Why Weight Loss Is More Than Just “Losing Weight”

 

What if I told you that losing weight is not something that can be done or fixed in one day or even one month? What if I told you that simply zapping the fat does not work and that people just like you waste sixty billion dollars a year on “Get Fit Quick” schemes that put you right back where you started? What if I told you that losing “the weight” is easy, but keeping it off is really just good old fashioned mindset and dedication?

 

In order to truly lose weight (and keep it off), you must evaluate your lifestyle and be willing to make a change. Our medical weight loss program can help you do just that. We here at Solstice Health offer the top leading medical weight loss program in all of Wisconsin, and we will be there to help guide you every step of the way.

 

Don’t Get Bamboozled

Somehow, the real answer to losing weight has been lost to western society and medicine. Consumers have been bamboozled by flashy marketing and false advertising, and worse yet, a flawed food system coupled with decades of poor education regarding the approach to a balanced diet. As a result, a vicious, never-ending cycle has been created that perpetuates on to this day and has created the epidemic of our time. The reality is that, yes, some crash diets may work with respect to losing weight.

And yes, having surgery to remove unwanted fat is a surefire way to see immediate results. But those diets destroy your metabolism, and in turn, you will always gain that weight back, and then some. And while you can have surgery, you are not fixing the root of the problem, and thus you will see the weight come back with a vengeance.

 

The answer , I’m sure you’ve heard a million times has everything to do with diet and exercise. But that is fundamentally false. Balanced diet and exercise is strictly a method of maintenance. Many attempt a well-balanced, protein-rich diet and weekly exercise as a means to finally lose the weight. But the process is gradual, and you may find yourself wanting to quit, or hit a plateau and decide that your plan isn’t working. What you need is a little help, and that’s where Solstice Health comes in. We are the premier weight loss and wellness centers in Wisconsin, so you can be sure that we can help you to achieve your weight loss goals.

 

We’re not here to sell you some chemical pill or hormone that is going to harm your body even further, we simply want to see you succeed and continue to do so the rest of your lives. We treat the problem with the problem, which is food. But, we focus on the heart of the issue which is a lack of education in food choices and as a result, severe pancreatic dysfunction. When we reverse that, we can also routinely reverse diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

 

In order to lose weight and keep it off for good, you must be ready to accept and adapt to a new, healthier lifestyle that includes smarter eating habits, and regular exercise as we help you reach your weight loss goal. Our program will prepare you to do just that, and we will provide you with the tools to do so as well. Imagine how wonderful it will feel to one day say that you did it, also be able to say that you never gave up on yourself. Get ready to transform your life, and take the first step to a new life and a better you.

 

Contact us today for a free consult:

Solstice Health Oconomowoc: 262-239-7353

Solstice Health New Berlin: (262) 354-3100

Solstice Health Mequon: 262-239-7353

Diabetes Fact vs. Myth – Do You Know The Truth?

 

diabetes-blog-p_17683886_3ed5997d1bcbb23677938bfe80c1c97286535a53

November is American Diabetes Month, to raise awareness and understanding about this serious condition. Nearly 30 million Americans have diabetes, and another 86 million are at risk for diabetes. The risks and complications associated with diabetes is very serious and can be life threatening. It is vital for people to understand their risks for developing diabetes.

The Internet provides vast amounts of information on diabetes, some diabetes facts and others diabetes myths. It is important to know the facts, so we separated facts from the myths when it comes to diabetes.

 

diabetes-mythDiabetes MYTH: Diabetes Is Not a Serious Condition

Diabetes FACT: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Having diabetes nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack. The good news is that good diabetes control can reduce your risks for diabetes complications.

 

 

 

diabetes-mythDiabetes MYTH: Eating too much sugar causes Diabetes.

Diabetes FACT: Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger its onset; type 2 is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight increases your risk for developing type 2, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain. Research has shown that sugary drinks are linked to type 2 diabetes

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

Diabetes MYTH: People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.

