What to Look for in a Weight Loss Clinic
It seems that everywhere you look, someone offers weight loss advice.
“Drink this juice for a slimmer waistline.”
“Cut out this food group and lose 10 pounds!”
“Do this exercise twice a day and transform your body.”
These tricks and tips tempt you with the promise of a simple, easy weight loss journey, but rarely do they deliver on those promises.
It’s hard to filter through the endless amount of information regarding weight loss given by health gurus and social media influencers. That’s why our team at Coastal Carolina Internal Medicine P.A. created a guide to help you determine the right fit for a weight loss program.
Weight loss isn’t as easy as fad diets claim, but it’s more attainable than you may believe. It’s all about finding a program tailored to your unique biological needs. We recommend starting your journey with a licensed medical professional at a weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, NC.
In this article, we’re offering advice about how to find the right weight loss program and clinic for you. This covers what to look for, what to avoid, and general weight loss advice.
General Advice About Weight Loss
You’ve probably read so much advice about weight loss. Every source wants to tell you what to eat and what not to eat, and the best exercises for your journey. While we have plenty of that information to share, we want to give more general advice to help you get your weight loss journey started in the right direction.
Don’t Do It Alone
The decision to lose weight is extremely personal, and one that you should make for yourself. However, this doesn’t mean that a solitary weight loss journey is necessary. It’s best to rely on a team of supporters to help you accomplish your goals.
This team can consist of family and friends, maybe even a few people who are trying to lose weight themselves. However, we also recommend relying on licensed medical professionals who can offer moral support and expert guidance.
Set Realistic Goals
Fad diets and intense workouts promise rapid weight loss, but their unsustainable nature ultimately leads to failure. Realistically, you should aim to lose a steady 1 to 2 pounds a week, which increases your chances of maintaining your results.
A weight loss clinic in Jacksonville can help you set these goals by giving you personalized advice that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Commit to Your Plan
The motivation may wear off eventually, whether you see results or not. In order to lose weight and sustain the results, you have to commit to these lifestyle changes. Not only so that the number on the scale can drop, but also because changing your diet and becoming more active can improve your overall health and quality of life.
Weight Loss Clinic: What to Avoid
Now that you understand the importance of commitment, support, and realistic goals, let’s discuss what you should avoid when looking for weight loss advice or a weight loss clinic.
❌ No Medical Supervision
The reason you’re struggling to lose weight may stem from more than just willpower. For many people, biological factors like genetics and hormones make weight loss more difficult. Other factors, including certain medications, can also contribute to stubborn weight gain. A registered nurse or physician understands these barriers and takes them into consideration when personalizing your medical weight loss.
A licensed health care professional has the knowledge and expertise to tailor a plan for you. A reliable weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, NC, should have a medical professional overseeing your journey to guide you toward effective and safe outcomes. At Coastal Carolina Internal Medicine, P.A., a registered nurse or a physician will oversee your weight loss journey, providing you with resources, guidance, and education to help you sustainably reach your goals.
❌ Negative Reviews
This may seem obvious, but unfortunately, it’s easy to miss. Whether you’re relying on a clinic (which we highly suggest) or online sources, we recommend doing the extra research and looking into their reviews to save yourself time, energy, and money. It’s best to hear what the previous patients have to say about their experiences.
❌ Quick Fix Promises
As we have stated, it’s best to lose a steady 1 to 2 pounds a week through a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. Fad diets may promise more than that amount, which can tempt you into trying them out, but that lifestyle is not sustainable. Other weight loss clinics may promise a “no exercise” weight loss plan, claiming your diet alone will suffice.
Not only does exercising help your body burn calories, but it also helps you keep the weight off. Exercises like aerobics and strength training boast other benefits, too. Weight loss often contributes to muscle loss if you don’t combine a healthy diet with physical activity. So staying active and training your muscles will keep your new, slimmer body toned and strong.
