Any time of year is a good time to begin losing weight, but did you know that certain times of year can work better than others? As spring approaches, it might surprise you to learn that it’s the best time to jumpstart your weight loss journey. Here’s what to know about making springtime work in your favor and how we can help at Laser Skin & Wellness.

Warmer Temperatures Means Less Hunger

There tends to be a small correlation with colder temperatures and hunger cues. This can be attributed to the body managing its temperature – digestion takes up energy and thus generates heat which can be ideal in winter, but not so ideal in the summer. It’s likely that your body will slow down its hunger cravings as the temperatures become warm, making it easier to eat less.

You’ll Burn More Calories in Warmer Weather

It’s easier to burn calories while exercising in warm temperatures versus cold ones. That’s because your body works harder to stay cool in hot weather, increasing its energy expenditure. Just make sure not to overdo it when you do intensive exercise in hot weather.

Spring Brings Better Mood

Winter can be long and hard for many people, and spring is usually a welcome change. During the winter, it’s normal to crave heavy, fatty foods in order to cope with the colder temperatures and reduced sunlight. In the spring, you’ll likely enjoy a more positive outlook and be less hard on yourself, making it easier to stick to your weight loss plan.

Vitamin D Helps

It’s thought that there’s a link between vitamin D, obesity, and insulin resistance. This means that people of a heavier weight may have lower levels of vitamin D and vice versa. With springtime comes ample amounts of vitamin D in the form of sunlight, reinforcing your outdoor activities.

Healthier Food Comes Easier

Our favorite fall and winter foods tend to be the most calorically dense. Although we should all enjoy our seasonal favorites, it’s easier to find lighter foods like fresh fruits and veggies, grilled dishes, and cold salads at spring events and gatherings. This can help you feel more confident going into family gatherings and outings with friends.

Warm Weather Drinks Are Lighter

Although sipping hot, sugary beverages is one of the delights of fall and winter, they can add up. Spring brings lighter drinks like iced tea and infused water to curb your cravings but without the calories. If you’re looking for something other than water to cool off and quench your thirst, you have plenty of healthy options.

Schedule a Consultation

At Laser Skin & Wellness, we offer a variety of medical weight loss services to help you achieve your goals. To learn more and meet with our providers, contact our Lake Worth and Palm Beach Gardens locations by calling or filling out our online contact form.

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Summer is right around the corner, which means now is a great time to take steps toward a slimmer, healthier you. At Laser Skin & Wellness, we use the latest medical treatments to help our patients achieve their personal weight loss goals and maintain a healthy weight long-term. We offer a selection of proven treatments that will meet your individual needs and lifestyle for successful results. Read on to learn more about our programs, as well as one of our most popular options called Semaglutide.

Diet Programs

Have you tried just about every weight loss plan or program out there, but just can’t seem to shed the pounds, or keep the pounds off once you’ve lost them? Many weight loss plans on the market are not created for long-term results, so patients find themselves gaining back all of the weight they lost once they stop following the diet plan. At our office, we take a different approach to ensure you enjoy your results long-term. We create customized diet plans which include personalized menu plans, healthy eating, and one-on-one nutritional counseling to help make your goals a reality.

MIC-B Injections

Are you in need of a metabolism pick-me-up to boost your weight loss? MIC B12 injections are a combination of all of the B vitamins and three individual components designed to help accelerate weight loss: Methionine, Inositol and Choline. It also includes Vitamin C, L-Arginine and L-Carnitine. These injections can rev up your metabolism, minimizing fatty deposits. Some patients are able to lose a little bit of weight doing these injections every week! We call it the “Power Shot”!

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a very popular weight loss medication available at our practice. This medication supports healthy weight loss and is part of our overall weight loss program, which is guided by our experienced medical professionals. When paired with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, Semaglutide can help you reach your weight loss goals.

