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Bring a Buddy!

To make an appt, call or schedule an appointment online hereBook an appointment using SetMoreElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton
2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016  
1130 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (412) 847-8083
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112

diet buddies

Our “Bring a Buddy” incentive program was a huge success in January! Thank you to all who participated.  We had two winners from our two locations, Green Tree and Weirton. They were Kristen from Steubenville and Jennifer from Pittsburgh.  Congratulations to the both of them!

dont forget

Don’t forget, our incentive program is still going on through February and March!

Here is a reminder of some of the details:

WHO CAN APPLY:

  • Anyone, whether current or new patients, may apply.
  • If you are a returning patient, you must be due for a refill on your medications.
  • BOTH buddies must physically be present and be seen together (don’t worry, your buddy doesn’t have to see your weight)
  • You BOTH must get a prescription for medications, HCG or sermorelin.

YOUR INCENTIVES:

  • Each buddy will get $10.00 off of their medications.
  • Each buddy will receive a complimentary B12 metabolism injection.
  • You will each get put into a drawing to win credit for a free month of medications and B12 & Fat Burner injections (1 of each injection per week for 4 weeks). PLUS you get a weight scale like the ones in our office! (over $220 value for the entire prize).*

*There will be 1 winner from each clinic location (Weirton & Green Tree in Pittsburgh).  There will be drawings on the last day of January, February, and March.  The winners’ first names will be posted on the website and Facebook page.  All offices will be included in this incentive program. No cash or cash equivalent will be substituted for the end of month awards.  If you do not want the injections, there will be no credit or cash given. You can not “give” or “transfer” them to someone else.

Good luck!

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Elevation Medical Weight Loss Third Location in the North Hills

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We are excited to announce that we are now open in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.  Our third clinic is located in Ross Township, about 10 minutes south of Wexford, PA.

NORTH HILLS HOURS & INFO 
Elevation Medical Weight Loss of North HillsBook an appointment using SetMore1130 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-847-8083
NORTH HILLS GENERAL OFFICE HOURS (shots and weigh-in) NORTH HILLS PHYSICIAN CLINIC HOURS (weight loss consults)
Tues: 9am – 4pm
Weds: 10am – 6pm
Thurs – Fri: 10am – 4pm
Tues: 9am – 12pm
Weds: 3pm – 6pm
Walk-ins are always welcome during these hours

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Stay Healthy this Winter

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Immunity is winter’s magic word.  When temperatures drop and windows and doors stay shut, viruses can fester.  If your immune system is down, you’re more likely to catch the latest bug which means less energy and generally feeling awful.  Winter germs are lurking everywhere so use some of these useful tips to avoid illness this winter.

-Getting the flu shot before the winter season starts can reduce your risk of illness by 50-60%. Family physicians, health departments, and even your local pharmacies offer them, often for free.
-Research has shown vitamin C to be one of the most powerful immune boosting vitamins available. This water-soluble vitamin can be found in oranges, orange juice, broccoli and in other fruits and vegetables as well as in high-quality multi-vitamins. Chewable or liquid vitamin C is also available in most health food stores. Ester C (a unique form of vitamin C that is buffered with calcium to increase absorption) is also available in several multi-vitamins or as a single supplement.

hand sanitizer

-Buy plenty of hand sanitizer.  Using sanitizer can reduce your exposure to germs immensely.  Try to find one that has at least 60% alcohol, or make your own by using this recipe:

  • 3 oz. filtered water
  • 1 tsp aloe vera gel
  • 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
  • 10 drops clove essential oil
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
  • 20 drops lemon essential oil

Mix ingredients in a 4 oz spray dispenser and shake gently. Spray into hands 3-5 sprays and massage for 5-10 seconds.

-Drink lots and lots of water. Eight to 10 glasses a day is recommended, especially during the winter (though our doctor would prefer you drink more like 15 glasses). You’ll feel loads better when you are hydrated and if you have already gotten a cold, keeping hydrated has been shown to be an important part of the illness battle.

-Avoid overdoing it on refined flours or sugars. Too much white sugar and flour will not only contribute to weight gain, but can also crash your immune system.

-Staying active will help promote bone and muscle health, control weight, and improve sleep patterns, leading to an overall healthier lifestyle throughout the year. And the stronger you are in general, the stronger your body will be to fight off illnesses – or recover in case you get sick despite your best efforts to avoid it.

