New Directions Weight Management Program

Obesity is a major health risk. More than three in five American adults are overweight; one-third is obese. Like other chronic diseases, obesity requires responsible, comprehensive treatment, including continuing care.

The New Directions System provides all of that. The goal is to help participants achieve permanent weight loss through lifelong alterations in dietary, behavioral, and activity patterns.

The New Direction System offers two multi-disciplinary weight management programs – New Directions and Outlook. Both programs involve participation in weekly education and support classes with weight and blood pressure monitoring.

These programs offer the following benefits

• Medically supervised by a team of health care professionals – physician, nurse practitioner, dietitians, behavior specialists and exercise specialists.
• Sound information about health benefits of weight management, nutrition, exercise, healthy lifestyle behaviors and personal effectiveness.
• Professional and peer group support to help form new eating and exercise habits that promote weight management skills.

Four phase approach

1. Screening – Staff determines the readiness and needs of potential participants
2. Reducing – With the use of the system’s nutritional products, participants begin to learn and practice weight management skills
3. Adapting – Practicing new eating and exercise habits, participants gradually return to managing and enjoying healthy meals
4. Maintenance – Continuing support using relapse prevention, individualized meal plans and living a healthier lifestyle

New Directions

The New Directions Program is a medically supervised rapid weight loss program designed for individuals who have over 40 pounds to lose, register a BMI over 30, or have health risks which could improve from weight loss. It combines a very low-calorie diet with education and counseling. The goal is to give patients insight into their eating and activity habits so they can permanently alter their lifestyle to achieve lasting weight control.

New Directions Nutritional Products

New Directions Nutrimed Plus nutritional products meet the profile of a protein-sparing, very low-calorie diet and are designed to be the sole source of nutrition during the program. The high-protein, low-carbohydrate profile promotes oxidation of endogenous stores of body fat while protecting lean body tissue.

A modified version of the New Directions program is also available. This program combines the New Directions Nutrimed Plus nutritional products with one healthy low-carbohydrate meal.

Outlook

The Outlook Program is designed for individuals with 10 pounds or more to lose. It combines nutritional product meal replacement and traditional menu planning to assist in providing steady weight loss.

Outlook is organized around nutrition, behavior and exercise objectives, to help participants lose weight safely and effectively – and to maintain their healthy new weight.

Outlook Nutritional Products

Outlook features a nutritionally complete beverage as a replacement for one or two meals daily. A menu planner includes nutrition bars and traditional foods to provide variety and guide the participant in making healthy food choices and controlling portion size.

What is the cost of the program?

The cost for New Directions depends on what services are being done each week, i.e. lab work, medical office visit, etc. Therefore, a detailed cost sheet is provided and explained at the orientation meetings. Some insurance will cover the medical component, and we will provide an insurance form for you to submit with all of the proper codes and diagnosis.

Orientation

Free Group Orientation classes, which include Nutritional Product sampling, are offered periodically at Elkhart General Hospital. Participants have a chance to speak with the Nurse Practitioner and Registered Dietitian to decide if one of these programs is right for them. Private Orientations are also available for a $20 fee. Please call the New Directions Wellness Clinics at (574) 523-2750 to find out when the next Orientation class is available. You must be 18 years or older to enroll in the program.

To Learn More

For more information or to register for an orientation, call (574) 523-2750.