Medical Weight Loss Clinic’s Pocket Coach

Everyone needs a little reminder or positive motivation from time to time.  Sometimes the simple things can make a huge difference.  Medical Weight Loss Clinic now has Pocket Coach which provides daily motivation, health and exercise tips twice a day via a text message on your mobile phone.

To get started:

1. You need a phone that receives texts
2. You need to have your texting service Enabled by your mobile service provider.
3. Text “follow mwlc” to 40404 (Some users may have to type “follow @mwlc”)
4. You will receive a verification message (varies depending on your service)

NOTE: In order to send text messages to a subscriber list, we need to utilize a service with the necessary capability. We use Twitter’s “Fast Follow” to send these text messages to your phone.  You do not need to have an online Twitter account or Twitter app to utilize this service.  You will receive these texts as you do any other text.

FEE:  You will be charged for ANY text sent to your phone in accordance to your texting package provided to you by your mobile phone service provider.  We do not charge an additional fee.

How to discontinue the service:

• Sending STOP twice in succession will remove your phone number from the list. You will no longer receive updates from us.
• You can send Follow mwlc anytime and start receiving updates again!

Screen Shot Examples

(click to enlarge)

EASTLAND MALL

Metro Detroit Mall Walking Map

Location: 18000 Vernier Road (Eight Mile Rd.) west of I-94

City: Harper Woods

Doors Open: 8 a.m. Monday through Sunday

Distance: One lap is one mile.

Phone: (313) 371-1500

FAIRLANE TOWN CENTER

Location: 8900 Michigan Avenue and Southfield Expressway

City: Dearborn

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Sunday

Distance: One lap of complete lower level including arcades is .8 of a mile.

Phone: (313) 593-3330

GREAT LAKES CROSSING

Location: Baldwin Road and 1-75, Exit 84

City: Auburn Hills

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Sunday

Distances: If you follow the track, one lap is .8 of a mile. If you follow the outside perimeter to the doors, one lap is 1.2 miles.

Phone: (248) 454-5000 or 1-877-SHOPGLC

Additional: New Michigan Adventure Walking Club! Get a t-shirt just for registering. Member

benefits include FREE quarterly breakfast and daily health tips.

Web address: http://www.shopgreatlakescrossing.com/infodesk/clubNews.html

LAKESIDE MALL

Location: Hall Road (M-59) and Schoenherr; Sterling Heights

Dooxz ances: One lap on the lower level is .75 of a mile. One lap on the 2nd level, including the food court, is about one mile.

Phone: (586) 247-1590

Additional: There is a coat rack available from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. located in the lower level JC Penney Wing.

LAUREL PARK PLACE

Location: Six Mile Road (1/4 mile east of I-275); Livonia

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. on Sunday

Distance: One lap (inside perimeter of the shopping center – maroon tile) is .6 of a mile.

Phone: (734) 462-1100

Additional: Mall walking club sponsored by St. Mary Mercy Hospital. Free blood pressure screenings every 4th Monday of the month from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Center Court of mall.

LIVONIA MALL

Location: 29514 Seven Mile Road and Middlebelt Road; Livonia

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. on Sunday

Distances: One lap including the arcades is approximately one mile.

Phone: (248) 476-1160

Additional: Use entrance by Mervyn’s. Botsford Hospital conducts blood pressure screenings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

MACOMB MALL

Location: Masonic (13-1⁄2 Mile) and Gratiot; Macomb

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. on Sunday

Distances: One lap is .8 of a mile.

Phone: (586) 293-7800

Additional: Use the entrance near the mall office (between Silver Cinemas and Kohl’s). Pick up a registration form at either the Customer Service Center or Security Office.

NORTHLAND MALL

Location: John C. Lodge Freeway and Greenfield; Southfield

Doors open: 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. on Sunday

Distances: One lap of the internal perimeter, including arcades is about 1 mile.

