5 Benefits of a Customized Wellness Plan

A customized wellness plan can help you establish a healthy foundation, maintain your well-being, and prevent and manage chronic conditions. This approach to well-being provides a guide for pursuing long-term wellness through lifestyle choices and appropriate preventive care.

Board-certified family medicine physician Karl Trippe, MD, of Waco Primary Care in Waco, Texas, provides professional wellness services to patients at all levels of health. Based on a thorough examination, medical history, diagnostic tests, and consideration of your personal goals, Dr. Trippe designs a customized wellness plan that can help improve your health and allow you to live your best life.

Here are five benefits of a customized wellness plan and how it can make a difference in your health today and in the future.

1. Receive professional guidance in managing your weight

If you’ve tried without success to lose weight, your inability to sustain long-term weight loss may be because you’ve never discovered what works for you.

In designing your customized wellness plan, Dr. Trippe looks at the “big picture” and considers your unique needs for weight management. Certain factors, such as lifestyle, genetics, medical history, and medications, can impact your success in reaching a healthy weight.

A customized wellness plan can help you lose weight by addressing the unique needs of your body and medical conditions. A plan can help you lose weight safely and also help you learn how to maintain your weight loss and live a healthy lifestyle.

2. Lower your risk of developing chronic diseases

A customized wellness plan establishes a preventive approach to wellness by instituting lifestyle changes that can lower your risk of developing chronic diseases.

For example, losing just 5-10% of your body weight may improve your cholesterol levels and lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. And, quitting smoking at any age can reduce your risk of developing cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease, and stroke.

Other components of your customized wellness plan may involve taking one or more of the following screenings and diagnostic tests to identify conditions that may threaten your health:

• Urinalysis
• Complete blood cell (CBC) test
• Skin cancer screening
• Cholesterol (lipid) check
• Mammogram
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing
• Pap smear or testicular exam

3. Receive customized medication management

If you’re taking more than one medication prescribed by more than one physician, a customized wellness plan can prevent over-medication and the possibility of adverse reactions.

In some cases, it may be time to reduce or discontinue some medications and consider other types of treatment or lifestyle changes if the medications are doing more harm than good.

As a family medicine physician, Dr. Trippe has the expertise necessary to coordinate all of your medications, monitor the dosages and potential interactions, and make changes when necessary.

4. Get nutrition and dietary counseling

While nutritional and dietary counseling can help you achieve weight loss goals, this aspect of your wellness plan can also provide the foundation for your overall physical and mental health. Eating the right foods can increase your energy, strengthen your bones, improve your mental sharpness, and protect your cardiovascular system.

Poor eating habits can rob your body of the nutrients needed to fight symptoms related to menopause, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and other conditions. If you don’t eat properly, your overall health may decline, which may make you unable to manage existing conditions and fight off new problems.

5. Develop an exercise plan

Exercise and movement are critical components of a healthy lifestyle. In addition to providing physical benefits, exercise can boost your mood, reduce stress, sharpen your focus, and even improve your quality of sleep.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity every week, with strength training at least twice a week.

A customized wellness plan can help you set workable goals and routines for meeting established levels of movement. With consideration for your abilities, preferences, and lifestyle, Dr. Trippe can work with you to create an exercise program with activities that will improve your well-being.