Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle is More Than Weight Loss

South Central Primary Care Services Physician, Kelly Tullos, MD, Helps Individuals Regain their Quality of Life

The importance of maintaining good health cannot be stressed enough. A healthy body sets the tone for a person’s day-to-day well-being and determines how a person will age. It also allows people to live an active and more full life, which improves a person’s quality of life as they age. Kelly Tullos, MD, physician at South Central Primary Care Services, understands the important factors for a healthy lifestyle.

Kelly Tullos, MD
Obesity Medicine
South Central Primary Care Services

“A healthy lifestyle requires a mix of a balanced diet, regular exercise and quality sleep,” said Dr. Tullos. “I push for patients to be healthy so they can feel better about themselves. Life is no fun if you feel terrible all the time. Together, I work with the patient to develop a lifestyle plan that is tailored for the patient’s health and their daily routine. Life is more than feeling terrible and not being able to change that.”

To understand the importance of maintaining good health, there are various things that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. These include nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress management. When these parts are out of balance, health often pays the price. Dr. Tullos offers healthy weight-loss management for patients.

Dr. Tullos explains the service. “If a patient has heart issues, we will follow dietary guidelines of a cardiologist. If you are a diabetic, we will stay away from a lot of carbohydrates. What a person is putting in their mouth is very important because those nutrients are fueling the body. So, if bad foods are a person’s main source of nutrients, they are going to feel bad most of the time. Establishing a diet is more than just water, fruits and vegetables. By making small changes and finding a diet and daily routine that fits a patient’s lifestyle, they are more willing to make this a permanent change.”

According to the American Heart Association, adults need 150 minutes of exercise each week. Regular exercise strengthens bones, muscles, lungs and cardiovascular system. Dr. Tullos states, “exercise can be hard for people to fit in their schedule, especially if they have young kids or a full-time job. Individuals do not have to join a gym, own a treadmill or lift weights to exercise. Sometimes it can be something as simple as going outside to walk the dog for 30 minutes or playing with their kids in the yard. Each body has a different need.

“Our goal is to help people in the end,” said Dr. Tullos. “I encourage patients or those interested in the program to not be intimidated and always ask questions.” As a physician, I am happy to be able to help somebody achieve their goals. To hear them say, ‘I’m wearing clothes I have not seen in years,’ or ‘I am able to get on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a time, and not be out of breath,’ is really rewarding.”

To learn more about this service, please contact South Central Primary Care Services at 601-426-5125. The clinic accepts new patients and most commercial insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid.