Help! I’m Struggling to Lose Weight

Americans carry a lot of weight — literally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the incidence of obesity in 2017-2018 was 41.9%, up from 30.5% from 1999 to 2000. During the same timeframe, the incidence of severe obesity grew from 4.7% to 9.2%.

Obesity is more than just weighing over the amount you should; it’s a significant risk factor for some of the leading causes of premature but preventable death. These include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even some forms of cancer. It also strains both the economy and personal finances, costing the United States about $147 billion annually in 2008 dollars, and $1,429 more per individual than for those of “normal” weight.

Board-certified family physician Dr. Robert Pedroza at AGP Family Health Clinic understands how hard it can be to go the weight loss route alone. That’s why he and his team offer medically supervised weight loss at their Tomball, Texas, office. It offers a guided program of nutritional, exercise, and lifestyle changes under the care of a medical practitioner. If you’re trying to lose weight but are having a hard time, we can help.

More about medical weight loss

Medical weight loss starts with a complete history and medical work-up. While our team advocates restricting your calorie intake and exercising to burn more calories than you consume, we also know there may be as-yet-unidentified factors preventing your success.

You may have high blood sugar levels or a hormonal imbalance that affects your metabolism. You may have high cholesterol or triglycerides that compound the problem. Or you may be deficient in one or more micronutrients, making losing weight harder than it needs to be.

Our team also has specialized knowledge about nutrition, supplements, and prescription medications that we use to help guide your journey. And we speak with you directly about your weight loss and body image goals; our treatment plan reflects that information, as well.

Reasons medical weight loss may be right for you

It’s better to partner with your doctor on your weight loss journey than to fly (and fail) solo. Here’s why:

Customized diet plan

There’s a lot of guesswork when you try to lose weight on your own. Does your plan take your personal health into account? Does it meet your specific nutritional needs? What happens if you get stuck unexpectedly?

The AGP Family Health Clinic team creates a diet plan that meets all your nutritional needs, is easy for you to understand, and is easy to commit to. You’ll still be able to enjoy what you eat, but we’ll show you a better way to structure your calories. And because we know your risk factors, we’ll help you focus on the lifestyle changes that offer the best chance for long-term success.

It’s important that your diet plan takes into account not only what you eat, but also your food preparation skills and your former, unhealthy habits. For example, many obese patients need to re-evaluate their relationship with food. They need to learn to make healthier choices and maintain good eating habits. While we can provide guidance, you may also want to consult with a therapist who can help you change your belief system.

Exercise plan that matches your physical abilities

You absolutely need a regular exercise regimen to help shed the pounds, but if you have an arthritic knee, for example, you should avoid high-impact sports. The AGP Family Health Clinic team not only has your complete medical history, but we also have intimate knowledge of you as a person, so we can make appropriate suggestions about which exercises will help you lose weight but won’t compromise you in the process.

Accountability and support

When you sign on for our medical weight loss program, you get a built-in support network, both for accessing resources and for emotional encouragement. We also provide the accountability a solo plan lacks. Each time you come in, we check your weight and mark down your progress toward your long-term goals. If you’ve hit a plateau, we can adjust your plan so you don’t lose ground. And if you’re trying to self-sabotage, we can help you overcome that and keep going.

If you’re struggling to lose weight and don’t know which way to turn, AGP Family Health Clinic can help. To learn more about our medical weight loss program, or to schedule a consultation with our team, give our office a call at 832-684-3909, or book online with us today.