Diabetes FACT: You are no more likely to get sick if you have diabetes. However, an illness can make your diabetes more difficult to control.

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: Women with diabetes shouldn’t get pregnant.

Diabetes FACT: Women who manage their diabetes well can have a normal pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.

 

 

 

 

diabetes-mythDiabetes MYTH: People with diabetes can feel when their blood glucose level goes too low.

Diabetes FACT: Not always. Some people cannot feel or recognize the symptoms of low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia, which can be dangerous.

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: It’s possible to have “just a touch” or “a little” diabetes.

Diabetes FACT: There is no such thing. Everyone who has diabetes runs the risk of serious complications

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: You have to lose a lot of weight for your diabetes to improve.

Diabetes FACT: Losing just 7% of your body weight can offer significant health benefits—about 15 pounds if you weigh 200

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: Diabetes doesn’t run in my family, so I’m safe.

Diabetes FACT: Family history is only one of several risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

 

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: You’ll know if you have diabetes by your symptoms.

Diabetes FACT:  Not always. Type 2 diabetes often goes undiagnosed because it usually has few or no symptoms when it first develops

 

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: People who use insulin are unsafe drivers.

Diabetes FACT: The vast majority of drivers who use insulin can safely operate motor vehicles.

 

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

Diabetes MYTH: People with type 2 diabetes who need to use insulin are in serious trouble.

Diabetes FACT: Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, and most people with it eventually need insulin. By using insulin to keep their diabetes in good control, people with type 2 can often avoid complications and lead a healthy life.

 

 

 

 

diabetes-myth

 

Diabetes MYTH: People with diabetes need to follow a special diet.

Diabetes FACT: People with diabetes benefit from the same healthy diet that is good for everyone else: plenty of whole grains and fruits and vegetables, with a limited amount of fat and refined sugar.

 

 

 

Are you or someone you know struggeling with Type 2 diabetes and looking to lose weight?Type 2 diabetes weight loss does not need to be a lifelong struggle. At Solstice Health, our diabetes medical weight loss program has helped hundreds of type 2 diabetics reduce their insulin resistance and in many cases cured their type 2 diabetes. If you are looking to learn more about are medical weight loss options for type 2 diabetes, please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

 

Solstice Health offers 3 convenient locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

 

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Location:

1020 Oconomowoc Parkway, Suite B

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

 

New Berlin Wisconsin Location:

17043 West Greenfield Avenue

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151

 

Mequon Wisconsin Location: (Opening Fall 2016)

10945 N. Port Washington Road

Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

 

 Source: http://www.stopdiabetes.com/get-the-facts/myths-and-facts.html

 

 

Type 2 Diabetes Weight Loss: What You Need To Know

type 2 diabetes weight loss

 

Type 2 diabetes weight loss is critical as the number of type 2 diabetics continues to rise in the US. Over 10% of the American population is type 2 diabetic, and over 86 million Americans are prediabetic.

About 8 out of every 10 people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, and excess weight—particularly around the belly—is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. Through weight loss, some type 2 diabetics may be able to cure their disease and free themselves of insulin dependence. However, the relationship between weight gain and type 2 diabetes is a very tricky one.

 

Complex relationship between type 2 diabetes and weight

 

 Weight gain increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, along with an underlying genetic factor. Achieving weight loss for type 2 diabetics can often be more difficult due in part to the disease. Additionally, certain type 2 diabetes medications are associated with weight gain; as sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, and insulin. While it may feel like the deck is stacked against you, it is still critical to make an all-out effort to lose weight. The weight loss goal should not be to get back in your jeans from high school, but rather to prevent heart attacks, save your vision and avoid amputations/

 

Why type 2 diabetes weight loss is critical to improving health.

 

Weight loss is extremely beneficial for type 2 diabetics.

If you do lose weight, it will likely:

  • Lower your blood sugar, which may allow you to delay or cut back on medication.
  • Cut insulin resistance.
  • Curb blood pressure and cholesterol, which can reduce your risk of heart attack, kidney failure and other serious complications.

Losing just 5% to 7% of your weight is associated with lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar, and reduced insulin resistance. Often a dramatic weight loss can even cure type 2 diabetes, but that’s more likely to occur in younger, obese patients who shed pounds soon after diagnosis (and haven’t had the disease for years without knowing it).

Even if you still have diabetes after you shed weight, you have reduced your risk of complications.

Type 2 diabetes weight loss does not need to be a lifelong struggle. At Solstice Health, our diabetes weight loss program has helped hundreds of type 2 diabetics reduce their insulin resistance and in many cases cured their type 2 diabetes. If you are looking to learn more about are medical weight loss options for type 2 diabetes, please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

 

Solstice Health offers 3 convenient locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

 

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Location:

1020 Oconomowoc Parkway, Suite B

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

 

New Berlin Wisconsin Location:

17043 West Greenfield Avenue

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151

 

Mequon Wisconsin Location: (Opening Fall 2016)

10945 N. Port Washington Road

Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

 

The Impact of Soda on Your Health

Impact of Soda on Your Health

What you drink matters. Everything that you ingest has an impact on your health. The vast majority of Americans fail to meet the recommended amount of daily water intake, leading to significant dehydration impacting one’s health.

Are you someone who regularly reaches for a soda when thirsty? After reading the following information, I hope that you think twice before reaching for your favorite carbonated beverage.

There is no benefit that can be obtained from drinking soda. Just one can contains 10 teaspoons of sugar, which is equivalent to a person’s daily-recommended amount. Within an hour of drinking soda, your blood sugar spikes. This causes an insulin burst that tricks your liver into converting all sugars into fat. After about 40 minutes, the caffeine has been absorbed into your body. Your body then responds with dilated pupils and increased blood pressure, and the liver dumps more sugar into your blood stream.

sodas negative impact on your health

Over time, soda consumption has a significant impact on your health. Soda consumption can interfere with neurological process, particularly those involved in making memories. A study published in Neuroscience found that a diet full of added sugar can reduce the production of the chemical brain-derived neutrophic factor (BDNF). When these levels are not high enough, cognitive tasks such as learning and the formation of memories become more difficult.

Consuming one can of soda a day dramatically increases your risk of developing chronic heart disease (CHD). Researchers of a Harvard University study found that “consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was associated with a higher risk of CHD and some adverse changes in lipids, inflammatory factors, and leptin.”

Moreover, with every sip of your favorite carbonated beverage, you are causing damage to your teeth. The sugar in these drinks bonds to the bacteria in your mouth, which allows the rise of acid, that weakens the enamel of your teeth that can lead to cavities.

Do you think drinking diet soda is better for you? Think again. Diet soda drinkers have the same health problems as those who drink regular soda, if not more. Diet sodas are packed with artificial sweeteners that disrupt your body’s ability to process real sugar. The consumption of fake sugar confuses your body into thinking that it needs to process real food. When your body realizes it didn’t get what it was expecting, it doesn’t know how to respond. When a diet soda drinker consumes real sugar, his or her body is unable to recognize it as real and it doesn’t release the hormone that regulates blood pressure and blood sugar. According to Susan Swithers, “you’ve messed up the whole system, so when you consume real sugar, your body doesn’t know if it should try to process it because it’s been tricked by the fake sugar so many times.”

Diet soda may actually cause you to gain weight. Dr. Melina Jampolis states, “Research shows that sweet taste can increase appetite and the regular consumption of high intensity sweetness of artificial sweeteners may encourage sugar cravings and dependence.” Artificial sweeteners may also dampen your brain’s reward center, and that can cause you to over-indulge in more sweet-tasting, calorie-rich foods.

More about the health impacts of diet and regular soda consumption can be found here. What happens to your health when you stop drinking soda? That can be found here.

Before reaching for your favorite carbonated beverage please consider the long-term impact it can have on your health. Is the drink really worth it?

