UAMS Weight-loss Program Holds Independence Day Cook-in

By Sally Graham

Cook-in guests get moving with a calorie-busting Zumba class.
Cook-in guests get moving with a calorie-busting Zumba class.
Guests sample dishes made from the plan's meal replacements.
Guests sample dishes made from the plan’s meal replacements.
Elizabeth Vaughn-Neely, Daniel Moix and Alexa Rea are proud patients and advocates of the UAMS weight-loss plan.
Elizabeth Vaughn-Neely, Daniel Moix and Alexa Rea are proud patients and advocates of the UAMS weight-loss plan.
Clinic employees helped patients and guests check their BMI and body fat measurements.
Clinic employees helped patients and guests check their BMI and body fat measurements.

| June 29, 2012 | Patients and employees of the Weight Loss and Metabolic Control program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) gathered on the 12th floor of the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute to kick-off an Independence Day Cook-in. Friends of patients in the program and people interested in learning more about the plan came to the free, informative and fun event.

 

Clinicians with the program provided cooking demonstrations to show how versatile the program’s meal replacements are, serving up corn dog bites, mock s’mores and soft pretzels for guests to enjoy. Guests also had a chance to learn about their BMI and body fat measurements, and take a calorie-busting Zumba class.

 

The cook-in provided a great opportunity for guests to mingle with people already enrolled in the plan and to learn about better lifestyle choices.

 

“What distinguishes our program is we do offer a board certified endocrinologist who sees patients as well as education classes taught by registered dietitians and nutritionists,” said Betsy Day, the weight control clinic manager.

 

Daniel Moix, 32, started the program tipping the scales at 448 pounds last November. Moix has lost 152 pounds, and champions the UAMS plan for its “multifaceted approach to weight loss.”

 

“He inspires us,” said Alexa Rea, who is currently on the maintenance plan, having reached her target weight.

 

Elizabeth Vaughn-Neely, also on maintenance, says learning how to keep track of what she eats has helped. “It’s still a battle,” said Vaughn-Neely, who lost 132 pounds on the plan and eliminated blood pressure medication and having to prick her fingers because she is no longer diabetic.

 

“I feel it! My blood pressure is now 101/62!”

 

Employees in the UA system whose insurance plan is through QualChoice who fit certain BMI criteria can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for metabolic weight loss programs, including the UAMS program.