With more than 2 in 3 adults considered overweight or obese, it’s no surprise that weight loss clinics have risen in popularity over the years. If you need to lose weight for health’s sake and have attempted without success on your own, it might be time to consider a medical weight loss clinic.

1. Come prepared. While you will work on a plan and setting up goals with your assigned doctor or counselor, it’s important to have an idea of what you want to accomplish. Are you trying to lose 5, 10 or 20 pounds? Do you have any food allergies or physical conditions that will affect your plan? You’re going to be asked all of these kinds of questions so it’s best to think about them in advance.

2. Expect a physical exam. While the physician will ask you about your medical history, they’ll also need to examine you at the clinic. It will be a process similar to an annual checkup at your primary care physician. They’ll need to know all of your current measurements as well as your overall health and body composition so they can create a personalized program that will best fit your unique needs.

3. Research, research, and then research some more. There are so many factors that go into choosing the right weight loss program for you. Make sure you look at things like price, how supportive the staff is, what features are offered, and past patient success results. It would also be a good idea to check with any friends or friends of friends who have done a similar program. Ask if they can refer you to a good clinic and what their experience was like. With so many weight loss clinics to choose from, you need all the information you can get!

Losing weight can be a challenge to do on your own. Signing up for a medical weight loss program can ease the frustration and provide you with a more structured, results oriented plan. Weight loss clinics might be intimidating at first but, armed with these tips, you’ll be prepared and ready to start your journey towards a healthier self. You’ll be shedding the pounds in no time and doing it in a healthy way. Hooray!