Losing Body Fat vs. Losing Weight

 

body fat

Weight loss tips, foods, and programs are everywhere; all promising you will lose weight and look great. Often many of these programs will help you achieve weight loss initially, but result in weight gain once you stop following the program. The weight loss achieved in many of these programs is not a true weight loss in the form of fat, but rather a combination of water, muscle, and body fat.

There is a big difference between losing weight and losing body fat. The goal should never be to lose weight, but always to lose fat! You want weight loss to come from fat, not water or muscle. The scale may reflect a smaller number, but you may be losing beneficial muscle, which will result in long-term weight gain, meaning fat-gain.

 

Body Fat Testing

 

 It is important to determine whether you are losing fat or muscle, water, and fat. For example if you are a woman who weighs 150 pounds, with 35 percent fat, you’re carrying around more than 52 pounds of fat. Ideally, a healthy woman will be around 25 percent body fat, or about 37 pounds of fat. To reach a healthier level would require 15 pounds of fat loss not weight loss. Say you lost 20 pounds total, but only 10 pounds of it came from fat stores. You would still be at an unhealthy 32 percent fat. To reach the 25 percent body fat level, all 20 pounds must come fat. Body fat testing through body composition analysis is an effective method to measure body fat loss. Below is a body fat chart outlining body fat percentages for men and women.

body fat programs

 

Dehydration is Not Weight Loss

 

 Often water or dehydration appears as weight loss changing the numbers on the scale. This is often one of the quickest weight loss tricks used by many programs and products in the market. If you lose weight it is because you’re dehydrated, you’ve only lost water, and the pounds will return in the blink of an eye. Don’t fool yourself into thinking those pounds are really gone. You still have just as much fat on your body as before. In fact, without hydration, the muscles will shrivel up because water keeps them plump and vital, leaving you lighter, but without any energy or strength.

 

Muscle Loss Slows the Metabolism

 

Losing weight other than fat is unavoidable, but the loss of muscle mass will cause a rebound effect that leads to weight gain. Muscle is metabolically active and lights your furnace, keeping your metabolism brisk and burning calories. Even when you’re sitting on the couch, you burn more calories if you have more muscle mass on your frame. So losing muscle means your furnace slows down, your metabolism gets sluggish and the weight keeps on coming.

 

Weight Loss Targeting Fat Loss

 

The new and latest weight loss programs will continue to emerge with promises of making you lose weight. Indeed, many of these programs will help you achieve weight loss, but likely only temporarily and possibly putting your health at risk. A medication, pill, shot or eating only a small selection of food that tastes like grass is simply unsustainable.

To specifically target fat loss, while maintaining lean body mass and hydration, the carbohydrate intake must be modified. All carbohydrates, good or bad raise blood sugar levels. As a result, too many carbohydrates significantly raise insulin levels, which act as a fat storage hormone, increase the production of cholesterol and increase arterial wall thickness, which induces high blood pressure. While targeting fat loss you must measure water mass/hydration, lean body mass, and body fat percentage to ensure you are achieving true fat weight loss. These measurements can be done through a body composition analysis device or at one of our Solstice Health clinics.

 

Solstice Health Weight Loss Program

 

 Our weight loss program was designed to target fat. To date, we have helped our clients achieve over 13,500 pounds of targeted fat weight loss. The Solstice Health weight loss program is four-phase plan where women can expect o lose an average of 2-4 pounds per week and men, an average of 4-7 pounds per week. Our goal is to help our clients achieve weight loss and keep the weight off. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please feel free to reach out and schedule a free weight loss consultation today.

Solstice Health offers 3 convenient locations throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Location:

1020 Oconomowoc Parkway, Suite B

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

 

New Berlin Wisconsin Location:

17043 West Greenfield Avenue

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151

 

Mequon Wisconsin Location: (Opening Fall 2016)

10945 N. Port Washington Road

Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

 

 

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/78702-difference-between-losing-weight-losing/

Considering Bariatric Surgery: Do You Know The True Risks?

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]bariatric surgery

Many of us are aware of the obesity epidemic that is happening in the United States and all over the world. 1 in 3 adults are considered obese. Since 1988, the average American male has gained over 17 pounds while the average female has gained about 15 ½, Spotlight on Obesity reports. If these trends continue, nearly 43% of all Americans will be obese by 2018. The CDC also reports that the annual medical cost of obesity in America is $147 billion and the annual medical cost for obese persons versus average weight individuals is $1,429 more.

As a result quick fix solutions, ranging from medications to bariatric surgery, have become the sought after solution for many people. If you are considering bariatric surgery or other weight loss surgery methods such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrostomy, and duodenal switch with biliapancreatic division, please understand all the risks, complications and costs before deciding if this is the best step for your health and weight loss journey.

 

Weight Loss Surgery Cost

When considering weight loss surgery, you must evaluate the cost. Many surgeons will tell you this is really one of your only options to ever improve your health. First, this is false, we will share some alternative weight loss options later in this post. Second, bariatric surgeons want to perform these operations; the more weight loss surgeries they perform the more money the surgeons and hospitals make. Often, they do not share true alternatives to weight loss surgery, as it would ultimately affect their bottom line. In addition factor in the costs for complications or side effects that may require hospitalization, additional doctor’s visits and medications.

 

Average weight loss surgery costs between $14,900-$23,000. Most insurance carriers offer some weight loss surgery coverage, but few cover the entire procedure. Consider all the out of pocket expenses you will incur from this procedure. Many weight loss surgery providers recommend taking out a loan to cover all the medical expenses. Strongly consider if an additional monthly loan similar to an average car payment is worth it when effective and safe alternatives exist for weight loss.

 

Weight Loss Surgery Blood Clots

Other than the risks associated with having a general anesthetic, there are many other problems that can arise after weight loss surgery . Blood clots in the legs are a serious concern for anyone who has had major surgery, but blood clots are one of the worst bariatric surgery risks. Patients have restricted movement after weight loss surgery, so blood clots may build up in the legs and travel up to the lungs, blocking their ability to take in oxygen. There is also the chance of an infection developing inside the surgical cut, especially if the wound is not properly cared for. While these are short-term risks, blood clots have the potential to cause long-term health concerns, especially if the blood clot triggers a severe heart attack or stroke.

 

Inability to Absorb Nutrients in the Digestive Tract

Some weight loss surgeries that alter the digestive tract may result in very severe protein and vitamin deficiencies that can be fatal if left untreated. The more complicated a procedure is, the worse the bariatric surgery risks become. The Roux-en-Y and the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch are two classic examples of procedures that can cause absorption issues in the digestive tract. The biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch is another procedure known to cause nutritional deficiencies. Of the three surgeries, the biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch is the riskiest. In fact, the biliopancreatic diversion without the duodenal switch is rarely performed due to the chances of developing a serious nutrient deficiency. Vitamin and protein deficiencies caused by an inability to properly absorb nutrients can lead to severe complications such as heart failure and dementia. You will be required to take a variety of supplements and vitamins for the rest of your life, that may help lessen these risks. However, these absorption inabilities will be a life long risk and need to be monitored carefully.

 

Osteoporosis and Weakened Skeletal Structure

Calcium deficiencies are usually associated with procedures that change the way the digestive tract absorbs nutrients. In some cases, a calcium deficiency may result in a stooped back and brittle bones. Medication is often required to prevent worsening symptoms. In some cases, patients who receive weight loss surgery may develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a permanent, potentially life-threatening bone disease that results in significant bone degeneration, leading to bones that are easily broken and fractured.

 

Long-Term Intolerance to Food

During the bariatric surgery recovery time, you may develop long-term nausea that causes intolerance to food. Some patients are unable to eat without vomiting or experiencing severe nausea. In some cases, hospitalization is required to avoid malnutrition, which is one of the most common and severe risks. This is one of the most uncomfortable long-term bariatric surgery risks, and there is no way to tell prior to surgery if it will happen to you. If this does happen post weight loss surgery, you will be required to be on medications that reduce nausea.

