help lower these risks and improve overall health outcomes. Studies have shown that even modest weight loss can lead to significant improvements in metabolic parameters such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, reducing the likelihood of developing obesity-related complications. Patients here in our clinic have found success using a combination of medication, diet, and lifestyle changes to lose the weight they needed to shed- whether it be 15 lbs or 100!
Excess weight can take a toll on physical health, but it can also impact mental and emotional well-being. Many individuals struggling with obesity experience reduced mobility, chronic pain, low self-esteem, poor sleep, food cravings, and depression. Weight loss medications can help alleviate these issues by enabling individuals to achieve a healthier weight, improving mobility, self-image, and overall quality of life. Enhanced physical fitness and confidence resulting from weight loss can empower individuals to engage more fully in daily activities and pursue their personal and professional goals with renewed vigor. As I lost weight, I felt increasingly motivated to exercise and found it was easier to accomplish the tasks I was trying. I even bought a rowing machine!
One of the challenges of weight loss is maintaining the achieved results over the long term. Weight loss medications, when used as part of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention, can contribute to sustainable weight maintenance by helping individuals adopt healthier eating habits and activity patterns. Like I said there’s no magic in the medication but rather its a tool to help us achieve success. These medications can serve as a bridge during the initial phases of weight loss, providing support and momentum while individuals establish long-lasting behavior changes that promote weight management.
Most patients here in the clinic have opted for the weekly injections (Semaglutide or Tirzepatide) but there’s other options as well. Different medications work through various mechanisms and may be more suitable for certain individuals based on factors such as medical history, lifestyle, and preferences. We can work with you to identify the most appropriate medication and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and goals. Weight loss is not a one size (or one medication) fits all. This individualized approach maximizes the likelihood of success while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.
Weight loss medications offer valuable benefits for overall health by facilitating weight management, reducing obesity-related health risks, enhancing quality of life, supporting long-term weight maintenance, and enabling a personalized treatment approach. We understand the struggle and we want to help you find success. Please feel free to reach out. We would love to help.
