Dr. Dana Mincer, a Glenside resident, Board-Certified Family Practice physician, and owner of Love Health Direct Primary Care of Fort Washington, has shared the following:

As an IAPAM Weight Loss Certified and Board-Certified Family Practice Doctor, personal trainer, and mother, I have a strong aversion to the term “weight loss medicine.” From one human to another, I never want you to feel as though you are losing a part of yourself. Instead, I want you to gain strength and stability. Western medicine often separates the mental from the physical and spiritual, but true health encompasses all of these aspects. Think about the times you were happiest—those moments often coincide with feeling physically and mentally healthy and fulfilled by your family or community. That’s why, when it comes to “losing weight,” I urge you to shift your focus from simply shedding pounds to achieving spiritual, mental, and physical health, strength, and balance.

Let’s talk about why I believe weight and BMI are among the most unintellectual measurements of health—they simply don’t tell the full story. I’ve seen people with athlete-level body fat percentages labeled as “obese” based on their BMI. If you’re at an unhealthy body composition and start a power-lifting regimen, your weight might stay the same because you’ll gain muscle, which weighs more than fat. So, I encourage you to push weight and BMI to the back of your mind and instead focus on the key metric: healthy body composition.

What does healthy body composition mean? In Lifestyle Medicine, and specifically in our Life Balance Blueprint program, we focus on meaningful measures of health transformation. These include fat around your internal organs, fat under the skin, muscle mass, bone mass/density, and more. This isn’t about fat-shaming—it’s about understanding the basics of how excess fat affects your health. We know that excess adipose tissue acts as an inflammatory stimulus, secreting estrogen and cortisol, which cause further inflammation, slows your metabolism, and decreases your ability to maintain muscle mass. And, we also know that a healthy level of body fat is essential for your body to function optimally!

At Love Health, we believe that true wellness is about more than just physical health—it’s about nurturing a balanced relationship with food, movement, and your body. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer our **Life Balance Blueprint Program**!

This comprehensive program is designed to guide you in creating sustainable, healthy habits that support both your body and mind. Whether you’re looking to improve your eating patterns, discover a more joyful approach to movement, or cultivate a positive body image, the Life Balance Blueprint Program is here to help.

**What’s Included:**

– **Personalized Care**: Visits with a physician, integrative health coach, nutritionist, and bariatric-certified behavioral health therapist—all working together to support your unique needs.

– **AI-Powered App**: Effortlessly track your food intake by taking a picture of your meals. Our app will analyze and help you stay on track with your nutrition goals.

– **Continuous Glucose Monitoring**: Get 14 days of continuous glucose monitoring to tailor your plan to your body’s needs.

– **Body Composition Tracking**: You’ll receive a body composition scale to use at home, focusing on metrics that matter beyond just weight.

– **Supportive Community**: Join any of our four different weekly Zoom calls, starting with a short educational topic and ending with dedicated support.

Through personalized coaching, cutting-edge technology, and a strong support system, we’ll work together to help you build a balanced lifestyle that aligns with your goals and values. This program is ideal for anyone ready to take a proactive approach to their health and well-being.

**What You’ll Gain:**

– A healthier relationship with food that honors your body’s needs.

– A movement routine that feels enjoyable and sustainable.

– Tools and strategies to cultivate a positive body image.

– Ongoing support and accountability from our team and community.

My hope is for each and every one of you to live the most fulfilled and enriched life possible. After all, we only have one shot in this lifetime.

In peace and health,  

Dr. Dana and the Love Health Team

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.