-Wash hands…..a LOT.

– And get plenty of sleep!

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One Day or Day One…You Decide …And Bring a Buddy!

To make an appt, call or schedule an appointment online hereBook an appointment using SetMoreElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton
2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016 
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112

buddy.jpeg

Every January most of us resolve to start the new year by changing ourselves for the better in some way.  The number one New Year’s resolution is…you guessed it…to get in shape and/or lose weight.  69% of us make that same resolution every year. How many times have you made that promise to yourself,?

If 2018 is the year that you want to lose weight and get healthier, we at Elevation Medical Weight Loss are here for you! We are excited to announce that we have some incentive programs in store for you to make it just a little easier for your journey to a healthier you.  We know it can be hard sometimes to lose weight and the right support system can make a world of difference.  To help you strengthen and grow your own support system, we are offering a “Bring a Buddy” plan for you with some exciting incentives.  Here is what you need to do:

  • Be a former or a new patient, it does not matter.
  • If you are a former patient, you have to be ready for a refill on your meds or HCG.
  • Both people must physically be present and seen together for the appointment.
  • Bring a buddy with you, you both must get a prescription for meds, HCG, or sermorelin

YOUR INCENTIVES:

  • Each person will get $10.00 off of their medications
  • Each person will get a complimentary B-12 metabolism injection
  • Both of your names will get entered into a drawing at the end of the month to win a free weight scale (the same model as our in-office scale) and a credit toward a month of medications and B-12 and fat burner shots ($183 value).*

*There will be 3 winners from each clinic location (Weirton & Green Tree in Pittsburgh).  There will be drawings on the last day of January, February, and March.  The winners’ first names will be posted on the website and Facebook page.  All offices will be included in this incentive program. No cash or cash equivalent will be substituted for the end of month awards.

One day or day one?  We will decide…This is your DAY ONE!  Make it count…with your buddy!    

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Holiday Hours 2017

To make an appt, call or schedule an appointment online hereBook an appointment using SetMoreElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton
2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016 
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112

emwl-holiday2017

We will have the following changes to our hours during the holiday season. All of our offices will be CLOSED on Monday, December 25th 2017 and Monday, January 1st 2018 for Christmas Day and New Years Day.  Besides that, our normal office hours will be:

PITTSBURGH/GREEN TREE HOURS & INFO
 2350 Noblestown Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205
 412-304-2016
PITTSBURGH GENERAL OFFICE HOURS (shots and weigh-ins) **PITTSBURGH PHYSICIAN HOURS** (weight loss consults & medication refills)
Monday  – 10am – 4pm
Tues: CLOSED
Weds – Fri: 12pm – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 3pm
Weds: 10am – 1pm
Fri: 3pm –6pm

Sat: 9am –1pm
Walk-ins are always welcome during these hours

**Please note that medications cannot be dispensed during general office hours, but only during physician hours**

and for Weirton:

WEIRTON HOURS & INFO
Elevation Medical Weight Loss of Weirton 
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062
304-914-3112
WEIRTON GENERAL OFFICE HOURS (shots and weigh-ins) **WEIRTON PHYSICIAN HOURS** (weight loss consults & medication refills)
Mon- Thurs: 11am – 5pm
Fri: 9am – 2pm
Sat: 11am – 5pm
Tues: 2pm – 5pm
Fri: 9am – 1pm

Sat: 2pm – 5pm
Walk-ins are always welcome during these hours
**Please note that medications cannot be dispensed during general office hours, but only during physician hours**
Our team at Elevation Medical Weight Loss wishes you a wonderful and happy holiday season!
mailan-remy
MaiLan just told Remy that he’s getting coal
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Meal Planning for Weight Loss Success

To make an appt, call us or schedule an appointment online here
Book an appointment using SetMoreElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton
2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016 
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112

When you decide to live a healthier lifestyle and talk to us about wanting to lose weight,   we discuss the nutritional aspect of the types of foods in order to help you choose a weight loss program to fit your goals.  We further recommend that you set a plan for your meals as a way to more easily stay on task and get to your goals.