 

Weight Loss Surgery Alternatives

Weight loss surgery and a life long adherence to medications are not the only the options to live long and healthy life. Keep in mind medications and weight loss surgery provides a band-aid fix and doesn’t teach patients how to eat healthy naturally. In addition, many people have been down the weight loss path trying fad diets and weigh loss shakes that only work temporarily.

To achieve true weight loss success, you need to learn how to eat healthy, serving sizes, allow time and your plan must be personalized. Here at Solstice Health, we have helped hundreds of patients achieve weight loss success through our medical weight loss program. No medications, pills, or tricks. We work with our clients to understand what healthy food is, understand serving sizes, and form a healthy relationship with food for life. Our weight loss program is a 4-phase program which guides you through each weight loss phase, adjusting your eating to accomplish life long healthy eating and achieve your ideal weight. Here is a recent weight loss success client who lost 167 lbs. naturally.

bariatric surgery

 

Contact Solstice Health today to learn more about our weight loss program.

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Shari’s Weight Loss Success Story

weight loss success Milwaukee

Meet Shari, and her journey to weight loss success!

Shari started the Solstice Health weight loss program in January 2016 and lost 43 lbs and 12.9% of body fat. She saw a friend lose weight successfully on the program, and for some health reasons, thought she would try it. Shari had some consistent joint pain in her hips. A rheumatologist was treating her joint pain with medication. Through her weight loss success, Shari no longer needs her prescription medication and has had significant improvement in her hip pain.

Here are some weight loss program questions and answers Shari shared.

Q. How did you manage to stay “on track” throughout the program?

A. By measuring my weekly successes! I didn’t want to go backwards and sabotage myself. Weighing myself daily helped keep me focused and on track.

Q. What was the most difficult part of the weight loss program for you?

A. Having to temporarily”give up” dairy, basically milk and cheese. I knew that it would be phased back into my eating plan, so that help to stay on track.

Q. What was your favorite Ideal Protein Food?

A. The Vanilla Crispy Squares.

Q. Did this weight loss program fit into your lifestyle?

A. Yes, I have a very busy lifestyle and this program easily fit into my daily routine.

Q. What advice would you share for someone considering the Solstice Health weight loss program?

A. Do it! You will feel so much better! It is so much fun going shopping for new clothes. I love all the positive comments I hear from people who are amazed with the amount of weight I lost!

You can achieve weight loss success like Shari did! It is never too late to improve your health! If you are interested in achieving weight loss success, contact Solstice Health today for a Free weight loss consultation. Check out our FAQ about the Solstice Health Weight Loss Program. Take control of your health today.

At Solstice Health, we offer a comprehensive medical weight loss program that teaches participants how to achieve healthy, realistic goals. The Solstice Weight Loss Program focuses on eating and exercising properly to achieve lifelong, whole-body results. Patients who follow our program as prescribed have a 100% success rate and find a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of weight-related health conditions.

Using Your HSA or FSA Account For Medical Weight Loss

HSA-Image-Resized

Are you looking to lose weight, save money, and utilize your Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?

Whether your physician prescribed you a weight loss program or you are looking to lose some weight on your own, the Solstice Health Medical Weight Loss Program and food is a qualified expense for you to use funds from your pre-tax accounts. By utilizing the tax advantages of your health expense account, you can lose weight and save money.

We receive many questions on utilizing your health flex spend accounts for our weight loss program. Here are some questions and answers to help guide you through this process.

Q. What is the difference of an HSA, FSA and an HRA account?

A. FSA-Flexible Spending Account or (Flexible Spending Arrangement) is a non-taxable account that you put money into throughout the year to pay for some out-of-pocket health care costs and medical expenses. FSA’s typically have a maximum contribution of $2,500 per year, and usually has to be used by the end of your enrollment year. At times you are able to carry over an amount (up to $500) or extend the time (21/2 additional months). It is always a good idea to check with your employer to understand what rules apply specially to your account. Keep track of what you plan to spend throughout the year so you don’t lose what you have invested into your FSA.

