Whether your goal is to ditch the medications or drop extra pounds, staying on track can be a challenge when the holiday season hits.
At our Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations, we’re dedicated to supporting our patients while they work toward those goals – holidays or anytime. And that means we find creative ways to keep you motivated.
We’ve got the encouragement you’re looking for at Medical Weight Loss Clinic.
This fall, our Southgate Clinic Manager Carrie Cooper has started a seasonal program. She’s asking Medical Weight Loss Clinic patients to “write their why” – or state the reason weight loss is important - on a cut out of an autumn leaf. The leaves are displayed on the clinic wall to share with others.
“It helps keep our patients motivated,” said Regional Manager Laura Shelley. “When a patient is having a rough week, they can look at the wall and see - not only their own reason why - but all the other things patients have said. A lot of these issues may ring true to them as well. Hopefully we can push them through their rough patch and encourage them to keep working toward their goal.”
And that’s not all. Over in Grandville, Michigan, our Medical Weight Loss Clinic staff started a motivational patient exchange. Patients are writing notes of advice or encouragement and sharing ways they successfully dealt with a challenge. It might be a tip on how to stay motivated or what to do when you’re thinking of giving up.
“Patients can write a note and place it in the jar when they’re having a good day and they can take a note of encouragement home when they’re having a bad day,” says Ali Vander Kolk, Grandville clinic manager. “All of the notes have been written by patients, the clinic staff, and even a few patient’s young children that wanted to be a part of encouraging others and spreading some cheer to those that need it.”
It’s a new idea and one that is meant to lift one another up. Ali admits she has always liked the idea of receiving anonymous letters of encouragement or celebrating one another’s wins – especially when it comes to one’s weight loss journey.
“We have only been doing it for a couple of weeks, but the feedback has been great” Laura adds.
Ali hopes the idea spreads to other clinic locations too.
“It reminds patients that they are not alone! Ali notes. “Different letters target different aspects. Some are focused on overcoming plateaus, some offer encouragement if motivation is lacking, and others may just give tips and tricks on what worked for a patient in the past!
“The holidays can be a super challenging time for patients, especially if they are the only ones in their family or friends that is restricting certain foods or being mindful of food consumption. My hope is that these notes remind our patients this season that they are not alone in this journey! It also serves as a reminder to spread gratitude and kindness during this Thanksgiving season.”
The Medical Weight Loss Clinic team has spent years working with patients on plans to continue their healthy eating during the holidays. That led us to create a healthy Holiday Cookbook. The inspiration you’re looking for might be right here, and it’s all free. Plus, you can feel good about sharing and downloading the cookbook. For each download, we’ll also make a donation to the Gleaners Food Bank Meet Up and Eat Up Program.
Don’t wait until the holiday temptations strike. Reach out to Medical Weight Loss Clinic for more information. Sign up for a free consultation today atmwlc.com.