One aspect of dieting that we would like to emphasize is setting aside a day to plan ahead for your week’s meals.   This includes getting groceries for the week (preferably) from the list of foods that we recommend), prepping the necessary items to make the meals, and cooking ALL of the food needed for the week. If you have 12 containers, you can lay it all out and partition each meal in each container.  Since we often recommend eating 2 large meals a day, you can plan ahead for the other 6 days of the week.

The 9 days meal plan that we prescribed consists of larger meal portions.  Depending on if you are taking the diet medications (phentermine, or Adipex) for weight loss, your caloric goal may be 800-1300 calories a day split into 2 large meals.  If you are on the  weight loss program, your calorie goal may be around 600 calories a day, which is also split into 2 large meals. Even at 300 calories per meal, the meal consists of a larger serving of meats (4 oz of chicken, 10 oz of vegetables, and 2 large glass of water) to keep you full since you will be eating leaner cuts of meats and fill the tank with plenty of vegetables and water.

So what does meal prepping look like? It takes effort, but you get what you put into it– in the end, it helps you get a step closer to your goal.

Have all your ingredients laid out — lots of lean meats and tons of vegetables.

Green, leafy vegetables like collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens are low calorie and taste great.

Preparing all the asparagus and broccoli in aluminum foil for grilling.

Summer squash makes another flavorful side dish.  It will serve as a rice/potato/bread substitute.

Roasting sliced tomatoes on a pan and simmering thinly cut beef.

Setting shrimp on the skewers and have chicken tenderloins marinated and ready to grill with several lean burgers.

Shrimp and chicken take no time on the grill.

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400 calorie meal

 

k
Another 400 calorie meal

 

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This is what a 300 calories meal look like

Overall, the entire process of getting groceries, prepping food, cooking, storing, and cleaning up took 6 hours to make 14 meals for 1 person. But this small sacrifice means that you are done for the week and one step closer to being a better you.

 

 

 

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Humans Don’t Hibernate…

To make an appt, call us or schedule an appointment online here
Book an appointment using SetMoreElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton
2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016 
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112

As the summer is winding down, it’s common for us who live in a four season climate to subtly change our lifestyles in negative ways, sometimes regressing to the point of starting over. Whether its reducing our physical activity due to less enjoyable weather, or eating more in response to the chilly temperatures; these behaviors feel natural but contribute to the all-to-common cyclical nature of weight loss/gain. While they may feel natural, it is important to remember that we are not bears, and therefore do not require preparations for hibernation.

There are some things we can do to counter these tendencies however; such as recommitting to calorie counting, or finding new ways to exercise indoors (wherever your schedule permits). Also keep in mind that certain types of foods will have different effects on your appetite, which becomes increasingly important as the seasons are accompanied by certain stables like pies, cookies, cakes, and other assorted sweets. It’s the sugar in these foods that creates the terrible feedback loop of insulin spikes and crashes and their associated cravings. Additionally much of this food is lacking in sufficient amounts of protein to satisfy you appetite.

Now may also be the perfect time to find a gym or start a new exercise routine, finding ways to stay active and engaged with fitness will no doubt help you stave off the consequences of having less time to walk or play outdoors.

Whatever you do, I implore you to take in mind what your goals are for yourself, and if you’ve already made progress hold on to it and don’t let the change of seasons throw you off track. There is no need to wait until the New Year to recommit to getting healthy, keep focused year round; count your calories, move as much as possible, and always remember that weight loss is a marathon rather than a sprint,  just keep plodding forward and you will get there.

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After drinking all the milk, Remy hibernates
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It Turns Out That Home Cookin’ Really is Better

I recently stumbled across a video that immediately brought to mind a myriad of questions that get brought up by our weight loss patients. While we tend to focus on calorie counting during consultations, we often don’t have the chance to really dig into too much detail different types of foods. While there are many reasons that most of our food suggestions are “whole foods,” (by which I mean meals for which you buy ingredients and prepare yourself) the most important reason is the accuracy with which you can count calories.

As the following video, originally posted by the NY Times and author Casey Neistat, shows nutritional content labels on prepackaged foods are notoriously inaccurate. Using apps and journals is only as effective as the information that you input, so be careful as you count your calories and remember, if the nutritional content seems too good to be true, and you didn’t weigh out the ingredients yourself, there is a good chance that it is in fact not true.