Phone: (248) 569-6272

Additional: Mall walking club, Northland Pacers. Use entrance near T.J. Maxx

OAKLAND MALL

Location: 14 Mile Road and John R Road; Troy

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. on Sunday

Distances: The upper level and lower level of Oakland Mall are .2 of a mile each, the main level is .6 of a mile. Circle the outside perimeter of all three levels to complete a one-mile walk.

Phone:  (248) 585-6000

Additional: Register to walk at the lower level information desk during mall hours. Before regular hours, use the main entrance and Steve and Barry’s entrance.

Web address: www.oaklandmall.com/mallwalkers.shtml

SOMERSET MALL

Location: Big Beaver and Coolidge Roads; Troy

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Sunday

Distances: Once around any level at North equals about .3 of a mile. Once around any level at South equals a little over .25 of a mile. One way across the Skywalk equals .125 of a mile.

Phone: (248) 643-6360

Additional: Call the phone number above to get a parking sticker. Park on level 3 behind Neiman-Marcus. Mall walking club, the Sky Walker Club meets on the 3rd Wednesday each month from October 20 – April 20 from 8 – 9:30 a.m. – check in at Starbucks South

SOUTHLAND MALL

Location: 2300 Eureka Road (1/4 mile east of Telegraph); Taylor

Doors open: 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. on Sunday

Distances: The entire mall perimeter is just over one mile.

Phone: (734) 374-2800, ext. 7023

Additional: Use entrance closest to Marshall Field’s (when looking at Marshall Field’s it is the door to the left). Identification is required.

SUMMIT PLACE MALL

Location:  315 N. Telegraph Road; Pontiac

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Sunday

Distances: One lap is approximately one mile.

Phone: (248) 682-0123

TWELVE OAKS MALL

Location: 27500 Novi Road (just north of 1-96); Novi

Doors open: 8 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. on Sundays

Distances:  One lap of the upper level is approximately .8 of a mile. One lap of the lower level is approximately .5 of a mile.

Phone: (248) 348-9400

Additional: Use the Lord & Taylor entrance (Valet entrance). Register at Main Information Desk.

UNIVERSAL MALL

Location: 28582 Dequindre and 12 Mile Road; Warren

Doors open: 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. on Sunday

Distances: One lap is .75 of a mile.

Phone: (586) 751-3161

Additional: Walkers should enter on the south side of the Mall. Walking program sponsored by St. John’s Oakland General. Register at Customer Service center in mall.

WESTLAND MALL

Location: Wayne and Warren Roads; Westland

Doors open: 7 a.m. Monday through Sunday

Distances: Walking the mall with all the arcades (hallways) is .75 of a mile. Walking the mall without all arcades (hallways) is .5 of a mile.

Phone: (734) 425-5001

Additional: Use the doors by Arcade 2 (by Olga’s Kitchen) before 8:30 a.m. To join the walking program, complete a registration card at the Customer Service booth in the East Court. St. Mary Mercy Hospital offers community lectures and health screenings such as blood pressure checks.

Web address: www.westlandcenter.com

Note: Information in this guide is subject to change. Please contact the mall to confirm program information.

Source: Health Alliance Plan of Michigan

Medical Weight Loss Clinic’s sponsorship of TACOM Life Cycle Management Command’s Organizational Day helps assist with the expenses associated with the event.  Events like Organizational Day help promote strong relationships within the military and civilian personnel at The Detroit Arsenal and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.  In addition, Medical Weight Loss Clinic’s sponsorship helps to ensure that US Army events and programs are successful.  The FMWR (Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation department) is also benefitted by sponsors like Medical Weight Loss Clinic.  The FMWR assists US Army Soldiers and their families with adjustments associated with the deployment and return of our Armed Forces as well as relocation assistance when needed.

“Your support will allow this event to be a memorable and extraordinary event for our Soldiers, their families, civilians, and friends,” states Commander Maj. General Kurt Stein.

About TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, headquartered in Warren, Michigan, in partnership with the Army’s Program Executive Offices, is one of the Army’s largest weapon systems research, development, and sustainment organizations. Their missions is to develop, acquire, field, and sustain soldier and ground systems for the warfighter through the integration of effective and timely acquisition, logistics, and cutting-edge technology. For more information, visit www.tacom.army.mil.

