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Vitality Medical and Wellness Consulting

I am a triple-board certified physician, business owner, public speaker, coach, and mom of 4, including twins! I specialize in helping working parents lose weight in a sustainable, scientific method. I am transitioning to a virtual practice to focus more on my health, faith, marriage, and kids. If any of this resonates with you, add your email below to subscribe to my newsletter. I look forward to connecting with you!

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The Impact of Body Image on Productivity & Quality of Life

Improving Body Image: A Pathway to Enhancing Productivity and Quality of Life I hear many New Year Resolutions every January. Typically, they address career, financial, and health goals. When it comes to health, I consistently hear the desire to lose weight and be able to stop or avoid medication. Regarding weight specifically, individuals usually express dissatisfaction with their bodies. Our perception of our bodies, irrespective of how they look, influences our thoughts, feelings,...

"Calories Are All That Matter" “I’m eating under 1,800 calories a day—so why am I gaining weight?” That was Marcus*, a 52-year-old IT consultant who came in convinced his metabolism was broken. He tracked every bite in MyFitnessPal. He counted almonds. He stopped eating after 7 pm. And yet, his waistline kept growing, his blood pressure was rising, and he was constantly tired. He looked at me and asked: “Isn’t weight just calories in, calories out?” 🔬 Where the “Calorie Myth” Fails This...

Plant-Based = Healthy Diet “I went plant-based to get healthier. So why am I exhausted all the time?” That was Rachel*, a 37-year-old elementary school teacher, sitting in my office with bags under her eyes and a folder full of labs that didn’t make sense. Her cholesterol had jumped. Her blood sugar was creeping up. Despite cutting out meat and dairy months ago, she'd gained weight. She looked at me, confused. “I thought eating plant-based was supposed to help with all of this.” 🌱 When...

Myth: "Everything in Moderation" is Healthy "I only eat sweets once a day. Everything in moderation, right?" That’s what Jessica*, a 43-year-old mom of two, told me during her visit. She came in frustrated, despite watching what she ate and walking daily, her A1c had crept into prediabetic territory. Her cholesterol was rising too. When I asked about her meals, she said she tried to eat “healthy” but liked to have a little treat each night—maybe a few cookies, a bowl of ice cream, or a pastry...

Mark* thought managing his psoriatic arthritis was enough—until his labs told a different story. For years, Mark did everything he could to keep his psoriatic arthritis under control. He took his medications, went to medical appointments, and didn’t use tobacco products. He figured that as long as his joints weren’t flaring, he was doing okay. But as we reviewed the labs from his annual checkup, the numbers weren’t what he wanted: 📉 His good cholesterol was low.📈 His A1c was in prediabetes...

Lisa* thought she had her autoimmune symptoms under control—until perimenopause For years, she managed her fatigue, joint pain, and brain fog with a solid routine. She avoided inflammatory foods, prioritized sleep, and followed her doctor’s treatment plan. But then, things began to change. Some months, right before her period, it felt like her body was betraying her. Her fatigue became unbearable, her joints ached more than usual, and her brain fog made even simple tasks overwhelming. She...

For years, Megan* thought her rheumatoid arthritis flares were random. During a flare, she woke up exhausted no matter how much she slept. Her joints were stiff and ached every day for hours. She felt like she was twice her age due to hobbling around the morning and being slow to get going. And the bloating? Some days, it made her look six months pregnant. Her doctors said it was "part of having an autoimmune disease." By the time I met her, she was miserable multiple days each month despite...

For years, Sarah* knew something wasn’t right. She was exhausted—more than "I need another cup of coffee" tired. Some days, she struggled to get out of bed. Her joints ached, the rashes showed up at the worst times, her stomach was unpredictable, and the brain fog made it impossible to focus. Doctor after doctor told her iterations of the same thing: "Your labs are normal... Your stress levels are high… Try exercising more… go on a retreat…get more rest...” She was prescribed antidepressants,...

Misconceptions about autoimmune diseases can delay diagnosis and proper treatment. Emma* always thought autoimmune diseases were rare—until she got diagnosed with one. For years, she brushed off her exhaustion as stress. The joint pain? Normal aging. The fatigue? Maybe stress or poor sleep. Every doctor visit ended the same: "Your labs look fine." When I shared with her that she had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, she was stunned. "I thought autoimmune diseases were rare," she said. "And aren't they...

Dear Reader, Sarah* sat across from me, arms crossed, frustration written all over her face. “Dr. Loden, I work out every day. I spend an hour on the treadmill or elliptical, I hit my step goals, and my Apple Watch says my heart rate zones are great. But my recent labs showed insulin resistance, and now you’re telling me my heart isn’t as healthy as I thought?” I could tell she was frustrated. She wasn’t running marathons. She wasn’t overtraining. She was doing exactly what most people are...

Dear Reader, Nathan* sat in my office, arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face. “I don’t know if I agree with you. I’ve never been overweight a day in my life. So why are you telling me I’m at risk for heart disease?” It was the same conversation I’ve had with so many patients. Nathan didn’t smoke. His prior doctors had never mentioned high cholesterol. He went to the gym a couple of times a week. By all appearances, he was the picture of good health. But his labs told a very different...