LAFAYETTE, Indiana - The Franciscan Healthy Living Center offers the Better Weigh of Life program. This program provides individuals with the tools they need to lose weight and improve their long-term health.

Better Weigh of Life believes that weight loss shouldn't be about fitting into new clothes or the numbers you see on a scale. It should be about something more important: your health. The program is geared toward improving overall wellness for a balanced approach to weight loss, including nutrition counseling, sleep assessments and emotional/behavioral support.

Program details:

  • Consists of individual visits allowing targeted support
  • Includes long-term support, typically lasting at least a year
  • Open to anyone age 18 and above
  • Costs are frequently covered by insurance plans when body mass index (BMI) requirements are met. Each insurance plan may vary with program coverage.
  • Virtual visits available after initial assessments

The Better Weigh of Life program has already helped many individuals, including Amy Herman. Herman, age 77, and her husband, are both retired and have a large family that includes multiple grandchildren. Unfortunately, Amy was growing more and more depressed and frustrated as a result of her weight. She felt she'd tried every diet at this point, but her efforts weren't working, and she was the heaviest she'd ever been.

"To me, it was something between me and God that I had to get straightened out because I knew that my binge eating was not only unhealthy, but it was causing me psychological, emotional and physical stress," Herman explained.

Herman talked to a new doctor about her frustration but was skeptical when they suggested she speak with a dietitian. She knew she was a good and healthy cook, but she had issues with binge eating.

She set up an appointment with the Better Weigh of Life program, and says it was the answer to her prayers.

"For the first time in lots of years, I had hope and was finding joy in my life again. I just can't say enough good things," Herman said. "It lasts a whole year, so you get through every season of the year, every grandchild's birthday … all the high points and low points. It's enough time to really get used to a new way of life through every season."

She also explained that she was very thankful to work with an athletic trainer in the program. She previously had never been able to lose weight unless she both dieted and exercised at the same time.

As for the food? She's very much enjoying it.

"I'm finding that I love this new way of eating. It's not all that different. I'm thoroughly enjoying cooking because I'm cooking healthier recipes that we all love and so I'm just very happy with it."

Herman has seen great results within the program and is at 15% weight loss in six months.

Getting started with a new lifestyle can sometimes be intimidating, but the Better Weigh of Life program offers guidance and support. You begin your journey with frequent visits with a dietitian and nurse practitioner, which decrease after the first two months. The focus on this program is on lifestyle changes and behavioral modifications with the support of a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals. Intensive education regarding nutrition, physical activity, behavioral modification and drug therapy (as appropriate) will be provided. To start, participants must have a BMI of 30 or greater. Then, a weight loss goal of at least 6.6 pounds by the sixth month point is required by insurance in order to continue for the rest of the program.

Make your health a priority in 2021. Schedule an appointment today by calling the Franciscan Healthy Living Center at 844-441-6609 and asking to speak with a Better Weigh of Life staff member.

The Franciscan Healthy Living Center main office is located at 1116 North 16th Street, in Lafayette, Indiana.



Media Contact

Tricia Schuessler
Lafayette and Western Indiana
Phone: 765-502-4688