People looking to begin the New Year with a plan to improve their health can save 50 percent on their first two sets of classes by registering before the end of 2019. The program discount includes support from a physician and a staff of weight-loss counselors from the Doctors’ Weight Management Team.

January orientation sessions are opening to introduce individuals to a method that has helped hundreds of patients lose thousands of pounds with the medically based, behavioral weight management system.

Sansum Clinic endocrinologist Dr. Christopher Donner forged the partnership between HMR Weight Management Program and Sansum Clinic in 1986 and continues to lead the Doctors’ Weight Management program, known for its fast and safe weight loss.

The program addresses high blood pressure, diabetes (and pre-diabetes), metabolic syndrome, joint pain, and other illnesses and conditions associated with weight management and obesity. Patients use HMR Weight Management’s meal replacements as the foundation of the diet. Classes meet weekly at Sansum’s Hitchcock site.

Dr. Donner answers questions on how the weight management program works:

Q: With 73 percent of men and 70 percent of women in the U.S. being designated as overweight or obese, why is it more difficult for people to lose weight than it was 30 years ago (when the rates were around 40 percent)?
A: The math is frustrating, but straightforward. As a culture, we are overeating and under exercising.

Q: Why is medical supervision such an important part of this program?
A: Many of our patients are high-risk, meaning they have medical problems that require constant attention. We are dedicated to not only weight loss, but doing this in a safe and medically rigorous fashion.

Q: How can fast weight loss be healthy?
A: In the 1970s, liquid diets, because of the poor protein source, resulted in some significant medical complications including loss of life.  The stigma has actually carried forward over the decades.  Our program uses a healthy and compatible protein source that is safe and effective for rapid weight loss.  The overall goal is to lose fat not muscle protein.

Q: How could meal replacements (aka packaged food) be healthy? Wouldn’t it be better to eat my own food?  Wouldn’t someone have to eat meal replacements forever to keep weight off?
A: Meal replacements are the backbone of our program and have been shown in multiple scientific studies to be safe and effective. Most of us, on our own diets, overestimate our exercise and underestimate our caloric intake. Meal replacements solve this dilemma.

Q: What do you see are things that make people successful in losing weight on this program?
A: Our three program foundations support success. 1. Structure: Meal replacements and physical activity. 2. Support: Expert staff and medical backup. 3. Maintenance program to instill healthy eating habits to maintain weight loss and health.

The Doctors’ Weight Management Program counselors along with Manager Donna Gill provide additional years of experience and expertise. Their collective insights help patients to achieve their weight loss goals and improve their health.

To get 50 percent off, pay for first set of four Phase 1 classes (four weeks of classes) by Dec. 31, and commit to start the in-clinic weekly Phase 1 classes anytime in January. Then, continue to get 50 percent off next set of four Phase 1 classes.
 
To get started, sign up for an orientation session to learn about the program. Email hmrprogram@sansumclinic.org or call 805-563-6190.

— Nicole Young for Sansum Clinic.