
Weight Management Solutions: A Comprehensive Approach
Written By: Dr. Tracy Larson
Edited By: Thrive Carolinas
Weight management has become a key focus in healthcare, driven by its strong links to serious health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, and cancer. At the same time, societal factors and lifestyle changes have contributed to a sharp rise in obesity rates. Today, nearly 40% of U.S. adults are classified as obese, and 70% fall into the overweight or obese category. Childhood obesity is also on the rise, setting the stage for significant long-term health challenges.
At Thrive, we offer a holistic, personalized approach to weight management. While medications can play a role, we focus on sustainable lifestyle changes that empower individuals to achieve lasting health and wellness.
Understanding the Obesity Epidemic
Obesity is a complex condition influenced by many factors, including:
- Dietary habits: A staggering 60% of U.S. calorie intake comes from ultra-processed foods designed to trigger cravings rather than satisfy hunger. These foods are often low in nutrients but high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
- Sedentary lifestyles: Many people today engage in minimal physical activity, making it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
- Stress and poor sleep: Both can contribute to weight gain and metabolic imbalances.
- Biological factors: Genetics, hormones, and certain medications can also play a role.
While fad diets and crash workouts may offer short-term results, they are rarely sustainable. At Thrive, we help clients move beyond quick fixes to build habits that lead to long-term success.
The Role of Lifestyle Changes
At Thrive, we emphasize the importance of a whole-body approach to weight management. Our program focuses on four key areas:
- Nutrition: We guide clients toward balanced, whole-food diets that are satisfying and nourishing.
- Exercise: Customized activity plans help individuals build strength, improve metabolism, and support overall health.
- Sleep: Good sleep hygiene is crucial for weight regulation and stress reduction.
- Stress Management: Strategies such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and time management can have a big impact on weight management.
These lifestyle changes form the foundation of our weight management program and are critical to reversing the trends driving the obesity epidemic.
Weight Loss Medications: A Supporting Tool
While medications are not the centerpiece of our approach, they can be a helpful tool for some individuals as part of a broader plan. Advances in science have led to the development of medications that target appetite, satiety, and metabolic function, helping individuals make meaningful changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. These medications can act as a “reset button,” offering a jumpstart toward healthier habits when used responsibly under medical supervision.
Popular Weight Loss Medications
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- Semaglutide (Ozempic for diabetes, Wegovy for weight loss) weekly injection
- Liraglutide (Saxenda) daily injection
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes, Zepbound for weight loss) weekly injection, also a GIP agonist
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- How They Work: These mimic hormones (GLP-1 and GIP) made in the intestine after a meal that regulate appetite, slow stomach emptying, and help control blood sugar levels by improving insulin and impeding glucagon secretion.
- Effectiveness: Studies show patients can lose up to 10-20% of their body weight, previously achievable only with bariatric surgery.
- Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gallbladder issues, and potential muscle wasting and nutrient deficiencies.
- (Qsymia) Phentermine-Topiramate
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- How It Works: Combines phentermine (a stimulant that suppresses appetite) with topiramate (an anti-seizure drug that promotes feelings of fullness), taken as a once-daily pill.
- Effectiveness: Can lead to a 8-10% reduction in body weight.
- Side Effects: Dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, constipation, and potential birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
- Topiramate is not FDA-approved for weight loss alone, but has been used off-label to help individuals lose weight. It has been shown to decrease appetite and reduce cravings. Studies show that those who take Topamax by itself lose between 5% and 7% body weight after 6-12 months. However, taking Qsymia is still more effective for weight loss.
- (Contrave) Naltrexone-Bupropion
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- How It Works: Combines naltrexone (used to treat alcohol and opioid dependence or overdose) and bupropion (used for depression and smoking cessation). They target two key areas of the brain: the hunger center and the reward system. Both help curb appetite and manage cravings
- Effectiveness: This may lead to about 5-10% weight loss.
- Side Effects: Nausea, headache, dizziness, insomnia, and a risk of elevated blood pressure.
- Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
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- How It Works: It blocks about 30% of dietary fat absorption in the intestines so that it is excreted, preventing it from being stored as body fat. It is taken 3 times daily with meals.
- Effectiveness: Results in 5-7% weight loss when combined with a low-fat diet.
- Side Effects: Gastrointestinal issues include oily stools, gas, cramping, and diarrhea, especially if consuming high-fat meals. It can impede the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins ADE & K.
- Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira)
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- How It Works: A short-term appetite suppressant that affects the central nervous system.
- Effectiveness: Leads to modest weight loss when paired with lifestyle changes.
- Side Effects: Increased heart rate, insomnia, nervousness, and high blood pressure. It is typically approved for short-term use.
At Thrive, we work with clients to evaluate whether medications may complement lifestyle changes, always ensuring they are used appropriately and safely.
Natural Support for Weight Management
For those seeking natural ways to support weight loss, several promising options align with a holistic approach:
- Berberine: Shown to improve cellular and mitochondrial function, which may support healthy metabolism.
- Probiotics: Certain strains, like Akkermansia muciniphila, have been linked to improved gut health and appetite regulation.
- Psyllium fiber: Helps delay nutrient absorption, promoting satiety and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
These supplements can complement lifestyle changes, but individual results may vary depending on factors such as gut microbiota composition and overall health.
Why Choose Thrive for Weight Management?
At Thrive, we understand that weight management is about more than numbers on a scale. It’s about improving your overall quality of life, boosting energy, and building confidence. Our approach is tailored to each individual, combining evidence-based strategies with compassionate support to help clients achieve their goals.
What You Can Expect from Thrive’s Program
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We assess medical history, lifestyle, and personal goals to develop a customized plan.
- Personalized Guidance: Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management are integrated into a practical, sustainable strategy.
- Ongoing Support: Our team provides continuous encouragement, progress tracking, and adjustments to keep you on the path to success.
Achieve Lasting Results with Thrive
At Thrive, we believe that weight management is a journey, not a quick fix. By focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes and offering supportive tools where needed, we empower clients to take control of their health and achieve long-term success.
Ready to start your journey? Contact Thrive today to schedule a consultation and discover how our comprehensive program can help you thrive.