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Motivation can come from the most unlikely places. For one mom, the push to lose weight came from a particularly surprising source: a cruel comment from an unknowing child at an indoor swimming pool.

"I was called a hippopotamus," Peggy Pullen, 48, told TODAY, recalling the moment in November 2014 she realized she needed to change. "In front of everybody, in front of my kids. The hardest part was the look on my children's faces. It wasn't just me who was humiliated it was them, too."

At the time, Pullen, a mom of four kids in Lehi, Utah, weighed over 200 pounds. That afternoon, she went home and cried, too embarrassed to even face her own family.

"I was just bawling," Pullen said. "I didn't want to eat. I didn't want to come out of the room or anything. I was in a really bad place. I needed to do something about it. I knew I had to make a choice that my children could learn from."

Peggy Pullen on the day she started her weight-loss transformation, January 1, 2015.

RELATED: How this woman lost 160 pounds in 2 years by following 5 steps

She had tried to shed the weight before through fad diets and pills Atkins, Weight Watchers, cabbage soup and more. But nothing really worked.

"Basically, any diet that has come out to the market, I've done," Pullen said.

"I knew that diets didn't work, so I wasn't going to go through that anymore," she added. "I needed to be challenged."

Pullen dances at a wedding. She weighed about 200 pounds at the time this photo was taken.

RELATED: 7 women on what it's really like to lose over 100 pounds

For Pullen, the answer was joining a 12-week program through BodyBuilding.com that helped her figure out what to eat and how to work out. She found support through other people in the program, who were also trying to lose weight and had shared their stories online.

The first step was the hardest: posting her "before" picture.

"It was a tough moment when my husband took my picture," she said. "I like to wear a lot of black and hide, and not show my husband my whole body. We as women like to hide sometimes, and I had my whole gut out and everything."

Pullen poses with her husband after her weight loss.

RELATED: Couple loses 298 pounds combined in a year with 3 easy steps

"I posted my picture and the second I did, I had a nervous breakdown," she added. "It was worse than the pool. (But) some young kid said he liked my picture, and then all these people started to show their support. I think they knew it was tough, what I had done."

Of course, what happened next wasn't much easier. Pullen had to curb her cravings for sweets and carbs. She also loves to cook and had to learn to alter her recipes to be healthier. As a newbie at the gym, she felt unwelcome and even bullied.

Pullen credits clean eating and weightlifting for her new shape.

"When you are fat very fat and you want to go and lift weights with the cool guys, they own the machines," she said. "You're not welcome and those cool guys are very close friends with the people who work there. They laugh at you, and they don't like an old, fat lady in their space, so they bully you."

But Pullen, who is 5 feet 3 inches tall, stuck to her routine and within 10 months was down to 120 pounds. For her, clean eating and lifting weights are what worked. She now weighs 110 pounds, and has kept the weight off for about a year and a half.

"One of the biggest things I (noticed) before I got fit was that I was always so tired," she said. "Junk food makes you tired. Today, I eat clean and whenever I get hungry, I eat protein first."

Pullen, now a bodybuilder, lost about 90 pounds.

RELATED: How this mom lost 80 pounds without surgery or joining a gym

That's not to say she doesn't allow for the occasional cheat meal or deprive her kids of things like birthday cake. Pullen knows the best diets allow for moderation. While she's figured out what works best for her, she still keeps in touch with the online community that helped get her there.

"You have to have a support group it's the most important part of your transformation," Pullen said.

Because even when you think you can't do it, other people do, and eventually, the feeling is contagious.

"It's something that clicks inside of you," she said. "You start to believe in yourself."

For more inspirational stories, check out our My Weight-Loss Journey page. If you're interested in starting your own journey, sign up for our One Small Thing newsletter. It's filled with healthy tips!

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How a cruel comment prompted this mom to lose 90 pounds - Today.com

New York Times

Tackling Weight Loss and Diabetes With Video Chats New York Times Every day, patients use an app to upload their blood sugar levels, blood pressure, body weight and other measurements. A health coach, usually a registered dietitian, monitors their data and checks in by phone, text or email to discuss any problems or ...

