What is Lifestyle Medicine?
My courses are rooted in the principles of Lifestyle Medicine. Not to be confused with Functional, or Integrative Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine is a medical specialty that uses therapeutic lifestyle interventions as a primary modality to treat chronic conditions including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes, and obesity. Lifestyle Medicine certified physicians are trained to apply evidence-based, whole-person, prescriptive lifestyle change to treat and, when used intensively, often reverse such conditions. These treatments are based on science and research, not popular trends. We apply the six pillars of lifestyle medicine - a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances and positive social connections.
How are the courses structured?
My courses will consist of several video modules: each covering a different topic within Lifestyle Medicine. Each section is typically around 10-15 minutes long. There is a handout that goes with each course that you can use to help make the course more personalized to you. We use motivational interviewing questions to help teach you how to most effectively set goals for yourself.
How will I benefit from these courses?
In these courses, I will show you how to apply the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine to your own life. I will explain to you why nutrition is so important and how striving to eat a whole food, plant-forward diet can add not only years, but quality years to your life. I will provide you with the knowledge needed to improve the way you fuel your body each day. We will talk about the importance of physical activity and how it is key to significantly increase your energy level and improve mental and physical health. I will help you find practical ways to incorporate exercise into your schedule. Stress management is another topic we will focus on. This is one of my favorite things to discuss because there are so many small things you can do to significantly reduce stress in your life. Sleep is another topic that doesn't get as much attention as it should. Getting the appropriate quality and quantity of sleep is essential to being able to function as a productive individual. We will discuss the importance of having meaningful relationships in your life. Positive social connections bring us joy and optimize our health. Finally, we will discuss the numerous benefits of avoiding risky substances that could otherwise deter us from achieving optimal health.
What is the scope of these courses?
These courses are intended to be a supplement for, not a replacement of, the healthcare you receive from your primary care physician. I always recommend that you continue taking any medications you have been prescribed and that you stay up to date on all age-appropriate vaccinations. Being compliant with your prescribed medications is extremely important. We will even be discussing the most commonly prescribed medications so that you can be better informed when making healthcare decisions with your doctors. Hopefully by following my guidance, I can help make you the healthiest version of yourself naturally, which may allow you to minimize the need for prescription medication. The benefits of lifestyle improvement are enormous, but they don't happen overnight. So, please keep taking any prescribed medications unless your doctor recommends otherwise.