Beyond Care Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of questions from new patients when they first enter the program. Questions are separated into various categories including General, Fitness, Nutrition, and Behavioral Health. Please let us know if these questions and answers are helpful to you as you begin your new Therapeutic Lifestyle Change Program. Also, we would greatly appreciate any questions that you may have that are not addressed below and that you think might be helpful to other new patients as they start the program. Remember these programs are designed to assist your in reaching your health goals, Good Luck!

General Questions:

1. How are my appointments scheduled with the various staff members?
Be sure that you schedule at least 4-5 appointments following your initial evaluation with Dr. Yavari. The front receptionist will direct you with this scheduling as to whom you need to see during your initial weeks in the program.

2. What happens if I need to cancel an appointment?
If you need to cancel an appointment please call us at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. If you do not alert us to this cancellation our policy is that the visit will be charged against your account as a no show.

3. What services are available to me during the time I'm enrolled in the program?
Beyond Care offers unique weight loss and stress management programs with emphasis on individual motivation, education, and close monitoring. During the program you will have the opportunity to work with various health practitioners in the areas of behavior health, personal fitness training, yoga, Pilates and nutrition. A Partial List of Our Offerings Include:

Therapeutic Lifestyle Change
Weight Balance
L.E.S.S. - Learn Effective Stress Solutions
Ramp Up Maintenance
Medically Supervised Health Coaching
Medical Complete Hormonal Evaluation
Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Evaluation
Basal Metabolic Rate Measurement
Total Body Composition Scan by DXA Osteoporosis Testing

And, if during the program you feel a specific service is not meeting your needs or expectations please discuss this Dr. Yavari.

4. What are my options once I complete the 6-month weight balance program if I have not reached my desired weight lose goal?
During you last MD visit Dr. Yavari will discuss various options available to you including re-joining the program.

5. What is the DXA scan and what information does it provide?
DXA is short for dual x-ray absorptiometry. DXA is a scan machine that can be used to measure bone density and body composition. As part of the initial evaluation each person will have a DXA scan to determine the body composition or percentage of fat body mass compared to lean body mass. This information is very helpful in determining the types of exercises required to optimize weight lose during the program.

6. What is the burn rate and what information does it provide?
The burn rate provides the body basal metabolic rate or the caloric expenditure of the body at rest. or simply how many calories the body needs at rest for normal metabolic activities. This number helps us to determine the calories each patient requires to carry out these basic metabolic needs of the body.

7. What happens if I am not able to finish the program in the specified time?
We would like you to schedule your appointments so that you will be able to complete the program in the 3 /6 month time frame, but we do recognize that there may be extenuating circumstances that cause a delay. Our experience indicated that people have greater success in reaching their health goals when they adhere to the program's schedule. Please discuss this with Dr. Yavari if you find this becomes a problem for you.

Fitness Questions

1. What should I wear?
Comfortable supportive sneakers, loose clothing (cotton, spandex, etc), cotton socks, sports bra, t-shirt, and layers in the wintertime.

2. What type of workout equipment should I have at home?
Cardio equipment is helpful, but not necessary. You can always walk/run/bike outside for your cardio. To challenge different muscle groups, a variety of weights (3, 5, 8, 10lbs…) and bands are good to have. A fit ball or bench is also very useful for many exercises.

3. Do I need to join the gym?
No, you don't need to join a gym. However, if going outside of your home to workout motivates you more, than consider gym shopping. Ask local centers for trial periods. Make sure you feel comfortable with your gym before committing to a long-term contract.

4. How often should I work out to see results?
To start, working out 2-3 days a week is excellent. After a month of that, consider working out 3-5 days per week. Make sure you leave time to rest your body 2-3 days per week.

5. What is better, cardio or resistance training?
To have a healthy body, combining proper nutrition, rest, stretching, cardio, and resistance training is essential. One does not work without the other. Each component positively affects the other.

6. What should my tempo be when using weights?
You do not want to move too fast when using weights or bands. Too quick of a movement will cause you to injury your joints, back, etc… By counting to three for one direction of your movement/exercise and then counting to three on the way back will offer you the most beneficial result.