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Tackling Weight Loss and Diabetes With Video Chats - New York Times

The Results are in. Wow! It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone! For Soza Weight Loss, that means we have reached the end of another 60 Day Slim-Down Challenge.

The Challenge is held annually beginning in January and continues until March. It coincides perfectly with New Years and all the resolutions made to lose weight and get healthy. Our goal during these 60 days is not just to produce a winner, but to guide and teach all contestants the importance of making the necessary lifestyle changes to help them lose weight and keep it off.

Our goal is that they will discover what foods are right for their bodies. You cannot put all people in the same diet box; we all have different dietary and nutritional needs. We can however start with a general food outline and expand or narrow it from there based on an individuals health and body needs.

Our passion is to bring our clients back to the basics of cooking and eating fresh proteins, fruits and vegetables. We want to educate them on the hidden sugars, chemicals and GMOs that are being added to todays food sources and how to determine if they are in the food they are consuming and serving to their family.

In todays fast-paced society, we want everything quick and easy just drive through and pick it up! Unfortunately, your health is not something you can swing by and pick up after work. It requires some work from you!

This years contest began with 17 contestants, 14 women and 3 men, all vying for over $3600 worth of prizes to be awarded only to the Top-10. Our winners were determined by percentage of body weight lost over the 60 day period. I am excited to announce the top-10 winners (or should I say losers) for 2017:

Grand Prize Winner, Charlene Chiasson, who lost 13.17 percent of her body fat in just 60 days! 2nd place went to Carnell Vessel, losing 10.9 percent (he started a week later than everyone else). 3rd place was Ann Jackson, losing 8.57 percent, 4th Anthony Jackson losing 8 percent, 5th Shawanda Morris, losing 7.79 percent, 6th Latisha Garrett, losing 7.14 percent, 7th Georgia Grimes, losing 7.09 percent, 8th Theresa Bearden, losing 6.43 percent, 9th Mary Joseph, losing 5.90 percent, and 10th was Christy Jackson, losing 4.79 percent.

These 10 challengers lost a combined weight of 198.5 pounds and 137.65 inches great job ladies and gents! The most rewarding part of my job at Soza Weight Loss is watching the transformations take place. It is such a joy to see depression and low self-esteem transform into smiles, happiness and self-confidence.

When the physical appearance becomes accepting to an individual, the entire psyche is affected. I have walked this road before all of my clients. I was at one time 50 pounds overweight trying every anti-depressant known to man. Unfortunately, they only caused me to gain more weight, leading to deeper depression and stronger meds. Five years ago, in March of 2012, I walked into this clinic as a client. I was beat down and worn out from trying every diet program out there. I really did not want to try something else, but for whatever reason I gave this clinic a shot.

Finally someone was teaching me how to eat, when to eat, what to eat, and what to stay away from. Within 3-and-a-half months, I had exceeded the weight loss goal I had set for myself and was now smaller and healthier than I was in high school. Was it easy? Not all the time. Was it work? Yes. Was I determined? Yes. Am I glad I stuck with it? Yes. That was five years ago and I have kept the weight off.

To top it off, I am now the owner of the clinic, in the drivers seat, teaching, coaching and encouraging others that they too can be successful if they are willing to commit to the changes that must be made.

When I started Soza I was unhappy with my weight," Charlene Chiasson said. "I have no gallbladder so my liver levels were off the charts. Soza showed me how to change my eating habits and kept me accountable throughout the entire process. Seeing the pounds coming off weekly encouraged me to keep going. My liver levels are normal now! I would recommend Soza to everyone it works! Thank you Soza.

On a final note, I must give thanks to the merchants who make our prize packages so amazing! Without their help and support our contest would not be the success that it is each year. So a great big thanks to: Dr. Gray Bailey, Absolute Quality Care Dentistry, Ronnie Trosclair, Ralphs, Summer Perkins, Roussels, Tyler Terrebonne, Sunset Smoothie, Buddy deGeneres, Monogramming Unlimited, Jerri Breaux, Pampered Chef, Michelle Tranchina , St. Michels Day Spa, The Vintage Salon Hair by Amber Leigh Mayers and of course, Soza Weight Loss!