This medication is administered through a weekly injection, and treatments occur over the course of 6-16 weeks. It mimics a hormone in your body that regulates appetite, which makes it easier to follow a reduced-calorie diet. This allows for safe, gradual weight loss that you can maintain.

Semaglutide vs Liraglutide for Weight Loss

If you have researched weight loss treatments, you may have come across Liraglutide. This medication slows gastric emptying and increases satiety after eating, which may help some lose weight. Compared to Semaglutide, however, this treatment was not as effective. Studies show that individuals that took Semaglutide paired with diet and exercise saw a 9.4% greater average loss in baseline weight compared to those on Liraglutide. Because of this, we recommend Semaglutide to our patients for optimal results.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in learning more about our weight loss programs or Semaglutide, give Laser Skin & Wellness a call today at 561-641-9490 or contact us online. Your first step will be to schedule a consultation appointment at our Lake Worth or Palm Beach Gardens office to determine which treatment is right for you.

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By Linda Kiley, MD

We all know that we live in a country with an obesity epidemic.  Almost ¾ of Americans are overweight, and 40 percent are obese.  Nearly one-fifth of Americans are severely overweight.  There is no end to diet books, diet programs, fad diets, and ads for unbelievable weight-loss pills, the weight loss industry is a multi billion dollar industry. With so many people overweight, it’s not surprising to see this.  We know based on data that being overweight increases risk for diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, and joint replacement surgery. Most of us really want to be healthy and feel well. Many of us will make an attempt to lose weight at some point, if only to look better at a class reunion, wedding, or other special occasion. The problem with most weight loss programs is that they provide a temporary solution to a long term problem.

Understanding nutrition, metabolism, activity level and genetics each play an important role in our health and our tendency to gain weight, we still need to find a workable answer to achieving optimal health and a healthy weight. The best question to ask is: “How do I change my life so that I don’t feel deprived, but am happy, healthy and satisfied with how I look and feel?”

Childhood Obesity

Although childhood obesity has become epidemic, most children during and shortly after puberty tend to be thinner and more muscular during that time, but gradually shift towards gaining weight in adulthood. Some of us are born with metabolisms that predispose us to obesity because our ancestors survived based on their ability to retain fat during times of low food availability. Sometimes, despite tremendous effort at dietary restriction and exercise, we see little to no change on the scale.

Understanding Obesity

Understanding all of this, looking more closely at the complex interaction between our genes, our environment, and our nutrition, we have some answers. Finding the right nutritional balance and eating pattern for each individual is extremely important. More data has been produced looking at different eating patterns such as intermittent fasting with varying periods of eating and fasting based upon the individual, this has provided insight not only into weight control but also into longevity and the aging process. Achieving a proper balance is a key part of achieving a healthy weight and better health. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms taking place within each cell affecting energy production (cellular metabolism) has helped us to understand the bigger picture of metabolism in general. This has led to a different approach to weight loss. Diet drugs traditionally have been used to curb appetite and reduce intake but have had some potentially very negative physical side-effects and risks.  The question is, are there supplements, medications or other approaches that can help us achieve a proper weight without the significant risks of the more traditional diet drugs? And can our understanding of this help make the weight loss permanent?

Discovering Peptides

There has been much excitement in the past few years over the development of peptides to augment and promote health.  One of the first peptides discovered was insulin to treat diabetes.  With greater understanding of the effects of insulin and discovery of other peptides involved in digestion, metabolism, immune system function and cellular recovery, we have been able to find better ways to help our cells function better, boost metabolism and encourage safer weight loss. The discovery of liraglutide, semaglutide and related compounds has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and more importantly, changed the face of weight management strategies.  Finding ways to reduce inflammation in the gut and optimize proper nutrient absorption has also been important in helping to achieve a healthy weight.

