BUSINESS PROFILE: Activate Metabolics Weight Loss
Program uses genetic testing to help people ‘take back control’ of weight, health
BY SCOTT THOMA
When most people try to lose weight, they are of the understanding that eating less will shed the pounds; and they end up irritable, unhealthy and hungry.
Dr. Adam Fink and Dr. Seth Nelson, who were college classmates at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, became chiropractors 13 years ago, each owning their own business. They each introduced the Activate Metabolics Weight Loss program into their clinics several years ago and the results have been overwhelming.
Dr. Fink operates Hutchinson Weight Loss Center in Hutchinson, while Dr. Nelson operates Rising Sun Chiropractic & Weight Loss in St. Peter.
Activate Metabolics utilizes DNA genetic testing to determine which types of foods a particular person needs.
“It’s like putting the right type of gas and oil in your vehicle to keep the engine running smoothly,” said Dr. Fink. “People need different amounts of certain foods to keep them healthy and have more energy.”
The pandemic factored into sudden weight gains on many individuals because there were fewer entertainment and fitness opportunities. Confined to their home, these people consumed food out of habit more than necessity. And because of that, the unwanted weight increase contributed to high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and increased blood sugar levels, which in turn, have led to incidences of Type-2 diabetes, heart disease unwanted weight gains, decreased health and less energy.
The most noticeable thing I have seen in people is the accumulated stress,” said Dr. Nelson. “The pandemic has led to large stress events and that led people to make stressed choices. Many people felt powerless, working from home, changes in activity levels and stress eating led people down the path of weight gain, body pain and feeling stuck.”
“There has never been a more important time than now to learn how to take back control of our weight and health,” said Dr. Fink.
Dr. Nelson and Dr. Fink has each remodeled the interior and exterior of their respective clinic, which are now more appealing and beneficial with updated treatment and examination space for their weight-loss clientele.
And each doctor has a knowledgeable and caring staff.
Becky has been Dr. Nelson’s weight loss coach for the past two years.
“She is passionate about helping patients achieve real change and uses her years of experience in the medical field every day,” said Dr. Nelson. “Becky works to establish personalized goals, sets up plans to help patients achieve them, and works to make sure that our program is much more than just weight loss.”
Becky is currently working on advanced certification in coaching and is always looking to expand her knowledge to help patients succeed.
Jill has been with Dr. Fink since he opened his clinic and helped many clients in their weight loss journey since 2015.
“Watching our patients be able to do simple takes, such as tying their shoes, or able to get on the floor and play with their kids or grandkids is so rewarding,” she said.
Dr. Fink has two new additions to his staff, Maddie Messner and Megan Ruppert, who each have exercise degrees and work with weight loss, rehab and therapy.
Proper eating habits will also take weight off, the doctors noted. That is especially true for those with busy schedules who have less time to exercise.
With many diets, individuals lose weight only to have the pounds come right back. With Activate Metabolics, clients are educated to eat the foods their body needs, making it easier to keep the weight off.
Clients of each of the chiropractors have been grateful for the experience and understanding of how to be healthier by losing weight the safe and effective way.
“I decided to lose weight when my doctor diagnosed me with Type-2 diabetes,” Tammy V. said. “She gave me an ultimatum -- lose weight, exercise, and bring my A1C down, then she would not prescribe medication.”
Tammy decided to begin the Activate Metabolics program and lost 35 pounds in the first 41 days.
“I learned healthy ways to eat, and healthy ways to prepare food,” she added. “I feel like I have control of my own weight loss and I can do it all without shakes and unnecessary expensive supplement.”
One misconception about dieting is that a person must avoid any type of fat.
“There are good fats and bad fats,” explained Dr. Fink. “And by genetic testing, we can determine that some people need more good fats than others.”
Monounsaturated fats are considered “healthy fats” and can be found in foods such as nuts, avocados, coconuts, dark chocolate, and olive oil.
Saturated fats, which are considered “bad fats”, can be found in margarine, vegetable oil, fatty meats, and deep-fried foods.
