If you have ever tried to lose weight or improve your fitness before, you know that doing so doesn't just happen overnight or by accident. It takes dedication and careful planning. Part of the careful planning should include exercise evaluation. Having an exercise evaluation at the beginning of your weight loss journey and routinely throughout can lead to better results for many reasons.

Better Results with Exercise Evaluations

Exercise evaluations can help you identify your current fitness level and strengths and weaknesses, as well as establish goals for your weight loss and fitness program. In turn, it can help you stay motivated and on track to improve your health and drop those unwanted pounds.

Here are some ways exercise evaluation can help you get better results:

• Set goals: You can learn more about your body and create more specific goals that are beneficial for your overall health. You can clarify short-, intermediate-, and long-term goals. Clearly defined goals can provide motivation to get better results.
• Establish training needs: You can identify areas of improvement and compare your progress over time to the initial assessment. Being able to see and measure your progress can also help motivate you and lead to better weight loss results.
• Determine appropriate exercise intensity: You can establish appropriate intensities and durations of exercise. By fine-tuning your exercise, you can make it more effective.
• Identify areas of potential injury: You can identify areas of injury prior to program initiation. Knowing the potential can help you avoid injury and keep you on track to meet your weight loss goals.

You can consider scheduling a fitness assessment as part of your regular wellness routine, such as once a year or every few months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Exercise and Weight Loss

I am 52 Years Old and Female; Am I Simply Too Old to Lose Weight Easily?

No, you are never too old. No matter your age, if you consume less calories than you burn, you will lose weight. Most studies show a link between aging and weight loss. Still, the issue isn't just age itself or a slowing metabolism. In fact, decreased movement is the biggest reason for weight gain as people age. Even though females typically eat similar amounts as they did when they were younger, they tend to exercise less as they age.

How Can I Make Sure that I'm Burning Fat and Not Muscle During My Workouts?

Two main factors will contribute to you burning muscle instead of fat:

• If your calorie intake is too low, then your body has no choice but to break down muscle for energy. Incorporating exercise and not cutting calories too low can help prevent this loss of muscle.
• You use more muscle the longer your exercise session lasts. In continuous exercise lasting over an hour, muscle can supply up to 10 percent of the energy used.

Limiting muscle loss involves following a sensible, reduced-calorie diet and maximizing your cardio workouts by increasing the intensity, not just the duration.

South County Weight and Wellness: Your Partners in Weight Loss and Health

At The Weight and Wellness Institute, we offer tailored weight loss programs that include exercise evaluations. This way, we can help you stay on track and get the results you deserve.

Call our Cranston, RI, office at 401-895-9937 to schedule an appointment for a consultation and learn more about our exercise program services today.

Weight management can improve your overall health and your outlook on life. When you decide to take control of your health, you may not know where to start.

The media presents conflicting information about food, diet, and exercise. Following the latest fads may be ineffective and dangerous to your health. Over-the-counter supplements and diet aids do not work for many people. People who want to lose weight may feel hopeless.

If you want to lose weight, consider a medically supervised program. We can help you change your life by supporting healthy weight loss and keeping it off using continuing support.

Impact on Your Overall Health

Over two out of three American adults are overweight or have obesity. When the body reaches an unhealthy weight, many health consequences could result.

The most severe conditions doctors link to obesity include diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. High cholesterol, joint pain, and fatty liver disease can also occur. These conditions pose serious health risks, and all can be improved by losing weight.

 

Lowering your body weight by at least 5% to 10% can lead to better health outcomes. Your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol will drop. Many people are interested in losing more weight than this, and we can help you do it safely.

Long-term benefits of weight loss include a lower risk of health problems and a longer life.

More Energy

When you lose weight and start a healthy exercise habit, you will have more energy. You will be able to keep up with family members, and you will have more motivation to exercise. Joint pain should improve, and you can pursue the activities you once loved.

Feeling Good About Yourself

Many overweight people feel uncomfortable with their bodies. They may avoid social situations or activities like swimming. After losing weight, you will feel better emotionally and in terms of self-esteem. You will be proud of your accomplishment.

Losing Weight and Keeping it Off

Weight loss is more than a simple equation of calories you eat versus how much you burn. Losing weight requires reevaluating your relationship with food and exercise. It can be challenging from a physical and emotional standpoint.

 

People who try to lose weight on their own sometimes fail because they do not have adequate support. Medically supervised weight loss programs provide physician guidance and professional support, raising your chances of success.

Programs We Offer

At The Weight and Wellness Institute, we offer many services to meet your needs. They include behavioral counseling, tailored exercise programs, dietary counseling, individual support, and the Optifast meal replacement system. We can adapt our programs to meet your needs, and we have special programs for those with diabetes.