HSA- Health Savings Account is also a non-taxable account that you can withdraw from for qualified medical expenses. Due to the increasing rates of health insurance premiums, many people choose this option to lower their monthly insurance payments, while still having money to put aside in case of a medical emergency. Unlike a Flexible Spending Account, your HSA balance rolls over from year to year, so you never have to worry about losing your savings.

HRA- Health Reimbursement Account is an employer funded, tax advantaged employer health benefit plan that reimburses employees for out-of-pocket medical expenses and individual health insurance premiums. The HRA allows the employer to make contributions to an employee’s account and provide reimbursement for eligible expenses. An HRA allows employees to pay for a wide range of medical expenses not covered by insurance. HRA balances may roll over from one year to the next. An employer may limit what expenses are eligible under an HRA plan.

Q.Can I use my HSA, FSA, or HRA account for the Solstice Health Medical Weight Loss Program?

A. Yes. Our weight loss program is a medically supervised weight loss program and is eligible as a qualified medical expense for HAS, FSA and HRA (check with your employer on what is deemed a medical expense in accordance with the HRA account). Many popular commercial diets on the market often do not cover the weekly food expenses as they are deemed a medical expense. The entire Solstice Health weight loss program including; start-up fees, vitamins, weekly weigh-ins, telemedicine services throughout program, personal digital tools, and all food throughout the duration of the program is considered an eligible medical expense covered through an HSA, FSA and most HRA accounts.

Q.Will Solstice Health submit my HSA, FSA and/or HRA paperwork for me?

A. No. Solstice Health will not submit your paperwork and will not know that you have requested reimbursement under any plan unless you choose to share that information. We are happy to assist you through the submission process.

Whether you are looking to utilize your FSA, HSA, HRA account to lose weight or looking to lose weight without, we can help you achieve your weight loss goals. We would love to help you improve your health today! Contact us today to find out more information on our medical weight loss program.

6 Simple Steps To Lose Weight Fast

Simple Steps to Weight Loss

If your goal is to lose weight fast and keep it off, forget the gimmick weight loss pills and marathon workouts. Research shows  taking simple steps everyday leads to long lasting weight loss results.

According to Lesley Lutes, PhD, an assistant professor in the department of psychology at East Carolina University, “When you focus on just a couple of small changes at a time, you begin to ingrain some healthy habits that last for a lifetime, rather than trying an all-or-nothing approach that more often than not fails because it’s too hard to follow.”

Here are 6 simple steps (with proven results) to help you move more, eat less, and look and feel better than ever. Add just one or two a week to your regular routine and you can lose nearly 3 inches off your waistline and be about 10 pounds lighter in a few months. Even better: Once these healthy habits become second nature, they’ll benefit you for a lifetime.

1. Pick up a pen

Mindlessly munching on a bag of chips could result in easily polishing off the whole thing; write down how much you’ve eaten and you’re more likely to practice portion control and lose weight fast. Keeping a food log helps control extra calories in two ways: the combination of plain old reality check (I just ate 30 minutes ago!) and awareness that what you’re putting in your mouth will soon be recorded for posterity. In a recent study, people who kept a food journal lost twice as much weight as those who didn’t. When they combined it with a moderate diet and exercise plan, they lost an average of 13 pounds in 6 months. Journaling also gives you insight on your eating habits, says Dr. Lutes. Do you skip meals? Eat the same during the week as on the weekend? Binge when you’re feeling stressed? “Knowing your routine helps you figure out what changes are right for you,” she adds.