“The best part of all this is that we don’t need to rely on pills, stimulants, or crazy fads,” Dr. Nelson said. “We help people understand foods, how they work in our body, how their genetics play a key role, using foods like medicine to achieve amazing weight loss and a whole new outlook on life. When you look at your plate, knowing that it’s helping you lose weight and feel better than you have in years and be delicious, it makes these changes easy.”
Dr. Fink and Dr. Nelson also each educate their clients on how to shop for healthy foods, prepare healthy meals, and eat healthy.
“It’s important that we don’t try to frame this as a diet,” Dr. Nelson mentioned. “We promote this as a shift in their lifestyle, and incorporate genetic testing to show them how certain foods affect them.”
Dr. Nelson also maintains that he and Dr. Fink, along with their coaches, educate patients on the proper foods to eat through extended follow-through and one-on-one daily support.
“The foundation of the program we use, Activate Metabolics, is focused on strategic choices with real fresh food,” he said. “We promote low, anti-inflammatory foods, and our dietary systems lead to profound changes with profound health benefits.”
Activate Metabolics Weight Loss program is based on four pillars: (1) It includes the latest in weight-loss technology, including genetic testing and scanning devices to perform a body composition analysis. (2) A Metabolic Booster Meal Plan. (3) Proprietary nutritional formulas. (4) Individual one-on-one coaching and daily support.
The genetic testing that the doctors have been using with their Activate Metabolics Weight Loss programs utilizes the advanced techniques of testing a patient’s DNA in order to determine their metabolic tendencies and recommended daily intake of fat, carbohydrates and protein.
“I joined Activate Metabolics with my wife to lose weight and address high blood pressure and arthritis pain in my knees and hips,” said Kevin V. “I lost 38 pounds in 42 days, and as of now, am no longer on blood pressure medications. My knees and hips feel better than they have in years, and I can go up and down the stairs with no pain.”
The genetic testing is quick and easy and involves no discomfort.
“We basically perform a swab test where we take a sample of the patient’s DNA by rubbing a swab inside their cheek,” explained Dr. Fink. “We then send the DNA sample to a lab, and they in turn, send us back a 50-page report that provides us with detailed information about the client’s genetics.”
DNA influences a person’s metabolism, and metabolism is what burns fat.
“We can teach people to eat and stay healthy, but it’s important to note that people have to want to do this,” Dr. Fink stated. “Our hope is that we can show how this is something you can do for yourself.”
The weight loss coaches continually support their clients daily via text messages or emails through the first couple of months of the program. The clients then relay information back to their coaches such as how much weight they have lost and their overall health status. If the coaches notice certain trends, they will guide their client to influence those trends in a positive way.
One of the most frustrating things when trying to lose weight is when a person “hits a plateau” and the scale isn’t continuing to show the declining weight numbers.
“That does happen to some people, but that doesn’t mean the program isn’t working,” Dr. Fink explained. “They might not see the weight coming off, but they are losing inches off their waist or somewhere else. Because they are getting healthier, they feel better and have more energy, so they are exercising more. So, they might not be losing weight because they are building muscle and toning up instead.
Dr. Nelson and Dr. Fink became chiropractors because of a desire to help others. And their Activate Metabolics Weight Loss programs are an example of that.
“It never gets old to see people feeling better,” Dr. Nelson said. “It is rewarding to see the change in how they feel. It is not always easy and there are challenges for them. But it can be a positive outcome for the rest of their life. And that’s the rewarding part.”
“It’s rewarding to see the changes in people when they lose weight,” Dr. Fink remarked. “Not only is it rewarding that they are a smaller size, but also their personality improves, they are sleeping better, and they have more energy.”
Dr. Fink’s HutchinsonWeight Loss Center is located at 233 Hassan St. SE in Hutchinson. For more information or to make an appointment, call 320-234-3584 or visit the website at loseweighthutchinson.com.
Dr. Nelson’s Rising Sun Chiropractic and Weight Loss office is located at 1520 S. Minnesota Ave. in St. Peter. For more information or to make an appointment, call 507-934-3333 or visit the website at risingsunwl.com.
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