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Soza Weight Loss 60 Day Challenge - Donaldsonville Chief

Women's Health

'I Tried This Crazy Weight-Loss Gadget And It Actually Kind Of Worked' Women's Health Though that wasn't too surprising since Facebook knows allincluding that I'm an insatiable cookie monster. (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.) As someone who writes about weight loss ...

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'I Tried This Crazy Weight-Loss Gadget And It Actually Kind Of Worked' - Women's Health

When Mama June Shannon rose to fame on the TLC reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, viewers witnessed her binge-eat huge portions of junk foodand serve her family "sketti," or spaghetti doused in ketchup and butter. But after some time out of the public eye, Mama June Shannonrevealed her weight loss transformationand the results are shocking. The 37-year-old, who used to tip the scales at 460 pounds, has shed 300 pounds and is now a size 4.

Shannon underwent an intense series of operations that started with gastric sleeve surgery, which shrinks the stomach's capacity.This was the worst surgery, Shannon toldPEOPLEof the procedure. So painful. Then, she had breast augmentation, as well asskin removal on her neck, arms, and stomach. Doctors removed 9 pounds of loose skin from her midsection alone.

Those surgeries did not come cheap. Her surgeon told PEOPLE that the total costwas around $75,000. Watch the video above for a cost breakdown of all her weight loss procedures.

While $75,000 sure sounds steep, it may be worth a lifetime of wellness for Shannon. She explained to PEOPLE that whileshe's still adapting to her new healthy habits,she's determined to maintain her new weight. And she has an answer for those who say she "cheated" her way to self-improvement:Its not like ImMiss Plastic, she said to PEOPLE. I dont consider a tummy tuck or face skin removal plastic surgery. I believe its something that makes you feel better than you did with the skin hanging."

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See How Much Money Mama June Spent on Her Shocking Weight Loss Transformation - Health.com

Losing weight isnt easy. Luckily, there are teas and herbal drinks that can aid you, if your goal is to lose weight.These herbal infusions are derived from plants thathelpboost metabolism, control appetite and reduce consumption of high-calorie beverages.

Note that adding sugar to tea can hinder weight loss and cause health issues. Youre better off sweetening your teas with a teaspoon of raw organic honey. Here are 5 healthy tea drinks that will help you lose weight.

This herbal tea is made from leaves of a plant native to South Africa. It has been proven to strengthen the immune system and enhance weight loss. For one thing, rooibos tea infusions containaspalathin, a flavonoid which reduces stress.

This tea also contains antioxidants and minerals that help maintain optimal health. If you dont like caffeine, this is the perfect tea for you since its naturally caffeine-free.

Drinking bilberry herbal tea before meals can help suppress appetite. This herbal drink also helps regulate blood sugar levels and fights inflammation.

You wont need to add sweeteners to this tea since it is naturally sweet. In fact, you can drink it to curb nighttime sugar cravings. Its worth noting that bilberry and rooibos are herbal drinks not from the tea plant, but theyre marketed similarly totea.

Green tea comes from the same plant as white, black and oolong tea. But these teas offer different benefits due to the unique ways they are processed. Various studies have suggested that green teaboosts metabolism and promotes fat loss. Most of green tea benefits are attributed to caffeine and potent antioxidants called catechins.

According to this study, participants who took 690mg of catechins a day (equivalent to 4-5 cups of green tea) for 12 weeks, lost an average of 2 more pounds than those who didnt take catechins. Plus, research shows caffeine can promote weight loss.

Oolong tea can help you lose weight and keep it off. It boosts metabolism and blocks excess calories from being stored as fat. In one study, participants who drank oolong tea lost 6 pounds in 6 weeks.

Replacing sodas and fruit juice with oolong tea will make it easier for you to reach your weight goal.

White tea has been proven to boost metabolism and block formation of new fat cells. This study found that white tea helps break down the fat cells in your body.

