Motivation and behavior modification are what sets the Lindora weight loss program apart from other limited-carb, low-calorie diet plans. Founded in 1971, the program offers 44 medical clinics in southern California, two books for home dieters, a complete line of food products and nutritional supplements and an online user component. Choose this plan if you want to learn how to retrain the way you think about food, weight and lifestyle goals. As mentioned on the website MayoClinic.com, setting realistic goals and devising a support plan can make all the difference in losing weight. Consult your medical adviser before starting any new dietary program.
Weight Loss Period
Losing weight on the Lindora program involves a six-week cycle of eating plans. The first four weeks are low-calorie with a 100 to 150g limit on carb intake. You are encouraged to eat three meals and three snacks from low-fat protein sources, plus three fruit and two vegetable portions daily. The two-week period allows a slightly higher calorie intake to keep your metabolism from getting stuck at the lower calorie point, according to Cynthia Stamper, author of the Lindora book "Lean for Life." You can repeat this six-week cycle until you hit your goal weight.
Maintenance Period
Keeping the weight off is the focus of the maintenance period. Stamper and the clinic staff advise clients to continue their focus on lean protein sources while slowly reintroducing healthy fats and grains. You are encouraged to use a food journal to help you notice what triggers eating and weight gain for you. Each person's metabolism is unique, says Stamper, so what works for one may not work for you.
Success Strategies
Maintaining lifelong results is a key goal at Lindora, and the program is heavily weighted toward behavior modification and skills that you can carry with you. Stamper encourages dieters to use their Lindora skills throughout their lifetime by maintaining a support system, continuing an exercise plan, keeping a daily action plan journal, weighing in every morning, eating three meals a day and doing mental training exercises to keep perspective.
Retail
Lindora began as a free-standing weight loss clinic in Newport Beach CA in 1971, and has grown to 44 medical centers all located in southern California. Clinic users have a one on one relationship with a coach. Online Lindora program users access a website for meals and motivation and receive daily emails and dietary recommendations. The centers and the online program encourage purchasing Lean for Life food products; a grocery list of non-Lindora brand items is also available.
Books
Center and online dieters all receive a copy of "Lean for Life," the Lindora weight loss guide, which is also available at other retail locations. It details all portions of the 6-week weight loss program. "Staying Lean for Life" details the maintenance plan, along with many of the motivational and behavioral tips that make this plan both a mindset and an eating shift.
References
- Lindora: Our History
- MayoClinic.com: Weight-loss goals: 10 tips for success
- "Lean for Life;" Cynthia Stamper and Jerry Holderman; 1997
- "Staying Lean for Life;" Cynthia Stamper Graff; 1999
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