By Crystal Moulton, OSF HealthCare Weight Loss Program Specialist
The goal of permanent weight loss is one shared by many, but the journey towards achieving that goal can be challenging.
A combination of medical, surgical, behavioral, and lifestyle modifications are most effective to reach long-term weight loss.
Our goal really is to provide an option that is preventive medicine. For example, lowering health risks, preventing disease, and decreasing medical bills.
The main focus is that we must make healthy eating and regular exercise a lifestyle. Our culture is extremely challenging in that high-calorie foods are readily available, and, in the last several decades, our activity as a nation has decreased significantly. Those things make it more difficult for people to lose weight and be successful.
In addition to efforts such as nutritional counseling and fitness and exercise guidance and educational classes, some people may need more intervention to help them in their weight-loss journey.
One option is the Health Management Resources program (HMR), which has been named a Best Weight-Loss Diet in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Diets of 2017 Rankings. This is the third year in a row HMR has been included in the annual rankings list. This year it won two awards, one for fastest weight loss (ranked No.1) and a second for general weight loss (ranked No. 4). The specialized diet is offered at three OSF HealthCare hospitals, including OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
The program focuses on learning the importance of modification. HMR helps patients develop skills with the use of meal replacements and by utilizing fruits and vegetables. The program supports participants by adding accountability and weekly education. HMR also incorporates exercise into patients’ daily routine and gives them a chance to do things outside their comfort zone.
HMR participants get the constant support of health experts who believe a diet should promote healthy lifestyle changes. This makes weight loss easier to maintain.
The educational component of HMR makes the program unique compared to others, as it teaches patients to explore new healthy behaviors with high levels of problem solving. Over the course of the program, patients develop strategies on how to lead a healthier lifestyle in today’s society. The daily habits that caused them to gain weight become a part of the past, and their new healthier lifestyle becomes a daily routine.
Surgical options, such as Lap-Band® — the original gastric banding system for patients struggling with weight or obesity — combines the behavioral part as well. Those who have the procedure also see a dietitian and exercise physiologist. Those eligible for Lap-Band should be at least 30 pounds overweight and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 35 and 45 — although that may depend on a person’s health insurance requirements.
When a patient gets frustrated, I typically have them really think about why they want to lose weight and keep reminding them of that. It’s hard not to get wrapped up in the numbers on the scale. Some people are trying to avoid those big picture health issues. Some people just want to simply be able to play with their grandchild.
It’s about their quality of life and their end goal.
The OSF Weight Management Center recently moved to 1701 E. College Ave., Bloomington, to offer patients a more convenient and comfortable environment. The Center offers both surgical, Lap-Band®, and non-surgical, HMR program, weight loss options. Free informational meetings for both options are held monthly and weekly, respectively. Call 309-661-5040 for more information or visit osfhealthcare.org/st-joseph/services/weight-management.