Call the Weight and Wellness Institute

If you have decided it's time to make a change, call our Cranston, RI office at 401-895-9937. We can schedule a consultation and help you begin your weight loss journey.

The Weight and Wellness Institute is Rhode Island's exclusive distributor of Optifast meal replacement products.

Optifast is a medically-supervised weight loss product that provides very low-calorie meal replacement. The product line includes shakes, soups, and bars that meet nutritional requirements while helping you quickly lose weight.

On average, patients lose about 70 pounds in 26 weeks. Their blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels decrease, and they can jump-start their weight loss process.

Why Choose Optifast?

Optifast is superior to over-the-counter diet replacement products because you receive it in a medical setting. Medical monitoring ensures you lose weight safely and efficiently to meet your goals. Optifast is safer and more effective than many online diet plans for these reasons.

The Optifast Process

Optifast creates safe and effective weight loss over a short time. The program begins with the Intensive Phase, which may last up to 12 weeks. This initial phase involves an intake of approximately 600 to 800 calories. You will receive all of your nutrition from Optifast, using three products per day. 

Over time, the number of meals replaced by Optifast products reduces. Finally, during the maintenance phase, you will have one meal replacement product daily.

About Our Programs

At The Weight and Wellness Institute, our program includes dietary, behavioral, group, and exercise counseling. We address all aspects of weight loss because it is a complex process involving many areas of your life.

Support is vital when you are trying to lose weight. Our individual and group counseling sessions can help you work through issues in the company of your peers.

Our doctors have many years of experience helping people lose weight. They are familiar with common problems that interfere with weight loss and how to combat them.

Am I A Good Candidate for Optifast?

Optifast can be used with patients looking to lose any amount of weight, and can also be used to improve lipids and diabetes. Special consideration is available for people with diabetes.

People who have significant weight to lose but have not been successful on an ordinary reduced-calorie diet stand to benefit from Optifast. It takes the guesswork out of menu planning and allows you to receive total nutrition in one easy product.

To be a good candidate for Optifast, you will need the determination to push through and adhere to the program. You will need to focus on your primary weight loss goals. A very low-calorie diet may be challenging to follow and require significant changes to your lifestyle. However, as you see concrete results, you will be encouraged to continue the program.

Call The Weight and Wellness Institute

If you have struggled with weight loss and need to determine your next steps, call our Cranston, RI office at 401-895-9937. We can schedule a consultation where our physician will discuss Optifast and whether you may be a good candidate for this program.

When patients need a jump start on their weight loss journey, the OPTIFAST® meal replacement system can be an essential tool. Using OPTIFAST®, patients may lose as much as 3 pounds a week for women and 5 pounds a week for men. On average, patients lose over 50 pounds during the OPTIFAST® program.

Many patients with high BMI struggle to modify their diets enough to lose weight. They may suffer from weight-related medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and joint pain. This blog will explain why OPTIFAST® is so effective and how patients can use it to succeed in their weight loss plans.

Effectiveness of OPTIFAST®

OPTIFAST® has been the subject of several medical studies. It is proven effective when used under medical supervision.

Benefits of OPTIFAST®

Medically Supervised

Patients receive dietary counseling and regular medical exams with the OPTIFAST® program at the Weight and Wellness Institute.

Maintain Nutritional Balance

OPTIFAST® is a very low-calorie option much healthier than comparable over-the-counter products. Using OPTIFAST®, patients can maintain their nutritional balance while restricting calorie intake.

Multiple Options

OPTIFAST® includes many very-low-calorie options for weight loss patients:

• Soups
• Bars
• Ready to Drink Shakes
• Shake Mix

Why Lose Weight With OPTIFAST®?

With the OPTIFAST® system, as the Weight and Wellness Institute prescribes, your chances of losing significant weight will increase. Overall benefits of weight loss include:

Less Joint Pain

Joints are not meant to support excess weight. When you are closer to your ideal body weight, you may have a lower incidence of arthritis and joint strains.

Lower Risk of Cardiovascular Issues

Heart disease and high blood pressure become more common at higher body weight.

Lower Risk of Diabetes

Being overweight leads to insulin resistance, leading to Type 2 diabetes when it goes unchecked. Type 2 diabetes is a common yet dangerous condition that can exacerbate heart disease and lead to stroke and heart attacks.

More Energy

When you lose weight, you will have fewer feelings of fatigue.

Longer Lifespan

Losing weight extends your lifespan. People who lower their body weight using OPTIFAST® may be able to enjoy their lives longer than those who are overweight or obese.

Better Self-Esteem

Excess weight leads many patients to a negative self-image. You may be happier with your appearance when you accomplish significant weight loss.

Call the Weight and Wellness Institute

We are the only certified OPTIFAST® provider in the state of Rhode Island. Our medical team and support staff can help you maximize your weight loss success and improve your overall health. Call our Cranston office at 401-895-9937 for an appointment and start your journey toward a lower body weight.

