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Donna’s Weight Loss Journey from March 10, 2017 to September 2017

Before & After Photos for Donna

Dear Dr. Cooper,

I wanted to share with you my weight loss story which would have never been possible without you and your amazing staff at Elevation Weight Loss of Weirton.

I came to you on a Friday afternoon in March of 2017 (the 10th).  I was so discouraged after having tried everything from Weight Watchers to a personal nutritionist and trainer and spending an amount of money that I do not care to remember.   My weight on March 10, 2017 was 206 pounds.  I was exhausted all of the time, depressed, and very uncomfortable.

On previous programs, I would loose a little bit of weight, even up to 30 /35 pounds and then quicker than I lost the weight, it would come right back.

I decided after speaking with a few people that your program might be a final chance for me.  I was embarrassed with my situation, as a teacher and educated woman, that I could not conquer this weight issue on my own.

I can honestly say that you and your staff made me feel so comfortable and listened to my story with so much compassion and understanding.

I started with the HCG Diet injections.  Within the first weeks I was seeing weight loss.  After two months on injections, I switched to the Diet Medication and I continued to see the pounds drop.

I additionally came in for the B12 injections to help with my inflammation and this was finally a program that was successful for me.

The nutritional guidance that Dr. Cooper and her staff gave to me was invaluable.  Combining the programs medication, nutritional program and the exercise guidance, I was finally in control of my weight.  By mid April I had lost 25 pounds and was down to 178.  By June I was 160 pounds and today I am maintaining at 3 pounds below my goal weight at 142 pounds.   64 pounds and nine (9) inches less in my waist later plus  six (6) months of hard work, dedication and amazing support and I feel fantastic.

I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be back in control of my life.  I recently traveled to Barcelona, Spain and walked an average of 25 miles each day.   I bicycled along the Mediterranean for two (2) hours and never was even out of breath or tired.  I am enjoying shopping for clothes again and I have regained my confidence.

Thank you doesn’t seem enough for all that you have done for me and my family.  I cannot ever thank you enough.  I continue to visit Elevation for B 12 shots to be sure that I am staying on my maintenance program.  I cannot stress enough that it was a challenge, however, one that was well worth achieving.

If anyone is in the situation that I was in March, I would encourage them to come to Elevation and Dr. Cooper and trust in this program.

Thank you,
Donna

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Tips on How to Be Healthier in the Fall

To make an appt, call us 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

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Summer is coming to an end and cooler weather is just around the corner. With the temperature drop usually comes less outdoor activities and the inevitable cold and flu season. Here are some tips for enjoying a happy and healthy fall this year. Pumpkins, for instance, are good for more than just carving as they are jam-packed with immune-boosting vitamin A, and are a low-calorie and low carb snack. They can be roasted, mashed, turned into soup and baked. Fall veggies, like fiber packed beets and vitamin  packed Brussel sprouts, can also add a healthy bump to your diet.

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  • Avoid the Pumpkin Spice Latte trap! You know it’s fall when Pumpkin spice drinks make its debut. Although they may make you get into the fall spirit, they are sky-high in sugar and fat, which adds up to hundreds of calories. Make drinks healthier by choosing non-fat milk instead of whole, no whipped cream, and ask for less syrup. Cinnamon is great fall spice and a better substitute for sweetener.
  • Get a flu shot! The flu shot can cut your risk of getting the flu by up to 60 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These natural immune boosters can help you stave off the virus as well as recover more quickly if you do get sick.
  • Even if everyone around you is sniffling, you should still take steps to protect yourself. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands regularly. get plenty of rest, and eat a healthy diet.
  • Fall also means Halloween, which means candy. The best advice for buying Halloween candy is to buy candy that you do not like. Sounds simple, but it will work.
  • Even though there is less sunlight, try to keep the same routine. Your body will thank you.

These are just a few of the things you can do to stay healthy during this jam packed season, but same as the rest of the year we can’t overstate the positive effects of a properly balanced diet and regular exercise.

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There’s No Shame in the Gain

To make an appt, call us 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

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If there is one subject that any weight loss organization doesn’t want to talk about, it’s gaining weight.  It’s an unfortunate reality for some of us, and it’s not one we are proud of.  Why is it that we feel like a complete failure when we gain a pound or two?  Most of the time, we know why it happens:  i.e., the 2 pieces of pizza we ate, the 2 glasses of wine, the ice cream we devoured. We know when we are doing it that it is wrong, at the time, we don’t care.  It’s afterward that we feel the guilt.  For that moment, we give up what we want the most, for what we want at that minute.

Now we are in no way telling you that it’s ‘ok’ to gain, that is definitely not part of our program, we are just letting you know that if it happens, how to deal with it.  Consistent gains are not what we are referring to. We are talking about mere “snaccidents”, not full binges.

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Behavioral Medicine reports that you’re most tempted to stray from a healthy eating plan when:

  • It’s late at night
  • You’re tired
  • Alcohol is involved
  • You’re hanging out with friends.

Sound familiar? It may be impossible to completely avoid these things, but it’s good to be aware.  Also, just because a food is considered “healthy”, it doesn’t mean you can eat an unhealthy amount of it.