Weight Management

A weight management program is a good place to start when traditional “healthy diet and exercise” strategies have not achieved the desired results.  The most important thing to remember, though, is that a weight management program is not designed to allow for periodic temporary weight loss, or “yo-yo dieting”.  Wide fluctuations of weight are actually harder on the body than maintaining a steady weight.  Our goal needs to be to achieve the best level of health with the healthiest amount of body fat for each individual and maintain that permanently.

Schedule a Consultation

At Ultra Health & Wellness and Laser Skin & Wellness, we have designed programs to help achieve and maintain those goals of optimal health and proper body weight. Learn more by calling our office or filling out one of our online forms.

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Remaining overweight or obese can have serious consequences for your health, with common co-morbid conditions including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Addressing these issues with diet and exercise alone can be challenging, even with the help of a professional. At Laser Skin and Wellness in Palm Beach Gardens, our doctors help patients effectively lose weight for improved health using prescription semaglutide. A semaglutide weight loss program is clinically proven to help patients lose more weight when paired with healthy diet and exercise.

What is Semaglutide?

Semalglutide is a prescription medication originally intended to help adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus control their blood sugar. It can also be used to help adults who are overweight or obese lose weight, especially if their excess weight is a contributing factor in a second health condition including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. In any case, semalglutide is used alongside a healthy diet and exercise plan for improved weight management.

Who is a Good Candidate for Semaglutide?

Semalglutide weight loss programs may be good options for patients who are considered overweight (BMI higher than 27) or obese (BMI higher than 30) and have a comorbid condition such as hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. However, this treatment is not recommended for those who have a history of tumors in the glands, a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, or diabetic ketoacidosis. Your doctor may also recommend a different treatment option if you have conditions including stomach or intestinal disorders, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or diabetic retinopathy. During your consultation, you should be prepared to discuss your health history and any medications or supplements you currently take. This will allow your doctor to determine whether semaglutide weight loss programs are suitable for you.

How Does a Semaglutide Weight Loss Program Work?

Prior to beginning your semalglutide weight loss program, you will be provided with a suitable reduced calorie diet plan and exercise routine with the help of our nutrition educators. As you follow this diet and exercise plan, you will be instructed to take semalglutide at gradually increasing doses. The initial dosing will be customized based on your starting weight. In our program, semalglutide is administered as a weekly injection, which you can be completed at home.

As you continue through the program, it is important to carefully monitor blood glucose if you have type 2 diabetes. In any case, patients should watch for signs of high or low blood sugar, which may be affected by stress, illness, exercise, alcohol consumption, or skipping meals. Symptoms include dizziness, irritability, or feeling very hungry in the case of low blood sugar. High blood sugar may cause frequent urination or increased thirst.

What Results Can I Expect From a Semaglutide Weight Loss Program?

Clinical trials have found enhanced weight loss for overweight and obese patients pairing semaglutide with their diet and exercise habits compared to control groups. Patients who took semaglutide in addition to following a reduced calorie diet and completing regular exercise lost more weight and had greater success maintaining their weight loss. They also improved co-morbid health concerns as they lost weight.

Learn More About Semaglutide Weight Loss Programs in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Semaglutide weight loss programs are not for everyone. To learn more about your candidacy and if this program might be right for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation with our team of accredited specialists. Call (561) 641-9490 or fill out our online form today!

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While there are many surgical and minimally invasive procedures that can help remove fat cells or contour the body, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy weight. Many of our patients are interested in reaching a healthy weight by adopting a suitable diet or through some type of supplements, but are unsure of where to start or what solution may be most effective for them. Because everyone has a unique lifestyle and body type to consider, our expert technicians offer three types of weight loss plans to help our clients reach a healthy weight.

Customized Diet Programs

Most people at some point in their lives have tried a fad diet, and these typically lead to little success. That’s because these one-size-fits-all diets don’t address your individual needs. Laser Skin & Wellness offers customized diet plans that meet your needs, using scientifically-proven diet plans that will be effective for you. Our Nutrition Educators will supervise the entire process, checking in with you throughout your weight loss journey and creating custom menus that work for your body type, lifestyle, and eating habits.

