Medical Weight Loss Clinic pros know what the scale can and can’t tell us

Love it or hate it, the trusty household scale has been used to measure weight loss for as long as we can remember. Medical Weight Loss Clinic patients looking to find a healthier path will inevitably hop on a scale to check their individual progress. The number that appears on a bathroom scale might be reason enough for a patient to reach out for support.

The scale is only one way to measure progress on a healthy journey.

While it’s a helpful tool we use to see how close our patients are to reaching their individual goals, a scale won’t tell us the whole story.

Mary Pierce, manager at the Medical Weight Loss Clinic location in Ann Arbor, says a scale can reveal whether a patient is following the customized plan – or not. It also cues us to those times when a dietary change might benefit a patient.

So yes, it’s a reliable way to measure progress. But it isn’t the only way.  

We look beyond just that number. When a patient visits Medical Weight Loss Clinic, experts like Mary want to know so much more.

She asks questions like:

  • How close are you following your plan?

  • Are you eating meals in restaurants or away from home where you have less control over the ingredients?

  • What challenges are you having with the program?

  • Has there been a change in the medications you take? These can sometimes impact weight loss.

Answers to questions like these can tell us a lot – and help us provide the tips and support our patients need. Mary said she will also check on a patient’s water intake and blood pressure. She’ll review food journals to see how the foods impact the patient. And she’ll find out how much activity or exercise a patient has been getting. It’s all part of a balanced overall program. And these factors all contribute to how efficiently we might be losing weight.

It has happened to all of us. Occasionally those numbers on the scale don’t seem to budge. That’s when it’s time to look for other signs of progress. If we can measure a change in inches around the waist or in how well our clothes fit, it can be just as encouraging.

Mary says once she has an update from her patient, it’s time to determine a plan of action to ensure weight loss success. Plans are based on where each patient is at that time and what is needed to keep moving forward in a healthy way.

Visits include behavior education, a chance to work on the personal and social challenges related to weight management. It’s also important to set new goals, share tips for fresh recipes or advise on how to schedule meals. And when patients need help navigating social events, we can help there too.

Professionals at Medical Weight Loss Clinic see their self-esteem and body image improve as they work through a customized program. That’s something you won’t see reflected on the scale, but we see it every day at our locations.

Are you ready to reach your healthy goals? Reach out to us at Medical Weight Loss Clinic. Schedule your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM.

*Results may vary. Minimum purchase required. Some restrictions apply and discounts may not be used for online purchases.
When you enroll in a Medical Weight Loss Clinic program, the length of your program will be determined by you and the staff based on the amount of weight you want to lose and how quickly you want to lose it. Your actual weight loss will be determined by many factors, including, but not limited to: your medical circumstances, the plan you choose, adherence to the meal plan and use of nutritional supplements. Your goal and program duration information will be given to you in writing at the time of enrollment. As your program progresses, the rate you lose weight may change and you will have the opportunity to discuss this at every daily visit with your weight loss consultant, where changes to your meal plan and/or program can be made.