Do you feel like you are angry at yourself for being “weak” and caving to your cravings? Do you feel like you have failed yet again? -Accept it. You did it, own it.  Don’t beat yourself up, but rather just move on.  You are human. You make mistakes. Yes, we all do.  Failure?  Not so much. Quit being so hard on yourself.

Pick yourself up and let us help you get back on track!  You can’t change the past. Focus on what is within your control–today and the future. With our help, you can do it.  The key is accountability.

If you haven’t seen us in months, and don’t want to come back because you have gained, please do.  Come back, you could use our help now more than ever. No judgement…just get back on track.  You’ll be glad you did! Our goal has always been to help you reach yours!

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Zuchini Noodles with Meat Sauce (247 calories per serving)

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It’s been awhile since we had a recipe posting, but we’ve been saving this savory low-carb, recipe for Spring.  We use a vegetable spiralizer (found in local home goods store or on Amazon). A vegetable spiralizer is definitely a safer alternative for your fingers to a mandolin slicer.  If you don’t have the tools, you can chop the zucchini into thin slices with a knife and still serve a great meal.

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Zucchini Noodles with Meat Sauce (247 calories per serving, 23 g of carbs)
*prep time 10 min, cook time 20 minutes*
Serves 10

Ingredient Calories Carbs
93% lean beef, 2 lb 1379 calories
Zucchini, 12 large, washed 648 calories 80 grams
Tomato sauce, canned, 28 oz 227 calories 52 grams
Tomato paste, canned, 6 oz 139  calories 32 grams
Onion, 1 medium, minced 46 calories 11 grams
Parmesan cheese, grated, 1 tsp (optional) 10 calories per serving
Water, 3/4 cup
Garlic, minced, 2 tsp
Oregano, 2 tsp 
Sugar, 2 tsp 32 calories 8 grams
Salt, 1 tsp
Basil, 2 tsp (fresh or dried)
Black pepper, ½ tsp
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Sugar, spice, and everything nice.. MaiLan thinks it would be nicer if we can put 2 lb of sugar instead of 2 tsp

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and 1/4 cup of water in a large saucepan on medium heat.

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2. Stir to crumble and brown the meat.

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3. Stir crushed tomato, tomato paste, and 1/2 cup of water into the pan until a rolling boil. Simmer on low and stir occasionally for another 5-10 minutes.

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We had every intention to use fresh tomatoes, but someone else claimed them.

4. While the meat sauce is simmering, use a vegetable spiralizer to turn the zucchini into noodles.

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5.  One zucchini (33 calories, 6 g carbs) will yield about 2 cups of zucchini noodles. A serving is 3 cups of zucchini noodles.  Spiralize the zucchini into desired thinness.  You may want to request for help from an experienced taste tester.

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4. In a large microwave-safe bowl or plate, microwave the zucchini for 2-3 minutes on high for every 3 cups you plan to serve.

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5. Combine zuchinni noodles with 8 oz of meat sauce. Add on a tsp of grated Parmesan cheese if desired.  Serve and enjoy!

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Each serving is under 300 calories, which works with the plan.

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Losing Weight With Elevation Medical Weight Loss

It may be 2017 already, but at Elevation Weight Loss it feels like the new year doesn’t really begin until February. Especially with all the extra time we needed to lose those “holiday” pounds.

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see our list of healthy food recipes HERE

 

Here are some of the benefits of losing weight:

  1. Increased mobility.
  2. Reduced risk of injuries.
  3. Decreased difficulty getting up and down.
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  4. Waking up with more energy for the day.
  5. Feeling more satisfied with smaller portions of food.
  6. Shopping for new clothes is more enjoyable.
  7. Reduced joint and back pain.
  8. Less dependence on many daily medications (but ask your family Dr. first).

As part of opening up our second location in Weirton, we would like to take this opportunity to provide accessible weight loss services to more individuals.  If you are even slightly motivated, we can help you get to your best health for 2017.

We have a referral program where you can send a friend or family to us for both parties to receive credit toward your services.  If you have questions, ask about our referral program here.
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Lastly, we have certain hours that Dr. Cooper will be in for new patient evaluations for weight loss and medication refills.  If you make an appt, it will limit your wait time and we can get you in faster; also some additional hours may be available by appt only.  Usually our clients are accustomed to making appointments in any healthcare setting, so you can make appointments with us; however, walking in during these hours is absolutely OK.

PHYSICIAN WEIGHT LOSS HOURS
*for new clients and medication refills*

PITTSBURGH (2350 Noblestown Rd. )
FRI 3p-6p & SAT 10a-1p

WEIRTON (241 Three Springs Dr.)
FRI 11-1p & SAT 3p-5p

Just a note, we are open during regular office hours to administer weekly B-12 injections, weigh in and waist measurements.

Pittsburgh Green Tree regular office hours:
Weds-Fri 12p-6p
Sat 10a-3p.

Weirton WV regular office hours:
Tues & Thurs 11a-5p
Fri 10a-2p
Sat 1p-5p

Hope to see you soon!

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Special Promotion June 2016

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Come see us this week to use this $10 gift voucher.  Valid on all your weight loss purchases for both new and current clients. Limit 1 per person. Can be combined with other promotions and/or offers.

Show this gift voucher on your phone/tablet to redeem.