Serious about losing weight?

Published 10:06 pm Monday, January 5, 2009

By Staff
For those serious about losing weight and getting healthy in 2009 – Lakeland HealthCare is bringing out opportunities to learn how to burn off those extra inches and pounds with two upcoming programs taking place in Niles.
Lakeland Nutrition Counseling, in cooperation with Lakeland Rehabilitation Services and the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, will be holding a new set of classes for its Fitness and Lifestyle Improvement Plan (FLIP).
The program is designed to help participants learn how good nutrition and exercise can help create a solution for successful weight management.
Classes for the eight-week FLIP program, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20, will be held at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St., Niles. Participants may choose to register for classes for either noon or 6 p.m.
The FLIP program includes:
A two-month membership to the Niles-Buchanan YMCA
Pre- and post-program assessment of weight, body composition, girth measurement, blood pressure, and cardiovascular fitness
Eight-week hands-on nutrition education classes
Proven techniques to help foster a healthy relationship with food
Personalized exercise prescription and meal plans that promote maximum body fat loss
Complimentary FLIP support groups upon completion of the program
"This safe and proven weight management program is a great way to reduce body fat, increase self esteem, make a positive lifestyle change and have fun in the process," said Amy Lockwood, a Registered Dietician with Lakeland. "FLIP participants can feel comfortable improving their health and losing weight because the program's instructors are clinical experts who specialize in nutrition and fitness counseling."
Marilyn Riley of Baroda, a past FLIP participant, said, "After the first four weeks in FLIP, I lost 17 pounds and inches everywhere. Now that I know how to eat and exercise, I am still losing weight. I wish I had joined FLIP a long time ago."
Total cost for the eight-week FLIP program is $250 per participant.
Space in FLIP is limited, and pre-registration is required.
On Jan. 14 at the Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center, 6 Longmeadow Drive, in Niles a free seminar will be held also focusing on weight loss. "Losing Weight…Finding Yourself," will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan.14, at the center.
Dr. Michael Schuhknecht, considered one of Michigan's most experienced bariatric surgeons, and staff members of the Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center will discuss programs available for losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight for years to come.
The Lakeland Comprehensive Weight Loss Center specializes in working with each person to create a customized lifestyle plan, including medical weight loss management through diet or bariatric surgery, nutrition counseling, individualized exercise programs, and monthly support groups.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 127 million adults in the United States are overweight and obese. Individuals more than 40 percent overweight are twice as likely to die prematurely as someone of average weight.
However, the good news is that losing as little as 5-15 percent of your initial body weight can reduce your risk of diabetes and other illnesses, and can even eliminate your need for some medications.
Future "Losing Weight…Finding Yourself" seminars will be held at Lakeland facilities in both Niles and St. Joseph monthly.
For more information on the free seminar or to register, please call (269) 687-4673 or (877) 467-3858, or visit www.lakelandhealth.org/weightloss.
For more information on Lakeland's FLIP program or to register, please call (269) 687-1823.