Customized diet programs can include both specific menus and weight-loss methods such as the ketogenic diet, in which the body begins burning fat rather than carbohydrates, intermittent fasting, which relies on eating only during certain hours of the day, and a gut cleanse diet, which helps your digestive system heal and checks for any food allergies or sensitivities you may not be aware of.

MIC-B Injections

It’s not uncommon for people to find that traditional dieting and exercise are not enough to meet their weight loss goals. In some cases, it can be beneficial to turn to supplementing with various injectable treatments to assist in fat breakdown and more. Our technicians can guide you to find out what the root cause of your fat retention may be, and suggest various injections to help address the issue. You may have a build up of fat in the arteries, which can be addressed through Methionine injections, for example. Or, you may also be dealing with an inefficient conversion of carbohydrates to energy, in which case Thiamine (or vitamin B1) may be a solution. Our technicians will work to understand the best plan to help you reach your healthiest self.

HCG Diet

The HCG Diet is a plan that was first developed in the 1950s, and combines a strict eating routine and diet plan with injections of HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin. The plan consists of three stages:

  • Loading, a two-day period of eating high-fat, high-calorie foods
  • Weight loss, during which you restrict calories to 500 a day for 3-6 weeks
  • Maintenance, a three-week period of gradually increasing food intake.

This plan can be altered depending on the amount of weight you wish to lose.

Schedule a consultation

To determine the best weight-loss plan for you, schedule an appointment with one of our Health and Nutrition experts. Call (561) 641-9490 to learn more.

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The HCG diet is a popular weight-loss regimen that pairs altered eating habits with HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin hormone injections. The diet allows for rapid weight loss of up to a pound a day without feeling exceptionally hungry throughout the plan. HCG dieting is completed in three phases:

  1. Begin taking HCG and eat high-fat, high-calorie food for two days
  2. Continue taking HCG and limit food to 500-600 calories a day for 3-6 weeks
  3. Stop taking HCG and gradually increase food intake, avoiding sugar and starches for three weeks. 

If you have a lot of weight to lose, you may be advised to follow the diet for longer periods of time and to repeat the three-phase cycle multiple times until you have reached your weight loss goal. 

What is HCG?

HCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that is produced naturally by the body to help heal and maintain tissues. This hormone is protein-based and is typically associated with pregnancy, but has multiple restorative functions in the body. 

What should I eat on the HCG Diet?

During the second phase of the HCG diet, it’s recommended that you eat 3 meals that each contains 4 ounces of lean protein, such as chicken or fish, and a serving of non-starchy vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli or cucumber. Also, you are allowed 2 small snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon consisting of a breadstick or Melba toast or a serving of fruit, such as berries or an apple. Throughout the diet, you may also drink as much water, tea, or coffee as you wish. 

To learn more about the HCG diet, schedule a complimentary consultation with Laser Skin & Wellness. Call (561) 641-9490 or contact us online.

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Why is it so hard to lose weight after 40? Laser Skin & Wellness can help!
© MediablitzImages – Fotolia.com

It seems like every year, weight loss gets more difficult. Despite eating healthfully and exercising at the same rate you did when you were younger, it can be harder to shake excess pounds after age 40–and easier to pack them on.

While it’s easy to blame one simple factor (such as a slower metabolism), weight loss struggles after 40 involve a variety of factors–some which are within your control, and some of which are not.

The Metabolism Myth

We’ve all heard of or used the excuse of a slower metabolism to explain weight gain, but how much validity is there to this mantra?

Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center explains the reality of the drop in metabolism as we age:

At age 40 to maintain your weight, that is to not gain weight, you’re going to have to eat 100 calories less a day, and that has nothing to do with anything other than the natural course of aging. That means your resting metabolic rate.

Therefore, if you are age 40+ and continue doing everything you did to maintain your weight previously, you’re probably going to slowly gain weight as you age.