Dietary counseling is a crucial part of a successful weight loss process. A nutritionist can help you understand how different foods affect your body and make an eating plan that is healthy and results in weight loss.

During your first appointment, you can expect your nutritionist to explore your reasons for losing weight and your objectives and goals. They will review your medical history, current supplements, and medications. They will ask for details about your lifestyle, specifically your sleep, physical activity, and the stress you feel each day.

The counselor will provide actionable advice to help you lose weight while improving your health and energy levels. They may ask you to maintain a food diary for a specified period before your appointment.

Benefits of Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition counseling has several measurable benefits for people who want to lose weight:

Patients Who See Dietary Counselors Eat Healthier

Patients who see nutritionists are more likely to make healthy daily choices. The one-on-one support they receive from their nutritionist is valuable because it comes from a skilled professional whose only motivation is helping them achieve better physical and mental health.

Nutritionists Help Manage Chronic Conditions

A dietitian can help you understand how a weight-related illness like heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes affects your body and influences your ideal nutrition choices. Understanding how to manage your chronic condition can lead to more energy, better overall health, and a lower chance of future complications like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Nutritionists Accommodate Special Needs

If you must follow a gluten-free or nut-free diet, for example, a dietitian will be well-versed in how to help you create the right eating plan. Popular "one-size-fits-all" programs purchased from private companies can't do this.

Patients with Nutrition Counseling Lose More Weight

When patients have regular counseling sessions, they lose more weight. Medical studies have underscored counseling's positive impact on weight loss and health outcomes. Investing in dietary counseling makes sense because it significantly increases your chances of successful weight loss. Counseling can also help you keep the weight off.

The Value of Nutrition Counseling

A significant lifestyle change can be challenging to achieve. Changing to a nutritionally sound eating plan may be physically and emotionally difficult if you have followed an unhealthy diet. Fortunately, a dietary counselor can help you overcome the obstacles that keep you from permanently losing weight.

Call the Weight and Wellness Institute

Weight loss is more than numbers on a scale. It involves changing how you live, from food to physical activity. Dietary counseling makes the process easier and provides a vital source of support during this sometimes arduous process.

Call our Cranston office at 401-895-9937 for an appointment and discover how dietary counseling can support your weight loss goals.

The Weight and Wellness Institute uses OPTIFAST® in its weight loss programs. We are the only certified provider of OPTIFAST® in Rhode Island.

OPTIFAST® is a meal replacement system that can help with weight loss. It is more nutritionally balanced than over-the-counter alternatives and prescribed under medical supervision. 

Weight loss varies based on doing the full fast or the partial program and depends on starting weight, gender, adherence and physical activity Typically, women may lose to 1-3 pounds a week while men lose up to 2-5 pounds per week.

Over the 26-week treatment, patients can expect to lose 30 to 50 pounds or more.

How Does OPTIFAST® Work?

OPTIFAST® is a nutritionally complete, restricted-calorie meal replacement system. It consists of shakes, bars, and soups that take the place of regular meals and snacks.

During the initial treatment phase, patients typically consume between 600 to 800 calories per day. This low-calorie intake can trigger a state called ketosis, in which it burns fat to create energy. Patients add healthy whole foods to their diets in later stages and eventually reach a maintenance level.

Deciding Whether OPTIFAST® is Right For You

You may be a good candidate for OPTIFAST® if:

• You need to lose a significant amount of weight (over 30 pounds)
• You are experiencing weight-related symptoms like fatigue and joint pain
• You are at risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, or other weight-related medical conditions
• You have not been able to achieve success with other weight loss plans

Other Support Provided

At the Weight and Wellness Institute, we understand that weight loss is more than a number on a scale and requires personal effort on many different fronts. Emotional and physical changes are equally important, along with building positive habits. Our weight loss program provides counseling, nutritional planning, exercise, and group support.

Explore Your Options

As you decide how to approach your weight, remember to focus on staying healthy. A medically supervised program like OPTIFAST® is a better choice than an over-the-counter weight loss product that may be untested and unsafe.

Call the Weight and Wellness Institute

If you have been struggling with your body weight for a long time and haven't succeeded with other diet plans, you may benefit from OPTIFAST®. This safe and effective system can accelerate your weight loss while keeping you healthy.

Call the Weight and Wellness Institute today at 401-895-9937 to set up an appointment for a consultation and discover how OPTIFAST® can help you achieve your goals.

Losing weight, getting healthy, and feeling your very best is often at the top of the list for many people - though the follow-through is often tough. Under the careful supervision of experienced medical staff, the Optifast program offers the ability to finally get the weight off and transform your health. And it has been proven to be an effective weight loss solution. 

Before starting any new program such as Optifast, it is common to have questions. How does it work? And can you eat food on the Optifast program? Let’s take a closer look. 