 

Full credit to Author Casey Neistat and the NY Times Opdocs for the video content.

I don’t want this information to induce a calorie counting panic attack for our more meticulous patients, just be aware that if you want the tightest possible control over you Calories In/ Calories Out ratio, you will be better served making your own foods. Also, if you are trying your best and not seeing progress you might want to take a closer look at the details of the food you are consuming, you may actually be eating more than you think, and that’s not necessarily your fault.

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The Many Health Benefits of B Vitamin Injections and How They Can Accelerate Your Weight Loss

To make an appt, call us or schedule an appointment online here
Book an appointment using SetMoreElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton
2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016 
241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112

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Many people have asked why it is that we carry B vitamin injections, and even more why we carry so many different “types” of B vitamin injections. In this post we want to address the benefits of Vitamin B12 supplementation, as well as the variations of B Vitamin injections that we carry.

Firstly, we highly recommend that anyone on a low calorie diet should supplement additional vitamin B-12 into their regimens. Vitamin B-12 is involved in a wide range of bodily functions, and most importantly for our purposes energy production. This means that is one is deficient in B12, they are likely to feel more tired and less likely to have the necessary control to make the kind of hard choices necessary to reach their health and fitness goals.

Beyond the basic B12 injection and its many beneficial effects, we offer several different types of B vitamin injections, specifically formulated with additional supplements to meet you individual goals. The most popular variation that we offer is the “Fat Burner” shot, which includes a standard dose of B12 as well as a collection of amino acids that both help to increase the efficiency of your fat loss by encouraging blood flow to fat deposits, as well as mitigate any of the potential side effects that accompany any weight loss program (ie, diminishing hair and nail quality, jitteriness or restlessness, etc.).

Our second most popular option after the “Fat Burner” lipotrophic injection is the “Energy/Anti-Inflammatory” injection. This particular injection is geared toward either those who are very active, resulting in regular soreness and achiness, or those with chronic pain or soreness due to injuries or other health issues. In addition to an extra large dose of B12 (there is currently no known hazardous limit to B12 supplementation) this injection includes an amino acid blend that helps to bring down general inflammation, and thus reduce soreness and pain. Using this shot weekly can help to increase your energy in the gym, as well as increase recovery time after intense workouts.

Our last injection is typically reserved for those who have begun an exercise routine, since it must be used in conjunction with one of our B12 injections due to being a “complex” containing all the necessary B vitamins except for B12. Patients report significant joint pain relief, as well as increased exercise endurance and recovery when using this injection weekly.

In summary, we recommend trying a course of the B-12 metabolism injection + fat burner lipotrophic injection once a week for 4 weeks to enhance weight loss when you are taking phentermine and or using the HCG diet shots.  The B-12 metabolism + fat burner injection is administered as 2 separate injections on the arm, or we can combine them for you for 1 injection on the hip or gluteal region.

If you are suffering from joint pain, knee pain, back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and or have intense work-out regimes, we recommend the energy anti-inflammatory + super B-complex injections weekly, which is administered as one injection into the hip or gluteal region.  You may be surprised at the results after the first week or two.

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New Year Weight Loss Package Specials

To make an appt, call us at (412) 304-2016 or schedule an appointment online here.

Elevation Medical Weight Loss
 2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Happy New Year 2017!

We realize that your health is very important and we want to help you feel your best for 2017.  Let’s talk about how WE can help with the most common New Year’s Resolution: weight loss & maintaining your goal weight.

The most common complaints associated with any diet program are about fatigue and hunger.  Phentermine (Adipex) will minimize the discomfort associated with hunger by suppressing your appetite, so that your weight loss journey is much more comfortable. Most people will experience fatigue, since you are eating a fraction of what your typical calorie intake.  This is why we emphasize trying the B-12 injections for a few weeks to improve metabolism, fat loss, and energy.  The majority of our clients return for weekly follow-up to receive B-12 injections.  Weight loss is difficult, but we are here to make things much easier.

Several of our clients have requested that we put together packages to help them choose a program to be on.  For most individuals, there are no consequences of rapid weight loss.  You will not gain the weight back if you follow the program most days of the week. If you are unsure, when you come in for a Physician consult we will help you to determine which plan is best for you