SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – Sarasota Memorial Hospital has launched a new lifestyle medicine program called “RENEW” designed to help people reduce their risk factors for chronic diseases and achieve personal health and wellness goals.
The six-week program combines nutrition counseling, exercise and personalized support. Research shows it can help people reduce their risk factors for chronic diseases and achieve personal health, weight and wellness goals.
The program has been so effective that results have been published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
Program shows promising results
SMH developed RENEW as a six-week lifestyle medicine program that combines nutrition counseling, exercise and personalized support. The team piloted the program with SMH staff for the first couple of years to study its effectiveness.
Results of the study were published in a scientific journal this year and demonstrate a powerful model for preventing chronic disease, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, stroke and heart disease, without medication.
The program uses a combination of in-person and virtual coaching. It is staffed by SMH’s registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and certified coaches and includes a free six-week membership to SMH’s medical fitness center HealthFit.
According to Mikka Ipri, a Sarasota Memorial registered dietitian and program coordinator, the RENEW Program helps people build healthy habits, lose weight, and have more energy.
“Our approach is about balance, not restriction, and that mindset applies to the holidays too,” Ipri said. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about having the tools to enjoy yourself while still protecting your health.”
More information is available at smhRENEW.com
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