Connect with us. skip to Cookie Notice Skip to contents. About the Intensive Lifestyle Therapy Program formerly Program for Weight Management. Our weight matters for how we feel emotionally Obesity can cause a lot of suffering.

Obesity is a medical condition Surprisingly, not until June of did the American Medical Association recognize obesity as a disease. Our program is led by an experienced team of registered dietitians specializing in the treatment of weight loss.

We focus on developing healthy habits that last a lifetime. We offer a range of weight loss approaches that are personalized and individually tailored to meet your goals and your medical needs.

We offer both individual and group meetings on a weekly basis, to provide you with the support you need to be successful.

We base our treatment approaches on the latest scientific evidence about what strategies work, and we focus not just on weight but on other weight-related medical issues as well. We offer a long term weight maintenance program recognizing that people need on going support to help keep the weight off.

The NIDDK would like to thank: Thomas A. Wadden, Ph. Stunkard Professor in Psychiatry; Director Emeritus, Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

Weight Management Binge Eating Disorder Show child pages. Tips to Help You Get Active Show child pages. Weight-loss Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Show child pages. On this page: Where do I start?

What should I look for in a weight-loss program? What if the program is offered online? What questions should I ask about a weight-loss program? Clinical Trials Do you think you need to lose weight? Have you been thinking about trying a weight-loss program?

Where do I start? Talking with your health care professional about your weight is an important first step. Prepare for your visit Before your visit with a health care professional, think about the following questions: How can I change my eating habits so I can be healthier and reach a healthy weight?

How much and what type of physical activity do I think I need to be healthier and reach a healthy weight? Could I benefit from seeing a nutrition professional or weight-loss specialist, or joining a weight-loss program? Questions to ask a health care professional You may want to ask a health care professional the following questions: What is a healthy weight or BMI for me?

Will losing weight improve my general health, as well as specific health problems I have? Could any of my medical conditions or medications be causing weight gain or making it harder for me to lose weight?

Are there any types or amounts of physical activity I should not do because of my health? What dietary approaches do you recommend I try or avoid? Safe and successful weight-loss programs should include behavioral treatment, also called lifestyle counseling, that can teach you how to develop and stick with healthier eating and physical activity habits—for example, keeping food and activity records or journals information about getting enough sleep, managing stress, and the benefits and drawbacks of weight-loss medicines ongoing feedback, monitoring, and support throughout the program, either in person, by phone, online, or through a combination of these approaches slow and steady weight-loss goals—usually 1 to 2 pounds per week though weight loss may be faster at the start of a program a plan for keeping the weight off, including goal setting, self-checks such as keeping a food journal, and counseling support The most successful weight-loss programs provide 14 sessions or more of behavioral treatment over at least 6 months—and are led by trained staff.

However, experts suggest that these weight-loss programs should provide the following: organized, weekly lessons, offered online or by podcast, and tailored to your personal goals support from a qualified staff person to meet your goals a plan to track your progress on changing your lifestyle habits, such as healthy eating and physical activity, using tools such as cellphones, activity counters, and online journals regular feedback on your goals, progress, and results provided by a counselor through email, phone, or text messages the option of social support from a group through bulletin boards, chat rooms, or online meetings Whether a program is online or in person, you should get as much background as you can before you decide to join.

Many weight-loss programs are now being offered online and through apps for mobile devices. Here are some other questions you may want to ask: What does the program include? Eating Am I expected to follow a specific meal plan? Am I encouraged to write down what I eat each day? Do I have to buy special meals or supplements?

If so, what are the daily or weekly costs? Does the program offer healthy meal-plan suggestions that I could stick with? If the program requires special foods, can I make changes based on my likes, dislikes, and any food allergies I may have?

Physical Activity Does the program include a physical activity plan? Does the program offer ways to help me be more physically active and stay motivated? Counseling Does the program offer one-on-one or group counseling to help me develop and stick with my healthier habits? Does the program include a trained coach or counselor to help me overcome roadblocks and stay on track?

The Mayo Clinic Diet makes healthy eating easy by teaching you how to estimate portion sizes and plan meals. The program doesn't require you to be precise about counting calories. Instead, you'll eat tasty foods that will satisfy you and help you lose weight.

Mayo Clinic experts designed the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid to help you eat foods that are filling but low in calories. Each of the food groups in the pyramid emphasizes health-promoting choices.

The pyramid encourages you to eat virtually unlimited amounts of vegetables and fruits because of their beneficial effects on both weight and health. The main message is simple: Eat most of your food from the groups at the base of the pyramid and less from the top — and move more.

The Mayo Clinic Diet provides practical and realistic ideas for including more physical activity and exercise throughout your day — as well as finding a plan that works for you. The program recommends getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day and even more exercise for further health benefits and weight loss.

It provides an exercise plan with easy-to-follow walking and resistance exercises that will help maximize fat loss and boost mental well-being. It also emphasizes moving more throughout the day, such as taking the stairs instead of an elevator.

If you've been inactive or you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or health care provider before starting a new physical activity program. Most people can begin with five- or minute activity sessions and increase the time gradually.

The Mayo Clinic Diet provides a choice of five different eating styles at several calorie levels. Whether you would like to follow the Mayo Clinic Diet meal plan, are vegetarian or prefer the Mediterranean eating style, you will find an abundance of recipes and meals that won't leave you hungry.

Here's a look at a typical daily meal plan at the 1,calorie-a-day level from the Mediterranean eating plan:. What about dessert? You can have sweets but no more than 75 calories a day.

For practicality, consider thinking of your sweets calories over the course of a week. Have low-fat frozen yogurt or dark chocolate on Monday, and then hold off on any more sweets for a few days.

The Mayo Clinic Diet is designed to help you lose up to 6 to 10 pounds 2. After that, you transition into the second phase, where you continue to lose 1 to 2 pounds 0.

By continuing the lifelong habits that you've learned, you can then maintain your goal weight for the rest of your life. Most people can lose weight on almost any diet plan that restricts calories — at least in the short term. The goal of the Mayo Clinic Diet is to help you keep weight off permanently by making smarter food choices, learning how to manage setbacks and changing your lifestyle.

In general, losing weight by following a healthy, nutritious diet — such as the Mayo Clinic Diet — can reduce your risk of weight-related health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

If you already have any of these conditions, they may be improved dramatically if you lose weight, regardless of the diet plan you follow. In addition, the healthy habits and kinds of foods recommended on the Mayo Clinic Diet — including lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, fish and healthy fats — can further reduce your risk of certain health conditions.

The Mayo Clinic Diet is meant to be positive, practical, sustainable and enjoyable, so you can enjoy a happier, healthier life over the long term.

The Mayo Clinic Diet is generally safe for most adults. It does encourage unlimited amounts of vegetables and fruits.

For most people, eating lots of fruits and vegetables is a good thing — these foods provide your body with important nutrients and fiber. However, if you aren't used to having fiber in your diet, you may experience minor, temporary changes in digestion, such as intestinal gas, as your body adjusts to this new way of eating.

Also, the natural sugar in fruit does affect your carbohydrate intake — especially if you eat a lot of fruit. This may temporarily raise your blood sugar or certain blood fats.

However, this effect is lessened if you are losing weight. If you have diabetes or any other health conditions or concerns, work with your doctor to adjust the Mayo Clinic Diet for your situation.

For example, people with diabetes should aim for more vegetables than fruits, if possible. It's a good idea to snack on vegetables, rather than snacking only on fruit. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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