New Moms Weight Management Program

Our New Moms Weight Management Program will satisfy your unique nutritional needs while helping you reclaim your pre-pregnancy body.

At no time are your nutritional needs greater than in the year after you give birth. Your energy is depleted; hormonal fluctuations are dramatic; medical issues are common; and your physical and emotional needs are unceasing. These needs may be complicated by your struggle to lose weight and your desire to reclaim your pre-pregnancy figure. But you barely have time for a shower, so how can you find the time (or energy) to lose weight?

We have the answer.

Designed especially for women who recently gave birth, our New Moms Weight Management Program helps you reclaim control of your body, lose weight, revitalize your energy and refocus some attention on taking care of yourself. After all, healthy families begin with healthy moms!

New Moms offers easy-to-follow meal plans that cater to busy schedules, meet your current dietary needs and satisfy your appetite and cravings.

You’ll receive gentle guidance and caring support at a time when you need it most. Our trained staff will:

• Teach you weight loss strategies specific to your demanding new life
• Provide time saving, easy-to-follow meal plans

• Show you ways to include your baby in your exercise routine so you can bond while you lose weight
• Provide stress management and relaxation techniques

Nutritional Products

At the heart of our New Moms weight management program, you’ll find nutritionally designed products – Chocolate and Vanilla Pudding Shakes. These creamy, nutrient-packed pudding shakes will boost your energy and promote fat burning and weight loss, while providing an excellent source of protein and vitamins and minerals. Best of all, these products are appropriate for breast-feeding and non-breastfeeding moms alike.

We know you’re busy, so we designed our products and meal plans to be flexible and simple. Just grab a convenient, easy-to-use portion-controlled packet; add water and stir. Perfect for lunch. Perfect for when you’re on the go! Perfect … for new moms.

This program is designed to help replenish nutrients lost during pregnancy and provide a balanced source of nutrition, vitamins and minerals. Each supplement packs in:

• Protein – High protein is essential for building and maintaining body tissue and for preserving lean muscle during weight loss.
• Flaxseed – One of the richest sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, plays an important role in infant growth and development, cardiovascular disease risk reduction and immune system management.
• Choline – Has been shown to be important for optimal brain and nervous system functioning and for new moms whose maternal stores are depleted during pregnancy.
• Dietary Fiber – Soluble fiber maintains healthy cholesterol levels and promotes regularity.
• Vitamins & Minerals – 35% of the Daily Value for 23 vitamins and minerals plus 45% of the Daily Value for folic acid. Includes a highly bioavailable milk calcium complex.

Additional value added benefits of the nutritional products:

• Aspartame free
• Low fat (no trans fat)
• Very low in cholesterol
• 7 grams of available carbohydrates

This program offers 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

What is the cost of the program?

The cost for New Moms 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.

A special note for nursing mothers

Research has shown that many nursing women can follow a reducing diet (1800 calories or greater) and experience gradual weight reduction (about 1 lb/week) without compromising milk production. Be sure to ask your doctor before beginning a weight loss program.