In another study, participants reduced their waistlines by 10 percent after drinking white tea every day for 12 weeks. Aim to drink 2 cups of white tea a day.

Which tea has helped you lose weight?

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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5 Healthy Tea Infusions That Aid Weight loss - Care2.com

I have been doing yoga for almost one year now. While my focus is the other benefits it comes with, I have to confess that time and again, I have noticed my weight stabilize and even drop a few pounds.

So, it is an open secret that yoga being a physical activity, can most definitely lead to burning of calories and at times, weight loss. The bigger question however is, how many calories does yoga burn?

Well, this question has been posed time and again, and time and again, the answer is the same; it depends. There is no standard number of calories burnt while doing yoga. The burnt calories depend on a number of factors. Curious? Find out more!

Come on, I bet you saw this coming right? Well, yoga, just like any other physical activity, leads to more calories burnt with an increase in the duration of the activity, up to a point. For instance, a person doing yoga for 30 minutes will shade an average of 300 pounds which doubles if the yoga session doubles in duration, while the calorie intake remains constant.

This way, you can lose more calories by increasing the duration of your workout up to a reasonable time, say a maximum of one hour doing yoga.

Studies have shown that the heavier a person, the more the calories burnt in any physical activity yoga included. Thanks to the guys at Harvard Medical, this theory has been put to test.

It shows that time held constant, individuals with different body weights burn different amounts of calories in different physical activities, including yoga. This goes out to prove that the weight of a person is a determining factor in the number of calories burnt during yoga.

Yoga comes with a lot of benefits and then some. The burning of calories is one of them. It should however be noted that, yoga alone is not the best kind of physical activity for burning calories. As much as you can increase the duration of a yoga session to burn more calories, you will still not burn calories effectively to result in weight loss.

What you can do, however, is to incorporate yoga into another physical activity. For instance, practice yoga with weights. You can also include yoga into your workouts such that, on your rest days, you can be doing some yoga to burn a few calories while enhancing your flexibility and stretching out your body. This way, you will still do yoga and be able to burn a significant amount of energy.

Moreover, focusing your mind on burning calories while doing yoga will lead to your mind being distracted which defies the whole purpose of yoga. That said, Namaste my friends and make sure you enjoy yoga as much as you can. As usual, your questions and comments are most welcomed, so keep them coming.

This article was written by Nancy Moore

Originally posted here:
The truth about yoga and weight loss - Starts at 60

The key to lasting weight loss?

Losing the weight quickly. Here's why: It may give you a psychological boost that helps you stick to your new habits; in studies, fast weight loss led to more pounds off overall plus longer-term success in keeping it off. However, anyone can do a cleanse or an extreme plan, says Lisa Lillien, founder of HungryGirl.com and author of the new book The Hungry Girl Diet. But the minute you stop, you gain the weight back and havent learned anything. We interviewed top nutrition and fitness experts to get their best advice for quick and safe weight loss.

That should be the time between your last bite at night and first in the morning, says Lauren Slayton, RD, author of The Little Book of Thin. If you finish dinner at 7:30, that means no eating until 7:30 the next morning. Need motivation? Tell yourself, Go to sleep now, wake up wow, says Slayton.

If its a clich diet trick, its for good reason. People confuse hunger with thirst, especially when theyre trying to stick to a weight-loss plan and may expect to feel hungry, notes Lillien. When you find yourself walking toward the kitchen, get a glass of water instead of food.

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One, am I hungry? And two, what am I hungry for?" says Jennipher Walters, a certified personal trainer, co-founder of Fit Bottomed Girls LLC, and author of The Fit Bottomed Girls Anti-Diet. "You could be procrastinating, or bored, or stressed. Or maybe you just really need a hug. Distract yourself for five to 10 minutes, a buffer time to decide if youre really hungry. That can have a big impact on quick weight loss.

Choose wisely: Walters recommends beginning dinner with a broth-based soup or a salad. It fills you up and elongates the meal, which prevents you from scarfing down your food, she says. To avoid eating too quickly, keep your entre and sides off the table until you're done.

