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Who said winter is dull? The Winter Olympics, Super Bowl LX, and, of course, Valentine’s Day are all coming up. Appropriately enough, February is also American Heart Month. Did you know heart disease is the leading cause of death? Mortality rates peaked in the 1960s, but heart disease continues to place #1 on the list.
Obesity is associated with several heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, AFib, cardiomyopathy, and dyslipidemia. But fortunately, along with improved diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes, we have tools to help. One of them is Wegovy (semaglutide). It is primarily recognized as a weight loss drug but is FDA-approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
We have plenty to share this month, so hop on that elliptical for some heart-healthy cardio, sweatin’ it out to your favorite love ballads, and read on!
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A Message from Our Clinic Leader
Elsey Strube, RD, LD
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This year marks my ✨10-year anniversary✨ with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists and Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics – first as a dietitian and now as a leader – and it’s been incredibly meaningful to witness the growth and evolution of our program, our specialty, and our team. Over the past decade, I’ve seen firsthand how far obesity medicine has come and how powerful it can be when care is thoughtful, individualized, and rooted in compassion.
💗 What I love most about our mission – and what I’m deeply passionate about personally – is taking a root-cause approach to medicine. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, our goal is to understand the why behind health challenges and support patients in addressing the underlying factors that impact their well-being. I truly believe our lives are precious and fleeting, and my hope is that we can help each patient get the most out of theirs by gaining support from our team in finding balance through nourishing nutrition, meaningful movement, and strong mental well-being. Thank You for trusting our team to be part of your journey! It is truly an honor to support you in your pursuit of lasting health and well-being.
| | | OMA Pillars of Obesity Treatment: Heart-Healthy Winter Exercise ❄ | | |
Iowa winters can feel like a major barrier to our physical activity goals. We tend to view the months of cold, snow, and lack of sunshine as an opportunity to stay indoors, binge-watch favorite TV shows, and dream of warmer days ahead. While this form of relaxing self-care is important to our well-being, we risk being overly sedentary. In Iowa, about 22% of people report no physical activity outside of their job.
Winter isn’t going anywhere, and you know the saying: if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Take advantage of winter-specific activities like ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking winter trails. Despite our flat terrain, there are opportunities for skiing and snowboarding at places like Sleepy Hollow Sports Park and Seven Oaks Rec.
For indoor fun: consider a group dance or aerobics class, (hot) yoga, or swimming. Regularly going to a well-lit gym even when it’s dark outside helps boost the feel-good chemicals in your brain and gives you a chance to socialize with other folks.
Have you heard of hygge? It’s a Danish and Norwegian word that basically means creating a cozy or content vibe. Try lighting some candles, sipping herbal tea or bone broth, or playing games with friends over some healthy snacks. Spring will be here before you know it.
| | Did you know we have locations outside of the Des Moines area? Our providers see patients at several Iowa Specialty Clinics throughout north central Iowa. Check out the map below to see which location is close to you! | | |
Patient Success Stories
IWLS surgical weight loss patient Patty says, "I feel so much better in general. I'm able to go hiking, I feel confident in clothing that I would have never worn before, and I have more energy, especially in the mornings."
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We want to hear from you!
As one of our weight loss patients, you can inspire others.
Share your story by visiting our website at the link below.
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Last call - join the water challenge TODAY!
Need some extra motivation to kick off your 2026 hydration goals? Join our first official challenge of the year – email newsletter@iowaweightloss.com with the subject line “Water Challenge” to enter.
We will send you a tracking sheet and some tips and tricks to help hit your goal. All participants who successfully complete 30 days drinking at least 64 ounces of water will be entered in a drawing to win a $25 gift card.
| | Deadline for submissions will be March 6! | | |
Happenings
💻 Connect with fellow patients and registered dietitian Kathryn Flynn, RDN, in our virtual support group sessions via Zoom. Email connections@iowaweightloss.com to receive updates. Both surgical and medical weight loss patients welcome! Mark your calendar for upcoming sessions:
Wednesday 2/11 at 5:00pm or Thursday 2/26 at noon, where we'll be discussing the important role of FIBER. 🥑🌾
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🎙 In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, dietitians Derek and Anthony break down the newly-released Dietary Guidelines and what they really mean. Watch now on YouTube or subscribe on your favorite podcast app.
🤝 Looking for more peer support? Join our private, patient-led support group on Facebook.
🌎 A new food pantry focused on serving the multicultural needs of immigrant and refugee families opens this month in Des Moines.
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Why We ❤ Working at IWLS
There are countless ads, influencers, and expensive supplements out there that promise quick weight loss results. The boom in popularity of GLP-1’s the last few years has increased the noise and it can be hard to tell what’s real and what’s not.
That’s where we come in! The thing that sets Iowa Weight Loss Specialists apart is our experienced, qualified team of specialists that follows evidence-based guidelines for weight management. We believe each patient’s story is different, each care plan is different, and YOU are the focus.
In other words, we care deeply about our mission and about giving people real, straightforward help. We asked our team what they love about working at IWLS. Here are some of their responses:
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“I love, LOVE that I get to positively change people’s lives for the better and be a part of their transformation, allowing them to actually reach their goals. This is the most satisfying and gratifying position as a health care professional that I have ever been in. I love what I do!”
--LeAnn Hindman, ARNP, FNP-C, Des Moines Clinic
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“The reason I love, have loved, working here is the joy I receive in seeing our patients succeed at their weight loss goals, and the connections I make with our patients. I’m really going to miss that, along with all the great employees we have here. 😊”
--Jane Runneals, CMA, Des Moines Clinic
(Jane is transferring to a new position within the hospital soon;
we will miss her always bright smile and positive attitude!)
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“I love working here because it’s very rewarding to see patients achieve goals they didn’t think possible. It feels so good when someone says “thank you” and you know it’s from the bottom of their heart!”
--Kathryn Flynn, RDN
Des Moines Clinic + Telehealth
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