Weight Loss

 

We have paused this program. Stay tuned!

At Natura Health and Wellness, we know what it takes to lose unhealthy body fat and keep it off. We do it differently. No hype, no gimmicks are allowed; we will not waste your time or money.  Your personal weight loss strategy will be informed by current science, the personal and professional experience of our naturopathic physicians, with assistance as indicated by our specialty providers in body work, acupuncture, nutrition science and behavioral medicine. 

Weight Loss is different at Natura Health and Wellness

“Calories in / calories out” definitely matters, but often there are always additional metabolic changes a person needs to make before fat loss efforts can be permanently effective.

Naturopathic medicine is rooted in the optimal function of your digestion and elimination, and your ND is the premier expert in optimizing your relationship with food. At Natura our naturopathic physicians will assess your gut function, including your intestinal microbiome, and help you correct digestive derangements that interfere with successful fat loss.

Very occasionally, stubborn obesity is related to one of a few, rare underlying conditions. Rare conditions are especially painful because they usually require disappointment, delay and struggle through multiple practitioners before diagnosis is achieved. At Natura, we are sensitized to the existence of these potential explanations for persistence of obesity despite long and diverse efforts to lose. We are here to help everyone.

We are committed to a whole, fresh, plant-based diet. You will not be asked to lose weight using powders and potions, then have to figure out how to re-enter real world cooking and eating. 

Your ND will assist your fat loss with specific whole foods, customized to your individual, genetically-based characteristics, along with the on-going support that research shows is essential for life-long success.

Weight Loss in Montana

Montanans can enjoy the fact that our state ranks among the lowest in the nation for adult obesity. Researchers tie this statistic to the value we put on outdoor recreation, as well as the agricultural nature of our state economy.

That’s the good news. Here’s the rest of what is true about us:

  • 25.3 percent of adult Montanans are obese, AND!
  • 25 percent of adults in Montana get ZERO physical exercise 
  • 36.6 percent of adult Montanans eat less than one fruit a day  

Worse news, is that we are failing our children. 10.8 percent of Montana’s kids age 10 to 17 are obese. We rank 47 out of 51 among all states and the District of Columbia.  

You probably already know this – Losing fat and keeping it off is neither quick, or easy. To lose fat, we have to change our behaviors. The average amount of time it takes to change habits is 66 days; the range can be anywhere between 18 days and 254 days.  

At Natura Health and Wellness, we will engage your readiness to commit with a plan that will support you through all stages of fat loss. We stick with you until you have lost what you want to, and have experienced success at maintaining your new body composition. You can expect kindness, celebration of your strengths, an effective plan, and guidance on the most efficient journey to your weight loss goals.

We will identify what is in the way of you losing excess fat, help you heal up and move through fat loss to vibrant, energetic comfort in your body, teach you what you need to know to problem-solve with confidence, and celebrate with you the spiritual peace that comes with loving self-discipline in your food and exercise choices.

When to Schedule an Appointment

Folks are successful with long term weight loss when fat loss becomes a priority that cannot be ignored; when you are ready and able to learn and practice new habits and reach for the invigorated joy and inner peace that loving self-discipline brings.

When you are ready to show up, we are here to help.

What we know is true about losing fat and keeping it off long term

  • How we eat to lose weight is different from a healthy life long diet.
  • Transitioning successfully from a fat loss diet to a healthy life long diet is a specific process. Success includes a metabolic retraining period (5 to 10 or more weeks), and support that works with the habits of thought and feelings around food and eating behaviors. 
  • Transitioning to a lifelong healthy diet and physical movement that keeps  muscle toned and active is a lifelong effort that requires information, commitment to loving self-discipline and ongoing support. 
  • Very regular exercise to maintain appropriate muscle mass is an absolute requirement. We cannot eat a diet that is nutritious enough on as few calories as would be required – especially as we age – if we are not active and strong.
  • 90% of people who lose weight do not keep it off, because they do not have the necessary long term support. In one study that was typical of all similar studies:

                          Attending >75% of follow up visits = 92% kept weight off.

                                    51 – 75% of follow up visits  = 90% kept weight off.

                                         <51% of follow up visits  = 72% kept weight off.

                                          Self-monitored patients  = zero kept weight off.

What To Expect at a first appointment

When you come in to learn about what a fat loss plan for you would entail, your naturopathic doctor will first listen to your story. We will want to know what it’s been like being you in your body, what your relationship with food has been, what you have tried so far and what your current goals are. Come prepared to review your health history for information that relates to weight gain and loss. 

There are certain blood tests that will inform your ND of your current metabolic state. These tests include familiar things like blood sugar and cholesterol, plus thyroid, adrenal, kidney and liver function. Digestive capacity assessment is key as is a very simple and inexpensive genetic element that identifies best and worst foods for you. And of course, hormone status impacts our weight and what will work to help us lose.

When you and your ND are clear about your goals, next steps include ordering any additional testing needed to address what has been in the way of your success so far. This initial assessment will clarify whether your system is ready to engage a fat loss plan immediately, or whether there are other elements of your health that needs to be restored first.

Once you are ready to commit to habit changing and active fat loss, you will receive a specific-to-you eating and exercise plan. You will be asked to keep a journal of what your eat and drink. Your success with the plan is tracked with a simple at-home urine test. You will be asked to commit to brief, regular monitoring visits that are a proven essential element to your long term success.

At Natura Health and Wellness, fat loss is part of your over-all wellness and as all things naturopathic, how it is accomplished is through a specific to you, personalized plan. 

We have paused this program. Stay tuned!

We offer a 15 minute complimentary consult with one of our doctors to learn more.