About Medical Weight Loss Clinic (MWLC)

Founded in 1986, Medical Weight Loss Clinic has 33 clinics throughout Michigan and across northern Ohio. During its 25-year history, Medical Weight Loss Clinic has helped tens of thousands of patients lose weight and keep it off.     All Medical Weight Loss Clinic programs are customized based upon a patient’s medical profile, use regular grocery store food and feature unlimited visits to the clinic for nutritional guidance and individual support. Each patient receives one-on-one support from MWLC professionals with the focus of the weight loss program to help patients develop healthy and satisfying eating habits. For more information, go to www.mwlc.com.

On August 18, 2011, Medical Weight Loss Clinic sponsored the 3rd Annual Keeping Kids In The Game fundraising event at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI hosted this year by Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen.  The event gave attendees exclusive access to the ballpark and giving them the opportunity to walk the field, sit in both home and away dugouts and tour the clubhouse.  A strolling dinner was also available in the Tiger Club while attendees participated in the silent auction of priceless items.  Among the the items in the auction included autographed Red Wings and Tigers memorabilia and one of a kind Kid Rock and Eminem items.

Proceeds of the event benefit children’s health and youth baseball.

About The Detroit Tigers Foundation:

The Detroit Tigers organization, its owners, management, players and coaches are committed to providing a caring, enduring presence in our community and believe in the need to invest inour community’s future.

The mission of the Detroit Tigers Foundation is to use the game of baseball to enhance the quality of life in our community with a focus on youth, education and recreation. The Detroit Tigers Foundation will aid in the development and funding of innovative programs, including field renovation projects, that reach our community with positive messages and promote the good citizenship embodied in the storied history of the Tigers.

About Medical Weight Loss Clinic (MWLC)
Founded in 1986, Medical Weight Loss Clinic has 33 clinics throughout Michigan and across northern Ohio. During its 25-year history, Medical Weight Loss Clinic has helped tens of thousands of patients lose weight and keep it off. All Medical Weight Loss Clinic programs are customized based upon a patient’s medical profile, use regular grocery store food and feature unlimited visits to the clinic for nutritional guidance and individual support. Each patient receives one-on-one support from MWLC professionals with the focus of the weight loss program to help patients develop healthy and satisfying eating habits. This year alone, Medical Weight Loss Clinic patients will lose in excess of two million pounds. For more information, go to www.mwlc.com.

Alan Opra Success Story: Military Vet and Amputee loses 116 lbs and his wheelchair

SOUTHFIELD, MI–(Marketwire – Aug 23, 2011) – Alan Opra, a military veteran, loses 116 lbs. and regains mobility after being an amputee victim of a drunk-driving accident, gaining excessive weight, and being confined to a wheelchair.

On August 5th,  Medical Weight Loss Clinic participated as a sponsor at the 10th Annual Willie Horton’s Batting for kids.  Over 375 kids ranging from 8-15 years of age can came down to Comerica Park for the all day event.  They had the opportunity to show off their baseball skills in activities such as base running, pitching, speed pitching and batting.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic hosted the lunch and nutrition portion of the event teaching kids how to eat healthier and the importance of nutrition.  Also in attendance were about 25 volunteers from the Detroit office of the FBI doubling as both mentors and security for the day.

The event benefitted Don Bosco Hall, a community outreach group which serves at risk children and their families.
 Click here for more information on Don Bosco Hall.

Photos from the participating staff at Medical Weight Loss Clinic:

 Only half of obese Mexican-American adults receive diet and exercise advice from their physicians, a new study finds, although obesity is on the rise for this group.

“Among this obese population, not seeing 100 percent of people receiving advice is discouraging. There is a much higher risk of having negative health consequences,” said Ha Nguyen, Ph.D., an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the Wake Forest School of Medicine.