Weight Loss Clinic: What to Look For
A weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, NC, should have medical supervision, good reviews, and sustainable plans.
However, beyond that, there are more considerations to take when looking for the right clinic or program for you.
✅ Personalized Plans
There is no “one-size-fits-all” plan or secret to weight loss. Yes, weight loss relies on a calorie deficit and exercise, but those factors differ depending on your unique biology. A reputable weight loss clinic will take the time to get to know you: your lifestyle, metabolism, history with weight loss, and much more. Based on this information, your medical provider can tailor a weight loss plan to your specific needs.
✅ Science-Backed Options
Sometimes a simple diet and exercise regimen will suffice; other times, medical intervention may be necessary. Fortunately, there are a number of science-backed treatments to aid you in your weight loss journey. From medical injections like semaglutide to pharmaceutical-grade supplements, a weight loss clinic or program should offer you additional treatment options that have been heavily researched and studied.
✅ Ongoing Care
Once you receive your diagnosis and get your plan, that’s just the start. A weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, NC, should also offer you ongoing care through monthly visits to monitor your progress and offer further guidance and support. But the care shouldn’t stop once the number on the scale reflects your hard work and determination. That’s why it’s important to receive weight loss management care as well, to help you sustainably maintain your results.
Why Come to Coastal Carolina Internal Medicine P.A. for Weight Loss
At Coastal Carolina Internal Medicine, P.A.,, we not only provide science-backed plans, ongoing care, and medical supervision, but we also set realistic expectations and support you throughout your journey. Don’t just take our word for it—see what others are saying about our practice on Google Reviews and Health Grades. From start to finish, we provide exceptional care to all patients. Here’s how.
In-Depth Consultation
We take the time to fully understand your weight loss journey up to this point. We talk through your previous attempts, review your current diet and activity level, and discuss your goals regarding how much weight you would like to lose. After the conversation, we measure your body fat percentage using the Styku body scanner. At our weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, we also perform routine blood tests, including the following:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Hemoglobin A1C
These tests give us an understanding of your unique biology and help us determine the best route for your weight loss journey.
Medical Weight Loss
Medical weight loss means more than just having a licensed medical weight loss specialist oversee your journey. It also means including science-backed options to target biological factors preventing you from reaching your goals. At Coastal Carolina Internal Medicine, P.A,, we offer the following:
- Semaglutide: A GLP-1 medication that mimics a hormone in your body responsible for appetite control. This weekly injection helps promote satiety and makes it possible to maintain a calorie deficit. It also helps regulate blood sugar and control cravings.
- Lipotropics: Injections that contain vitamins and nutrients, like vitamin B12, to promote weight loss. Lipotropics enhance liver function and aid in detoxification, encouraging the breakdown of fat.
- Herbal Supplements: Herbal supplements can boost metabolism, enhance energy, and aid in digestion. At our weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, we offer green tea extract and bitter orange extract, among others, to pair with your new diet and exercise routine.
Individualized Treatment Plans and Education
Each plan is unique to the person, and this includes medications, supplements, and diet and exercise recommendations. Throughout your journey, we’ll continue to adjust your treatment depending on your progress, and educate you on what are the best and healthiest choices to make in your weight loss journey. At Coastal Carolina Internal Medicine P.A., you’ll also have access to behavioral counseling to help understand why you feel like you can’t control your cravings.
Think You’ve Found What You’re Looking For? Request an Appointment
With our medical expertise and range of options, we can help you learn how to live a healthier lifestyle throughout your weight loss journey. For your personalized plan, you can reach out to our team and request an appointment.
You can also try our treatment planning tool. This option allows you to pinpoint key areas of the body that you’re concerned with and streamline the process.
Once we receive your submission, a member of our team will reach out with your available appointment times and potential treatment options. Remember, we are more than a weight loss clinic in Jacksonville, NC—we also offer men’s and women’s health services, diabetes screening, and more.