Supersize your veggies, pleads Tosca Reno, author of The Eat-Clean Diet series. Two sprigs of asparagus is not enough, she says. One of the biggest mistakes Reno sees clients make is eating too much of everything else. If you eat proper portions of just two food groupscarbs and meatyou will accelerate weight loss and improve your health. Tip: Pasta should be the size of your fist; meat should be about 3 ounces, about the size of a deck of cards or bar of soap.

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Don't deprive yourself; deprivation is not a great place to start, says Walters. If you want to stop drinking soda, dont just cut it outfind something else with bubbliness, like seltzer or flavored water, to replace it.

If you know you have something indulgent to look forward toa piece of high-quality dark chocolate, say, after dinnerit may be easier to turn down other temptations, such as office birthday cake, says Walters.

Often after working out, notes Lillien, people tend to overcompensate (I just did Spinning, I can order the French toast at brunch!) and eat more calories than they burn. That's less likely to happen if you write down what you eat. "Its just about being more aware so you make better food choices, she says.

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A lot of people think that a low-fat yogurt and fruit is a healthy breakfast, but its not that satiating, so you will be hungry again soon, says Walters. She recommends a morning meal that includes a balance of protein, fat, fiber, and veggies, such as a veggie egg scramble with avocado or cheese, or oatmeal with fruit and nuts.

Everyone has foods that make them want to keep eating more, says Lillien. When craving starchy picks like chips and pasta, she continues, instead, I use tofu shirataki noodles made from tofu and yam flourthe whole bag has 40 calories. Reno advises clients to get hidden foods out of the house so you don't have that crutch when you feel a need to binge. Chances are youre eating too much of them, she says.

Sugar is an addictive ingredient, says Reno. The more you eat it, the more you want. When you decrease your intake, your body will keep asking for it, but after two or three days, youll be amazed by how your body responds. If you dont feel like reading food labels, just try switching from processed choices (say, an energy bar) to whole ones (like an apple).

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Its not just soda. Healthy-sounding juice, iced tea, and other beverages can be big calorie bombs. But cut them out, and you'll watch the number on the scale start to drop instead. Sometimes a bottle of iced tea or juice has 2.5 servings, says Lillien. Read labels and youll see its just not worth it.

If youre stuck in an elliptical rut, ditch the low-key cardio for some circuit training or interval training, says Walters. In circuit training, youre doing strength training and cardio at the same time, which gets your metabolism up and burns fat, she says. A good interval workoutwhere you alternate short bursts of all-out effort with less-strenuous recovery zonesis super effective and challengingit will shake you and your body out of your comfort zone, says Walters.

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13 Quick Weight-Loss Tips Even Nutrition Pros Approve ...

Kenny Jastrow, Shannon Medical Center 12:28 p.m. CT April 11, 2017

Kenny Jastrow, general surgeon at Shannon Medical Center(Photo: Shannon Medical Center)

Obesity is a rapidly increasing epidemic more than one third of the adult population in our country is obese. This serious condition leads to additional health problems including diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

If left untreated, obesity can be fatal.

Higher medical costs are another cause for concern regarding obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state medical costs for obese patients are about $1,500 higher than patients of normal weight.

Bariatric surgery is a tool to help obese patients with their battle to regain control of their health. Sleeve gastrectomy, a type of bariatric surgery offered nationwide, is now available via the Shannon Weight Loss Center.

The goal of bariatric surgery is to reduce the patients caloric intake and to curb hunger. The sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure which narrows the size of the stomach, causing the patient to consume fewer calories. The operation removes the receptors that trigger hunger which causes the appetite to decrease.

Bariatric surgery is a permanent change to the body. The team at the Shannon Weight Loss Center must make sure patients are mentally and physically capable of tolerating the procedure. Therefore, we follow patients pre-and post-operatively to help them succeed. National standards are used to determine if a patient qualifies for surgery.