Thyroid

Many people don’t realize that thyroid problems can affect a large percentage of people over 40. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, so if you’re having trouble losing weight or are gaining rapidly, you might want to have your thyroid checked by having a blood test.

Lifestyle

Life continues to get busier and more hectic throughout young adulthood and middle age. After 40, with so much going on, it’s easy to put fitness on the back burner. Unfortunately, muscle loss can be rapid, and along with other signs of aging such as sun damage and collagen breakdown, the skin can start to sag.

Maintaining a healthy diet, fitness, and overall strength routine is essential to maintaining your overall health and weight into your 40s and beyond. At Laser Skin & Wellness, we offer custom meal plans, programs, and nutrition counseling with our Nutrition Educator.

Weight Loss Aids

One problem many people have with weight loss as they age is getting rid of stubborn trouble areas and getting a smooth, sleek physique. The good news is that there is technology available to help you reach your goals, even if you’re near your ideal weight. This treatment is a new radiofrequency treatment, called truSculptTM.

TruSculpt is a gentle, yet effective, body contouring treatment that heats fat cells without discomfort, triggering the body to banish them. Results appear gradually over a few weeks, and 2-3 treatments are typically performed.

To learn more about this treatment or to schedule your body contouring appointment, visit our Laser Skin & Wellness centers in Lake Worth or Palm Beach Gardens, Florida today or call us at (561) 641-9490.

Sources:

http://health.yahoo.net/caring/weight-loss-after-40-why-it-s-so-hard-and-what-works

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/fighting-40s-flab

*truSculpt device is manufactured by Cutera, Inc.

Posted in Weight Loss
Posted in Weight Loss
Posted in Weight Loss

Losing weight at any age is a challenge, but as you get older, you’ll start to notice that it gets a little more difficult. Exercises and diets you once did to get rid of love handles fast in your 20’s just doesn’t have the same effect that it does after 40. There is just something that gives us trouble losing weight after 40, and here are a few ways that you can combat it and look youthful, as well as healthy.

Put time into your skin at home and the spaFit woman working out with pink dumbbells

Facial skin is notorious for giving away your age, and if you want to look younger, then there are a few steps that you’ll need to take. First, you should put time in at home, as well as at spa. When you make your appointment at Laser Skin & Wellness, you’ll be able to speak with a professional about peels and skin tightening treatments that compliment your facial routine at home.

Learn about non-invasive contouring procedures to get rid of love handles

We all want to learn how to get rid of love handles fast because these can be tricky after 40. When you think of your favorite pair of jeans hugging you perfectly at a younger age, trust that it’s not impossible to regain that feeling. We offer non-invasive solutions to help compliment your efforts like exercise and diet, so you get those natural curves back.

Be realistic about weight loss results

If you have trouble losing weight after 40, be sure that you are setting realistic goals because while we would all love it, we just won’t be able to look like a Hollywood twenty-year-old. Set achievable results and know that improvements are possible, but there is no magical formula, and you’ll need to put in the work and involve the professionals.

Learn the rhythm of your body

One of the most beautiful things about aging is that you become more at home in your body and understand its rhythm. When it comes to losing weight by this time in your life, you should have any idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. Meet with a professional nutritionist if you have trouble losing weight after 40 and you want a customized diet to fit your lifestyle. This is a fantastic moment to appreciate and respect your body, so pay attention to your eating patterns, how you feel after exercising and talk to a professional about the best weight loss programs for you.

Begin with a FREE consultation

Now is the ideal time to bring in the professionals at Laser Skin & Wellness to help give your efforts at home a boost when you have trouble losing weight after 40. Our consultation is at no obligation to you because we just want you to be informed about your options so that you find the ideal solution. If you live in West Palm Beach Florida and the surrounding areas, call 561-641-9490 or fill out our convenient contact form to learn more!

Posted in menopause, Weight Loss