7. How do medications effect my goals and heart rate?
Some medications for your heart can lowers the heart rate, which prevents you from getting to a higher percentage of your heart rate. In this instance do not use target heart rates but rather how you feel or what is termed Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales (see next question for explanation)

Some allergy medications cause increases in heart rate, so check with your pharmacist. When you're exercising, gear your workout to how your feeling and what's called RPE, Rate of perceived exertion. We'll be asking you to rate your level of exertion using a scale of 1-10. 1- being minimal exertion and 10 being extremely difficult.

8. Should I drink water when I work out?
YES!!! Proper hydrations help in relieving joint pain, muscle fatigue, cramping, hunger, headaches, etc… You should drink 4-6oz of water every 15 minutes when working out.

Nutritional Health Questions

1. What can I do to plan for each meeting with the Nutritionist?
Remember follow the companion and complete all worksheets as instructed and be sure to bring this book with you each and every time you come to a session.

2. Can a meal plan be customized to account for my likes and dislikes otherwise it will be difficult to adhere to over time?
Yes, all meal plans will be individualized for your likes and dislikes as well as your specific weight management goals. Each session spend with the Dietician will be geared towards fine tuning your food choices to assist you in staying on track as well as suggestions to help you stay motivated.

3. How quickly will I lose the weight?
The general answer is at a rate of approximately 1-2 lbs./wk. During the first several weeks you may lose at faster rate of about 3-4 lbs./wk but remember that everyone reacts differently and loses at an individual rate.

4.Will I ever be able to eat bread again?
Yes, once your weight goals are met some foods that are restricted on the meal plan may be reintroduced. The type and amount will depend on your specific situation and will be determined by your nutritionist.

5. Do I have to follow the meal plan exactly?
Once you are familiar and comfortable with the meal plan and it's principles (high protein, low carbohydrates, low fat) you can make appropriate substations. Your nutritionist will help you customize the plan to your individual likes and dislikes.

6. Why do I have to count kcal's?
While it is true that keeping track of calories is time consuming initially it gets easier! The important point is that it gives you understanding and the more you know about your food and eating habits the greater is your sense of control.

7. DO I have to eat the snacks; I never eat between meals?
Yes, you need to eat the snacks! First of all, you've more than likely cut the amount of kcal you're taking in per day, so therefore you need to take in all the kcal's determined that you need. It's also critical that you eat every 3 hours to keep you blood sugar steady and your metabolism elevated.

8. Are the protein bars to be used as a meal replacement or for snacks?
Most often the bars are eaten as a snack; 1 bar with some raw vegetables or 1 piece of fruit. However, 1 bar plus 1 shake can be used as a meal replacement. It is recommended that you eat vegetables as well.

9.How many grams of protein do I need per day? And how many ounces is this equivalent to?
Depending on your allotted kcal intake you should be taking in 100-150 grams of protein per day. One ounce of protein = 7 grams of protein with the breakdown as follows:
100 gms of protein=14 oz protein
125 gms of protein=18 oz protein
150 gms of protein=21 oz protein

Behavioral Health Questions

1.What is cognitive therapy?
Cognitive therapy is also called behavior therapy and is a direct form of psychotherapy based on the concept that the way we think about things affects how we feel emotionally. Cognitive therapy focuses on present thinking, behavior and communication rather than on past experiences and is oriented toward problem solving and changing negative behaviors.

2. How will this type of therapy help me reach my weight lose goals?
The clinical psychologist will help you identify negative behaviors and belief systems that affect your eating habits and other unhealthy lifestyle choices. Together you will determine realistic health goals, strategies, and new skills that will help you during your therapeutic lifestyle change program.

3. What happens when I finish the program and I still would like to continue working with the therapist I've been seeing in the program?
After you finish the program you can continue visits with the therapist as ala-carte visits or join the Maintenance program. Please see information enclosed on the Maintenance program.

4. Do I still need to see the clinical psychologist during the program even though I am working with a therapist?
Yes, we recommend that you see Beyond Care's Psychologist to address specific issues related to behaviors affecting your success in the program.