Patients should expect to lose 60 to 70 percent of their excess body weight after the sleeve gastrectomy procedure. How quickly the weight is lost varies for each patient. They may be able to stop taking medications and reverse conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Surgery is only one part of our patients weight loss journey. We can make sure the operation is a success, but the patient plays a huge role in making sure the surgery is successful.

They must adhere to a diet and make sure they exercise. The post-operative follow-up is intense because we want to make sure they are adhering to the program. Patients are given a bariatric manual that offers an in-depth look into the operation itself including pre-and post-operative care and dietary plans.

We think it is important to offer this procedure to patients locally. We have had patients undergo the surgery and they go off their medications, their diabetes improves, and their blood pressure goes down. These factors combined can provide long-term quality of life. It is a huge help to some of our patients and that is always our goal.

For more information about the sleeve gastrectomy procedure, please call the Shannon Weight Loss Center at 325-481-2344 or visit shannonhealth.com/services/weight-loss-center.aspx to read the testimonial of a patient who is experiencing a second chance of life after her surgery.

Kenny Jastrow III is a general surgeon at Shannon Medical Center.

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HOUSE CALL: Comprehensive approach to weight loss - San Angelo Standard Times

WESTON, WV--(Marketwired - April 11, 2017) - The hCG diet has been around for decades but is often misunderstood. Although quite effective in promoting rapid weight loss, it can be risky. The original hCG diet was developed by Dr. ATW Simeons in the early 1950s as a starvation-based diet that limited daily consumption to 500 calories. Dieters lost up to one pound per day by following an extremely low calorie diet and intaking small doses of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).

hCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy that contains 244 amino acids and has been linked to rapid weight loss by supposedly reducing "abnormal" fat from cells and around internal organs. When applied to a starvation diet like the original hCG diet, however, it can result in negative effects like extreme weakness, hair loss, and muscle decrease. Over time, the original hCG diet, also known as the Simeons method, became regarded as 'unsafe' by medical professionals, nutritionists, and leading weight loss centers like Diet Doc.

While the original hCG diet based on the Simeons method has been discredited, researchers have learned a lot about the hCG hormone and safer ways to apply it. Now, higher calorie programs for hCG treatment are available. These programs generally involve undergoing hCG treatment while consuming between 800 to 1250 calories every day. Individuals are able to lose weight consistently and the negative side effects seen with the Simeons method are minimized.

Diet Doc, a nationally recognized weight loss program, has continuously discouraged the Simeons method of hCG dieting and suggests high-calorie programs that involve safer weight loss. Doctor-supervision and diet customization based on nutritional needs are also highly recommended.

Regardless of their weight loss history or individual struggles, Diet Doc helps patients develop an individualized diet based on their nutritional needs or even their genetics. All Diet Doc programs, provide a doctor-supervised, customized diet plan. Instead of encouraging patients to adopt harmful dietary practices with no prior medical knowledge, Diet Doc consults with patients to provide a detailed weight loss plan based on their nutritional needs and medical history.

Losing weight with Diet Doc is safe, simple and affordable. Nutrition plans, exercise guidance, motivational support, and dietary supplements are all part of the package. Over 90% of Diet Doc patients report an average weight loss of 20 or more pounds every month and long-term weight loss maintenance is made possible through continuous counseling.

Patients can get started immediately, with materials shipped directly to their home or office. They can also maintain weight loss in the long-term through weekly consultations, customized diet plans, motivational coaches and a powerful prescription program. With Diet Doc, the doctor is only a short phone call away and a fully dedicated team of qualified professionals is available 6 days per week to answer questions, address concerns and support patients.

Getting started with Diet Doc is very simple and affordable. New patients can easily visit https://www.dietdoc.com to quickly complete a health questionnaire and schedule an immediate, free online consultation.

About the Company:Diet Doc Weight Loss is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, Diet Doc has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long term weight loss.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DietDocMedicalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DietDocMedicalWeightLoss/LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/company/diet-doc-weight-loss?trk=biz-brand-tree-co-logo

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Diet Doc Patients Avoid the Dangerous hCG Diet Plan and Lose Weight Fast With Doctor-Customized Diets - Marketwired (press release)