In the study, which appears in the July/August issue of theAmerican Journal of Health Promotion, lead author Nguyen and colleagues examined data from a survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. A group of 1,787 obese Mexican-American adults noted whether a doctor or health care professional ever advised them to exercise more or eat fewer high-fat and high-cholesterol foods.

Overall, 45 percent of participants reported their doctor never provided recommendations to increase exercise, and 52 percent said a health care professional never advised them to make dietary improvements.

“The rate of about 50 percent receiving advice is generally the same as previous reports in the general population,” Nguyen said. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to look at a specific Hispanic subgroup,” she said.

The researchers also discovered that patients who had medical conditions in addition to obesity, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, proved much more likely to receive counseling on exercise and nutrition. For example, 79 percent of patients with obesity and diabetes said they received advice to exercise more, compared to 43 percent of patients whose only diagnosis was obesity.

“When someone’s obese and has diabetes, physicians are much more clued in to the fact that they need to counsel people about lifestyle,” said Matthew O’Brien, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine and public health at Temple University School of Medicine.

Why don’t physicians provide counseling to obese patients? O’Brien cited several reasons, including lack of financial incentives, lack of adequate physician training in weight management and counseling and language barriers between English-speaking physicians and Spanish-speaking patients.

“Providers play an important role. Doctors are in a unique position to promote health behaviors … their patients are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors,” even if they receive simple, brief advice, Nguyen said.

The study authors received support from the Network for Multicultural Research on Health and Healthcare at UCLA.

Source: Health Behavior News Service

On August 5th, kids from 5-15 years of age can come down to Comerica Park and show off their baseball skills for the 10th Annual Willie Horton’s Batting for kids. Medical Weight Loss Clinic, Detroit Tigers Foundation and the hundreds of kids and volunteers will be participating to make this the most fun and successful year yet.

Activities include:
Base running
Pitching
Speed Pitching
Baseball Clinic
Batting Competition
Lunch (Nutrition)
and more!

View and Print Schedule:
2011 Willie Horton’s Batting for Kids Schedule

The event benefits Don Bosco Hall which serves at risk children and their families.
Click here for more information

A program that combines advice from a primary care physician with computer assessment, mailings and phone calls may help teens improve some aspects of their diets and physical activity levels, according to a study in the February issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Obesity is an increasing problem among American adolescents, according to background information in the article. In the past 30 years, the percentage of teens aged 12 to 19 years who are obese has increased from 6 percent to more than 16 percent in 2002. The average child aged 6 to 11 also ate 133 more calories per day in 2000 than in 1990, and less than 40 percent of teens get the government-recommended hour of daily physical activity.

Kevin Patrick, M.D., M.S., of the University of California, San Diego, and colleagues assessed the effectiveness of one intervention designed to improve diet and physical activity habits among teens, the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise + Nutrition (PACE+) . From May 2001 through June 2002, the researchers recruited 819 adolescents between the ages of 11 and 15 years. They assigned 424 participants (222 girls and 202 boys) to a group receiving PACE+, which begins with a computer screening and goal-setting tool completed in a primary care physician’s office. After a three- to five-minute counseling session with the doctor, the teen and his or her parents took home educational materials. They then received one year of personalized mailings and brief follow-up phone calls from trained research staff. A control group of 395 teens (216 girls and 179 boys) did not participate in the PACE+ program. Each group was assessed at six months and one year.

After one year, adolescents in the PACE+ program reduced their sedentary behaviors by one hour per day, while those in the other group did not. “This is important given that sedentary behaviors can decrease energy intake in nonoverweight adolescents and has been suggested as an important component of interventions to prevent obesity and regulate body weight,” the authors write. Boys in the PACE+ group also increased their number of active days per week and were more likely to meet the hour daily exercise requirement, and more girls in that group met the government’s guidelines for maximum percentage of daily calories from saturated fat. Since 64 percent of the teens in the PACE+ group completed at least nine of the 11 scheduled follow-up calls, the intervention is feasible, the authors report.

Source: JAMA and Archives Journals