For many of us, navigating the topic of weight can be a complex and delicate matter. In the United States, ‘diet culture’ has had a profound impact on the way we approach eating patterns, lifestyle behaviors, and weight management.
Diet culture is pervasive throughout American society. It is a prescribed set of societal beliefs and expectations that glorify certain eating patterns, behaviors, and the ideal body image. Historically, diet culture has been rooted in the glorification of thinness, as well as activities, such as weight loss, that can help one achieve a smaller body.
While weight loss can certainly confer many health benefits for the appropriate individual, we recognize that weight loss is just a singular health goal (out of many!) that can help you on your healthful living journey. When weight management is one of your health goals, we at HerMD first and foremost recognize that you are so much more than the number on the scale. We are acutely aware of the damage that society and various pressures place on women to have the “ideal” body. Consequently, in our spaces, we work hard to dismantle this prescribed ideology and destigmatize the conversation surrounding weight. We meet individuals where they are on their health journeys, offering evidence-based interventions, healthful eating recommendations, and lifestyle strategies to help support all unique health goals.
Importantly, our approach to weight management is multifaceted. First, we start by offering you a dedicated appointment in which your weight management needs will be addressed. So, while you may see a HerMD clinician as part of another specialized visit (such as a HerMD menopause, sexual health, or annual wellness visit), should weight management be one of the areas where you seek additional support, you will be asked to schedule a dedicated weight management appointment to address your targeted needs.
At HerMD, we aren’t a ‘one-stop shop’ for weight management solutions, and instead, pride ourselves on offering you a comprehensive weight management approach.
This approach includes guidance and support on all key areas of healthful living, including nutrition, exercise, lifestyle behaviors, and therapeutic interventions when warranted. We also partner with registered dietitians and specialized clinicians as part of our comprehensive approach to care. In order to achieve sustainable, long-term weight management & health outcomes, we aim to foster a culture reliant upon the following 4 pillars:
- Evidence-based. HerMD clinicians rely on the most updated research data and scientific evidence to inform their approach to care, management, and education of the HerMD patient.
- Sensitive. We embrace a biopsychosocial approach to care. We understand the impact of biological, psychological, and social factors on health, and address these factors when formulating a care plan.
- Safe. We create a safe, judgment-free environment for patients to explore their health needs and goals. We listen and offer our trust, empathy, and guidance.
- Appropriate. We choose our words wisely when engaging in discussions on sensitive topics, such as weight management. We uphold the responsibility to partner with individuals on their health journeys, and view our words as a tool to help destigmatize societal norms and instead promote sustainable health practices.
At HerMD, we are committed to helping you live your best, and healthiest, life, inside and out. When your health journey includes weight management as a health goal, we’re here to help! Wondering what HerMD’s approach to weight management entails? We sat down with Laura Reviere, WHNP-BC, HerMD Franklin clinician, who outlined what to expect at a HerMD weight management appointment.
Q&A with Laura Reviere, WHNP-BC
Q: For individuals who may be interested, can you walk us through a HerMD weight management appointment, including what will be discussed and possible tests that may be performed?
LR: During a HerMD weight management consultation, we will always begin by reviewing your past medical history, going over any medications you may be taking, and even reviewing your family medical history. We may draw labs to rule out any underlying medical conditions including thyroid disorder, diabetes, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
We spend time hearing from you directly. What specific health goals do you have for yourself? Are there certain eating patterns that have or haven’t worked for you in the past? Are you seeking guidance on a new exercise routine? Are you interested in exploring whether medications can be incorporated into your weight management regimen?
As we believe education is the cornerstone of change at HerMD, we devote ample time at this appointment to providing counseling/education on nutrition recommendations, physical activity guidelines, and suggested lifestyle modifications as well. You can expect your HerMD clinician to help you set sustainable health goals for yourself, either ones that support weight management or those that support your overall health and wellbeing.
Q: The topic of weight is an extremely sensitive one for many individuals. Can you talk a bit more about the tailored approach HerMD takes to ensure all individuals feel safe approaching this topic?
LR: At HerMD, we strive to ensure all patients feel safe when receiving their care. To achieve this, all HerMD clinicians receive carefully-curated training on approaches to the care and management of individuals seeking weight management services at HerMD. We uphold our responsibility in fostering a culture that relies upon the aforementioned values – evidence-based, sensitive, safe, and appropriate – to help patients achieve sustained, positive health outcomes.
At each weight management appointment, your healthcare team will ask you if you feel comfortable being weighed. Intake of your weight at each appointment can serve as an important metric against which future progress can be tracked. If it is determined that weight management medication is appropriate for you, weight may also be a criterion for insurance coverage of the medication.
However, we know that weight alone does not paint the full picture of an individual’s health. You should know that at any time, you may decline being weighed, for any reason. You may also ask your clinician to refrain from sharing with you the numerical value of your weight, if doing so would be harmful.
Q: There is a lot of press recently surrounding the use of various medications (commonly referred to as ‘weight loss medications’) in the setting of weight loss. Can these medications really be incorporated into a weight management regimen?
LR: These medications are great for the appropriate candidate and certainly have their place in a weight management regimen. At your HerMD weight management appointment, we will discuss all medication options available and appropriate for you, if any. Some options include naltrexone/bupropion, bupropion, GLP-1 agonists, and metformin, which can be prescribed off-label in the appropriate setting.
However, one of the most important things to be mindful of is that medication isn’t the only answer! Nutrition and lifestyle modifications serve as the cornerstone of weight management, and medication is often added as an adjunctive tool to enhance positive outcomes. Medication alone cannot do all of the heavy lifting!
Q: Can you talk a little bit more about the conversation surrounding nutrition and exercise that individuals can expect to occur at a HerMD weight management appointment?
LR: We will recommend embracing a healthful eating pattern – one which focuses on consumption of whole grain foods, fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources, and seeds. Keeping a food diary can help keep you accountable and provide an opportunity for education when things don’t go as planned. We will also encourage you to exercise on a routine basis. 150 minutes of aerobic activity of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity per week are suggested, and be sure to incorporate weight/strength training into your routine! You should find an exercise plan that is fun for you and not incredibly difficult to stick with.
Taken together, individuals who utilize all three of the aforementioned tools (healthful eating patterns, exercise, and medication) often experience optimal, long-term health results.
Q: How often will an individual on their weight management journey need to be seen by a HerMD clinician?
LR: Routine weight/medication check-in visits will occur periodically every few weeks/months to ensure you are meeting your health goals and to track for any adverse outcomes. We provide close surveillance to ensure you are well on your way to a healthier you! Even a small amount of reduction in weight can decrease your risks for cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and may even help with fertility.
Q: Any final thoughts our readers should know?
LR: The HerMD care team is here to support you and your overall health & well-being goals. When one of those goals includes weight management, we are here for you! We will partner with you and help you implement long-term, sustainable changes that support your health.
Interested in learning more?
The medical content in this article has been reviewed by Karla Loken, DO, OBGYN, FACOOG for accuracy.