 

How Does the Optifast Program Work?

The Optifast program consists of different phases in which regular food is replaced with portion-controlled shakes, soups, and snack bars. It is designed to help those who are considered need to lose weight and improve their health. It is possible to lose 15-20 lbs or up to well over 100 lbs on Optifast

The program is designed to work in phases depending on the amount of weight needed to be lost. Your needs will be addressed by a medical professional throughout the entire process to ensure that you are getting the right amount of nutrition and that all your health goals are being met.

Optifast also includes a focus on nutritional counseling, exercise and fitness, behavioral intervention, and support groups. Maintaining any weight loss requires that you address many areas of life - not just what you put into your mouth. And the Optifast program understands this. 

 

Aside from losing weight, there are many benefits to following the Optifast program, including: 

• Lower blood pressure 
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood sugar
• Reduce arthritis pain
• Maintain a healthy diet with all the vitamins and nutrients you need

 

Can You Eat Food on the Optifast Program?

Whether or not you can eat food on the Optifast program depends on where you are at in the program itself as there are a number of different phases. Regardless of where you start, the idea is to work toward returning to having normal foods as an everyday part of your life.  

Some individuals first start out on a diet that consists of nothing but Optifast meal replacement supplements. This includes shakes and soups. No other food is to be consumed if using the full liquid protocol.. How long you remain in this phase is customized for each person, but it is typically about 20 weeks.

Some individuals may start with a diet that consists of one meal containing regular foods per day - and the rest will be Optifast supplements. Again, the timeframe will be customized. 

Those who started on the full liquid diet will move to this protocol as their next step after doing the full liquid diet for some time.

After the weight comes off and you have undergone counseling and have a solid support group, the medical professionals will help you transition back into eating all regular foods without any Optifast supplements.

It can be challenging to regain control over food in a healthy way which is why support remains available for counseling, nutrition, and exercise to yield the greatest success. 

 

Learn More About Optifast

Are you interested in learning if Optifast is right for you? Under the professional care of the team at The Weight and Wellness Institute, you can lose weight and gain health.

To learn more or to get started, contact us today at  401-895-9937 . Or, request an appointment online.

Losing weight and boosting your overall health and wellness is tough - especially when you don’t know where to turn. There are so many fad diets that get promoted, as well as influencers on social media who claim to have the secret to weight loss all figured out. 

Sometimes, you just need to turn to the experts. And since Optifast is a medically-supervised weight loss program, you know your health is in the right hands. 

So, what is Optifast and how does it work? Let’s take a look. 

 

What is Optifast?

Optifast is a nutritional supplement that is used as part of a comprehensive weight loss program. Our programs are monitored by medical professionals and include the use of these well-designed supplements. The Optifast supplements are state of the art supplements designed to provide excellent nutrition in a reduced number of calories which allows for enhanced weight loss. We have created nutritional protocols using varying numbers of Optifast supplements per day.

One such program involves a full-liquid diet. Here, the patient will replace all meals with Optifast supplements. This includes a variety of soups, bars, ready-to-drink shakes, and shake mixes that are all available to use. The average time patients spend in this program is about 20 weeks. 

Another Optifast program includes a partial liquid diet. This uses both real food and Optifast supplements. Patients will have one daily meal of solid food while the rest of the consumption will be any of the various supplements. The average time patients spend in this program is about 20 weeks. 

Those who have used either of the above Optifast programs will eventually transition back into eating real food with the help of their support team. The medical staff will then continue to monitor the patient to provide the greatest chance for success. 

Keep in mind that your team of medical experts will determine the best way to adjust the program to meet your needs. Patients with certain restrictions, special needs, or medical conditions (such as diabetes) may still be able to participate in the Optifast program as long as it is tailored to meet their needs by the medical team. 

 

More Than Just Food

Diets that focus solely on food are bound to fail in the long run. 

Reaching successful weight loss and adopting a healthy lifestyle means being able to understand yourself on a deeper level - and giving yourself the support you need. The Optifast program is not just about food or supplements. 

Throughout the program, patients intend group meetings or individual check-ins. They will meet with nutrition counselors to help teach them about food and how to have a healthy relationship with it. There are also weekly medical visits to ensure everything is on the right path. And, a health and wellness program wouldn’t be complete without consulting with exercise physiologists. 

In some instances, counseling may even be part of the program because it is difficult to have a healthy body without a healthy mind. Finding triggers, breaking habits, and changing thought patterns all contribute to a patient’s success. 

 

Is Optifast Right For You?

If you are interested in learning more about Optifast and whether or not it is a good fit for you, contact the team at The Weight & Wellness Institute. We have programs that help patients meet their weight loss goals and create a healthier lifestyle. 

Contact us today at 401-895-9937. Or, request an appointment online.