2. Skip through commercials

Get moving during your favorite TV shows. Skip, dance, go up and down some stairs, run in place—anything that gets your heart rate up so you feel somewhat breathless, says Geralyn Coopersmith, senior national manager at Equinox Fitness. Do it for each 2-minute break (forget the TiVo) during a typical 2-hour TV night and you’ll burn an extra 270 calories a day—which can translate to a 28-pound weight loss in a year.

3. Sign up for e-newsletters

One study from Kaiser Permanente found that people who received weekly e-mails about diet and fitness for 16 weeks substantially increased their levels of physical activity and intake of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables while cutting back on trans and saturated fats. Sign up for Solstice Health’s FREE weekly weight loss newsletter.

4. Walk 5 minutes more

In Dr. Lutes’s pilot study, increasing daily activity levels by just a few minutes at a time helped participants lose weight faster. Eventually, your goal should be to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day (burning off about 120 extra calories daily, or 12½ pounds a year), but it doesn’t have to be all at once.

5. Brown-bag it more

You’ll save thousands of calories (not to mention hundreds of dollars) over the course of a year. Consider this: A premade chicken Caesar wrap from a chain restaurant has 610 calories, more than 40% of which come from fat, as well as 1,440 mg of sodium (more than half the recommended daily amount). Make your own with presliced deli chicken breast on whole wheat bread with light mayo and romaine lettuce for about 230 calories. You’ll cut almost 400 calories and about 520 mg of sodium, which leaves room for a side salad and could still add up to a 28-pound weight loss after a year. “When you make and eat your own food, you not only control the quality and portion sizes but also reduce the amount of sugar, salt, and fat that you’re consuming, which can be significantly higher in restaurant fare,” says Ashley Koff, RD, a nutrition consultant based in Los Angeles.

6. Get technical support

You know exercising with a friend makes you more accountable (nobody wants to leave a pal stranded on a street corner at 6 AM). But your workouts don’t always have to be done face to face. One study found women who had some form of social support, either through in person counseling or an on-line chat group, lost more than 15 pounds over a 9-month period, dropping about 300 calories from their daily diet and walking about a mile more each day than from their starting point.

If you are looking to lose weight fast and keep it off for life, Solstice Health can help. Whether you are looking to join our weight loss program or looking to to work with our Registered Dietitians on improving your diet, Solstice Health can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Source: Prevention

 

Sue’s Weight Loss Success

Weight Loss Success

Meet Sue. She was looking to finally achieve weight loss success once and for all. Sue started the Solstice Health weight loss program to lose some weight before an upcoming vacation. Her goal was to lose 20lbs in 2 months, but she ended up exceeding her goal and losing 25lbs in 2 months. She was ecstatic, and left for her vacation. While on vacation she experienced a tremendous difference in her activity level, she enjoyed hiking and having much more stamina. Her newfound energy allowed her to experience a vacation like she never had before.

Upon returning from her travels, Sue returned to Solstice Health to continue the weight loss program. To date, Sue has lost 44lbs and has decreased her body fat percentage by 15.3%, life saving numbers! Through her weight loss success, she no longer needs to be on her blood pressure or cholesterol medication. In addition, she has experienced relief from joint pain she experienced when she was at her previous weight. Her weight loss success not only improved her health, life, stamina, but also saved her from needing expensive prescriptions and additional doctor’s appointments.

Throughout Sue’s journey she was able to stick to the weight loss program most of the time, and when she did “slip up” she had her wellness coach at her weekly weigh-in to help her get back on track. With help from her weight loss coach, Sue was able to customize the program to fit into her busy schedule and lifestyle.

You can achieve weight loss success like Sue did! It is never too late to improve your health! If you are interested in achieving weight loss success, contact Solstice Health today for a Free weight loss consultation. Check out our FAQ about the Solstice Health Weight Loss Program. Take control of your health today.

At Solstice Health, we offer a comprehensive medical weight loss program that teaches participants how to achieve healthy, realistic goals. The Solstice Weight Loss Program focuses on eating and exercising properly to achieve lifelong, whole-body results. Patients who follow our program as prescribed have a 100% success rate and find a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of weight-related health conditions.