Healthy Weight Awareness Month Questionnaire 

Chamber: Other than genetics, what are some challenges to maintaining a healthy weight? 

ANNE: When clients come to my practice for weight management support we often start with a scan of their genetics in order to ascertain physical predispositions and weaknesses in digestion, etc. We then look at the full lifestyle, environment, emotional component, and diet/nutrition to identify what each unique person may be struggling with that results in weight issues. 

Chamber: What are some common signs that we are “veering off track” from our healthy eating/weight related goals? 

ANNE: Some people stick to their weight-loss “diet”, lower caloric intake, exercise regularly, and still cannot lose (or gain) weight. If it seems like a struggle, then your unique body is calling for something unique for you, and a functional medicine practitioner who looks at your full self can help to identify the root cause. This might be a food sensitivity, genetic predisposition that can be managed, emotional issues that want to “protect” you from the outside world, etc. Having worked with hundreds of such cases, there is always a cause when what you do isn’t working. 

Chamber: What factors contribute to "falling off the wagon?" 

ANNE: “Falling off the wagon” with weight goals may be due to many issues: impatience to lose, societal pressure around you, inability to let go of old eating patterns, seasonal reasons for not getting out to exercise, food sensitivities that create symptoms causing you to lose hope, etc. There are ways to allow your body to tell you naturally what is causing this self-sabotage. 

Chamber: When people hit a "weight plateau" what can they do to avoid discouragement? 

ANNE: Your body knows how to balance its weight naturally, however the proverbial “weight plateau” is often reached way before the natural balance point. This can be caused by a life or habit change, impatience, the body needing a bit of time to “catch up” with the speed with which you have lost weight, or even an emotional component of being close, but not close enough to your final goal... “fear of success??”. 

Chamber: How does your organization help people lose and maintain healthy weight? 

ANNE: In my practice we offer genetic coaching, acupuncture, nutritional support, emotional counseling, public seminars, facebook pages & groups, video counseling and support using energy therapies & remedies. If you are ready to lose (or gain) weight, we are ready to support your unique process! 

Chamber: What incentives is your organization offering (if any) for January (aka Healthy Weight Awareness Month) 

ANNE: During this month (March, 2020) we are offering our acupuncture services in our Mineral Bluff office at half price. Also, we offer many free services and support programs via our websites and facebook: www.arielagroup.com for Energy Medicine // www.annemerkel.com for Functional Medicine . 

Chamber: What other comments, or words of wisdom and encouragement can you give to people starting the New Years with weight related goals?

ANNE: I have never believed that people with weight issues eat too much or are lazy. If you truly have set a goal to lose (or gain) weight, it can become much easier if you ask a professional to guide you to look at all areas of your life that: 1-may have caused your weight issues, 2-may be holding you back from starting the process or reaching your goal, 3-may sabotage you along the way either consciously or unconsciously, physically or emotionally, and 4-may require the creation of a special weight management protocol just for your unique self. Please let me know if I can be of service to you!